Macdonald, John. Interview with Macdonald's Research Notes (). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 2168. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States).

Left < map> · Spot where Col. Greene died · Narrow pass bet. rocks · Widow Griffen · Pines Bridge · *Glovnis's* Ford Skitch by McDonald of *Davenport House* Oct. 2. The corn hay &c. on Haerlem Plains bet. 3 two armies brot. Lay. & amn. - N.B. 2, 2. Right '76 Aug * 27th Battle of Long Island. ? Mem? P 56 " 29th The Am^ evacuate L. Island in ? night. Sept. 5th - a chain of …

Line with 240 men failed - Major Henley killed - 14 men killed + wounded + missing Octr 3d -A Redoubt command on * Hill where Williams Bridge * (Tuesday) 8th 3 Br. Frigates + several Tenders passed Forts Wash^n + Const.. + the chevaux de frise & 2 Am. Ships ran* on shore at Philips Mills & 2 Galleys near Dobbs Ferry 68 n.b 2+4 " 9th Col. Saycant* detached to Dobb's Ferry …

In Provincial Convention, April 20. 1775 On the 28th day of March 1775, a No. of Gentl from difft districts in the county of Westchester met at the White Plains &c & recommended a general meeting of the Freeholders of the said County, to be held at the Court House at that place, on Tuesday the 11th day of April the next, at 10 o'clock A.M., for the purpose of taking the sense …

Lewis Morris, III*, Stephen Ward, Samuel Drake Esq., John Thomas junior Esq. - Robert Graham Esq., & Major Philip Van Cortlandt, together with Col. James Holmes, & Jonathan Platt Esq. or the majority of them, to be the Deputies of the said County of Westchester, to meet the Deputies of the other Counties, at the City of New York, on the 20th day of April then instant, for the …

Resolved, *that* it be recommen ded *that* to all the Counties in this Colony & to appoint County Committees, & also sub committees for their respective Townships, Precincts, & Districts, &c. in order to carry into execution the resolutions of the Continental & this Provincial Congress." - - - "And *that* it is also recommended to every Inhabitant of this Colony, who has …

"Resolved therefore that the said James Rivington be permitted to return to his house & family & that this Congress doth recommend it to the Inhabitants of this colony not to molest him in his person or property." &c. p. 34. ex? / June 10th 1775 - Col. Clinton & Mr Tappen reported on the most proper place for erecting fortifications in the Highlands, &c." June 15th '75 …

Resolved that this Congress will adjourn until next Tuesday fortnight & that a Committee of Safety be appointed during the recess of this Congress in manner follow -ing vizt. - that New York appoint 3 members to give 2 votes, & every other County each one to give one vote." - This Committee of Safety was authorized to act for the Provincial Congress under certain specified …

Col.; - & Cornelius D. Wyn: coop for Major And for the 4th Regiment, Congress unanimously approved of James Holmes for Colonel; Philip Van Cortlandt for Lieut Colonel, and *Tuthill* for Major. p. 62 / "August 11th 1775 - Ordered that the Colonels McDougall, Clinton, & Holmes, do respectively march to Albany with all conven ient speed, with the men now raised & under their …

Major Robert Rodgers on his parole &c. p. 157. / Sept. 29 '75 - Godfrey Haines, opposed to Congress* Committees & *the* threatening *the* lives of several persons &c. is arrested. - Bernard Ro: :man's in his plan for fortifying the Highlands &c. p. 159. / For *fear* of a rescue if sent back ^to West Chester County^ Godfrey Haines was committed to jail in New York. &. p. 160. / …

Trumbull of Connt. - New York 12th Decr. 1775." "Sir . . . . a body of troops from the Colony lately made a public entry into this City at noonday, & seized & carried off the types belonging to one of the public prin: ters, without any authority from the Continental, or this Congress, or their committee. - While we consider this conduct as an insult offered to this Colony, we …

We are fully sensible of this demer its &… The same body of troops seized the Major of the Borough of West Chester, * the Rector of that Parish, & one of the Justices of the County, & carried them to your Colony. Mr. Seabury we are informed is still detained. &c. &c. pp. 213.14 / "The Provincial Congress to the New York Delegates at the Contl. Congress "New York, Dec. 20 …

An interposition so rash, officious, & violent, gave us great anxiety, as it was not only a high insult to the authority, but had a direct tendency to confirm that fatal spirit of jealousy & distrust of our Eastern brethren, *which* has done so much injury to our cause, & *which* every wise & virtuous pat: triot shd. [should] study to surpress. &c." p. 243. / Thomas Henderson …

That the Capt. of said sloop, one Isaac Gedney, Master, Bartholomew Haines a passenger, one Palmer who owned part of the cargo, all from Mamaroneck, in WestChester county, Moses Marden, one Graham, this Deponent & his wife, with one Sanford & 2 more, were on board said vessel when she stranded." Proceedings in New Jersey of the Committee of safety, Prince-town, January 11th …

Ruggles, Boston. - 3 quarter casks of Madeira wine, & other things on board were shipped by Govr. Tryon for Genl. Howe. &" David Rhea says that Capt. Haines told him he was put in jail because he refused to deliver up his arms, & that his punisht. had been determined, "that he shd. not eat nor drink until he had delivered them up." That he broke jail by breaking 6 grates out …

Washington, or yourself. &c…Enable us to allay the fears of the inhabs [inhabitants] … For these reasons we conceive yt [yet] a just regard for the public cause, & our duty to take a prudent care of the City, dictate the impropriety of provoking hostilities at present &…We therefore ardently wish to remain at peace for a little time, & doubt not we have assigned sufficient …

Such never was the intentions of the General. [Washington] or….the motive of the Genl. for detaching *, was solely to prevent the enemy from taking part in the City, in lodging themselves in Long Island. & c. . . . If the ships of war are quiet. I shall be quiet. &…In compliance with yr [your] request, I shall only carry with me into Town, a force just strong enough to secure …

The *sd [said]* God: =frey Haines lately broke *the* Jail of this City & escaped - He is so dangerous that he ought to be kept in safe custody & close jail. - After escaping from the New York Jail, he set off to navigate a vessel loaded with provisions to supply the Ministerial army & Navy at Boston &c. - Ordered that the said Godfrey Haines be sent manacled or fettered to …

That they had 2 sledges with them that they got one sledge out of *Flandereau's* shop without the consent of the owner & the other out of Guion's shop at New Rochelle: - Then he dropped the design of spiking the guns bec. he found it wd [would] be troublesome & thought that other wd [would] do as well. That the spiking took place last Wednesday night a week, a very cold night …

That there were 5 or 6 persons who went off *from the guns. - & * it was daylight by the time they returned to John Gedney's at New Rochelle all the cannon at Williams's were spiked by Gedney & Haines - That the last time he saw Govr. Tryon was after New Year: That the first time he saw Govr Tryon was on board of Sutton's Sloop - That he went to see Sutton & the Govr came …

That he lives at the hither end of Rye Neck - That the first person he ever heard speak of rendering the cannon useless was William Lounsberry. & afterwards, Josiah Burrell who lives at Rye Neck, + Wm Sutton, + other people also: - That Burrell went on board a ship, & spoke to the Govr who said it must be done to render those cannon useless: - Lounsberry afterwards told him …

Wm Lounsberry, himself, Josiah Burrell, Wm Haines, James Haines, jun. - & Thomas Haines: - That one sledge was taken out of a shop at Flande: reau's, - & John Gedney borrowed the other sledge of Guion a blacksmith: -That he went with the said party towards the cannon near Valentine's for the purpose of rendering them useless, & started from John Gedney's on a violent cold …

Vol. 1. "January 30th 1776." -"Isaac Valentine being brot. [brought] before the Committee to be examd says, - that the guns lie about 400 or 500 yards from this house in W.C. County in a field. & …… That on Sunday his brother who lives near the guns, informed him that if he had been at his house last night he wd [would] have heard music; & informed him *that* he heard the guns …

"That he has not signed the Association, but is *hearty?* in the cause of his country &c… … was at home last Wednesday night a week …… That the guns are 250 yards from his father's house &c……. … that John Williams next morning, came down & informed his father that the guns near his house were spiked -That they went & found them spiked." - &c. p. 274 / "January 31t 1776 …

P.275 / Qu> - Were the guns at or near Kings Bridge spiked? - / "February 2d 1776 - Josiah Burrell examd, says "He lives on Rye Neck - … On Wednesday, the 17th * in the night, William Lounsberry, Joshua Gedney, Thomas Haines, James Haines junior, William Haines, & himself, were at John Gedneys, &c." "Isaac Gedney says he in a smith & lives on "Rye Neck" …& "Thomas Haines …

"Feby 11th1776 - The cannon & military stores on & near the battery are now under removal to other parts of the City &…. the removal may bring on a firing upon the City from the ships of war in this Port &c." p. 291. / In Provincial Congress :Feby 16th, 1776 - Ordered yt *M* Abm Livingston be appointed Commissary to supple the troops from Westchester and Dutchess Counties, now …

James Holmes not in the list. - Qu? Was this the cause of his leaving the Amr. service? <manicule> "Capt Horton" [Ambrose]?> "of the 4 regt. is willing to continue in the service" p. 328. / "March 1st 1776 - About this time the Commissioners for building the fortifications in the Highlands commenced the Forts at *Porplonens kill*. p. 331, 332. / Cannon=Spikers. "March 6, 1776 …

Philipse's the day before the cannon were spiked to know whether he wd. [would] set up again as a representative - That he set off from home with an intention to spike the guns or disarm them. That the following persons were with him vizt. - Joshua Gidney, Josiah Burrell, William Haines, Thomas Haines, ^& James Haines, junr ** -- That his reason for disabling the cannon was …

Barclay shd be appointed to guard the guns, he expects the 50 wh are at Williams' to be moved to the others near Valentines, &c." p. 342. / "March 16, '76 - A Long letter from *Jacamiah* Allen, who says that 82 of the guns beyond Kings Bridge are cleared & unspiked, & * on the 16th * p. 371. / "It wd [would] seem that the no. of guns spiked at or near Kingsbridge was about …

Pennsylvanians - Wayne's, *[Irwins], Shea's, Magaw's. - New Jersey, Lord Stirling's, & Dayton's." p. 379. / "March 28th ' 76 - Capt Ambrose Horton's Company" & [p. 393, 421, 455. p. 389. / "April 11th '76 - The island with the buildings thereon, commonly called Little Barn island belonging to Mr. Montressor, is the most suitable place for a small pox Hospital." p. 401. / "Apl …

McDougall's regt. as part thereof, until farther order &c." p. 455. / "June 5th 1776 - Frederick Philipse of West Chester County & others inimical to the cause of America &". - Resolved ty such of them as may be men of influence } p. 476, be removed to such place in this or a neighbouring colony &c. 477. / "June 7th '76 - Lewis Morris Esq. appointed Brigadier General of the …

peace & prevent dissentions, &c.) Resolved, that 2 companies consisting (together) of 400 men be raised in Dutchess &: & one of 50 men in West Chester &c. in the pay and service of this Congress, to be confined to the service of those counties & subject *to* the order & directions of the Genl. Committes thereof respectively &c. - Melancton Smith, & John Durlin ^appointed by …

Provincial Congress adjourned to the court House at White Plains; - there to meet on Tuesday the 2nd day of July next &c.: & that the next Congress of this Colony to meet at the same place. Monday the 8th day of July aforesaid &c." - "The Treasurer & Secretaries of this Congress directed to repair forthwith to White Plains &c. with all the public pa- -ers & money &c. p. 512 / …

Convention adjoined from White Plains, *to meet* in the church at Haerlem on the 29th of July '76 & where they met accordingly & pp. 547, '8. / "On the 29th of August '76, the Provincl. Convention adjourned to meet in the English Church at Fishkill on Monday next (Sept. 2nd) at 9 o'clock &c. - A committee of safety appointed to act in the meantime &c. / "The Committee of …

August 8th '76 - The new levies from Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, & West Chester directed to march immediately down to the Fort now erected on the North side of Kings Bridge &c. to prevent the enemy from cutting off the communication between the army in Town & the country. &c. P .563 / "Col. Joseph Drake to the Provincial Convention." "New Rochelle, August 28, 1776." ….I have …

Tomp kins came into Convention & informed that Mr. Lounsberry was *come* into West Chester County with a commission from Genl Howe to raise rangers - that a party in the militia went in pursuit of him & were under the necessity of killing him, as he wd not surrender; - another was wounded & 4 were taken prisoners, all his recruits." [From this it ^would seem ^* that Lounsberry …

"August 31, '76 - The inhabitants of N.Y. island & the southern part of West Chester county (wh are exposed to the depredations of the enemy &c.) ordered to drive, forth with their horned cattle, horses, hogs, & sheep, into the interior of this State, &c." p. 603. / "Sept. 3d 76 - Genl Clinton's encampment at Kingsbridge &c. p.6[illegible] / "Sept. 7h '76 - That to render Fort …

Washington &c….contain ing an acct. of the skirmish when the enemy attacked the Heights at the North end of the Haarlem Lane, & of the loss on both sides." A letter from Genl. Scott giving an acct. of a little expedition to Mon tressor's island in wh our troops failed of success, & were obliged to retreat, with the loss of the brave Major Henley killed, & several others …

Vol. 1. receiving the least apparent damage from our Forts, wh [which] kept playing on them from both sides of the river. How far they intend to go up I don't know, but his Excellency thought fit to give you the earliest intimation, that you may put Genl Clinton on his guard at the Highlands; for they may have troops conceal :ed on board with intent to surprise those Forts. p …

"July 25th 1776. - The Committee appointed to *take into consideration & report the most proper mode for employing in the service of this State, Mr. James Stewart, late Lieutenant in Col. Livingston's regiment, delivd. in their Report &c"…"Resolved, that the sd. James Stewart is deserving of a Captains Commission in the service of this State, & yt* a war- -rant be given him to …

George Clinton * The Convention, on the applications of the inhabitants of Westchester County, who complain of inroads made upon them by a party of rangers under the command of Major Rodgers, have come to the resolution to dispatch Colonels Malcolm & Thomas with their regiments, who will be joined by some of the militia of Westchester County & 3 companies of rangers, in order …

Thomas Thomas, with 6 men, on board of a private small boat of war, Flying Fish, took a sloop, Indus -try loaded with 15 cords of wood, 17 ½ barrels of cider & vinegar, one suit of sails & rigging for another vessel, 7 or 8 small bags of meal, navigated with 7 men and women, lately the property of & commanded by Abraham Selleck & bound from Oyster Bay on Nassau island, to the …

Debois's regt is ordd to garrison Fort Montgomery & c. - Col. Livingston is under marching orders to reinforce the troops at Westchester, if it shd. be absolutely necessary. Col. Van Cortlandt & Col. Gansefort, will be ordd. to hold themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice to relieve the militia at this post ^[Peekskill?]^ & Fort Constitution, when their time of …

McDougall burnt the stores & retired to the barracks No.2, on a hill, at Peekskill: yt [that] the sd [said] Capt said he saw the enemy fire a field piece from about Peemort's, wh [which] killed one & wounded 1 or 2; - that Genl McDougall has some troops, but not enough to stand them." p. 847. / "Thursday, May 22d, 1777." "Levi Quimby brought before the coun- -cil of Safety & …

The letter conclude by asking for a Commission &c." p. 952. / <manicule> "On the 11th of Feby. 1777 it *w. resolved* yt. [that] the Convention will adjourn from this place [Fishkill] to Kingston in Ulster County, to meet on the 19th inst. &c." See preceding p. p.803 / "May 3d 1777." "The House" [Provincial Convention] "proceeded to the consid- -eration of the temporary form of …

Clinton" - "In Council of Safety. *, Decr. 16th, 1779." "Sir\ ……The information wh [which] we recd, as well as the Excellency's last letter, as by other * of the burning of Genl De Lancey's house, gave this Council great uneasiness. We think this a *most unequal* method of waging war with the enemy, because neither we nor they can possibly destroy any but what are properly our …

Volume 2, containing the correspondence of those bodies. Vol. 2. Officers appointed by the Congress George Washington Esq. General & Command* Chief of all the forces raised or to be raised for the defense of American liberty. Artemas Ward Esq. first Major General Charles Lee Esq. 2nd Major General Philip Schuyler Esq. 3d. Major General Israel Putnam Esq. 4th. Major General …

"The New England exploit is much talked of, & conjectures are numerous as to the part the Convention will take relative to it; some consider it as an ill compliment to the Government of the Province, & *profess* yt [that] you have too much Christian meekness to take any notice of it. - For my own part, I don't approve of the feat, & think it neither ar: gues much wisdom or …

"The secret plan of operations of the British Ministry is:- * with the assistance of Govr Tryon, who is much relied on for the purpose, to get immediate possession of New York & Albany; to fill both of these cities with very strong Garrisons; to declare all rebels who do not join the King's forces; to command the Hudson & East rivers with a number of small men of war & …

Montgomery, & Clinton were afterwards established, Romans says: The point on the West side, above Verplanck's point, is too easy of access. & in the vicinity of many ill disposed people; besides this, it can be of but little use. - But at Poop loops Kill, oppose to Anthony's Nose, is a very important pass; the river narrow, commanded a great way up & down, full of counter …

The former was charged with warning a No. [number] of people to appear at Peekskill, & with appearing & embodying in arms to oppose the Congress & Committee. - The latter was charged with insti gating a no. [number] of people to oppose the measures of the Congress & Committee, & being the means of embodying a No. [number] of men in arms at Peekskill, (himself with them) on the …

Drake - to - the President of the Provincial Congress, stating that Col. Waterbury had taken a No. [number] of guns from the Tories in West Chester County & that Col. Drake's whig minute minute men being, many of these desti tute of arms, wish to have the muskets - Letter dated "New York, Feby 16, 1776." signed/ "Samuel Drake, col. of the Minute Regiment in West Chester …

Woodhull Prest [President] of Provincl C. of New York, stating that Isaac Sears, one of the members of the N. York Congress for the City of N. Y. was the head or leader of the whole transaction &c. when Rivington was plundered of his types -* & "who we consider as the proper person to whom the whole transaction is impt.* able & who belongs & is amenable to your jurisdiction …

"Dated Head Quarters, at the Heights of Haerlem, Sept. 23, 1776." "On Monday morning last (Sept. ) several parties of the enemy appeared on the high grounds opposite to our heights, & some skirmishing had happened between our troops & those of the enemy. On reconnoitering their situation, I formed *16* design of cutting off each of them as had or might advance to the extremity …

Richard: :son's Maryland regiments, with some detachments of Eastern Troops, who charged the enemy & drove them from the wood to the plain, & were still pur :suing, when I judged it prudent to withdraw them, fearing the enemy might be sending a large reinforcement to their troops which were enga: :ged, which was the case, as I have since understood. A sergeant who deserted …

Josiah Disbrow, the other priso: :ner, being unable to be removed, on acct. of his being wounded at the time of his apprehension." - "Shureman says as he was going to Rye fr. New Rochelle; - came across 3 or 4 men with Lounsberry in the woods - …. They had 3 or 4 guns in company; - …Says he was on board the Pheonix in the North river; was persuaded by Godfrey Haines to go, but …

"Isaac Nicoll - To - John McKesson Secr. &c." "Kingsbridge, Sept. 29, 1776." "Dear Sir \ I returned last night from Morris *cony*, wh [which] place I have been at for 3 days past on command. I had a good deal of conversation with some of the Highland regu: lars, one in particular, who told me it was disagreeable to him to take up arms a gainst us, as he had a no.* of friends …

Malcom: (the Col.?) "To - John McKesson Esq." - "New York. Sept. 6th. 1776." "Sir\ I am apprehensive that the State hath a bad bargain of my country men. I believe that Capt. Stewart is a very good man, but he has made a horrid collec: tion of soldiers….. I *sd [should]* be happy to see a good company or regiment of my countrymen in our army, but mortified to see it disgraced …

County are in continued danger of being made prisoners & tr [the] farms & habitations plundered by Robert Rogers's party (consisting of abt. 700 men) who daily make excursions in *divers* parts of the County, taking many of the inhabts, the stock, grain" &c." laying waste and destroying &c." 259 / <manicule> On the 7th day of October 1776, Lord Sterling came on shore, having …

George Clinton," - "Camp, at the old place near White Plains, November 2d 1776 } "My dear Sir \ ….Since my last to you, dated the day before yesterday, the centre & right wing of our army, having possessed themselves of the heights in their rear, North East of the road leading to Youngs's; yesterday morning evacuated that part of our lines which passed thro' the Town, & South …

Van Wick, of my brigade, who at his earnest desire, appointed to a company of rangers, was day before yesterday (Oct 31) unfortunately killed. - He went out in the morning with about 30 men: - fell in with about 100 of the enemy in a house not far distant from their *lines*: - charged them with spirit; - gave them a brisk fire; but unfortunately when loading his piece the …

George Clinton." : "Kings Bridge, 10th October, 1776." "Dear Sir \.....Yesterday morning (Oct. 9th) three of the enemy's shipping, to wit, a 40, 44, & 20 gun ship, & 3 tenders, passed by, in shore, East [?] of our obstructions in the river opposite Fort Washington, receiving but little damage; & are now up the river as far as Dobbs's Ferry. - They took 2 or 3 of our small …

"DeWitt, H. & Graham - To "The Convention." "White Plains. 24 "Octr. '76" …… "Yester: day (Octr 23d) there were several skirmishes between the out parties of both armies in all which we have been successful. In one we killed 10 & took 3 prisoners. - 36 of Rogers's band fell into our hands also, & had the order of Lord Stirling been strictly obeyed, we shd have had the whole …

Near 3000 of the enemy, yesterday & the evening before, filed off to the left & were seen advancing towards King Street, & the Purchase road, from which it appears, they intent to outflank our left as well as right wing. - We had reason to apprehend an attack last night, or by day:break this morning (as was said, what they were I know not)? - Our lines were manned all night in …

"When I wrote you a few days ago, I mention: ed the situation in wh Fort Washington was, & that 3 of the enemy's shipping had come up with design to obstruct *Beaudeth's* Ferry (?) & were, after a heavy cannon ade, driven back. This *w* the truth, but not the whole truth. I happened to be out of the way of news that day. - Those ships came up, it seems, to enfi: lade our lines …

She was towed off by her own boats, & those of her consort, with pumps constantly going…They at the same time attacked our lines at Haerlem Heights, but were repulsed." "Yesterday morning (Oct. 28) we recd information that the main body of the enemy were moving towards us. We made every disposition to give them a suitable reception. They at first bent their course towards our …

Lord Sterling is detached ahead of them to get possession of the passes among the hills, & Genl Parsons has taken post near the head of Rye Pond, wh secures the pass in our front." (?) …:Except we can get a vast superiority of ground, our raw troops are not a match for their disciplined soldiers, especially when backed by constant fire of artillery. &c." p. 338 . [Information …

Grindle, who says that one Man of War & 2 frigates passed the works close under the East Shore, drove the 2 new ships ashore just below Philipse's & chased 2 of our row Galley's until they were forced ashore between Dobb's Ferry & Tarrytown, at or near which Town, the ships of war came to, & kept a constant fire for about one hour at our row galleys, & suppose them destroyed." …

D. 1776." signed by Hugh Wallace, Fred. Philips" & the other five. A certified copy of the above Parol, dated "Lebanon, 1st April, 1777," was transmitted to the Provincial Congress or Convention of New York on that same day. p. 356 / "Col. W. Duer - to - the Prest of the Convention of the St. of N.Y." "Cromwells, 17 Febry 1777." Sir \ I am directed by the Committee of …

*magazines* of forage at Wright's Mills &c." - "Thro' this district an open communication is kept up betwixt the enemy & the disaffected in Dutchess County." & - - "Three of the enemy's armed vessels have come up as high as Tarrytown. there they have dropped anchor. They are either sent up to make a feint on the right, whilst an attempt is made to surprise our advanced post at …

Delavan's Company of Rangers) does not exceed 160 men, officers included; - a force scarcely sufficient to keep out proper guards & patrolling parties, in order to prevent a sur- -prise, & totally inadequate to the purpose of foraging, or cutting off supplies of men & pro- -visions from the enemy's army. (Cromwells, Febr. 25th 1777)." - "Wm. Duer & J.G.T. to Col. V. R. dated …

Dean (?Gil) & 19 privates. & abt. 4 o'clock this morning were alarmed : a number of regulars & Tories had come to *Mr.* Acker's, & were driving off all his stock; upon wh a small skirmish ensued on their march to Mr. Van Tassalls in wh our men beat them" off & saved the cattle." Tories driving & stealing cattle & going below in droves - 31 went down at / [X] "The committee …

We cannot learn * the enemy have been able to carry off stores to any amount. & have taken with them only abt 40 sheep, & 8 - 10 head of cattle, & have penetrated a very little way in the country. The stores at Cortlandt's Corner's & Drake's Mills (?) are saved. There are only 4 houses burnt by the enemy. When Capt. Mitchell came away they were loosing their top sails & making …

Chariman of the Committee of * regiment at Espopus." "Fishkill, March 6, 1777." "Sir\…" By a letter from a worthy member at King Street, I am informed, that on the 1st inst (March 1) a party of our militia had taken off Frogg's Neck, about 150 horned cattle, with a large number of horses." That in executing this, they had passed by a vessel of war, within musket shot of her …

Howe to Genl. Schuyler. &c. On his arri val at Peekskill on his way to Albany, Edminston obtained a passport from Genl. McDougall, dated 11th March 1777, & after spending about 20 days on his journey he arrived at Albany." - "The Convention hearing of his re turn to Albany, ordered him to this place &c." …. "His journey besides this delay, was attended with these (suspicious) …

"When the enemy landed at Peekskill, altho' by far the greatest part of the 2nd & 4th regiments of the state were there, so small a number did they consist of that not withstanding the enemy did not appear to be more than 800 or 900 strong, the Genl. was under a necessity of retiring from that important post." &c. … and this was not all, but by reason of a want of waggons when …

McDougall, with 2000 men, marched from Peekskill last night about midnight, determined to attack them. p. 433. / "Letter from Alex: Hamilton, aid to Genl. W." "Head Quarters, Morristown, April 5th, 1777." "The enemy's attempt upon Peekskill is a demonstration of the folly of having any quantity of stores at places so near the water & so much exposed to a sud- -den inroad …

"Alleby says the enemy lost 14 men in the action at Wards; 6 of those they carried off wounded died between Wards & Williams; the 7th dead as soon as they had got to Valentines; that every commissioned Officer, save one Ensign, was killed; (?) - that on their arrival at Kingsbridge the commanding officer of that post came out of the door of his lodgings, when the prisoners …

The militia of Stamford & Horseneck, sensible of the exposed situation of the live stock within reach of the enemy, drove off from New Rochelle & Each Chester, upwards of 100 head of cattle, with sheep, &c." …. "I have written to the committee, under whose direction I suppose they will fall, to detain all the creatures brought off as above, till I shd. receive the advice of …

The Inhabitants in the lower parts of West Chester County are full of stock, excepting the well affected, who are stripped of all their stock of all kinds, &c…. "The Com- -missioners shd be invested with power to get off all the stock south of where the Court House stood in White Plains, & South of the road leading from the Plains to Rye, & South of Tarry Town." &c. &c. p …

Scott, since wh time I have been kept a prisoner, (tho' humanely treated) at New Rochel, & by letter from Genl. Scott, I am acquanted I must go on board a sloop for Norwich in Connecticut." &c. &c. … "P.S. If Collo. Philips Colo. Corsa, & myself, must proceed, we should be glad to give security & proceed by land. - a boat will be exceedingly disagreeable at this hot season, & …