Interview with Corsa, Andrew
5.
Andrew Corsa of Fordham.
"I am eighty seven years old, and served as an American Guide several times during the war of Independence. DeLancey and Bearmore's troops were under British pay. Bearmore was not Major under DeLancey. DeLancey did not come forward as Commander until after Bearmore's death.
My father's cousin Colonel Isaac Corsa of Newtown Queens County, was taken up in the Summer of 1776, and sent to Connecticut along with Colonel Phil-ipse and Joseph Bull. My father's name was Isaac also. When Colonel Armand took him prisoner, I saw the Legion of horse on a ridge and told him who they were, but he said they were Emmerick's dragoons.
About a week after General Washington was at Valentines Hill and Kingsbridge on the 3rd of July, 1781, he
6. came down again with General Rocham -beau and I was then employed as a guide. One Oakley also a guide came and said I must go. We conducted them along the Bronx and then along Mill Brook to Morrisania, The moment we came in sight of Haerlem Creek upon a bridge ridge at Morrisania, the Forts at Randall's Island, Snake Hill, Haerlem, and the shipping in the river opened a tremendous fire upon us. We (that is, the guides) halted, but Washington and Rochambeau went on just as before. We then guided the army to near Kingsbridge through the fields of Fordham nearly in a direct line. Rocham- -beau was a small man -- Lauzun a thick set, stout man, more like a Dutchman.