THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT. 



x 59 



a name derived from that beautiful insect whose bright phosphoresence 

 illumines the humid valleys and dark woods of a summer's evening. The 

 Indian children of the west have the following exquisite chant to this flit- 

 ting white-fire insect as they denominate it :— 



"Fire-fly, fire-fly, bright little thing, 

 Bright little fire bug, night's little king." 



— Sehooleroffs Oneota. 



Near the banks of the Canopus, or Peekskill hollow, is situated the 

 site of the old Continental village, which once contained barracks for 

 2,000 men. The following account of its destruction is given in the 

 dispatches of Gen. Sir William Howe to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Fort 

 Montgomery, October 9, 1777. 



"The little army consisting of about 3,000 men arrived off Ver- 

 planck's Point, preceded by the gallies under the command of Sir James 

 Wallace. On our appearance the enemy retired without firing a shot, 

 leaving a 1 2-pounder behind them ; and Sir James moved up to Peek- 

 skill creek to mark the only communication they had across the river on 

 this side the Highlands." 



" P.S. — Major Gen. Tryon was detached this morning with Emmerich's chas- 

 seurs, 50 yagers, and royal fusiliers and regiment of Trumback, with a three- 

 pounder to destroy the rebel settlement called the Continental milage, has just re- 

 turned and reported to me, that he has burned the barrack for 1,500 men, several 

 store-houses and loaded wagons. I need not point out to your excellency the 

 consequence of destroying this post, as it was the only establishment of the 

 rebels on that part of the Highlands, and the place from whence any body of 

 troops drew their supplies. " a 



The Hudson River Rail Road Bridge now crosses the mouth of the 

 Peekskill creek near Annsville, where the old bridge formerly stood, 

 leading to Roa or Rahway Hook. The total length of the latter, 

 which was built of wood, was fourteen hundred and ninety-six 

 feet. Upon the highest ground of Rahway Hook stood "Fort 

 Independence Hotel," erected by Col. Pierre Van Cortlandt some 

 years ago. From its elevated position this spot commands a most 

 extensive prospect of the Hudson River and the adjacent country. To 

 the north, rise the majestic Highlands, on the west the race and the 

 towering Dunderbarrack. To the south the waters of the Peekskill 

 bay resemble a vast lake bounded by the Mountains of Rockland and 

 Stony and Verplanck's Points, while on the east appears the village of 

 Peekskill and the Cortlandt hills. In the rear of Col. Van Cortlandt's 

 are situated the remains of Fort Independence, whose history is so in- 



a Supplement to H. Gaines' Military Gazette, Feb. 9, 1778, No. 1372. 



