THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 613 



"The late skirmish, (says Heath,) writing in 1 781, near King's 

 Bridge, was occasioned by the American army's moving down, in order 

 to give the French officers a view of the British out-posts near the 

 bridge. A number of Americans were killed and wounded by long 

 shot from the yaugers of the enemy, who kept up a popping fire 

 whenever they could reach our troops."" 



The vestiges of the military camp pits can still be traced on the hills 

 around the bridge, while within a few feet of it the remains of a British 

 officer were recently disinterred — and, incredible as it may seem, in his 

 full uniform ; the brass buttons as perfect as the day they were moulded, 

 containing the number of his regiment. 



King's Bridge was also the rendezvous of a corps of freebooters 

 called " Cow Boys" whose bands ravaged the surrounding hills and 

 valleys. "On the part of the British," remarks the author of the Spy, 

 " the stimulus of loyalty was by no means suffered to sleep where so 

 fruitful a field offered on which it might be expended. But their free- 

 booters were enrolled, and their efforts more systematized. Long ex- 

 perience had taught their leaders the efficacy of concentrated force ; and 

 unless tradition does great injustice to their exploits, the result did no 

 little credit to their foresight. The corps — we presume from their well 

 known affection to that useful animal — had received the significant 

 appellation of ' Cow Boys.' " b The morality of these heroes of the 

 Neutral Ground, was of a singular kind : the rapine by which they 

 subsisted, they accounted lawful and honorable. 



King's Bridge lies prettily situated in a beautiful vale near the con- 

 fluence of the Hudson and Harlem Rivers. It is almost surrounded 

 by high rolling hills, whose tops are crowned by hill forts and fine spread- 

 ing woods. This spot was first chosen as the site of the city of New 

 Amsterdam, on account of its secure and inland position. 



Immediately west of the bridge flows Tippetts Brook, the Mosholu of 

 the Indians, and here it unites with the Haarlem River. This latter 

 stream, formerly called the Muscoota, c has been long known as a favorite 

 resort to the angler. The beautiful striped bass (Labrax Lineatus, 

 Cuvier,) abounds in these waters. The fishing season usually com- 

 mences in May, and reaches perfection in the months of September and 

 October. The baits preferred (although they vary according to location) 

 are the soft crab, shrimp and squid, or common cuttle fish. The bass is 



o Heath's Mem. 294. 



b Spy, i, 24. 



c This name frequently applies to the Harlem River in the Albany and County Records. 



