Lead: In late September, 1780 John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart and David Williams, three militiamen guarding the bridge near Tarrytown, New York were playing cards. They looked up and saw a stranger approaching. Paulding grabbed his musket and stepped into history. Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts. Content: The militiamen were patrolling sections of Westchester County, north along the River from New York. Since the main focus of conflict in the American Revolution had by this time shifted south to the Carolinas and Virginia, this section of the Hudson Valley had become a sort of neutral territory inhabited by partisan bands on both sides who were often little more than outlaws with a political preference. Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [5.52 KB] Share