The snow deadened the sound of the American advance, and the careless sentry did not perceive them.

No warning was given until the lieutenant in command of the guard stepped out of the house by chance, and gave the alarm in great surprise.

The picket rushed out, and the men lined up in the road in front of the column, the thick snow preventing them from forming a correct idea of the approaching force.

The advance guard of the Continentals, led by Captain William A.Washington and Lieutenant James Monroe, instantly swept down upon them.

After a scattered volley which hurt no one, they fled precipitately back toward the village, giving the alarm and rallying on the main guard, posted nearer the centre of the town, which had been speedily drawn up, to the number of seventy-five men.