The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-10-13
o. Co. fFrops the Sing Sag Repsblicos.
Z Revolutionary Incidents.


lowed his remains to the public burying-
ground in the city of Albany, where be was
inferred with military honors. The devoted
attachment of Peterson to the gallant and
mucb-lamented Lieutenant, was observed
by Colonel Van Cortlandt, who, without So
liciiation, gave him his discharge from tine
service to enable him to return 10 his home,
with the effects that belonged 10 the Lieu
tenant. .
On bis return to his county, the lines be-
tween the American and British forces had
been removed from Tarrytown to the north
side of the Croton River, and the headquar-
ters Of the American troops were established
on the farm now owned by JOIN Cocks,
Esq, formerly John Conklin s. near which
place the father and family OF the Lieuten-
ant had been obliged to take up their resi-
deIce as place OF security from the enemy.
On the morning of the 2lst of September,
1850, Moses Sherwood and Peterson were
engaged in making cider at Barrett's farm,
in Cortlandt town, now occupied by J. W.
Frost, Esq; they had taken their arms with
them, for in those days Of peril all were
obliged 10 20 armed; even the farmer and
his lsborers carried their arms while engaged
in their agricultural pursuits. 1t was on
that day that the Pulture, sloop-of war,
came to anchor short distance off tue
western extremity of Teller's Point, having
brought up Andre for the purpose of holding
an interview with the traitor Arnold, which
took place the night before. at Long Glove,
in Rockland county, about six miles below
the military posts of Stony and Verplanck s
Points Moses Sherwood, while at the ci-
der mill, which was situated on the west
side Of the road, saw barge filled with
armed men from the VuitsTe, in company
with gun-boat, approaching the shore at
the point of land where he and Peterson
were at work, whereupon they seized their
guns and ran for the shore resolved in their
own minds that the enemy should not land
without opposition. a.
For this purpose they concealed them
selves behind some rocks, and as the barge
came sweeping along toward the place
where they were lying Peterson fired. His
aim had been well directed, for an oar was
seen to fall from the hands of one of the
men on board, and much confusion was ob.
served among them A second shot from
Sherwood compelled them to return to the
Vulturs, which they did under cover oI
grape and canister sho. from the gun-boat
directed toward the point where Sherwood
and Peterson were concealed. The cannon
ade drew. the attention of the people o
Cortland town to the scene. The Euitur,
was lying in position to be distinctly seer
! from Verplanck's Point, and the whole dis
trict of country between it and Teller
| Point on the Westchester shore, and like
wise from Stony Point to the Long Glow,
in Rockland County.
The grounds on both sides of the river
for many miles in extent, sloping gradual,
toward the river, gave the inhabitants ful
view of the scene. The inhabitants on tn
! Westchester side had been upon the lookou,
for they apprehendedan an attack, but there wer
none, however, who entertained an opinion
that it would be brought on before sunye,
until Peterson and Sherwood commence
their fire. Many of them now hasteued t
the end of Teller's Point with field piece
which they had obtained from Col. Living
stou. who was in command at Yerplanck'
Point. et
They erected small redoubt and opene
well-directed fire upon the Iuiture, an
she fired, IN return, several broad-sides dl
recte toward the redoubt. Andre, wh
had been conducted from the Long Glove t
Smiths house situated on the high ground
in IIaverstraw, heard the firing and sa,
from his window the VuLture slip her cabl
and make sail for New York. This circum
stance prevented him from returning to til
city by water, for he Intended to have pu
= up on board of the VulttTe that morniss
where he was expected by the officer i
command, aud. as he did not arrive at III
time appointed, barge had been directe
To skim along the shore under the expects
= ton that he had been set over TO the eas
: side of the river, aud that they wuold be tr
abled TO carry hisI to the TGtture. t
Andre, being disappointed in reaching ii
! ITulture was compelled to return by Ian
through the towns of Cortlandt, Yorktowr
and Mount Pleasant, which led to his cal
: tnre al Tarrytown. But for the firing
: Peterson and Sherwood upon the barge,
: is more than probable he would have T,
turned to the Vulture in safety. p
Peterso- received, during life, pensio
from the United States for Lis military sc
vices, and General Philip Van Cortlandt,
= consideration of the high regard he ente
tanned for his military services, pat him
possession of house and lot in CORTLAND
town, where he lived until he moved
Peekskil. He maintained, through lor
= life, the character of an honest man and
: faithful soldier, and was much esteemed /
all who knew him. ..-.- F.