Macdonald, John. Interview with Corsa, Andrew, 1762-1852; (1850-10-19). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 1301. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States).

- Hufeland Index Page 1025 - [X] See pp 4-7 of origl. and 5-10 of copy <left margin> Who in 1781 owned Dr. Powell's place? In the march music or silence? </left margin> 1850. Octr. 19th. Andrew Corsa [X], of Fordham, aged 89: "It was just before sunrise on Sunday the 22d of July 1781 that I was awakened in my bed (at my father's house where the Roman Catholic College now …

I told them two, vizt: Sergeant Hilliard and James Travis, [X] who were to be found on the route we should take to West Farms, but added that Hilliard must be surprised before he got on horseback, for if once in his saddle they would never overtake him. They were very anxious to capture Hilliard and his horse, and asked and obtained permission for the attempt from the French …

We had previously passed Emery's lane which led down for about three quarters of a mile (between Fordham depot and West Farms) to Emery's farm house, and which lane was then used as a public road towards Redoubt No. 8. We followed the Ford- -ham road leading to Delancey's Mills which at that time crossed the ground where the Boston Post road now is, at right angles, and then …

The Block House was a little south of the road which leads across the Stone Bridge. In the lower part of West Farm's Village the old road came into and was identical with the road now used. We continued our march on the old road in the following order, scarcely moving off a walk: - 1st The guides with a small detachment of light horsemen, among whom were some of the generals' …

We then retraced our steps for about half a mile or more and pursued the old road which led to Morrisania Ferry." [We travelled - Hufeland Index Page 1030 - this road today, (Octr 19th). At first it was open and well worked apparently used by the neighbouring farms; after- -wards it was shut up by several gates like a private lane and so as to be scarcely passable. At length …

The exact site of the old bridge is now indicated by a wooden bridge contiguous to a tenant's house - both old Mill and old bridge having been situate a little south of the present Morrisania church.] "When we appeared upon the Ridge on the west bank of Mill Brook the British batteries again fired at us but we soon after commenced retiring along the low ground on the very edge …

Our route too was somewhat differ- -ent, but we retired as before across the fields of Fordham and Morrisania. [Proba- -bly this was the day on which the Generals examined the grounds along Haerlem river - the Forts on New York Island, &c. Qu. de hoc. This on the 1st day ? J. M. M.] The army this night again en- -camped on the high ground in the direction of Valentine's Hill …