THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT. 



J 57 



erected A.D. 1773, occupies a very sequestered and romantic spot on 

 the north side of the post road, immediately above Peekskill Hollow. 

 At one period of the Revolution it was occupied by the American com- 

 mander-in-chief, as head-quarters. Here, too, the Van Cortlandt family 

 for some time found a safe asylum amid surrounding desolation. 



In this house General McDougal posted his advanced guard, when the 

 British took possession of Peekskill, March, 1777. The following ac- 

 count of the subsequent engagement with the enemy, is extracted from 

 the Connecticut Journal of April 2d, 1777: 



"Fishkill, March 27.— Our post at Peek's-kill, since the removal of the militia 

 of the eastern States has been, in a manner, in a defenceless situation ; there be- 

 ing OL-ly part of two regiments stationed there, under the care of Gen McDougal, 

 amounting to about 250 men. The enemy having received intelligence of this 

 formed an expedition thither, with a view to take or destroy the stores belonging 

 to the continentals, that were deposited there. Accordingly, on Sunday last they 

 appeared with a frigate, four transports and several other small vessels in the 

 bay, and landed about 1000 men, with several pieces of cannon. 



"General McDougal not thinking it prudent to hazard a battle with such an 

 unequal force, and not having reasonable advice of the enemy's movement, was 

 under the necessity of destroying their stores in order to prevent their falling in- 

 to their hands, and retired about two miles into the pass in the highlands, carry- 

 ing with him his baggage and military stores, his advanced guards being stationed 

 at Cortlandt's house in the valley. The enemy, the same day, took possession 

 of the village, and remained close in their quarters until the next day in the 

 afternoon, when a party of them, consisting of about 200 men, possessed them- 

 selves of a height a little south of Cortlandt's. The general having received a 

 reinforcement from Col. Gansevoort's regiment, of about 80 men, under the 

 command of Lieut. Colonel Willet, permitted them to attempt to dispossess the 

 enemy from that eminence. Col. Willet having accordingly made the necessary 

 disposition, advanced with his small party with the greatest firmness and resolu- 

 tion, and made the attack. The enemy instantly fled, with the greatest pre- 

 cipitation, leaving three men dead on the field; and the whole body, panic struck, 

 betook themselves to their shipping, embarking under cover of the night — and 

 by the last accounts, they had sailed down the river. Before they embarked, 

 they gave out they intended to stop at Tarrytown on their way down, and at- 

 tempt to destroy our magazine of forage at Wright's mills. Upon their evacuat- 

 ing the place, Gen. McDougal took possession of his former quarters, and de- 

 tached a party of men to watch their motions. The enemy on this occasion 

 have been exceedingly disappointed, as they have not been able to carry off any 

 stores left behind by our men, and no other flock than about forty sheep and 

 eight or ten head of cattle, with which they were supplied by our good friends 

 the tories. Never did troops exhibit more firmness and resolution than did 

 our army on this occasion. Notwithstanding the disparity of numbers was 

 great, and the measure absolutely necessary, it was with the utmost reluctance 

 they retired to the pass. As usual, these heroes of Britain have burnt some 

 houses, plundered the inhabitants of what they could conveniently take with 



