26th. Marched from New York to the lines, King's Bridge. Encamped.

Oct. 27. The weather very cold and rainy. On duty at an advanced redoubt; the rebel light horse appeared. I was ordered out with fifty light infantry; after a few shots fired and received, the light horse retreated.

Nov. 14. Deep and heavy snows. The light infantry company guards, commanded by Colonel Watson, with intentions to intercept a party of rebel light horse and infantry, marched from the lines at nine o'clock at night; being fired at near Delancey's Mills, I was detached, and soon learned that the shots came from friendly refugees who joined the detachment. Remained on the ground two hours, and then proceeded, being reinforced with fifty of Demur's light horse, to East Chester; remained three hours in ambuscade on our arms till the day dawned, when, being discovered by the advance guard of the enemy, fired into the midst of them; several were wounded, but being mounted made their escape; nine were killed and two made prisoners; two or three wounded on our side; pursued the main body unsuccessfully; returned to King's Bridge, after having marched twenty-nine miles through deep snows, &c.

Nov. 20. Distant shots at the rebel light horse.

Dec. 2. A most violent storm of wind and rain, with snow; most of the tents blown down. Exchanged a few shots on an out parole. Dec. 20. Hard frost; the soldiers hutted. My hut not finished. A party of rebels attacked and plundered the inhabitants of Morrisania and the West Farms; the light infantry of the Guards with Demur's horse were detached to pursue, and overtook them, taking eight prisoners, killing five, twenty-five horses, and recovered the plunder, &c. We had three wounded. On our return met a patrol of Colonel White's light horse; fired at the party; they fled precipitately.

Dec. 26. The frost intense; attempted unsuccessfully to take a rebel whale-boat, which was entangled in the ice of the North River. Dec. 27. Hutted, The weather pleasant and healthy; the mornings clear and cold, the serenity of the sky beautiful, the midday pleasant, but the evening dreadfully cold.

Jan. 1, 1780. Appointed to the command of the light infantry

company.

6th. Snow-storms.

16th. Two o'clock in the morning, the house of Colonel Hetfield beyond the lines at Morrisania was fired by a detachment of rebels, who, after having made the colonel prisoner, and maliciously committed some pitiful depredations, retreated. The two light infantry companies of the Guards, with the mounted refugees, were ordered out under the command of Colonel Hall. After a march of twenty-five miles fell in with their rear guard; a trifling but general contest ensued: nine rebels were killed, sixteen taken prisoners, many wounded. The rebels now appeared to the number of eight hundred, when on our taking an advantageous situation, they retired. We returned twelve

miles, and remained the night in some log houses, and returned to the lines on being joined by a detachment sent out to cover our retreat.* Jan. 18. The river frozen.

21st. Rode to New York. At twelve at night, entering the coffee-house, I was accosted by Lieutenant Callender of the 42d regiment (with whom I had no acquaintance), who insolently asked me if I would drink some punch. I declined the offer. On this he observed, "Ubi periculum est, ibi est gloria," and asked me if I wanted a translation. I told him no, but requested an explanation. On that he drew a small sword; I also drew mine, which was a very short couteau. He perceived the superiority he possessed from the difference of the weapons, which seemed to stimulate his cowardice to the attack, which he began by two lunges, which having parried, with all the fury and vigor I possessed, I returned by cutting at him, without paying any attention to a guard; he retreated the length of the coffee-house. I had now beat the point of his sword down, and intended to have killed him, but was prevented by Captain Peirce, who seized hold of my wrist and arrested the stroke. I told him his interference was unmanly and ungentlemanlike, as the contest was not finished. By this time some officers had taken Captain Callender's sword from him. I declared if any person presumed to touch my sword, I would run him through the body. Captains Peirce and Callender next morning asked my pardon. I afterwards was informed that Captain C., being an uncommon good swordsman, often insulted strangers in a similar manner. The disgrace he experienced from the contest in some measure cured him.

Jan. 22. Returned to King's Bridge. On an outpicket under the command of Colonel Norton.

23d. On the alert. The river being passably frozen, an attack on the lines from Washington was apprehended.

25th. Severe weather.

27th. On duty at the advanced redoubt, Prince Charles. The night cold and dark; ordered to return, the work being deemed too unsafe. 28th. The officers (Ensign Goodriche and myself) of the 2d Light Infantry never undress, nor the soldiers, the river being frozen.

Jan. 30. The North River opposite King's Bridge frozen over, a circumstance not remembered by the oldest inhabitant of this island. Since Sir Henry Clinton's detachment sailed from New York, the effective forces that remain to guard the island are in number less than 13,000.

Feb. 3. The light infantry and grenadiers of the Guards (480) under the command of Colonel Norton, were ordered on a party to surprise a rebel post named Young's House. The snow having fallen with much continuance and severity, sleighs were provided to convey the soldiers to the post; these conveyances were immediately quitted, for the cold was too intense to remain inactive, nor was it possible for the horses to get through the snow; the horses, sleighs, and a three

See Thacher's Journal, p. 185. - Eds.

pounder for these reasons were left within the lines at King's Bridge. At half-past ten o'clock the detachment marched; the night was dark; to prevent discovery, the high road was avoided, and by eleven the next day, after a march of twenty six miles, through unfrequented paths and untouched snow, the rebel post was completely surrounded. The house was stone, strongly and advantageously situated; some slight defences were formed in front of the post, which consisted of two hundred and sixty selected Continentals, who, having intelligence of our approach, were judiciously disposed to annoy or prevent the attack. After a spirited and brisk conflict of firing, during which time our detachment formed more collectedly than at the first advance was possible to effect, from the depth of the snow, the light infantry horn sounded the charge; the rebels retreated within the house, which was soon stormed by the grenadiers, and now a short but destructive contest ensued. The house was fired, and many of the enemy who had retreated for security to the cellars were crushed in the burning ruins. Sixty of the enemy effected their escape, seventy were made prisoners, and the remainder killed or so badly wounded as to be left on the ground. Two officers were killed; nine taken prisoners. On our part the loss was trifling: sixteen killed, thirty slightly wounded. Colonel Norton slightly wounded and two officers. The detachment now returned and entered the lines at ten o'clock the next night, without once halting.* Feb. 4. Early in the morning ordered with thirty light infantry to march the prisoners to New York. Returned next day.

March 23. At six in the evening a detachment of six hundred, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Howard, marched to Spithim [Spuyten] Devil Creek, from whence at about ten they embarked on flat-bottomed boats, and landed at half-past twelve at Kloster Lock, in the Jerseys. Having marched till seven in the morning, I was sent forward with sixty light infantry to attack a rebel picquet, on the right of the main body of the rebels, who were advantageously posted and fortified in a churchyard at a place called Paramus. The picquet was placed at the edge of a wood, with a plain of half a mile in the rear. I surprised the picquet, who instantly fled, and the most famous chase over the plain ensued. We were in at the death of seven. I had given orders that my party should not fire, but use their bayonets; notwithstanding, the main body, being apprised of Colonel Howard's attack, fled into the woods. fired at an officer who was mounted, who, to save himself, cast away his saddle-bags, which contained above $27,000 paper currency, orders, letters, &c. The dollars (reserving a few thousand for myself) I sold for a farthing each, and distributed to the men. After a tiresome pursuit, I rejoined Colonel H., who immediately retreated. On our return, which was by a different route, we were joined by a detach

I

* There is an account of the attack on Young's house in Stedman's "American War," vol. ii. pp. 235-238; and another in the diary of young George Mathew, the nephew and aide-de-camp of General Mathew, published in the "Historical Magazine," vol. i. p. 103. Both narratives give the date of the expedition as February 2. —EDS.

ment of the 42d regiment and Hessians, and 43d. The rebels now collected and began to harass our rear. I had the command of the rear guard; Captain Dundass flanked. The road in which we marched was wide and walled on each side; the road being a continuation of sudden hills. The main body was little annoyed, and afforded me an opportunity of disputing each height; the rebels made three charges, and each time were repulsed; their loss was as ten to one. Colonel Howard's retreat was so precipitate that he never once detached a party to my support. Fortunately for me, the rebels now changed their attack to the left of our line of march; they now flanked from behind trees, and with the greatest security, the road on that side being open and a narrow and impassable swamp immediately adjoining it. Thus we retreated, annoyed by a constant fire, with great loss, which produced general confusion, Colonel Howard neglecting to give any orders till we arrived at a bridge. So great was Howard's confusion that, as the rear guard was crossing the bridge, he was threatening the trembling owner of the adjacent house with death and destruction if he did not take up the planks of the bridge; as this was impossible, our army not choosing to make the attempt, and the owner of the house from inclination not intending to do it, I volunteered the duty and promised Colonel Howard to destroy the bridge. I never professed myself a volunteer for any duty, but on this occasion I had two reasons for my conduct.

The first reason arose from my having perceived that the enemy were bringing cannon and horse, the whole weight of which must have been sustained by the rear guard; the other was vanity, -the vanity of attempting that danger which a whole army had avoided. I now called the light infantry, which composed the rear guard, to assist me; but so great was the panic, that only FOUR remained. Captain Dundass, hearing my voice, joined me, as did Captains Anstruther and Dennis, with one private of the 43d, and two privates of the 42d regiment. The Hessian detachment, perceiving our intentions, formed on a small rise and covered our attempt. Under a very heavy fire, we effected our design, by dislodging the planks, which effectually prevented the horse and field-pieces from following our line of march. As this was done in the full view of the whole army, my vanity once more got ascendancy over my reason, inducing me to remain the last on the bridge. In our retreating from the bridge, three of the light infantry were killed, one of the 42d and 43d. Captain A. was wounded; Lieutenant Dennis slightly; Dundass and myself escaped. For having thus destroyed the bridge, which rendered the rest of the retreat safe and easy, Captain Dundass and myself received in public orders the thanks of General Mathew, the commanding officer at King's Bridge, as also General Knyphausen's thanks, commander-in-chief at New York. We now (March 24, five o'clock, evening) recrossed the North River, after a march of forty miles through the enemy's country. We took one captain and one hundred privates; our loss must have been nearly three bundred.

March 25. Commanded twenty light infantry and twenty grenadiers in pursuit of some rebels; took two; the rest fled.

March 26. Got permission to visit New York and to perform at

the theatre.

Mr. WILLIAM EVERETT spoke in substance as follows:

I desire, sir, to call the attention of the members to a scheme which is assuming somewhat serious proportions; in which, if it is really judicious, the Historical Society ought to help; against which, if it is otherwise, it is our duty to protest. I mean the scheme for erecting a monument to some person called the first discoverer of New England; not, however, John Cabot, or Sebastian Cabot, or Verrazzano, but an indefinite Northman, to whom, if I may be allowed a very bad pun, it is proposed to put up a Leif statue.

This scheme is espoused by several of our citizens, who, it is hardly unfair to say, are more enthusiastic than critical; largely stimulated by the patriotic fervor of a Norwegian. gentleman living among us, most eminent for genius of a peculiar order, but hardly an authority on matters of history. We all have heard a great deal, sir, of the Northmen who perhaps discovered New England, or something else, in the year 1000. Our books are filled with the same story, over and over again, of Biorn and Thorwald, and Helluland and Markland and Vinland, and Krossaness and Kjalarness, and Snorro Sturleson and Peringskiold; but it is perhaps not so well known how very shadowy and vague are all these accounts. Dr. Palfrey has put the story excellently in his second chapter. It is purely romantic, interpolated in the Heimskringla, which is most commonly given as the authority, promulgated originally by the fervid zeal of Professor Rafn, and discredited (as I am informed by Professor Haynes) by the best modern antiquaries of Denmark; it appears nowhere recorded till more than two centuries after the supposed date; and the indications which identify Vinland and New England melt away to nothing. Dighton Rock and the tower at Newport are quoted only to be laughed at; and the famous latitude indication, the eykterstadt and dagmalastadt, is like saying that daylight in Vinland lasts from breakfast-time till into the afternoon!

As Mr. Dexter reminded us last month, when Professor Rafn first published the "Antiquitates Americanæ," in 1837, everybody was swept away by the tide of "the new discovery." Columbus and the Zeni were nowhere; and the Scandinavian gentleman to whom I have alluded avows that he