Miller, David
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-10-31
David Miller (1766-1859) was a son of Joseph Miller, who served as an officer in the Westchester County Militia. He recalls the burning of Bedford on July 11, 1779, at which time his father led a company of militiamen that was positioned east of the village. Like many of his fellow Bedford residents, Miller erroneously believed that Colonel James Holmes was present with the British force. Miller then recalls an incident in July 1780 when American militiamen led by Richard Sackett and William Mosier attacked a contingent of DeLancey’s Refugees commanded by Isaac Hatfield that was returning south after stealing livestock in Middle Patent in North Castle. Attempting to escape the Americans, Hatfield’s men abandoned their cattle and changed their route before encountering a force of Connecticut militia commanded by Colonel Bezaleel Beebe. Recovering from their surprise, Hatfield and his men were able to repulse Beebe’s attack.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
Stephen Ambler was too late in escaping, trusting too much to the fleetness of his horse. He was overtaken and killed.
When Colonel Hatfield returned from Middle Patent, with cattle, &c, in July, 1780, Captain [inter: Rich'd] Sacket was patroling with 40 or 50 men in the neighborhood of King Street. Lieut. Mosier proposed that they should waylay him. Sacket for a long time refused, saying he had not men enough. Mosier urged and at last asked leave to take all who would volunteer and make the attempt alone. Sacket at length consented to go with his whole force. They accordingly took a position on the road by which Hatfield was retreat -ing, some distance east of Clapp's bridge on the Byram. Mosier was posted in the road (that is across it) with part of the company, while Sacket with the rest lined the fence
on each side. Hatfield's advanced guard composed of a small number of bold men immediately charged Mosier at speed (though fired upon) and cut their way through, escaping through White Plains. Mosier instantly reformed and strengthened his line across the road, and as Hatfield's main body approached commenced firing by platoons. The Refugees now halted, and not knowing the size of the force opposed to them, and concluding from the firmness of the men, the suitableness of the spot for an ambuscade (it was a dangerous defile) and the regularity of the platoon firing, that they were opposed by a strong body of Continentals. They abandoned the cattle and attempted to retire between King Street and the Sound (on some road probably parallel with King Street. Here they were met & attacked by Colonel Bebee at the head of some Connecticut