Year: 1859




quarters of the American troops was estab-
lished on the farm now owned by John
Cocks, Esq, formerly John Conklins,)
near which place the father and family of
the Lieutenant had been obliged to take up
their residence as place of security from
the enemy.


On the morning of the 2lst of September,
1880, 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 to 60 armed even the farmer and
his laborers carried arms while engaged in
their agricultural pursuits. 1t was on that
day that the Vulture sloop- -of-war, came to
anchor a short distance off the 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 the Long
Glove in Rockland county, about six miles
below the military posts of Stony add Ver-
plank's Points, Moses Sherwood, while at
the cider mill, which was situated on the
west side of the road, saw barge filled
with armed men from the Vulture, in CON-
pany 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. For
this purpose they concealed themselves
behind some rocks, and as the barge came
sweeping along towards 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 observed
among them. A second shot from Sher-
wood compelled them to return to the Vul-
ture; which they did under cover of canister
and grape shot from the gun boat, directed
towards the point where Sherwood and
Peterson were concealed. The cannonade
drew the attention of the people of Cort-
landt town to the scene. The Vulture was
lying in position to be distinctly seen from
Verplank's Point and the whole district of
country between it and Teller's Point on
the Westchester shore, and likewise from
Stony Point to the Long Glove, in Rock.
land county.


The grounds on both sides of the river,
for many miles in extent, sloping gradually
towards the river, gave the inhabitants
full view of the scene. The inhabitants
upon the Westchester side had been upon
the lookout, for they apprehended an at
tack, but there were none, however, who
entertained an opinion that it would be
brought on before sunset, until Peterson and
Sherwood commenced their fire. Many of
them hastened to Teller's Point with field
piece, which they had obtained from Col.
Livingston, who was in command at Yer
planck's Point They erected a small redoubt
and opened well-directed fire upon the
Vulture, and she fired, in return, several
broadsides directed towards the redoubt.
Andre, who had been conducted from the
Long Glove to Smiths house, situated on
the high grounds in Haverstraw, heard the
firing and saw from his window the Vulture
slip her cable and make sail for New Y ork
This circumstance prevented him from re-
turning to the city by water, for he in
tended to have been put on board of the
Vulture that morning, where he was ex-
pected by the officer in command, and as he
did not arrive at the time appointed, a
barge had been directed to skim along the
shore under the expectation that he had
been set over to the east side of the river,
and that they would be enabled to carry
him to the Vulture.


Andre, being disappointed in reaching the
Vulturc, was compelled to return by land
through the towns of Cortlandt, Yorktown
and Mount Pleasant, which led to his cap
ture at Tarrytown. But for the firing of
Peterson and Sherwood upon the barge, it is
more than probable he would have returned
to the Vulture in safety.


Peterson received, during life, pension
from the U. States for his military services,
and Gen. Philip Van Cortandt, in consider
alton of the high regard he entertained for
his military services, put him in possession
of a house and lot in CortlaEdt town, where
be lived until he removed to Peekskill. He
maintained, through long life, the charac-
ter of an honest man and faithful soldier,
and was much esteemed by all who knew
him. F.


THE weekly mortality report of the New
York city inspector shows that the deaths
for the week ending on Saturday October l,
numbered 42O, decrease of 66 as compared
with the mortality of the week previons.
Two hundred and thirty two were under ten
years of age.


The Vermont State Journal says: Ev-
cry month has been marked by frost, and a
drought, severer than any known for many
years, prevailed through the Summer. But
under the influence of last week the grass
has started vigorously, and strawberries are