[Robert Bolton, Jr. (1848)] The Indian children of the West have the following ex^ quisite chant to this flitting, white fire insect, as they denominate it : " Fire-fly, fire-fly bright little thing; Bright little fairy-bug, night's little king." Schoolcraft'' s Oneota. COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 91 Near the banks of the Canopus, or Peekskill hollow, is situated the site of the old Continental village, which once contained bar-racks for 2,000 men. The following account of its destruction is given in the dispatches of Gen. Sir William Howe to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Fort Montgomery, October 9, 1777: " The little army consisting of about 3.000 men arrived off Verplanck's Point, preceded by the gallies under the command of ^Sir.Tames Wallace. On our appearance the enemy retired with-out firing a shot, leaving a 12 pounder behind them: and Sir James moved up to Peekskill creek to mark the only communi-cation they had across the river on this side the Highlands. " P.S. — Major Gen. Tryon was detached this morning with Emmerick's chasseurs, 50 yagers, the royal fusiliers and regi-ment of Trumback, with a three-pounder to destroy the rebel set-tlement called the Continental village^ has just returned and re-ported to me, that he has burned the barrack for 1500 men, several store houses and loaded wagons.