Macdonald, John. Interview with Tompkins, John, 1784-1864; (1847-09-07). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 615. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States).

- Hufeland Index Page 493 - Septr. 7th John Tompkins, of Greenburg: "My father Isaac Tompkins was a young married man in July and August 1781, when the French army en- -camped on our farm, and lived then in - Hufeland Index Page 494 - a log house, a little north of my grandfather's John Tompkins. In that same month of July my mother had her first child. A French general (or …

Some of them were encamped (advanced guard?) on Underhill's ridge four or five hundred yards south or southwest of our house The springs about our place supplied the whole French army with pure water, and they watered their horses at the Bronx. The strictest discipline was kept up among the French soldiery. Squads were posted on all sides for the protection of property so that …

One day he found a French soldier riding a mare which belonged to him in company with others to the watering place, and ordered him to dismount. The Frenchman refused. He immediately seized the horse and dragged the rider off. The soldiers attempted to regain the horse, but he knocked or threw down everyone that approached him. They then made a great outcry calling out …

To gratify them Rochambeau kept him for some time under guard, and when he was released said to him: "You little man must never attack the French army again." He solemnly pro- -mised he would not. The French general whose tent was near my father's gave a great entertainment while there, erecting a bower for the purpose on the large flat rock there (Dumas?) Another French …