[Sidenote: 1777] Information being received that the Americans were forming magazines at _Peek's-hill_, about fifty miles up the North River, Lieut.-Colonel Bird, of the FIFTEENTH, was detached from New York against that post, with a body of troops, of which a division of the regiment formed part. The troops sailed from New York on the 22nd of March, 1777, and as they approached Peek's-hill, the Americans set fire to the stores and retreated. The British landed, completed the destruction of the magazines, barracks, &c., and afterwards returned to New York. Extensive depôts were also prepared by the Americans at _Danbury_, and other places on the borders of Connecticut, and the FIFTEENTH regiment formed part of a body of troops which embarked from New York, under Major-General Tyron, for the destruction of these magazines. The British arrived off Norwalk on the evening of the 25th of April, landed without opposition, and commenced their march for Danbury, from whence the American troops fled, as the English approached that place on the afternoon of the following day. As no carriages could be procured to bring off any part of the immense collection of stores at this place, the magazines were set on fire, and in the progress of the flames the town was unavoidably burnt. This service accomplished, the British commenced their march back to the coast, early on the morning of the 27th of April, when a body of Americans hung upon their rear, and at every eminence a corps of militia was found ready to oppose their march; but they attacked and routed their opponents; and in one of the skirmishes the American General Wooster was killed. Arriving at _Ridgefield_, the British were opposed by a strong force under General Arnold, protected by intrenchments, which the Americans were preparing; but a few rounds from the English artillery, and a gallant charge with bayonets, routed the American force, and the King's troops halted at Ridgefield during the night. Resuming the march on the following morning, the British were harassed by the enemy, in their retrograde movement, and numerous skirmishes occurred. Arriving at the _Hill of Compo_, contiguous to the place of embarkation, the Americans appeared in force, and commenced an attack with greater spirit and determination than before; the British troops confronted their numerous assailants, fired a volley, and charged with bayonets with so much impetuosity and valour, that the Americans were unable to withstand the shock, and they retreated. The King's troops afterwards embarked without molestation for New York. Eight rank and file of the FIFTEENTH regiment were killed on this expedition; Captain Harry Ditmas, one serjeant, and fifteen rank and file wounded; two men missing. Lieutenant Charles Hastings, of the twelfth foot, serving as a volunteer with the regiment, was also wounded.