After the initial contact at the river, Col. Hathorn’s remaining force of about forty men conducted a fighting retreat until they reached high ground, where they took up a position about two acres in size. Sentinel Rock marked the approximate southwest corner of the militia square, and the battlefield monument marks the southeastern part of the American defensive square. Capt. Brant’s men encircled them at a distance of one hundred yards or less. Tradition long held that this was the location where Brant made his push into the heart of the militia’s defensive square, but more recent research indicates that Brant’s final assault began from the northeast, not far from Hospital Rock. The militia men were then in the fight of their lives, and few survived. Joseph Brant later wrote, “The Rebels soon retreated and I pursued them, until they stopt upon a Rocky Hill, round which we were employed and very busy near four hours before we could drive them out.”