- Hufeland Index Page 643 -

Novr. 18th James Wood, aged 86, of Bedford, New Purchase: “I lived during the Revolutionary was in North now New Castle. When Colonel Green was killed part of the Refugees advanced to the Bridge, after waiting till the planks were laid which were taken up every night and replaced in the morning. They then attacked the widow Griffen’s about a quarter of a mile off. Here the negroes were cut up unmercifully – Refugees very bitter against them on account of Captain Totten. In the Fall of 1780, Captain ^Samuel^ Knapp

- Hufeland Index Page 644 -

came up to Clark’s Corner with about sixty horse, where he halted and sent Captain or Lieut. Kipp on to Bedford with about twenty cavalry. Near Bedford village Kipp found a drove of about 120 fat cattle destined for the American army with the Continental mark or brand upon them. These he took, and attempted to drive off, but was soon followed by a detachment of Sheldon’s horse under Lieut. Pool, and a body of militia that pressed him hard on his retreat. Captain Knapp meanwhile having heard that a Continental force from New Jersey had landed at Tarrytown went in that direction to reconnoitre. During his absence a horseman came in at speed out of breath and his horse blown with intelligence that Kipp had seized a valuable drove of cattle which were in danger of being retaken by the enemy, and that unless immediate assistance was given the whole Refugee party would

- Hufeland Index Page 645 -

be captured. Knapp soon after returned and with the rest of his force went to Kipp’s assistance. Knapp charged Sheldon’s horse and drove them back in confusion. Lieut. Poole took to an open field pursued by Charles Leggett, a private of DeLancey’s who called upon him to surrender. Looking back and seeing only one dragoon, Poole turned about, and aimed a blow at his pursuer which would probably have killed him if the sword had not turned in his hand, so that the blow took effect with the flat instead of the edge, inflicting upon his antagonist a bruise instead of a wound. Leggett instantly cut him in the sword arm, and before he could transfer his sword wounded him in the other arm also. After being much out, Poole surrendered and died from loss of blood that night. (?) About twenty or thirty of the cattle was driven into Morrisania and the rest were all retaken.

- Hufeland Index Page 646 -

I think some of the Refugees were killed or wounded, and that no one of the Americans was killed but Poole. – Clark’s corner was about six miles from North Castle Church. [Mr. Hyat says about five – that it was not called Clark’s corner during the Revolutionary war, and was formed by the intersection of the Tarrytown and Bedford road with the White Plains and Pinesbridge road. It consists of three corners. The White Plains and Pinesbridge having joined the Bedford and Tarrytown road a quarter of a mile or more north of the corner.] I don’t know whether the man who fought with Charles Leggett was an officer or not. He was taken to Morrisania and died there (as I understood) the same night riding the horse down there on which he fought. I saw him as he rode with the blood flowing from his wounds. He held his hands clasped together, a man riding on each side of him. This skirmish

- Hufeland Index Page 647 -

was fought about a quarter or half a mile west of Clark’s corner on the road to Bedford. This place was not called Clark’s corner in the Revolutionary war. It is or was in fact three corners formed by the Bedford and Tarrytown road and a road which branches off from this to the White Plains. I think the Refugees took no prisoners except Captain Moseman and the one that was wounded. Captain Knapp was up on this occasion by appointment to cover a drove of cattle going to New York. I joined this drove with some cattle belonging to the man I lived with. The drove was concealed in the hills and woods of Chappequa. We started in the night and went forward as fast as we could expecting every moment to be joined by Knapp, but Knapp didn’t appear. We went on for Tarrytown and now began to be alarmed for ourselves and cattle for it was daylight. All t once we heard the joyful cry: “There is

- Hufeland Index Page 648 -

Captain Kipp Knapp! They are come!” We then were safe and got nearly in to Morrisania that night. Cattle dealers were in the habit of purchasing above in Dutchess County &c, and driving down to near the lines by obscure roads and paths among their friends, hiding in the wood and hills, &c. – When they arrived at or near the Croton, they then employed guides living about there to pilot their droves down below till they were out of all danger, when they themselves took the cattle and drove in to New York. Captn. Knapp on this occasion came up the North River road to Tarrytown and from that place went on the Clark’s corner. When Captain Knapp joined us we were about a mile north of Buttermilk Hill. Knapp retreated by the same road on which he advanced. Knapp (I understood) and the other Refugee officers were in the habit of exacting from the drovers one half or one fourth or some part of the profits they made. On the above occasion the droves were almost in despair at the

- Hufeland Index Page 649 -

time Knapp made his appearance, pushing the wearied cattle forward and crying out: We are lost! – We shall be taken!” &c. I had been prevailed upon to go down this time by the drovers who said Morrisania was a fine place where I should be able to live in peace and quiet. I, in common with many of the neighbors, had been whipped and cruelly used by the Skinners and insolent Whigs who sometimes hanged men for their money. One Mosier who was hanged would not tell where his money was but remained resolute to the last. When almost dead he was cut down. He said that when he found himself dying he said to himself in consolation: “Now the villains won’t get my money after all their trouble!” He was a man of great resolution. The Skinners came to my fathers once, disguised, with blackened faces, and demanded his money. He gave up what was in the house. They demanded the money he had hidden. He refused. They took the

- Hufeland Index Page 650 -

bottom out of a chair, placed it over a fire of coals and seated my father in the chair, intending he should sit naked, but he contrived to keep his breeches on. The pain was so great that he sprang up with five or six on his shoulders, &c. The Skinners were frightened thinking him dead &c. Captain Kipp was a man of wonderful resolution and his enemies lived in great dread of him. After I had been a few days at Morrisania I found what a dissolute set they were and what ^their wicked carryings on. I determined to return to N.C. [North Castle] although I might be whipped or tortured to death, and accordingly I returned.