604 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



At the commencement of the Revolutionary War this hill was rented 

 by two grand-sons of the first proprietor, Thomas and Gilbert Valentine, 

 who occupied it through the whole course of the war. In the summer 

 of 1775, the American army threw up entrenchments on its summit, the 

 remains of which are still visible. When his Excellency General Wash- 

 ington lay encamped on Valentine's hill in the Fall of 1776, it was sup- 

 posed to be the design of the enemy to attack his position. On this 

 occasion Thomas Valentine was engaged with the General in conversa- 

 tion, leaning upon the pommel of his saddle, when the heads of the 

 British columns were seen approaching at a distance of three or four 

 miles on the opposite side of the Bronx, as if taking the direction of the 

 hill. Under this supposition, Washington ordered out several companies 

 to attack the flanking parties of the enemy, who, it was discovered were 

 taking the high road to the White Plains. It was afterwards asserted by 

 a British officer, that through the aid of their glasses they had seen 

 Thomas Valentine and the General in conversation. 



Washington having ascertained the intention of the enemy, pushed on 

 his left wing to the White Plains, while his right occupied the hill. 



From the 12th to the 27th of October, 1776, the American army lay 

 entrenched in detached camps, from this hill to the White Plains. <* On 

 the 27th, as the enemy continued to advance upon the White Plains, 

 General Washington suddenly called in all his detachments, and aban- 

 doning the position he had occupied along the Bronx, assembled all his 

 forces in a strong camp upon Chatterton Heights. Upon the 28th of 

 October, the day of the battle, it was asserted by the residents on the 

 hill, that not only was the cannonade distinctly heard, but also the sing- 

 ing of the Hessians as they advanced to the attack the American posi- 

 tion. After the battle of the 28th, the British infantry were stationed 

 here. 



The old Valentine house, which stood north-west of the present resi- 

 dence, was used for some time by General Washington as head-quarters. 



It would appear from the following letter, in possession of the family, 



that Thomas Valentine had aided the advance of Washington's left wing 



towards the White Plains : — 



Valentine's Hill, Jan'y 27th, 1777. 



These may certify, that on or about the 25th day of October last, I ordered 

 Thomas Valentine's one yoke of oxen and cart, to be taken for the public service. 



They carried a load to ye White Plains. There I discharged them. I am in- 

 formed they were further taken on their return, and that Mr. Valentine hath not 

 received them. B. LINCOLN. 



o Stedman's Hist, of the American war. 



