Home / Macdonald, John. Interview with Feeks, Joseph; (1848-11-01). John M. McDonald Interviews, 1844-1851, WCHS item 752. Westchester County Historical Society. Transcribed by history.croton.news April 2026. / Passage

Interview with Feeks, Joseph

Macdonald, John. Interview with Feeks, Joseph; (1848-11-01). John M. McDonald Interviews, 1844-1851, WCHS item 752. Westchester County Historical Society. Transcribed by history.croton.news April 2026. 280 words

November 1st Joseph Feeks of Middle Patent. "I am 78 years old and remember the battle of White Plains

Tom Ferris, Wright Carpenter and Ben Bow. Green went down for DeLancey's horses. They were at pasture in a meadow surrounded by briers, witch hazel &. They waited all day long till the sun was about one or two hours high. The horse and mare were both imported and fine blooded horses. A shower at length came up, and the boy that watched them went to a house for shelter, and the horse and mare came up to them as straight as if led. Ferris and Carpenter mounted the horse and Green the mare. They went prepared with bridles, and rode full speed for Williams' bridge. Here, as they began to descend a hill they descried a party of DeLancey's Dragoons

who had halted and dismounted during the shower. They then cried out: "Here, they are, boys! -- Come on! -- Now we'll have 'em!" The dragoons look down to the river in the bushes, &c. Soon after they met two more of the same party who had lagged behind. They then cried out: "Clear the way! -- They'll gain the race!" The dragoons opened right and left and let them pass, but immediately perceived the ruse and pursued. One or two miles from Williams Bridge is a hollow near V. Briggs's. Ferris said: "Now, boys, I'm to leave you -- the horse never'll carry two." He then jumped off right among the briers and hauled them about him. It was a bright moon shining night, almost as light as day. A few moments after he had concealed himself his pursuers