Novr. 10th Matthew Mead: Tryon advanced upon Horseneck soon after sunrise in 1779, at least the horse (advanced party) did. The van guard of horse was within half a mile of us, when the alarm gun (one of the old cannons) was fired, and the main body followed not long after. The main column advanced by the road and the flank parties through the fields. The Americans were about surrounded before the…

The British didn't retreat till afternoon, and were followed as far as Byram by the Americans. Putnam was with the pursuing party in the after noon, urging his men on, crying out "Drive on, boys! - on, on!" Col. Huldredge commanded here at the time, I think. Captain Fowler advanced from Sherwood Bridge, coming in the village at speed with loud shouts. The sentry was at or near a house on the side …

They then fired the house and pursued the guard as they came out through the fields killing nine of them. This was, probably, the whole number. This guard [page break] was composed of drafted men_ six or nine months men from back in the country. One of them was a boy of fourteen or fifteen. He was overtaken by a dragoon who had lost his sword fall, and who told the boy if he would pick it up and h…

They drove off a great many cattle at this time, my father's among the rest. They retreated by Byram where the infantry awaited them. The infantry advanced to a hill within three fourths of a mile of the Horseneck Meeting House. They took at this time seven or eight prisoners from Horseneck, active whigs. Among the rest, they took our clergyman, Revd. Mr. Burdeck. They (the prisoners) were taken t…

Offended at this he went below, and afterwards used to come up with Refugee parties. I think he originally belonged to Sheldon's, and that he belonged to that regiment when he deserted. I never heard he was a spy for the Americans. When Bron Barrett was hanger, Donaldson pretended he was a deserter. Col. Mead was not taken from his horse when made prisoner. They paroled him immediately. One Timoth…