67S HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



of duty — unless dining out sometimes at headquarters, and often with Gen. ITeath 

 Bud other gentlemen, can be called so. I expect when I go upon the lines to be 

 industrious and alert, otTu noise I maybe surprised ; that, you know, I always 

 held tip as unpardonable in, an officer. 



We have no late news, none later than has been in all the prints from Gen. 

 Greene. I am exceedingly anxious to hear from him, his army 1 fear is too raw 

 to contend with the troops he has to oppose it. If he succeeds with such men 

 he must immortalize his name. I am certain he is as equal to the task as any 

 one, but I am sure he must have his head as well as his hands full, and perhaps 

 the ablest generals and best troops in the British army to cope with. 



The vilams who go by the name of Coip-boys, are often out stealing horses and 

 cattle from the inhabitants. The laws of the State, I believe, are not severe 

 enough upon them. I have heard of many being taken and none hanged. 

 And believe me to be your sincere Friend and Servant, 

 Col. Wai:d. C. GREENE. 



Address Col. Samuel Wasd,« 

 Warwick. 

 C. Gkeene." 



Scarcely had a month elapsed ere Col. Greene's worst fears were fully 

 realized by his surprisal at Davenport's or Danforth's house, by the 

 British refugees, upon the 13th of May, 1781. The following account 

 of this incursion, is given by General Heath : — 



" The next day intelligence was received, that on the 13th, Col. Green of the 

 Rhode Island regiment, who was doing duty on the lines of the American army, 

 was surprised by a body of the enemy's horse, supposed to be about 150 dra- 

 goons, and that the Colonel, Major Fagg, two subalterns and twenty-seven men 

 were killed, and several wounded. Col. Green was a brave and intrepid officer, 

 ami his loss was much regretted. The colonel had taken post above and near to 

 Croton river, at a place where the river was fordable, to prevent the enemy pass- 

 ing up by this ford to ravage the country. He had practiced the greatest vigi- 

 lance in guarding this ford in the night time, taking off the guards after sunrise, 

 apprehending that the enemy would never presume to cross the river in the day 

 time ; but the enemy, having learnt his mode of doing duty, on the morning of 

 the 13th effected his overthrow, by crossing the ford soon after the guards had 

 come off, and surrounding their quarters before they had an idea of any enemy 

 being near them. In this situation, the utmost exertion could not then avail 

 them." b 



A person named Gilbert Totten, is said to have betrayed his country- 

 men to Col. Peter de Lancey, on this occasion, in retaliation for an act of 

 discipline administered under the following circumstances: — It appears 

 Totten had been for some time mustered into the English service, hold- 



a This signature doubtless served as a passport to bearer. Copied from original docu- 

 ment in possession of the late John Ward, of Bond street, N. Y. 



h Heath's Hem. '2^-S— 9. 



