146 



THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX 



in 1776 while the old wing, now destroyed, dates back to 1770. An 

 encounter occurred here in 1777 between the British and the Ameri- 

 cans, the Continentals driving their foes out of this house and along 

 the Boston Post Road to Fort Independence. 



On the 17th of January, 1777, General Heath, in compliance 

 with General Washington's orders, began an attack against Fort 

 Independence. It was intended by this means, even if the fort was 

 not taken, to cause the British to withdraw some of their troops 

 from New Jersey and Rhode Island. General Lincoln advanced 



Isaac Varian Homestead 



toy the Albany Post Road to the heights above Van Cortlandt Park ; 

 General Scott came from Scarsdale to the vicinity of the Valentine 

 house on the Boston Road, between Williamsbridge and Kings- 

 bridge, while Generals Wooster and Parsons marched from New 

 Rochelle over the Boston Road. 



The three divisions arrived at the enemy's outpost just before 

 sunrise. Lincoln captured the outpost in the front at "Upper Cort- 

 landt's." Heath ordered the cannonade of the Valentine House, if 

 the guard resisted, and he stationed two hundred and fifty men 

 between the house and Fort Independence to prevent the guard 

 from retreating to the fort. Two mounted British pickets were 

 •espied fleeing to give the alarm. One was captured, but the other 



