THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT. 1 67 



the pass over the hills between Drake's and Peekskill, and also ordered 

 the flank guard on the left to be reinforced, and to send out small flank 

 guards still further from its flank. The troops moved on with the ut- 

 most expedition to the ground which Gen. Huntington had been ordered 

 forward to secure. Every moment that passed, was expected to an- 

 nounce the commencement of an action between the advanced or flank- 

 ing parties of the two armies; but it did not take place. At this mo- 

 ment Gen. Washington, having learnt how matters stood, and that pos- 

 sibly Gen. Clinton might attempt to push into the Highlands, sent an 

 express to Gen. Heath, to move into the Highlands immediately, which 

 was done, just after dark, the troops passing the night on Bald Hill. It 

 was generally of the opinion that if Gen. Heath had not been at hand 

 to advance in the manner he did, that Gen. Clinton by a forced march 

 of his light troops, backed by his army, would have got in the rear of 

 Gen. Howe, before he could have possibly gained the road at Peekskill, 

 and between his army and a sally from the garrison of Verplanck's Point, 

 inevitably cut off the whole. Our troops at Stoney Point cannonaded 

 and bombarded the enemy's works at Verplanck's during the whole day, 

 and until near midnight. The post was then evacuated, and the Wash- 

 ington galley was blown up. a 



On the 2d of October, 1779, tne enemy at Verplanck's Point, opened 

 a number of pits about five feet deep, and from four feet over, with a 

 sharp stake in the middle, around the outside of the abattis. b 



October 21st, 1779, three deserters came in from Verplanck's Point, 

 and reported that the enemy were on the point of evacuating their works. 

 The officer commanding the advanced picket, soon after sent informa- 

 tion that the works appeared to be on fire, and the shipping standing 

 down the river. Major Waldbridge, who commanded the advanced 

 picket, immediately sent a detachment to take possession of the works. 

 Several loaded shells, left by the enemy in places where the fire would 

 come to them, burst, but did no harm. The enemy left one horse, a 

 few old entrenching tools, and some other trifles at the Point." 



Colonel Livingston held command of this post in 1780, when Arnold 

 came there for the purpose of carrying on his treasonable correspond- 

 ence with Andre. 



a Heath's Mem. 211. Mrs. Hannah Hoagh, aged 86, Oct. 31, 1845, says — "My father in the 

 beginning of the war lived at Verplanck's Point, and afterwards at Tarrytown, and we were 

 repeatedly plundered both by Cow-boys and Skinner's. Isawye British army, when they land- 

 ed at Teller's Point and marched up (in 1T79 probably). They were encamped one night on 

 Collabergh Hill, a short distance east of ye post road, and marched ye next day to Verplanck's 

 Point. The British cavalry encamped one night or so on ye hills near New Castle Corner. 

 McDonald MSS., in possession of George H. Moore, Esq., of N. Y. Hist. Society. 



6 Heath's Mem. 218. 



c Heath's Mem. 221. 



