from Rivington's Gazette, March 3, 1779:February 27 -- NIGHT before last, at eleven o'clock, the 17th, 44th, and 57th British regiments, the Hessian regiment du corps, Colonel Emmerick's chasseurs and dragoons, Colonel Robinson's provincial battalion, and a detachment of the royal artillery, under the command of Major-General Tryon, marched from King's Bridge, and proceeded to Horse Neck1, in Connecticut, where they arrived at ten o'clock yesterday morning.At their first entering the town, a body of rebel troops stationed there, under the command of General Putnam, fired a few random shot, but soon retreated in great confusion, leaving their three field-pieces (six-pounders) behind them, which his excellency [Tryon] ordered to be spiked up, and the trunnions knocked off, also a large quantity of ammunition and stores found there to be destroyed. Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, of the 17th, with that regiment, and part of the 44th, was immediately detached to Greenwich, where he destroyed twenty-six salt pans, a great quantity of salt, a large new schooner, and two small vessels; after which he joined the detachment at Horse Neck, when the general, being informed that the rebels in that vicinity would be able to collect one thousand Continental and militia troops, early the next morning, determined to march at four o'clock. The troops passed many defiles, and got over considerable fire, but soon after quitted the pursuit. The troops continued their march, and arrived at King's Bridge this afternoon at about four o'clock. This service was performed with a trifling loss, and the men who are missing, through excessive fatigue, are hourly expected in."
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The Loyal American Regiment