THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 683 



here in 1793. He was a son of John Carpenter, whose family formerly 

 resided on Long Island, and subsequently emigrated to East or Westches- 

 ter, and from thence removed to New Castle. In the latter place, John 

 Carpenter died, and was buried at the Chappaqua meeting-house, 

 Jacob Carpenter's sons were the late Joshua, of Davenport house ; and 

 Jacob, now living at 34 Grove street, New York. Jacob's daughter, 

 Amy W., married Daniel H. Griffen, who now owns the Davenport 

 estate and homestead. 



Mr. Griffen still points out the spot where the bed of Col. Greene 

 stood, and the window from which the Lieutenant fired his pistols, and 

 through which Major Flagg received the fatal shot, while the old-fash- 

 ioned wainscoting and doors, are pierced with numerous bullet-holes. 

 A large addition has since been made to the house on the east. The 

 wonderfully extensive views which this elevated spot commands, will 

 amply repay the visitor, besides the interest attached to the above asso- 

 ciations. 



The following communication is supposed to have been addressed to 

 Henry Ward, Esq , Secretary of State for Rhode Island, who was then 

 residing ac Providence, uncle of Major Flagg, by Lieut. Col. Olney, who 

 succeeded Col. Greene in command : — 



' ' The advance guard of the American army, were on Croton river, which falls 

 into the Hudson about 30 miles above New York, over this were two bridges at 

 several miles distant from each other; near that on the main road, was stationed 

 the principal part of the guard, consisting on the whole, of a Major's command ; 

 a Captain's command being detached some miles on the right and left. Small 

 parties patrolled below the bridges. The quarters Major Flagg had taken, were 

 two or three miies from the bridge, but at no great distance from the river, which 

 at that time was not supposed to be fordable : this, however, was a mistake, and 

 proved fatal to the party. 



Col. de Lancey, who stooped so far from the dignity of a gentleman, as to com- 

 mand a regiment of freebooters, who subsisted on plunder, and served without 

 pay, marched a strong party of Horse and Foot, into the vicinity of the post un- 

 discovered, getting information of the quarters occupied by Col. Greene, Major 

 Flagg and several other officers, secured only by a sergeant's guard ; and finding 

 a fordable place in the river, not far off, he passed his troops, and dividing his 

 force into two parties, sent one to the bridge, where they surprised and took a 

 subaltern's guard, and with the other, marched to Col. Greene's quarters. As 

 our officer had no idea of their passing the river except at the bridge, they had 

 taken no precautions to prevent a surprise. In addition to this, the quarter 

 guard-sentinel, and all, were asleep ; by this means the house was surrounded by 

 the enemy, and all possibility of escape cut off before the danger was discovered. 

 The officers were all asleep in one room ; on being awakened by the firing with- 

 out, they sprang from their beds and seized on arms. Near that on which Major 

 Flagg lay, there was a window; he received a musket-shot through this — if I am 



