THE "NEUTRAL GROUND" 109 



"Memorial of the fallen great, 

 The rich and honored line, 

 Stands high in solitary state, 

 De Lancey's Ancient Pine." 



Andrew Corsa, born in the Rose Hill Manor House which is 

 situated on the grounds of Fordham University, was the last of 

 the Westchester guides. He was called upon to act as guide to 

 Washington and Rochambeau when he was but nineteen years of 

 age. One time when the French and American allies were march- 



Mayflower Chairs 



ing past the Morris mansion opposite Randal's Island and Snake 

 Hill, where the British were encamped, the enemy's artillery 

 opened fire. Scared out of his wits, young Corsa dashed for his 

 life and took refuge behind the old Morrisania mill. Taking a 

 furtive glance from his hiding place and seeing Washington and 

 the other generals riding along unperturbed and heedless of any- 

 thing about them, he hastily spurred on his horse and galloped 

 back to his place on the line, where he was cheered for his courage. 

 Andrew Corsa died in 1852, at the age of ninety-one at Bedford 

 Park, nearly opposite the Rose Hill manor-house. 



Blythe Place was a strip of land running to a point somewhat 



