esent
owner.

[Sidenote: _GALLOWS HILL._]

From now on the Post Road is all that a country road should be. It
plunges immediately into a thicket of tall weeds, Joe Pie and
goldenrod mostly, which shoot up in many instances six feet above the
ground. After crossing the creek the road begins the steep ascent of
Gallows Hill, where Putnam hanged a British spy in spite of Sir Henry
Clinton's attempts to prevent it. This summary action seems to have
tempered the Red-coats' curiosity, as "Old Put" was not bothered
afterward. One of a small bunch of chestnut trees west of the road
where it tops the hill is pointed out as the gallows tree, although
early accounts speak of a rough gallows having been erected. There is
a story to the effect that one Hans Anderson, a farmer of the
neighborhood, was the hangman, and that he was finally worried into
his grave by the ghost of this same spy, who would not leave him in
peace; but no mention is made of the tough old General having been so
bothered.

[Sidenote: _CONTINENTAL VILLAGE._]

Continental Village lies at the northern foot of Gallows Hill. The
British destroyed the stores the Americans were unable to take with
them and burned the village, leaving, it is said, only one house
standing, the property of a Tory. Whether this building is still
standing is somewhat uncertain, though one is pointed out as such.

General Sir William Howe, in his dispatches to Sir Henry Clinton,
dated at Fort Montgomery, October 9, 1777, says: "Major-Gen. Tryon,
who was detached this morning with Emmerick's chasseurs, fifty yagers
and royal fusiliers and regiment of Trumback, with a three-pounder,
to destroy the rebel settlement called the Continental village, has
just returned and reported to me, that he has burned the barrack for
fifteen hundred men, several store-houses and loaded wagons. I need
not point out to your excellency the consequence of destroying this
post, as it was the only establishment of the rebels on that part of
the Highlands, and the place from whence any body of troops drew their
supplies."

The place was soon reoccupied by the Americans as a point at which to
collect stores, and various military encampments were strung along
both sides of the road from here north.

[Sidenote: _POST ROAD._]

For the space of some two or three miles the road is a grass-grown
track through a rough country. As one proceeds he can appreciate the
difficulties that beset the retreating soldiers