Just before retiring into winter quarters, a handsome enterprise was executed by Major Talmadge, of Colonel Sheldon’s regiment of light dragoons.  That gentleman had been generally stationed on the lines, on the east side of the North River, and had been distinguished for the accuracy of his intelligence.

He was informed that a large magazine of forage had been collected at Coram, on Long Island, which was protected by the militia of the country, the cruisers in the Sound, and a small garrison in its neighbourhood.

[Sidenote:  Major Talmadge destroys the British stores at Coram.]

[Sidenote:  Nov. 21.]

At the head of a detachment of eighty dismounted dragoons, under the command of Captain Edgar, and of eight or ten who were mounted, he passed the Sound where it was twenty miles wide, marched across the island in the night, and so completely surprised the fort, that his troops entered the works on three different sides before the garrison was prepared to resist them.  The British took refuge in two houses connected with the fortifications, and commenced a fire from the doors and windows.  These were instantly forced open; and the whole party, amounting to fifty-four, among whom were a lieutenant colonel, captain, and subaltern, were killed or taken.  Stores to a considerable amount were destroyed, the fort was demolished, and the magazines were consumed by fire.  The objects of the expedition being accomplished, Major Talmadge recrossed the Sound without having lost a man.  On the recommendation of General Washington, congress passed a resolution, expressing a high sense of the merit of those engaged in the expedition.

[Sidenote:  December.]

[Sidenote:  The army retires into winter quarters.]

No objects for enterprise presenting themselves, the troops were placed in winter quarters early in December.  The Pennsylvania line was stationed near Morristown; the Jersey line about Pompton, on the confines of New York and New Jersey; and the troops belonging to the New England states, at West Point, and in its vicinity, on both sides the North River.  The line of the state of New York remained at Albany, to which place it had been detached for the purpose of opposing an invasion from Canada.

[Sidenote:  Irruption of Major Carlton into New York.]

Major Carlton, at the head of one thousand men, composed of Europeans, Indians, and Tories, had made a sudden irruption into the northern parts of New York, and taken forts Ann and George, with their garrisons.  At the same time, Sir John Johnson, at the head of a corps composed of the same materials, appeared on the Mohawk.  Several sharp skirmishes were fought in that quarter with the continental troops, and a regiment of new levies, aided by the militia of the country.  General Clinton’s brigade was ordered to their assistance; but before he could reach the scene of action, the invading armies had retired, after laying waste the whole country through which they passed.