Part 4 

Once the battle lines were established across the southern end of Westchester County, the British created a series of forts meant to render New York City a fortress strong enough to withstand any patriot assault.  The British enjoyed success in building defensive lines but did nothing to protect the large agricultural areas of the County which were left without any authority at all.  Church did not meet on Sunday.  Farmers, fearful of being plundered, saw no reason to plant crops beyond a few meager vegetables to prevent starvation.  The few remaining cattle were hidden in cellars.  Tories and Patriots alike buried their few valuables and maintained hiding places to keep the men from being captured and pressed into service for one side or the other.  A state of Civil War existed where one community would favor the British and the next community would favor the Continentals.  People stayed low with meetings held strictly among friends and in secret.

Late in the Winter of 1777, General Heath of the Militia attempted an offensive against British battalions near Fort Independence.  The actions proved virtually bloodless and a huge embarrassment to the Rebel cause.  At about this time recruiting of loyalist regiments in New York and in particular, Westchester County, hit a bonanza.  Roger’s Queen Rangers started gaining fame locally as a tough active group intent on punishing the committee men for acts against the Tory population.  Unfortunately, the Committee responded by authorizing the burning and plundering of all remaining farms in the county thereby guaranteeing Westchester to be the finest recruiting ground for loyalist regiments in all the colonies.
Stephen Dusenbury joined the New York Volunteers under Major Alex Grant in the Spring of 1777.  Did he join purely from loyalty to the crown?  doubtful.  Because the British were looking very strong to defeat the rebels?  maybe, probably part of the reason.  Or because he was proud of his English heritage (he was of Dutch descent) and believed it right to remain loyal?  considering his long-standing service (he would remain during the entire war), there is a good chance he simply believed loyalty to England rather than the committee mobs was the best route to preserve his liberties.  But, in any event, Stephen not only joined the unit but was elevated to Sergeant within the first few months of his service.

The New York Volunteers trained in the area around Kingsbridge with other loyalist units under overall command of Col. Stephen Delancey.  Delancey was a local loyalist who had shown some early sympathies to the revolutionary spirit but remained loyal to the crown once sides were being chosen.  His brother had been sheriff of Westchester County prior to the outbreak of war and was now commanding a regiment of dragoons to operate primarily in the no-man’s land between competing armies.  Before the war was over, their family name would carry a level of disdain compared only to Banastre Tarleton.  

The NY Volunteers saw their first recorded action in late June of 1777.  While stationed along the perimeter of NY city among the system of forts built along the Hudson, the unit undertook a night raid up to Kingsbridge in the Fort Independence area.  They ran into a patriot group while foraging for cattle and fresh food products.  A hot little skirmish ensued with the volunteers killing six and taking eight more prisoners.  The raid also succeeded by taking 25 head of cattle and 11 horses.

elijahchapman American History, American Revolution, General History