Macdonald, John. Interview with Davis, Silas, 1772-1868; (1850-10-21). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 1049. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States).

- Hufeland Index Page 1037 - 1850. October 21st Silas Davis, of Indian Harbour, about one mile south of Horseneck Church: "I am 78 years old. I think it was in 1778 - though it might been in 1779 or 1780 - that four armed British vessels from Lloyd's Neck, chased two American privateers belonging to New Haven from somewhere in the Sound into Indian Harbour. One of these …

that the American privateers had been chased into the Harbour. Next morning the British advanced with nine vessels, several of which were row galleys, for the purpose of capturing the Privateers. They commenced a furious cannonade in the direction of "Chimney Corner," but finding they could not injure the American privateers in the position in which they then were, some of the …

Several of the British vessels now entered the Harbour near Chimney Corner, and after firing first with ball and then with grapeshot, and tearing up trees and bushes they supposed that their adversaries had been driven from the woods. Circumstances seemed to justify this conclusion. The privateers at first had fired such guns as they could bring to bear, but these had for …

It was while this removal was going on and while all firing on the part of the privateers men had became necessarily suspended that they enemy seemed to have concluded that there would be little, if any, further defence, and that they approached Chimney Corner firing first balls and then grapeshot as above mentioned. One of the assailing vessels, her deck crowded with men, now …

The enemy had hardly time to let go their fastenings and get on board when a general discharge of musketry was commenced by the party in ambush. So continued and destructive was the fire that the Refugees were all driven below, and both vessel and crew would have been captured if the Americans had been provided with boats or any means of boarding. Fortunately for the British …

M.] The cannonade was kept up on both sides till about 3 oclock, P.M. when the British, despairing of success, unwillingly withdrew. Three or four of the Privateers men were wounded, one of whom died. By two o'clock P.M. 200 or 300 militia and volunteers had assembled. I don't know what the enemy's loss was, but it was supposed to be large, nor do I know the names of the …