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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..345cf41 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52072 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52072) diff --git a/old/52072-h.zip b/old/52072-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 2f05467..0000000 --- a/old/52072-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52072-h/52072-h.htm b/old/52072-h/52072-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index ef759dc..0000000 --- a/old/52072-h/52072-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,21995 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> - -<head> -<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> -<title>Life of Joseph Brant</title> -<style type="text/css"> -<!-- - /* Style Definitions */ - - - .image{ - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - } - - p { - font-family:"Times New Roman"; - margin-left: 0em; - text-indent: 2em; - text-align: left; - } - - .hang { - margin-left: 2em; - margin-top: 0em; - text-indent: -2em; - } - - .chap { - margin-left: 2em; - margin-top: 0em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - font-size: 80%; - text-indent: -1em; - } - - table { - line-height: 15px; - border-spacing: 10px; - border-collapse: separate; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - } - - .direct { - font-family:"Times New Roman"; - text-align: center; - } - .direct td { - line-height: 15px; - margin-left: 1.5em; - margin-top: 0em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - text-indent: 0em; - white-space: pre-wrap; - } - - .exit { - margin-top: 0em; - text-align: right; - } - - h2{ - text-align: center; - } - - .endof { - text-align: center; - } - - .page { - page-break-before: always; - } - - .caption { - font-family:"Times New Roman"; - text-align: center; - font-size: 120%; - } - - .quote { - font-family:"Times New Roman"; - font-size: 80%; - margin-left: 2em; - text-align: left; - text-indent: 0em; - } - .list { - margin-left: 2em; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - text-indent: 0em; - white-space: pre-wrap; - } - .list2 { - margin-left: 0em; - margin-top: 0em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - white-space: pre-wrap; - } - - .hang2 { - margin-left: 2.5em; - margin-top: 0em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - text-indent:-2.5em; - white-space: pre-wrap; - } - - .hang3 { - margin-left: 2.5em; - margin-top: 0em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - text-indent:-1.5em; - white-space: pre-wrap; - } - - dt { - margin-left: 1.5em; - margin-top: 0em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - text-indent:-0.5em; - white-space: pre-wrap; - } - - dt2 { - margin-left: 4em; - margin-top: 0em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - text-indent:-4em; - white-space: pre-wrap; - } - .chart { - text-align: center; - line-height: 15px; - border: 1px dotted gray; - } - .chart tr{ - border: 1px dotted gray; - } - - .chart td { - line-height: 15px; - margin-left: 0em; - margin-top: 0em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - text-indent: 0em; - border: 1px dotted gray; - } - - - .chart th { - line-height: 15px; - margin-left: 0em; - margin-top: 0em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - text-indent: 0em; - border: 1px dotted gray; - } - - - ---> -</style> -</head> - -<body lang=EN-US> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea ( Vol. -I.), by William L. Stone - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea ( Vol. I.) - Including the Border Wars of the American Revolution . . . - -Author: William L. Stone - -Release Date: May 15, 2016 [EBook #52072] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF JOSEPH BRANT, VOL 1 *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Burch with scans from the Internet Archive. - - - - - -</pre> - - -<P class="image" style="text-align: center; page-break-before: always;"><img src="images/cover.jpg"style="max-width:100%; max-height:100%" alt="cover"></P> -<br><br><br> - - - - -<h3 style="text-align: center; page-break-before: always;">{Transcriber's Note: Quotation marks have been standardized to modern -usage. Footnotes have been placed to immediately follow the paragraphs -referencing them.}</h3> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h1 style="text-align: center; page-break-before: always;">LIFE OF BRANDT</h1> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h1 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;">Life</h1> - <h3 class="direct">of</h3> - - <h2 class="direct">JOSEPH BRANT—THAYENDANEGEA:</h2> - <h3 class="direct">INCLUDING<br> - THE BORDER WARS<br> - OF THE<br> - AMERICAN REVOLUTION,<br> - AND<br> - SKETCHES OF THE INDIAN CAMPAIGNS OF GENERALS<br> - HARMAR, ST. CLAIR, AND WAYNE.<br> - AND OTHER MATTERS<br> - CONNECTED WITH THE INDIAN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES<br> - AND GREAT BRITAIN FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO<br> - THE INDIAN PEACE OF 1795.</h3> - - - <h2 class="direct">BY WILLIAM L. STONE.</h2> - - - <h3 class="direct">IN TWO VOLUMES.<br> - VOL. I.</h3> - - - <h2 class="direct">NEW-YORK:</h2> - <h3 class="direct">ALEXANDER V. BLAKE, 38 GOLD STREET.<br> - 1838.</h3> -<br><br><br> - - -<h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"> - [Entered according to Act of Congress of the United States of America - in the year 1838, by George Dearborn & co., in the Clerk's Office of - the District Court for the Southern District of New-York.]</h2> -<br><br><br> - - <h2 class="direct">New-York:<br> - Printed by Scatcherd & Adams.<br> - No. 38 Gold Street.</h2> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;">TO THE HONORABLE<br><br> - - STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER,<br><br> - - OF ALBANY,</h2> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">These</span> volumes are most respectfully inscribed. If the efforts of the -writer to illustrate more fully and minutely than has hitherto been done, -the most interesting portion of American history, in its immediate -connection with the large and populous State of which <span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Patroon</span> has -so long been one of the most distinguished citizens, shall be so -fortunate as to merit the regard, and receive the approbation, of one -so excellently qualified to judge of its interest and value, there will -be nothing left unsatisfied to the ambition and the hopes of</p> - -<p class="list2"> His friend and servant, - THE AUTHOR.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;">CONTENTS.</h2> - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br> - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chi">CHAPTER I.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Birth and parentage—Discussion of the doubts cast upon his origin—Visit - of Mohawk chiefs to Queen Anne—Evidence of Brant's descent from one - of those—Digression from the main subject, and Extracts from the - private and official journals of Sir William Johnson—Connexion between - Sir William and the family of Brant—Incidental references to the old - French war—Illustrations of Indian proceedings, speeches, &c.—Brant's - parentage satisfactorily established—Takes the field in the Campaign - of Lake George (1765.)—Is engaged at the conquest of Niagara - (1759.)—Efforts of Sir William Johnson to civilize the Indians—Brant - is sent, with other Indian youths, to the Moor Charity School, at - Lebanon—Leaves school—Anecdote—Is engaged on public business by Sir - William—As an Interpreter for the Missionaries—Again takes the field, - in the wars against Pontiac—Intended massacre at Detroit—Ultimate - overthrow of Pontiac—First marriage of Brant—Entertains the - Missionaries—Again employed on public business—Death of his - wife—Engages with Mr. Stewart in translating the Scriptures—Marries - again—Has serious religious impressions—Selects a bosom friend and - confidant, after the Indian custom—Death of his friend—His grief, and - refusal to choose another friend.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">Page 1</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chii">CHAPTER II.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Early symptoms of disaffection at Boston—Origin of the Revolutionary - War—First blood shed in 1770—Stirring eloquence of Joseph - Warren—Feelings of Sir William Johnson—His influence with the Indians - and Germans, and his unpleasant position—Last visit of Sir William to - England—His death—Mysterious circumstances attending it—Suspicions - of suicide unjust—His son, Sir John Johnson, succeeds to his title and - estates—His son-in-law, Col. Guy Johnson, to his office as - superintendent General of the Indians—Early life of Sir John—Joseph - Brant appointed Secretary to Guy Johnson—Influence of the Johnson - family—Revolutionary symptoms in County, fomented by the - proceedings in New England—First meeting of Tryon County - Whigs—Declaration of Rights—First meeting of Congress—Effect of its - proceedings—in England—Tardiness of Provincial legislature of - New-York—Spirit of the people—Notes of preparation in Massachusetts, - &c.—Overt acts of rebellion in several States—Indians exasperated by - the Virginia borderers in 1774—Melancholy story of Logan—Campaign - of Lord Dunmore and Colonel Lewis—Battle of the Kanhawa—Speech of - Logan—Its authenticity questioned—Peace of Chilicothe—Unhappy feeling - of the Indians.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">29</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chiii">CHAPTER III.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Unyielding course of the parent Government—Efforts of the Earl of Chatham - unavailing—Address to the Crown from New-York—Leslie's Expedition to - Salem—Affair of Lexington—Unwise movements of Tryon County - loyalists—Reaction—Public meetings—The Sammons family—Interference - of the Johnsons—Quarrel at Caughnawaga—Spirited indications at Cherry - Valley—Counteracting efforts of the Johnsons among their - retainers—Intrigues with the Indians—Massachusetts attempts the - same—Correspondence with the Stockbridge Indians—Letter to Mr. - Kirkland—His removal by Guy Johnson—Neutrality of the - Oneidas—Intercepted despatch from Brant to the Oneidas—Apprehensions - of Guy Johnson—Correspondence—Farther precautions of the - Committees—Reverence for the Laws—Letter of Guy Johnson to the - Committees of Albany and Schenectady—Substance of the reply.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">49</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chiv">CHAPTER IV.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Council of the Mohawk chiefs at Guy Park—A second council called by - Johnson at Cosby's Manor—Proceeds thither with his retinue—First full - meeting of Tryon County Committee—Correspondence with Guy Johnson—No - council held—Johnson proceeds farther West, accompanied by his family - and most of the Indians—Consequent apprehensions of the - people—Communication from Massachusetts Congress—Ticonderoga and Crown - Point taken by Ethan Allen—Skenesborough and St. Johns - surprised—Farther proceedings in Massachusetts—Battle of Bunker - Hill—Death of Warren—Council with the Oneidas and Tuscaroras at German - Flats—Speech to the Indians—Subsequent council with the - Oneidas—Conduct of the people toward Guy Johnson—Speech to, and reply - of Oneidas—Guy Johnson moves westwardly to Ontario—His letter to the - Provincial Congress of New-York—Holds a great Indian council at the - West—Unfavourable influence upon the dispositions of the - Indians—Causes of their partiality for the English—Great, but - groundless alarm of the people—Guy Johnson, with Brant and the Indian - warriors, descends the St. Lawrence to Montreal—Council there—Sir Guy - Carleton and Gen. Haldimand complete the work of winning the Indians - over to the cause of the Crown.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">Page 71</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chv">CHAPTER V.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Meeting of the second Continental Congress—Measures of - defence—Declaration—National fast—Organization of an Indian - department—Address to the Six Nations—Council called at - Albany—Preliminary consultation at German Flats—Speeches of the - Oneidas and others—Adjourn to Albany—Brief interview with the - commissioners—Conference and interchange of speeches with the - Albanians—Proceedings of the grand council—Speeches of the - commissioners—Replies of the Indians—Conclusion of the grand - council—Resumption of the conference with the Albanians—Speech of - the Albany Committee—Reply of the Indians—Disclosures of Guy Johnson's - proceedings at Oswego—Close of the proceedings—Epidemic among the - Indians—Small benefit resulting from the council—Proceedings in Tryon - County resumed—Doubtful position of New-York—Symptoms of disaffection - to the cause of the people—Sir John Johnson—Sheriff White deposed by - the people—The royal authorities superseded by appointments from the - people—Affray at Johnstown—First gun fired at Sampson Sammons—White - recommissioned by Tryon—His flight—Labors of the Committee—Opposition - of the Tories—Designs of Sir John Johnson and Sir Guy Carleton—Letter - and deputation to Sir John—Prisoners for political offences sent to - gaol—Letter from Provincial Congress—Mohawks commence fighting at St. - Johns—Speech of the Canajoharies in explanation—Indians apply for - release of prisoners—Review of the progress of the Revolution in other - parts of the Colonies—Proceedings of Parliament—Burning of - Falmouth—Descent upon Canada—Ethan Allen taken—Arnold's - expedition—Siege of Quebec—Fall of Montgomery—Caughnawaga and - Delaware Indians.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">91</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chvi">CHAPTER VI.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Lord Dunmore—Glance at the South—Suspicious conduct of Sir John - Johnson—Conduct of the Tories in Tryon County—Gen. Schuyler directed - by Congress to march into that County and disarm the Tories—Preliminary - mission to the Lower Mohawks—Message to them—Their displeasure and - reply—March of Schuyler—Meets the Indians at Schenectady—Interview and - speeches—Advance of Schuyler—Letter to Sir John - Johnson—Interview—Negotiations of capitulation—Terms proposed—Schuyler - advances to Caughnawaga—Joined by Tryon County Militia—Farther - correspondence with Sir John—Interview with the Indian mediators—Terms - of surrender adjusted—Schuyler marches to Johnstown—Sir John, his - household, and the Highlanders, disarmed—Troops scour the country to - bring in the loyalists—Disappointment as to the supposed Tory Depot of - warlike munitions—Return of Schuyler to Albany—Resolution of - Congress—Additional trouble with Sir John—Preparations for his - seizure—Expedition of Col. Dayton—Flight of the Baronet and his - partisans to Canada—Their sufferings—And subsequent conduct—How the - violation of his parole was considered.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">119</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chvii">CHAPTER VII.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">History of Brant resumed—Advanced to the chieftaincy of the - Confederacy—Mode of appointing chiefs and sachems—Embarks for - England—Arrives in London—Received with marked consideration—Becomes - acquainted with James Boswell and others—Agrees to espouse the Royal - cause, and returns to America—Steals through the country to - Canada—Curious supposed letter to President Wheelock—Battle of the - Cedars—Cowardice of Major Butterfield—Outrages of the Indians—Story - of Capt. M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry, who was saved from the stake by Brant—Indignation - of Washington, the people, and Congress—Resolutions of - retaliation—Mutual complaints of treatment of prisoners—Murder of - Gen. Gordon—Indignation at the outrage—Indian deputation at - Philadelphia—Speech to them—Congress resolves upon the employment - of an Indian force—Schuyler opposed—Review of the incidents of the - war elsewhere—Destitution of the Army—Evacuation of Boston by the - English—Disastrous termination of the Canadian campaign—Deplorable - condition of the army—Humanity of Sir Guy Carleton—Glance at the - South—Declaration of Independence—Spirit of Tryon County—Cherry - Valley—Fortifications at Fort Stanwix—American army moves to - New-York—Arrival of the British fleet and army—Battle of - Long-Island—Washington evacuates New-York—Battle of White - Plains—Retreats across New-Jersey—Followed by Cornwallis—Defeat of - Arnold on Lake Champlain—Fall of Rhode Island—Battle of Trenton.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">Page 147</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chviii">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Continuation of movements in New Jersey—Extinguishment of the - council-fire at Onondaga—Tryon County—Colonel Harper's mission to - Oghkwaga—The Harper family—Adventure at the Johnstone - settlement—Capture of Good Peter and his party—Thayendanegea crosses - from Canada to Oghkwaga—Interview with the Rev. Mr. Johnstone—Doubtful - course of Brant—Feverish situation of the people—Expedition of General - Herkimer to Unadilla—Remarkable meeting between Herkimer and - Brant—Meditated act of treachery—Wariness of the chief—Meeting - abruptly terminated—Ended in a storm—Brant draws off to Oswego—Grand - council there—The Indians generally join the Royal standard—Approach - of Brant upon Cherry Valley—How defeated—Death of Lieutenant Wormwood.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">175</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chix">CHAPTER IX.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">British preparations for the prosecution of the war—Indications at the - North—Doubtful position and conduct of General Howe—Embarrassing to - the Americans—Intercepted correspondence—General Howe sails to the - Chesapeake—Enters Philadelphia in triumph—Burgoyne approaches from - the North—Indian policy—Sir Guy Carleton—False estimates of the - strength of Ticonderoga—Burgoyne arrives at Crown Point—Feasts the - Indians—Invests Ticonderoga—Carries the outworks—Fortifies Sugar - Hill—The fortress evacuated by St. Clair—Retreat of the - Americans—Battles near Skenesborough and at Fort Ann—Burgoyne enters - the valley of the Hudson—Schuyler, without means, retreats from Fort - Edward—Terror of the people—Cruelties of the Indians—Story of Miss - M<sup>c</sup>Crea—General flight of the population—Mrs. Ann Eliza - Bleecker—Heroism of Mrs. Schuyler—Attempted assassination of General - Schuyler.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">195</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chx">CHAPTER X.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Expedition against the Mohawk Valley from Oswego—Despondency of the - people in Tryon County—Letter of John Jay—Arrest of several of the - disaffected—Flight of others to Canada—Schuyler's complaints of the - cowardice of the people—Great discouragements—Proclamation of General - Herkimer—Letter from Thomas Spencer—St. Leger's approach—Caution and - plan of his march—Diary of Lieut. Bird—Fort Stanwix invested—Colonel - Gansevoort takes command—Its deplorable condition—Gansevoort joined - by Willett—Story of Captain Gregg—Situation of the garrison—Arrival - of St. Leger—His proclamation—Burgoyne's affairs becoming - critical—Affair of Bennington—General Herkimer, with the Tryon County - militia, advances to the relief of Gansevoort—Battle of Oriskany—Bloody - upon both sides—Unexampled bravery of Captain Gardenier—Major - Watts—Dissatisfaction of the Indians—Sortie and success of Colonel - Willett—Death and character of General Herkimer.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">209</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxi">CHAPTER XI.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Siege of Fort Schuyler continued—Forced letter from prisoners to Col. - Gansevoort—St. Leger summons the garrison to surrender—Refusal of - Gansevoort—Appeal of Sir John Johnson to the people of Tryon - County—Secret expedition of Colonel Willett and Major - Stockwell—Schuyler orders Arnold to the relief of Gansevoort—Willett - proceeds to Albany—Arrest of Walter Butler, and others, at German - Flats—Tried and convicted as a spy—Reprieved—Sent to - Albany—Escapes—Arnold's proclamation—Advance of the - besiegers—Uneasiness of the garrison—Sudden flight of St. Leger and - his forces—Stratagem of Arnold—Story of Hon-Yost Schuyler—Merriment - and mischief of the Indians—Arrival of Arnold at the Fort—The spoils - of victory—Public estimation of Gansevoort's services—Address to his - soldiers—His promotion—Address of his officers.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">Page 249</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxii">CHAPTER XII.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Recurrence to the invasion of Burgoyne—General Schuyler again superseded - by Gates—Causes of this injustice—Battle of Stillwater—Both armies - entrench—Battle and victory of Behmus's Heights—Funeral of General - Frazer—Retreat of Burgoyne—Difficulties increasing upon him—His - capitulation—Meeting of Burgoyne and Gates—Deportment of Gates toward - Gen. Washington—Noble conduct of Gen. Schuyler.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">265</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxiii">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Sir Henry Clinton's attempt to co-operate with Burgoyne—Storming of Forts - Clinton and Montgomery—Burning of Æsopus—Review of military operations - elsewhere—Expedition to Peekskill—Of Gov. Tryon to Danbury—Progress - of Sir William Howe in Pennsylvania—Battle of Brandywine—Massacre of - the Paoli—Battle of Germantown—Death of Count Donop—Murder of Captain - Deitz and family at Berne—John Taylor—Lady Johnson ordered to leave - Albany—Exasperation of Sir John—Attempts to abduct Mr. Taylor—An - Indian and white man bribed to assassinate General Schuyler—Fresh - alarms in Tryon County—Address of Congress to the Six Nations—The - appeal produces no effect—Articles of confederation—Close of the year.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">280</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxiv">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Treaty of alliance with France—Policy of France—Incidents of the - Winter—Projected expedition against St Johns—Lafayette appointed to - the command of the North—Failure of the enterprise for lack of - means—Disappointment and chagrin of Lafayette—Unpleasant indications - respecting the Western Indians—Indian council at Johnstown—Attended - by Lafayette—Its proceedings—And result—Reward offered for Major - Carleton—Letter of Lafayette—He retires from the Northern - Department—Return of the loyalists for their families—Unopposed—Their - aggressions—Prisoners carried into Canada—Their fate—Re-appearance - of Brant at Oghkwaga and Unadilla—Anecdote of Brant—Comparative - cruelty of the Tories and Indians—Murder of a family—Exposed situation - of the people—Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean—Sends a challenge to Brant—Burning of - Springfield—First battle in Schoharie.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">298</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxv">CHAPTER XV.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">The story of Wyoming—Glance at its history—Bloody battle between the - Shawanese and Delawares—Count Zinzendorf—Conflicting Indian claims - and titles—Rival land companies of Connecticut and Pennsylvania—Murder - of Tadeusund—The first Connecticut Colony destroyed by the - Indians—Controversy respecting their titles—Rival Colonies planted - in Wyoming—The civil wars of Wyoming—Bold adventure of Captain - Ogden—Fierce passions of the people—The Connecticut settlers - prevail—Growth of the settlements—Annexed to Connecticut—Breaking - out of the Revolution—The inhabitants, stimulated by previous hatred, - take sides—Arrest of suspected persons in January—Sent to - Hartford—Evil consequences—The enemy appear upon the outskirts of - the settlements in the Spring—Invasion by Colonel John Butler and the - Indians—Colonel Zebulon Butler prepares to oppose them—Two of the - forts taken—Colonel Z. Butler marches to encounter the enemy—Battle - of Wyoming—The Americans defeated—The flight and massacre—Fort - Wyoming besieged—Timidity of the garrison—Zebulon Butler's authority - not sustained—He escapes from the fort—Colonel Denniston forced to - capitulate—Destruction of the Valley—Barbarities of the Tories—Brant - not in the expedition—Catharine Montour—Flight of the - fugitives—Expedition of Colonel Hartley up the Susquehanna—Colonel - Zebulon Butler repossesses himself of Wyoming, and rebuilds the - fort—Indian skirmishes—Close of the history of Wyoming. - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">Page 318</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxvi">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Evacuation of Philadelphia by Sir Henry Clinton—Followed through New - Jersey by Washington—Battle of Monmouth—Conduct and arrest of General - Lee—Retreat of the enemy—Arrival of the French fleet—Combined attack - of the Americans and French upon the British army of Rhode - Island—British fleet escapes from Count D'Estaing—Battle of Rhode - Island—Failure of the expedition-Projected campaigns against the - Indians—Captains Pipe and White-Eyes—M<sup>c</sup>Kee and Girty—General M<sup>c</sup>Intosh - ordered against the Sandusky towns—Irruption of Brant into - Cobleskill—Of M<sup>c</sup>Donald into the Schoharie settlements—Pusillanimity - of Colonel Vrooman—Bravery of Colonel Harper—His expedition to - Albany—Captivity of Mr. Sawyer—Slays six Indians and escapes—Colonel - William Butler sent to Schoharie—Morgan's rifle corps—Daring adventures - of Murphy and Elerson—Death of Service, a noted Tory—Murphy's - subsequent adventures—Affairs at Fort Schuyler—Alarming number of - desertions—Destruction of Andros-town by the Indians—Conflagration - of the German Flats—Expedition of Colonel William Butler from Schoharie - to Unadllla and Oghkwaga.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">343</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxvii">CHAPTER XVII.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Walter N. Butler—His flight from Albany, bent on revenge—The Great - Tree—Hostile indications among the Senecas and Cayugas—Premonitions - of an attack by Butler and Brant upon Cherry Valley—Discredited by - Colonel Alden—Scouts sent out and captured—Surprise of the - town—Massacre and burning—Death of Colonel Alden—Families of Mr. - Wells, Mr. Dunlop, and others—Brutality of the Tories—Family of Mr. - Mitchell—The monster Newberry—Departure of the enemy with their - captives—A night of gloom—Women and children sent back—Letter of Butler - to Gen. Schuyler—Murder of Mrs. Campbell's mother—Vindication of - Brant—Interesting incident—Brant's opinion of Capt. M<sup>c</sup>Kean—Colonel - John Butler laments the conduct of his son—Letter of General James - Clinton to Walter Butler—Letter of Butler in reply—Molly - Brant—Particulars of Mrs. Campbell's captivity—Feast of thanksgiving - for their victory—The great feast of the White Dogs—Return of Walter - Butler from Quebec—Col. Butler negotiates with the Indians for Mrs. - Campbell—She goes to Niagara—Catharine Montour and her sons—Mrs. - Campbell finds her children—Descends the St. Lawrence to Montreal—Meets - Mrs. Butler—Arrives at Albany, and is joined by her husband—Grand - campaign projected—Jacob Helmer and others sent privately to Johnstown - for the iron chest of Sir John—Execution of Helmer—Arrival of British - Commissioners—Not received—Exchange of Ministers with France—Incidents - of the war elsewhere for the year.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">369</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxviii">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Indian siege of Fort Laurens—Successful stratagems—Flight of the - pack-horses—The fort abandoned—Projected enterprise from Detroit—Gov. - Hamilton captured at St. Vincent by Col. Clarke—Projects of - Brant—Uneasiness in the West of New-York—Deliberations of the Oneidas - and Onondagas—Brant's projects defeated—Treachery of the - Onondagas—Colonel Van Schaick marches to lay waste their - towns—Instructions of General Clinton—Passage of Wood Creek and - Oneida Lake—Advance upon the Indian towns—Their destruction—Return - of the expedition to Fort Schuyler—Mission of the Oneidas to Fort - Schuyler in behalf of the Onondagas—Speech of Good Peter—Reply of - Colonel Van Schaick—Irruption of Tories and Indians into the lower - Mohawk country—Stone Arabia—Defence of his house by Captain Richer—The - Indians in Schoharie—General Clinton traverses the Mohawk - valley—M<sup>c</sup>Clellan's expedition to Oswegatchie—Unsuccessful—Irruption - of the Onondagas into Cobleskill—Defeat of the Americans—The settlement - destroyed—Murders in the neighborhood of Fort Pitt—Irruptions of - Tories into Warwasing—Invasion of Minisink—Battle near the - Delaware—Massacre of the Orange County militia—Battle with the - Shawanese.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">396</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;">INTRODUCTION.</h2> - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br> -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">It</span> is related by Æsop, that a forester once meeting with a lion, they -traveled together for a time, and conversed amicably without much -differing in opinion. At length a dispute happening to arise upon the -question of superiority between their respective races, the former, in -the absence of a better argument, pointed to a monument, on which was -sculptured, in marble, the statue of a man striding over the body of a -vanquished lion. "If this," said the lion, "is all you have to say, let -us be the sculptors, and you will see the lion striding over the -vanquished man."</p> - -<p>The moral of this fable should ever be borne in mind when contemplating -the character of that brave and ill-used race of men, now melting away -before the Anglo-Saxons like the snow beneath a vertical sun—the -aboriginals of America. The Indians are no sculptors. No monuments of -their own art commend to future ages the events of the past. No Indian -pen traces the history of their tribes and nations, or records the deeds -of their warriors and chiefs—their prowess and their wrongs. Their -spoilers have been their historians; and although a reluctant assent has -been awarded to some of the nobler traits of their nature, yet, without -yielding a due allowance for the peculiarities of their situation, the -Indian character has been presented with singular uniformity as being -cold, cruel, morose, and revengeful; unrelieved by any of those varying -traits and characteristics, those lights and shadows, which are admitted -in respect to other people no less wild and uncivilized than they.</p> - -<p>Without pausing to reflect that, even when most cruel, they have been -practising the trade of war—always dreadful—as much in conformity to -their own usages and laws, as have their more civilized antagonists, the -white historian has drawn them with the characteristics of demons. -Forgetting that the second of the Hebrew monarchs did not scruple to saw -his prisoners with saws, and harrow them with harrows of iron; forgetful, -likewise, of the scenes at Smithfield, under the direction of our own -British ancestors; the historians of the poor untutored Indians, almost -with one accord, have denounced them as monsters <i>sui generis</i>—of -unparalleled and unapproachable barbarity; as though the summary tomahawk -were worse than the iron tortures of the harrow, and the torch of the -Mohawk hotter than the faggots of Queen Mary.</p> - -<p>Nor does it seem to have occurred to the "pale-faced" writers, that the -identical cruelties, the records and descriptions of which enter so -largely into the composition of the earlier volumes of American history, -were not barbarities in the estimation of those who practised them. The -scalp-lock was an emblem of chivalry. Every warrior, in shaving his head -for battle, was careful to leave the lock of defiance upon his crown, as -for the bravado, "Take it if you can." The stake and the torture were -identified with their rude notions of the power of endurance. They were -inflicted upon captives of their own race, as well as upon the whites; -and with their own braves these trials were courted, to enable the -sufferer to exhibit the courage and fortitude with which they could be -borne—the proud scorn with which all the pain that a foe might inflict, -could be endured.</p> - -<p>But they fell upon slumbering hamlets in the night, and massacred -defenceless women and children! This, again, was their own mode of -warfare, as honourable in their estimation as the more courteous methods -of committing wholesale murder, laid down in the books.</p> - -<p>But of one enormity they were ever innocent. Whatever degree of personal -hardship and suffering their female captives were compelled to endure, -their persons were never dishonoured by violence; a fact which can be -predicated, we apprehend, of no other victorious soldiery that ever lived.</p> - -<p>In regard, moreover, to the countless acts of cruelty alleged to have been -perpetrated by the savages, it must still be borne in mind that the -Indians have not been the sculptors—the Indians have had no writer to -relate their own side of the story. There has been none "to weep for -Logan!" while his wrongs have been unrecorded. The annals of man, -probably, do not attest a more kindly reception of intruding foreigners, -than was given to the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth, by the faithful -Massassoit, and the tribes under his jurisdiction. Nor did the forest -kings take up arms until they but too clearly saw, that either their -visitors or themselves, must be driven from the soil which was their -own—the fee of which was derived from the Great Spirit. And the nation -is yet to be discovered that will not fight for their homes, the graves -of their fathers, and their family altars. Cruel they were, in the -prosecution of their contests; but it would require the aggregate of a -large number of predatory incursions and isolated burnings, to balance -the awful scene of conflagration and blood, which at once extinguished -the power of Sassacus, and the brave and indomitable Narragansets over -whom he reigned. No! until it is forgotten, that by some Christians in -infant Massachusetts it was held to be right to kill Indians as the agents -and familiars of Azazel; until the early records of even tolerant -Connecticut, which disclose the fact that the Indians were seized by the -Puritans, transported to the British West Indies, and sold as slaves, are -lost; until the Amazon and La Plata shall have washed away the bloody -history of the Spanish American conquest; and until the fact that Cortez -stretched the unhappy Guatimozin naked upon a bed of burning coals, is -proved to be a fiction, let not the American Indian be pronounced the -most cruel of men!</p> - -<p>If, then, the moral of the fable is thus applicable to aboriginal history -in general, it is equally so in regard to very many of their chiefs, whose -names have been forgotten, or only known to be detested. Peculiar -circumstances have given prominence, and fame of a certain description, -to some few of the forest chieftains, as in the instances of Powhatan in -the south, the mighty Philip in the east, and the great Pontiac of the -north-west. But there have been many others, equal, perhaps, in courage, -and skill, and energy, to the distinguished chiefs just mentioned, whose -names have been steeped in infamy in their preservation, because "the -lions are no sculptors." They have been described as ruthless butchers -of women and children, without one redeeming quality save those of animal -courage and indifference to pain; while it is not unlikely, that were -the actual truth known, their characters, for all the high qualities of -the soldier, might sustain an advantageous comparison with those of half -the warriors of equal rank in Christendom. Of this class was a prominent -subject of the present volume, whose name was terrible in every American -ear during the war of Independence, and was long afterward associated with -every thing bloody, ferocious, and hateful. It is even within our own day, -that the name of <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brant</span> [FN-1] would chill the young blood by its very -sound, and cause the lisping child to cling closer to the knee of its -mother. As the master spirit of the Indians engaged in the British service -during the war of the Revolution, not only were all the border massacres -charged directly upon him, but upon his head fell the public maledictions -for every individual act of atrocity which marked that sanguinary contest, -whether committed by Indians, or Tories, or by the exasperated regular -soldiery of the foe. In many instances great injustice was done to him, -as in regard to the affair of Wyoming, in connexion with which his name -has been used by every preceding annalist who has written upon the -subject; while it has, moreover, for the same cause, been consigned to -infamy, deep and foul, in the deathless song of Campbell. In other cases -again, the Indians of the Six Nations, in common with their chief, were -loaded with execrations for atrocities of which all were alike -innocent—because the deeds recorded were never committed—it having been -the policy of the public writers, and those in authority, not only to -magnify actual occurrences, but sometimes, when these were wanting, to -draw upon their imaginations for accounts of such deeds of ferocity and -blood, as might best serve to keep alive the strongest feelings of -indignation against the parent country, and likewise induce the people -to take the field for revenge, if not driven thither by the nobler impulse -of patriotism. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Almost invariably written Brandt in the books, even in despite of - his own orthography, which was uniformly Brant.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] See Appendix A—the well-known scalp-story of Dr. Franklin—long - believed, and recently revived and included in several works of authentic - history.</p> - - -<p>Such deliberate fictions, for political purposes, as that by Dr. Franklin, -just referred to, were probably rare; but the investigations into which -the author has been led, in the preparation of the present work, have -satisfied him, that from other causes, much of exaggeration and falsehood -has obtained a permanent footing in American history. Most historians of -that period, English and American, wrote too near the time when the events -they were describing occurred, for a dispassionate investigation of truth; -and other writers who have succeeded, have too often been content to -follow in the beaten track, without incurring the labour of diligent and -calm inquiry. Reference has been made above to the affair of Wyoming, -concerning which, to this day, the world has been abused with monstrous -fictions—with tales of horrors never enacted. The original causes of this -historical inaccuracy are very obvious. As already remarked, our histories -were written at too early a day; when the authors, or those supplying the -materials, had, as it were, but just emerged from the conflict. Their -passions had not yet become cooled, and they wrote under feelings and -prejudices which could not but influence minds governed even by the best -intentions. The crude, verbal reports of the day—tales of hear-say, -coloured by fancy and aggravated by fear,—not only found their way into -the newspapers, but into the journals of military officers. These, with -all the disadvantages incident to flying rumors, increasing in size and -enormity with every repetition, were used too often, it is apprehended, -without farther examination, as authentic materials for history. Of this -class of works was the Military Journal of Dr. James Thatcher, first -published in 1823, and immediately recognized as historical authority. -Now, so far as the author speaks of events occurring within his own -knowledge, and under his own personal observation, the authority is good. -None can be better. But the worthy army surgeon did not by any means -confine his diary to facts and occurrences of that description. On the -contrary, his journal is a general record of incidents and transactions -occurring in almost every camp, and at every point of hostilities, as the -reports floated from mouth to mouth through the division of the army where -the journalist happened to be engaged, or as they reached him through the -newspapers. Hence the present author has found the Doctor's journal a very -unsafe authority in regard to facts, of which the Doctor was not a -spectator or directly cognizant. Even the diligent care of Marshall did -not prevent his measurably falling into the same errors, in the first -edition of his Life of Washington, with regard to Wyoming; and it was not -until more than a quarter of a century afterward, when his late revised -edition of that great work was about to appear, that, by the assistance -of Mr. Charles Miner, an intelligent resident of Wilkesbarre, the readers -of that eminent historian were correctly informed touching the -revolutionary tragedy in that valley. Nor even then was the correction -entire, inasmuch as the name of Brant was still retained, as the leader -of the Indians on that fearful occasion. Nor were the exaggerations in -regard to the invasion of Wyoming greater than were those connected with -the irruption into, and destruction of, Cherry Valley, as the reader will -discover in the course of the ensuing pages. Indeed, the writer, in the -preparation of materials for this work, has encountered so much that is -false recorded in history as sober verity, that he has at times been -disposed almost to universal scepticism in regard to uninspired narration.</p> - -<p>In conclusion of this Introduction, a short history of the origin of the -present work may not be impertinent. It was the fortune of the author to -spend several of his early years, and commence his public life, in the -valley of the Mohawk—than which the country scarce affords a more -beautiful region. The lower section of this valley was entered by the -Dutch traders, and settlements were commenced, originally at Schenectady, -very soon after the first fort was built at Albany, then called Fort -Orange, by Henry Christiaens in 1614. The Dutch gradually pushed their -settlements up the Mohawk on the rich bottom lands of the river, as far -as Caughnawaga. Beyond that line, and especially in the upper section of -the valley west of the Little Falls, and embracing the broad and beautiful -garden of the whole district known as the German Flats, the first white -settlers introduced were Germans—being a division of the Palatinates, -who emigrated to America early in the eighteenth century, under the -patronage of Queen Anne. Three thousand Germans came over at the time -referred to, about the year 1709, a portion of whom settled in -Pennsylvania. The residue ascended the Hudson to a place called East Camp, -now in the county of Columbia. From thence they found their way into the -rich valley of the Schoharie-kill, about the year 1713, and thence to the -German Flats, of which they were in possession as early as 1720. The -first colony, planting themselves in Schoharie, consisted of between -forty and fifty families. Some disagreements soon after arising among -them, twelve of these families separated from their companions; and, -pushing farther westward beyond the Little Falls, planted themselves down -upon the rich alluvial Flats at the confluence of the West Canada Creek -and the Mohawk.</p> - -<p>At the time of its discovery, that valley was occupied by the Mohawk -Indians, the head of the extended confederacy of the Five Nations—the -Iroquois of the French, and the Romans, as Doctor Colden has denominated -them, of the New World. Of this confederacy, the Mohawks were the head or -leading nation, as they were also the fiercest. [FN] The Five Nations -early attached themselves to the English, and were consequently often -engaged in hostilities with the French of Canada, and especially with -the Hurons and Adirondacks or Algonquins—powerful nations in alliance -with the Canadians. Another consequence was, that the Mohawk valley, and -indeed the whole country inhabited by the Five Nations, were the theatre -of successive wars, from the discovery down to the close of the war of -the American Revolution. There is, therefore, no section of the United -States so rich in historical incident, as the valley of the Mohawk and -the contiguous territory at the west.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "I have been told by old men in New England, who remembered the time - when the Mohawks made war on their Indians (the Mohicans), that as soon - as a single Mohawk was discovered in their country, their Indians raised - a cry from hill to hill, <i>A Mohawk! A Mohawk!</i> upon which they all fled, - like sheep before wolves, without attempting to make the least resistance - or defence on their side; and that the poor New England Indians - immediately ran to the Christian houses, and the Mohawks often pursued - them so closely, that they entered along with them, and knocked their - brains out in the presence of the people of the house." [<i>Colden's Six - Nations.</i>] The excellent Heckewelder, in his paramount affection for the - Lenni Lenape, enters into a long argument to disprove Colden upon this - point; maintaining that the Mohawks were never of more terrific fame than - the Delawares. The authorities, however, are against the good Moravian - missionary, to which the writer may add the weight of the following - incident, of comparatively recent occurrence:—Some ten or twelve years - ago, a wandering Mohawk had straggled away from the ancient home of his - tribe, as far as the State of Maine, and presented himself, one day, in - the streets of a small town not far from the Penobscot river. Indian - forms and faces were not strangers in this little community, there being - a remnant of the Penobscots yet existing in the neighbourhood, who were - in the habit of visiting the place, four or five times a year, for the - purchase of such necessaries as their means could command. It happened - that a party of them had come in on the very day of the Mohawk's arrival; - and as he was lounging through the street, he came suddenly upon them in - turning a corner. The recognition, on their part, was instantaneous, and - was evidently accompanied by emotions of alarm and distrust. "Mohawk, - Mohawk," was muttered by one and another, and so long as he remained in - sight, their eyes were fixed upon him with an evident expression of - uneasiness. As for the Mohawk, he condescended only to give them a - passing glance, and went on his way with the same lounging, indifferent - step that he had exhibited from the first. He was a superb-looking fellow, - of about 25, full six feet in height, and could easily have demolished - three or four of the dwarfish and effeminate Penobscots.</p> - - -<p>At the time of the author's residence in the Mohawk country, the materials -of that history, especially that portion of them connected with events -subsequent to the conquest of Canada by Great Britain, were for the most -part ungathered. The events of the war of the Revolution, which nowhere -else raged so furiously, and was nowhere else marked with such bitter and -entire desolation, were then fresh in the recollections of the people; -and many a time and oft were the recitals listened to with thrilling -interest, and laid up in the store-house of memory, as among the richest -of its traditionary treasures. Nor was the interest of these verbal -narratives diminished by visiting the sites of the old fortifications, -strolling over the battle-fields, and noting the shot-holes in the walls -of such houses as had stood out the contest, and the marks of cannon balls -upon the trunks of trees yet remaining on fields which had been scenes of -bloody strife.</p> - -<p>Several years afterward it occurred to the author to undertake a task -which he ought to have commenced years before, viz. the composition of a -historical memoir of the Mohawk Valley, which would embody those written -and unwritten materials of history, now fast disappearing by the death of -the actors in the scenes to be described, and the loss of papers and -manuscripts, of which such reckless destruction is allowed in this -country. In the progress of thought and investigation upon the subject, -it was soon determined to embrace in the proposed memoir some biographical -account of the Great Chief of the Six Nations, <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Brant—Thayendanegea;</span> -but there was yet another distinguished name, whose history and fame were -intimately connected with the Mohawks, and whose character has neither -been justly described nor well understood. The reader will probably -anticipate the name, <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir William Johnson.</span> By this time it was apparent -that the work, if executed, must be more extended than had originally been -contemplated; and a few slight preparations were made for its commencement -ten years ago.</p> - -<p>It was some time in the year 1829 that the design was abandoned. Calling -upon his venerable friend <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Chancellor Kent,</span> one morning, for the purpose -of borrowing a rare volume of a still rarer history of the old French war -of 1755-'63, the author was informed that his design had been anticipated -by <span style="font-variant:small-caps">William W. Campbell,</span> Esq., a young gentleman of promise who was just -coming to the bar—a native of the country to be occupied as historic -ground—and whose work was then nearly ready for the press. Under these -circumstances, the project of the author was at once relinquished.</p> - -<p>Mr. Campbell's book—"Annals of Tryon County,"—made its appearance in -1831; and was at once found valuable for its facts, and creditable alike -to the industry and talents of an author, who, although then so young, -possessed the enterprise to undertake the necessary labour, and the -ambition to inscribe his name upon the roll of American historians. Still, -the work was not a substitute for that which the author had proposed; its -object was a more limited history, both of time and territory, than had -been entertained in respect of the present work. Mr. Campbell's Annals, -with the exception of a very few brief and partial sketches, embraced the -history only of the war of the Revolution in that particular section of -country, and had little to do with biography. The design of the author, -enlarged by reflection and research, now began to comprehend a history of -the Six Nations, and their wars with the French, Hurons, or Wyandots, and -Adirondacks; the settlement of the country by the pale faces; a history -of the French War, so far as that memorable contest was connected with -the Indians and colony of New-York; together, or rather blended, with the -Lives of Sir William Johnson and Joseph Brant. A work of this description -seemed to be a desideratum in American history; and in the autumn of 1832, -preparations for the undertaking were resumed, with what success will in -part be seen in the sequel.</p> - -<p>In the prosecution of the preliminary labour, efforts were made to procure -materials from the survivors of the family of Sir William Johnson, -residing in the Canadas. These efforts have thus far been attended with -but partial success. From one of the grandsons, however, Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Archibald -Johnson,</span> a valuable manuscript volume has been procured, containing the -private diary of Sir William during the Niagara campaign of 1759, in which -General Prideaux fell, leaving the command of the army to the baronet, -whose efforts were crowned with brilliant success. From among the papers -of the late Lieut. Governor of New-York, <span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Taylor,</span> in possession of his -daughter, Mrs. Cooper, the author has fortunately obtained the manuscript -of Sir William's official diary for the years 1757, 1758, and a part of -the year 1759, together with a small parcel of other papers and letters. -A few of the baronet's letters and papers are also yet extant, in the -archives of the state at Albany. All these will afford materials for his -proposed biography, and for other historical illustrations, of high value. -Many of the baronet's papers were destroyed in the war of the Revolution; -and many others, it is ascertained, are only to be found in England—to -which country a special visit will probably be necessary for their -consultation.</p> - -<p>It will readily be perceived, that the proposed work embraces two epochs, -between which there is a very natural, and even necessary, division. The -first embraces the early history referred to, with a history of the French -war, and the country, to the death of Sir William Johnson. The second -division embraces the life of Joseph Brant, and the revolutionary, Indian, -and Tory wars of the northern and western part of the State of New-York; -and although anticipated, to a considerable extent, by Mr. Campbell, still -the author entered the field of investigation with as much spirit as -though it had not been historically traversed before. In the course of his -labours he has visited the Mohawk Valley three several times with no other -object. Ascertaining, moreover, that the venerable Major <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Thomas Sammons,</span> -of Johnstown, himself, with his father and two brothers, an efficient -actor in the scenes of the Revolution, had for many years been collecting -historical materials in that region, the author applied to him; and was -so fortunate as not only to procure his collections, but to induce the old -gentleman to re-enter the field of inquiry. By his assistance a large body -of facts and statements, taken down in writing during the last thirty -years, from the lips of surviving officers and soldiers, has been obtained -for the present work. These documents have added largely to the most -authentic materials of history, enabling the author to bring out many new -and interesting facts, and to correct divers errors in the works of -preceding writers, who have superficially occupied the same ground. In -addition to these, the few remaining papers of the brave old General -<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Herkimer,</span> who fell at Oriskany in 1777, have been placed at the disposal -of the author, by his nephew, John Herkimer, Esq. Still the work of Mr. -Campbell has been found of great use, and by consent has been liberally -drawn upon. In regard to some transactions, it was, indeed, almost the -only authority; as in the cases of Cherry Valley, some of the transactions -in the Schoharie Valley, and the exploits of Colonel Harper.</p> - -<p>But this is not all. The author has visited Upper Canada, and Montreal -and Quebec, in search of materials. Most luckily for the cause of historic -truth, and the reputation of Joseph Brant, during his Canadian researches -he became apprised of the fact, that the old Mohawk chief, himself a man -of a pretty good English education, had left a large mass of manuscripts, -consisting of his own speeches, delivered on many and various occasions, -and a great number of letters addressed to him; together with copies of -his own letters in reply, which he had preserved with equal industry and -care. These papers were in the keeping of his youngest daughter, a lady -of high respectability, aboriginal though she be, and eligibly married -to <span style="font-variant:small-caps">William Johnson Kerr,</span> Esq. of Wellington Square, Upper Canada. It was -obvious that those papers must prove a rich mine for exploration; and an -application from the author, through his friend the Hon. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Marshall S. -Bidwell,</span> of Toronto, was most readily responded to by Mr. and Mrs. Kerr. -The papers, it is true, were less connected than had been hoped; and by -hundreds of references and allusions contained therein, it is obvious that -large numbers of letters, journals, and speeches have been lost—past -recovery. Still, those which remain have proved of great assistance and -rare value.</p> - -<p>To the kindness of <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Charles A. Clinton,</span> Esq. the author has been indebted -for access to the private papers of General <span style="font-variant:small-caps">James Clinton,</span> his grandfather. -In the composition of one portion of the present volume, these papers have -been found of vast importance. General James Clinton was the father of -the late illustrious De Witt Clinton, and the brother of Governor George -Clinton. He was much in command in the northern department, and it was -under his conduct that the celebrated descent of the Susquehanna was -performed in 1779. His own letters, and those of his correspondents, have -been of material assistance, not only in relation to that campaign, but -upon various other points of history. It was among these papers that the -letters of Walter N. Butler, respecting the affairs of Cherry Valley and -Wyoming, were discovered.</p> - -<p>In connexion with the history of the expedition of Sullivan and Clinton, -just referred to, the author has likewise been favoured with the -manuscript diary of the venerable Captain <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Theodosius Fowler</span> of this city, -who was an active officer during the whole campaign. In addition to the -valuable memoranda contained in this diary, Capt. Fowler has preserved a -drawing of the order of march adopted in ascending the Chemung, after the -junction of the two armies, and also a plan of the great battle fought -at Newtown by Sullivan, against the Indians and Tories commanded by Brant -and Sir John Johnson; both of which drawings have been engraved, and will -be found in the Appendix.</p> - -<p>In the winter of 1775-'76, an expedition was conducted from Albany into -Tryon County, for the purpose of disarming the Tories and arresting Sir -John Johnson, of the particulars of which very little has hitherto been -known. On application to the family of General Schuyler, it was -ascertained that his letter books for that period were lost. After much -inquiry, the necessary documents were obtained from <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Peter Force,</span> Esq. at -Washington.</p> - -<p>The author has likewise been indebted to General <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Peter B. Porter,</span> of Black -Rock, for some valuable information respecting the character and some of -the actions of Brant. General Porter was an early emigrant into the -western part of the State, as an agent for the great landholder, Oliver -Phelps; and the execution of his duties brought him into frequent -intercourse with many of the chiefs and sachems of the Indians. Among -these he became intimately acquainted with the Mohawk chief, between whom -and himself a written correspondence was occasionally maintained for -several years. Unfortunately, however, that correspondence, with other -communications in his hand-writing, which Gen. Porter had taken some pains -to preserve, was destroyed by one of the incursions of the enemy across -the Niagara during the last war. Still, the General has supplied the -author with several important reminiscences respecting the old chief, and -one transaction of thrilling interest, heretofore entirely unknown.</p> - -<p>A friend of the author, a highly respectable and intelligent octogenarian, -<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Samuel Woodruff,</span> Esq., of Windsor, Connecticut, made a visit to Brant at -the Grand River Settlement, in the summer of 1797, and remained with him -several days, in the enjoyment of frequent and full conversations upon -many subjects. Mr. Woodruff has obligingly furnished a dozen pages or more -of instructive notes and memoranda of those conversations, which have been -freely used. The author is likewise under obligations to Professor <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Marsh</span> -of Burlington College, (Vt.) a connexion, by marriage, of the Wheelock -family, for several of Brant's original letters; and also to <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Thomas -Morris,</span> Esq., of New-York, who knew the chief well, and was several years -in correspondence with him, for the same favour. Mr. Campbell has, -moreover, supplied several documents of value, obtained by him after the -publication of his own book.</p> - -<p>Having, by the acquisition of these and other papers, procured all the -materials that appeared to remain, or, at least, all that were accessible, -while the documentary papers for the first division of the work were yet -very incomplete, the author, like Botta, in his promised complete history -of Italy, has been compelled to write the latter portion of the work -first. In the execution of this task, he had supposed that the bulk of his -labour would cease with the close of the war of the Revolution, or at -most, that some fifteen or twenty pages, sketching rapidly the latter -years of the life of Thayendanegea, would be all that was necessary. Far -otherwise was the fact. When the author came to examine the papers of -Brant, nearly all of which were connected with his career subsequent to -that contest, it was found that his life and actions had been intimately -associated with the Indian and Canadian politics of more than twenty years -after the treaty of peace; that a succession of Indian Congresses were -held by the nations of the great lakes, in all which he was one of the -master spirits; that he was directly or indirectly engaged in the wars -between the United States and Indians from 1789 to 1795, during which the -bloody campaigns of Harmar, St. Clair, and Wayne, took place; and that he -acted an important part in the affair of the North-Western posts, so long -retained by Great Britain after the treaty of peace. This discovery -compelled the writer to enter upon a new and altogether unexpected field -of research. Many difficulties were encountered in the composition of this -branch of the work, arising from various causes and circumstances. The -conflicting relations of the United States, the Indians, and the Canadians, -together with the peculiar and sometimes apparently equivocal position in -which the Mohawk chief—the subject of the biography—stood in regard to -them all; the more than diplomatic caution with which the British officers -managed the double game which it suited their policy to play so long; the -broken character of the written materials obtained by the author; and the -necessity of supplying many links in the chain of events from -circumstantial evidence and the unwritten records of Indian diplomacy; -all combined to render the matters to be elucidated, exceedingly -complicated, intricate, and difficult of clear explanation. But tangled -as was the web, the author has endeavoured to unravel he materials, and -weave them into a narrative of consistency and truth. The result of these -labours is embodied in the second part of the present work; and unless -the author has over-estimated both the interest and the importance of this -portion of American history, the contribution now made will be most -acceptable to the reader.</p> - -<p>In addition to the matters here indicated, a pretty full account of the -life of Brant, after the close of the Indian wars, is given, by no means -barren either of incident or anecdote; and the whole is concluded by some -interesting particulars respecting the family of the chief, giving their -personal history down to the present day.</p> - -<p>It may possibly be objected by some—those especially who are apt to form -opinions without much reflection—that the author has indulged rather -liberally, not only in the use of public speeches and documents, but also -in the transcription of private letters. To this he would reply, that in -his view, his course in that respect adds essentially to the value of the -work; and had it not been for the unexpected size to which the volumes -have attained, those quotations would have been made with still greater -freedom. For instance, in regard to the interesting proceedings at the -last Grand Council of the Six Nations held in Albany, it was the original -intention of the author, long as they are, to insert them in the text; and -so the matter was at first arranged. The ancient Council Fire of the Six -Nations was always kept burning at Onondaga, the central nation of the -confederacy. But from the time of the alliance between the Six Nations and -the English, the fires of the united councils of the two powers were -kindled at Albany. There, according to the Indian figure of speech, the -big tree was planted, to which the chain of friendship was made fast. But -with the close of the Great Council held there in the summer of 1775, that -fire, which had so long been burning, was extinguished. It was the last -Indian congress ever held at the ancient Dutch capital. It took place at -a most important crisis, and its proceedings were both of an important and -an interesting character. Nor, until now, have those proceedings ever been -published entire. Indeed, it is believed that no part of them was ever in -print, until very recently a portion of the manuscript was discovered, and -inserted in that invaluable collection, the papers of the Massachusetts -Historical Society. That manuscript, however, was very defective and -incomplete, and chance alone has enabled the author to supply the -deficiency. It happened, during one of his visits to the office of the -Secretary of State last year, in search of documents, that he discovered, -among some ancient, loose, and neglected papers, several sheets of Indian -treaty proceedings, which were of themselves very imperfect. Supposing, -however, that they might possibly be of use at some time, he caused them -to be transcribed. Most luckily, on examining them in connexion with the -publication of the Massachusetts collection, they were found exactly to -supply the deficiencies of the latter. The result is, that the papers -appear now for the first time entire; a portion of them, however, from -their great length, having been transferred to the Appendix.</p> - -<p>In regard to the use of speeches and letters, moreover, the author, after -much consideration, has adopted the plan, as far as possible, of allowing -the actors in the scenes described to tell their own stories. This is a -method of historical, and especially of biographical, writing, which is -coming more into favour than formerly. Marshall adopts it to a -considerable extent, and very effectively, in the Life of Washington. The -instructive and admirable life of that noblest of England's naval warriors, -Lord Collingwood, was constructed upon this plan. So, also, with Moore's -Life of Byron. Taylor's Life of Cowper, one of the most useful as well as -interesting lives that have been written of that most melancholy and yet -most delightful of English bards, is composed almost entirely from the -poet's own correspondence. Lockhart's captivating Memoirs of the peerless -Scott, now in course of publication, have been constructed upon the basis -of the mighty minstrel's own letters. And it is upon the same principle -that the author has quoted so largely from the letters and speeches of -Joseph Brant, and several of his distinguished correspondents; among whom, -the reader who has only heard of "the monster Brant" as a savage once -leading the Mohawks abroad upon scalping parties, will probably be -surprised to learn, were numbered many gentlemen of rank and standing in -Church and State, both in England and America.</p> - -<p>An able English writer [FN] has recently opened a very interesting -discussion, upon the great advantages of thus using letters and -manuscripts in the composition of history. Speaking of the maxim that -"history is philosophy teaching by example," he remarks:—"In morals, all -depends upon circumstances. An example, whether real or fictitious, can -teach us nothing, if it contains only dry facts. The mischief of a great -many histories, and those of no mean account, is, that they are quite -contented with giving an agreeable narration of naked facts, from which we -can gather nothing beyond the facts themselves. To the chronicler, the -murder of Thomas A' Becket is the murder of Becket, and it is nothing -more. To what quarter, then, are we to look for the magic by which we may -make the dry bones live again? We answer, unhesitatingly, to the letters -of the day, if there be any. We say so, not because they will contain any -elaborate description of the feelings, or expose' of the views, of the age -to which they belong, but because they must be written, to a great extent, -in the spirit of the age in which their writers lived. The events of the -day—the writers' feelings toward their neighbours, and their neighbours' -feelings toward them—their comments on the ordinary course of things -around them; these are precious records for all who wish to study mankind -and morals in history; for these things, and these alone, can enable us -fully to appreciate the temper and spirit in which the acts commemorated -in history were done. . . . It is very true that some historians profess -to use letters, and that some have actually used them in a small degree; -but, considering their great value, they have never been used as they -deserved; and, in very many cases, their existence seems to be hardly -known to historians themselves." It is in accordance with these views, -that letters and speeches have been so copiously used in the present work; -although it is not supposed that the correspondence of a burly chieftain -of the forest, or the bluff partisan officers of a wilderness border, can -in any respect be compared with Cowper's polished models of epistolary -writing, or with those of Scott or Byron, or those of Lady Mary Wortley -Montague, of Peter of Blois or John of Salisbury. They are nevertheless -valuable in themselves, both as historical records and as illustrations -of character. Of the speeches, and sketches of speeches, embodied in this -work, together with the narratives given of the occasions which called -them forth, it may be added that they are all memorials of a people,—once -a noble race—numerous and powerful—now fast disappearing from the face -of the earth—a beautiful portion of the earth—once their own! These -memorials it was one of the chief purposes of the author to gather up and -preserve.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] London Quarterly Review, No. cxvi.—Art. on Upcott's Collection of - Original Letters, Manuscripts, and State Papers.</p> - - -<p>The plan of the work, especially of the first and larger portion of it, -may perhaps in some respects disappoint the reader, though, it is hoped, -not unfavourably. It has been the object of the author to render it not -only a local, but, to a certain extent, a brief general history of the War -of the Revolution. Thus, while it is a particular history, ample in its -details, of the belligerent events occurring at the west of Albany, the -author has from time to time introduced brief sketches of contemporaneous -events occurring in other parts of the country. By this means, bird's-eye -glimpses have been presented, for the most part in the proper order of -time, of all the principal military operations of the whole contest. In -order, moreover, to the better understanding of the incipient -revolutionary movements in the Mohawk country, (then Tryon County,) a -rapid view is given of the same description of movements elsewhere. The -proceedings of that county were, of course, connected with, and dependent -upon, those of New England, especially of Boston—the head, and heart, and -soul of the rebellion, in its origin and its earlier stages. Hence a -summary review of the measures directly, though by degrees, leading to the -revolt of the Colonies, has not been deemed out of place, in its proper -chronological position. And as all the Indian history of the Revolutionary -war at the north, the west, and the south, has been written out in full, -by the incidental sketches of other events and campaigns marking the -contest, the work may be considered in the three-fold view of local, -general, and biographical; the whole somewhat relieved, from time to time, -if not enlivened, by individual narratives—tales of captivity and -suffering—of daring adventures and bold exploits.</p> - -<p>Several weeks after the preceding pages had been stereotyped, but before -any considerable progress had been made in printing the body of the work, -the author was so fortunate as to obtain a large accession of valuable -materials from General <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Peter Gansevoort,</span> of Albany, embracing the -extensive correspondence of his father, the late General Gansevoort, -better known in history as "the hero of Fort Stanwix." These papers, -embracing those captured by him from the British General St. Leger, have -been found of great importance in the progress of the work, and will add -materially to its completeness and its value.</p> - -<p>A few words respecting the embellishments of these volumes. The -frontispiece of each volume presents an elegantly engraved portrait of the -brave and wary Mohawk, who forms the principal biographical figure of the -work, taken at different periods of his life. The Chief sat for his -picture several times in England; once, at the request of Boswell, in -1776, but to what artist is not mentioned. He likewise sat, during the -same visit, to the celebrated portrait and historical painter, <span style="font-variant:small-caps">George -Romney,</span> for the Earl of Warwick. He was again painted in England, in 1786, -for the Duke of Northumberland; and a fourth time, during the same visit, -in order to present his likeness in miniature to his eldest daughter. His -last sitting was to the late Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Ezra Ames</span> of Albany, at the request of -the late John Caldwell, Esq. of that city. This was about the year 1805, -and the likeness is pronounced the best ever taken of Captain Brant. The -author's valued friend <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Catlin</span> has made a very faithful copy of this -portrait, which has been beautifully engraved by Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">A. Dick,</span> a well-known -and skillful artist of New-York. This picture, as latest in the order of -time, will be found at the head of the second volume. The inscription of -this plate is a <i>facsimile</i> of the old chief's signature, from a letter -written by him to the Duke of Northumberland not long before his death. -The author has another picture of the elder Brant, of which he may be -pardoned for giving some account. Being at Catskill, in the Summer of -1833, the author discovered, in the possession of his friend, Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Van -Bergen,</span> some odd volumes of the London Magazine of 1776, in one of which -he accidentally found an engraving of Brant, from the portrait taken for -Boswell, in the gala costume of the Chief as he appeared at Court. The -countenance of this picture, however, was dull, and comparatively -unmeaning. On his visit to Upper Canada, in September, 1836, the -chieftain's daughter, Mrs. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Kerr,</span> showed him a head of her father in a gold -locket, which was full of character and energy—with an eye like the -eagle's. Having procured this locket, and placed it, together with the -engraving referred to, in the hands of Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">N. Rogers</span>, that eminent artist -has produced a very spirited and beautiful picture, which was painted -expressly to be engraved for this work. Before it was placed in the hands -of the artist, however, Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Chapman</span>, an artist of New-York, returning from -a visit to England, brought with him a superb print of Brant, taken from -the Earl of Warwick's picture by Romney. As this print not only presents -more of the figure of the chief than either of the others, and possesses -withal more character and spirit, it has been adopted for the work in lieu -of that painted by Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Rogers.</span> The engraving has also been well executed -by <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dick,</span> and stands in front of the first volume. The picture by Catlin -is the war-chief of the forest in the full maturity of years. The other -is the Indian courtier in London. This first volume also contains a finely -engraved portrait of General Gansevoort, by <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Prudhomme,</span> from a portrait by -Stuart. It is a fine specimen of the gentleman of the Revolutionary era.</p> - -<p>But these are not all the pictorial illustrations. In the completion of -the life of Brant, it has been deemed proper to add some account of his -family subsequent to his decease. The law of official inheritance among -the Six Nations will be found peculiar to that people, the descent being -through the female line. Joseph Brant was himself the principal War-chief -of the Six Nations; and his third wife, who at his decease was left a -young widow, was, in her own right, the representative of the sovereignty -of the Confederacy, in whom alone was vested the power of naming, from -among her own children, or, in default of a child of her own, from the -next of kin, a principal civil and military chief. On the death of her -husband, therefore, she selected as his successor her youngest son, John -Brant, then a lad of seven years old. He grew up a noble fellow, both in -courage and character, as the reader will ascertain before he closes the -second volume. During the author's visit to the Brant House in Upper -Canada, he saw a portrait of the young chief, then recently deceased, -which, though painted by a country artist, and, as a whole, a very bad -picture, was nevertheless pronounced by Mr. and Mrs. Kerr to be very -correct, so far as the figure and likeness were concerned. Obtaining this -portrait from Canada last Autumn, it was placed in the hands of Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Hoxie,</span> -who has produced the excellent picture which has been well engraved by Mr. -<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Parker,</span> and will be found in the second volume. As the young chief went -first upon the war-path in the Niagara campaigns of 1812-15, the idea of -embodying a section of the great cataract in the back-ground of the -picture was exceedingly appropriate.</p> - -<p>As the name of the celebrated Red Jacket appears frequently in the second -volume, a likeness of him has been added, from a painting by <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Weir,</span> -beautifully engraved by <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Hatch.</span> In addition to all which is the finely -engraved title-page, designed, engraved, and presented to the author, by -his estimable friend Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">A. Rawdon.</span></p> - -<p>In addition to these illustrations, another has been added, the character -of which is striking and its history curious. It is the sketch of a scene -at a conference with the Indians at Buffalo Creek, in the year 1793, held -by Beverley Randolph, General Benjamin Lincoln, and Colonel Timothy -Pickering, in the presence of a number of the British officers then -stationed upon that frontier. Messrs. Randolph, Lincoln, and Pickering -were on a pacific mission, accompanied, at the request of the Indians, by -a number of Quakers. The sketch of that conference was drawn by a British -officer, Col. Pilkington, and taken to Europe. In 1819 it was presented to -an American gentleman of the name of Henry, at Gibraltar, and by him given -to the Massachusetts Historical Society. The sketch is drawn with the -taste and science of a master of the art; the grouping is fine, and the -likenesses are excellent. As the history of the mission of those gentleman -forms an interesting chapter in the present work, this sketch has been -deemed an appropriate accompaniment.</p> - -<p>In addition to the acknowledgments already made in the preceding pages, -the author is under obligations, to a greater or less extent, to many -other individuals, for hints, suggestions, and the collection of materials. -Among these he takes pleasure in naming the Hon. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Lewis Cass,</span> late -Secretary of War, and now Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary -near the Court of St. Cloud; General Dix, Secretary of the State of -New-York, and Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Archibald Campbell,</span> his deputy; General Morgan Lewis; -Major <span style="font-variant:small-caps">James Cochran,</span> of Oswego, and also his Lady, who was the youngest -daughter of General Schuyler; Major <span style="font-variant:small-caps">William Popham,</span> who was an aid-de-camp -to General James Clinton; <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Samuel S. Lush,</span> Esq., and <span style="font-variant:small-caps">S. De Witt Bloodgood,</span> -Esq. of Albany; <span style="font-variant:small-caps">James D. Bemis,</span> Esq. of Canandaigua; <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Lauren Ford</span> and -<span style="font-variant:small-caps">George H. Feeter,</span> Esquires, of Little Falls; <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Giles F. Yates,</span> Esq. of -Schenectady; <span style="font-variant:small-caps">William Forsyth,</span> Esq. of Quebec; and the Rev. Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Lape,</span> -formerly of Johnstown, and now of Athens, N. Y.</p> - -<p>With these preliminary explanations, the work is committed to the public, -in the belief that, although it might, of course, have been better -executed by an abler hand with a mind less distracted by other pressing -and important duties, it will, nevertheless, be found a substantial -addition to the stock of American history.</p> - -<p class="list2"> WILLIAM L. STONE. - -<i>New-York, March,</i> 1838.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;">LIFE OF BRANT.</h2> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;">LIFE</h2> - <h3 class="direct">OF<br><br> - - JOSEPH BRANT—THAYENDANEGEA, &c.</h3> - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br> - <h2 class="direct"><a id="chi">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> -<br> - - <p class="chap">Birth and parentage—Discussion of the doubts cast upon his origin—Visit - of Mohawk chiefs to Queen Anne—Evidence of Brant's descent from one of - those—Digression from the main subject, and Extracts from the private - and official journals of Sir William Johnson—Connexion between Sir - William and the family of Brant—Incidental references to the old French - war—Illustrations of Indian proceedings, speeches, &c.—Brant's - parentage satisfactorily established—Takes the field in the Campaign of - Lake George (1765.)—Is engaged at the conquest of Niagara - (1759.)—Efforts of Sir William Johnson to civilize the Indians—Brant - is sent, with other Indian youths, to the Moor Charity School, at - Lebanon—Leaves school—Anecdote—Is engaged on public business by Sir - William—As an Interpreter for the Missionaries—Again takes the field, - in the wars against Pontiac—Intended massacre at Detroit—Ultimate - overthrow of Pontiac—First marriage of Brant—Entertains the - Missionaries—Again employed on public business—Death of his - wife—Engages with Mr. Stewart in translating the Scriptures—Marries - again—Has serious religious impressions—Selects a bosom friend and - confidant, after the Indian custom—Death of his friend—His grief, and - refusal to choose another friend.</p> - -<p>The birth and parentage of <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Brant,</span> or, more correctly, of -<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Thayendanegea</span>—for such was his real name—have been involved in -uncertainty, by the conflicting accounts that have been published -concerning him. The Indians have no herald's college in which the lineage -of their great men can be traced, or parish registers of marriages and -births, by which a son can ascertain his paternity. Ancestral glory and -shame are therefore only reflected darkly through the dim twilight of -tradition. By some authors, Thayendanegea has been called a half-breed. -By others he has been pronounced a Shawanese by parentage, and only a -Mohawk by adoption. Some historians have spoken of him as a son of Sir -William Johnson; [FN] while others again have allowed him the honour of -Mohawk blood, but denied that he was descended from a chief.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Several authors have suggested that Brant was the son of the Baronet. - Drake, in his useful compilation, "The Book of the Indians," states that - he had been so informed by no less an authority than Jared Sparks. Drake - himself calls him an <i>Onondaga</i> of the Mohawk Tribe!</p> - - -<p>Nearly twenty years ago, a brief account of the life and character of this -remarkable man was published in the Christian Recorder, at Kingston, in the -province of Upper Canada. In that memoir it was stated that Thayendanegea -was born on the banks of the Ohio, whither his parents had emigrated from -the valley of the Mohawk, and where they are said to have sojourned several -years. "His mother at length returned with two children—Mary, who lived -with Sir William Johnson, and Joseph, the subject of this memoir. Nothing -was known of Brant's father among the Mohawks. Soon after the return of -this family to Canajoharie, the mother married a respectable Indian called -Carrihogo, or News-Carrier, whose Christian name was Barnet or Bernard; -but, by way of contraction, he went by the name of Brant." Hence it is -argued that the lad, who was in future to become not only a distinguished -war-chief, but a statesman, and the associate of the chivalry and nobility -of England, having thus been introduced into the family of that name, was -first known by the distinctive appellation of <i>"Brant's Joseph"</i> and in -process of time, by inversion, <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Joseph Brant."</span> [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Christian Register, 1819, Vol. I. No. 3, published at Kingston, - (U. C.) and edited by the Rev. Doctor, now the Honourable and Venerable - Archdeacon Strachan, of Toronto. The sketches referred to were written by - Dr. Strachan, upon information received by him many years before, from - the Rev. Dr. Stewart, formerly a missionary in the Mohawk Valley, and - father of the present Archdeacon Stewart of Kingston.</p> - - -<p>There is an approximation to the truth in this relation, and it is in part -sustained by the existing family tradition. The facts are these: the Six -Nations had carried their arms far to the west and south, and the whole -country south of the lakes was claimed by them, to a certain extent of -supervisory jurisdiction, by the right of conquest. To the Ohio and -Sandusky country they asserted a stronger and more peremptory claim, -extending to the right of soil—at least on the lake shore as far as -Presque Isle. From their associations in that country, it had become usual -among the Six Nations, especially the Mohawks, to make temporary removals -to the west during the hunting seasons, and one or more of those families -would frequently remain abroad, among the Miamis, the Hurons, and -Wyandots, for a longer or shorter period, as they chose. One of the -consequences of this intercommunication, was the numerous family alliances -existing between the Six Nations and others at the west—the Wyandots, in -particular.</p> - -<p>It was while his parents were abroad upon one of those hunting excursions, -that Thayendanegea was born, in the year 1742, on the banks of the Ohio. -The home of his family was at the Canajoharie Castle—the central of the -three Castles of the Mohawks, in their native valley. His father's name -was Tehowaghwengaraghkwin, a full-blooded Mohawk of the Wolf Tribe. [FN] -Thayendanegea was very young when his father died. His mother married a -second time to a Mohawk; and the family tradition at present, is, that the -name of Brant was acquired in the manner assumed by the publication -already cited. There is reason to doubt the accuracy of this tradition, -however, since it is believed that there was an Indian family, of some -consequence and extent, bearing the English name of Brant. Indeed, from -the extracts presently to be introduced from the recently discovered -manuscripts of Sir William Johnson, it may be questioned whether -Tehowaghwengaraghkwin, and an old chief, called by Sir William sometimes -Brant, and at others Nickus Brant, were not one and the same person.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Each of the original Five Nations was divided into three tribes—the - Tortoise, the Bear, and the Wolf. The subject of the present memoir was - of the latter. According to David Cusick, a Tuscarora, who has written a - tract respecting the history of the ancient Five Nations, the laws of the - confederation required that the Onondagas should provide the King, and - the Mohawks a great War-Chief.</p> - - -<p>The denial that he was a born chief, is likewise believed to be incorrect. -It is very true, that among the Six Nations, chieftainship was not -necessarily obtained by inheritance. But in regard to Thayendanegea, there -is no doubt that he was of noble blood. The London Magazine for July, -1776, contains a sketch of him, probably furnished by Boswell, with whom -he was intimate during his first visit to England in 1775-'76. In that -account it is affirmed as a fact without question, that he was the -grandson of one of the five sachems who visited England, and excited so -much attention in the British capital, in 1710, during the reign of Queen -Anne. Of those chiefs, two were of the Muhhekaneew, or River Indians, and -three were Mohawks—one of whom was chief of the Canajoharie clan. [FN-1] -Thayendanegea was of the latter clan; and as there is reason to believe -that his father was a sachem, there can be little doubt of the correctness -of the London publication, in claiming for him direct descent from the -Canajoharie chief who visited the British court at the time above -mentioned. But there is other evidence to sustain the assumption. In the -Life of the first President Wheelock, by the Rev. Messrs. M<sup>c</sup>Clure and -Parish, it is asserted that the father of Joseph Brant "was sachem of the -Mohawks, after the death of the famous King Hendrick." The intimacy for a -long time existing between the family of Brant and the Wheelocks, father -and sons, renders this authority, in the absence of unwritten testimony -still more authentic, very good; and as Hendrick fell in 1755, when -Thayendanegea was thirteen years of age, the tradition of the early death -of his father, and his consequent assumption of a new name, is essentially -weakened. Mrs. Grant, of Laggan, who in early life was a resident of -Albany, and intimately acquainted with the domestic relations of Sir -William Johnson, speaks of the sister of young Thayendanegea, who was -intimately associated in the family of the Baronet, as "the daughter of -a sachem." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] These five sachems, or Indian kings, as they were called, were - taken to England by Colonel Schuyler. Their arrival in London created a - great sensation, not only in the capital, but throughout the kingdom. The - populace followed them wherever they went. The Court was at that time in - mourning for the death of the Prince of Denmark, and the chiefs were - dressed in black under-clothes, after the English manner; but, instead of - a blanket, they had each a scarlet-ingrain cloth mantle, edged with gold, - thrown over all their other clothes. This dress was directed by the - dressers of the play-house, and given by the Queen. A more than ordinary - solemnity attended the audience they had of her Majesty. They were - conducted to St. James's in two coaches by Sir Charles Cotterel, and - introduced to the royal presence by the Duke of Shrewsbury, then Lord - Chamberlain. [Smith's History.] Oldmixon has preserved the speech - delivered by them on the occasion, and several historians record the - visit. Sir Richard Steele mentions these chiefs in the Tatler of May 13, - 1710, They were also made the subject of a number of the Spectator, by - Addison.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "Memoirs of an American Lady," chap, xxxix.</p> - - -<p>In the manuscript diary of Sir William Johnson, just referred to, and of -which more particular mention has been made in the Introduction, the -Baronet often had occasion to speak of Brant, of Canajoharie. Sometimes he -was called "Nickus Brant," and at others <i>Aroghyadagha</i>—but most frequently -"Old Nickus," or "Old Brant." As these private journals of Sir William -have never seen the light, and are curious in themselves, a few extracts -will probably not be unacceptable to the reader—serving, as they will, -not only to illustrate the present history, but also the character of the -intercourse and relations existing between the English and the Indians, -under the administration of the Indian department by that distinguished -officer. A more just idea of the character and importance of the -chieftain's family, may likewise be derived from a perusal of the extracts -proposed to be given, exhibiting, as they do, something of the intercourse -maintained between the families of the white and the red warriors.</p> - -<p>It must be borne in mind, that the diary to which we are referring, was -written in the years 1757, '58, and '59—in the midst of the old French -war, ending by the conquest of Canada, in 1763. An expedition against that -colony, under the conduct of Lord Loudoun, projected early in the former -year, had been abandoned in consequence of his Lordship's inability to -bring a sufficient number of troops into the field, to meet the heavy -reinforcements sent over that year from France. Meantime the Marquis de -Montcalm, with an army of 9000 men, had advanced through Lake George, and -carried Fort William Henry—the siege of which was followed by a frightful -massacre—and was then threatening Fort Edward and the settlements on the -Hudson; while at the west, the French, with their Indian allies, were -continually threatening an invasion by the way of Oswego; and by their -scouts and scalping parties, were vexing the German settlements on the -Upper Mohawk, and continually harassing the Six Nations—or Iroquois—ever -the objects of French hostility. In this state of things, it required the -utmost activity on the part of Sir William Johnson, his officers and -Indian allies, to keep themselves well informed as to the actual or -intended movements of their subtle enemies. There was therefore constant -employment, until the close of the year, for Indian scouts and messengers, -throughout the whole wilderness country from Lake Champlain to Niagara, -and Fort Du Quesne, on the Ohio. With this explanation we proceed to the -diary:</p> - -<p>"1757.—<i>Nov.</i> 4. Canadiorha, alias Nickus Brant's son, who was in quest -after De Conagne as far as Oneida, came here (Fort Johnson), and said he -inquired what news was stirring among the Oneidas. One of the sachems told -him the same piece of news Ogaghte brought some days since, about the -French intending to stop the powder from the Six Nations,—building a fort -near Chennessio, &c.—that it made a great noise among the nations, and -gave them uneasiness; wherefore they were assembling often at Chennessio, -and keeping (holding) often great councils among themselves how to act in -this affair of last moment. He further was told at Oneida, that but two -days ago the Six Nations received a message from the Twightwees (Miamies), -letting their brethren of the Six Nations know that they had heard of the -insolent attempt of the French, of destroying the Six Nations; and that -after the many provocations the French gave them, in stirring them up to -war against the English, &c. they were now resolved to turn the hatchet -against the French, and resolved to pass the Six Nations' country in their -way to war. They expected not to be delayed, but to be immediately joined -by the warriors of the Six Nations, and to proceed toward Canada. He also -said he heard the foreign (distant) nations complain very much for want of -trade with the English; and Tahaddy, a Chenundidie chief, said that he was -stopped by the French to sell his fur at Cataraghqui, and that he got not -the half quantity of goods that he could (have) got from the English, and -that he intended to keep his furs for the future, and in the Spring to go -with them to Albany, and at the same time to intercede with Sir William in -behalf of all the western nations, to grant them a trade again—and -further Canadiorha said not."</p> - -<p>In the next extract it will be seen that Sir William speaks of Brant as a -"sachem." Of course it could be none other than the elder, or "Old Brant," -at the time; as Joseph was not then more than sixteen years old.</p> - -<p>"1758—<i>April</i> 15<i>th.</i> Sir William set out for Canajoharie, and took with -him Captains Johnson,[FN-1] Fonda, and Jacobus Clement, in order to settle -some matters with the Indians of that castle. He arrived that night." -[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Guy Johnson, his son-in-law. - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] This entry is not in the hand-writing of Sir William, but of a - certain "P. W." who was his private secretary,</p> - - -<p>"<i>April</i> 16<i>th.</i> He delivered a string of wampum to Brant and Paulus, two -sachems, desiring them to call all their people out of the woods to attend -a meeting he proposed the next day with them, at which he should let them -know General Abercrombie's pleasure, and his own inclination and -advice—also what passed between him and the several nations, who of late -had had several meetings with him."</p> - -<p>Preparations were now making for a more formidable and vigorous campaign, -under General Abercrombie, who had succeeded Lord Loudoun. His object was -an attack upon Ticonderoga, and, if successful, a descent upon Crown Point -and Montreal. The French in Canada were of course making corresponding -exertions to repel the expected invasion. With a view of creating a -diversion, by annoying the colony of New-York from another quarter, they -were said to be preparing to invade the Mohawk Valley, by the way of -Oswego and Fort Stanwix. A party of their Indians had made a bold -irruption, toward the close of April, upon Burnetsfield, on the south side -of the Mohawk, and destroyed the entire settlement—massacreing men, -women, and children—thirty-three in number—being the whole population -save two persons. There had likewise been outrages at the German Flats, -where several Indians had been killed by the inhabitants. The militia were -promptly ordered into the field, to rendezvous at Canajoharie, whither Sir -William repaired on the 4th of May, to lead them against the -enemy—reported on the same day to be in force at the great carrying place -(Fort Stanwix.)</p> - -<p>Meantime it was well known that the French had left no means untried, to -seduce the five westernmost tribes of the Six Nations from their -allegiance to the English. They had long had their Jesuit priests among -the Oneidas, Onondagas, &c.; and a variety of circumstances had occurred to -induce the Mohawks to distrust their brethren of the other tribes. Under -these circumstances, Sir William received the invitation thus noted in his -diary:—</p> - -<p>"<i>April</i> 4<i>th.</i> Sir William having had an invitation from the Six Nations -to attend a grand meeting to be held at Onondaga within a few days hence, -where he intends to proceed, in case the last alarm should prove -groundless."</p> - -<p>The Baronet arrived at Canajoharie in the evening, and attended a dance of -the young warriors, having the scalp of one of the hostile Indians engaged -in the recent irruption, who had been killed at the German Flats. He is -thus spoken of in the diary—in the hand-writing of Sir William's -secretary.</p> - -<p>"The body of Otqueandageghte, an Onondaga warrior, who lived for some -years at Swegachy, and formerly a mate of Sir William's, was found. His -name was engraved on the handle (of his knife), and how often he had been -to war, together with this inscription—'<i>Otqueandageghte le Camera de -Jeanson.</i>'"</p> - -<p>Sir William was highly respected by the Six Nations, and by the Mohawks in -particular was greatly beloved. This affection was not only manifested by -their actions, but often in their speeches, at their councils, and in -their concern for his welfare when sick, and for his safety when in the -field. [FN] Such being their feelings toward the Baronet, they were -reluctant, under existing circumstances, to allow him to place himself in -the power of the Indians about to assemble at the Great Council Fire at -Onondaga. They were likewise apprehensive that he might incur danger from -some of the scalping parties of the French. These explanations will render -the following extracts from the diary intelligible:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] To this point, at the close of a council, Sir William says—"When I - drank to them at parting, they in return drank my health, and thanked God - I had recovered my late illness. They then all said that it was happy I - did not die then; for, said they, 'had you died, we and the English would - get by the ears very soon, we see; and we fear it will be the case when - you die or leave us.'" Again, at another council the chiefs commenced - their speech:—</p> - - <p class="quote">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother,</span> We are extremely glad to see you so well recovered of your late - very dangerous illness, and thank the Great Spirit above for it. Had you - been taken away from us that time, our case would have been melancholy, - and our situation extremely precarious. It will be so, we fear, whenever - we lose you."</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size:80%">Diary, Jan. 14-19, 1758.</p> - - -<p>"<i>May</i> 5<i>th.</i> Sir William having no further accounts of the enemy's -appearance, sent a scout of two Mohawks, two Canajoharies, and a white -man, to go as far as Wood Creek and the Oneida Lake, in order to obtain -the certainty of the alarm. About noon all the women of the chief men of -this castle met at Sir William's lodging, and brought with them several of -the sachems, who acquainted Sir William that they had something to say to -him in the name of their chief women.</p> - -<p>"Old Nickus (Brant) being appointed speaker, opened his discourse with -condoling with Sir William for the losses his people had sustained, and -then proceeded:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother,</span> we understand you intend to go to a meeting to Onondaga; we -can't help speaking with this belt of wampum to you, and giving our -sentiments on your intended journey. In the first place we think it quite -contrary to the customs of any Governors or Superintendent of Indian -affairs being called to Onondaga upon public business, as the council fire -which burns there serves only for private consultations of the -confederacy; and when matters are concluded and resolved upon there, the -confederacy are to set out for the great fire place which is at your -house, and there deliver their conclusion. In the next place we are almost -convinced that the invitation is illegal, and not agreed upon or desired -by the confederacy, but only the Qneidas—which gives us the more reason -to be uneasy about your going, as it looks very suspicious. Did not they -tell you, when they invited you, the road of friendship was clear, and -every obstacle removed that was in before? They scarce uttered it, and the -cruelties were committed at the German Flats, where the remainder of our -poor brethren were butchered by the enemy's Indians. Is this a clear road -of peace and friendship? Would not you be obliged to wade all the way in -the blood of the poor innocent men, women, and children who were murdered -after being taken?</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother,</span> by this belt of wampum, we, the women, surround and hang about -you like little children, who are crying at their parents' going from -them, for fear of their never returning again to give them suck; and we -earnestly beg you will give ear to our request, and desist from your -journey. We flatter ourselves you will look upon this our speech, and take -the same notice of it as all our men do, who, when they are addressed by -the women, and desired to desist from any rash enterprise, they -immediately give way, when, before, every body else tried to dissuade them -from it, and could not prevail."</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Gave the Belt.</i></p> - -<p>"<i>Canajoharie, May 7th.</i> This afternoon Sir William had a meeting with the -chief women of this castle, and returned them thanks for their condolence -of the 5th instant. At the same time he condoled with them for the loss of -one of the tribe of the Bear, that belonged to the chief of that tribe, -with a stroud blanket, a shirt, and stockings."</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>A string of Wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"Sir William told them that he would answer their speech concerning his -journey, when the messengers who had gone to Oneida came back. He also -made private presents to a few of the head women of each tribe, with a -blanket and shirt each."</p> - -<p>"<i>May</i> 10<i>th.</i> This afternoon Sir William returned his answer to the -speech of the chief women of this castle, made to him on the 5th instant, -which is as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dyattego,</span> your tender and affectionate speech, made some days ago, I have -considered, and thereupon have dispatched messengers to Oneida, in order -to inquire how things stand there after what happened at the German -Flats, and whether my presence at the meeting would be still necessary. -These messengers are returned, and I find by them that the sachems of -Oneida likewise disapprove my proceeding any farther, for sundry reasons -they give in their reply. Wherefore I shall comply with your request to -return, and heartily thank you for the great tenderness and love expressed -for me in your speech."</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Returned their Belt.</i></p> - -<p>The next entry in which the name of Nickus Brant occurs, is under date of -November 18th, 1758—in which he is called the chief sachem of Canajoharie. -He must also have been a man of trust and consequence, as he had then just -returned from an important mission to a great Indian council in -Pennsylvania.</p> - -<p>"<i>Fort Johnson, Nov.</i> 18, 1758. Nickus, chief sachem of Canajoharie, -arrived from the meeting at Easton, and in the presence of the Belt, a -Seneca chief, several more of said nation, the Red Head, and some more -Onondagoes, showed me all the belts which passed between the Governors of -Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and these several nations of Indians there -assembled, with the purport of them, which I need not insert here."</p> - -<p>An important land negotiation had taken place at the council at Easton, by -which the agents of Penn had agreed to release to the Six Nations, certain -territories purchased of them at Albany in 1754—but which sale gave -dissatisfaction to the tribes. Nickus desired Sir William to communicate -this information to the Indians, on their return from hunting; and Sir -William enjoined it upon Nickus to put an end to the irregularities of his -tribe, and the mischief they were doing to the property; as "such -barbarism must be productive of very fatal consequences."</p> - -<p>The Diary says:—"He told me it was with the utmost concern he had heard -what I had told him, and assured me he would endeavour all in his power to -restrain them, and try to bring them to proper order; but doubted of -success while there was such a flood of rum in the country, which alone -occasioned them to commit such irregularities, and which, if not -prevented, must inevitably destroy them all in a little time." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The introduction and pernicious effects of ardent spirits among the - Indians were a frequent subject of complaint, even at that early day, of - which Sir William's memoranda, and the records of Indian speeches to him, - afford repeated proofs.</p> - - -<p>On the 18th of January, 1759, Sir William held a conference at Canajoharie -Castle with the Mohawk and Seneca chiefs. After condoling with them for -their losses by sickness, with three strings of wampum, and for their -losses by the war with a like number of strings, he addressed them as -follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren of the two Mohawk Castles and Senecas:</span> I take the first -opportunity of acquainting you that His Majesty has been pleased to -appoint Lieutenant General Amherst, Commander in Chief of all his forces -in North America, in the room of Lieutenant General Abercrombie, who is -called home. Also that the General has, by letter, desired I would use my -utmost endeavours to get as great a number of our brethren, the Six -Nations, to join him early next Spring against our common enemy, as I -possibly can. This I shall endeavour to do, and would be glad of your -advice and assistance therein, which by this belt of wampum I desire you, -as our steady friends, will afford me.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>A Belt.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren:</span> As you are all acquainted with the late cruel and unprecedented -murder of John M<sup>c</sup>Michael, one of our people, by a Cayouga [FN] Indian near -Fort Stanwix, whom he employed to escort him to Fort Herkimer, I shall not -repeat the disagreeable circumstances to you, as I am sensible it affects -you as well as me. I would now only ask your opinion what are the proper -steps to be taken in the affair, as it will always have great weight with -me.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Three Strings.</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Always spelt thus by Sir William Johnson.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren:</span> I lately received these strings of wampum from the Oneidas by -Captain Fonda, by which they say I am invited to a meeting proposed to be -held soon at Onondaga, where you are also desired to attend. I am ready -and willing to go if you think it will be for the good of the service. At -the same time I must observe to you, that I think it an unprecedented -manner of inviting either you or me, without some of the Onondagas coming -down with it as usual. I nevertheless submit to your judgment, as being -better acquainted with their forms, and expect you will give it me, as -well as your opinion of the proper steps for me to take, in order to get -what prisoners of ours may be among the nations."</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Three Strings.</i></p> - -<p>"<i>Do. Die.</i> Tarrawarriax, and another Seneca sachem, came to Sir William, -<i>at Brant's house,</i> and told him, &c.</p> - -<p>"<i>January</i> 19. The sachems, &c. being met at their council room, sent to -acquaint Sir William that they were ready to answer to what he the day -before had laid before them. On which he, with the same gentlemen who -attended him yesterday, went to the meeting, when Aroghyadecka, <i>alias</i> -Old Brant, chief of the Canajoharies, spoke as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother Warraghiysgey</span> [FN]—We are much obliged to you for giving us so -timely notice of the General's desire and intentions, and we hope and wish -that he may be ready to take the field very early, which in our opinion is -what should always be done. You may depend upon our attachment and -assistance; being determined, as we declared to you at the beginning of -this war, to stand or fall with you. And as you desired our opinion with -regard to the Six Nations, we have considered of it, and think it best -that you call their sachems, chief warriors, and leading women, down to -your house as soon as may be, where we shall be ready to attend and assist -you all in our power.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Returned the Belt.</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The name which the Indians had conferred upon Sir William, and by - which he was almost invariably addressed.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> The late murder of one of our brethren near the carrying place, -by one of the Upper nations in the French interest, gives us great -concern, and think he ought to be severely punished for it. But as we hope -the Six Nations may now act a better part than they have hitherto, we -would advise you not to say any thing about it until they come to the -meeting at your house, and then we think the milder you speak to them, the -better, at this time. And this is our opinion.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Returned three Strings.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> As for the strings of wampum lately sent by the Oneidas, to -invite you and us to a meeting at Onondaga, we think with you that it was -not according to our ancient and usual custom, nor was it even a proper -invitation. We are of opinion that your inviting them all to your house is -much better and more in character. Wherefore we would be very glad if you -would give them an invitation, and at the same time to send some strings of -wampum, desiring they would bring what prisoners of our brethren may be -among them.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Three Strings of Wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We return you our hearty thanks for the confidence you repose in -us, and be assured we shall ever study to act so as to continue your good -opinion of us. We are also thankful to you for the good news you yesterday -told us, and we heartily congratulate you thereon, and hope further -success may attend the King's arms."</p> - -<p>The course suggested by the chiefs was adopted by Sir William, and -messengers, with the usual significant belts, were forthwith dispatched to -the Cayugas and Onondagas. It was attended by the best results, as appears -from subsequent entries in the Diary. Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Michael, who had been murdered -by the recreant Cayuga, was a trader of note, and the peculiar atrocity of -his murder had created a deep feeling of indignation, for which the -circumstances of treachery and duplicity stated in the official report -from the commanding officer at Fort Stanwix to Sir William, were a full -warrant. The Cayugas lost no time in manifesting their sorrow and -detestation of the crime, as will be seen from the following extract from -the Baronet's journal: [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The author is of course aware that this is a digression from his - main subject; but the incident is an interesting one, and the speech of - the Cayugas worthy of preservation for its simple pathos, and also as an - illustration of Indian character, Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Michael's family are yet among - the most respectable residents of Schenectady.</p> - - -<p>"<i>Fort Johnson, Feb.</i> 5. Skanarady, Teughsaragarat, and Ottawannio, three -chiefs of the Cayuga nation, arrived here with several more, and after -being introduced by Clement, the interpreter, began and said:</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother Warraghiyagey:</span> The unhappy murder of one of our brethren near the -Oneida carrying place, is the occasion of our coming down at this severe -season of the year. Our nation would not be at rest, nor easy, until they -had spoke to you about it. We now, in their behalf, wipe away the tears -from your eyes, so that you may look pleasant at us. We likewise remove -all obstructions, and clear your throat, so that you may speak clear and -friendly to us. Lastly, we wipe away the blood of our brother, lately -killed near the carrying place, that the sight of it may no longer give us -concern.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Three Strings of Wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"Sir William told them that he would be ready the next morning to hear -what they had further to say, and would desire his neighbours, the -Mohawks, to attend.</p> - -<p>"<i>Wednesday, Feb.</i> 6. About twenty Mohawks arrived. The Cayugas being -acquainted that Sir William was ready, with the Mohawks and two -Onondagoes, to hear them, they entered the Council, and Skanarady spoke as -follows:</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother Warraghiyagey:</span> On our arrival yesterday we wiped the tears from -your eyes, and we now, agreeable to the custom of our forefathers, take -the French hatchet, (which they gave to one of our foolish, deluded young -men, giving him great rewards, and making him large promises if he would -use it against our brethren the English,) out of your head, and bury it in -a deep pool, where it can never be found; also, with this belt of wampum -we assure you that it gives our nation as much concern as it can you, and -promise the greatest care shall be taken to prevent the like happening for -the future.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>A Black and White Belt.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> With this belt we cover his grave, that the sight of it may no -longer give you or us concern.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>A White Belt.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> With these strings we raise up your head, now hanging down with -concern for the loss of one of our brethren, and beg you will no longer -keep sorrow in your mind</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Three Strings of Wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> Lastly, we most earnestly entreat that you will not, for what -has happened, neglect the management of our affairs, as your neglect of -them at any, but more particularly at this, time, must render us unhappy, -and throw the confederacy into confusion.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>A Belt of Black and White.</i>"</p> - -<p>To which Sir William replied:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren of Cayuga:</span> I have heard what you have by these belts said, and -only now tell you that I shall defer entering into the affair until the -Five Nations are met, which I expect will be soon, as I have invited them -all here. Then you and they will hear what I have to say on the subject, -and your belts shall be laid by safe until then."</p> - -<p>On the 11th of February, Sir William proceeded to Canajoharie, at which -place he had invited a meeting of the chiefs and warriors of the Mohawks. -The occasion, and the proceedings, will be understood from the annexed -extract:—</p> - -<p>"<i>Monday, Feb.</i> 12—8 <i>at night.</i> Being all assembled, Sir William told -them that the reason of his coming to their castle was to get a number of -their briskest men to join Captain Lotteridge, and some of the Mohawks and -Schoharies, on a scout to Tienderago, [FN] or Crown Point, in order to see -what the enemy was about, and get him a prisoner from whom he might be -able to get better intelligence than the General daily receives, and which -would enable the General to take proper measures for the defence of the -country until the opening of the campaign,—and that they would be ready -in two days to set off for his house, where they would be supplied with -every thing necessary for such service.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>A painted War-Belt thrown between them.</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Ticonderoga—always spelled thus by Sir William Johnson.</p> - - -<p>No sooner was the belt cast among them, than Sonughsas, a chief of the -Bear tribe, arose, took the belt in his hand, and sang his war-song, and -was followed by several more of each tribe. Then Aroghigadecka, the chief -sachem of the castle, stood up and said:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother Warraghiyagey:</span> We, the sachems and warriors of the Canajoharie -castle immediately quit our hunting on your call, and made all the haste -possible to meet you here, where we are all heartily glad to see you; and -in answer to your desire, without any hesitation, I am desired by the -young men present to tell you they will be ready to go with Captain -Lotteridge, and the Mohawks, &c. on the service you require, and we have -no reason to doubt you will (in their absence) take care of their -families, who are extremely poor and in great want of provisions. - - <p class="exit">"<i>Here returned the War-Belt.</i></p> - -<p>"Sir William thanked them for the readiness they showed on the occasion, -and told them he would give their families some provisions in their -absence, or money to purchase it, so that they should not suffer. He then -gave them an entertainment, as usual on such occasions, and parted. He -left that castle Tuesday morning, and arrived at Fort Johnson that night."</p> - -<p>The next mention of the Brants contained in the broken manuscripts of Sir -William, is found in the private journal kept by him of his tour to -Detroit in 1761, after the surrender of the Canadas. The duty then -devolved upon Sir William of meeting the upper Indians around the great -Lakes, previously under the influence, and many of them in the service, of -the French, in Grand Council at Detroit,—to establish friendly relations -with them, and receive a transfer of that <i>quasi</i> allegiance which the -Indians have generally acknowledged to the whites, French, English, or -American. In addition to his own immediate suite, among whom was his son, -Lieutenant Johnson, (afterward Sir John,) he was attended on the -expedition by a detachment of troops, and a band of the Mohawk warriors. -While at Niagara, [FN] Sir William notes:</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The author has already acknowledged his indebtedness to Archibald - Johnson, Esq., of Lower Canada, for the original of this very interesting - journal, which it is hoped will be of greater use in another work.</p> - - -<p>"<i>Monday, August</i> 10. Nickus, [FN] of Canajoharie, an Indian, arrived here, -and acquainted me that several of his castle had died of malignant fever; -and that all Brant's family were ill of the same disorder, except the old -woman. He also told me that he had heard by the way from several Indians, -that I was to be destroyed or murdered on my way to Detroit; and that the -Indians were certainly determined to rise and fall on the English, as -several thousands of the Ottaways and other nations had agreed to join the -Five Nations in this scheme or plot."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Nickus Hance—another name and a different person from Nickus Brant, - of this Nickus, repeated mention is made in Sir William's previous - official diaries. The following quotations are given as curious - illustrations of Indian customs:</p> - - <p class="quote">"<i>Fort Johnson, May</i> 22, 1757. Sir William spoke with Nickus Hance, alias - Taicarihogo, a Canajoharie chief, who came to see him, and told him, that - as he was much concerned for the loss of his (said Hance's) mother, who - lately died, that he expected he would remove his concern by going to - war, and bringing either a prisoner or a scalp to put in her room, or - stead, as is usual among Indians. Upon this Sir William gave him a very - fine black belt to enforce his request. Taicarihogo returned Sir William - thanks for the concern he shared for the loss of his mother, accepted the - belt, and promised he would, on his return home, call his young men - together, and lay Sir William's belt and request before them." [The - giving of a belt in this way, was a sort of commission to make up a - scalping party against the forces or the settlements of the - enemy.—<i>Author.</i>]</p> - - <p class="quote">Of a similar character is the following extract from the Diary:</p> - - <p class="quote">"<i>Albany, May</i> 18, 1758. Capt. Jacob Head, of a Company of Stockbridge - Indians, brought to Sir William's lodgings four French scalps, which his - cousin, chief of another company of said Indians, had taken from the - enemy some few days before, and the aforesaid Jacob spoke as follows:</p> - - <p class="quote">"<i>Brother Warraghiyagey:</i> This scalp (the one with a black belt tied to it - painted) I desire maybe delivered to my wife's uncle, old Nickus, of - Canajoharie, to replace her mother, who was his sister.</p> - - <p class="quote">"This scalp, (meaning another upon the same stick, with a bunch of black - wampum tied to it,) I send to the aforesaid man to replace Eusenia, who - was Taraghyorie's wife.</p> - - <p class="quote">"This scalp, (meaning a scalp by itself on a stick, with a bunch of black - wampum,) my cousin, Captain Jacob, gives to replace old King Hendrick, of - Canajoharie. [Killed in 1755, at the battle of Lake George.—<i>Author.</i>]</p> - - <p class="quote">"This scalp, (meaning the small one tied round with a bunch of wampum,) - my said cousin gives to replace Nickus's son, who was killed at the - battle of the Lake under your command."</p> - - -<p>It is needless, however, to multiply citations to the point immediately in -view. The object of those already made has been to clear up the doubts, if -possible, and establish the fact as to the immediate ancestry of -Thayendanegea, alias Joseph Brant; while, it is believed, the incidental -history necessarily involved in these extracts has not been altogether -devoid of interest. And although the fact is nowhere positively asserted, -yet there is much reason to suppose that he was the son of Nickus Brant, -whose Indian name, according to Sir William Johnson, was <i>Aroghyadecka;</i> -but which has been furnished to the author by the family as -<i>Tehowaghwengaraghwin.</i> It has been seen from the extracts that Nickus -Brant was a Canajoharie chief of character and celebrity, between whom and -Sir William a close intimacy subsisted. When called to Canajoharie upon -business or pleasure, the Baronet's quarters were "at Brant's house," as -noted in his own Diary. It is likewise well known, that after the decease -of Lady Johnson, (an event which occurred several years antecedent to the -period of which we are now writing, and before he had won his baronetcy at -Lake George,) Sir William took to his home as his wife, Mary Brant, or -"Miss Molly," as she was called, with whom he lived until his decease in -1774, and by whom he had several children. This circumstance is thus -mentioned by Mrs. Grant in her delightful book already referred -to:—"Becoming a widower in the prime of life, he connected himself with -an Indian maiden, daughter to a sachem, who possessed an uncommonly -agreeable person and good understanding; and whether ever formally married -to him according to our usage, or not, continued to live with him in great -union and affection all his life." The Baronet himself repeatedly speaks -of this Indian lady in his private journals. While on his expedition to -Detroit, entries occur of having received news from home, and of having -written to "Molly." He always mentioned her kindly, <i>ex gr:</i>—</p> - -<p>"<i>Wednesday, Oct.</i> 21<i>st.</i> Met Sir Robert Davers and Captain Etherington, -who gave me a packet of letters from General Amherst. . . . Captain -Etherington told me Molly was delivered of a girl: that all were well at -my house, where they staid two days."</p> - -<p>But to return from these digressions. Molly, as it has already been -stated, was the sister of Thayendanegea; and both, according to the -account of the London Magazine of 1776, the earliest printed testimony -upon the subject, were the grandchildren of one of the Mohawk chiefs who -visited England half a century before. That his father was a chief, -several authorities have likewise been cited to show; to which may be -added that of Allen's Biographical Dictionary, where the fact is -positively asserted. [FN] From such a body of testimony, therefore, direct -and circumstantial, it is hazarding but very little to assume, that, so -far from having been of humble and plebeian origin, according to the -statement of Dr. Stewart, Joseph Brant was of the noblest descent among -his nation.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] President Allen is connected by marriage with the family of the late - President Wheelock, and has had excellent opportunities for arriving at - the probable truth.</p> - - -<p>Of the early youth of Joseph, there are no accounts, other than that he -was very young when first upon the war-path. In one of the authorities to -which reference has already been made, [FN-1] it is stated, that having -attained the age of thirteen years, he joined the warriors of his tribe -under Sir William Johnson, and was present at the memorable battle of Lake -George, in which the French were defeated, and their commander, the Baron -Dieskau, mortally wounded. The Mohawks were led into action by their -celebrated king, the brave old Hendrick, who was slain. [FN-2] It was this -victory which laid the foundation of Sir William's military fame, and in -reward for which he was created a Baronet. It is reported, that in -relating the particulars of this bloody engagement to Doctor Stewart, the -youthful warrior acknowledged, "That this being the first action at which -he was present, he was seized with such a tremor when the firing began, -that he was obliged to take hold of a small sapling to steady himself; but -that after the discharge of a few vollies, he recovered the use of his -limbs and the composure of his mind, so as to support the character of a -brave man, of which he was exceedingly ambitious." He was no doubt a -warrior by nature. "I like," said he, once in after-life, when the -conversation was about music, "the harpsichord well, and the organ still -better; but I like the drum and trumpet best of all, for they make my -heart beat quick." [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Christian Register.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] A council of war was called Sept. 8. It was proposed to send a - detachment to meet the enemy. When the number was mentioned to Hendrick, - he replied—"If they are to fight, they are too few; if they are to be - killed, they are too many." When it was proposed to send out the - detachment in three parties, Hendrick took three sticks, and said, "Put - these together, and you can't break them; take them one by one, and you - will do it easily." Hendrick's advice was taken, and victory was the - result.—<i>Holmes.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Letter of T. Campbell to Ahyonwaeghs,</p> - - -<p>President Allen states that the father of Thayendanegea had three sons in -the army of Sir William Johnson in the year 1756. Of these Joseph was -probably the youngest, since he was but thirteen at the battle of Lake -George in 1755. A young warrior truly; but he might well have been there, -even at that tender age, since, by all the accounts that have descended to -us, he must have been a lad of uncommon enterprise—giving early promise -of those eminent qualities, which were developed in the progress of a life -of various and important action.</p> - -<p>The youthful warrior likewise accompanied Sir William during the Niagara -campaign of 1759, and in the brilliant achievements of the Baronet, after -the chief command had devolved upon him by the death of General Prideaux, -is said to have acquitted himself with distinguished bravery. General -Prideaux, commanding the expedition, was killed by the accidental -explosion of a cohorn on the 20th of July, soon after commencing the -siege; but Sir William prosecuted the plan of his fallen superior with -judgment and vigour. On the 24th of July Monsieur D'Aubrey approached the -fortress with a strong force, for the purpose of raising the siege. A -severe engagement ensued in the open field, which resulted in the triumph -of the British and Provincial arms. The action was commenced with great -impetuosity by the French, but Sir William was well prepared for their -reception. After a spirited contest of half an hour, the French broke, and -the fate of the day was decided. The flight of the French was bloody and -disastrous for the space of five miles, at which distance D'Aubrey, and -most of his officers, were captured. The Indians behaved uncommonly well -on this occasion, and Brant was among them. On the following day, so -vigorously did the Baronet prosecute his operations, the fort was taken, -with all its military supplies and about six hundred prisoners. By this -blow the French were cut off from their project of keeping up a line of -fortified communications with Louisiana.</p> - -<p>The exertions of Sir William Johnson to improve the moral and social -condition of his Mohawk neighbours, were not the least of his praiseworthy -labours among that brave and chivalrous people. Having aided in the -building of churches and locating missionaries among them, at the request -of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland and others, he selected numbers of young Mohawks, -and caused them to be sent to the "Moor Charity School," established at -Lebanon, Connecticut, under the immediate direction of the Rev. Doctor -Eleazer Wheelock, afterward President of Dartmouth College, of which, by -its transfer, that school became the foundation. Among the youths thus -selected was young Thayendanegea, the promising brother of "Miss Molly."</p> - -<p>The precise year in which he was thus placed under the charge of Dr. -Wheelock cannot now be ascertained. The school itself was opened for the -reception of Indian pupils, avowedly as an Indian missionary school, in -1748; the first Indian scholar, Samson Occum, having been received into it -five years before.[FN-1] It has been asserted that Joseph was received -into the school in July 1761, at which time he must have been nineteen -years old, and a memorandum of his preceptor to that effect has been -cited. According to Dr. Stewart,[FN-2] however, he was a mere boy when -first sent to Lebanon; and it will presently appear that the entry of Dr. -Wheelock was most probably incorrect. He was doubtless at the school in -that year, and very likely on the point of leaving it; since three years -afterward he will be found settled in his own native valley, and engaged -in very different pursuits.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The success of the Doctor with him, was a strong inducement for - establishing the school. Occum was ordained to the ministry in 1759; and - was subsequently located as a missionary among the Oneidas, to which - place he was accompanied by Sir William himself. The Indian preacher - afterward compiled and published a volume of devotional hymns.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Although, for want of other authorities in regard to the young - chief at this period of his life, it is necessary to use that of Dr. - Stewart, yet that is evidently not very accurate. For instance, he sends - Thayendanegea to Dr. Wheelock <i>at Dartmouth;</i> whereas the school at that - place was not opened until 1770, at which period, or only one year - thereafter, by the same authority, the chief was living in his own house, - with a wife and children, at Canajoharie.</p> - - -<p>The correspondence between Doctor Wheelock and Sir William was quite -active at this period upon the subject of the school, and Joseph was -himself employed as an agent to procure recruits for it. Thus, in a letter -from the Baronet to the Doctor, dated November 17, 1761, he says—"I have -given in charge to Joseph, to speak in my name to any good boys he may -see, and encourage to accept the generous offers now made to them; which -he promised to do, and return as soon as possible, and that without -horses." The probability, however, is, that he went to the school -immediately after his return from the Niagara campaign in 1759. No doubt -he had left it before Sir William wrote the letter just cited, and, being -engaged upon some Indian mission, had been instructed to interest himself -among the people of the forest in behalf of that institution. That he did -not, himself, remain long at the school, is conceded. According to Dr. -Stewart, moreover, he made but little proficiency in his studies at this -seminary, having "learned to read but very indifferently in the New -Testament, and to write but very little." The fact, however, that the Rev. -Charles Jeffrey Smith, a missionary to the Mohawks, took Thayendanegea as -an interpreter in the year following, (1762,) and gave him an excellent -character, presents a much more favourable idea of his progress in -learning while at the school; as also does the following passage from the -memoirs of his teacher:—"Sir William Johnson, superintendent of Indian -affairs in North America, was very friendly to the design of Mr. Wheelock, -and at his request sent to the school, at various times, several boys of -the Mohawks to be instructed. [FN-1] One of them was the since celebrated -Joseph Brant; who, <i>after receiving his education,</i> was particularly -noticed by Sir William Johnson, and employed by him in public business. He -has been very useful in advancing the civilization of his countrymen, and -for a long time past has been a military officer of extensive influence -among the Indians in Upper Canada." [FN-2] Accompanying Thayendanegea to -the "Moor School," [FN-3] were several other Mohawk youths, and two -Delawares had entered the school before him. The name of one of -Thayendanegea's companions was William, a half-breed, who was supposed to -be the son of his patron. Only two of the number remained to receive the -honours of the future college. The others, impatient of the restraints of -a school, and delighting more in the chase of game than of literary -honours, loving their native forests better than sunny fields, and -preferring to string the bow and speed the arrow, rather than turn over -the pages of Livy or Corderius, returned to their hunter state in about -two years. Thayendanegea probably left the school at the same time. He -used, when speaking of the school, to relate with much pleasantry an -anecdote of "William," who, as he affirmed, was one day ordered by Mr. -Wheelock's son to saddle his horse. The lad refused, alleging that, as he -was a gentleman's son, the performance of such a menial office would be -out of character. "Do yon know," inquired the younger Wheelock, "what a -gentleman is?" "I do," replied William; "a gentleman is a person who keeps -race-horses, and drinks Madeira wine, and that is what neither you nor -your father do,—therefore saddle the horse yourself!" [FN-4]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] When the foundation of the school was enlarged by the liberality of - the Earl of Dartmouth and others, in England, and the same was removed - from Connecticut, it contained 24 pupils, 6 of whom were Indians. There - is among the Johnson papers a letter from President Wheelock, written to - Sir William in 1772, introducing two of his Indian pupils to the - acquaintance of the Baronet.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] M<sup>c</sup>Clare's Life of Wheelock, page 27.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] So called from the name of its founder, Mr. Joshua Moor, of - Mansfield, Connecticut.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Christian Recorder. This anecdote reminds the author of another, - which he has heard a distinguished Kentucky member of Congress relate - with great glee of himself. When first elected, he said he had never - crossed the Alleghenies, and he feared greatly that his ignorance and - rusticity would be but too manifest when he came to associate with - gentlemen. He had heard that gentlemen were fond of Champagne, of which - he had never tasted. But he said, that at the first dinner party after - his arrival at the seat of government, he was relieved of his - embarrassment. At the first taste of the sparkling liquor, he found that - he loved it. He knew, therefore, that he was made for a gentleman! And a - very agreeable and accomplished gentleman he became.</p> - - -<p>The exigencies of the frontier country did not allow Thayendanegea to -remain long associated in the mission with Mr. Smith. He was again called -out upon the war-path, as appears by the following paragraph in one of the -Rev. Mr. Kirkland's [FN] earliest reports to the Rev. Dr. Wheelock, in -regard to the Christian missionaries and teachers employed among the Six -Nations:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Rev. Samuel Kirkland, father of President Kirkland, late of - Harvard University, and for more than forty years a missionary among the - Six Nations—chiefly the Oneidas. He was the son of the Rev. Daniel - Kirkland, of Norwich (Conn.) where he was born in 1742. His education was - commenced at Dr. Wheelock's school, and his collegiate course performed - at Princeton, where he was graduated in 1765. He first commenced his - labours among the Senecas, in 1766, having learned the Mohawk language - while in college. He was often employed by the Government in various - Indian transactions, and died at Paris, Oneida County, in March, 1808.</p> - - -<p>"Joseph Brant, a Mohawk Indian, and of a family of distinction in that -nation, was educated by Mr. Wheelock, and was so well accomplished that -the Rev. Charles Jeffrey Smith, (a young gentleman who, out of love to -Christ and the souls of men, devotes his life, and such a fortune as is -sufficient to support himself and an interpreter, wholly to this glorious -service,) took him for his interpreter when he went on his mission to the -Mohawks, now three years ago. But the war breaking out at that time -between the back Indians and the English, Mr. Smith was obliged to return; -but Joseph tarried, and went out with a company against the Indians, and -was useful in the war; in which he behaved so much like the Christian and -the soldier, that he gained great esteem. He now lives in a decent manner, -and endeavours to teach his poor brethren the things of God, in which his -own heart seems much engaged. His house is an asylum for the missionaries -in that wilderness." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Narrative of the Indian Charity School, published by Dr. Wheelock in - 1767, page 35.</p> - - -<p>Neither the particular war in which the young chief was then engaged, nor -the time of the campaign, is noted in the foregoing extract. A passage -contained in a letter from Sir William Johnson to Dr. Wheelock, however, -dated April 25th, 1764, affords a clue to the desired -information:—"J—— is just returned from an expedition against the -enemy, who have abandoned their towns, of which three were burned, with -four villages, consisting, in all, of about two hundred houses, built with -squared logs, and vast quantities of corn, &c. Parties are now in pursuit -of the enemy." It was therefore early in the Spring of 1764 that young -Brant returned from the war—then brought to a close. The war itself could -have been none else than that against the great Ottoway chief Pontiac, -who, in 1763, undertook to dispossess the English of the country of the -lakes, then recently acquired by conquest from the French. Pontiac was by -far the most formidable chief with whom the English colonists had had to -contend since the fall of Philip. He combined the great Indian tribes of -the north-west almost as one man, and in 1763 led thirty-six chiefs, with -their trains of warriors, against Detroit, after having carried several -of the remote western posts. A well-concerted stratagem, timely discovered -to the British commander by an Indian woman, had well nigh placed that -important position within his power also. Foiled in the plan of obtaining -admission by stratagem and putting the garrison to death, Pontiac laid -siege to the fort, attacking it with great fury. It was besieged for a -long time, as also were the fort at Niagara and Fort Pitt. It was not -until the Autumn of 1763 that the English were able to throw succours into -Detroit, in accomplishing which enterprise some of the Mohawk warriors -were engaged. There had been several severe engagements with Pontiac's -warriors in the course of that Summer, in which the Indians attached to -the English cause had fought with great bravery. The vessel carrying the -supplies to Detroit, was likewise furiously attacked by a force of 350 -Indians, in boats on the lake, but they were bravely repulsed. In what -particular battles, during this contest, Thayendanegea was engaged, does -not appear. But he was in the war, and his courageous and enterprising -spirit offered the best evidence, that he neither avoided the post of -danger, nor failed to reach it for want of activity. Having invested -Detroit for a twelvemonth, the French, moreover, with whom he was in -alliance, having lost their power in America, Pontiac sued for peace on -the approach of Gen. Bradstreet from Pittsburgh, at the head of 3000 -men. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Pontiac was assassinated in 1779, during a war between the Ioways - and Ottawas. He was a great man.</p> - - -<p>In 1765, Thayendanegea, having been previously married to the daughter of -an Oneida chief, was settled at Canajoharie, as appears by a letter from -the Rev. Theophilus Chamberlain, one of the missionaries to the Six -Nations, to the Rev. Dr. Wheelock, written from Canajoharie, and dated -July 17th of that year. After speaking of the encouraging condition of the -Indian school, and the prospect of opening another, Mr. Chamberlain -said:—"I am now at Joseph Brant's house, very poorly with the dysentery, -which hath followed me near a week. Riding in the rain sometimes, wading -through tracks to get along, and lodging on the cold ground the other -night, have made me almost down sick; but my business keeps me alive. -Joseph Brant is exceeding kind."</p> - -<p>Three years afterward he was still leading a peaceful life at the same -place, as we learn from the following entry in the journal of Mr. Ralph -Wheelock, who had been sent to Oneida to relieve Mr. Kirkland, that -gentleman being sick:</p> - -<p>"<i>March</i> 18, 1768. At my old friend, Joseph Brant's, I met one of the -chiefs of the Onondagas, (who is, by way of eminence, called the -Wise-man,) on his return to his tribe, with his wife and child; and by -Joseph Brant's help I was able to discourse with him, and delivered my -message to his nation."</p> - -<p>During the three years next ensuing, no certain information has been -obtained respecting his course of life. As the country was at peace, -however, he was probably leading a life of repose at home, save when -acting, upon occasional business visits among the Indians, under the -direction of Sir William Johnson. It is very probable, moreover, that he -may at that time have been connected with the English Episcopal Missions -to the Mohawks, commenced in the Mohawk Valley so early as 1702, and -continued down to the beginning of the Revolutionary war. Having been -employed as an interpreter by one of the missionaries, several years -before; and as the Rev. Dr. John Ogilvie, the predecessor of Dr. Barclay -in that mission, was engaged, in the year 1769, in revising, extending, -and reprinting the Mohawk Prayer Book, embracing additional passages of -Scripture, some occasional prayers, and Indian versifications of several -psalms, it is highly probable that Thayendanegea may have been employed as -an assistant in that labour, since he was partial to exercises of that -description.</p> - -<p>In the year 1771, the Rev. Mr. Stewart conducted a school at Fort Hunter, -thirty miles below Canajoharie. A venerable friend of the author, yet -living in Albany, [FN] states, that being a pupil in Doctor Stewart's -school at about that time, he had opportunities of seeing Thayendanegea at -that place frequently, and formed an acquaintance with him, which -continued, interrupted only by the war of the Revolution, until the death -of the warrior. He then formed an excellent opinion of the young chief in -regard to talents and good disposition. It is believed, that from the -shrewdness of his sister Molly and the influential position which she -occupied in the family of Sir William, added to his own talents and -sagacity, he was much employed at home by the Baronet, in the discharge of -the multifarious duties incident to his important official station. He was -also frequently engaged upon distant embassies among the western tribes, -and his talents and tact as a diplomatist of the forest, were qualities -pertaining to his character through life.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Douw Fonda, Esq., son of Captain Jelles Fonda, who was an active and - very efficient officer, both in the Indian and Military service, under - Sir William Johnson.</p> - - -<p>Thayendanegea was thrice married—having been twice a widower before the -war of the Revolution. His first two wives were of the Oneida tribe. The -Rev. Dr. Stewart states that he first became acquainted with him in the -winter of 1771. He was then still residing at Canajoharie, on visiting -which village the Doctor says he found him comfortably settled, in a good -house, with every thing necessary for the use of his family—consisting of -a wife, in the last stage of consumption, and two children—a son and a -daughter. His wife died some time afterward, on which Thayendanegea -repaired to Fort Hunter, and resided with the Doctor for a considerable -length of time. Doctor Stewart was then engaged upon another revision of -the Indian Prayer Book, and Joseph assisted him in making various -additional translations. He likewise assisted the Doctor in translating a -portion of the Acts of the Apostles, and a short history of the Bible, -together with a brief explanation of the Church catechism, into the Mohawk -language. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Doctor Stewart states that he was directed to repair to New-York, - and publish these books at the expense of the Missionary Society, but was - prevented by the breaking out of the war. He took the MSS. to Canada, and - afterward delivered them to Colonel Daniel Claus, by whom they were taken - to England; but it does not appear that they were ever published.</p> - - -<p>It is stated on the same authority, [FN] that in the winter of 1772-3, he -applied to Doctor Stewart to marry him to the half-sister of his deceased -wife, but the Divine refused the application on the ground of the -forbidden relationship. Brant, however, vindicated the act, much in the -manner of white widowers desirous of forming the like connexion; arguing, -very naturally, that the fact of the relationship would secure a greater -degree of tenderness and care for his children. Still the Episcopal -minister persisted in his refusal, and a less scrupulous German -ecclesiastic gratified his desire by performing the ceremony.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Christian Register.</p> - - -<p>It was at about the same period of his life that Thayendanegea became the -subject of serious religious impressions. He attached himself to the -Church, was a chastened and regular communicant at the celebration of the -Eucharist; and from his serious deportment, and the anxiety he had ever -manifested to civilize and Christianize his people, great hopes were -entertained from his future exertions in that cause. No doubt has ever -been entertained of his sincerity at that time; and it has been attributed -to the counteracting influences of the dreadful trade of war, in which it -was his fortune afterward again so actively to become engaged, that those -manifestations of Christian utility were effaced; entirely eradicated they -were not, as will be seen at a subsequent stage of the career of this -remarkable man.</p> - -<p>In compliance with Indian custom, he selected a bosom friend, during that -period of his life we are now contemplating, in the person of a Lieutenant -Provost, a half-pay officer residing in the Mohawk Valley. Those -unacquainted with Indian usages are not probably aware of the intimacy, or -the importance attached to this relationship. The selected friend is, in -fact, the counterpart of the one who chooses him, and the attachment often -becomes romantic; they share each other's secrets, and are participants of -each other's joys and sorrows. As the Revolutionary troubles were -approaching. Lieutenant Provost was ordered to his regiment and upon -foreign service, greatly to the regret of the future chieftain. His -lamentations attracted the attention of Doctor Stewart, who advised him to -select another friend—offering to stand as a substitute himself. But no; -the young chief declared that such a transfer of his affections could not -take place. He was Captain John's friend, and another such friend could -not be in existence at the same time. Lieutenant Provost had been ordered -to the West Indies; and in order to assure him of the strength and -constancy of his attachment, Thayendanegea procured an entire Indian -costume of the richest furs he could obtain, which was sent to him in -Jamaica. This incident has been detailed, not because in itself of any -particular importance, but as disclosing an excellent trait of character, -besides illustrating a feature of Indian life which may not be familiar to -all. [FN] Other events will now occupy the attention of the reader, in -which the Mohawk chieftain will be but one of many actors, though seldom -an obscure one.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] A similar custom prevailed among the ancient Greeks. Two young - warriors often assumed this obligation of brotherhood, which was taken - with peculiar ceremonies, and maintained inviolate through life.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chii">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Early symptoms of disaffection at Boston—Origin of the Revolutionary - War—First blood shed in 1770—Stirring eloquence of Joseph - Warren—Feelings of Sir William Johnson—His influence with the Indians - and Germans, and his unpleasant position—Last visit of Sir William to - England—His death—Mysterious circumstances attending it—Suspicions - of suicide unjust—His son, Sir John Johnson, succeeds to his title and - estates—His son-in-law, Col. Guy Johnson, to his office as - superintendent General of the Indians—Early life of Sir John—Joseph - Brant appointed Secretary to Guy Johnson—Influence of the Johnson - family—Revolutionary symptoms in Tryon County, fomented by the - proceedings in New England—First meeting of Tryon County - Whigs—Declaration of Rights—First meeting of Congress—Effect of its - proceedings—in England—Tardiness of Provincial legislature of - New-York—Spirit of the people—Notes of preparation in Massachusetts, - &c.—Overt acts of rebellion in several States—Indians exasperated by - the Virginia borderers in 1774—Melancholy story of Logan—Campaign of - Lord Dunmore and Colonel Lewis—Battle of the Kanhawa—Speech of - Logan—Its authenticity questioned—Peace of Chilicothe—Unhappy feeling - of the Indians.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">It</span> has been usually asserted by historians, that the first blood in the -war of the American Revolution was shed at Lexington; but such is not the -fact. The Boston massacre of 1770 was the beginning of that contest, so -fearful in its commencement, so doubtful in its progress, and so splendid -in its results. The storm had even then been gathering for several years, -and the public mind had become exceedingly feverish, not only in regard to -the conduct of the parent government, but in respect to the language and -bearing of the officers of the crown stationed in the colonies. When, -moreover, the people of Boston were subjected to what they considered a -still greater indignity, by the quartering of soldiers among them, the -irritation was such that but a small degree of forecast was necessary to -the perception of an approaching explosion. The affair at Gray's -Rope-Walk, on the 2d of March, increased the mutual exasperation; and the -massacre that followed on the 5th was but the natural consequence. The -first blow was then struck. The town was thrown into commotion, the drums -beat to arms; and the news, with the exaggerations and embellishments -incident to all occasions of alarm, spread through the country with the -rapidity of lightning. Every where, throughout the wide extent of the old -thirteen colonies, it created a strong sensation, and was received with a -degree of indignant emotion, which very clearly foretold that blood had -only commenced flowing; and although five years intervened before the -demonstration at Lexington, there were too many nervous pens and eloquent -tongues in exercise to allow those feelings to subside, or to suffer the -noble spirit of liberty that had been awakened to be quenched. Such -stirring orations as those of Joseph Warren were not uttered in vain; and -so often as the anniversary of the 5th of March returned, were the people -reminded by him, or by his compatriots of kindred spirit—"The voice of -your brethren's blood cries to you from the ground." The admonition had -its effect, and the resolutions of vengeance sank deeper and deeper into -the hearts of the people, until the fullness of time should come.</p> - -<p>Sir William Johnson was too observing and sagacious a man not to note the -signs of the times. He saw the gathering tempest, and it is believed to -have given him great uneasiness. His sympathies, according to the -testimony of those who knew him, were undoubtedly with the people. He was -from the body of the people himself, having been the architect of his own -rank and fortunes; and those who were acquainted with, and yet survive -him, represent the struggle in his bosom to have been great, between those -sympathies and his own strong principles of liberty on the one hand, and -his duty to his sovereign on the other—a sovereign whom he had served -long and faithfully, and who in turn had loaded him with princely -benefactions. His domains in the Valley of the Mohawk were extensive; and -his influence, through a large number of subordinate officers and a -numerous tenantry, was correspondingly great. To the Indians, not only of -the Six Nations but those far in the west beyond, who had fallen within -the circle of his influence after the conquest of Canada and the -subjugation of Pontiac, he had been as a father, and they looked up to him -with veneration. Long association with him, and great Respect for his -character—which, from its blunt honesty, frankness, and generosity, not -altogether devoid of that roughness incident to a border population, was -well calculated to secure the attachment of such people—had also given to -his opinions the force of legal authority among the Colonists. The -population, aside from the Indians, was chiefly Dutch, in the lower part -of the Mohawk Valley; while in the interesting vale of the Schoharie Kill, -and the upper district of the Mohawk, it was composed of the descendants -of the German Palatinates, who had been planted there fifty years before. -It was not at that period a very intelligent population; and the name of -Sir William, who had been their friend and companion in peace, and their -leader in war, like that of the King, was a tower of strength. It was very -natural, therefore, that their opinions upon the great political questions -then agitating the country, should take their complexion for the most part -from those entertained by him. Hence, when the storm of civil war -commenced, the Loyalists in that valley were probably more numerous, in -proportion to the whole number of the population, than in almost any other -section of the northern colonies.</p> - -<p>In connexion with the troubles which every man of ordinary sagacity could -not but perceive were fermenting, Sir William visited England for the last -time in the Autumn of 1773, returning in the succeeding Spring. He -probably came back with his loyal feelings somewhat strengthened. It was -not his fortune, however, good or ill, to see the breaking out of the -tempest, the near approaches of which he had been watching with an -intenseness of observation corresponding with the magnitude of his own -personal interests, which must necessarily be involved. He died suddenly, -at Johnson Hall, on or about the 24th of June, 1774.</p> - -<p>It was reported by his enemies,—or rather by the enemies of the -Crown,—that he perished by his own hand, in consequence of the clouds -which he saw darkening the political sky; and such an impression is yet -very generally entertained. The tradition is, that on the day of his -decease he had received despatches from England, which were handed to him -while sitting in Court, and with which he immediately left the Court-house -and walked to his own house. These despatches, it was afterward reported, -contained instructions to him to use his influence with the Indians in -behalf of the Crown, in the event of hostilities. Another version of the -tradition is, that on the day in question he had received despatches from -Boston, the complexion of which, in his own mind, indicated that a civil -war was near and inevitable. In such an event he saw that he must either -prove recreant to his principles, or take part against the Crown; and, to -avoid either alternative, it has been extensively believed that he put an -end to his life. [FN-1] But there is no just ground for this uncharitable -conclusion. It is true that he had, on the evening of the 24th, received -despatches from Massachusetts, the tenor of which, by excitement, may have -hastened the malady to which his system was predisposed. It was a busy day -at Johnstown. The Circuit Court was in session, at which, however, Sir -William was not present, being engaged in holding a treaty with some of -the Six Nations. In the course of his speech to the Indians on that -occasion, he alluded to the despatches he had received, and stated to them -that troubles were brewing between the Americans and their King—advising -them not to abandon the cause of the latter, who had always been -benevolent and kind to them. "Whatever may happen," said the Baronet, "you -must not be shaken out of your shoes." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Mr. Campbell, in his "Annals," favors this opinion. He - says—"There is something still mysterious connected with his death. He - had been out to England, and returned the previous Spring. During a visit - which he made shortly afterward to Mr. Campbell, an intimate friend of - his at Schenectady, the conversation turned upon the subject of the - disputes between the Colonies and the Mother Country. He then said, <i>he - should never live to see them in a state of open war."—Ann. p.</i> 12.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MS. statement of a gentleman whose father was with Sir William - that morning, and was present at the Indian Council.</p> - - -<p>In the afternoon of that day Sir William was taken with a fit. Colonel -Johnson, his son, was absent at the Old Fort—distant nine miles. An -express was sent for him, and, mounting a fleet English blood-horse, he -rode for the Hall with all possible haste. His horse fell dead when within -three quarters of a mile of the house, having run upward of eight miles -in fifteen minutes. The Colonel hired the horse of some one standing by, -and pushed forward to the Hall. On entering the room, he found his father -in the arms of a faithful domestic, who attended upon his person. He spoke -to his parent, but received no answer; and in a few minutes afterward the -Baronet expired [FN]—of apoplexy, beyond a doubt. This was early in the -evening. While the judges of the Court were at supper in the village, one -mile distant, a young Mohawk Indian entered their apartment and announced -the event.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. statement of Colonel William Feeter, in possession of the - author. Col. F. is yet living (May, 1837.)</p> - - -<p>Sir William was succeeded in his titles and estates by his son, Sir John -Johnson; but the reins of authority, as General superintendent of the -Indian Department, fell into the hands of the son-in-law of Sir William, -Colonel Guy Johnson, who had long been in office as the Assistant, or -Deputy of the old Baronet. This officer was assisted by Colonel Daniel -Clans, who had likewise married a daughter of Sir William. On the decease -of his father, Sir John also succeeded to his post as Major General of the -militia.</p> - -<p>Of the early life of Sir John Johnson not much is known. He was not as -popular as his father, being less social, and less acquainted with human -nature and the springs of human action. He accompanied his father on some -of his warlike expeditions, however, and probably saw considerable -service. Soon after the termination of the French war, he was sent by his -father, at the head of a small expedition, to the Mohawk canton of -Oghkwaga,[FN-1] to arrest a Captain Bull, and some other malcontents and -disaffected Indians, who were charged with being engaged in an effort to -enlist the Six Nations in a war against some other Indians, or possibly -to win them over to the designs of Pontiac. For this purpose young Johnson -had a choice corps of men placed under his command, most of whom had -served with the Baronet against the French. He had also a detachment of -Indians with him. The expedition was arranged somewhat with a view of -display—for the purpose, as it was conjectured, of giving eclat to the -young commander. The enterprise was successful—Bull and his adherents -were taken, and brought in irons to Johnstown. From thence they were sent -to Albany and imprisoned for a time, but were all subsequently discharged. -Before the Revolution commenced, Sir John married Miss Mary Watts, of the -city of New-York.[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The author has found much difficulty in attempting to determine - the orthography of this place. It is now generally written Oquaga. In the - Congressional journals of the Revolution it was spelled Oneaquaga. By - some writers it is written Oghquaga. The late highly intelligent Mohawk - chief, Norton, always wrote it Oghkwaga, which orthography has been - adopted by the author.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Sister to the late venerable John Watts, who died in September, - 1836.</p> - - -<p>The successors of Sir William Johnson did not, however, possess the same -degree of moral power over the population of Tryon County, Indian or -white, as had been exercised by him. But they nevertheless derived -essential aid from "Miss Molly," who was a woman of talents as well as -tact, and possessing great influence among the Indians, who were her own -people, Molly was in turn aided by the counsels and exertions of her -brother, Joseph Thayendanegea, who had been much in the service of Sir -William during the latter years of his life, and who, on the death of the -Baronet, was advanced to the post of Secretary of Guy Johnson. These -gentlemen, however, (Sir John Johnson, Guy Johnson, and Colonel Glaus,) -living in great splendour, at, and in the neighbourhood of Johnstown, and -thus allied with the family of a powerful Mohawk sachem, were still -enabled to exert a decided influence, especially among the Indians. They -were likewise in close official and political alliance with Colonel John -Butler, an opulent and influential gentleman of that county, and his son -Walter N. Butler—names rendered memorable, if nothing worse, by -association with certain bloody transactions, which will be developed in -the progress of the present volume.</p> - -<p>But, notwithstanding all their influence—and no family in America had -ever been regarded with greater deference by the surrounding population -than that of the Johnsons—they were not long in discovering that the -principles now openly avowed in Massachusetts, could not be confined -within the limits of that colony, or even of New England. Though less -openly proclaimed, yet as the waters of a fountain ooze through the earth -unseen until they have gathered force enough to break the surface and gush -forth, so was it with the principles of Liberty sent abroad by "the Boston -rebels," as they worked their way up the valley of the Mohawk; and the -successors of Sir William Johnson were not long in discovering, that -although they could still count among their retainers a large number of -adherents, the leaven of civil liberty had nevertheless been more deeply -at work than they had desired, or probably supposed. The celebrated -"Boston Port Bill," enacted in consequence of the destruction of the tea -in that harbour in 1773, had gone into operation only a month preceding -the death of Sir William; and in the next month subsequent to his decease, -a public meeting was held in the Palatine district, warmly seconding the -proposition of Massachusetts for the assembling of a general Congress, -for mutual consultation and counsel in the existing posture of the -political affairs of the Colonies. The original draft of the proceedings -of that meeting is yet in existence, in the hand-writing of Col. -Christopher P. Yates—a patriot who embarked early in the struggle, and -served to the end. They breathed the genuine spirit of freedom, and as a -declaration of rights, are well entitled to a place among the fervid -papers of that day, which were so powerful in their operation upon the -public mind. After setting forth the concern and sorrow felt by the -meeting, at the shutting up the port of Boston, and the tendency of the -acts of Parliament for raising a revenue in the American Colonies, which -they held to be an abridgment of the privileges of the people, the meeting -resolved: 1st. That they recognised the King as their lawful sovereign, -would bear true faith and allegiance to him, and would, with their lives -and fortunes, support and maintain him on the throne of his ancestors, and -the just dependence of the Colonies upon the crown of Great Britain. 2d. -That they considered it their greatest happiness to be governed by British -laws, and would pay cheerful submission to them, as far as they could do -so, consistently with the security of the Constitutional rights of English -subjects, "<i>which were so sacred that they could not permit them to be -violated.</i>" 3d. That all taxes without their own consent, or the consent -of their representatives, were unjust and unconstitutional; and the acts -of Parliament upon the subject were denounced, as obvious encroachments -upon the rights and liberties of British subjects. 4th. That the act -closing the port of Boston was arbitrary and oppressive to the -inhabitants, whom they considered to be suffering in the common cause. -5th. That they would unite with their brethren elsewhere, in relieving the -necessities of the suffering poor in Boston, and in "any thing tending to -support our rights and liberties." 6th. Approving of the calling of a -general Congress, and of the five members who had already been appointed -by their brethren of New-York. 7th. That they would abide by such -regulations as might be agreed upon by the said Congress. 8th. Appointing -a committee of correspondence for that district, [FN] and recommending the -other districts of the county to do the same.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Christopher P. Yates, Isaac Paris, and John Frey.</p> - - -<p>The Congress met in Philadelphia in September, 1774, and after adopting -a declaration of rights, and setting forth wherein those rights had been -violated, they agreed upon an address to the King, exhibiting the -grievances of the Colonies, and praying for his Majesty's interposition -for their removal. An address to the people of British America was -likewise adopted, together with an appeal to the people of Great Britain, -as also a letter to the people of Canada. [FN-1] The Congress then -adjourned, to meet again in May, 1775. The papers put forth from that -august assembly had a powerful effect upon the public mind. They were also -highly extolled by Lord Chatham in the House of Peers, who declared, that -"In all his reading and observation—and it had been his favourite -study—for he had read Thucydides, and had studied and admired the master -states of the world—for solidity of reasoning, force of sagacity, and -wisdom of conclusion, under such complication of circumstances, no nation -or body of men could stand in preference to the General Congress at -Philadelphia." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Mr. R. H. Lee wrote the address to the American people, and Mr. - Jay that to the people of Great Britain.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Parliamentary Register.</p> - - -<p>The Provincial Assembly of New-York was the only legislature in the -Colonies that withheld its approbation from the proceedings of the -Congress—the loyalists of that Colony being, from a variety of causes, -more numerous and influential than in any other of the provinces. In the -Valley of the Mohawk they were particularly zealous and active; and the -Johnson family, with their associates, were ceaseless in their efforts to -divert the revolutionary spirit, which was but too obviously abroad.</p> - -<p>But like the bitter plant in the vegetable pharmacopœia, the principles -of liberty only thrive more rapidly beneath a pressure, and the spark -which had been struck in the Palatine district, they not only found it -impossible to extinguish, but a measure of their own adoption had the -effect of kindling it into a blaze—and, once kindled, the fire of liberty -is as inextinguishable as the Greek.</p> - -<p>In Massachusetts, however, other menacing measures besides the passage of -resolutions, were adopted toward the close of 1774. Governor Gage having -issued writs for the holding of a General Assembly, in October, afterward -countermanded the writs by proclamation. But the new members, to the -number of ninety, maintaining the illegality of the proclamation, met -notwithstanding. Neither the Governor, nor any substitute, appearing to -complete their organization, they formed themselves into a Provincial -Congress, and adjourned to Concord. From Concord, after some collisions -with the Governor, they removed to Cambridge; and in the course of their -sittings measures were adopted for the public defence, and the -organization of minute men, to the number of twelve thousand. Connecticut -and New Hampshire were requested to augment the number to twenty thousand. -Governor Gage complained bitterly that the edicts of this Congress were -implicitly obeyed throughout the country. Before the year had expired, a -royal proclamation was received, prohibiting the exportation of military -stores to America. This document caused general indignation. In Rhode -Island and New Hampshire the people at once seized upon the arms and -ordnance in their public places and garrisons, and other corresponding -measures were adopted by the Colonial authorities. In the more Southern -provinces signs of jealousy and discontent began to be more unequivocally -manifested. A meeting of the military officers of Virginia, under Lord -Dunmore, was held, at which resolutions, professing loyalty and looking -rebellion, were adopted. The Provincial Congress of Maryland approved of -the proceedings of the General Congress; and in South Carolina, Judge -Dayton, in a memorable charge to a Grand Jury at Camden, set the ball in -motion in that Colony. Doctor Franklin, being in London, was required to -attend a meeting of the Committee for Plantations, to whom had been -referred the petition of the Massachusetts Assembly for the removal of -Governor Hutchinson and Lieutenant-Governor Oliver. He supported the -petition, and was, the day after, dismissed by the Crown from the office -of postmaster for the Colonies.</p> - -<p>It may readily be conceived that an excitement thus increasing from day -to day, and thus rapidly extending the circle of its influence, would not -long be confined to measures of remonstrance and petition. Most -unfortunate was it, therefore, that, just at this conjuncture, while all -sagacious men saw by the shadows what events were coming, and all good men -were solicitous for the preservation of the character and augmentation of -the physical strength of the country, a small band of bad ones adopted a -course well fitted to awaken the jealousy of the whole Indian race, and -exasperate a portion of them to the highest pitch of anger and revenge. -It was evident that the Colonies were about to measure swords with one of -the strongest powers in Christendom, and to strike for freedom. True -wisdom, therefore, required that the clouds of Indians darkening more than -a thousand miles of our border, and in the North forming an intermediate -power between our own settlements and the country of the anticipated foe, -should be at least conciliated into neutrality, if not courted into an -alliance. But a contrary course was taken by some of the frontier-men of -Virginia, and a hostile feeling awakened by a succession of outrages, -unprovoked and more cruel than savages, as such, could have committed. -The well-informed reader will at once anticipate that reference is now -had to the hostilities upon the North-western frontier of Virginia, -commonly known as <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Cresap's War,</span> from the agency of a subaltern officer -of that name, whose wanton cruelty provoked it, and one striking event -of which has rendered every American ear familiar with the name of Logan, -the celebrated "Mingo Chief." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Mingo, Mengwe, Maquas, and Iroquois, are all only different names - applied to the Six Nations.</p> - - -<p>The wars and the conquests of the Six Nations had been the cause of -transplanting many families, among whom were some of distinction, over the -countries subjected to their arms. Among these was the family of Logan, -the son of <i>Shikellimus,</i> [FN] a distinguished Cayuga sachem, who had -removed from the particular location of his own tribe, to Shamokin, or -Conestoga, within the borders of Pennsylvania, where he executed the -duties of principal chief of those of the Six Nations residing on the -Susquehanna. He was a man of consequence and humanity, and one of the -earliest to encourage the introduction of Christianity by Count -Zinzendorf. He was a great friend to the celebrated James Logan, who -accompanied William Penn on his last voyage to America, and who -subsequently became distinguished in the colony for his learning and -benevolence. Hence the name of the famous son of Shikellimus, so closely -identified with the scenes about to be described.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] <i>Shikellimus</i> was a contemporary of the famous <i>Cannassatego,</i> and - is known in Colden's History of the Six Nations by the different names - of <i>Skickcalamy, Shicalamy,</i> and <i>Shick Calamy.—Drake.</i></p> - - -<p>Logan had removed from his father's lodge at Shamokin to the Shawanese -country on the Ohio, where he had become a chief. He was a friend of the -white men, and one of the noblest of his race; not only by right of birth, -but in consideration of his own character. During the Indian wars -connected with the contest with France, which were continued for a -considerable time after the conquest of Canada, he took no part, save in -the character of a peace-maker.</p> - -<p>The circumstances which transformed this good and just man from a sincere -friend into a bitter foe, will appear in the following narrative:—It -happened in April or May of 1774, that a party of land-jobbers, while -engaged in exploring lands near the Ohio river, were robbed, or pretended -to have been robbed, of a number of horses by the Indians. The leader of -the land-jobbers was Captain Michael Cresap. Alarmed at the depredation -upon their property, or affecting to be so, Cresap and his party -determined to make war upon the Indians, without investigation, and -irrespective, as a matter of course, of the guilt or innocence of those -whom they should attack. On the same day, falling in with two Indians, -Cresap and his men killed them. Hearing, moreover, of a still larger party -of Indians encamped at some distance below the site of the present town -of Wheeling, the white barbarians proceeded thither, and after winning the -confidence of the sons of the forest by pretended friendship, fell upon -and slaughtered several of their number, among whom were a part of the -family of the white man's friend—Logan. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Doddridge, in his History of the Indian Wars, states that no - evidence of the imputed theft was ever adduced; and affirms his belief - that the report was false, and the Indians innocent, even of a - comparatively minor trespass.</p> - - -<p>Soon after this atrocious affair, another followed, equally flagitious. -There was a white settlement on the east bank of the Ohio, about thirty -miles above Wheeling, among the leading men of which were one named Daniel -Greathouse, and another named Tomlinson. A party of Indians, assembled on -the opposite bank of the river, having heard of the murders committed by -Cresap, determined to avenge their death, of which resolution Greathouse -was admonished by a friendly squaw, who advised him to escape, while he -was reconnoitering for the purpose of ascertaining their numbers. He had -crossed the river with thirty-two men under his command, and secreted them -for the purpose of falling upon the Indians; but finding that they were -too strong for him, he changed his plan of operations, re-crossed the -river, and, with a show of friendship, invited them over to an -entertainment. Without suspicion of treachery the Indians accepted the -invitation, and while engaged in drinking—some of them to a state of -intoxication—they were set upon and murdered in cold blood. Here again, -fell two more of the family of Logan—a brother and sister, the latter -being in a situation of peculiar delicacy. The Indians who had remained -on the other side of the river, hearing the noise of the treacherous -attack, flew to their canoes to rescue their friends. This movement had -been anticipated; and sharp-shooters, stationed in ambuscade, shot numbers -of them in their canoes, and compelled the others to return.</p> - -<p>These dastardly transactions were enacted on the 24th of May. They were -soon followed by another outrage, which, though of less magnitude, was -not less atrocious in its spirit, while it was even more harrowing to the -feelings of the Indians. The event referred to was the murder, by a white -man, of an aged and inoffensive Delaware chief named the <i>Bald Eagle.</i> He -had for years consorted more with the white people than his own, visiting -those most frequently who entertained him best. At the time of his murder -he had been on a visit to the fort at the North of the Kanhawa, and was -killed while alone, paddling his canoe. The man who committed the murder, -it was said, had been a sufferer at the hands of the Indians; but he had -never been injured by the object upon whom he wreaked his vengeance. After -tearing the scalp from his head, the white savage placed the body in a -sitting posture in the canoe, and sent it adrift down the stream. The -voyage of the dead chief was observed by many, who supposed him living, -and upon one of his ordinary excursions. When, however, the deed became -known, his nation were not slow in avowals of vengeance.[FN-1] Equally -exasperated, at about the same time, were the Shawanese, against the -whites, by the murder of one of their favourite chiefs, <i>Silver Heels,</i> -who had in the kindest manner undertaken to escort several white traders -across the woods from the Ohio to Albany, a distance of nearly two hundred -miles.[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] M<sup>c</sup>Clung, as cited by Drake.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Heckewelder.</p> - - -<p>The consequence of these repeated outrages, perpetrated by white -barbarians, was the immediate commencement of an Indian war, the first -leader of which was Logan, who, with a small party of only eight warriors, -made a sudden and altogether unexpected descent upon a Muskingum -settlement, with complete success. In the course of the Summer great -numbers of men, women, and children, fell victims to the tomahawk and -scalping-knife. Logan, however, though smarting under a keen sense of his -own wrongs, set his face against the practice of putting prisoners to the -torture, so far as he could. In one instance, he so instructed a prisoner -doomed to run the gauntlet, as to enable him to escape without receiving -essential injury. In another case, with his own hand he severed the cord -which bound a prisoner to the stake, and by his influence procured his -adoption into an Indian family.</p> - -<p>To punish these atrocities, provoked, as all authorities concur in -admitting, by the whites, a vigorous campaign was undertaken by the -Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, with a force of between two and three -thousand men. Eleven hundred of these Provincials, mostly riflemen, and -comprising much of the chivalry of Virginia, constituting the left wing, -were entrusted to the command of General Andrew Lewis, [FN] with -instructions to march direct for Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great -Kanhawa; while his lordship, proceeding with the right wing, was to cross -the Ohio at a higher point, and fall upon the Indian towns in their rear. -For reasons never satisfactorily explained, although the cause of some -controversy at the time, there was a failure of the expected co-operation -on the part of Lord Dunmore.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Andrew Lewis was, in fact, only a colonel; but he was in the chief - command of the division, and as he had a brother, Charles Lewis, also a - colonel, he has been designated as a General by courtesy, and for the - purpose of distinguishing the commander from the other colonel.</p> - - -<p>General Lewis commenced his march on the 11th of September. His course -was direct, through a trackless wilderness, one hundred and sixty miles; -over which all the supplies of the army were necessarily to be transported -on pack-horses. The march was very slow and tedious—occupying nineteen -days. Arrived at or near the junction of the Kanhawa with the Ohio, Lewis -waited eight or nine days to obtain tidings from Lord Dunmore, but heard -not a syllable.</p> - -<p>Early on the morning of the 10th of October, two of Lewis's scouts, who -were about a mile in advance, were fired upon by a large body of Indians; -one of the scouts was killed, and the other escaped to camp with the -intelligence. It was yet half an hour to sunrise, and instant dispositions -were made to move forward and attack. Just as the sun was rising, the -Indians, who were advancing upon a like errand, were met, and an -engagement ensued, which continued with greater or less severity through -the day. The Virginians had bivouacked upon a point of land between the -two rivers, giving the Indians an important advantage of position, -inasmuch as, if defeated, retreat would be impossible for the former, -while the latter could fly at their pleasure. But such was not the purpose -of the Indians. Their numbers have been variously stated, from eight to -fifteen hundred, consisting of Shawanese, Delawares, Mingoes, Wyandots, -Cayugas, and several other tribes, led in chief by Logan, assisted by -other celebrated chiefs, among whom were <i>Cornstock, Ellenipsico,</i> (his -son,) and the <i>Red Eagle.</i></p> - -<p>The onset was impetuous upon both sides. Colonel Charles Lewis led the -right of the Virginians, and was in advance. He fell almost at the first -fire, mortally wounded, and shortly afterward expired—having walked back -to his own camp. The Virginians, like the Indians, sought every advantage -by fighting from the shelter of trees and bushes; but in the first part -of the engagement the advantages were with the Indians, and two of the -Virginia regiments, after severe loss, especially in officers, were -compelled to give way. Colonel Fleming, who commanded the left, though -severely wounded in the beginning of the action, by two balls through his -arm and another through the breast, bravely kept the field for some time, -cheering his men, and, urging them not to lose an inch of ground, directed -them to outflank the enemy. But the assault of the Indians was vigorous -and their fire so severe, that the left, like the right, was yielding, -when, at the most critical moment, Colonel Field's regiment was brought -with great spirit and resolution into the action, by which timely movement -the fortunes of the day were retrieved. The impetuosity of the Indians was -checked, and they were in turn forced to retreat—falling back to avail -themselves of a rude breast-work of logs and brush-wood, which they had -taken the precaution to construct for the occasion. Colonel Field was -killed at the moment his gallant regiment had changed the aspect of the -battle, and he was succeeded by Captain Isaac Shelby, afterward the brave -and hardy old Governor of Kentucky.</p> - -<p>The Indians made a valiant stand at their breast-work, defending their -position until nearly night-fall. For several hours every attempt to -dislodge them was unsuccessful; the savages fighting like men who had not -only their soil and homes to protect, but deep wrongs to avenge. "The -voice of the mighty Cornstock was often heard during the day, above the -din of battle, calling out to his warriors, 'Be strong! Be strong!' And -when, by the repeated charge of the Virginians, some of his warriors began -to waver, he is said to have sunk his tomahawk into the head of a coward -who was attempting to fly." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p>[FN] Drake—who compiles his account of this spirited engagement, from - Withers, M<sup>c</sup>Clung, and Doddridge.</p> - - -<p>The action had continued extremely hot until past twelve o'clock, after -which it was abated at intervals, though a scattering fire was kept up -most of the time during the day, Toward night, finding that each -successive attack upon the line of the Indians in front but weakened his -own force, without making any perceptible impression upon the Indians, and -rightly judging that if the latter were not routed before dark, the -contest must be resumed under at least doubtful circumstances on the -following day, a final attempt was made to throw a body of troops into -the rear. Three companies were detached upon this service, led by Captain -Shelby. The ground favoured the enterprise. Availing themselves of the -tall weeds and grass upon the bank of a creek flowing into the Kanhawa, -those companies passed the flank of the Indian ranks unobserved, and -falling vigorously upon their rear, drove them from their lines with -precipitation. Night came on, and the Indians, supposing that -reinforcements of the Virginians had arrived, fled across the Ohio, and -continued their retreat to the Scioto. They had not the satisfaction of -taking many scalps—the bodies of a few stragglers only falling into their -possession. In the official account it was stated that they scalped -numbers of their own warriors, to prevent the Virginians from doing it. -Of those Indians first killed, the Virginians scalped upward of twenty. -[FN-1] The loss of the Indians was never known. It must, however, have -been severe; since, in addition to the killed and wounded borne away, -numbers of the slain were thrown into the river, and thirty-three of their -warriors were found dead upon the field on the following day. The loss of -the Virginians was likewise severe. Two of their colonels were killed, -four captains, many subordinate officers, and between fifty and sixty -privates, besides a much larger number wounded.[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Official Report.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Doddridge states the number of killed at 75, and of wounded at - 140. In the estimate given in the text, Thatcher has been followed. It - is stated by Drake, that a stratagem was resorted to in this action by - the Virginians, similar to one that had been practised in the early New - England war of the Indians at Pawtucket. The Virginians, concealing - themselves behind trees, would hold out their hats from behind and draw - the fire of the Indians; the hat being instantly dropped, the Indian - warrior who had brought it down, supposing that he had killed the owner, - would rush forward to secure the scalp of his supposed victim—only to - fall beneath an unexpected tomahawk.</p> - - -<p>Arrived at Chilicothe, a council of the Indians was convened to debate -upon the question what was next to be done. Cornstock, it was said, had -been opposed to giving battle at Point Pleasant, but had resolved to do -his best on being overruled in council. Having been defeated, as he had -anticipated, he demanded of the council, "<i>What shall we do now? The Long -Knives are coming upon us by two routes. Shall we turn out and fight -them?</i>" No response being made to the question, he continued, "<i>Shall -we kill all our squaws and children, and then fight until we are all -killed ourselves?</i>" As before, all were silent; whereupon Cornstock struck -his tomahawk into the war-post standing in the midst of the council, and -remarked with emphasis: "<i>Since you are not inclined to fight, I will go -and make peace.</i>" [FN] Saying which, he repaired to the camp of Lord -Dunmore, who, having descended the Ohio, was now approaching the Scioto.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Doddridge.</p> - - -<p>Meantime General Lewis, having buried his dead, and made the necessary -dispositions for an advance into the heart of the Indian country, moved -forward in pursuit of the enemy—resolved upon his extermination. He was -soon afterward met by a counter-order from Lord Dunmore, which he -disregarded; and it was not until the Governor visited Lewis in his own -camp, that a reluctant obedience was exacted. Meantime the negotiation -proceeded, but under circumstances of distrust on the part of the -Virginians, who were careful to admit only a small number of the Indians -into their encampment at any one time. The chief speaker on the part of -the Indians was Cornstock, who did not fail to charge the whites with -being the sole cause of the war—enumerating the provocations which the -Indians had received, and dwelling with peculiar force upon the murders -committed in the family of Logan. [FN] This lofty chief himself refused to -appear at the council. He was in favour of peace, but his proud spirit -scorned to ask for it; and he remained in his cabin, brooding in -melancholy silence over his own wrongs.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Cornstock was a truly great man. Col. Wilson, who was present at the - interview between the Chief and Lord Dunmore, thus speaks of the - chieftain's bearing on the occasion: "When he arose, he was in no wise - confused or daunted, but spoke in a distinct and audible voice, without - stammering or repetition, and with peculiar emphasis. His looks, while - addressing Dunmore, were truly grand and majestic, yet graceful and - attractive. I have heard the first orators in Virginia, Patrick Henry and - Richard Henry Lee; but never have I heard one whose powers of delivery - surpassed those of Cornstock."</p> - - -<p>Of so much importance was his name considered by Lord Dunmore however, -that a special messenger was despatched to ascertain whether he would -accede to the articles of peace. This messenger was Colonel John Gibson, -an officer in Dunmore's army, and afterward a man of some distinction. The -"Mingo Chief" did not dissent from the terms, but gave not his sanction -without an eloquent rehearsal of his grievances—relating, in full, the -circumstances of the butchery of his own entire family, to avenge which -atrocities he had taken up the hatchet. His conference with Gibson took -place in a solitary wood, and at its close, he charged him with the -celebrated speech to Lord Dunmore, which has become familiar wherever the -English language is spoken:—</p> - -<p>"I appeal to any white man to say if he ever entered Logan's cabin hungry, -and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed -him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained -idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, -that my countrymen pointed, as they passed, and said, 'Logan is the friend -of the white men.' I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the -injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last Spring, in cold blood and -unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not even sparing my women -and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living -creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it; I have killed -many; I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the -beams of peace; but do not harbour a thought that mine is the joy of fear. -Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who -is there to mourn for Logan? Not one."</p> - -<p>This speech has ever been regarded as one of the most eloquent passages -in the English language. Mr. Jefferson remarked of it—"I may challenge -the whole orations of Demosthenes, and of Cicero, and of any more eminent -orator, if Europe has furnished more eminent, to produce a single passage -superior to it;" and an American statesman and scholar,[FN-1] scarcely -less illustrious than the author of this noble eulogium, has subscribed -to that opinion.[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] De Witt Clinton.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Thatcher's Ind. Biography. It is due in candour to state, that the - authenticity of this celebrated speech has been questioned. On the first - publication of Jefferson's Notes, the relatives and friends of Cresap - made a great outcry against the charge of his having murdered Logan's - family. Among other arguments in his defence, it was contended that the - speech attributed to Logan had, in substance and almost in words, been - delivered to the General Assembly of Virginia by a sachem named Lonan, - twenty years before the date assigned to it by Mr. Jefferson. The speech - referred to was discovered in the travels of Robin, a Frenchman, who - visited the Colonies at an early period of the war of the Revolution. - The passage stands thus in the English translation of "Robin's New - Travels in America:"—</p> - - <p class="quote">"Speech of the savage Lonan, in a General Assembly, as it was sent to the - Governor of Virginia, anno 1754:—</p> - - <p class="quote">"Lonan will no longer oppose making the proposed peace with the white - men. You are sensible he never knew what fear is—that he never turned - his back in the day of battle. No one has more love for the white men - than I have. The war we have had with them has been long and bloody on - both sides. Rivers of blood have run on all parts, and yet no good has - resulted therefrom to any. I once more repeat it—let us be at peace - with these men. I will forget our injuries; the interest of my country - demands it. I will forget—but difficult, indeed, is the task! Yes, I - will forget that Major —— cruelly and inhumanly murdered, in their - canoes, my wife, my children, my father, my mother, and all my kindred. - This roused me to deeds of vengeance! I was cruel in despite of myself. I - will die content if my country is once more at peace, But when Lonan - shall be no more, who, alas! will drop a tear to the memory of Lonan?"</p> - - <p class="quote">If the date to this speech be the true one, there is an end to the claim - of Logan. But the resemblance in many manuscripts, between the figures - 4 and 7, is so close as to induce a belief, (Dr. Barton's Journal of 1808 - to the contrary notwithstanding) that the error may have been made by the - English translator. This opinion is strengthened by the similarity - between the name given by Robin,—<i>Lonan</i>—and <i>Logan.</i> The difference - consists in a single letter, and might well have been the error of the - Frenchman, when writing the identical story of Logan. In the course of - his investigations, Mr. Jefferson was furnished with a note, written by - Logan, and sent to a white settlement, attached to a war-club, by the - hand of an Indian runner, Heckewelder also says the speech was - authenticated by Col. Gibson, and adds:—"For my part I am convinced that - it was delivered precisely as it was related to us, with this only - difference, that it possessed a force and expression in the Indian - language, which it is impossible to translate info our own,"</p> - - -<p>Lord Dunmore, it is believed, was sincerely desirous of peace—from -motives of humanity, we are ready to believe, although writers of less -charity have attributed his course to a more unworthy feeling. Peace, -therefore, was the result of the council. But it will readily be conceded -that the Indian warriors could not have retired to their respective tribes -and homes, with any feelings of particular friendship toward the white -men. On the contrary, the pain of defeat, and the loss of the warriors who -fell, were causes of irritating reflection, in addition to the original -and grievous wrong they had suffered at the hands of Cresap and -Greathouse. The Six Nations, as a confederacy, had not taken part in the -war of the Virginia border; but many of their warriors were engaged in it, -especially the Cayugas, to which nation Logan belonged, and the warriors -of the Six Nations colonized on the banks of the Susquehanna and its -tributary the Shamokin. These, it may be reasonably inferred, returned -from the contest only to brood longer over their accumulated wrongs, and -in a temper not over-inclined to cultivate the most amicable relations -with the Colonies. In one word, the temper of the whole Indian race, with -the exception of the Oneidas, was soured by these occurrences of the year -1774;—a most unfortunate circumstance, since events were then following -in rapid succession, which within a twelvemonth rendered the friendship -of the nations not only desirable, but an object of vast importance.</p> - -<p>But before the direct narrative leading to those events is resumed, it -may be well to end the melancholy tale of Logan, "which can be dismissed -with no relief to its gloomy colours." After the peace of Chilicothe he -sank into a state of deep mental depression, declaring that life was a -torment to him. He became in some measure delirious;[FN-1] went to -Detroit, and there yielded himself to habits of intoxication. In the end -he became a victim to the same ferocious cruelty which had already -rendered him a desolate man. Not long after the treaty, a party of whites -murdered him as he was returning from Detroit to his own country.[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Allen's Biog. Dic.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Thatcher.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chiii">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Unyielding course of the parent Government—Efforts of the Earl of - Chatham unavailing—Address to the Crown from New-York—Leslie's - Expedition to Salem—Affair of Lexington—Unwise movements of Tryon - County loyalists—Reaction—Public meetings—The Sammons - family—Interference of the Johnsons—Quarrel at Caughnawaga—Spirited - indications at Cherry Valley—Counteracting-efforts of the Johnsons - among their retainers—Intrigues with the Indians—Massachusetts - attempts the same—Correspondence with the Stockbridge Indians—Letter - to Mr. Kirkland—His removal by Guy Johnson—Neutrality of the - Oneidas—Intercepted despatch from Brant to the Oneidas—Apprehensions - of Guy Johnson—Correspondence—Farther precautions of the - Committees—Reverence for the Laws—Letter of Guy Johnson to the - Committees of Albany and Schenectady—Substance of the reply.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The</span> parent government did not relax its coercive measures, notwithstanding -the efforts of the Earl of Chatham, now venerable for his years, who, -after a long retirement, returned once more into public life, to interpose -his eloquence and the influence of his great name in behalf of the -Colonies. His lordship's address to the King for the removal of the troops -from Boston, was rejected by a large majority. His conciliatory bill was -also rejected. On the 26th of January, Messrs. Bolland, Franklin, and Lee, -the Committee from the Colonies, charged with presenting the petition of -the Continental Congress for a redress of grievances, brought the subject -before the House of Commons, and after an angry debate they refused to -receive it by a decisive vote. Meantime bills were passed, by large -majorities, restraining all the thirteen Colonies, excepting only -New-York, Delaware, and North Carolina, from the prosecution of any -foreign commerce other than with Great Britain and her dependencies. The -Eastern States were likewise excluded from the fisheries of Newfoundland. -But notwithstanding that, from motives of policy, New-York had been thus -excepted from the restraining law, its local legislature was at the same -time engaged in preparing a memorial to the Crown for a redress of -grievances—a fact which the ministers soon learned, and not without -mortification. The New-York address was a strong denunciation of the -measures of the Government toward the Colonies, and an energetic appeal -for redress. "We feel," said they, "the most ardent desire to promote a -cordial reconciliation with the parent state, which can be rendered -permanent and solid only by ascertaining the line of Parliamentary -authority and American freedom, on just, equitable, and constitutional -grounds. . . . From the year 1683 till the close of the late war, they had -enjoyed a legislature consisting of three distinct branches, a Governor, -Council, and general Assembly; under which political frame the -representatives had uniformly exercised the right of their own civil -government, and the administration of justice in the Colony. It is, -therefore, with inexpressible grief that we have of late years seen -measures adopted by the British Parliament, subversive of that -constitution under which the good people of this Colony have always -enjoyed the same rights and privileges, so highly and deservedly prized by -their fellow-subjects of Great Britain." Adverting to the essential -privilege of trial by a jury of the vicinage, they "view with horror the -construction of the statute of the 35th of Henry the VIII. as held up by -the joint address of both houses of Parliament in 1769, advising his -Majesty to send for persons guilty of treasons and misprisions of -treasons, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in order to be tried in -England;" and they "are equally alarmed at the late acts, empowering his -Majesty to send persons guilty of offences in one colony, to be tried in -another or within the realm of England." They complain of the act of 7th -of George the III. requiring the legislature of this Colony to make -provision for the expense of the troops quartered among them; of the act -suspending their legislative powers till they should have complied; and -of the Quebec act; considering themselves as interested in whatever may -affect their sister Colonies; they cannot help feeling for the distresses -of their brethren in Massachusetts, from the operation of the several acts -of Parliament passed relative to that province, and earnestly -remonstrating in their behalf. "We claim," said they, "but a restoration -of those rights which we enjoyed by general consent before the close of -the last war; we desire no more than a continuation of that ancient -government to which we are entitled by the principles of the British -constitution, and by which alone can be secured to us the rights of -Englishmen." The address was presented to the House of Commons by Mr. -Burke, but was never called up. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Holmes's Annals.</p> - - -<p>A new Provincial Congress was assembled in Massachusetts in February, -which, anticipating that the parent Government was preparing to strike the -first blow at that Colony, adopted farther means of precaution and -defence—but with great wisdom avoiding any thing like an overt act of -resistance. Hostilities had well nigh been commenced on the 26th of -February, between Salem and Danvers, by the opposition of Colonel Timothy -Pickering and others, to Colonel Leslie, who had been sent to Salem by -General Gage, to seize some military stores, which he had been informed -were collecting at the former place. The interposition of Mr. Barnard, the -minister of Salem, prevented the effusion of blood, and Leslie returned -to Boston from a bootless errand.</p> - -<p>The ill-starred expedition, by the direction of General Gage, to Concord, -and the battle of Lexington on the 19th of April, gave the signal of a -general rush to arms throughout most of the Colonies. True, it was not -admitted to be a formal commencement of hostilities, and the Provincial -Congress of Massachusetts despatched an account of that affair to Great -Britain, with depositions, establishing the fact indisputably, that both -at Concord and Lexington the firing had been commenced by the King's -troops—Major Pitcairn himself discharging the first shot, at the former -place. But although this message was accompanied by an address to the -people of Great Britain with continued professions of loyalty, yet those -professions were sent, hand in hand, with a declaration that they would -"not tamely submit to the persecution and tyranny" of the existing -ministry, and with an appeal to heaven for the justice of a cause in which -they were determined to die or conquer. It was very evident, therefore, -that reconciliation was out of the question, and that a trial of arms was -near at hand. Of course the exasperation of the public mind was now at -its height, and those who had not taken sides could no longer stand -neutral.</p> - -<p>It was at this moment, just as the Continental Congress was about to -reassemble, and just as the exciting intelligence was received from -Boston, that, most unwisely for themselves, the influential loyalists of -Tryon County undertook to make a demonstration against the proceedings -of the Congress of the preceding Autumn. A declaration in opposition to -those proceedings was drawn up, and advantage taken of the gathering of -the people at a Court holden in Johnstown, to obtain signatures. The -discussions ran high upon the subject, but the movers in the affair -succeeded in obtaining the names of a majority of the Grand Jurors, and -the greater portion of the magistracy of the County.</p> - -<p>The Whigs in attendance at the Court were indignant at this procedure, -and on returning to their respective homes, communicated their feelings -to those of their neighbors who had embraced kindred principles. Public -meetings were called, and committees appointed in every district, and -sub-committees in almost every hamlet in the County.[FN-1] The first -of these public meetings was held at the house of John Veeder in -Caughnawaga. It was attended by about three hundred people, who assembled, -unarmed, for the purpose of deliberation, and also to erect a -liberty-pole—the most hateful object of that day in the eyes of the -loyalists. Among the leaders of the Whigs on that occasion, were <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sampson -Sammons,</span> an opulent farmer residing in the neighbourhood, and two of his -sons, <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jacob</span> and <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Frederick.</span> Before they had accomplished their purpose of -raising the emblem of rebellion, the proceedings were interrupted by the -arrival of Sir John Johnson, accompanied by his brothers-in-law, Colonels -Claus and Guy Johnson, together with Colonel John Butler, and a large -number of their retainers, armed with swords and pistols. Guy Johnson -mounted a high stoop and harangued the people at length, and with great -vehemence. He dwelt upon the strength and power of the King, and attempted -to show the folly of opposing his officers or revolting against the -authority of his crown. A single ship, he said, would be sufficient to -capture all the navy which could be set afloat by the Colonies; while on -the frontiers, the Indians were under his Majesty's control, and his arms -were sustained by a chain of fortified posts, extending from the Gulf of -the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi. He was very virulent in his language -toward the disaffected, causing their blood to boil with indignation. But -they were unarmed, and for the most part unprepared, if not indisposed, -to proceed to any act of violence. The orator at length became so abusive, -that Jacob Sammons, no longer able to restrain himself, imprudently -interrupted his discourse by pronouncing him a liar and a villain. Johnson -thereupon seized Sammons by the throat, and called him a d—d villain in -return. A scuffle ensued between them, during which Sammons was struck -down with a loaded whip. On recovering from the momentary stupor of the -blow, Sammons found one of Johnson's servants sitting astride of his body. -A well-directed blow relieved him of that incumbrance, and, springing upon -his feet, he threw off his coat and prepared for fight. Two pistols were -immediately presented to his breast, but not discharged, as Sammons was -again knocked down by the clubs of the loyalists, and severely beaten. On -recovering his feet once more, he perceived that his Whig friends had all -decamped, with the exception of the families of the Fondas, Veeders, and -Visschers.[FN-2] The loyalists also drew off, and Jacob Sammons returned -to his father's house, bearing upon his body the first scars of the -Revolutionary contest in the County of Tryon.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The County of Tryon then included all the Colonial settlements - West and South-west of Schenectady. It was taken from Albany County in - 1772, and named in honour of William Tryon, then Governor of the - Province. In 1784 the name was changed to Montgomery. When formed, it - embraced all that part of the State lying West of a line running North - and South, nearly through the centre of the present County of Schoharie. - It was divided into five districts, which were again subdivided into - smaller districts or precincts. The first, beginning at the East, was - the Mohawk district, embracing Fort Hunter, Caughnawaga, Johnstown, - and Kingsborough. Canajoharie district, embracing the present town of - that name, with all the country South, including Cherry Valley and - Harpersfield, Palatine district North of the river, and including the - country known by the same name, with Stone Arabia, &c., and German - Flats and Kingsland Districts, being then the most Western settlements, - and the former now known by the same name. The county buildings were at - Johnstown, where, as before mentioned, was the residence of Sir William - Johnson.—<i>Campbell's Annals.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Narratives of Jacob and Frederick Sammons, furnished to the - author; repeated references to both of which will be made hereafter.</p> - - -<p>One of the largest and most spirited of these meetings took place in -Cherry Valley. It was held in the church, and the people entered into the -subject with so much enthusiasm, that they took their children to the -assembly, that they might imbibe lessons of patriotism, as it were at the -altar—thus hallowing the cause in which they were about to engage, with -the impressive sanctions of religion. The orator of the occasion was an -Indian interpreter by the name of Thomas Spencer; he was rude of speech, -but forcible; and, warming with his theme, spoke with such power and -effect, that the story of his eloquence yet lives in the annals of -tradition. [FN] The result of this meeting was the adoption of a strong -counter-declaration, condemning the proceedings of the loyalists at -Johnstown, and approving, in the most unequivocal and solemn terms, of the -proceedings of the Continental Congress.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] And also in Campbell's Annals</p> - - -<p>These proceedings took place early in May. But from a letter addressed to -the Committee of Safety of Albany, by the Committee of the Palatine -district, on the 18th of that month, it appears that the Johnsons and -their powerful confederates in the Mohawk district succeeded, by threats, -intimidation, and an array of military strength, in preventing the -adoption of a corresponding declaration by the Whigs. "This County," says -the Palatine Committee, "has for a series of years been ruled by one -family, the several branches of which are still strenuous in dissuading -the people from coming into Congressional measures, and have even, last -week, at a numerous meeting of the Mohawk district, appeared with all -their dependents armed to oppose the people considering of their -grievances; their number being so large, and the people unarmed, struck -terror into most of them, and they dispersed." The Committee farther -notified their friends in Albany, that Sir John Johnson was fortifying the -Baronial Hall, by planting several swivels around it; and he had paraded -parts of the regiment of militia which he commanded, on the day previous, -for the purpose of intimidation, as it was conjectured. It was likewise -reported that the Scotch Highlanders, settled in large numbers in and -about Johnstown, who were Roman Catholics, had armed themselves to the -number of one hundred and fifty, ready to aid in the suppression of any -popular outbreaks in favor of the growing cause of Liberty.</p> - -<p>Strong suspicions were early entertained that the Johnsons, Butlers, and -Colonel Claus, were endeavouring to alienate the good-will of the Indians -from the Colonists, and prepare them, in the event of open hostilities, to -take up the hatchet against them. Thayendanegea, alias Joseph Brant, as -heretofore mentioned, was now the secretary of Colonel Guy Johnson, the -superintendent, and his activity was ceaseless. Notwithstanding his former -friendship for Mr. Kirkland, the faithful missionary to the Oneidas, -Thayendanegea was apprehensive that his influence would be exerted to -alienate the Indians from the interests of the Crown, and attach them to -those of the Colonists. The wily chief accordingly attempted to obtain the -removal of Mr. Kirkland from his station; and at his instigation, a -dissolute sachem of the Oneidas preferred charges against the minister to -Guy Johnson, the superintendent. A correspondence took place between -Johnson and Mr. Kirkland upon the subject, in which the latter sustained -himself with force and dignity. The Oneida nation, moreover, rallied to -his support, almost to a man; so that the superintendent was obliged, for -the time being, to relinquish the idea of his forcible removal. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The correspondence referred to in this passage was discovered by the - author among the unpublished papers of Mr. Kirkland—obligingly loaned - for his use by President Kirkland of Boston.</p> - - -<p>Justice, however, both to Brant and Guy Johnson, requires it to be stated -that the vigilant eyes of the Bostonians had already been directed to the -importance of securing an interest among the Indians of the Six Nations, -in anticipation of whatever events were to happen. To this end a -correspondence was opened through Mr. Kirkland, even with the Mohawks, by -the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, before the affair of Lexington -and Concord. [FN] The following is a copy of the letter addressed to the -missionary by the Provincial Congress:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Sparks's Life and Cor. of Washington, vol. iii. Appendix.</p> -<br><br> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"To The Rev. Samuel Kirkland.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Concord, April</i> 4<i>th,</i> 1775.</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"The Provincial Congress have thought it necessary to address the sachem -of the Mohawk tribe, with the rest of the Six Nations, upon the subject -of the controversy between Great Britain and the American Colonies. We -are induced to take this measure, as we have been informed that those who -are inimical to us in Canada have been tampering with those nations, and -endeavouring to attach them to the interest of those who are attempting -to deprive us of our inestimable rights and privileges, and to subjugate -the Colonies to arbitrary power. From a confidence in your attachment to -the cause of liberty and your country, we now transmit to you the enclosed -address, and desire you will deliver it to the sachem of the Mohawk tribe, -to be communicated to the rest of the Six Nations; and that you will use -your influence with them to join with us in the defence of our rights; but -if you cannot prevail with them to take an active part in this glorious -cause, that you will at least engage them to stand neuter, and not by any -means to aid and assist our enemies; and as we are at a loss for the name -of the sachem of the Mohawk tribe, we have left it to you to direct the -address to him, in such way as you may think proper."</p> - -<p>There were at that time dwelling at Stockbridge, in the western part of -Massachusetts, a remnant of the Mohickanders, or "River Indians" as they -were usually called during the greater portion of the last century, but -latterly Stockbridge Indians, from their locality. These Indians were the -remains of the Muhhekaneew [FN-1] of the Hudson river, at the time of the -discovery. They came originally, according to their own traditions, from -the far West—even beyond the great lakes. That such was their original -location is supported by the fact, that their language was radically -different from that of the Narragansetts and New England Indians -generally, and also from the language of the Five Nations. Its affinities -were allied to the Shawanese and Chippewa, affording farther evidence that -they had emigrated from the West, crossing the country of the Delawares, -and establishing themselves on the banks of the Hudson, or Mohickannittuck -as the North River was called. They were a powerful tribe at the time of -the discovery, numbering a thousand warriors, and inhabiting the country -between the Upper Delaware and the Hudson, together with portions of -territory now included in Massachusetts and Vermont. They dwelt mostly in -little towns and villages, their chief seat being the site of the present -city of Albany—called by them Pempo-towwuthut-Muhhecanneuw, or the -Fire-place of the Nation. Becoming feeble and dispersed as the white -population increased around and among them—although their numbers had -been partially recruited by refugees from the Narragansetts and Pequods, -on the conquest of those nations—the Muhhekaneew were collected together -at Stockbridge, in 1736, under the care of the Rev. John Sergeant, who, -and his son after him, were long the spiritual guides of the tribe. They -were ever faithful to the English, having been actively employed by -General Shirley to range the country between Lake George and Montreal, -during the French war ending in the conquest of Canada. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] This is the orthography of Dr. Edwards, who was long a missionary - among them at Stockbridge. Heckewelder says their proper name was - <i>Mahicanni.</i> It is one of the most difficult things in the world to arrive - at any thing like system or certainty in regard to Indian names of - persons, places, or things. For instance, the author has papers before - him at the time of writing, in which the River Indians are called - <i>Moheagans, Mourigans,</i> or <i>Mahingans,</i> (French,) <i>Mahickanders,</i> - (Dutch,) <i>Mohiccons,</i> (English,) <i>Mohuccans, Mahickinders, Schaticooks, - Wabingas, Muhheakunnuks,</i> and the <i>Moheakounucks;</i> indeed, it has been - the practice of writers of different, and of even the same nations, to - spell more by the ear than by rule, until our Indian names have been - involved in almost inextricable confusion.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Brown, in his pamphlet History of Schoharie, gives a singular - tradition in regard to the kings of the Mohawks, of which I have found no - other mention. Mohawks and River Indians were once bitter enemies, the - former becoming the scourge and terror of the latter. Brown states that - the last battle between the Mohegan's and Mohawks took place on Wanton - Island, in the Hudson River, not far from Catskill. The question between - them was, which should have the honour of naming their king, or which - should have the preference in the kingly honours. Both nation collected - their utmost strength upon that island, for the purpose of a final - decision and fought a pitched battle, which continued during the whole - day. Toward night the Mohawks, finding that the Mohegans were likely to - prove an overmatch for them, deemed it necessary to resort to stratagem, - for which purpose they suddenly took to flight, and gained another island - in the evening. They here kindled a great number of fires, and spread - their blankets on some bushes, gathered and disposed around them for that - purpose, as though they themselves had encamped by their fires as usual. - The Mohegans following on, landed upon the island in the depth of night, - and were completely taken in by the deception. Supposing that the Mohawks - were sleeping soundly beneath their blankets, after their fatigue the - Mohegans crept up with the greatest silence, and pouring a heavy fire - upon the blankets, rushed upon them with knives and tomahawks in hand, - making the air to ring with their yells as they fell to cutting and - slashing the blankets and bushes instead of Indians beneath them. Just - at the moment of their greatest confusion and exultation the Mohawks, - who had been lying in ambush flat upon the ground at a little distance, - poured a murderous fire upon their foes, whose figures were rendered - distinctly visible by the light of their fires, and rushing impetuously - upon them, killed the greater part and made prisoners of the residue. A - treaty was then concluded, by which the Mohawks were to have the king, - and the Mohegans were to hold them in reverence and call them "Uncle." - Hendrick was the king first named such by the Mohawks, after this - decisive victory, "who lived to a great age," says Brown, "and was killed - at the battle of Lake George under Sir William Johnson."—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>The relations of the Stockbridge Indians with the Oneidas had become -intimate, and it is very possible that the negotiations had even then -commenced between the two tribes, which a few years afterward resulted in -the removal of the Stockbridge Indians to the Oneida. Be that, however, -as it may, when the troubles began to thicken, the Provincial Congress -of Massachusetts sent a message to the Stockbridge Indians, apprising them -of the gathering tempest, and expressing a desire to cultivate a good -understanding between them. The Indians, in return, dispatched Captain -Solomon Ahhaunnauwaumut, their chief sachem, to the Congress, to make a -reply, and on the 11th of April he delivered the following speech:</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have heard you speak by your letter—we thank you for it—we -now make answer.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You remember when you first came over the great waters, I was -great and you was little, very small. I then took you in for a friend, -and kept you under my arms, so that no one might injure you; since that -time we have ever been true friends; there has never been any quarrel -between us. But now our conditions are changed. You are become great and -tall. You reach to the clouds. You are seen all around the world, and I -am become small, very little. I am not so high as your heel. Now you take -care of me, and I look to you for protection.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> I am sorry to hear of this great quarrel between you and Old -England. It appears that blood must soon be shed to end this quarrel. We -never till this day understood the foundation of this quarrel between you -and the country you came from.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Whenever I see your blood running, you will soon find me about -to revenge my brother's blood. Although I am low and very small, I will -gripe hold of your enemy's heel, that he cannot run so fast, and so light, -as if he had nothing at his heels.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You know I am not so wise as you are, therefore I ask your -advice in what I am now going to say. I have been thinking, before you -come to action, to take a run to the westward, and feel the mind of my -Indian brethren, the Six Nations, and know how they stand—whether they -are on your side or for your enemies. If I find they are against you, I -will try to turn their minds. I think they will listen to me, for they -have always looked this way for advice, concerning all important news that -comes from the rising of the sun. If they hearken to me, you will not be -afraid of any danger behind you. However their minds are affected, you -shall soon know by me. Now I think I can do you more service in this way, -than by marching off immediately to Boston, and staying there; it may be -a great while before blood runs. [FN] Now, as I said, you are wiser than I; -I leave this for your consideration, whether I come down immediately or -wait till I hear some blood is spilled."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] A company of minute-men, composed of the Stockbridge Indians, was - organized by the Massachusetts Congress before the battle of Lexington. - They were retained in service some time after the war began, and came - down and joined the camp at Cambridge.—<i>Spetz.</i></p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> I would not have you think by this that we are falling back -from our engagements. We are ready to do any thing for your relief, and -shall be guided by your counsel.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> One thing I ask of you, if you send for me to fight, that you -will let me fight in my own Indian way. I am not used to fight English -fashion, therefore you must not expect I can train like your men. Only -point out to me where your enemies keep, and that is all I shall want to -know."</p> - -<p>Two days afterward the Congress directed the following reply to be made -to the Moheakounnuck tribe, through their chieftain:</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We this day, by the delegate from Stockbridge, first heard of -your friendly answer to our speech to you by Captain William Goodrich, -which answer we are told you made to us immediately by a letter, which we -have not yet received. We now reply:</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You say that you were once great, but that you are now little; -and that we were once little and are now great. The Supreme Spirit orders -these things. Whether we are little or great, let us keep the path of -friendship clear, which our fathers made, and in which we have both -traveled to this time. The friends of the wicked counselors of our King -fell upon us, and shed some blood soon after we spake to you last by -letter. But we, with a small twig, killed so many, and frightened them so -much, that they have shut themselves up in our great town, called Boston, -which they have made strong. We have now made our hatchets, and all our -instruments of war, sharp and bright. All the chief counselors, who live -on this side the great water, are sitting in the grand Council House in -Philadelphia; when they give the word, we shall all as one man, fall on, -and drive our enemies out of their strong fort, and follow them till they -shall take their hands out of our pouches, and let us sit in our -council-house, as we used to do, and as our fathers did in old times.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Though you are small, yet you are wise. Use your wisdom to help -us. If you think it best, go and smoke your pipe with your Indian brothers -toward the setting of the sun, and tell them of all you hear and all you -see; and let us know what their wise men say. If some of your young men -should have a mind to see what we are doing, let them come down and tarry -among our warriors. We will provide for them while they are here.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> When you have any trouble, come and tell it to us, and we will -help you.</p> - -<p>"To Captain <i>Solomon Ahhaunnauwaumut,</i> chief Sachem of the <i>Moheakounnuck</i> -Indians."</p> - -<p>These documents have been thus incidentally introduced, not only as being -connected with the main history, and also as being interesting in -themselves, but in justice to Guy Johnson; since, in regard to his own -measures of defensive preparation, he is entitled to the benefit of all -the facts, going to warrant his suspicions that an extraneous influence -was exerting over the subjects of his general superintendency; and it can -hardly be supposed that he was kept altogether in ignorance, either of the -correspondence with Mr. Kirkland or of that with the Stockbridge Indians, -through whom, probably, the Bostonians were at the same time holding -intercourse with the Six Nations. These circumstances could not but awaken -a lively jealousy, in regard to the movements of the white people among -the Indians under his charge, and especially in regard to Mr. Kirkland. -Accordingly, although in the month of February the superintendent had not -been able to effect the removal of Mr. Kirkland from his station among the -Oneidas, he nevertheless accomplished that object in the course of the -Spring, as appears by a letter from the missionary himself, addressed from -Cherry Valley to the Albany Committee:</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Mr. Kirkland to the Committee of Albany.</span></p> -<p class="exit"> <i>Cherry Valley, Jan.</i> 9, 1775.</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Gentlemen,</span></p> - -<p>"I am much embarrassed at present. You have doubtless heard that Colonel -Johnson has orders from Government to remove the dissenting missionaries -from the Six Nations, till the difficulties between Great Britain and the -Colonies are settled; in consequence of which he has forbidden my return -to thy people at Oneida. He has since given encouragement that I may -revisit them after the Congress is closed; but to be plain, I have no -dependence at all on his promises of this kind. He appears unreasonably -jealous of me, and has forbidden my speaking a word to the Indians, and -threatened me with confinement if I transgress. All he has against me I -suppose to be a suspicion that I have interpreted to the Indians the -doings of the Continental Congress, which has undeceived them, and too -much opened their eyes for Colonel Johnson's purposes. I confess to you, -gentlemen, that I have been guilty of this, if it be a transgression. The -Indians found out that I had received the abstracts of said Congress, and -insisted upon knowing the contents. I could not deny them, notwithstanding -my cloth, though in all other respects I have been extremely cautious not -to meddle in matters of a political nature. I apprehend that my -interpreting the doings of the Congress to a number of their sachems, has -done more real good to the cause of the country, or the cause of truth and -justice, than five hundred pounds in presents would have effected."</p> - -<p>Mr. Kirkland no doubt spoke the honest truth in this letter. His influence -was great among the Oneidas, and deservedly so. Hence, had he undertaken -the task, he might, beyond all doubt, and easily, have persuaded the -Indians of his forest-charge to espouse the cause of the Colonies. But he -did no such thing; or, at least, he avoided the exertion of any farther -influence than to persuade them to the adoption of a neutral policy. This -determination, probably, was an act of their own volition, after listening -to the interpretation of the proceedings of Congress. It was made known -to the people of New England by the following address, transmitted by the -Oneidas to Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut, with a request that he would -cause it to be communicated to the four New England Colonies:</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"The Oneida Indians to Governor Trumbull.</span></p> - -<p>"As my younger brothers of the New England Indians, who have settled in -our vicinity, are now going down to visit their friends, and to move up -parts of their families that were left behind—with this belt by them, I -open the road wide, clearing it of all obstacles, that they may visit -their friends and return to their settlements here in peace.</p> - -<p>"We Oneidas are induced to this measure on account of the disagreeable -situation of affairs that way; and we hope, by the help of God, they may -return in peace. We earnestly recommend them to your charity through their -long journey.</p> - -<p>"Now we more immediately address you, our brother, the Governor, and the -chiefs of New England.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have heard of the unhappy differences and great contention -between you and Old England. We wonder greatly, and are troubled in our -minds.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Possess your minds in peace respecting us Indians. We cannot -intermeddle in this dispute between two brothers. The quarrel seems to be -unnatural. You are <i>two brothers of one blood.</i> We are unwilling to join on -either side in such a contest, for we bear an equal affection to both you -Old and New England. Should the great king of England apply to us for aid, -we shall deny him; if the Colonies apply, we shall refuse. The present -situation of you two brothers is new and strange to us. We Indians cannot -find, nor recollect in the traditions of our ancestors, the like case, or -a similar instance.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> For these reasons possess your minds in peace, and take no -umbrage that we Indians refuse joining in the contest. We are for peace.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Was it an alien, a foreign nation, who had struck you, we -should look into the matter. We hope, through the wise government and -good pleasure of God, your distresses may be soon removed and the dark -clouds be dispersed.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> As we have declared for peace, we desire you will not apply to -our Indian brethren in New England for their assistance. Let us Indians -be all of one mind, and live with one another; and you white people settle -your own disputes between yourselves.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have now declared our minds; please to write to us, that we -may know yours. We, the sachems and warriors, and female governesses of -<i>Oneida,</i> send our love to you, brother governor, and all the other chiefs -in New England." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The translation of this Oneida proclamation of neutrality was made - by Mr. Kirkland, for Gordon's History of the Revolution. It was signed by - <i>William Sunoghsis, Nickldsha Watshaledgh, William Kanaghquaesed, Peter - Thayebeare, Jimmy Tekayabeare, Nickbis Aghsenbare,</i> i. e. garter; <i>Thomas - Yoghtanowea,</i> i. e. spreading of the dew; <i>Adam Ohenwano, Quedellis - Agwerondongwas,</i> i. e. breaking of the twigs; <i>Handerebeks - Tegahsweahdyen,</i> i. e. a belt (of wampum) extended; <i>Johnko' Skeanendon, - Thomas Teondeatha,</i> i. e. a fallen tree.</p> - - -<p>Of an Indian foe the inhabitants of Tryon County entertained a special -dread. In the communication of the Palatine Committee to that of Albany, -therefore, cited a few pages back, it was suggested whether it would not -be expedient to prevent the sending of powder and ammunition into the -Mohawk Valley, unless consigned to the Committee, to be sold under their -inspection. In conclusion, the Committee declared, that, although few in -number, they were determined to let the world see who were, and who were -not, attached to the cause of American liberty; and they closed by avowing -their fixed determination, "to carry into execution every thing -recommended by the Continental Congress, and to be free or die."</p> - -<p>Three days after making this communication to their Albany brethren, that -is to say on the 21st of May, the question whether Guy Johnson was or was -not tampering with the Indians in anticipation of hostilities, was solved -by an intercepted communication from Thayendanegea to the chiefs of the -Oneida tribe. The letter, written in the Mohawk language, was found in -an Indian path, and was supposed to have been lost by one of their -runners. The following is a translation, being the earliest specimen -extant of the composition of Brant.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<i>Written at Guy Johnson's, May,</i> 1775</p> - -<p>"This is your letter, you great ones or sachems. Guy Johnson says he will -be glad if you get this intelligence, you Oneidas, how it goes with him -now; and he is now more certain concerning the intention of the Boston -people. Guy Johnson is in great fear of being taken prisoner by the -Bostonians. We Mohawks are obliged to watch him constantly. Therefore -we send you this intelligence, that you shall know it; and Guy Johnson -assures himself, and depends upon your coming to his assistance, and that -you will without fail be of that opinion. He believes not that you will -assent to let him suffer. We therefore expect you in a couple of days -time. So much at present. We send but so far as to you Oneidas, but -afterward perhaps to all the other nations. We conclude, and expect that -you will have concern about our ruler, Guy Johnson, because we are all -united.</p> - -<p class="list"> "(Signed) <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Aren Kannenzaron, - Johannes Tegarihoge, - Deyagodeaghnaweagh. - - "Joseph Brant</span> - <i>Guy Johnson's Interpreter.</i>"</p> - -<p>The surface of this intercepted despatch discloses nothing more than a -desire, on the part of Guy Johnson, to strengthen his domestic forces for -the protection of his person, in the event of any attempt to seize and -carry him away. But the inhabitants allowed him no credit for sincerity. -Information had been received from Canada, through the emissaries sent -thither by the revolutionary leaders in Massachusetts, that secret agents -of the Crown had been sent among the Six Nations, to stir them up against -the Colonies.[FN-1] Hence the correspondence of the Massachusetts Congress -with Mr. Kirkland and the Indians, already given; and hence, also, the -increasing apprehension of the people, that the Indians were to be -inflamed and let loose upon them. Such, consequently, was their distrust -of Johnson, that they neither believed there was any design against his -person, nor that he was laboring under any apprehension of the kind. There -is no reason to doubt, however, that Guy Johnson did feel his position -to be critical. General Schuyler had his eye upon him; and, beyond -question, his every motion was so closely watched as to make him feel -very uncomfortable.[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Sparks.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "Watch the movements of the Indian agent, Colonel Guy Johnson, - and prevent, so far as you can, the effect of his influence, to our - prejudice, with the Indians."—<i>Letter from Washington to Gen. Schuyler, - June,</i> 1775.</p> - - -<p>Evidence, indisputable, that such was the fact, is afforded in the -correspondence annexed. The following letter was addressed, at about the -same time, by Guy Johnson to the magistrates of the Upper Mohawk -settlements:—</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Guy Park, May</i> 20<i>th,</i> 1775.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Gentlemen,</span></p> - -<p>"I have lately had repeated accounts that a body of New Englanders, or -others, were to come to seize and carry away my person and attack our -family, under colour of malicious insinuations that I intended to set the -Indians upon the people. Men of sense and character know that my office -is of the highest importance to promote peace amongst the Six Nations, -and prevent their entering into any such disputes. This I effected last -year, when they were much vexed about the attack made upon the Shawanese, -and I last winter appointed them to meet me this month to receive the -answer of the Virginians. All men must allow, that if the Indians find -their council fire disturbed, and their superintendent insulted, they will -take a dreadful revenge. It is therefore the duty of all people to prevent -this, and to satisfy any who may have been imposed on, that their -suspicions, and the allegations they have collected against me, are false, -and inconsistent with my character and office. I recommend this to you -as highly necessary at this time, as my regard for the interest of the -country, and self-preservation, has obliged me to fortify my house, and -keep men armed for my defence, till these idle and ridiculous reports are -removed.</p> - -<p>"You may lay this letter before such as are interested in these matters.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am. Gentlemen, - Your Humble Servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">G. Johnson.</span> - - "To the magistrates and others - of Palatine, Canajoharie, and - the Upper Districts." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This letter is transcribed from the original la the author's - possession.</p> - - -<p>In view of these letters—the intercepted despatch from Joseph Brant and -others to the Oneidas, and Johnson's letter to the Committee—the latter -body adopted a series of resolutions, renewing their expressions of -sympathy for the sufferings of their brethren in Massachusetts and the -other Colonies; declaring their approbation of the proceedings of the -New England Colonies in the existing crisis; denouncing the conduct of -Colonel Johnson in keeping an armed force constantly about him, and -stopping travelers upon the King's highway, "as arbitrary, illegal, -oppressive, and unwarrantable:" and declaring their determination "never -to submit to any arbitrary acts of any power under heaven, or to any -illegal and unwarrantable action of any man or set of men" whatever.</p> - -<p>In addition to the before-mentioned intercepted letter, it was ascertained -that already expresses had actually been sent to the upper tribes of the -Six Nations, to invite them down to Guy Johnson's house. His own domestic -army amounted to five hundred men, and he had now cut off all free -communication between the upper Mohawk settlements and Albany. And -although the districts of Palatine, Canajoharie, and the German Flats -were sanctioning the proceedings of the Continental Congress with much -unanimity, they were in a great measure unarmed and destitute of -ammunition—not having more than fifty pounds of powder in the districts. -Under these circumstances, the Committee wrote an urgent letter to Albany, -representing their situation, and suggesting whether it might not be -expedient to open the communication through the lower districts of the -valley by force. They also advised the sending of two trusty messengers, -well acquainted with the Indian language, to the upper nations, to -dissuade them, if possible, from obeying the summons of Guy Johnson, and -to enlighten them in respect of the true nature and causes of the quarrel -with the King's government.</p> - -<p>This letter was despatched by express, and the Albany Committee replied -on the following day, advising their friends of the upper districts that -they had no ammunition to spare, and dissuading them from any attempt to -re-open the communication by force. That project was accordingly -abandoned; but the Committee sent four of its members to Albany, to gain -information as to the condition of the country generally, and with -instructions to procure a quantity of powder and lead—the Committee -holding itself responsible for the purchase money. Meantime they pushed -their measures of internal organization with great energy and success, -establishing sub-committees wherever it was expedient, and assuming the -exercise of legislative, judicial, and executive powers. Secret articles -for mutual succour and defence were prepared, and very generally signed -by the Whigs; and threats having been uttered by Guy Johnson, that unless -the Committees desisted from the course they were pursuing, he would seize -and imprison certain of their number, they solemnly bound themselves to -rescue any who might thus be arrested, by force, "unless such persons -should be confined by legal process, issued upon a legal ground, and -executed in a legal manner."</p> - -<p>It is here worthy, not only of special note, but of all admiration, how -completely and entirely these border-men held themselves amenable, in -the most trying exigencies, to the just execution of the laws. Throughout -all their proceedings, the history of the Tryon Committees will show that -they were governed by the purest dictates of patriotism, and the highest -regard to moral principle. Unlike the rude inhabitants of most frontier -settlements, especially under circumstances when the magistracy are, from -necessity, almost powerless, the frontier patriots of Tryon County were -scrupulous in their devotion to the supremacy of the laws. Their leading -men were likewise distinguished for their intelligence; and while North -Carolina is disputing whether she did not in fact utter a declaration of -independence before it was done by Congress, by recurring to the first -declaration of the Palatine Committee, noted in its proper place, the -example may almost be said to have proceeded from the Valley of the -Mohawk.</p> - -<p>Simultaneously with his letter to the magistracy of the upper districts, -Guy Johnson had despatched another of the same purport, but entering more -into detail, to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the cities of -Albany and Schenectady, of which the following is a copy. The date is -wanting:—</p> - -<p class="list"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Gentlemen,</span></p> - -<p>"As the peace and happiness of the country are objects which every good -man should have at heart, I think it highly necessary to acquaint you -that for a few days I have been put to the great trouble and expense of -fortifying my house, and keeping a large body of men for the defence of -my person, &c.; having received repeated accounts that either the New -Englanders, or some persons in or about the city of Albany or town of -Schenectady, are coming up, to a considerable number, to seize and -imprison me on a ridiculous and malicious report that I intend to make -the Indians destroy the inhabitants, or to that effect. The absurdity of -this apprehension may easily be seen by men of sense; but as many -credulous and ignorant persons may be led astray, and inclined to believe -it, and as they have already sent down accounts, examinations, &c. from -busy people here, that I can fully prove to be totally devoid of all -foundation, it has become the duty of all those who have authority or -influence, to disabuse the public, and prevent consequences which I -foresee with very great concern, and most cordially wish may be timely -prevented. Any difference in political ideas can never justify such -extravagant opinions; and I little imagined that they should have gained -belief amongst any order of people, who know my character, station, and -the large property I have in the country, and the duties of my office, -which are to preserve tranquility among the Indians, hear their -grievances, &c. and prevent them from falling upon the trade and -frontiers. These last were greatly threatened by the Indians, on account -of the disturbances last year between the Virginians and the Shawanese, -during which my endeavours prevented the Six Nations from taking a part -that would have possibly affected the public; and I appointed last Fall -that the Six Nations should come to me this month, in order to receive, -amongst other things, final satisfaction concerning the lands said to be -invaded by the Virginians, who have now sent me their answer. In the -discharge of this duty, I likewise essentially served the public; but -should I neglect myself and be tamely made prisoner, it is clear to all -who know any thing of Indians, they will not sit still and see their -council fire extinguished, and superintendent driven from his duty, but -will come upon the frontiers in revenge, with a power sufficient to commit -horrid devastation. It is, therefore, become as necessary to the public -as to myself, that my person should be defended; but as the measures I am -necessitated to take for that purpose may occasion the propagation of -additional falsehoods, and may at last appear to the Indians in a light -that is not for the benefit of the public, I should heartily wish, -gentlemen, that you could take such measures for removing these -apprehensions, as may enable me to discharge my duties, (which do not -interfere with the public,) without the protection of armed men and the -apprehension of insult; and as the public are much interested in this, -I must beg to have your answer as soon as possible.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Gentlemen, - Your most humble Servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">G. Johnson.</span> [FN] - - "To the Magistrates and Committee - of Schenectady, and to the Mayor, - Corporation, &c. of Albany. To - be forwarded by the former."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This letter has been copied from the original, found by the author - among the old papers in the office of the Secretary of State, Albany.</p> - - -<p>To this letter the municipality of Albany promptly replied, expressing -their conviction that the reports were utterly groundless, and that they -had been originated for the purpose of awakening hostile feelings in the -minds of the Indians. They also gave the Colonel an admonitory hint that -he need be apprehensive of no indignity upon his person, or injury to -his property, so long as he studied to promote the peace and welfare of -the country, by executing his duties as superintendent of the Indians -"with an honest heart." In conclusion, they exhorted him to use all means -in his power to tranquilize the Indians, by assuring them that the reports -were without any just foundation, and "that nothing would afford his -Majesty's subjects in general a greater satisfaction than to be, and -continue with them, on the strictest terms of peace and friendship."</p> - -<p>On the whole, however, there is no good reason to doubt that Guy Johnson -was, in reality, apprehensive of a clandestine visit from the Yankees, -and possibly of an abduction. The great influence of his official station, -and his equivocal conduct, had created universal distrust; and the affair -of the "Tea Party" had taught the loyalists, that the Bostonians were -as adroit and fearless in stratagem as in deeds of open daring and bold -emprise. Before the receipt of the preceding letters, moreover, it was -well understood that he had arrested and searched the persons of two New -Englanders, suspicious, as it was inferred, and probably not without -reason, that they had been despatched on a mission to the Indians, with -whom it was policy to prevent any communication, save through his own -interposition. Nor could he be ignorant of the fact, that at that critical -conjuncture, the possession of his person might be of as much consequence -to those who were on the verge of rebellion, as of detriment to the -service in which his predilections would probably induce him to engage.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chiv">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Council of the Mohawk chiefs at Guy Park—A second council called by - Johnson at Cosby's Manor—Proceeds thither with his retinue—First full - meeting of Tryon County Committee—Correspondence with Guy Johnson—No - council held—Johnson proceeds farther West, accompanied by his family - and most of the Indians—Consequent apprehensions of the - people—Communication from Massachusetts Congress—Ticonderoga and Crown - Point taken by Ethan Allen—Skenesborough and St. Johns - surprised—Farther proceedings in Massachusetts—Battle of Bunker - Hill—Death of Warren—Council with the Oneidas and Tuscaroras at German - Flats—Speech to the Indians—Subsequent council with the - Oneidas—Conduct of the people toward Guy Johnson—Speech to, and reply - of Oneidas—Guy Johnson moves westwardly to Ontario—His letter to the - Provincial Congress of New-York—Holds a great Indian council at the - West—Unfavourable influence upon the dispositions of the - Indians—Causes of their partiality for the English—Great, but - groundless alarm of the people—Guy Johnson, with Brant and the Indian - warriors, descends the St. Lawrence to Montreal—Council there—Sir Guy - Carleton and Gen. Haldimand complete the work of winning the Indians - over to the cause of the Crown.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">A council</span> of the Mohawk chiefs was held at Guy Park, [FN-1] on the 25th of -May, which was attended by delegates from Albany and Tryon Counties. The -records of this council are very scanty and unsatisfactory. The principal -chief of the Mohawk tribe at that time was <i>Little Abraham</i> [FN-2]—a -brother of the famous Hendrick who fell at Lake George, in the year 1775. -The council having been opened for business, Little Abraham addressed -them as follows:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Guy Park: a beautiful situation immediately on the bank of the - Mohawk. The elegant stone mansion is yet upon the premises, giving the - best evidences of substantial building.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Little Abraham seems rather to have been a leading chief at the - Lower Castle of the Mohawks—not the principal War Chief.</p> - - -<p>"He said he was glad to meet them, and to hear the reports concerning -taking Guy Johnson, their superintendent, were false. That the Indians do -not wish to have a quarrel with the inhabitants. That during Sir William -Johnson's lifetime, and since, we have been peaceably disposed; that the -Indians are alarmed on account of the reports that our powder was stopped. -We get our things from the superintendent. If we lived as you do, it would -not be so great a loss. If our ammunition is stopped, we shall distrust -you. We are pleased to hear you say, you will communicate freely, and we -will at all times listen to what you say in presence of our -superintendent."</p> - -<p>After a consultation with each other, the deputations from the two County -Committees replied, in substance, that "They were glad to hear them -expressing a desire to maintain the ancient friendship which had subsisted -between their fathers, they assured the chiefs that the reports of evil -designs against their superintendent were false. They farther promised -the chiefs, that whenever they had any business to transact with them, -they would meet them at their own council fires, and in presence of their -superintendent."</p> - -<p>To which the Mohawk speaker responded to the following effect:—</p> - -<p>"The Indians are glad that you are not surprised that we cannot spare -Col. Johnson. The love we have for the memory of Sir William Johnson, and -the obligations the whole Six Nations are under to him, must make us -regard and protect every branch of his family. We will explain these -things to all the Indians, and hope you will do the same to your people."</p> - -<p>This council having been but thinly attended, and only by one tribe of the -Indians, the superintendent immediately directed the assembling of another -in the western part of the county, to attend which he proceeded to the -German Flats, with his whole family and retinue. His quarters were at the -house of a Mr. Thompson, on Cosby's manor, a few miles above the Flats. -It has been alleged that this second council was convoked because of the -superintendent's dissatisfaction with the first—a conclusion not -unlikely, from the absence of the western Indians, who had been invited.</p> - -<p>On the 2d of June there was, for the first time, a full meeting of the -Tryon County Committee—the loyalists having previously prevented the -attendance of delegates from the lower, or Mohawk district. [FN] This -Committee addressed a strong and patriotic letter to the superintendent, -formally notifying him of the purposes of their organization. After -adverting to the oppressions of the mother country, in repeated attempts -to enforce unconstitutional enactments of Parliament, and asserting their -principles on the subject of taxation without representation—principles -which they declared to be undeniable—they avowed their object to be, to -consult as to the best methods of saving the country from devastation and -ruin; "which object, with the assistance of Divine Providence, it was -their fixed determination and resolution to accomplish;" adding, with -emphasis, "and if called upon, we shall be foremost in sharing the toil -and danger of the field." They once more adverted to the distressed -situation of the people of New England in the common cause; and declared -that they should be wanting in duty to their country and to themselves, -were they longer to refrain from announcing their determination to the -world. After repelling the charges promulgated against them, of having -compelled people to join their Committees, and of having drunk treasonable -toasts, they proceeded to discuss matters more directly personal to the -superintendent himself The following is an extract from this portion of -the letter:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It may be interesting to some to give the names of this body of men, - who had so often professed their willingness to peril their lives and - property in defence of the liberties of their country. (From Palatine - district)—Christopher P. Yates, John Frey, Andrew Fink, Andrew Reeber, - Peter Waggoner, Daniel M<sup>c</sup>Dougal, Jacob Klock, George Ecker, Jun., - Harmanus Van Slyck, Christopher W. Fox, Anthony Van Veghten. (Canajoharie - district)—Nicholas Herkimer, Ebenezer Cox, William Seeber, John Moore, - Samuel Campbell, Samuel Clyde, Thomas Henry, John Pickard. (Kingsland - and German Flats districts)—Edward Wall, William Petry, John Petry, - Augustine Hess, Frederick Orendorf, George Wentz, Michael Ittig, - Frederick Fox, George Herkimer, Duncan M<sup>c</sup>Dougal, Frederick Helmer, John - Frink. (Mohawk district)—John Morlett, John Bliven, Abraham Van Home, - Adam Fonda, Frederick Fisher, Sampson Sammons, William Schuyler, Volkert - Veeder, James M<sup>c</sup>Master, Daniel Line—42. Christopher P. Yates was chosen - chairman of this body.—<i>Campbells Annals.</i></p> - - -<p>"We are not ignorant of the very great importance of your office as -superintendent of the Indians, and therefore it is no more our duty than -inclination to protect you in the discharge of the duty of your proper -province; and we meet you with pleasure in behalf of ourselves and our -constituents, to thank yon for meeting the Indians in the upper parts of -the County, which may be the means of easing the people of the remainder -of their fears on this account, and prevent the Indians committing -irregularities on their way down to Guy Park. And we beg of you to use -your endeavours with the Indians, to dissuade them from interfering in the -dispute with the mother country and the Colonies. We cannot think that, -as you and your family possess very large estates in this County, you are -unfavourable to American freedom, although you may differ with us in the -mode of obtaining a redress of grievances. Permit us farther to observe, -that we cannot pass over in silence the interruption which the people of -the Mohawk district met in their meeting; which, we are informed, was -conducted in a peaceable manner; and the inhuman treatment of a man, -whose only crime was being faithful to his employers, and refusing to give -an account of the receipt of certain papers, to persons who had not the -least colour of right to demand any thing of that kind. We assure you that -we are much concerned about it, as two important rights of English -subjects are thereby infringed—to wit, a right to meet, and to obtain all -the intelligence in their power."</p> - -<p>Colonel Nicholas Herkimer and Edward Wall were deputed to deliver the -letter to the superintendent, for which purpose they proceeded to Cosby's -Manor, and discharged their trust. The following was Colonel Johnson's -reply—manly and direct; and with which, if sincere, certainly no fault -could be found, bating the lack of courtesy in its commencement:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<i>Thompson's, Cosby's Manor, June</i> 5<i>th,</i> 1775.</p> - -<p class="list"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Gentlemen,</span></p> - -<p>"I have received the paper signed Chris. P. Yates, Chairman, on behalf of -the districts therein mentioned, which I am now to answer, and shall do -it briefly, in the order you have stated matters. As to the letter from -some Indians to the Oneidas, I really knew nothing of it till I heard -such a thing had been by some means obtained from an Indian messenger, -and from what I have heard of its contents, I can't see any thing material -in it, or that could justify such idle apprehensions; but I must observe -that these fears among the people were talked of long before, and were, -I fear, propagated by some malicious persons for a bad purpose.</p> - -<p>"As to your political sentiments, on which you enter in the next -paragraph, I have no occasion to enter on them or the merits of the cause. -I desire to enjoy liberty of conscience and the exercise of my own -judgment, and that all others should have the same privilege; but, with -regard to your saying you might have postponed the affair, if there had -been the least kind of probability that the petition of the General -Assembly would have been noticed, more than that of the delegates, I must, -as a true friend to the country, in which I have a large interest, say, -that the present dispute is viewed in different lights according to the -education and principles of the parties affected; and that, however -reasonable it may appear to a considerable number of honest men here, that -the petition of the delegates should merit attention, it is not viewed in -the same light in a country which admits of no authority that is not -constitutionally established; and I persuade myself you have that -reverence for his Majesty, that you will pay due regard to the royal -assurance given in his speech to Parliament, that whenever the American -grievances should be laid before him by their constitutional assemblies, -they should be fully attended to. I have heard that compulsory steps were -taken to induce some persons to come into your measures, and treasonable -toasts drank; but I am not willing to give too easy credit to flying -reports, and am happy to hear you disavow them.</p> - -<p>"I am glad to find my calling a Congress on the frontiers gives -satisfaction; this was principally my design, though I cannot sufficiently -express my surprise at those who have, either through malice or ignorance, -misconstrued my intentions, and supposed me capable of setting the Indians -on the peaceable inhabitants of this country. The interest our family has -in this country and my own, is considerable, and they have been its best -benefactors; any malicious charges, therefore, to their prejudice, are -highly injurious, and ought to be totally suppressed.</p> - -<p>"The office I hold is greatly for the benefit and protection of this -country, and on my frequent meetings with the Indians depends their peace -and security; I therefore cannot but be astonished to find the endeavours -made use of to obstruct me in my duties, and the weakness of some people -in withholding many things from me, which are indisputably necessary for -rendering the Indians contented; and I am willing to hope that you, -gentlemen, will duly consider this and discountenance the same.</p> - -<p>"You have been much misinformed as to the origin of the reports which -obliged me to fortify my house and stand on my defence. I had it, -gentlemen, from undoubted authority from Albany, and since confirmed by -letters from one of the Committee at Philadelphia, that a large body of -men were to make me prisoner. As the effect this must have on the Indians -might have been of dangerous consequences to you, (a circumstance not -thought of,) I was obliged, at great expense, to take these measures. But -the many reports of my stopping travelers were false in every particular, -and the only instance of detaining any body was in the case of two New -England men, which I explained fully to those of your body who brought -your letter, and wherein I acted strictly agreeable to law, and as a -magistrate should have done.</p> - -<p>"I am very sorry that such idle and injurious reports meet with any -encouragement. I rely on you, gentlemen, to exert yourselves in -discountenancing them; and I am happy in this opportunity of assuring -the people of a country I regard, that they have nothing to apprehend -from my endeavours, but that I shall always be glad to promote their true -interests.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I am, Gentlemen, your humble Servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">G. Johnson."</span></p> - -<p>This reply of Colonel Johnson, together with a written report of the -proceedings of himself and colleague, and their interview with Johnson, -was transmitted to the County Committee by Mr. Wall. In his letter to the -Committee, Mr. Wall indulged in some complaints, in regard to the -reprehensible conduct of the people—probably toward Johnson and his -followers, who were looked upon with increasing distrust. But the -character of the irregularities complained of is not distinctly set forth -in Mr. Wall's communication.</p> - -<p>Guy Johnson did not remain long at Cosby's Manor, nor did he hold the -Indian council there which had been notified, but departed immediately -farther west. His removal from Thompson's was thus announced to the -Committee of Palatine by Mr. Wall, on the 8th of June:—"Our people are -greatly alarmed at Colonel Johnson's motions, and cannot understand his -reasons for the same. We dare say, that before now you have been [made] -acquainted that he has removed with his retinue from Mr. Thompson's to -Fort Stanwix, and there are rumors that he intends to move yet farther. -We leave you to conjecture what may be his reasons."</p> - -<p>These apprehensions were certainly not unreasonable. For although Colonel -Johnson's letters were plausible, and apparently frank and sincere, when -the people saw him setting his face thus to the west, and moving up -through the valley, not only with his own family, but accompanied by a -large retinue of his dependents and the great body of the Mohawk -Indians—who left their own delightful country at this time, never more -peaceably to return—it is not strange that suspicions, as to his ulterior -designs, were excited.</p> - -<p>This feeling was not diminished by the reception, just at this time, of -the following communication from the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, -through that of New-York:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"In Provincial Congress,</span><br> - <i>Watertown, June</i> 13<i>th,</i> 1775.</p> - -<p class="list">"<i>To the Honourable Delegates of the Congress of the - Province of New-York:</i></p> - -<p class="list"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Gentlemen,</span></p> - -<p>"Considering the exposed state of the frontiers of the Colonies, the -danger that the inhabitants of Canada may possibly have disagreeable -apprehensions from the military preparations making in several of the -Colonies, and the rumors that there are some appearances of their getting -themselves in readiness to act in a hostile way—this Congress have made -application to the Honourable Continental Congress, desiring them to take -such measures as to them shall appear proper, to quiet and conciliate -the minds of the Canadians, and to prevent such alarming apprehensions. -We also have had the disagreeable accounts of methods taken to fill the -minds of the Indian tribes adjacent to these Colonies with sentiments very -injurious to us; particularly we have been informed that Col. Guy Johnson -has taken great pains with the Six Nations, in order to bring them into -a belief that it is designed by the Colonies to fall upon them and cut -them off. We have, therefore, desired the Honourable Continental Congress -that they would, with all convenient speed, use their influence in -guarding against the evil intended by this malevolent misrepresentation; -and we desire you to join with us in such application.</p> - -<p class="list2"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Jos. Warren,</span> President. - Attest, <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Samuel Freeman,</span> Sec'y."</p> - -<p>{Transcriber's Note: Pages 78 and 79—opposite sides of the same leaf— -appear to be missing from the scanned copy of the work at this point.}</p> - -<p>secure their neutrality in the contest; nor were they wholly unsuccessful, -although the majority of the Six Nations ultimately threw themselves into -the opposite scale. Disappointed in not meeting a fuller and more general -council at Guy Park in May, a conference was arranged with the Oneidas -and Tuscaroras, through the agency of their friend, the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, -which took place at the German Flats on the 28th of June. The Indians -were met by the inhabitants of that district, and also by a deputation -from Albany. The minutes of that meeting were not preserved at large -among the papers of the Tryon County Committee. The following was the -address of the inhabitants to the Indians:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are glad to have you here to return you thanks. We should -have been much pleased to have spoken with you at the appointed place; -that is, by your superintendent, where of late you kept your council fire; -but since his removing so far from us, we do not think it wrong or -imprudent to communicate our sentiments of peace to you here. It is at -this place, Brothers, it has often been done; and here again we renew it, -and brighten the old chain of peace and brotherly love.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We cannot see the cause of your late council fire, or -superintendent going away from among us. We did him no harm, and you well -know that none of us ever did, and you may depend on it, there was no -such thing meant against him. He told our people he was going up to -Thompson's (Cosby's Manor) to hold a council fire with our brothers, the -Five Nations, there. We helped him to provisions to support you there, -and every thing we had that he wanted. But he is gone away from among us, -and told some of our people, that he would come back with company which -would not please us; which, if true, it is certain his intentions are bad, -and he may depend, that whatever force he may or can bring, we regard not.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Our present meeting does not arise from any unfriendly -thoughts we entertain of you, or from any fear of ourselves. It is purely -on account of the old friendship which has so long been kept up between -us; that friendship we want to retain. It is that friendship which will -be an equal benefit to us. It is as much wanted on your side as ours.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We cannot too much express our satisfaction of your conduct -toward us by your late proceedings with the superintendent at the carrying -place, for which we are also obliged to you, and do not doubt but that -your conduct will be blessed with greater benefits than any other of those -who will hurry themselves into mischief; which can never be of any other -benefit to them, but sorrow for the innocent blood shed on an occasion -wherewith they have no concern.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We look to you particularly to be men of more understanding -than others, by the benefits you have received in learning; wherefore we -confide and trust more freely in you, that you can communicate to the -other tribes and nations the error they want to lead you in, and cannot -doubt but your wisdom and influence with the other nations will be -attended with that happy success, which will hereafter be a blessing to -you and your posterity.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> What we have said is supposed to be sufficient to convince you -that our meaning is for our joint peace and friendship; in which we hope -that we and our children may continue to the end of time."</p> -<br><br> - -<p>The answer of the Indians to this address has not been preserved. The -result of the council, however, was, to obtain a pledge of neutrality -from the greater portion of the Indians assembled. The efforts of Mr. -Kirkland had uniformly been directed to the same humane design.</p> - -<p>Colonel Guy Johnson, as we have already seen, had previously left the -lower district of the Mohawk Valley. He was a man of too much discernment, -holding the opinions he did, to remain at Johnstown an inactive spectator -of events, the inevitable tendency of which could only be very soon to -rouse the whole thirteen Colonies to arms against the British power, and -he had prudently anticipated the battle of Bunker Hill in his departure. -But his movements had thus far been pacific, or rather not openly -belligerent; and it is probable that an excited and jealous people may -not have treated him, during his hegira, with all their wonted respect. -Indeed, the complaint of Mr. Wall, of the objectionable conduct of the -people, has already been noted at a previous page. But it is not stated -in what respect they had been offending. Some light, however, may perhaps -be thrown upon the subject, by the following notes of a council between -the inhabitants of the Upper, or Kingsland district, and the Oneida -Indians; from which it will be seen that the inhabitants had cut off the -supplies provided by Colonel Johnson for his journey: [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] These notes are quite imperfectly written, by a very incompetent - scribe. The author has endeavoured to arrive at the true import, - preserving as much of the language as possible.</p> - - -<p class="hang"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> Kingsland District.</span> <i>At a council held upon desire of the Oneidas, July</i> - 1<i>st,</i> 1775, <i>the following speeches were delivered:</i></p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">To the Oneidas.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> The reason of stopping the provisions from Mr. Thompson to -Colonel Johnson, is, that we suppose him to be our enemy; and for all that -he gets as much from Niagara as he wants; and we believe he is only -getting intelligence, from this place, how matters run. We have done for -him and his retinue what was in our power for his supply. We believe he -should have held his council fire at Mr. Thompson's, or, furthest, at <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Fort -Stanwix.</span> But you have heard, Brothers, that he would bring a force along -with him which we would not like. That was the reason that we stopped his -provisions. But on your request, as you think it was not well done, we -will hear your sentiments about it. Not being laid to your or our charge, -we shall then let pass all that is brought to him."</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Answer of the Oneidas.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> It is Sunday to-day, and the Lord gave six days for work and -the seventh for rest. But since occasion happens, we give you our positive -answer.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have consulted about stopping the provisions at Mr. -Thompson's, and we don't think it proper to do it. If it should have been -for his own use, we should not have mentioned it; but we know that he -calls up the Five Nations, and may be they will suffer by it. So, -therefore, let him have it. All that we have said we can be answerable -for, but this act we cannot.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> If we should assent to these things, we are jointly brothers; -we should be left alone, and may be both would be disappointed. We are -obliged to have a care over our brothers of the Five Nations, as well as -for you, so that we may get no blame afterward for it. Then we don't know -what Colonel Johnson's design is. Let us first have proof, and as soon as -we have found out something, we shall assemble together and consider of it.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We ought to do as we want to have done to us by others; and it -is better to suffer than to do amiss.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> As long as we are brothers, don't let us then suffer in -provisions, if they are to be got, (without your loss.) While we belong -to the Five Nations, we shall help one another as much as does lie in our -power, so that nobody is wronged by it.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You did leave this to us, though you consented not to leave us -to bear this burden quite alone upon our own shoulders. If you can find -a fault in our speech, you may speak about it."</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Rejoinder.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> As we have heard your speech, and well considered it, and as -we find that our other brothers may suffer by it, we are resolved that all -the flour and other provision which is really brought for Colonel Johnson, -may be sent thither without being molested. But considering that it may -not be employed for the use proposed, we desire the favour of you to -acquaint us of the fact, that we may take the necessary measures for our -own welfare.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are greatly obliged for your brotherly love showed to us, -and that you have told us, out of the bottom of your heart, your sense of -this matter. We confess it is an evidence of sincere friendship, which we -hope will ever be maintained between us."</p> -<br><br> -<p>Making a very brief sojourn at Fort Stanwix, Guy Johnson hastened as far -west as Ontario, there to hold a grand council with the Indians, remote -from the white settlements; and where, as he alleged, their action might -be independent and unembarrassed by the interference of the Colonists. It -was at Ontario that he received the letter from the Provincial Congress -of New-York, already adverted to as having been written at the -solicitation of the Congress of Massachusetts. He replied to it on the -8th of July, in a letter glowing with loyalty, and complaining bitterly -of the malcontents, and those in opposition to regular governments; who, -as the reader will observe, he again repeated, were exciting the Indians -against him. The letter is inserted entire:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Guy Johnson to Peter Van Brugh Livingston.</span><br> - <i>Ontario, July the</i> 8<i>th,</i> 1775.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Sir,</p> - -<p>"Though I received your letter from the Provincial Congress several days -ago, I had not a good opportunity to answer it till now. I suppose, -however, this will reach you safe, notwithstanding all the rest of my -correspondence is interrupted, by ignorant impertinents.</p> - -<p>"As to the endeavour you speak of, to reconcile the unhappy differences -between the Parent State and these Colonies, be assured I ardently wish -to see them; as yet, I am sorry to say, I have not been able to discover -any attempt of that kind, but that of the assembly, the only true legal -representatives of the people; and as to the individuals who you say -officiously interrupt (in my quarter) the mode and measures you think -necessary for these salutary purposes, I am really a stranger to them. -If you mean myself, you must have been grossly imposed on. I once, indeed, -went, with reluctance, at the request of several of the principal -inhabitants, to one of the people's meetings, which I found had been -called by an itinerant New England leather-dresser, and conducted by -others, if possible, more contemptible. I had, therefore, little -inclination to revisit such men or attend to their absurdities. And, -although I did not incline to think that you, Gentlemen, had formed any -designs against me, yet it is most certain that such designs were formed. -Of this I received a clear account by express, from a friend near Albany, -which was soon corroborated by letters from other quarters, particularly -one from a gentleman of the Committee at Philadelphia, a captain in your -levies, who was pretty circumstantial; and since, I have had the like -from many others. I have, likewise, found that mean instruments were -officiously employed to disturb the minds of the Indians, to interrupt -the ordinary discharge of my duties, and prevent their receiving messages -they had long since expected from me. To enter into a minute detail of -all the falsehoods propagated and all the obstructions I met with, though -it could not fail astonishing any gentlemen disposed to discountenance -them, would far exceed the limits of a letter or the time I have to spare, -as I am now finishing my Congress, entirely to my satisfaction, with 1340 -warriors, who came hither to the only place where they could transact -business or receive favours without interruption; and who are much -dissatisfied at finding that the goods which I was necessitated to send -for to Montreal, were obliged to be ordered back by the merchant, to -prevent his being insulted, or his property invaded by the mistaken -populace. That their ammunition was stopped at Albany—the persons on this -communication employed in purchasing provisions for the Congress insulted, -and all my letters, as well as even some trifling articles for the use of -my own table, stopped. And this moment the Mayor of Albany assured me -that he was the other day roused out of his bed, at a certain Mr. -Thompson's above the German Flats, by one Herkimer and fifteen others, -who pursued him to search for any thing he might have for me. You may be -assured, Sir, that this is far from being agreeable to the Indians—that -it might have produced very disagreeable consequences long since, had not -compassion for a deluded people taken place of every other consideration; -and that the impotent endeavours of a missionary (who has forfeited his -honour, pledged to me,) with part of one of their tribes, is a -circumstance that, however trifling, increases their resentment.</p> - -<p>"I should be much obliged by your promises of discountenancing any -attempts against myself, &c. did they not appear to be made on conditions -of compliance with Continental or Provincial Congresses, or even -Committees formed or to be formed, many of whose Resolves may neither -consist with my conscience, duty, or loyalty. I trust I shall always -manifest more humanity, than to promote the destruction of the innocent -inhabitants of a Colony to which I have been always warmly attached, a -declaration that must appear perfectly suitable to the character of a man -of honour and principle, who can, on no account, neglect those duties that -are consistent therewith, however they may differ from sentiments now -adopted in so many parts of America.</p> - -<p>"I sincerely wish a speedy termination to the present troubles, and I am,</p> -<p class="list2"> Sir, - Your most humble Servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">G. Johnson.</span> - -"P. V. B. Livingston, Esq.</p> - -<p>"I shall have occasion to meet the Indians of my department in different -quarters this season." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This letter was copied by the author from the original, in the State - Department, Albany.</p> - - -<p>Colonel Johnson was accompanied in his departure by Joseph Brant, or -Thayendanegea, his secretary, and by Colonel John Butler and his son -Walter. By the preceding letter, the reader will have seen that they -succeeded in convening a very large council at Ontario. The greater -portion of the Indians attending, however, were probably Cayugas and -Senecas. These were now far the most numerous of the Six Nations, although -the Mohawks yet stood in rank at the head of the confederacy. Formerly -the last-mentioned tribe had been the most numerous and powerful of the -Cantons; but at an early day after the planting of the Colony of New-York, -the French had succeeded in seducing a large section of the Mohawks to -return to Canada, whence they originally came, after breaking the -vassalage in which they had been held by the Algonquins. Their proximity -to the whites, moreover, had been attended by the effect, invariable and -seemingly inevitable, in regard to their race, of diminishing their -numbers. Added to all which, their warlike character, and their daring -ferocity, exposing them to more frequent perils than were encountered by -their associated Cantons, had contributed still farther to this unequal -diminution. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Among the manuscripts of Sir William Johnson, I have found a census - of the Northern and Western Indians, from the Hudson river to the great - Lakes and the Mississippi, taken in 1763. The Mohawk warriors were then - only 160; the Oneidas, 250; Tuscaroras, 140; Onondagas, 150; Cayugas, - 200; Senecas, 1050. Total, 1950. According to the calculation of a - British agent, several of the tribes must have increased between the - close of the French war and the beginning of the American Revolution, as - it was computed that, during the latter contest, the English had in - service 300 Mohawks, 150 Oneidas, 200 Tuscaroras, 300 Onondagas, 230 - Cayugas, and 400 Senecas.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>It is not known that any record of this council was preserved, although -the speeches interchanged were doubtless written, since that was the -universal practice in the conduct of Indian intercourse. But no doubt -exists as to the fact, that the superintendent succeeded in still farther -alienating the affections of the great majority of the Indians from the -Americans, if they did not immediately join the ranks of the invaders. -Nor, when all the circumstances of their case and position are -dispassionately considered, is it surprising that their inclinations were -favorable to the Crown. On the contrary, the wonder is that Colonel -Johnson did not succeed in carrying with him the Oneidas and Tuscaroras -also; and he probably would have done so, but for the salutary though -indirect influence of Mr. Kirkland, and their noble chief, the sagacious -Schenandoah—always the warm and unwavering friend of the Colonists. With -regard to these Indians, it must be considered that they had then been in -alliance with Great Britain during a period of more than one hundred -years. In all their wars with their implacable enemies the Algonquins, -acting in alliance with the French, the Six Nations had been assisted by -the English, or fighting side by side with them. For a long series of -years Sir William Johnson had been their counselor and friend. His family -was to a certain extent allied with the head canton of the confederacy, -and he was consulted by them in all affairs of business or of high -emergency, as an oracle. They had drawn their supplies through him and his -agents, and it was natural that, upon his decease, their affection for -him should be transferred to his successor in office, who was also his -son-in-law. Miss Molly, moreover, was a woman of vigorous understanding -and of able management. And, as we have already seen, she and Colonel Guy -himself, were sustained by the powerful aid of Thayendanegea, who united -the advantages of education with the native sagacity of his race. Added -to all which, the cause was considered, if not desperate, at least of -doubtful issue; while the unenlightened Indians had been taught to hear -the name of the king with great reverence, and to believe him -all-powerful. They considered the officers of the Crown their best -friends; and it was but natural that they should hold on upon the great -chain which they had so long laboured to keep bright between them.</p> - -<p>It has already been remarked, that, thus far, Colonel Guy Johnson had committed -no act of actual hostility. While this council was holding in Ontario, -however, the whole valley of the Mohawk was filled with alarm, by reports -that he was preparing an expedition to return upon them, and lay the -country waste by fire and sword. On the 11th of July, Colonel Herkimer -wrote from Canajoharie to the Palatine Committee, that he had received -credible intelligence that morning, that Guy Johnson was ready to march -back upon them with a body of eight or nine hundred Indians, and that the -attack would be commenced from the woods below the Little Falls, on the -northern side of the river. He therefore proposed sending to Albany -immediately for a corresponding number of men. An urgent letter was -forthwith despatched by the Committee to Schenectady and Albany, for the -amount of assistance mentioned, "to prevent these barbarous enterprises," -and to enable them "to resist their inhuman enemies with good -success—that they might not be slaughtered, like innocent and defenceless -sheep before ravaging wolves."</p> - -<p>From the positive character of the intelligence, and the mysterious -movements of Guy Johnson and his followers, the inhabitants had good -cause of alarm; more especially as Sir John Johnson [FN-1] remained at the -Hall in Johnstown, having at his beck a large body of loyalists, making -his castle (for the Hall was now fortified,) their head quarters,—who, -in the event of such a movement by his brother-in-law from the west, -would doubtless be prepared to join the Indians in the enterprise, and -between them both, be able to whelm the settlements in destruction at a -single blow. Every possible preparation was therefore made for their -defence, but the alarm proved to be without foundation; and after Guy -Johnson had completed his business at Ontario, he returned to Oswego, -where he very soon afterward convened another council and held a treaty, -at which he succeeded in still farther estranging the Indians from the -Colonies. The particulars of this council have never transpired in -writing; but some interesting references to it will occur in an Indian -speech a few pages onward. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Sir John Johnson held a commission as Brigadier-general of - militia.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The following passage from Ramsay's History of the Revolution, - seems to refer to this Indian convocation at Oswego. There was no other - meeting during that year, to which this notice of Ramsay could refer. - "Colonel Johnson had repeated conferences with the Indians, and - endeavoured to influence them to take up the hatchet, but they steadily - refused. In order to gain their co-operation, he invited them to a feast - on a Bostonian, and to drink his blood. This, in the Indian style, meant - no more than to partake of a roasted ox and a pipe of wine at a public - entertainment, which was given on design to influence them to co-operate - with the British troops. The Colonial patriots affected to understand it - in its literal sense. It furnished, in their mode of explication, a - convenient handle for operating on the passions of the people."</p> - - -<p>From Oswego, Guy Johnson crossed into Canada, and thence descended the -St. Lawrence to Montreal, accompanied by a large number of the chiefs and -warriors of the Six Nations, who were invited to an interview with Sir -Guy Carleton and Sir Frederick Haldimand—both those distinguished -officers being in that city at the time—and were induced by them to -embark in the cause of the King.</p> - -<p>It has often been asserted, especially by British historians, that Sir -Guy Carleton was opposed to the employment of the Indians in the contest, -from principles of humanity. Such, however, was not the fact. Brant -repeatedly asserted in afterlife, in speeches delivered by him, copies -of which are yet extant, that on their first arrival in Montreal, General -Carleton proposed to them to enter the service. In a speech delivered by -the Chief in the year 1803, recapitulating the history of the services of -the Mohawks in that war, the following passages occur, touching the point -now under discussion:—"We were living at the former residence of Guy -Johnson, when the news arrived that war had commenced between the king's -people and the Americans. We took but little notice of this first report; -but in a few days we heard that five hundred Americans were coming to -seize our superintendent. Such news as this alarmed us, and we immediately -consulted together as to what measures were necessary to be taken. We at -once reflected upon the covenant of our forefathers as allies to the King, -and said, 'It will not do for us to break it, let what will become of us.' -Indeed, it is a long time since the Governor (Sir Guy Carleton) said to -us: 'I exhort you to continue your adherence to the King, and not to break -the solemn agreement made by your forefathers; for your own welfare is -intimately connected with your continuing the allies of his Majesty.' -He also said a great deal more to the same purport; and on this our minds -were the more firmly fixed, for we acknowledged that it would certainly -be the best in the end, for our families and ourselves to remain under -the King's protection, whatever difficulties we might have to contend -with. . . . A council was next convened at Montreal, in July, 1775, at -which the Seven Nations, (or Caughnawagas,) were present, as well as -ourselves the Six Nations. On this occasion General Haldimand told us -what had befallen the King's subjects, and said, now is the time for you -to help the King. The war has commenced. Assist the King now, and you will -find it to your advantage. Go now and fight for your possessions, and -whatever you lose of your property during the war, the King will make up -to you when peace returns. This is the substance of what General Haldimand -said. The Caughnawaga Indians then joined themselves to us. We immediately -commenced in good earnest, and did our utmost during the war."</p> - -<p>The speech of Brant, from which the preceding extract is taken, was -written in the Mohawk language, and never, by him, rendered into English. -It is an important document, developing a new fact in regard to the -conduct of Sir Guy Carleton, and has accordingly been translated for the -present work. Strict historical accuracy is often of slow attainment; but, -after all deductions from the merits of General Carleton, afterward Lord -Dorchester, enough that is truly excellent and great will remain to leave -him a reputation of which most public men might well be proud.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chv">CHAPTER V.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Meeting of the second Continental Congress—Measures of - defence—Declaration—National fast—Organization of an Indian - department—Address to the Six Nations—Council called at - Albany—Preliminary consultation at German Flats—Speeches of the - Oneidas and others—Adjourn to Albany—Brief interview with the - commissioners—Conference and interchange of speeches with the - Albanians—Proceedings of the grand council—Speeches of the - commissioners—Replies of the Indians—Conclusion of the grand - council—Resumption of the conference with the Albanians—Speech of - the Albany Committee—Reply of the Indians—Disclosures of Guy Johnson's - proceedings at Oswego—Close of the proceedings—Epidemic among the - Indians—Small benefit resulting from the council—Proceedings in Tryon - County resumed—Doubtful position of New-York—Symptoms of disaffection - to the cause of the people—Sir John Johnson—Sheriff White deposed by - the people—The royal authorities superseded by appointments from the - people—Affray at Johnstown—First gun fired at Sampson Sammons—White - recommissioned by Tryon—His flight—Labors of the Committee—Opposition - of the Tories—Designs of Sir John Johnson and Sir Guy Carleton—Letter - and deputation to Sir John—Prisoners for political offences sent to - gaol—Letter from Provincial Congress—Mohawks commence fighting at St. - Johns—Speech of the Canajoharies in explanation—Indians apply for - release of prisoners—Review of the progress of the Revolution in other - parts of the Colonies—Proceedings of Parliament—Burning of - Falmouth—Descent upon Canada—Ethan Allen taken—Arnold's - expedition—Siege of Quebec—Fall of Montgomery—Caughnawaga and - Delaware Indians.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The</span> second Continental Congress, composed of delegates, assembled at -Philadelphia on the 10th of May. Hostilities having actually commenced, -and it being well understood that large reinforcements of the British -army were on their way from England, no time was lost in preparing for -the public defence. Protesting that they "wished for a restoration of the -harmony formerly subsisting between the mother country and the Colonies," -they resolved again to present "a humble and dutiful petition to his -Majesty;" prepared addresses to the people of Great Britain; to those of -Canada; and to the assembly of Jamaica; voted for the immediate equipment -of 20,000 men; voted to raise three millions on bills of credit for the -prosecution of the war; and, on the nomination of John Adams, commissioned -<span style="font-variant:small-caps">George Washington,</span> of Virginia, as Commander-in-Chief. On the 4th of July -Congress denounced the two acts of Parliament of the preceding session, -restraining the trade and commerce of the Colonies, as "unconstitutional, -oppressive, and cruel;" and on the 6th they agreed to a manifesto, -"setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking up arms." After -a spirited but temperate preamble, presenting a historical view of the -origin, and progress, and conduct of the Colonies, and of the measures -of the British government since the peace of 1763; and after an eloquent -recapitulation of the grievances which had produced the collision, and -proclaiming their confidence of obtaining foreign aid if necessary, and -of ultimate success; disavowing, moreover, any intention to dissolve the -connexion between the parent country and the Colonies; the declaration -proceeded—"We most solemnly, before God and the world, DECLARE, that, -exerting the utmost energy of those powers which our beneficent Creator -hath bestowed upon us, the arms we have been compelled by our enemies to -assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and -perseverance, employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with -one mind resolved to die FREE-MEN rather than live SLAVES." They protested -that they would lay down their arms when hostilities should cease on the -part of the aggressors, and not before. Reposing their confidence in the -mercy of the Impartial Judge and Ruler of the Universe, and imploring -his goodness to protect and carry them through the conflict, they -appointed the 20th of July to be observed as a day of public humiliation, -fasting, and prayer with that view. It was generally observed, and was -the first national fast ever proclaimed in the New World. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Holmes's Annals.</p> - - -<p>But amidst all the arduous duties demanding the attention of Congress, -the importance of keeping a watchful eye upon the Indians was universally -conceded. The position of the Six Nations, as well as their power to do -mischief, could not but strike the observation of all. They had served as -an useful barrier between the English settlements and the French in -Canada, in former wars, and were often actively engaged as auxiliaries. -Their position, and their utility, would be now precisely the same between -the Americans and the English in Canada. It was therefore deemed of the -first consequence, if possible, to prevent them from taking sides with -the English—not, however, with a view to their employment in arms by -ourselves; since, notwithstanding the disposition manifested by the -Congress of Massachusetts to employ the Indians, and the actual engagement -of the Stockbridge Indians as auxiliaries, it was, nevertheless, the -anxious desire of the Congress to keep them in a position of neutrality -as between England and the Colonies, and at peace among themselves, and -with all. For the purpose of closer observation and more efficient action -in respect to the Indian relations of the country, therefore, an Indian -Department, with three sub-divisions, Northern, Middle, and Southern, was -established on the 12th of July, and Commissioners were appointed for -each—"with power to treat with the Indians in their respective -departments, to preserve peace and friendship, and to prevent their taking -any part in the present commotions." The Commissioners of the Northern -Department were, Major General Philip Schuyler, Major Joseph Hawley, Mr. -Turbot Francis, Mr. Oliver Wolcott, and Mr. Volkert P. Douw. The form of -an address to the several tribes of Indians, in all the departments, was -agreed upon, to be altered as occasion might require for local adaptation. -This address was framed after the manner of Indian speeches, and contained -a summary history of the Colonies, and of the rise and progress of the -difficulties between them and the parent country. In the course of the -address, the Indians were informed of the nature and objects of the -contest then begun, and were strongly advised to the preservation of -neutrality. The Congress said—"We desire you will hear and receive what -we have now told you, and that you will open a good ear, and listen to -what we are now going to say. This is a family quarrel between us and Old -England. You Indians are not concerned in it. We do not wish you to take -up the hatchet against the King's troops. We desire you to remain at -home, and not join on either side, but keep the hatchet buried deep. In -the name and behalf of all our people, we ask and desire you to love peace -and maintain it, and to love and sympathise with us in our troubles; that -the path may be kept open with all our people and yours, to pass and -repass without molestation." In conclusion, the Congress said—"Let us -both be cautious in our behaviour toward each other at this critical -state of affairs. This island now trembles: the wind whistles from almost -every quarter . . . let us fortify our minds, and shut our ears against -false rumors . . . let us be cautious what we receive for truth, unless -spoken by wise and good men. If any thing disagreeable should ever fall -out between us, the Twelve United Colonies, and you, the Six Nations, to -wound our peace, let us immediately seek measures for healing the breach. -From the present situation of our affairs, we judge it wise and expedient -to kindle up a small council fire at Albany, where we may hear each -other's voice, and disclose our minds more fully to one another." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The address to the Indians is long and will be found in the - Appendix.</p> - - -<p>Such were a few of the points only of the address, which was an honest -and earnest attempt to prevent the savages from taking any part in the -contest whatever. No time was lost by the Commissioners of the Northern -department, in the adoption of measures pursuant to its wise spirit and -policy. For this purpose a treaty was appointed to be held with the Six -Nations at Albany, in the month of August, and the tribes were all invited -to attend. Previous to the day of meeting, two of the Commissioners, Mr. -Douw and Colonel Francis, met a number of the chiefs and warriors in a -preliminary council at the German Flats, which was not well attended. -This conference was holden on the 15th and 16th days of August. Colonel -Francis opened the council by stating the objects for which the twelve -United Colonies had invited the proposed general meeting at Albany, which -they now solicited all the Six Nations and their allies to attend. They -added—When "we meet you, our brethren of the Six Nations, and your -allies, at Albany, we will rekindle the council fire which our ancestors -and yours formerly kindled up at that place, and there sit down and -converse together upon the present situation of the twelve United -Colonies, and disclose to you their minds thereon. We have important -matters to communicate to you, our brethren of the Six Nations, and your -allies, which cannot be disclosed until the council fire be kindled up at -Albany, and we are in full assembly." Observing that the council was -thinly attended. Colonel Francis urged them in his speech to send a -general invitation to all the Six Nations to appear at Albany; and he -proposed that they should also send belts of invitation to the -Caughnawagas in the neighborhood of Montreal, together with the Indians -of the Seven Nations on the St. Lawrence. Colonel Francis concluded his -"talk" as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> As many mischievous and evil-disposed persons may attempt to -raise up in your minds sentiments that are unfriendly to your brethren of -the twelve United Colonies, we beg you will shut your ears and fortify -your minds against any such evil and false reports; and if any such liars -and deceivers should appear among you, and endeavour to poison your minds, -be assured they are as much your enemies as the enemies of your brethren -of the twelve United Colonies together, and which is now going to be made -stronger at Albany.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<i>A Belt.</i>"</p> - -<p>To this <i>Kanaghquaesa,</i> an Oneida sachem, replied:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You have now opened your minds. We have heard your voices. -Your speeches are far from being contemptible. But as the day is far -spent, we defer a reply until to-morrow, as we are weary from having sat -long in council. We think it time for a little drink; and you must -remember that the twelve United Colonies are a great body."</p> - -<p>The council having adjourned over to the 16th, <i>Tiahogwando,</i> an Oneida -sachem, made the following reply to the speech of the Commissioners:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother Solihoany,</span> [FN] and our Albany Brothers, attend! We are now -assembled at the German Flats, at which place you kindled up a council -fire, and yesterday called us together, and acquainted us from whence you -came, and by whose authority—namely, by that of the twelve United -Colonies—and you opened your business to us."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The name bestowed upon Colonel Francis by the Indians.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Now attend. Through the mercy of God we are brought to this -day, and the Six Nations are now in full assembly at this place, where -we smoke a pipe in friendship and love. We are glad to hear your voices. -You are come to invite us down to Albany, to a council fire of peace.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We thank you for this invitation. It meets with our entire -approbation. Here we are, of every tribe in the Six Nations. It shall be -done as you have said.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You have desired that all our confederates should receive this -invitation. This cannot be done short of one year, as we extend very far, -and could not possibly call the extremities of our confederacy to this -intended meeting. But possess your minds in peace. When this Congress is -over, and the council fire is raked up, we shall acquaint all our allies -with what has passed. This is the answer of all the Six Nations who are -now here represented from every tribe.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, attend!</span> Yesterday you said you were sensible our confederacy -extended to Caughnawaga, and you desired our assistance to forward this -your belt of invitation to the Caughnawagas and the seven tribes in that -quarter.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Possess your minds in peace. We, the Six Nations, are put to -difficulty to grant this request. We are much embarrassed, for this -reason. The man is now there who will vex your minds, and never consent -to their coming down, and will draw hard upon their minds another way. [FN] -He is of your own blood."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Guy Johnson was doubtless the man referred to.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Possess your minds in peace. We, of the Six Nations, have the -minds of the Caughnawagas and the seven tribes in that quarter. At our -central council-house, when this took place, they addressed us of the -Six Nations in the following manner:—'You are better capable of -maintaining peace than we are; therefore we deliver up our minds to you.' -For these reasons we advise you to reconsider your petition to us, seeing -we are so embarrassed we cannot grant it. Perhaps you will say to us, -when your intended council fire shall be over, 'Brothers, do you of the -Six Nations acquaint all your confederates and allies of what has passed -at this council-fire of peace;' and this we shall do with great care and -exactness. Now, Brothers, you see how we are embarrassed, and therefore -give you this advice.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<i>Belt returned.</i>"</p> - -<p>To this Colonel Francis made answer:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren of the Six Nations:</span> It gives us a great deal of uneasiness to -find that you cannot at present convey this belt to our friends in Canada. -We have heard your reasons, and are sorry to find that one of our blood -is already there, endeavouring to draw their minds from us when we mean -nothing but peace towards them. As there are a great many Englishmen in -Canada, we know not who you mean. We shall therefore be glad to have the -particular man pointed out."</p> - -<p>To this request, the Mohawk sachem. Little Abraham, replied:</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We take it for granted that you all know the very man we mean. -We said he was of your blood. We see no necessity of pointing him out -more explicitly."</p> - -<p>The times being critical, and the people of the valley being exceedingly -suspicious of the movements of the Indians, the latter were not altogether -without apprehension that some evil might befall them in their course to -Albany. Tiahogwando therefore addressed the council upon that point as -follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother Solihoany,</span> and our Albany Brother: We take it for granted you -have called us to a council of peace and entire friendship; and you have -taken us by the hand. As there are men of different minds, and some of -them may be ill disposed, we desire you will admonish your own people that -they offer us no abuse in the way down to your council-fire of peace. If -this caution should be neglected, some misfortune might happen; as all -people do not meet so much like brothers as formerly, on account of the -present situation of affairs. It would be unhappy if our council-fire -should be crushed by any mischief-makers. We have given you this caution, -that while we are marching along in peace and quietness, we might not be -alarmed by a blow struck in our rear. We therefore desire you would begin, -even at this council-lire, to publish your admonitions to unwise and -ungovernable people. By this belt we declare to you, our Brothers, that -the road is open for passing and repassing, and free from all -embarrassments, through the Six Nations, as it has been for a long time. -Therefore we desire that we may have the same open road down to your -intended council-fire at Albany." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] As Mr. Kirkland was in attendance upon this council, the Indian - speeches were doubtless interpreted by him.</p> - - -<p>Colonel Francis replied:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren of the Six Nations:</span> By this belt you desire that we may clear -the road to Albany, that none of our people may injure you. The road shall -be as clear for you to go to Albany, as it is for us to go to the country -of the Six Nations. The twelve United Colonies have given us great power -over the white people. We will appoint white men, who speak your language -and love your nations, to see you safe down to Albany, and to provide -provisions for you on the way. We shall set out for Albany to-morrow -morning, to prepare matters for kindling up the great council-fire there."</p> - -<p>The Board of Commissioners for the Northern Department met at Albany, on -the 23d of August, (with the exception of Major Hawley, who had declined -his appointment in consequence of ill health,) and made the necessary -arrangements for holding the treaty. An invitation was given to the civil -authorities of Albany, to pay the sachems and warriors a complimentary -visit in company with the Commissioners, which was accepted. A committee -of the principal gentlemen of Albany was likewise appointed, to join in -the complimentary visit on the 24th. On reaching the quarters of the -chiefs, they were addressed as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren of the Six Nations:</span>—We, the deputies appointed by the twelve -United Colonies, the descendants of Quedar, and the gentlemen of the city -of Albany, congratulate you on your arrival here. They are glad to see -you well, and thank the Great God that he suffers us to meet."</p> - -<p>In the course of this interview, the sachems intimated a desire to have -a consultation with the municipal officers of the city of Albany before -they met the commissioners in formal council. It appears that there had -been some diplomatic passages between the Oneida Indians and the -Albanians, and an interchange of messengers; and the chiefs were now -desirous of having a conference with them. The commissioners, anxious to -humor the Indians, assented to the request; and the Albanians appointed -a committee, consisting of Walter Livingston, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, -and Samuel Stringer, to make the arrangements. The interview took place -the same evening, when <i>Seaghnagerat,</i> an Oneida chief, opened the -proceedings with a speech of very unusual length for an Indian. He -commenced by an expression of his gratification that, on opening the ashes -to rekindle the old council-fire, they had found some of the sparks -remaining. He next referred to the proceedings of a previous consultation -at the German Flats, touching the conduct of Guy Johnson in removing -their missionaries, and other matters. The meeting referred to seems to -have been a partial council, to which the Albanians had sent a deputation, -the object of which was, by the exhibition of some ancient belts, to -remind the Indians of a former covenant of peace with Quedar, and to -dissuade them from engaging in the existing quarrel. What had been said -by the Albany deputies, at the conference referred to, but of which no -record seems to have been preserved, was now repeated in substance by the -Oneida chief, after the Indian manner of conducting their councils. He -then proceeded to reply <i>seriatim;</i> from which circumstance it is probable -that the former council-fire had been raked up, before its proceedings -were brought to a close. The reply now made was decidedly and strongly -pacific. The chief admitted that "evil birds" had been busy in circulating -unpleasant rumors, and that efforts had been made to make them swerve -from their neutrality by Guy Johnson or his agents—at least, such was -the inference from the speech; but he over and over again protested the -determination of the Six Nations to avoid interfering with the -controversy, and only exhorted the Colonists to keep the path into their -country open, so that they could pass and repass without molestation. In -regard to the removal of their missionary, the chiefs said Guy Johnson -had done it pursuant to "a belt" [FN] received from Governor Gage. He -expressed the greatest respect for Mr. Kirkland; but at the same time, -under the circumstances of the case, suggested whether it would not on -the whole be better for Mr. K. to leave them for the present, until the -storm should be over and gone.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] An order.</p> - - -<p>The speech having been ended, the Albanian Committee thanked them for it, -and promised a reply after the grand council with the Commissioners of -the Twelve Colonies should be terminated.</p> - -<p>That council commenced its sittings on the day following—August 25th. -The Oneida speaker of the preceding evening opened the council very -appropriately, after which the Commissioners, before proceeding formally -to business, proposed that they should all sit down and smoke the pipe -of peace together. The suggestion was acceded to, and the calumet passed -round. This ceremony having been ended, the Commissioners opened their -mission by a very appropriate and effective speech, reminding the Indians -of some ancient covenants of friendship with the Colonists, and repeating -to them a portion of the speech of <i>Cannassateego,</i> an old and popular -sachem of the Six Nations, whose name and character were held in great -reverence by them, delivered thirty years before at a great council held -in Lancaster. [FN] The exhortation was, to union among themselves, and -peace and friendship with the Colonists.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] A brother of Cannassateego was present on this occasion, and well - remembered his words.</p> - - -<p>The council was then adjourned to the 26th, when, the Commissioners -presented the address from the Congress, of which particular mention has -been made on a preceding page. The deliberations of Indian councils are -slow procedures. Their language is composed of long and intricate -compounds, and the necessity of deliberate and thorough interpretations, -so that the matter spoken and explained be fastened upon the memories of -the Indians, who possess not the advantage of written language, renders -the process tedious. The entire sittings of two days were therefore -required for the delivery and interpretation, by Mr. Kirkland, of the -Congressional "talk" with which the Commissioners were charged. At the -close, one of the chiefs declared that the address contained "nothing -but what was pleasant and good." But, as the matters proposed were of high -importance, they requested the next day for separate deliberation among -themselves, promising on the succeeding day, August 27th, to make their -reply. It was not, however, until the 31st of August that the Indians -were ready to make known the results of their own secret councils. Their -answer was delivered by <i>Little Abraham,</i> the Mohawk sachem of the Lower -Castle. It was an able speech, thoroughly pacific. But there was one -declaration which it is difficult to reconcile with the admitted veracity -of the Indians, since it was inconsistent with the well-known course of -Guy Johnson, and the covenant which had then already been made by Brant -and his followers, with Sir Guy Carleton and General Haldimand at -Montreal. We allude to the declaration of Little Abraham, that Johnson -had advised them to assume and preserve a neutral position at the recent -Oswego council. The proceedings of Brant and Guy Johnson at Montreal had -not then probably transpired in the Mohawk Valley. Still Guy Johnson must -have dissembled, or spoken with a "forked tongue," to those Indians whom -he supposed friendly to the Colonies, or so great a mistake could not have -been made by Little Abraham.</p> - -<p>In the course of their speech, the chiefs expressed a strong attachment -for Sir John Johnson as the son of their old friend, Sir William, who -was born among them, and of Dutch extraction by his mother. [FN] They -desired that whatever might be the cause of the war. Sir John might be -left unmolested. The same request was also interposed in behalf of their -missionary, the Rev. Mr. Stewart, who, they said, had been sent to them -by the King; and also because he never "meddled with civil affairs," but -was intent only on "instructing them in the way to heaven."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The mother of Sir John was a German lady, but in the Mohawk Valley - the Germans are usually called Dutch to this day.</p> - - -<p>In the conclusion of his speech, Abraham took occasion to refer to some -domestic matters between themselves and the people of Albany. He charged -them with having taken two pieces of land from the Mohawks, without paying -therefor so much even as a pipe. These lands the Indians desired the -Twelve Colonies to restore, and put them into peaceable possession again. -"If you refuse to do this," said he, "we shall look upon the prospect -as bad; for if you conquer, you will take us by the arm and pull us all -off." In thus saying, he spoke with the spirit of prophecy!</p> - -<p>When little Abraham had ended, <i>Tiahogwando,</i> an Oneida, made a short -speech on the subject of the then pending bloody and bitter controversy -between Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respecting the territory of Wyoming, -of which a full account will follow in its proper place. The Indians -avowed that the land had been conveyed by them to Penn, as a free -gift—the Great Spirit not allowing them to sell that country. In the -course of their speeches, the chiefs requested that the Indian trade might -be re-opened with them, both at Albany and Schenectady, and that somebody -might be appointed to guard the tree of peace at Albany, and keep the -council fire burning.</p> - -<p>On the 1st of September the Commissioners made their reply, conciliatory -in its character, and acceding to the principal requests of the Indians. -They also informed the chiefs that they had appointed General Schuyler -and Mr. Douw to keep the fire burning. Thus ended the council with the -agents of the Colonies. The "unfinished business" with the Albanians was -resumed on the next day—September 2d—for which purpose a council was -formed in the Presbyterian church. The Commissioners of the United -Colonies were likewise in attendance. After the preliminaries of form had -been gone through with, the Indians were addressed at length by the Albany -Committee. In the course of their speech, they adverted particularly to -the council at Oswego and the proceedings of Guy Johnson at that place, -respecting which, they said, they had received no certain advices, and -of which they wished to be fully and explicitly informed. In regard to -the land question interposed by the Indians, the Committee said they -presumed reference was had to the lands at Ticonderoga. That was a -question between the Indians and the corporation of Albany; whereas they -were a committee from the people, and could not entertain the question. -They reminded the Indians, however, that the question had been agitated -before, and settled by the Colonial Assembly. They also gave them to -understand that the Indians were not the party having cause of complaint -in that matter.</p> - -<p>The reply of the Indians was delivered by Little Abraham. Waiving the land -question, he proceeded to answer the questions put to them concerning the -Oswego council. "We look upon it," said he, "that God will punish us -should we conceal any thing from you." The following passages are quoted -from the reply of Abraham:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> The transactions of that treaty were very public. The Shawanese -were there, and some from Detroit. Mr. Johnson told us that the fire -kindled there was a fire of peace; that all the white people were the -King's subjects, and that it seemed they were intoxicated. He said the -white people were all got drunk, and that God's judgment hung over them; -but he did not know on which side it would fall. Mr. Johnson further told -us, that the present council fire was kindled on account of the present -dispute, and desired us not to interfere, as they were brothers; and -begged us to sit still and maintain peace. This is what Colonel Johnson -told us at that council-fire. He also said he had his eye on Mr. Kirkland; -that he was gone to Philadelphia, and along the sea-coast; that he was -become a great soldier and a leader. 'Is this your minister?' says he; -'do you think your minister minds your souls? No. By the time he comes to -Philadelphia, he will be a great warrior, and when he returns, he will be -the chief of all the Five Nations.'</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> There were present five people of Detroit, five from -Caughnawaga, and two of the Shawanese. Colonel Johnson told them that, by -the time he returned from Canada, they should have all their men there, -and he would then kindle a council-fire; and he would also desire them -not to take any part in this dispute, as it was a quarrel between -brothers. He also told them that he was going to the Governor of Canada, -who was of a different opinion from him, but would talk with him. And he -further said that he would tell the Caughnawaga Indians the same that he -told us, and for that purpose desired that two of each nation might go -along and hear it. He likewise desired us to consider which way we would -have our trade—whether up this river or from Canada. He at the same time -assured us that we should not suffer from want of goods, as we were not -concerned, nor had any hand, in the present dispute. He also said -something about the council-fires. He said there were two fires which -you should keep your eyes upon; and if they call you down to Albany, do -not you go; for they will deceive you, and tell you a great many fine -stories. We are very glad that your language and Colonel Johnson's so -well agrees."</p> - -<p>This report of the proceedings of Guy Johnson at Oswego was certainly -unexpected, and entirely at variance with the tenor of his conduct -previous to his departure from the Mohawk Valley, and during his progress -to the west. It is barely possible that he had not fully made up his mind -as to the course he might ultimately pursue, and that his purpose was not -definitively determined upon, until after his meeting with Carleton and -Haldimand at Montreal. And it is abundantly certain that his notions of -Indian neutrality, even had he entertained them, were very speedily -abandoned.</p> - -<p>With the delivery of Abraham's last-mentioned speech, however, the council -was closed; and although Schuyler and Douw had been appointed to keep the -council fire burning, yet the ashes were soon raked up—never to be opened -again at Albany, for that was the last grand Indian council ever held in -that city. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] As mentioned in the Introduction to the present volume, the - interesting proceedings of which a mere outline has been given in the - text, have never before been published complete. Their importance—their - intrinsic interest—and the fact that it was the last grand council of - the confederacy ever holden in Albany, had induced the author originally - to arrange the whole in the text. But their great length, it was thought, - would too seriously obstruct the narrative. Hence they have been - transferred to the Appendix. It was the first design of the author to - abridge the speeches, but an attempt soon proved that their force and - spirit would be lost in the process. See Appendix.</p> - - -<p>The result was highly satisfactory to the Commissioners, and apparently -so to the Indians, who had been well provided for during the three weeks -occupied at the German Flats and Albany. On their departure, moreover, -they were handsomely supplied with presents, and they took their leave -with manifestations of great good-will.</p> - -<p>Most unfortunately, however, soon after their return from Albany, an -epidemic disorder appeared among them, in the form of a highly malignant -fever. It was a disease which they had never seen, and by it great numbers -were swept away. The Schoharie canton of the Mohawks, in particular, -suffered very severely. Indeed, they were almost exterminated.[FN-1] The -small number who survived, imbibed the impression that the Great Spirit -had sent the pestilence upon them in anger for not having taken sides -with the King. They, therefore, followed their brethren from the Mohawk -Valley, who had escaped to Canada with Guy Johnson. In the subsequent -invasions of the Tryon County settlements, these Schoharie Indians, who -thus deserted by an impulse of superstition, were among the most forward -and cruel.[FN-2] It should also be borne in mind, that, after all, the -council comprised but an inadequate and partial representation of the -Six Nations, with the exception of the Oneidas and the lower clan of the -Mohawks. The great body of the Mohawk warriors, headed by Thayendanegea, -had left the country; and the most influential of the Onondagas, Cayugas, -and Senecas, had also accompanied Brant and Guy Johnson to Montreal; and -events, at no very distant day, proved that the Albany treaty had been -held to very little purpose. It is not consistent with the nature or -habits of Indians to remain inactive in the midst of war.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of John M. Brown, on the early history of Schoharie.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - -<p>Still, for the time being, those proceedings were not without benefit to -the cause of the country. The people of Tryon County were relieved, by -the stipulations of peace and neutrality, from apprehensions of immediate -danger from without; and the Committee of Safety was consequently enabled -to direct their attention, not only to the more efficient organization of -the settlements for defence, but to the civil government of the county.</p> - -<p>But, notwithstanding the fine spirit manifested thus far by a majority -of the people in the interior, and that too under all the disadvantages -we have been contemplating—notwithstanding the decisive tone of the -language used in denouncing the oppressions of the Crown,—it was not -yet exactly certain that the Colony of New-York would range itself against -the royal authority. Governor Tryon, who was popular in the Colony, had -recently been recalled from North Carolina, and again appointed Governor -of New-York; and he was exerting his utmost powers to detach her from the -cause of the Union—seconded by the Asia, man of war, then lying in the -harbour, and commanding the city of New-York by her guns. The captain -of the Asia had threatened to destroy the town should General Lee, who -was then approaching with an army from the east, be allowed to enter it; -and such were the prevalence of terror and the power of intrigue, that -disaffection to the cause of the Union began to exhibit itself openly in -the Provincial Congress. Indeed, avowals of a design to place themselves -under the royal standard were unequivocally uttered. These untoward -appearances were rendered the more threatening by the discovery of a -secret correspondence, from which it was ascertained that the parent -government was preparing to send a fleet into the Hudson, and to occupy -both New-York and Albany with its armies. [FN] Of these designs Sir John -Johnson was probably well aware, and the hope of their accomplishment -may have induced him to linger behind, watching the signs of the times, -after the departure of his brother-in-law and <i>his</i> army of followers. Sir -John had also a numerous tenantry, who were mostly loyalists; and the -Scotch colonists, settled in large numbers in Johnstown and its -neighbourhood, of whom mention has formerly been made, being loyalists -likewise, constituted for him a respectable force upon which he could -rely in a case of emergency.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Marshall's Life of Washington.</p> - - -<p>The Dutch and German population of the valley, however, were chiefly -Whigs; as also, by this time, were a decided majority of the entire white -population, not only of the Mohawk Valley, but of Schoharie, Cherry -Valley, and the other settlements in the southern part of that -widely-extended county. The general Committee executed their functions -with equal diligence and vigour. The inhabitants were enrolled and -organized into militia; the Committee deposed the sheriff, Alexander -White,[FN-1] and caused Colonel John Frey to be appointed in his place; -and, in one word, they took upon themselves both the civil and military -jurisdiction of the large section of country, over which they had -provisionally assumed the government. White had rendered himself -particularly odious to the Whigs from the first. Under some trifling -pretext, he had arrested a Whig by the name of John Fonda, and committed -him to prison. His friends, to the number of fifty men, under the conduct -of Sampson Sammons, went to the jail at night and released him by force. -From the prison they proceeded to the lodgings of the sheriff, and -demanded his surrender. White looked out from the second story window, -and probably recognizing the leader of the crowd, inquired—"Is that you, -Sammons?" "Yes," was the prompt reply; upon which White discharged a -pistol at the sturdy Whig, but happily without injury. The ball whizzed -past his head, and struck in the sill of the door. This was the first shot -fired in the war of the Revolution west of the Hudson. It was immediately -returned by the discharge of some forty or fifty muskets at the sheriff, -but the only effect was a slight wound in the breast—just sufficient to -draw blood. The doors of the house were broken, and White would have been -taken, but at that moment a gun was fired at the hall by Sir John. This -was known to be a signal for his retainers and Scotch partisans to rally -in arms; and as they would muster a force of five hundred men in a very -short time, the Whigs thought it most prudent to disperse. They collected -again at Caughnawaga, however, and sent a deputation to Sir John, -demanding that White should be given up to them.[FN-2] This demand, of -course, was not complied with.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The first liberty pole erected in the Mohawk Valley was at the - German Flats, and White, with a band of loyalists, had cut down the - emblem of rebellion.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MS. narrative of Jacob Sammons.</p> - - -<p>After his dismissal, as already mentioned, by an act of the people "in -their sovereign capacity," White was re-commissioned by Governor Tryon; -but the County Committee would not suffer him to re-enter upon the duties -of the office. On the contrary, so high was the popular indignation -against him, that he was obliged to fly—setting his face toward Canada, -accompanied by a white man named Peter Bone, and two or three Indians. -He was pursued to Jessup's landing on the Hudson River, where the house -in which he lodged was surrounded, and the fugitive sheriff taken -prisoner. From thence he was taken to Albany and imprisoned. [FN] Shortly -afterward he was released on his parole, and left the country.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Narrative of Jacob Sammons.</p> - - -<p>The exigencies of the times required prompt and vigorous action; and the -Committee seems to have been composed of exactly the right description -of men. They arrested suspicious persons, tried them, fined some, -imprisoned more, and executed others. Their duties also involved the -preservation of the peace in a critical period, among a mixed population -of border-men, ever more or less disposed to impatience under legal -restraint, and of course requiring the controlling power of a strong arm. -And yet these high duties were generally discharged with great -satisfaction to the public—the loyalists excepted, of course—and their -resolutions and decrees were submitted to by their constituents with -alacrity. Their influence was likewise successfully exerted in winning -friends to the popular cause, by deciding the wavering and confirming the -irresolute. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>Added to these multifarious duties, was the necessity of keeping a -vigilant watch over the motions of Sir John Johnson, whose position and -conduct were alike equivocal, and the numerous loyalists by whom he was -surrounded. By these people every possible obstacle was thrown in the way -of the Committee, and no method of annoying and embarrassing them left -untried. They laboured to destroy the confidence of the people in the -Committee; called public meetings themselves, and chose -counter-committees; now attempted to cover the Whig Committees with -ridicule, and now again charged them with illegal and tyrannical -conduct.[FN-1] The consequence was mutual exasperation—sometimes between -near neighbours; and the reciprocal engendering of hostile feelings -between friends, who ranged themselves under opposing banners. These -incipient neighbourhood quarrels occasioned, in the progress of the -contest that ensued, some of the most bitter and bloody-personal conflicts -that ever marked the annals of a civil war. Several members of the -Committee subsequently acted a distinguished part in the field; many of -them sacrificed their estates; and some of them fell. Among them, -<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Christopher P. Yates,</span> the first Chairman, accompanied General Montgomery -as a volunteer to Ticonderoga and Canada, and afterward raised and -commanded a corps of rangers.[FN-2] The fate of Nicholas Herkimer is well -known, though his death will be invested with new and additional interest -in the progress of this narrative.[FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Idem.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] The following extract is from a letter of the State Committee of - Safety, under date of December, 1775, signed by John M<sup>c</sup>Kesson, Clerk of - the Provincial Congress:—"I was directed by this Congress to assure you - of the high esteem and respect they have for your vigilant, - noble-spirited County Committee." The following was from General Schuyler - in the summer of 1776:—"The propriety of your conduct, and your generous - exertions in the cause of your country, entitle you to the thanks of - every one of its friends; please to accept of mine most sincerely." - <i>Campbell's Annals.</i></p> - - -<p>In regard to Sir John, matters were now fast approaching to a crisis. On -the 7th of September the Committee wrote to the Provincial Congress in -New-York, denouncing his conduct and that of his associates—particularly -the Highlanders, who, to the number of two hundred, were said to be -gathered about him, and by whom the Whigs "were daily scandalized, -provoked, and threatened." They added—"We have great suspicions, and are -almost assured, that Sir John has a continual correspondence with Colonel -Guy Johnson and his party." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It was afterward ascertained that such a correspondence was carried - on through the Indians, who conveyed letters in the heads of their - tomahawks and in the ornaments worn about their persons. The Indians also - brought powder across from Canada.—<i>Campbell's Annals.</i></p> - - -<p>No sooner had the Congress of <span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Twelve United Colonies</span> agreed to the -Declaration, or manifesto, mentioned in the beginning of the present -chapter, proclaiming to the world the causes, and the necessity of their -appeal to arms, than it was felt, on all hands, even by the timid and -hesitating, that England and the Colonies now stood, not in the relation -of parent and children, but in the attitude of two nations legally at war. -Hence the patriots of Tryon County began to look more closely, and with -greater assurance, to the deportment of Sir John, of whose designs, as -has been seen, they had from the first entertained strong suspicions. -The movements of Sir Guy Carleton, moreover, Governor-general of Canada, -who had been commissioned to muster and arm all persons within that -province, and to wage war by land and sea against "all enemies, pirates, -or rebels, either in or out of the province," to "take them and put them -to death, or preserve them alive, at his discretion," were now creating -great uneasiness on the northern frontier, from which quarter they were -apprehending a formidable invasion. The management of the northern -department having been committed to Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, who -were now directing a force upon Montreal and Quebec, the Tryon County -Committee determined to probe the intentions of Sir John Johnson at once -and to the bottom. For this purpose, on the 26th of October, they -addressed him the following letter:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<i>Tryon County Committee Chamber,</i><br> - <i>Oct.</i> 26, 1775.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Honorable Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"As we find particular reason to be convinced of your opinion in the -questions hereafter expressed, we require you, that you'll please to -oblige us with your sentiments thereupon in a few lines by our messengers, -the bearers hereof, Messrs. Ebenezer Cox, James M<sup>c</sup>Master, and John James -Klock, members of our Committee.</p> - -<p>"We want to know whether you will allow that the inhabitants of Johnstown -and Kingsborough may form themselves into companies, according to the -regulations of our Continental Congress, for the defence of our country's -cause; and whether your Honor would be ready himself to give his personal -assistance to the same purpose.</p> - -<p>"Also, whether you pretend a prerogative to our County court-house and -gaol, and would hinder or interrupt the Committee, to make use of the same -public houses, to our want and service in the common cause?</p> - -<p>"We don't doubt you will comply with our reasonable requests, and thereby -oblige,</p> -<p class="list2"> Honorable Sir, - Your obedient and humble Servants. - By order of the Committee, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Nicholas Herkimer,</span> - Chairman. - - "<i>To the - Honorable Sir John Johnson, - Johnson Hall.</i>"</p> - -<p>The deputation named in the letter waited upon Sir John in person, to -receive his answer—the substance of which they reported to the Committee -verbally as follows, viz:—</p> - -<p>"1. By perusing our letter, Sir John replied that he thinks our requests -very unreasonable, as he never had denied the use either of the -court-house or gaol to any body, nor would yet deny it, for the use which -these houses have been built for; but he looks upon it that the -court-house and gaol are his property till he is paid £700—the -amount of which being out of his pocket for the building of the same.</p> - -<p>"2. In regard of embodying his tenants into companies, he never did forbid -them, neither should do it, as they may use their pleasure; but we might -save ourselves the trouble, he being sure that they would not.</p> - -<p>"3. Concerning himself, he said, that before he would sign any -association, or would lift his hand up against his King, he would rather -suffer that his head shall be cut off.</p> - -<p>"Further he replied, that if we should make any unlawful use of the gaol, -he would oppose it, and also he mentions, that there have many unfair -means been used for increasing the association and uniting the people; -for he was informed by credible gentlemen in New-York that they were -obliged to unite, otherwise they could not live there; and that he was -informed by good authority, that likewise two thirds of the Canajoharie -and German Flats people have been forced to sign the articles; and in -his opinion the Boston people are open rebels, and the other Colonies -have joined them."</p> - -<p>Immediately on receiving this report, the Committee determined to bring -the question of the occupancy of the gaol to an issue. They therefore -directed that two of their prisoners, named Lewis Clement and Peter -Bowen, [FN] who had been sentenced to certain periods of confinement for -political offences, should be forthwith conveyed to the prison, under a -guard commanded by Captain <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jacob Seeber,</span> with instructions, that should -the gaoler refuse to receive them into close confinement for the time -specified, or should they be opposed by Sir John, then Captain Seeber was -to bring them to the house of "our voted and elected new high sheriff, -John Frey, Esq. who shall immediately inform thereof our chairman for -further directions."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] A subsequent document induces the belief that these prisoners were - Indians, though it is not so distinctly stated.</p> - - -<p>Sir John did not allow the Committee to take possession of the gaol, and -they were obliged to fit up a private house as a temporary prison; while -some of their prisoners were sent to Albany, and others as far as Hartford -for safe keeping. [FN] The Committee apprised the Provincial Congress of -their proceedings in this matter, from which body they received the -following communication in reply:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>"<i>Dec.</i> 9<i>th.</i> The Congress have this day entered into the consideration -of your letter of the 25th of October, and are of opinion that your -application to Sir John Johnson, requesting an answer from him whether he -would allow his tenants to form themselves into companies, and associate -with their brethren of your County, according to the resolves of the -Continental Congress, for the defence of our liberties, was improper with -respect to him, and too condescending on your part, as it was a matter -that came properly within your province; and to which we doubt not but -you are competent, as you have a line of conduct prescribed to you by -Congress. With respect to your second question, whether he would take -any active part in the controversy at present existing between Great -Britain and her Colonies, we conceive it to be very proper, and thank you -for information on that head.</p> - -<p>"As to the third question, we conceive that he has no claim nor title to -the court-house and gaol in the County, as we are credibly told that his -father, Sir William Johnson, did in his lifetime convey the same to two -gentlemen in trust for the use of your County. However, as an attempt to -use the same for the purpose of confining persons inimical to our country -may be productive of bad consequences, we beg leave to recommend to you, -to procure some other place which may answer the end of a gaol. And give -you our advice not to molest Sir John as long as he shall continue -inactive, and not impede the measures necessary to be carried into -execution from being completed.</p> - -<p>"We are extremely sorry that Mr. White has, by his imprudent conduct, -rendered himself justly offensive to you. The best advice we can give you -in this unpleasant affair is, that if you are of opinion that his -continuing in his office will be dangerous to your liberties, then that -you permit the office to be exercised by his deputies. And that you draw -up a petition, get as many persons of your County to sign it as possible, -and present it to the Governor of the Colony, setting forth that it is -very disagreeable to the people in general that he should execute that -office, and praying that he may be displaced, and his place supplied by -a person who would be acceptable to the people of your County.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "We are respectfully, - Gentlemen, - Your most obedient - humble Servants, - By order, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Nathl. Woodhull,</span> Pres. - - "<i>To Nicholas Herkimer, Esq. - Chairman, and the - Committee of Tryon County.</i>"</p> - -<p>The first act of positive hostility on the part of the Indians, during -this bitter and bloody contest, was committed in the Autumn of the present -year. General Schuyler having been obliged temporarily to leave the -northern army in consequence of ill health, the command devolved upon -General Montgomery, who had advanced a second time upon St. Johns and -captured the fortress—Sir Guy Carleton having been repulsed by Colonel -Warner at Longueil, in his attempt to cross the St. Lawrence and advance -to its succor. It appears that, either in the first or second attack upon -St. Johns, or in both, the Americans had been opposed by some of the -Mohawk Indians—those, doubtless, who had accompanied Guy Johnson to -Canada. Hence, on the 27th of October, the Tryon County Committee -"unanimously resolved, that a letter should be sent to the sachems of the -Canajoharie Castle, in regard to the return and present abiding of some -Indians in their Castle from Canada, who have acted inimically against us, -and fought against our united forces near the fort St. John, not to give -shelter to such real enemies among them."</p> - -<p>No copy of the letter written pursuant to this resolution has been -preserved. It is noted among the papers of the Committee, however, that -the sachems and warriors of Canajoharie Castle appeared before them in -person, and made the following answer to their epistle of remonstrance:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are thankful to you that you opened to us your hearts, and -we comprehend to be all true what you wrote to us. We live together, -Gentlemen, and we shall do our endeavour to answer you upon all the -contents of your letter, as much as we can remember thereof.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have not yet forgotten our agreement made in Albany. It is -not such a long time ago, we can remember it yet. Although we have not -put it in writing, it is yet in our memory. We can remember very well that -there have been twelve Governors with whom we agreed, and we made a level -road to the Six Nations, to Boston, and to Philadelphia.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have, as well as the Senecas and others of the Six Nations, -been very glad to make that road, where we went and shall go. It is all -peace and very good. The Nations have been very glad for the making of -that good road, and it is all peaceable. But we are afraid you make the -first disturbance on the sea-side—because you are a fighting already. -They have made that good road, but they will not hope that we should spill -blood upon it. You said in your letter that you cannot keep your young -people back, but we think you are masters of them, and could order them. -Some of our young people are now in Canada, and perhaps they are killed; -but if so be, our hearts will not be sore about it.</p> - -<p>"There are some young people, among them here, whom we could persuade to -stay and not to meddle themselves with the fighting of the white people; -but some went yet away, and we are glad to see them back again, because -they have been debauched to go away.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> The Six Nations are now speaking about that good road, and are -glad; but if they shall perhaps pass that road and see some blood spilled -upon it, then they would be surprised.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have made a very strong agreement of friendship together, -and we beg you will not break it for sake of some wrong done by some, who -have been debauched. You will drop it, we hope, for the present."</p> - -<p>The Committee replied to them in substance, that if those of their young -men who had first spilt the blood of their white brethren, had come back -repenting of their conduct, they should first have gone to the Committee, -and manifested their sorrow to them. Far from doing so, however, one of -them, named William Johnson, had, on the contrary, boasted of his hostile -proceedings, and spoken boldly against the cause of the Americans.</p> - -<p>On the 30th of October, at the request of some of the chiefs of the Mohawk -Castle, John Marbatt was deputed to hold a conference with them, in -reference to the imprisonment of Clement and Bowen. Marbatt says, in his -letter to General Herkimer, Chairman of the Committee:—</p> - -<p>"The heads of the Mohawk Castle met me at Abraham Quackenbush's, and made -a speech to me. They said we were all brothers, and all brought up -together, and hoped that we might remain so. They said they were very -sorry for their two brothers, Lewis Clement and Peter Bowen, and desired -that they might be discharged. It was so hard for them to see their -brethren in confinement that they could not rest. Whereon I told them -there was a law; and if any of our brothers transgressed the law, they -must expect to be punished by the law. I told them that any one that -behaved [well] should not be disturbed at all. But they begged that as -they had transacted this, [offended] before the law took effect, they -might be discharged; and if ever they transgressed again, they had nothing -to say against punishing them. They told me that they wanted to go a -hunting, and could not go from home contented until this matter was -settled. They desired me to give them an answer against next Saturday. -Gentlemen, I hope you will settle this matter for peace's sake. Your -compliance will much oblige your friend and humble servant," &c.</p> - -<p>The speech from the Canajoharie Indians, just recited, if closely -scrutinised, might appear somewhat equivocal. Still, it was not -belligerent; and, when taken in connexion with the preceding letter, the -presumption is reasonable, that the Mohawks remaining about their ancient -castles, had not yet determined to swerve from their engagement of -neutrality.</p> - -<p>Such was the progress of the Revolution, in the County of Tryon, down to -the close of 1775. A rapid glance at contemporaneous events not already -noted, occurring elsewhere, will close the history of the year. The battle -of Bunker Hill had aroused all New England to arms; and by the time of -General Washington's arrival to assume the command, during the first week -in July, the British forces were so effectually shut up in Boston, as to -be obliged to send out small vessels to a distance for supplies. To cut -up this species of coast-wise commerce, the Colonies of Massachusetts, -Rhode Island, and Connecticut each fitted out two small cruisers, before -Congress had made a suggestion respecting a naval armament. The first -avowal of offensive hostility against the mother country, was contained -in the act of the Massachusetts Congress for fitting out a naval armament; -and among the first fruits was the capture, by Captain Manly of -Marblehead, of a large British ordnance brig, laden with several elegant -brass pieces of artillery, a large supply of small arms, tools and -utensils of all warlike descriptions, &c. Three days afterward Captain -Manly captured three more British ships laden with military stores. South -Carolina was at the same time making vigorous preparations for war, but -had not exceeding 3,000 lbs of gunpowder within the province. By fitting -out a fast sailing vessel, however, they were enabled to intercept a -supply vessel off St. Augustine, and obtain a large and timely addition -to their stores—15,000 pounds of gunpowder alone. Meantime the affairs -of the Colonies continued to form the leading and most exciting topic of -debate in the British Parliament. Lord North, who, it is now known, acted -throughout this great struggle more in obedience to the positive -requisitions of the King, than in accordance with his own private wishes, -insisted upon the strongest measures of compulsion. General Conway, -Colonel Lutterell, Mr. James Grenville, the Duke of Grafton, and Lord -Lyttleton, spoke in favor of concession to the Colonies, and argued in -favor of repealing every enactment respecting the matters in dispute with -the Colonies, subsequent to the year 1763. The ministers contended that -they might as well acknowledge the independence of the Colonies at once. -Mr. Burke, during this season, made his great speech on American affairs, -and introduced his conciliatory bill, proposing "a renunciation of the -exercise of taxation, without at all interfering with the question of -right. It preserved the power of levying duties, for the regulation of -commerce; but the money so raised was to be at the disposal of the several -general assemblies. The tea duty was to be repealed, and a general amnesty -granted." This proposition, though regarded with more favor than the -others, was rejected; and the Administration was sustained in the policy -of sending a large sea and land force against the Colonies, accompanied -with offers of mercy upon a proper submission.[FN-1] The Continental -Congress, however, still continued its efforts to prevent a final -separation; and another address to the King was adopted, beseeching the -interposition of his royal authority to afford relief from their -afflicting fears and jealousies, and restore harmony by the adoption of -such measures as would effect a permanent reconciliation. This petition, -signed by John Hancock, was presented in Parliament on the 7th of -December, and gave rise to several motions for a pacification—all of -which were rejected.[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Holmes's Annals, Par. Register.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - -<p>The military operations of the Autumn were chiefly confined to the -expedition against Canada. Lord Dunmore, it is true, had given several -additional impulses to the Revolutionary spirit in Virginia, by the manner -of his opposition; and the enemy had still farther exasperated the people -of New England by burning the town of Falmouth, in the north-eastern part -of Massachusetts. Having timely notice, the people fled from the town, -which was furiously bombarded, and 139 dwelling-houses and 278 warehouses -were burnt. The invasion of Canada, by Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, -has already been incidentally mentioned. General Schuyler had issued a -suitable proclamation to the inhabitants of Canada, on entering that -territory; but he was obliged by ill health to relinquish the command to -General Montgomery. St. John's surrendered on the 3d of November; but -while the siege was pending. Colonel Ethan Allen, with thirty-eight of -his Green Mountain boys, was captured, and sent to England in irons. [FN] -Allen deserved his fate, however, for his rashness and disobedience of -orders. Still, he was very near capturing Montreal with the small party -he had led in advance, as was subsequently admitted by one of the British -officers.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Idem.</p> - - -<p>The fort at Chamblee fell into the hands of Montgomery, together with a -large quantity of military stores, which were of great use; among them -were three tons of powder. Montreal was next taken by the -Provincials—General Carleton escaping in a boat with muffled oars to -Three Rivers, from whence he hastened to Quebec. Montgomery, with his -little army, was swift to follow him thither; where his arrival had been -anticipated by Colonel Arnold, with upward of 700 New England infantry -and riflemen, with whom he had performed the incredible service of -traversing the unexplored forest, from the Kennebec to the mouth of the -Chaudiere. Uniting the forces of Arnold with his own, Montgomery laid -siege to Quebec on the 1st of December. His artillery, however, was too -light to make any impression upon its walls, and it was at length -determined, if possible, to carry the town by a combined assault from -two directions—one division to be led by Montgomery and the other by -Arnold. The enterprise was undertaken on the 31st of December, and the -year closed by the repulse of both divisions and the fall of Montgomery.</p> - -<p>The success which had marked the American arms in the early part of the -Canadian campaign, made a strong impression upon the Caughnawaga Indians. -The Canadians, generally, were exceedingly averse to engaging in the -unnatural contest, [FN-1] and were strongly inclined to favor the cause -of the Colonies; and, notwithstanding the descent of Brant and the Mohawks -to Montreal, and the solicitations of Governor Carleton, the Caughnawagas -sent a deputation to General Washington, at Cambridge, as early as the -month of August, avowing their readiness to assist the Americans in the -event of an expedition into Canada. [FN-2] This assurance was fulfilled. -In a letter from Sir Guy Carleton to General Gage, written in August, -which was intercepted, the Canadian Governor said—"Many of the Indians -have gone over to them (the Americans), and large numbers of the Canadians -are with them. . . . I had hopes of holding out for this year, though I seem -abandoned by all the world, had the savages remained firm. I cannot blame -these poor people for securing themselves, as they see multitudes of the -enemy at hand, and no succour from any part, though it is now four months -since their operations against us first began." [FN-3] The subsequent -reverses of the Americans, however, changed the masters of those Indians, -and they were ere long found warring in the ranks of the Crown.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of Washington to the president of Congress, Aug. 4th, 1775.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter of Washington to Gen. Schuyler.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Sparks.</p> - -<p>But all the Indians did not join the British standard. Notwithstanding -that the Delawares had been engaged in the Cresap war, the year before, -they refused the solicitations of the British emissaries and the Senecas -to take up the hatchet with them in this contest. A meeting of Indians -was held in Pittsburgh, to deliberate upon the question, at which a select -deputation of the Senecas attended. Captain <i>White Eyes,</i> a sensible and -spirited warrior of the Lenape, boldly declared that he would not embark -in a war, to destroy a people born on the same soil with himself. The -Americans, he said, were his friends and brothers, and no nation should -dictate to him or his tribe the course they should pursue. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Heckewelder.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chvi">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Lord Dunmore—Glance at the South—Suspicious conduct of Sir John - Johnson—Conduct of the Tories in Tryon County—Gen. Schuyler directed - by Congress to march into that County and disarm the Tories—Preliminary - mission to the Lower Mohawks—Message to them—Their displeasure and - reply—March of Schuyler—Meets the Indians at Schenectady—Interview - and speeches—Advance of Schuyler—Letter to Sir John - Johnson—Interview—Negotiations of capitulation—Terms - proposed—Schuyler advances to Caughnawaga—Joined by Tryon County - Militia—Farther correspondence with Sir John—Interview with the Indian - mediators—Terms of surrender adjusted—Schuyler marches to - Johnstown—Sir John, his household, and the Highlanders, - disarmed—Troops scour the country to bring in the - loyalists—Disappointment as to the supposed Tory <i>Depot</i> of warlike - munitions—Return of Schuyler to Albany—Resolution of - Congress—Additional trouble with Sir John—Preparations for his - seizure—Expedition of Col. Dayton—Flight of the Baronet and his - partisans to Canada—Their sufferings—And subsequent conduct—How the - violation of his parole was considered.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The</span> dawn of the New Year was lighted up by the conflagration of Norfolk, -by order of Lord Dunmore, the royal Governor of Virginia. His Lordship -had previously retired with his adherents to the fleet; and this act -of Vandalism was directed by way of retaliating upon the Whigs of that -borough, for having refused supplies to the Liverpool man of war. The -people themselves destroyed the buildings nearest the water, in order -to deprive the ships even of those sources of supply. After cruising for -a time on the coast of Virginia, and being every where repulsed—some -of his ships having been driven on shore, and their crews captured and -imprisoned by the Colonists—his Lordship was obliged to destroy those -of his vessels which were not sea-worthy, and seek refuge himself in -Florida and the West Indies. Another incident adverse to the royal arms, -was the defeat, by the Provincials under General Moore, of General -M<sup>c</sup>Donald, (commissioned by Governor Martin,) in his attempts to bring -North Carolina to obedience. The battle resulting in this defeat was -gallantly fought at Moore's Creek Bridge, by Colonels Caswell and -Lillington, commanding about 1000 minute men and militia. A large -quantity of arms fell into the hands of the Provincials; and the defeat, -equally unexpected and decisive, greatly depressed the spirits of the -loyalists in that quarter.</p> - -<p>Resuming the history of the Mohawk Valley; although the Autumn of the -preceding year had passed quietly away in that region, yet no small degree -of uneasiness was created, early in the winter, by the suspicious conduct -of Sir John Johnson; heightened, as will appear in the sequel, by false -representations sent forth by a man who, in the end, proved to be an -impostor. Such were the spirit of the times moreover, and the jealousies -mutually entertained, that it is more than probable the measures of Sir -John were concerted in consequence of apprehensions honestly indulged, -and in all likelihood awakened by the same or a kindred imposture. At -all events Sir John was actively engaged in defensive preparations, with -a view, as it was believed, of throwing up fortifications around the -baronial hall. His adherents, as we have seen, were numerous, particularly -among the Scotch Highlanders, by several hundreds of whom he was -surrounded; and reports became rife, that, in addition to these, the -works he was erecting were to be garrisoned by three hundred Indians, to -be let loose upon the settlements as opportunities might occur.</p> - -<p>It was undoubtedly true that the Tories of that region were preparing -actively to espouse the royal cause, and enlistments for the King's -service, it is very likely, were secretly making. Information to this -effect was laid before Congress in December. It was also declared, by -a man named Connell, that a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition, -and other warlike articles, had been collected and concealed by the Tories -at Johnstown, to be used when the proper moment for action arrived. The -facts disclosed by Connell were supported by his deposition; whereupon -a resolution was adopted by Congress, directing General Schuyler to be -informed of these circumstances, and requesting him to adopt the most -speedy and effectual measures for securing the said arms and military -stores; for disarming the loyalists, apprehending their leaders, and -taking such measures in general as might be judged necessary to ensure -the tranquility of the frontier. [FN] This resolution was received by -General Schuyler at Albany early in January, and no time was lost in -concerting measures for its execution.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The sum of <i>forty dollars</i> was appropriated by Congress for this - object; and the Special Committee having the subject in charge, were - directed to count the gold and silver in the treasury, and forward the - same to General Schuyler under a guard!—<i>Vide Jour. Con.</i></p> - - -<p>General Schuyler having at that time no troops at his disposal, was under -the necessity of communicating with the sub-committee of safety of Albany -County, for which purpose, in order that a knowledge of the business with -which he was charged might not transpire, he previously administered to -them the oath of secrecy. They were at first embarrassed in devising a -pretext for the preparations it was necessary to make for the expedition; -but the opportune arrival of a letter and an affidavit, (probably from -Connell,) from Tryon County, containing accounts exactly suited to the -emergency, afforded ample reasons for a call upon the militia. General -Schuyler at first supposed that a force of three hundred men, with the -assistance they would be certain to receive from the Whigs of Tryon -County, would be amply sufficient. It was determined, however, in order -to produce a deeper effect upon the loyalists against whom they were -proceeding, to march with a force of seven hundred men.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, in order to preserve the good-will of the Indians of the -Lower Mohawk Castle, [FN] and guard against taking them by surprise or -giving them unnecessary alarm, Mr. Bleecker, the Indian interpreter, -residing at Albany, was despatched to the Castle on the 15th, charged -with a belt and the following message to the Indians:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Mohawks of the Lower Castle, with Little Abraham, had not been - drawn away by Thayendanegea and Guy Johnson.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> I am sent by the Commissioners of the United Colonies, to -acquaint you that the brethren of Albany have received information that -several persons in and about Johnstown are busy in enlisting men to cut -our throats, and are making other hostile preparations to assist in -enslaving this country, and to prevent and stop up the road of -communication to the Westward. Your Albany Brothers, on this alarming -occasion, have collected their warriors, and are now sending them up the -river in order to inquire into the truth of the report, and act thereupon -as they may judge needful.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Be not alarmed at these preparations; nothing is intended -against you; our own safety and liberty impel us to this measure; you can -rest perfectly satisfied that we will invariably pursue our friendly -disposition towards you, and expect that you will, agreeable to the -promises you made us at Albany, take no part in the present struggle.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We promised you last Summer that Sir John and his family should -not be molested while he took no measures against us. We are yet of that -mind; and if he has acted as an honest man, he need not fear any danger.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Lest the preparations and march into your country should alarm -the Six Nations, we desire that you will send some of your young men with -this speech to the end of the House of the Six Nations, that no uneasiness -may take place in their minds."</p> - -<p>The Indians were by no means pleased with the proposed invasion of the -Valley; anticipating, probably, an injurious effect upon their own people, -and perhaps injury to Sir John, to whom they were sincerely attached. -After due deliberation, Mr. Bleecker was sent back with a belt containing -the following reply to the Commissioners, or, in other words, to General -Schuyler:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> This belt we present to the Commissioners of the twelve United -Colonies and our Brothers of Albany, and desire them that the troops that -were coming up should not come up so speedily; that perhaps a mode might -be pointed out to have it settled in an easier manner; that perhaps, in -case the troops came up, it might be a means to stop up the road, and -perhaps create an uneasiness in their minds, as they and Sir John were, -as it were, one blood; and that the General should do all in his power -to have it settled without the troops going up; that he was a wise man, -and should set his thoughts a thinking to have it settled, by appointing -three or four persons to treat with Sir John about it; that they would -retain the belt sent by the Commissioners till such time as they heard -from the Commissioners, and in case the troops did not come, then they -would send the belt forward to the other nations; but if they came up, -then they would keep the same in their hands; that three of their nation -should immediately go to Sir John, and desire him to remain silent and be -at peace; and that in case there were any in Johnstown that were Tories, -they would settle them, and make them remain peaceable. That all the -uneasiness in the minds of Sir John, and the others in Johnstown, -originates from accounts that they receive from people in Albany; that -they daily have accounts from thence that the New England people are -coming up to destroy Sir John and his possessions."</p> - -<p>Accompanying this message, the Squaws also took the subject in hand, and -charged the interpreter with a belt with the following message on their -own behalf:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span> the Commissioners of the United Colonies and the people of -Albany: This belt we present you, and hereby renew the covenant that was -made last summer; and we beg that no disturbance shall be made up here, -and that the said covenant may not thereby be broken; that in case the -troops were to come up, it might create great uneasiness, as they and -Sir John were of one blood; and that in case Sir John was disturbed, it -might touch their blood, and we beg some other mode may be pointed out -whereby this uneasiness may be settled."</p> - -<p>General Schuyler, however, did not wait for the return of his messenger -from the Indians, but proceeded to Schenectady on the 16th, at the head -of a strong division of militia, and accompanied by General Ten Broeck, -Colonel Varick, and several other officers. The militia turned out with -great alacrity, notwithstanding the severity of the weather and the -badness of the roads. On the evening of his arrival at Schenectady, -General Schuyler was met by a deputation of the Mohawks, headed by Little -Abraham, who, in a very haughty tone, [FN] addressed him as follows:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] General Schuyler's official report, from which document the whole - narrative of this expedition is drawn. This document, it is believed, - has never yet been published entire, and has only recently been - discovered at Washington, by Peter Force, Esq. who obligingly favored - the author with the use of it.</p> - - -<p>"We intended to have gone down to Albany in order to speak to you; but -thank God that he has given us an opportunity to meet you here, as we -have some matters to communicate to you."</p> - -<p>To which General Schuyler replied with corresponding brevity:—</p> - -<p>"I am very glad to see you here, and I shall be glad to hear what the -Brothers have to say, as my ears are always open to them."</p> - -<p>Whereupon Abraham proceeded to address the General and his associates as -follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You lately sent to our place four men, who arrived to us last -Sunday morning. [FN] They told us they were sent up to us by you to inform -us of those military preparations which were making down in this quarter. -By them you let us know that you thought it not prudent to send armed men -amongst us without previously notifying us. Likewise, Brothers, your -messengers informed us of the reasons of your coming in this manner. You -informed us that you had heard that there were a number of men embodied -at Sir John's, about Johnstown. You told us likewise, that as soon as -they had completed their body, they intended to destroy the settlements -up and down the river. You informed us that you were coming up to inquire -into the truth of the report, and who it was that gave out commissions, -and what were their designs. At the same time you assured us that no harm -was intended against us, the Six Nations, as we had last summer publicly -engaged that we would take no part against you in your dispute with the -great King over the Great Water."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Mohawk chief seems here to refer to an embassy to their castle - a few days previous to that performed by Mr. Bleecker, not mentioned - by General Schuyler. Or, perhaps, a wrong date was given to the message - transmitted by the interpreter.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You told us that you would come to search into the truth of -the report, and you assured us also that you would not be the first -aggressor, and that it should be our own fault if any blood was spilt. -You told us that you would acquaint the Lower Castle first of the design, -that they should send up to the Upper Castle, and they to the Oneida, -and they to Onondaga, and so through the whole Six Nations.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We thanked your messengers for the speech delivered to us, and -we would consider of it for some time to return them an answer -accordingly. Brothers, a small number of us who take care of the news met -in council on this occasion. We thanked your messengers for informing -us first of your designs. We said we knew the agreement which was entered -into with the whole twelve United Colonies. At that meeting you remember -it was agreed to remove all obstacles out of the way of the path of peace, -to keep it so that we might pass and repass without being annoyed.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> you told us that you came to inquire into the truth of the -report, which might be done by 4 or 6 without any danger in making the -inquiry. We proposed your sending up six persons to inquire into the -truth of this matter, as it would be a shame to interrupt them, as no -person would be so mean to give them any obstruction. As for sending your -belt forward, we thought to retain it until we had heard whether our -proposal had been accepted or no. And we desire that you would consider -of this matter, and keep your troops at home, and let us know your mind; -and if, after considering of our proposals, you do not agree to them, -that you will then let us know what you intend to do. They likewise sent -word to you that when they had heard from you, whether you accepted of -our proposals, we would then do as you desire in sending up the news.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We expected an answer to our proposals; but none arrived until -we were informed by a woman who returned from Albany, that those -preparations were actually making, and that troops were actually marching -in the country. We then, Brothers, took the matter into consideration, -and determined it was best for a party to meet you, and you see us this -day, Brothers, arrived. We come, Brothers, to beg of you that you take -good care and prudence of what you are going about. We beg of you, -Brothers, to remember the engagement which was made with the twelve -United Colonies at our interview last summer, as we then engaged to open -the path of peace, and to keep it undefiled from blood. At the same time -something of a different nature made its appearance. You assured us, -Brothers, that if any were found in our neighborhood inimical to us, you -would treat them as enemies. The Six Nations then supposed that the son -of Sir William was pointed at by that expression. We then desired -particularly that he might not be injured, as it was not in his power to -injure the cause; and that therefore he might not be molested. The Six -Nations then said they would not concern themselves with your operations -in other parts, but particularly desired that this path might be free -from blood. And now, Brothers, we repeat it again; we beg of you to take -good care and not to spill any blood in this path, and the more -especially, Brothers, as it is but of this day that the Six Nations had -so agreeable an interview with the Colonies, and our chiefs are now -hunting in the woods, and not dreaming that there is any prospect that -this path is or will be defiled with blood.</p> - -<p>"We informed you, Brothers, that we had heard of a woman, that you were -advancing, and that you had cannon. We then took it into consideration. -We thought it strange that cannon should be brought into the country, -as the twelve United Colonies had so lately opened the path of peace. -As you will remember that this path was opened last Spring, and the Six -Nations agreed to keep it open. We then thought what could influence -the twelve United Colonies to open this path, and from the present -appearance it is as if with a design that the cannon should pass free -from all obstruction.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, attend!</span> It was your request, and a matter agreed upon by the -twelve United Colonies, that we should mind nothing but peace; therefore, -Brothers, as we mean to observe that agreement, we have expressed -ourselves as above, and as Brothers we mind nothing but peace. We look -upon ourselves as mediators between the two parties; therefore, Brothers, -as your messengers declared that you would not be the aggressors, we -informed Sir John of this, and earnestly begged of him not to be the -aggressor, or the means of spilling blood; and at the same time assured -him, that if we found that he should be the aggressor, we would not pay -any farther attention to him; and likewise told him, that if our Brothers -of the United Colonies were the aggressors, we should treat them in the -same manner. This is what we told Sir John, as we look upon ourselves to -be the mediators between both parties, and, as we have said before, -desired him not to be the aggressor. To which Sir John replied, that we -knew his disposition very well, and that he had no mind to be the -aggressor. He assured us that he would not be the aggressor, but if the -people came up to take away his life, he would do as well as he could, -as the law of nature justified every person to stand in his own defence.</p> - -<p>"According to the news we have heard, it is as though Sir John would shut -up the path of peace in that quarter; but it is impossible he should do -it, as he had but a mere handful of friends; but, Brothers, if this -company, who now are passing by, should go up, and any thing bad should -happen, we shall look on you as shutting up the path.</p> - -<p>"It has been represented to you, Brothers, that it seems that Sir John -is making military preparations, and that he is making a fort round his -house; but, Brothers, as we live so near him, we should certainly know -it if any thing of that nature should be done, especially as we go there -so frequently on account of our father, the minister, who sometimes -performs divine service at that place. We have never seen any hostile -preparations made there; there is no cannon, or any thing of that kind, -and all things remain in the same situation it was in the lifetime of -Sir William.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We would not conceal anything from you. It would not be right -to use deceit, neither do we mean to do it. The minds of our counselors -are very much grieved; and aggrieved at that part of the disposition -of those whom we may call our warriors; there are some among us of -different minds, as there are among you, Brothers. Our counselors, -remembering the covenant we last Summer made with our Brethren, the -Twelve Colonies, have all along strongly urged our warriors to peace, -and have checked them when a contrary disposition appeared. Our minds -are very much aggrieved to find any of our warriors of different -sentiment. We have hitherto been able to restrain them, and hope still -to be able to do it, for matters are not now carried to extremity; but -if they are, our warriors will not be restrained, because they will think -themselves deceived if this military force comes into the country.</p> - -<p>"We have declared to you, Brothers, that we would not deceive, and that -we mean to declare our minds to you openly and freely. We, the sachems, -have all along inculcated to the warriors sentiments of peace, and they -have hitherto been obedient to us, though there have been frequent -rumours that they should be disturbed; yet we have hitherto been able to -calm their minds. But now, Brothers, so large a party coming, alarms the -minds of our warriors. They are determined, Brothers, to go and be present -at your interview with Sir John, and determined to see and hear every -thing that should be there transacted; and if it shall then appear that -this party shall push matters to extremes, we then cannot be accountable -for any thing that may happen. But as for us, Brothers, the counselors -are fully determined ever to persevere in the path of peace.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, attend!</span> Though I have finished what I had purposed to say, yet -I will add one thing more. When the news of your approach arrived at our -town, it caused great confusion; some were ready to take to their arms, -observing that those reports respecting the unfriendly disposition of the -Colonies were now verified. I begged of them, Brothers, to possess their -minds in peace for a few days. I told them that I myself would go to -Albany, and inquire into the truth of the matter; I was so conscious of -my own innocency, that no hostile appearance could deter me, however -formidable. I therefore desired them to sit still until my return, which -might be in two days if I went to Albany. This, Brothers, is the present -situation of our people. They are waiting to see what news I bring."</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> When I made this request to the warriors that they should sit -still till my return, they told me that they would, which they are now -in expectation of, and will do nothing till I get back. But, Brothers, -after my return I will repeat to them the speech you will now make to me, -and if any of our people should still persist to be present at your -interview with Sir John, we hope, Brethren, you will not think hard of -us as counselors, as it is not in our power to rule them as we please. -<i>If they should go, and any thing evil should happen, we beg to know, -Brothers, what treatment we may expect who remain at home in peace.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> This is all we have to say. This is the business which has -brought us down, and we now expect an answer to carry home to our people."</p> - -<p>To which General Schuyler delivered the following answer:</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the Mohawk Nation:</span> We, the Commissioners appointed by the -Congress, and your Brothers of Albany and Schenectady, have paid great -attention to the speech you have delivered us. We now desire you to open -your ears, and attentively listen to what we have to say in answer.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> It pleased us to hear you declare that you would speak your -minds freely. We assure you that we shall do the same, and hide nothing -from you of what is in our thoughts.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We were in hopes that the message which we sent you by Mr. -Bleecker would have eased your minds, and have convinced you that no -hostile intentions existed against you or any other Indians; for if they -had, we would not have sent you that message, neither would we have -supplied you with powder, as we did last Summer and again the other day.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are extremely sorry that you have not complied with our -request, to send the speech which we sent you by Mr. Bleecker, to the -Six Nations in the manner which we required.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You told us that five or six men would have been sufficient to -go to Johnstown and inquire what was transacting there, and that these -people would be in no danger, as it would be a shame to interrupt them. -We acknowledge, Brothers, that it would have been a shame if we had sent -them and they had been interrupted; but we have full proofs that many -people in Johnstown, and the neighbourhood thereof, have for a -considerable time past made preparations to carry into execution the -wicked designs of the King's evil counselors.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> It is very true that last Summer the United Colonies promised -that the path to the Indian country should be kept open. They again -repeat that promise; and although it is by the special order of Congress -that this body of troops are now marching up, yet it is not to shut the -path, but to keep it open, and to prevent the people in and about -Johnstown from cutting off the communication between us and our brethren -of the Six Nations, and our other brethren living up the river.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Although we have before observed that the people living in -and about Johnstown are making hostile preparations against us, yet we -will not shed a drop of their blood unless they refuse to come to an -agreement by which we may be safe, or unless they oppose us with arms. -We do not mean that any of our warriors should set their foot on any of -the lands you possess, or that of the Six Nations, unless our enemies -should take shelter there; for those we are resolved to follow wherever -they go. We again repeat, that we have no quarrel with you, and we do -expect that you will not interfere in this family contest, but stand by -as indifferent spectators, agreeable to the engagement of the Six Nations -made to us last Summer at their own request.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We assured you last Summer, that as we had no quarrel with any -Indians, we would not touch a hair of their heads; yet when our warriors -were at St. Johns, they were attacked by Indians. Two of your tribe, and -some others, were killed. You have never blamed us for it, because you -well knew that our lives are dear to us; we have a right to kill any man -who attempts to kill us. You ought, therefore, not to be surprised if we -take every precaution to prevent being destroyed by the friends of the -King's evil counselors.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> In a little time we may be called upon to go and fight against -our enemies to the eastward, who are employed by the King's evil -counselors; and can you think it prudent that we should leave a set of -people who are our enemies, in any part of the country, in such a -situation as to be able to destroy our wives and children, and burn our -houses in our absence? Would you leave your wives and children in such -a situation? The wisdom by which you have conducted your affairs convinced -us that you would not; and yet so cautious are we that no blood may be -shed, that we shall send a letter to Sir John, inviting him to meet us -on the road between this place and his house, which if he does, we make -no doubt but every thing will be settled in an amicable manner; and that -he may be under no apprehensions, we do now assure you that if we do not -come to an agreement, he will be permitted safely to return to his own -house.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We thank you that you have concealed nothing from us, and we -assure you that we scorn deceit as much as you do; and therefore we shall -now speak our minds freely on what you have said respecting the conduct -which your warriors mean to hold. We have no objection, nay, we wish that -you and they should be present, to hear what we shall propose to Sir John -and the people in and about Johnstown who are our enemies; but we beg -of you to tell your warriors, that although we have no quarrel with them, -yet if we should be under the disagreeable necessity of fighting with our -enemies, and your warriors should join them and fight against us, that we -will do as we did at St. Johns, repel force by force.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You have asked us, if your warriors should go and if any thing -evil should happen, what treatment you may expect who remain at home -in peace?</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> In the treaty held at Albany last Summer, you and your warriors -were present, and you and they jointly promised to remain neuter and not -to interfere in this quarrel. Should your warriors, therefore, now take -up arms against us, we must consider it as a breach of the treaty so far -as it respects the lower Mohawk Castle; of which breach we shall complain -to our Brethren, the other nations, and at the same time lay the matter -before our great council at Philadelphia, whose determination thereupon -will be our future guide.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are surprised that the least doubt should remain on your -minds with respect to our friendly intentions towards you, after the many -instances we have given you of our love and friendship; but we must impute -it to the wicked insinuations of our mutual enemies, who wish for nothing -so much as to see the ancient covenant which has so long subsisted between -us broken.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You have observed that you would pay no regard to that party -that should be the first aggressor. We cannot be the aggressors; for if -our enemies in and about Johnstown had had no evil intentions against us, -we should never have even come thus far with an army. Whoever takes up -arms against another, although he has not yet struck, must be considered -as the aggressor, and not he who tries to prevent the blow.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have now freely and fully disclosed to you our minds. We -hope you will remember what we have said, and repeat it to your Brothers, -counselors, and warriors; and, lest you should not be able to recollect -every part of this speech, you may have your Brothers Ka-ragh-qua-dirhon, -and Ti-ze-de-ron-de-ron, [Deane and Bleecker,] interpreters, to attend you -if it be agreeable to you.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Your women have sent us a belt. We beg you to assure them of -our regard, and to entreat them to prevent your warriors from doing any -thing that would have the least tendency to incur our resentment, or -interrupt that harmony which we wish may subsist to the end of time."</p> - -<p>To this the Indians made the following brief reply:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother Schuyler the Great Man, attend!</span> We have this evening heard what -you have to say, and we are glad of it, and thank you for it.</p> - -<p>"Every thing that has been said to us. Brother, has been perfectly -agreeable to us.</p> - -<p>"I shall not attempt, Brother, to make a particular reply to every thing -that has been said to us. Indeed, it would not be proper at this time.</p> - -<p>"We are very glad, Brother, that you have determined to write to Sir John, -requesting an interview with him in hopes of an amicable agreement.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> You mention that it would be agreeable to you that the warriors -and counselors, or sachems, should attend.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We, the sachems, will attend, though we should do it at the risk -of our lives.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We should be glad if you would inform us of the time and place -of your interview with Sir John. You likewise told us, that if it was -agreeable to us, that your interpreters should attend to recapitulate the -speech you have made, which likewise is agreeable to us; and we desire -that they may go with us, for by that means all mistakes may be prevented.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> You may depend on it that we will use our utmost influence with -our warriors to calm their minds. You may depend on it, likewise, that our -sisters will use their utmost influence for the same purpose."</p> - -<p>General Schuyler assured them again of his pacific intentions, and that -nothing unpleasant should happen to them. He also informed them, that -if they desired to attend the expedition to Johnstown, or to be present -at the intended interview with Sir John, as mediators, they should be -protected in that character. With this understanding they took their -departure the same night. A letter, of which the following is a copy, -was at the same time despatched to Sir John Johnson:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"General Schuyler to Sir John Johnson.<br> - Schenectady,</span> <i>Jan.</i> 16, 1776.</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Information having been received that designs of the most dangerous -tendency to the rights, liberties, property, and even lives of those of -his Majesty's faithful subjects in America who are opposed to the -unconstitutional measures of his ministry, have been formed in a part of -the County of Tryon, I am ordered to march a body of men into that County, -to carry into execution certain resolutions of my superiors, and to -contravene those dangerous designs.</p> - -<p>"Influenced, Sir, by motives of humanity, I wish to comply with my orders -in a manner the most peaceable, that no blood may be shed. I therefore -request that you will please to meet me to-morrow, at any place on my -way to Johnstown, to which I propose then to march. For which purpose I -do hereby give you my word of honour, that you, and such persons as you -may choose should attend you, shall pass safe and unmolested to the place -where you may meet me, and from thence back to the place of your abode.</p> - -<p>"Rutgers Bleecker and Henry Glen, Esqrs. are the bearers hereof, gentlemen -who are entitled to your best attention, which I dare say they will -experience, and by whom I expect you will favour me with an answer to -this letter.</p> - -<p>"You will please to assure Lady Johnson, that whatever may be the result -of what is now in agitation, she may rest perfectly satisfied that no -indignity will be offered her.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I am, Sir, - Your humble Servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Ph. Schuyler.</span> - - "<i>To - Sir John Johnson, Baronet."</i></p> - -<p>General Schuyler resumed his march on the morning of the 17th—his forces -constantly increasing, until before nightfall they numbered upward of -three thousand. Having proceeded about sixteen miles from Schenectady, -the expedition was met by Sir John, attended by several of his leading -friends among the Scotchmen, and two or three others. The result of the -interview was the proffer, by General Schuyler, of the following terms -to Sir John and his retainers:—</p> - -<p>"Terms offered by the Honourable Philip Schuyler, Esq., Major-general in -the army of the thirteen United Colonies, and commanding in the New-York -department, to Sir John Johnson, Baronet, and all such other persons in -the County of Tryon as have evinced their intentions of supporting his -Majesty's ministry, to carry into execution the unconstitutional measures -of which the Americans so justly complain, and to prevent which they have -been driven to the dreadful necessity of having recourse to arms.</p> - -<p>"First: That Sir John Johnson shall, upon his word of honour, immediately -deliver up all cannon, arms, and other military stores, of what kind -soever, which may be in his own possession, or which he has caused to be -delivered into the possession of any persons whatsoever, either directly -or indirectly, or that to his knowledge may be concealed in any part of -the said County. That he shall distinguish all such military stores of -what kind soever as belong to the Crown, or were furnished with the design -of arming the Indians or the inhabitants of Tryon County, from those which -may be private property, in order that a proper inventory may be taken of -the last articles, that the same may be restored, or the value of them -refunded, when this unhappy contest shall be over.</p> - -<p>"Secondly: General Schuyler, out of personal respect for Sir John, and -from a regard to his rank, consents that Sir John shall retain for his -own use a complete set of armor, and as much powder as may be sufficient -for his domestic purposes.</p> - -<p>"Thirdly: That Sir John Johnson shall remain upon his parole of honour -in any part of Tryon County which he may choose, to the eastward of the -district of —— unless it should appear necessary to the Honourable the -Continental Congress to remove him to some other part of this, or any -other Colony; in which case he is immediately to comply with such orders -as they may think proper to give for that purpose.</p> - -<p>"Fourthly: That the Scotch inhabitants of the said County shall, without -any kind of exception, immediately deliver up all arms in their -possession, of what kind soever they may be; and that they shall each -solemnly promise that they will not at any time hereafter, during the -continuance of this unhappy contest, take up arms without the permission -of the Continental Congress, or of their general officers;—and for -the more faithful performance of this article, the General insists that -they shall immediately deliver up to him six hostages of his own -nomination.</p> - -<p>"Fifthly: That such of the other inhabitants of Tryon County as have -avowed themselves averse to the measures of the United Colonies, shall -also deliver up their arms, of what kind soever they may be, and enter -into the like engagement as is stipulated in the preceding article, both -with respect to their future conduct and the number of hostages.</p> - -<p>"Sixthly: That all blankets, strouds, and other Indian articles belonging -to the Crown, and intended as presents to the Indians, shall be delivered -up to a commissary appointed by General Schuyler, in the presence of three -or more of the Mohawk chiefs, in order that the same may be dispensed -amongst the Indians, for the purpose of cementing the ancient friendship -between them and their brethren of the United Colonies, for which sole -purpose they ought to have been furnished.</p> - -<p>"Seventhly: If Sir John Johnson, and the people referred to in the -aforegoing articles, shall justly abide by, and perform what is thereby -required of them, the General, in behalf of the Continental Congress, -doth promise and engage, that neither Sir John Johnson nor any of those -people shall be molested by any of the other inhabitants of the said -County, or by any of the inhabitants of the thirteen United Colonies; but -that, on the contrary, they will be protected in the quiet and peaceable -enjoyment of their property;—the sole intent of this treaty being to -prevent the horrid effects of a civil and intestine war betwixt those who -ought to be brethren. That all the arms which shall be delivered up in -consequence of the preceding articles shall be valued by sworn appraisers. -That if the Continental Congress should have occasion for them, they may -be taken. If not, they will be delivered to the respective proprietors -when this unhappy contest shall be at an end."</p> - -<p>In the course of the interview. Sir John assured General Schuyler that -the Indians would support him, and that numbers of them were already at -Johnson Hall for that purpose. He was assured, in return, that though -averse to the shedding of blood, if the proffered terms were not acceded -to, force would be opposed to force without distinction of persons, and -that the consequences of resistance would be of the most serious -description. In conclusion, Sir John begged until the evening of the -following day to consider of the propositions, which request was granted, -and the Baronet took his leave.</p> - -<p>In about an hour after his departure, Abraham, and another of the Mohawks, -made their appearance at General Schuyler's quarters. On being informed -of what Sir John had said respecting the Indians being in arms at the Hall -for his defence, Abraham pronounced the story untrue, and repeated his -assurances that the Mohawks would interfere in no other way than as -mediators. The General replied that he hoped they would not, but he at -the same time assured them with emphasis, that if they should do so, -he should not hesitate a moment in destroying every one who opposed him -in arms.</p> - -<p>On the following day, (the 18th,) General Schuyler moved forward to -Canghnawaga, four miles from Johnstown, where he was joined by Colonel -Herkimer and the Tryon County militia. At about 6 o'clock in the afternoon -Sir John's answer to the terms proposed to him was received, as follows:—</p> - -<p>"Terms proposed by Sir John Johnson, Baronet, and the people of -Kingsborough and the adjacent neighborhood, to the Honorable Philip -Schuyler, Esq. Major General in the army of the thirteen United Colonies, -and commanding in the New-York Department.</p> - -<p>"<i>First:</i> That Sir John Johnson and the rest of the gentlemen expect that -all such arms of every kind as are their own property may remain in their -possession; all the other arms shall be delivered up to such person or -persons as may be appointed for that purpose; as to military stores -belonging to the Crown, Sir John has not any.</p> - -<p>"<i>Secondly:</i> Answered in the first.</p> - -<p>"<i>Thirdly:</i> Sir John expects that he will not be confined to any certain -County, but be at liberty to go where he pleases.</p> - -<p>"<i>Fourthly:</i> The Scotch inhabitants will deliver up their arms of what -kind soever they may be, and they will each solemnly promise that they -will not at any time hereafter, during the continuance of this unhappy -contest, take up arms without the permission of the Continental Congress -or of their general officers. Hostages they are not in a capacity to -give—no one man having command over another, or power sufficient to -deliver such. Therefore this part of the article to be passed over, or -the whole included—women and children to be required, being a requisition -so inhuman as we hope the General will dispense with.</p> - -<p>"<i>Fifthly:</i> Answered in the fourth,</p> - -<p>"<i>Sixthly</i>: Sir John has not any blankets, strouds, or other presents, -intended for the Indians.</p> - -<p>"<i>Seventhly</i>: If the above proposals are agreed to and signed by the -General, Sir John and the people referred to will rely on the assurances -of protection given by the General.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "[Signed] <span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Johnson, - Allan M<sup>c</sup>Donell.</span> - - "<i>To the Hon.</i> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Philip Schuyler,</span> <i>Major-general</i>"</p> - -<p>This answer was in all respects unsatisfactory, as will appear by the -annexed letter from General Schuyler in reply:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Schuyler to Sir John Johnson, Baronet.<br> - Caughnawaga,</span> Jan. 18th, 8 o'clock, P. M., 1776.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Gentlemen,</span></p> - -<p>"Messrs. Adams and M<sup>c</sup>Donell have delivered me your answer to my proposals -of yesterday's date. The least attention to the articles I offered, when -compared with yours, must convince you that you omitted replies to several -of them, and consequently that what you have sent me is very imperfect, -and also unsatisfactory. I waive pointing out some of the inconsistencies -in your proposals, as the whole are exceptionable excepting the last.</p> - -<p>"I must therefore obey my orders, and again repeat, that, in the execution -of them, I shall strictly abide by the laws of humanity; at the same time -assuring you, that if the least resistance is made, I will not answer for -the consequences, which may be of a nature the most dreadful.</p> - -<p>"If Lady Johnson is at Johnson Hall, I wish she would retire, (and -therefore enclose a passport,) as I shall march my troops to that place -without delay.</p> - -<p>"You may, however, still have time to reconsider the matter, and for that -purpose I give you until 12 o'clock this night—after which I shall -receive no proposals; and I have sent you Mr. Robert Yates, Mr. Glen, -and Mr. Duer, to receive the ultimate proposals you have to make. This -condescension I make from no other motive than to prevent the effusion -of blood, so far as it can be effected without risking the safety of the -County, or being guilty of a breach of the positive orders I have received -from the Honorable Continental Congress.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I am, Gentlemen, - With due respect, - Your humble Servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Ph. Schuyler.</span> - - "<i>To Sir John Johnson and Mr. Allan M<sup>c</sup>Donell.</i>"</p> - -<p>Immediately after the preceding letter had been despatched to the Hall, -the sachems of the Lower Castle, with all their warriors and several from -the Upper Castle, called upon General Schuyler, having come to his -quarters directly from the residence of the Baronet. They informed the -General that Sir John had related to them the substance of the terms of -surrender that had been proposed. Sir John, they said, had declared to -them that all he desired was protection for his family and friends from -insult and the outrages of riotous people, and protested that he had no -unfriendly intentions against the country. The Indians therefore begged -the General to accept the terms as offered by Sir John. The General told -the chiefs that he could not accept of those terms, and pointed out the -objections. He likewise informed them of the tenor of the letter he had -just transmitted to the Hall. The Indians were apparently contented with -those reasons and with the course adopted, but begged that, should the -answer of Sir John be still unsatisfactory, the General would give him -until 4 o'clock in the morning, that they might have time to go and "shake -his head," as they expressed it, "and bring him to his senses." They -likewise begged it as an additional favor, that General Schuyler would -not remove Sir John out of the country. They apologized for the threats -of their own warriors, alleging that it was attributable to the -circumstance of their not being present at the treaty of Albany; and again -repeated the assurance that they would never take arms against the -Colonies. In reply. General Schuyler complimented the Indians for their -pacific intentions, and informed them that he should accede to their -request, although the conduct of Sir John had been so censurable that he -should be justified in holding him a close prisoner. His reasons for -granting the request, the General told them, were two-fold:—first, -to show the love and affection of the Americans for the Indians, and to -convince them that they could obtain, by asking as a favor, that which -they could not obtain by demanding as a right. Secondly, that by leaving -Sir John amongst them, they might, by their example and advice, induce -him to alter his conduct.</p> - -<p>The extension of the time until 4 o'clock was unnecessary however, the -following answer from Sir John having been received at 12 o'clock, at -midnight:—</p> - -<p>"Answers to the terms proposed by the Honorable Philip Schuyler, Esq. -Major-general in the army of the thirteen United Colonies, and commanding -in the New-York Department, to Sir John Johnson, Baronet, the inhabitants -of Kingsborough, and the neighborhood adjacent.</p> - -<p>"First and second articles agreed to, except a few favorite family arms.</p> - -<p>"Third: Sir John Johnson having given his parole of honor not to take up -arms against America, and conceiving the design of this military operation -to be with no other view than that of removing the jealousies of which -his countrymen are unhappily and unjustly inspired with against him, can -by no means think of submitting to this article in its full latitude, -though, for the sake of preserving peace and removing any suspicions of -undue influence, he consents not to go to the westward of the German -Flats and Kingsland Districts. To every other part of the continent to -the southward of this County, he expects the privilege of going.</p> - -<p>"Fourthly: Agreed to, excepting that part of the article which respects -the giving hostages. After the Scotch inhabitants have surrendered arms, -the General may take any six prisoners from amongst them as he chooses, -without resistance. They expect, however, that the prisoners so taken, -will be maintained agreeable to their respective ranks, and that they may -have the privilege of going to any part of the province of New Jersey or -Pennsylvania, which the General, or the Continental Congress may appoint. -They likewise expect, from the General's humanity, that provision will be -made for the maintenance of the prisoner's wives and children, agreeable -to their respective situations in life. Yet, for the sake of promoting the -harmony of the country, they will not break off this treaty merely on that -account, provided the General thinks he cannot exert a discretionary power -in this matter; in which case they rely upon the General's influence with -the Continental Congress, which they cannot persuade themselves will be -inattentive to the voice of humanity, or to the feelings of parents who -may be torn from their families. Those to whose lot it may fall to be -taken prisoners, it is expected will be allowed a few days to settle their -business, and, if gentlemen, to wear their side arms.</p> - -<p>"Fifth: Neither Sir John Johnson nor the Scotch gentlemen, can make any -engagement for any other persons than those over whom they may have -influence. Neither can they possibly know the names of all such persons -who have shown themselves averse to the measures of the United Colonies. -They give their word and honor, that, so far as depends on them, the -inhabitants shall give up their arms, and enter into the like engagement -with the Scotch inhabitants. The General has it more in his power to -discover those who are obnoxious, and to make as many as he pleases -prisoners. Neither shall they adopt the quarrel of any such persons as -their own.</p> - -<p>"Sixth: Sir John gives his word of honor that he has no blankets, strouds, -or other presents, belonging to the Crown, intended for the Indians; and -therefore this requisition cannot be complied with.</p> - -<p>"Seventh: If the above proposals are agreed to, and signed by the General, -Sir John and the people referred to will rely on the assurances of -protection given by the General. But as it will be impossible for the arms -to be collected till Saturday next at twelve o'clock, all the men referred -to in the above articles will be then paraded in Johnstown, and ground -their arms in the presence of such troops as the General may appoint.</p> - -<p class="list2"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"[Signed.] John Johnson, - Allan M<sup>c</sup>Donell.</span> - - "<i>Johnson Hall, January</i> 18<i>th,</i> 1776."</p> - -<p>The Indians were yet present at the quarters of General Schuyler when this -despatch was received from Sir John, and, on being informed that matters -were likely to terminate amicably, they retired with warm expressions of -gratification. The following letter was thereupon despatched to the Hall:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"General Schuyler to Sir John Johnson.<br> - Caughnawaga,</span> January 19, 1776.</p> - -<p>"General Schuyler's feelings as a gentleman induce him to consent that -Sir John Johnson may retain the few favorite family arms—he making a -list of them.</p> - -<p>"The General will also consent that Sir John Johnson may go as far to the -westward as the German Flats and Kingsland Districts in this County, and -to every other part of this Colony to the Southward and Eastward of said -Districts, provided he does not go into any seaport town. The General, -however, believes, that if Sir John's private business should require his -going to any of the other ancient English Colonies, he will be permitted -the indulgence by applying to Congress for leave.</p> - -<p>"The General will take six of the Scotch inhabitants prisoners, since they -prefer it to going as hostages. It has been the invariable rule of -Congress, and that of all its officers, to treat prisoners with the -greatest humanity, and to pay all due deference to rank. He cannot -ascertain the places to which Congress may please to send them. For the -present they will go to Reading or Lancaster in Pennsylvania. Nor can he -make any promises with respect to the maintenance of the women and -children. His humanity will certainly induce him to recommend to Congress -an attention to what has been requested on that head. General Schuyler -expects that all the Scotch inhabitants, of whatsoever rank, who are not -confined to their beds by illness, will attend with their arms, and -deliver them on Saturday at 12 o'clock. If this condition be not -faithfully performed, he will consider himself as disengaged from any -engagements entered into with them.</p> - -<p>"General Schuyler never refused a gentleman his side-arms.</p> - -<p>"The prisoners that may be taken must be removed to Albany immediately, -where the General will permit them to remain a reasonable time to settle -their family affairs.</p> - -<p>"If the terms General Schuyler has offered on the 17th inst. are accepted -with the above qualifications, fair copies will be made out and signed by -the parties, one of which will be delivered to Sir John and Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Donell, -signed by the General. To prevent a waste of time, the General wishes Sir -John and Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Donell immediately to send an answer.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "He remains, with due respect, - Sir John's and Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Donell's humble Servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Ph. Schuyler."</span></p> - -<p>These terms were acceded to by Sir John, and on the same day General -Schuyler marched to Johnstown—having previously detailed several -detachments of his troops to scour the country, and bring in the -disaffected not comprehended in the arrangements with the Baronet. On the -same afternoon Sir John delivered up the arms and ammunition in his -possession the quantity of both being much smaller than was expected. -On Saturday, the 20th, General Schuyler paraded his troops at 12 o'clock -at noon, to receive the surrender of the Highlanders, who, to the number -of between two and three hundred, marched to the front and grounded their -arms. These having been secured, the Scotchmen were dismissed with an -exhortation to remain peaceable, and with an assurance of protection if -they did so.</p> - -<p>The General's attention was next directed to the discovery and capture of -the secret <i>depot</i> of arms and ammunition, of which information had been -given by Connell. Two of the persons named in his affidavit were taken, -but they denied, most unequivocally, all knowledge upon the subject. -Connell was then produced to confront them; but they still persisted -in maintaining their innocence, and denounced him as a perjured villain. -Connell was then sent with a number of officers to point out the spot, -where, as he alleged, the arms were concealed. He conducted them to a pond -of water, containing a small island, or mound, in the middle, within -which he declared the arms were buried. The snow and ice were forthwith -removed, and the mound dug down. Connell had particularly described the -manner in which the arms had been deposited under ground; but it was soon -discovered that the earth had not recently been disturbed, if ever; and -in the end it was ascertained, to the satisfaction of all, that the fellow -was a base impostor. General Schuyler returned to Caughnawaga that evening. -On the two following days upward of a hundred Tories were brought in from -different parts of the country. Colonel Herkimer was left in charge to -complete the disarming of the disaffected and receive the hostages, and -the General, with his miscellaneous army, marched back to Albany. In his -letters to Congress, and also to General Washington, he spoke of the -anxiety and trouble he had experienced in preventing so large a body of -men, collected on the sudden, without discipline, and withal greatly -exasperated, from running into excesses. In these efforts, however, he -succeeded much better than, under the circumstances, was reasonably to -have been anticipated. Before his return, Mr. Dean, the Indian -interpreter, was despatched by the General with a belt and a talk to the -Six Nations, which has not been preserved. Thus ended the expedition to -Johnstown.</p> - -<p>General Schuyler transmitted a full report of his proceedings to Congress, -by whom a special resolution was passed, thanking him for the fidelity, -prudence, and expedition with which he had performed such a meritorious -service. A second resolution was also adopted, so curiously constructed, -and containing such an ingeniously-inserted hint to the officers and -militia-men accompanying General Schuyler on this expedition, as to render -it worthy of preservation. It was in the words following:—</p> - -<p>"<i>Resolved,</i> That the cheerfulness and ready assistance of those who -accompanied General Schuyler in his march to the County of Tryon, and -their useful services in that expedition, discovered such a patriotic -spirit, that it is hoped none of them will allow their countrymen to -entertain a suspicion that any ignoble motive actuated them, by requiring -a pecuniary reward, especially when they were employed in suppressing -a mischief in their own neighborhood."</p> - -<p>The resolutions were enclosed to General Schuyler in a flattering letter -from President Hancock, in which, among other things, he says:—"It is -with great pleasure I inform you that the prudence, zeal, and temper, -manifested in your late expedition, met with the warmest approbation of -Congress."</p> - -<p>For some unexplained reason, Sir John Johnson did not observe the compact -of neutrality, nor the obligations of his parole. Or, if he kept himself -within the letter, his conduct was such as to re-awaken the suspicions of -the people, and was considered by General Schuyler a virtual violation of -the spirit of the parole he had given, to take no part against the -Colonies. In fact, the information received by General Schuyler convinced -him that Sir John was secretly instigating the Indians to hostilities, and -was thus likely to produce much mischief on the frontiers. To prevent such -a calamity, it was thought advisable by Schuyler to secure the person of -Sir John, and once more to quell the rising spirit of disaffection in the -neighborhood of Johnstown, especially among the Highlanders. For this -purpose, in the month of May following the events already narrated in the -present chapter, Colonel Dayton, with a part of his regiment then on its -way to Canada, was dispatched by General Schuyler to prosecute this -enterprise. [FN-1] There were, however, large numbers of loyalists in -Albany, with whom Sir John was then and subsequently in close -correspondence. It is therefore not surprising that he received timely -notice of these preparations for his second arrest, in anticipation of -Dayton's arrival. Such was the fact; and, hastily collecting a large -number of his tenants and others, disaffected toward the cause of the -Colonists, the Baronet was prepared for instant flight on the approach -of the Continentals. This purpose was successfully executed. Colonel -Dayton arrived at Johnstown in the evening, whereupon Sir John and his -retainers immediately took to the woods by the way of the Sacandaga. [FN-2] -Not knowing whether his royalist friends were in possession of Lake -Champlain or not, the fugitives dared not venture upon that route to -Montreal; and Sir John was accordingly obliged to strike deeper into the -forests between the head waters of the Hudson and the St. Lawrence. Having -but a brief period of preparation for their flight, the party was but -ill supplied for such a campaign. Their provisions were soon exhausted; -their feet became sore from traveling; and several of their number were -left from time to time in the wilderness, to be picked up and brought in -afterward by the Indians sent out for that purpose.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Sparks's Life and Writings of Washington Note in vol. iv. - p. 409—410.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] There is some reason to suppose that an expedition, led by the - Mohawk Indians, was sent from Montreal on purpose to bring Sir John away, - or rescue him from the espionage of the Americans. In one of Brant's - speeches, delivered long afterward, when rehearsing the exploits of the - Mohawks in the Revolutionary war, the following passage occurs:—"We - then went in a body to a town then in the possession of the enemy, and - rescued Sir John Johnson, bringing him fearlessly through the streets." - Brant, at the time of this rescue, as will presently be seen, was himself - in England—as also was Guy Johnson.</p> - - -<p>After nineteen days of severe hardship, the Baronet and his partisans -arrived at Montreal in a pitiable condition—having encountered all of -suffering that it seemed possible for man to endure. Such was the -precipitation of his departure from the parental hall, and such his -deficiency of the means of transportation, that an iron chest, containing -the most valuable of his family papers, was hastily buried in the garden. -The family Bible, containing the only record of the marriage of his father -and mother, and of course the only written evidence of his own legitimacy, -was also left behind. [FN-1] Such of the papers as were found, were -examined by Colonel Dayton, in compliance with his orders; "and Lady -Johnson was removed to Albany, where she was retained as a kind of hostage -for the peaceable conduct of her husband. She wrote to General Washington, -complaining of this detention, and asking his interference for her -release; but the Commander-in-Chief left the matter with General Schuyler -and the Albany Committee." [FN-2] Colonel Dayton was stationed several -weeks at Johnstown with his troops, and for the time being secured the -tranquility of the country.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] After the confiscation of the property of Sir John, the furniture - of the hall was sold by auction at Fort Hunter. The late Lieut. Governor - of New-York, John Taylor, purchased several articles of the furniture; - and among other things, the Bible mentioned in the text. Perceiving that - it contained the family record, which might be of great value to Sir - John, Mr. Taylor wrote a civil note to Sir John, offering its - restoration. Some time afterward, a messenger from the Baronet called - for the Bible, whose conduct was so rude as to give offence. "I have come - for Sir William's Bible," said he, "and there are the four guineas which - it cost." The Bible was delivered, and the runner was asked what message - Sir John had sent. The reply was—"Pay four guineas, and take the - book!"—<i>Letter of John Taylor Cooper (grandson of the Lt. Governor) to - the author.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Sparks.</p> - - -<p>Sir John was immediately commissioned a Colonel in the British service, -and raised a command of two battalions, composed of those who accompanied -him in his flight, and other American loyalists who subsequently followed -their example. They were called the Royal Greens. In the month of January -following, he found his way into New-York, then in possession of the -British forces. From that period he became not only one of the most -active, but one of the bitterest foes of his own countrymen of any who -were engaged in that contest—and repeatedly the scourge of his own former -neighbors. He was unquestionably a loyalist from principle, else he would -scarcely have hazarded, as he did, and ultimately lost, domains larger and -fairer than probably ever belonged to a single proprietor in America, -William Penn only excepted. But the immediate cause of his breaking his -pledge of honor is not known. Unexplained as it ever has been, the act -has always been regarded as a stain upon the Baronet's character. It was -held as such by the Provincial Congress of New-York, as will be seen by -the annexed extract from a letter addressed by that body to General -Washington immediately after his flight:—"We apprehend no doubt can -exist whether the affair of Sir John Johnson is within your immediate -cognizance. He held a commission as Brigadier-General of the militia, -and, it is said, another commission as Major-General. That he hath -shamefully broken his parole is evident, but whether it would be more -proper to have him returned or exchanged, is entirely in your Excellency's -prudence." His estates were, of course, confiscated by the Provincial -Congress of New-York, and in due time sold under the direction of the -Committee of that body having such matters in charge.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chvii">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">History of Brant resumed—Advanced to the chieftaincy of the - Confederacy—Mode of appointing chiefs and sachems—Embarks for - England—Arrives in London—Received with marked consideration—Becomes - acquainted with James Boswell and others—Agrees to espouse the Royal - cause, and returns to America—Steals through the country to - Canada—Curious supposed letter to President Wheelock—Battle of the - Cedars—Cowardice of Major Butterfield—Outrages of the Indians—Story - of Capt. M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry, who was saved from the stake by Brant—Indignation - of Washington, the people, and Congress—Resolutions of - retaliation—Mutual complaints of treatment of prisoners—Murder of Gen. - Gordon—Indignation at the outrage—Indian deputation at - Philadelphia—Speech to them—Congress resolves upon the employment of - an Indian force—Schuyler opposed—Review of the incidents of the war - elsewhere—Destitution of the Army—Evacuation of Boston by the - English—Disastrous termination of the Canadian campaign—Deplorable - condition of the army—Humanity of Sir Guy Carleton—Glance at the - South—Declaration of Independence—Spirit of Tryon County—Cherry - Valley—Fortifications at Fort Stanwix—American army moves to - New-York—Arrival of the British fleet and army—Battle of - Long-Island—Washington evacuates New-York—Battle of White - Plains—Retreats across New-Jersey—Followed by Cornwallis—Defeat of - Arnold on Lake Champlain—Fall of Rhode Island—Battle of Trenton.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The</span> progress of events renders it necessary again to introduce the Indian -hero of the war of the Revolution more prominently upon the stage of -action. Thayendanegea had now been advanced to the situation of principal -war-chief of the confederacy [FN-1]—an officer, according to the ancient -usages of the Six Nations, uniformly taken from the Mohawks. [FN-2] How, or -in what manner. Brant arrived at that dignity, history does not inform us. -Hendrick, the last of the Mohawk chiefs who bore the royal title of King, -fell under Sir William Johnson at Lake George twenty years before. He was -succeeded by Little Abraham, whose name has frequently occurred in the -preceding pages, and who has been designated by some writers as the -brother of Hendrick. But whether such was the fact or not, no farther -mention of his name occurs in the history of the war. He was uniformly -friendly to the Colonists; and as he refused to leave the valley with -Thayendanegea and the majority of the nation who accompanied Guy Johnson -in his flight—preferring to remain with the tribe at the Lower Castle—it -is not improbable that Brant assumed the superior chieftaincy from the -force of circumstances. Sir William Johnson informs us, that the sachems -of each tribe of the Six Nations were usually chosen in a public assembly -of the chiefs and warriors, whenever a vacancy happened by death or -otherwise. They were selected from among the oldest warriors for their -sense and bravery, and approved of by all the tribe—after which they were -selected as sachems. Military services were the chief recommendations to -this rank; but in some instances a kind of inheritance in the office was -recognized. [FN-3] We have seen that Thayendanegea was descended from a -family of chiefs, and his birth may have contributed to his elevation. -His family and official connexion with the Johnsons, whose name continued -so potent with the Indians, likewise, without doubt, facilitated his -advancement. But Mr. Stewart, denying that the family of Thayendanegea was -remarkable for any preeminence in their village, represents his influence -to have been acquired by his uncommon talents and address as a counselor -and politician; by which means he subdued all opposition and jealousy, and -at length acquired such an ascendancy that, even in the hour of action and -danger, he was enabled to rule and direct his warriors as absolutely as -if he had been born their General.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] I am aware that the dignity of "Principal Chief" has been denied - to Captain Brant by several writers, and expressly by the Rev. Mr. - Stewart, who says he was not a war-chief by birth, and not so often in - command as has been supposed. It will be seen, however, toward the close - of this work, from the speech of a Seneca chief, that Thayendanegea was - the head chief of the confederacy—Mr. S. to the contrary notwithstanding.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] David Cusick's sketches of the Ancient History of the Six Nations. - Cusick was himself an Indian of the Tuscarora tribe.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Letters of Sir William Johnson to Arthur Lee—vide London - Philosophical Transactions.</p> - - -<p>This inquiry, however, is of no great importance. The fact that he had -now become the chief sachem is unquestionable; and from this point of the -present history, Joseph Thayendanegea becomes one of the principal -personages engaged in its progress. He was ordinarily called by his other -name of Joseph Brant, or "Captain Brant"—the title of "Captain" being the -highest military distinction known to the Indians; and that, moreover, -being the military rank actually conferred upon him in the army of the -Crown. In much of his correspondence, when wishing to be formal and -writing to distinguished men, he was accustomed to write his name "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph -Brant</span>—<i>Thayendanegea</i>;" the latter being his legitimate Indian name.</p> - -<p>It has been seen, in a preceding chapter, that Thayendanegea had -accompanied Guy Johnson from the Mohawk Valley, first, westwardly to -Ontario, thence back to Oswego, and thence to Montreal, where his -services, and those of his warriors, were courted by Generals Carleton -and Haldimand, and an agreement was speedily made that they were to take -up the hatchet in the cause of the King. For the prosecution of a border -warfare, the officers of the Crown could scarcely have engaged a more -valuable auxiliary. Distinguished alike for his address, his activity, and -his courage—possessing, in point of stature and symmetry of person, the -advantage of most men even among his own well-formed race—tall, erect, -and majestic, with the air and mien of one born to command,[FN-1]—having, -as it were, been a man of war from his boyhood,[FN-2]—his name was a -tower of strength among the warriors of the wilderness. Still more -extensive was his influence rendered, by the circumstance that he had been -much employed in the civil service of the Indian department, under Sir -William Johnson, by whom he was often deputed upon embassies among the -tribes of the confederacy, and to those yet more distant, upon the great -lakes and rivers of the north-west, by reason of which his knowledge of -the whole country and people was accurate and extensive.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of General P. B. Porter to the author.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] He was but thirteen years old when in the battle of Lake George.</p> - - -<p>Whether, after the compact with Sir Guy Carleton, the chief again visited -the Indian country of the Six Nations during the summer of 1775, is -unknown. Probably not; since, in the autumn of that year or early in the -following winter, he embarked on his first visit to England. What was the -precise object of this visit does not appear. It is very probable, -however, that, notwithstanding the agreement so hastily formed at -Montreal, the sagacious chieftain may have judged it prudent to pause, -before committing himself too far by overt acts of hostility against the -Colonies. The Oneidas were evidently inclining to espouse the Colonial -side of the controversy, if any; the River Indians had already ranged -themselves on the same side; Captain White-Eyes of the Delawares, had -determined upon neutrality; and the Caughnawagas, or at least some of -their leading chiefs, were in the camp with Washington. To all which may -be added the fact, that at that time the American arms were carrying every -thing before them in Canada. These circumstances were certainly enough to -make the chieftain hesitate as to the course dictated by true wisdom. His -predilections, doubtless, from the first, inclined him to espouse the -cause of the King. Nay, he maintained through life, that the ancient -covenants of his people rendered it obligatory upon him so to do. In -addition to which were the strong ties of blood, of association, and of -gratitude, by which he was bound to the family and the interests of the -Johnsons. Still, the brilliant successes with which the Americans had -opened the campaign in Canada presented another view of the case, which -was certainly entitled to grave consideration. Thus situated, the chief -may have found his position so embarrassing as to induce him to visit the -parent country, and go himself into the presence of <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"The Great King,"</span> as -the British monarch was styled by the Indians, before he should finally -determine whether actually to take the field or not. By making the voyage, -he would have the additional advantage of studying the resources and the -power of the parent country, and would thereby be the better able to -determine for himself whether success was likely to crown his Majesty's -arms in the end, or whether, by an over-scrupulous observance of an -ancient stipulation of alliance, he should not, with his people, be -rushing upon certain destruction.</p> - -<p>But whether he thus reasoned or not, it is certain that he sailed for -England toward the close of the year 1775, and reached London early in -1776, accompanied by Captain Tice, an officer of English extraction, born -in America, who had resided in the neighborhood of the Mohawk nation.</p> - -<p>Only a very brief account of this, his first visit to England, has been -found. [FN] It has always been said, however, that he was not only well -received, but that his society was courted by gentlemen of rank and -station—statesmen, scholars, and divines. He had little of the savage -ferocity of his people in his countenance; and when, as he ordinarily did, -he wore the European dress, there was nothing besides his color to mark -wherein he differed from other men. Upon his first arrival in the British -Capital, he was conducted to the inn called "<i>The Swan with two Necks.</i>" -Other lodgings were soon provided for him, more suitable to his rank as -an Indian king; but he said the people of the inn had treated him with so -much kindness and civility, that he preferred remaining there during his -stay in London; and he accordingly did so.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] London Magazine for July, 1776.</p> - - -<p>Although he was dressed in the European habit, he was not unprovided with -a splendid costume after the manner of his own nation, in which he -appeared at Court, and upon visits of state and ceremony. James Boswell -was at that period in his glory, and an intimacy appears to have been -contracted between him and the Mohawk chief, since the latter sat for his -picture at the request of this most interesting of egotists. He also sat, -during the same visit, to Romney, one of the most distinguished artists of -his day, for the Earl of Warwick. He was, of course, painted in his native -dress, and the picture was greatly prized. [FN] The tomahawk worn by him -in London, was a very beautiful article, polished to the highest degree; -upon which was engraved the first letter of his Christian name, with his -Mohawk appellation, thus:—"<i>J. Thayendanegea.</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The frontispiece of the present volume is from the last-mentioned - picture.</p> - - <p class="quote">{TN} {The aforementioned frontispiece is not included in this scanned - version of the book.}</p> - - -<p>He did not remain in England many months, but, in company with Captain -Tice, sailed on his return toward the close of March or early in -April, [FN-1] and arrived on the coast near the harbor of New-York after a -very short passage. Having fully determined to fulfill his stipulations -with General Carleton, and take up the hatchet in the cause of the Crown, -he was cautiously and privately landed somewhere in the neighborhood of -New-York, whence he performed a very hazardous journey to Canada—having, -of course, to steal his way through a hostile population, until he could -hide himself in the forests beyond Albany. He had taken the precaution, -however, in England, to provide evidence of the identity of his body in -case of disaster, or of his fall in any of the battles he anticipated, by -procuring a gold finger ring, with his name engraven thereon at -length. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The London Universal Magazine for July of 1776, states that he - embarked for America in May. But there must have been a mistake in the - date, since Brant, as will soon appear, was in the battle of the Cedars, - above Montreal, in that month.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] This ring he wore until his death. It was kept as a precious relic - by his widow for four years, when it was lost. Strange as it may seem, - however, during the last Summer, (1836,) the identical ring was found by - a little girl in a ploughed field near Wellington Square, while the - venerable Indian queen was on a visit to her daughter, the accomplished - lady of Colonel Kerr. The aged widow of the old chief was overjoyed at - once more possessing the memento, after it had been lost six and twenty - years.</p> - - -<p>What were the particular arguments addressed to the Mohawk in the British -capital, or by what process he became impressed with the idea that the -arms of the King would, in the end, be victorious in the Colonies, is not -known. It is certain, however, that whatever doubts he might have -entertained, were most effectually dispelled; since, on taking leave, it -was understood that he pledged himself heartily to embrace the Royal -cause, and promised to take the field with three thousand warriors of his -race. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It appears that Colonel Guy Johnson must have visited England at the - same time, or nearly the same time, with Brant. Perhaps they went - together, although Johnson did not return so soon. General Washington - announced his arrival at Staten Island, from England, on the 6th of - August, 1776, in a letter written to the President of Congress on the - 8th. In Dunlap's History of the American Stage, Guy Johnson's name is - given, in 1778, as one of the managers of the old Theatre Royal, - John-street. The players were all amateurs, officers of the British army; - and the avails of their performances were appropriated for benevolent - purposes. The unfortunate Major Andre was one of the actors and the scene - painter. A drop-curtain, painted by him, was used many years after his - death.</p> - - -<p>It is no more than justice, however, to allow Captain Brant to speak for -himself, in regard to the principle by which he was governed in his -decision. In a letter written by him to Sir Evan Nepean, the Under -Secretary of State, when in England after the peace of 1783, he -said:—"When I joined the English in the beginning of the war, it was -purely on account of my forefathers' engagements with the King. I always -looked upon these engagements, or covenants between the King and the -Indian nations, as a sacred thing; therefore I was not to be frightened by -the threats of the rebels at that time; I assure you I had no other view -in it, and this was my real case from the beginning."</p> - -<p>By "threats" in this letter to the Under Secretary, Brant probably meant -no more than the efforts made by the Americans to prevent his joining the -Royal standard, and to preserve the neutrality of the Indians. In -connexion with these efforts, there is a scrap of unwritten history, -which, whether true or not, is characteristic of the shrewdness and dry -sarcastic humor of the chief. It is related, that during the early part of -the year 1775, while it was yet considered doubtful which side the Mohawks -would espouse, and when it was of course very desirable to ascertain the -views of Brant upon the subject, President Wheelock was applied to as a -medium of communication with his former pupil. The Doctor, according to -the tradition, wrote him a long epistle upon the aspect of the times, and -urged upon Brant those considerations which appeared most likely to win -him over, or rather to secure his neutrality, if not his friendship, to -the Colonists. Brant replied very ingeniously. Among other things, he -referred to his former residence with the Doctor—recalled the happy hours -he had passed under his roof—and referred especially to his prayers and -the family devotions, to which he had listened. He said he could never -forget those prayers; and one passage, in particular, was so often -repeated, that it could never be effaced from his mind. It was, among -other of his good preceptor's petitions, "that they might be able to live -as good <i>subjects</i>—to fear God, and <span style="font-variant:small-caps">honor the King."</span></p> - -<p>If doubt had existed among the Colonists before, as to the direction of -the channel in which ran his inclinations, there was surely none after -the perusal of this letter. But scenes of a more stirring character now -demand the attention.</p> - -<p>Toward the close of the memorable Canadian campaign,—so brilliantly -commenced, so successfully prosecuted for many months, and yet so -disastrously terminated,—while the shattered remains of the American -forces were retiring before the troops of Sir Guy Carleton, the former -experienced a sad disaster at "the Cedars," a point of land extending far -into the St. Lawrence, about forty miles above Montreal, which was -occupied by Colonel Bedell with three hundred and ninety Provincial troops -and two field-pieces. General Carleton directed a descent upon this post -from the British station at Oswegatchie, under the command of Captain -Forster, at the head of one company of regular troops and a body of -Indians numbering nearly six hundred. The latter were led by Thayendanegea. -On the appearance of the enemy before the American works, Colonel Bedell -repaired immediately to Montreal for assistance, leaving the Cedars in -charge of Major Butterfield. Colonel (afterward General) Arnold, who was -then in command of Montreal—not yet evacuated by the Americans—forthwith -detached Major Sherburne with one hundred men, to proceed to the Cedars, -and prepared to follow himself with a much larger force. Meantime, -however, Major Butterfield, who, it was believed, might have easily -defended the position, was intimidated by a threat from the enemy, that, -should the siege continue and any of the Indians be slain, in the event of -an eventual surrender it would be impossible for the British commander to -prevent a general massacre, and consented to a capitulation, by which the -whole garrison became prisoners of war. Major Sherburne approached on the -day following, without having received any information of the change of -circumstances until within four miles of the post, where, on the 20th of -May, he was attacked by the Indians, and after a sharp conflict compelled -to surrender at discretion. No sooner had Arnold received information of -these events, than he marched against the foe, then at Vaudreuil, at the -head of seven hundred men, with a view of chastising the enemy and -recovering the prisoners. "When preparing for an engagement, he received -a flag accompanied by Major Sherburne, giving him the most positive -assurances that if he persisted in his design, it would be entirely out -of the power of Captain Forster to prevent his savages from pursuing their -horrid customs, and disencumbering themselves of their prisoners by -putting every man to death. This massacre was already threatened, and -Major Sherburne confirmed the information. Under the influence of this -threat, Arnold desisted from his purpose, and consented to a cartel, by -which the prisoners were delivered up to him; he agreeing, among other -things, not only to deliver as many British soldiers in exchange for -them, but also that they should immediately return to their homes." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Marshall's Life of Washington.</p> - - -<p>This disaster, or, perhaps, more correctly speaking, the conduct of the -officers to whose cowardice it was imputed, was a source of deep -mortification to General Washington, and he gave utterance to his vexation -in several letters written soon afterward. Nor was Butterfield alone -blamed—Colonel Bedell being placed in the same category of -condemnation. [FN] The Commander-in-Chief was likewise incensed at the -conduct of Captain Forster, in resorting to deceptive and very -unjustifiable means, to procure hostages for ratifying a treaty of -exchange.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "If the accounts of Colonel Bedell's and Major Butterfield's conduct - be true, they have certainly acted a part deserving the most exemplary - notice. I hope you will take proper measures, and have good courts - appointed to bring them, and every other officer, that has been, or shall - be, guilty of misconduct, to trial; that they may be punished according - to their offences. Our misfortunes at the Cedars were occasioned, as it - is said, entirely by their base and cowardly behavior, and cannot be - ascribed to any other cause."—<i>Letter of Washington to General Schuyler, - June</i> 10, 1776.</p> - - -<p>The name of Captain Brant is not mentioned in any of the books, -in connexion with these transactions at the Cedars. There is positive -evidence, however, that he was not only there, but that he exerted himself -efficiently after the surrender of Major Sherburne, to control the Indians -and prevent the massacre of the prisoners. Among these latter, was Captain -John M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry, [FN-1] who commanded a company on that occasion. From his -account of the battle, Major Sherburne fell into an ambuscade, and the -fighting was severe. Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry's command was engaged sharply with -a body of Indians, before whom his troops were several times compelled to -retire. Rallying, however, with spirit, the Indians were repeatedly driven -back in turn; and the respective parties were thus successively driven by -each other, back and forth, according to the doubtful and varying fortunes -of the hour, until the Americans were overpowered by numbers, and -compelled to surrender; Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry, being wounded, fell by the side -of a tree, and was there taken. He subsequently ascertained that he had -been marked as a victim by the Indians, who had actually made the usual -preparations for putting him to death by the torture of fire; and that he -was rescued by the personal exertions of Captain Brant, who, in connexion -with some humane English officers, made up a purse, and purchased an ox, -which the Indians roasted for their carousal instead of the gallant -prisoner. Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry was treated with kindness while a prisoner, -and contracted an intimacy with Brant which continued until the -chieftain's death. Brant never visited the Hudson, after the Revolution, -without spending a few days with Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry at the Manor; [FN-2] -and at the time of his last visit, about the year 1805, in company with -his friend, who, like himself, was a member of the brotherhood, he -attended the Freemason's Lodge in the city of Hudson, where his presence -attracted great attention.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Late Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry, of Livingston's Manor.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter to the author, from George M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry, Esq. of Claverack.</p> - - -<p>But to return. The conduct of Major Butterfield at the Cedars was likewise -severely denounced in Congress, and his capitulation pronounced by -resolution "a shameful surrender." Due credit was at the same time awarded -to Major Sherburne, for the bravery displayed by himself and his troops, -who only "surrendered at last on absolute necessity." Notwithstanding, -moreover, the interposition of Captain Brant to prevent a massacre, and -the rescue of Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry, such outrages were reported to Congress -as to call forth a series of indignant resolutions upon the subject. In -the preamble to these resolutions, it was stated that, immediately after -the surrender, the prisoners were delivered over to the Indians; their -baggage plundered, their clothes taken from them, and several of their -number killed; and one of them, who had only been wounded, roasted alive. -From the circumstance that Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry had been wounded, and -designated for the torture, though rescued, as we have already seen, by -Captain Brant, it is quite probable that Congress was misinformed as to -the actual consummation of such a purpose in the person of any prisoner. -Assuming the fact, however, the enemy's conduct was denounced in the -strongest terms—Congress asserting the right of demanding indemnification -for the wrongs inflicted upon the prisoners in their persons and property; -and in regard to the murder of prisoners by the Indians, requiring that -the authors of those murders be delivered into their hands for condign -punishment, as a condition precedent to an exchange of prisoners. In -regard to the torturing of prisoners, a resolution was also adopted, -denouncing, "as the sole means of stopping the progress of human -butchery," a retaliation of punishment, of the same kind and degree, to -be inflicted upon a like number of prisoners of the enemy, in every case -of outrage thereafter to occur.</p> - -<p>These resolutions were, in effect, a refusal to confirm the treaty for -the exchange of prisoners entered into by General Arnold, and were so -considered by the commanding officers in Canada. The consequence was, -the indulgence of much crimination and recrimination, on the part both -of the American and British commanders. Indeed, complaints of the cruel -treatment of the prisoners falling into their hands had been preferred -against the enemy several months before, particularly in the case of -Colonel Ethan Allen and his fellow-captives. Allen had been captured by -General Prescott, by whom, in addition to other indignities, he had been -heavily ironed, and sent like a common felon to England, Prescott was -afterward taken by the Americans and treated with considerable rigor, -in retaliation for the ill-usage of Allen. This produced a remonstrance -from General Howe, who, on being reminded of the case of Allen, disclaimed -any responsibility in regard to that transaction, inasmuch as it was an -occurrence in a district beyond the boundaries of his particular command. -The affair of the Cedars excited the strongest feelings of indignation, - not only in Congress and among the people, but in the army. "The inhuman -treatment of the whole, and murder of part, of our people, was certainly -a flagrant violation of that faith, which ought to beheld sacred by all -civilized nations, and was founded in the most savage barbarity." [FN-1] -Soon afterward the account was in part balanced, by a diabolical outrage -committed by an American scouting party in the neighborhood of St. John's. -It was the deliberate assassination, by the lieutenant at the head of the -party, of Brigadier-General Gordon of the British army. General Gordon -was riding alone, and in full uniform, from Laprairie to St. John's. The -lieutenant and his party were in ambush within the British lines, and as -the General passed, the former wantonly and barbarously shot him through -the body. Although the wound was mortal, the General rode on, and speedily -reached St. John's, where he expired. [FN-2] This painful incident aroused -as warm a burst of indignation among the British officers, as the affair -of the Cedars had done among the Americans. General Carleton availed -himself of the occurrence to issue a violent, though artful proclamation, -which was pronounced by Washington, in a letter to the President of -Congress, to be "highly unbecoming the character of a soldier and -gentleman." Although the prisoners were not exchanged, under the -arrangement made with Arnold, yet Carleton set the American captives at -liberty, on condition of their returning to their own homes, there to -remain as prisoners. Each of the prisoners was furnished with a copy of -his insidious proclamation.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, July 15, 1776.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Note in vol. iv. of Sparks's Life and Correspondence of - Washington.</p> - - -<p>It was not supposed that any considerable numbers of the Indians of the -Six Nations participated in the battle of the Cedars, other than the -Mohawks and their kindred tribe, the Caughnawagas, or the Seven Nations -of Canada, as they chose to call themselves. Indeed, the Six Nations were -at that stage of the contest far from being unanimous in opposition to the -Colonies; and at the very time of these occurrences, a deputation from -four of the nations was at Philadelphia, on a peaceable mission to -Congress. The arrival of this deputation was announced to that assembly -on the 24th of May. On the 11th of June they were presented to the House, -preparatory to their departure, and addressed by the President as -follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We hope the friendship that is between you and us will be firm, -and continue as long as the sun shall shine and the waters run, that we -and you may be as one people, and have but one heart, and be kind to one -another as brethren.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> The King of Great Britain, hearkening to the evil counsel of -some of his foolish young men, is angry with us, because we will not let -him take away from us our land, and all that we have, and give it to them; -and because we will not do every thing that he bids us; and hath hindered -his people from bringing goods to us, but we have made provision for -getting such a quantity of them, that we hope we shall be able to supply -your wants as formerly.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We shall order all our warriors and young men not to hurt you -or any of your kindred; and we hope you will not suffer any of your young -men to join with our enemies, or to do any wrong to us, that nothing may -happen to make any quarrel between us.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We desire you to accept a few necessaries, which we present -you with, as tokens of our good-will toward you."</p> - -<p>The presents having been delivered, the Indian deputies expressed a desire -to give a name to the President of Congress. Permission for that purpose -having been granted, a chief of the Onondagas arose, and saluted the -President by the name of Ka-ran-dua-an, or the <i>Great Tree</i>; by which name -<span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Hancock</span> was afterward known among the Six Nations.</p> - -<p>Although it would appear upon the surface of these resolutions, that -Congress was yet persevering in the humane policy of keeping the Indians -in a state of neutrality, yet candor and truth require a different record. -Much as sound moralists had condemned the employment of this species of -force in civilized warfare, and strongly as Congress had exerted its -influence the preceding year to prevent the Indians from taking the field -in behalf of either of the combatants, that policy was abandoned. On the -25th of May, 1776, the Congress resolved "that it was highly expedient to -engage the Indians in the service of the United Colonies;" and they -empowered the Commander-in-Chief to employ, in Canada and elsewhere, a -number not exceeding two thousand, offering them "a reward of one hundred -dollars for every commissioned officer, and thirty dollars for every -private soldier of the King's troops, that they should take prisoner in -the Indian country, or on the frontiers of these Colonies." The Congress -also authorized General Washington to employ the Indians of Penobscot, -St. John's, and Nova Scotia, who had proffered their services, and were -to receive the same pay as the Continental soldiers. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Sparks's Life and Cor. of Washington, vol. iv, Appendix. [Mr. - Sparks seems to have fallen into an error as to the immediate motive of - Congress in changing its Indian policy at this time. He leaves his - readers to infer, that the measure was one of retaliation for the conduct - of the British and Indians at the Cedars. But such could not have been - the fact. The battle of the Cedars was fought on the 20th of May, and - these resolutions were passed on the 25th—before the news, in those - days, could possibly have reached Philadelphia.]</p> - - -<p>Whether any of those Eastern Indians were ever actually engaged in the -American service, is not known. In regard to the employment of the -Northern Indians, Washington forthwith entered into a correspondence with -General Schuyler upon the subject, and pressed him to carry the -resolutions into effect. The latter, however, was averse to the -measure—as much so as at the first. He disliked to employ such a force -under any circumstances, contending that they were too fickle and -uncertain to allow any well-founded reliance to be placed upon them at -the moment of emergency. At that particular conjuncture, especially when -our troops, broken and dispersed, were flying like fugitives from Canada, -he thought the chances of obtaining Indian auxiliaries exceedingly -slender; and as to the number prescribed, (two thousand,) the General -intimated in one of his letters to the Commander-in-Chief, that it would -have been well if Congress had condescended to inform him where so many -Indian warriors, not already in the service of the enemy, were to be -found. In short, General Schuyler's opinion was correct from the -beginning, that the Colonies could expect no essential aid from the -Indians; and whatever aid they might receive, would be sure to cost more -than it would come to. So the event proved. But, although the British -profited most by the employment of the Indians, they are not alone to -blame for using them. So far, certainly, as principle and intention are -concerned, the Americans are equitably entitled to a due share of the -censure. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Sparks.</p> - - -<p>In recurring to coincident events transpiring in other parts of the -country, it must be remarked, that the Commander-in-Chief was often placed -in circumstances not the most promising. On his first arrival at the camp -before Boston, the preceding year, he had found only "the materials for -a good army"—not the organized army itself. The troops were mostly -undisciplined; and having taken arms to fight for liberty, it was no easy -matter to bring them into those habits of subordination, which necessarily -render a soldier a mere machine to be moved at the will of his commander. -The first object of General Washington, therefore, was to bring the troops -into a state of discipline. But another difficulty presented itself in the -fact, that, owing to the short periods of enlistment, the times of service -of the greater portion of the army were to expire in November and -December. To which was added the embarrassing discovery, that all the -powder at his command was barely sufficient to supply nine rounds of -cartridges per man. There was, moreover, a general want of camp equipage -and clothing, and indeed of every thing necessary alike to the comfort -and the efficiency of an army. But Heaven, in its mercy, seemed to have -devolved the command upon the man of all others best calculated to meet -the emergency and overcome it. His destitution of ammunition was artfully -and effectually concealed from the enemy; and although, on the discharge -of those of his troops who would not re-enlist, at the close of December, -(1775,) he had no more than 9650 men left, he yet contrived to sustain -himself and keep the enemy beleaguered in Boston during the whole winter. -"It is not in the pages of history, perhaps," he wrote to Congress, "to -furnish a case like ours. To maintain a post within musket shot of the -enemy for six months together, without <i>amunition</i>, and at the same time -to disband one army and recruit another, within that distance of twenty -odd British regiments, is more, probably, than was ever attempted." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Holmes's Annals.</p> - - -<p>The Continental Congress had been induced by the influence of the -Commander-in-chief to resolve upon the raising of an army of 75,000 men, -to be enlisted for the term of three years, or during the war. It was not -until January, however, that they could be induced to offer bounties for -enlistments; and even then the ranks were not rapidly filled. At the -close of February, the whole effective force of the Americans was no more -than 14,000 men, exclusive of 6000 of the Massachusetts militia. An -assault upon Boston had been meditated in February by General Washington; -but the opinion of his principal officers, as expressed in a council of -war, being strongly against such a movement, the enterprize was -reluctantly abandoned. Wearied by inaction, the next project of the -American commander was to take possession of Dorchester Heights—a -position commanding the town of Boston, the occupation of which would -compel General Howe either to attempt its dispossession by the Americans, -or to evacuate the town. The enterprize was so well planned, as to be -executed by General Thomas with complete and brilliant success, on the -night of the 4th of March. Having diverted the attention of the enemy by -a bombardment of his lines in another direction, the movement was -unperceived. The weather being mild, the American troops were enabled to -labor with energy in throwing up defences, which, on the following -morning, struck the General of the British army with astonishment, from -their sudden appearance and their magnitude. A heavy atmosphere -contributed to magnify the height of the works, and increase the wonder -of the foe. Sir William Howe made immediate preparations to drive the -Americans from their new, and, to him, dangerous position; for which -purpose two thousand choice troops were embarked to cross over the same -evening; but a severe tempest frustrated his design. On the following -morning General Howe convened a council of war, at which it was resolved -to evacuate the town as soon as possible. This determination was carried -into execution on the 17th, by the embarkation of the whole British army, -and the sailing of the fleet—first to Halifax—but ultimately, as the -event proved, for New-York. On the same day General Washington entered -Boston in triumph, and was hailed by the universal acclaim of the people -as their deliverer. Thus was the town which first raised the standard of -rebellion, the first to rejoice at the final retreat of its oppressors. -Nor was it the fortune of the invaders ever to set foot there again.</p> - -<p>In the North, the operations of the Provincial army had been far less -propitious. The conquest of Canada was a favorite project with Congress, -and every possible effort within the slender means of the Colonies was -made to that end. But the fall of Montgomery had thrown a gloom over the -enterprise which was never dissipated. Colonel, now General Arnold, had -maintained himself before Quebec during the winter, and until late in the -spring, with but a handful of men—numbering, at one time, not more than -five hundred effectives. But the reinforcements were slow in arriving; -the Canadians, from a variety of causes—the principal of which, beyond -doubt, was bad treatment from an undisciplined soldiery—became less -friendly to the Americans than at first, notwithstanding the mission of -Messrs. Franklin, Chase, and Carroll, accompanied by a Catholic priest, -to conciliate them; and on the arrival of General Wooster at his quarters, -about the 1st of April, Arnold obtained leave of absence, and took the -command at Montreal. General Thomas, who had been assigned to the command -of the army in Canada, after the exploit of Gloucester Heights, arrived -before Quebec on the 1st of May, where he found an army of nineteen -hundred men, less than one thousand of whom were effective, and three -hundred of these, being entitled to their discharge, refused to perform -duty. They had but one hundred and fifty barrels of powder, and six days' -provisions. Well knowing that with the opening of the navigation. Sir -Guy Carleton's expected reinforcements would arrive, the circumstances -in which he was placed were altogether so unpromising, that General -Thomas, with the concurrence of a council of war, determined to raise the -siege on the 5th of May, and assume a more eligible position farther up -the river. It was the intention of the American commander to remove the -sick to Three Rivers; but on the 6th, before the arrangements for -retreating were all concerted, a British fleet, with reinforcements, -arrived. General Carleton immediately made a sortie at the head of one -thousand men; to oppose whom, General Thomas had not more than three -hundred available troops. No other course remained, therefore, but a -precipitate retreat for all who could get away—leaving the sick and the -military stores to the enemy. General Thomas led his little band back to -the mouth of the Sorel, where he was seized with the small-pox, and died. -Large reinforcements joined the fugitive army at that place, under General -Sullivan. Before General Carleton moved from Quebec, an expedition was -undertaken from Sorel to the Three Rivers, against General Frasier, under -the direction of General Thompson and Colonel St. Clair. It was -unsuccessful; from which time disaster followed disaster, until, owing -to the combined causes of defeat, sickness, and insubordination, the -Americans found themselves, on the 18th of June, driven entirely out of -Canada; the British army following so closely upon their heels, as -immediately to occupy the different posts as they were successively -evacuated.</p> - -<p>The Americans, however, still retained the control of Lake Champlain, and -occupied the fortifications upon its shores, the command of which had now -been assigned by Congress to General Gates, with great and manifest -injustice toward General Schuyler, [FN-1] Gates at first established his -head-quarters at Crown Point, but soon afterward withdrew his forces from -that post, and fell back upon Ticonderoga. This step was taken by the -advice and concurrence of a board of general officers, but contrary to the -wishes of the field officers. The Commander-in-chief was exceedingly -dissatisfied with this movement of Gates, believing that the -relinquishment of that post, in its consequences, would be equivalent to -an abandonment of Lakes George and Champlain, and all the advantages to -be derived therefrom. [FN-2] In reply to the concern that had been -expressed by Washington on the occasion. General Gates contended that -Crown Point was untenable with the forces then under his command, nor -could it be successfully defended even with the aid of the expected -reinforcements. These reinforcements, moreover, the General added, could -not be allowed to approach nearer to Crown Point than Skenesborough, -since "it would be only heaping one hospital upon another." [FN-3] The -annals of disastrous war scarce present a more deplorable picture than -that exhibited by the Americans escaping from Canada. In addition to the -small pox, the army had been afflicted by other diseases, generated by -exposure, destitution, and laxity of discipline. Fleets of boats came up -the lake, freighted with the sick and dying; and even those reported from -day to day fit for duty, presented but the appearance of a haggard -skeleton of an army. "Every thing about this army," said General Gates -in the letter already cited, "is infected with the pestilence; the -clothes, the blankets, the air, and the ground they walk upon. To put -this evil from us, a general hospital is established at Fort George, [FN-4] -where there are now between two and three thousand sick, and where every -infected person is immediately sent. But this care and caution have not -effectually destroyed the disease here; it is, notwithstanding, -continually breaking out." [FN-5]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The appointment of Gates to the command of this department, was - from the first unacceptable to the officers of New-York, nor was his own - course very conciliatory toward them. In the course of the present - Summer, it was reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Gansevoort, a brave and - deservedly popular officer, belonging to the regiment of Colonel Van - Schaick, and then in command of Fort George at the head of the lake of - that name, that the General had spoken disrespectfully of that regiment, - and also of the regiments of Colonels Wynkoop and Fisher. His letters to - Col. Gansevoort were unnecessarily harsh and pragmatical, so much so as - justly to give offence. Irritated by such treatment, Gansevoort wrote a - spirited letter to Gates, referring to several matters in which he had - been aggrieved by the letters and conversation of that officer. He - requested a Court of Inquiry, and avowed his determination, with the - leave of Gen. Schuyler, to relinquish the command of the post.—<i>MS. - letters of Gates and Col. Gansevoort in the author's possession.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter of Washington to Gen. Gates, July 19, 1776.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Letter of Gen. Gates to Washington in reply, July 28. The small - pox, which had been so fatal to the troops in Canada, had now broken out - at Crown Point and Ticonderoga—the pestilence having been purposely - introduced by a villain calling himself Doctor Barker. This fact is - stated in a letter from the Adjutant-General of the Northern Department - to Colonel Gansevoort, dated from Ticonderoga, July 24. "The villain," - says the letter, "by private inoculations in the army, has caused, in - a great degree, the misery to which we are reduced by that infectious - disorder." Barker was arrested, and sent to Albany.—<i>MS. letter of - Colonel Trumbull to Col. Gansevoort.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] At the head of Lake George.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Sparks.</p> - - -<p>Such was the deplorable condition in which an army, so recently -victorious, had been driven back from what was in fact a conquered -country, lost entirely through mismanagement, and the want of an army upon -the basis of permanent enlistment. Added to which, was another difficulty -lying beneath the surface. Many prisoners had fallen into the hands of the -enemy at Quebec and during the subsequent retreat. Toward all these, the -conduct of Sir Guy Carleton had been most politic. They had been treated -with the greatest care and humanity, and so much of the subtle poison -of flattery, mingled with kindness, had been poured into their ears, that -their return on parole, which was presently allowed by the British -commander, was regarded with apprehension. [FN-1] On one occasion, a large -number of prisoners arriving at Crown Point from St. John's, in a vessel -provided by Sir Guy Carleton, were visited, before landing, by Colonel -John Trumbull, the Adjutant-General for the Northern Department. From the -feelings they manifested, and the tenor of their conversation, Colonel -Trumbull saw at once that it would not be prudent to allow them to land, -or hold the least intercourse with the suffering troops of the garrison. -He immediately reported the fact to the General, and advised that the said -prisoners should be sent directly forward to Skenesborough, and despatched -to their respective homes, without allowing them to mingle with the -troops at that place. The suggestion was adopted. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] "Although General Carleton had acquiesced in the harsh treatment - of Ethan Allen, yet the prisoners who fell into his hands met with usage - in every respect as good as that of the British soldiers, except in the - necessary restraints of confinement. This was declared in a letter to - Washington from Major Meigs, when he returned on his parole the Summer - following. The soldiers were confined in the Jesuits' College, and the - officers in the Seminary. The latter, after the siege was raised, had - permission to walk in a large garden adjoining their quarters. Major - Meigs left three hundred prisoners in Quebec about the middle of May. - When they were released for exchange, General Carleton supplied them with - articles of clothing, in which they were deficient. It was said, that - when some of his officers spoke to him of this act, as an unusual degree - of lenity toward prisoners of war, he replied,—'Since we have tried in - vain to make them acknowledge us as brothers, let us at least send them - away disposed to regard us as first cousins.' Having been informed that - many persons suffering from wounds and various disorders were concealed - in the woods and obscure places, fearing that if they appeared openly - they would be seized as prisoners and severely treated; he issued a - proclamation commanding the militia officers to search for such persons, - bring them to the general hospital, and procure for them all necessary - relief at the public charge. He also invited all such persons to come - forward voluntarily, and receive the assistance they needed; assuring - them, 'that as soon as their health should be restored, they should have - free liberty to return to their respective provinces.'"—<i>Sparks,</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Conversations of the author with the venerable Colonel Trumbull, - while these pages were under revision.</p> - - -<p>Nor were the difficulties enumerated, all which the officers had to -encounter. The spirit of disaffection was far more extensive than those -who are left to contemplate the scenes through which their fathers passed, -and the discouragements against which they were compelled to struggle, -have been wont to suppose. The burden of many of General Schuyler's -letters, and also the letters of other officers, during the whole of this -season, was the frequency of desertions to the ranks of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Glancing for a moment at the situation of affairs at the south, the gloom -of the picture is somewhat relieved. The expedition of General Clinton -and Sir Peter Parker, for the reduction of Charleston, had signally -failed. The defence of the fort bearing his own name, by Colonel Moultrie, -was one of the most gallant exploits of the whole contest, and served to -lighten the despondency that had been produced by the disasters we have -been sketching at the north. It was at this place that the celebrated -Sergeant Jasper signalized himself, when the flag-staff was shot away, by -leaping from the parapet of the fort upon the beach, seizing the flag, -and, amid the incessant firing of the fleet, mounting, and again placing -it on the rampart. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Garden's Anecdotes of the American Revolution.</p> - - -<p>But the grand event of the year, the transactions of which are now under -review, was the <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Declaration of Independence,</span> a motion for which was -submitted in Congress by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, on the 7th of -June, and the Declaration itself solemnly adopted on the 4th of July. -This measure at once cut off all hope of reconciliation with the parent -country, and all prospect of a termination of the war, unless by the -complete triumph in arms of one party or the other. Such a declaration -was an event not originally anticipated, even if desired, by the mass of -the people; although it had unquestionably, and from the first, entered -into the calculations of the daring master spirits of the movement in -Boston. It had furthermore been greatly accelerated by the conduct of the -British government itself, during the preceding session of Parliament, -by act of which the Americans had been declared out of the Royal -protection; so widely mistaken had been the Congress of the preceding -year, which had adjourned with strong hopes that the differences between -the two countries would soon be adjusted to their mutual satisfaction. [FN] -At the same time the parent government was putting forth its utmost -energies to crush the Colonies at a blow. For this purpose, 25,000 British -troops were to be employed, in addition to 17,000 German mercenaries -<i>purchased</i> from the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, the Duke of Brunswick, and -the Count of Hanaa. These troops, together with the Canadian recruits, -the American loyalists, and the Indians, it was intended should constitute -an invading force of 55,000 men. With such preparations in prospect -against them, it was no time for inactivity on the part of the Colonists; -and having by the Declaration thrown away the scabbard of the sword that -had been drawn fifteen months before, there was no alternative but -resistance to the end.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Marshall's Life of Washington, Vol. i, Chap. iv.</p> - - -<p>Recurring, for a brief space, to the history proper of the Mohawk Valley, -it may be assumed, in behalf of its patriotic population, that the new -attitude of the country was neither unexpected nor unwelcome. On the -contrary, having been among the earliest to propose a separation, the -great act of the 4th of July was nowhere more cordially received than by -the Whigs of Tryon County. Nor did they falter in their purposes of -sustaining the cause in which the country had embarked, amid all the -disasters of the early part of the season or those that followed. In -their own section of country, however, the flight of Sir John Johnson and -his retainers was the only important incident occurring during that -memorable year. Still, there was no relaxation of vigilance, or of -preparation for the worst, should the storm of war, so long muttering in -the distance, actually break upon those settlements. The frontiers were -at all times liable to the sudden irruptions of savages, and it was -necessary to keep scouting parties continually upon the alert. Cherry -Valley being the principal settlement south of the Mohawk, and lying -directly in the line of communication between the Mohawk Castles and the -Indian post at Oghkwaga, [FN-1] was particularly exposed. Early in the -present Summer, therefore, a company of rangers was organized under the -command of Captain Robert M<sup>c</sup>Kean. The public service requiring the -Captain and his little corps elsewhere, the inhabitants strongly -remonstrated with the Committee of Safety against the removal of that -corps, but without effect. They next addressed themselves to the -Provincial Congress of New-York, and by a forcible and eloquent appeal, -obtained another company of rangers to be stationed among them under the -command of Captain Winn. [FN-2] These papers were written with ability, -and with the energy of men in earnest. They had even then received, -through their missionaries, intimations that Sir John Johnson and Colonel -John Butler were instigating the Indians to make a descent upon them; and -already were the scattered settlers in other and newer locations coming -in to Cherry Valley for protection. Apprehending, also, sudden irruptions -of scalping parties, the aged, and such as from other causes were exempt -from military service, now organized themselves into a company for the -protection of the settlement.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] As with most other Indian names, there is difficulty respecting - the correct orthography of this place. It is spelt <i>Oquaga, Oghquaga,</i> - and sometimes <i>Oneaquaga.</i> Brant and John Norton, however, were wont to - spell it <i>Oghkwaga.</i> I have adopted the latter method, as supported by - the best authorities.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The names of the Cherry Valley Committee who took the lead in - these matters, were, John Moore, Samuel Clyde, Samuel Campbell, Samuel - Dunlop, James Scott, Robert Wells, James Richey, and James Moore.</p> - - -<p>In the course of the season General Schuyler was directed by Congress to -cause Fort Stanwix to be strengthened, and other fortifications to be -erected at proper places along the Mohawk river. Colonels Van Schaick -and Dayton had previously been stationed in Tryon County with detachments -of regular troops—the former at Johnstown and the latter at German -Flats. Upon Colonel Dayton was imposed the duty of carrying forward the -works at Fort Stanwix, for which purpose the Tryon County militia were -ordered to his assistance. The site of that military defence had early -been improved, as one of the most important inland posts of the Colonies. -It was originally built early in 1758, during the French war of 1755—61, -by General Stanwix, for the purpose of commanding the carrying-place -between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, leading into the Oneida Lake, -and thence into Lake Ontario, by the Oswego river. [FN-1] There were -several other fortifications at different points of the narrow strip of -land between the two streams already mentioned, such as Fort Bull and -Fort Newport; the former commanding the Creek, about three miles distant. -These were strong redoubts; but Fort Stanwix was comparatively a -formidable work, having its bomb-proofs, its sallyport, and a covered way -to the spring brook. Altogether these works formed an ample defence of the -key from Upper Canada to the Mohawk Valley, and were likewise of signal -service for the protection they afforded to the Indian trade. But, -although the principal fortress had been erected at the great -expense—enormous in those times—of 266,400 dollars, yet the commencement -of the war of the Revolution found the whole in ruins. Colonel Dayton -appears to have made but little progress in re-building the fort, since -it will be found that other officers had the works in charge early in the -following year, and they were far from complete when subsequently invested -by the motley forces of General St. Leger. Colonel Dayton, however, -thought proper to change its name in honor of the General commanding the -Northern department, and it was subsequently known as Fort Schuyler during -the residue of the war. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The reconstruction of this work was early pointed out, and - strongly urged upon General Schuyler, by Washington.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] There was another Fort Schuyler, built on the present site of - Utica during the old French war, and named thus in honor of Colonel - Schuyler, an uncle of General Philip Schuyler of the Revolution. The two - are often confounded in history, and the change in the name of Fort - Stanwix was alike unnecessary and unwise.</p> - - -<p>A rapid glance at the other warlike events of the season will close the -history of the year. Anticipating, on the evacuation of Boston by General -Howe, that his next point of attack would be New-York, General Lee was -detached by the Commander-in-chief with a portion of the army, to put -Long Island and the harbor of New-York in a posture of defence. Washington -followed soon afterward himself, and established his head-quarters in the -city. Having been joined by his brother, Lord Howe, as commander of the -fleet at Halifax, General, afterward Sir William Howe, with his -reinforcements, arrived off Sandy Hook—the latter on the 25th of June -and the former on the 12th of July. General Clinton arriving at about the -same time from the unsuccessful enterprise against Charleston, with -Admiral Hotham, the combined forces of the enemy now amounted to about -24,000 men, including the Hessians.</p> - -<p>Lord and Sir William Howe were clothed with powers, as Commissioners, to -treat with the Colonies for a reconciliation. Their pacific errand was -proclaimed before hostilities were recommenced, and promises of pardon -were proffered to all who would avail themselves of the Royal clemency, -and return to their allegiance and duty. Their proposals, however, were -considered too exceptionable, both in matter and form, to receive the -least attention.</p> - -<p>On the 22d of August the British army was landed upon Long Island, at -Gravesend. The American army at this time consisting of 15,000 men, under -General Sullivan, was encamped in the neighborhood of Brooklyn. The battle -of Long Island, which was severely, though ineffectually, contested by -the American forces under Sullivan and Lord Stirling, was fought on the -27th of August. In this action, the loss of the enemy was differently -reported at from 300 to 450. The loss of the Americans was far more -considerable. General Washington admitted it to be 1000, but is believed -only to have referred to the loss of the regular troops. General Howe -claimed 1097 prisoners, among whom were Generals Sullivan, Stirling, -and Woodhull. On the 30th, the Americans effected a masterly retreat -across the East river to New-York. [FN-1] The enemy made immediate -dispositions for attacking New-York; and so prompt and skillful were his -movements, that, in a council of general officers, an evacuation forthwith -was deemed the only means of saving the army. The British fleet was -divided into two squadrons, one of which entered the East and the other -the North river. Under cover of the former, Sir Henry Clinton crossed from -Long Island, and landed at Kipp's Bay, with such celerity that the -Americans fled in disorder. Indeed, the evacuation resembled rather a -flight than a retreat; all the heavy artillery, military stores, baggage, -and provisions, falling into the hands of the enemy. A large portion of -the American forces, at that time, consisted of militia, the conduct of -which was scandalous beyond endurance. They deserted, not only in small -numbers, but in companies and squadrons, whenever they could; and their -conduct in the face of the enemy, or rather when running from the faces -of the enemy, was most cowardly. So disorderly was their demeanor, and so -like poltroons did they behave when flying from Sir Henry Clinton, that -even Washington himself lost his patience, and was excited to a degree of -hot exasperation. In writing from Harlem Heights to a friend. General -Greene said that two brigades of militia ran away from about fifty men, -leaving the Commander-in-chief on the ground within eighty yards of the -enemy, so vexed with the conduct of his troops, that he sought death -rather than life. [FN-2] His attempts to stop them were fruitless. He drew -his sword, and threatened to run them through, and cocked and snapped his -pistols. [FN-3] But all his exertions were to no purpose. In a letter upon -the subject of this infamous conduct of the militia, to the President of -Congress, the Commander-in-chief declared that, were he called to give -his opinion upon oath, he should say that the militia did more injury to -the service than good.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] During the operations upon Long Island and New-York, Captain - Brant contrived to pass from Canada and join the King's forces. He was - with Governor Tryon at Flatbush. The late Mr. John Watts, a - brother-in-law of Sir John Johnson, used to speak of taking a walk with - Gov. Tryon, Colonel Asgill, and Brant, through an orchard in that - village. During their stroll, Brant plucked a crude crab-apple from a - tree, which, on tasting it, he threw away—screwing his face, and - exclaiming;—"It's as bitter as a Presbyterian!"</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Sparks.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Gordon.</p> - - -<p>General Greene had strongly urged the destruction of the city by fire—a -measure afterward so effectively adopted by Count Rostopchin, Governor of -the ancient capital of Muscovy, to arrest the career of Napoleon—that -the enemy might be deprived of the advantage of establishing their -winter-quarters therein. His reasons for this measure were sound, and it -ought, doubtless, to have been adopted. Washington was believed to be of -the same opinion, especially as two thirds of the property which it was -proposed to destroy, belonged to undisguised loyalists. But Congress would -not allow the sacrifice; [FN-1] and, on the 15th of September, the city was -in full possession of the enemy—General Washington having retired with -the army to Kingsbridge. From the superiority in numbers and discipline -of the British and German troops, the Americans were unable to meet them -in the field, and the policy of evacuating and retreating was adopted. A -succession of movements, manœuvres, and engagements, followed in -Westchester, terminating, for the moment, in the drawn battle of White -Plains on the 18th of October. [FN-2] Washington then divided his army, -and crossed into New Jersey with a portion, leaving 7500 troops at North -Castle, under General Lee. The next disaster to the American arms was the -fall of Fort Washington, on the 16th of November, after a brave defence -by Colonel Magaw, notwithstanding the refusal of a portion of his troops -to man the lines. [FN-3] That fortress was attacked with great gallantry -at four points, led by Generals Knyphausen, Matthews, Cornwallis, and Lord -Percy. The regiment of Colonel Rawlings, on that occasion, behaved with -great spirit; nor would Colonel Magaw have given up the post but for the -conduct of the disaffected. [FN-4] After the fall of Fort Washington, Lord -Cornwallis crossed into New Jersey with 6000 men, for the purpose of -attacking Fort Lee, of which General Lee was then in command. But the -means of this skillful officer were not adequate to the defence of the -post against a force of such unequal strength; the people of New Jersey -were at that time intent rather to make terms with the enemy, than to -afford efficient assistance; [FN-5] and the garrison was saved by an -evacuation. General Washington had taken post at Newark; but the fall of -Forts Washington and Lee, together with the diminution of his own strength -by the expiration of the term of service of his men, obliged him to -retreat rapidly across New Jersey to the other side of the Delaware, -followed so closely by Lord Cornwallis, that the van of the pursuers was -often engaged with the rear of the pursued.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Washington's letter to the President of Congress, and also a - letter from Gen. Greene.—Vide Sparks.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The Stockbridge Indians were engaged with the Americans in this - battle. They fought bravely, and suffered severely.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Letter of Washington to his brother, John Augustine Washington, - dated from Hackensack, Nov. 19, 1776.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Idem.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] "The conduct of the Jerseys has been most infamous. Instead of - turning out to defend their country and affording aid to our army, they - are making their submissions as fast as they can. If the Jerseys had - given us any support, we might have made a stand at Hackensack, and after - that at Brunswick; but the few militia that were in arms disbanded - themselves, and left the poor remains of an army to make the best we - could of it."—<i>Letter of Washington to his brother, John Augustine - Washington, Nov. 18, 1776.</i></p> - -<p>In addition to this succession of disasters, Sir Guy Carleton had appeared -upon Lake Champlain with a flotilla, superior to that of the Americans -under General Arnold, and which seemed to have been called into existence -as if by enchantment. Two naval engagements followed, on the 11th and -13th of October, contested with undaunted bravery, [FN-1] but resulting -in the defeat of Arnold, the annihilation of his flotilla, and the -possession of the Lake and Crown Point by the foe. Early in December -Rhode Island also fell into his hands. The forces of the -Commander-in-chief at the same time numbered only from two to three -thousand men; and scarcely a new recruit supplied the places of those -whose terms of service were expiring. And even those recruits that were -furnished, were so badly supplied with officers, as almost to extinguish -the hope of forming an army from which any efficient services were to be -expected. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Gen. Gates wrote to Col. Ten Eyck, from Ticonderoga, on the 13th - of October—"The engagement began on the 11th, and continues to this day. - The enemy's fleet is much superior to ours, and we maintain a running - fight. All our officers behave with the greatest spirit."—<i>MS. letter - in the author's possession.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "The different States, without regard to the qualifications of - an officer, quarreling about the appointments, and nominating such as - are not fit to be shoe-blacks, from the local attachments of this or - that member of Assembly."—<i>Letter from Washington to his brother, 19th - November, 1776.</i></p> - - -<p>Worse than all, a spirit of disaffection was rife in the States of -New-York and New Jersey, which not only thwarted the purposes of the -Commander-in-chief, but threatened the most lamentable consequences to -the cause. Although there were many stanch Whigs in Albany and its -vicinity, there were many vigilant loyalists in that region, who -continued to keep in correspondence with the enemy during nearly the -whole contest. In the Summer of this year. General Schuyler had detected -a dangerous plot in the neighborhood of Albany, and apprehended some of -the ringleaders. During the operations of the army in the Autumn, in -New-York and its neighborhood, it was only with the utmost difficulty -that large portions of the fluctuating army could be kept in the line of -duty, while other large portions either went off in masses, or proved -unfaithful while they remained. The conduct of the militia at Fort -Washington, has been noted. General Greene wrote on the 5th of November, -that the New-York militia, under Colonel Hawkes Hay, actually refused to -do duty. They said General Howe had promised them peace, liberty, and -safety; and that was all they wanted. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Sparks—Life and Cor. of Washington.</p> - - -<p>These are but a few of the discouragements under which the -Commander-in-chief was laboring. To borrow his own expressive language -in the private letter to his brother cited in a preceding note, "You -can form no idea of the perplexity of my situation. No man, I believe, -ever had a greater choice of difficulties, and less means to extricate -himself from them." Nevertheless, the last sun of that year did not sink -behind so deep a cloud of gloom as had been anticipated. In the north, -General Carleton, who had occupied Crown Point after the defeat of -Arnold's flotilla, had returned to Canada without attempting any thing -farther; and before the close of the year the Commander-in-chief had the -satisfaction to announce, that instead of imitating the bad example of -others, the Continental regiments from the Eastern States had agreed to -remain six weeks beyond the term of their enlistment. [FN-1] In addition -to which were the bold return of Washington upon Trenton, and his -brilliant victory over the Hessian forces at that place, on the morning -of the 26th of December. "This well-judged and successful enterprise -revived the depressed spirits of the Colonists, and produced an immediate -and happy effect in recruiting the American army." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter from Washington to the commander at Morristown, Dec. 30.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Holmes's Annals.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chviii">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Continuation of movements in New Jersey—Extinguishment of the - council-fire at Onondaga—Tryon County—Colonel Harper's mission to - Oghkwaga—The Harper family—Adventure at the Johnstone - settlement—Capture of Good Peter and his party—Thayendanegea crosses - from Canada to Oghkwaga—Interview with the Rev. Mr. Johnstone—Doubtful - course of Brant—Feverish situation of the people—Expedition of General - Herkimer to Unadilla—Remarkable meeting between Herkimer and - Brant—Meditated act of treachery—Wariness of the chief—Meeting - abruptly terminated—Ended in a storm—Brant draws off to Oswego—Grand - council there—The Indians generally join the Royal standard—Approach - of Brant upon Cherry Valley—How defeated—Death of Lieutenant Wormwood.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Having</span> secured his prisoners on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware, -General Washington established himself at Trenton. But he was not long -permitted its undisturbed possession. Collecting his forces, Cornwallis -advanced rapidly upon the capital of New Jersey, where he arrived on the -2d of January. Some skirmishing ensued toward evening, but both armies -encamped for the night without coming to a general engagement—being -separated only by Assumpinck Creek—and apparently both expecting a battle -in the morning. The force of the enemy, however, was too great to render -it safe for the American Commander-in-chief to hazard an action. By an -adroit and masterly movement, therefore, leaving his fires burning. -General Washington succeeded in getting away unperceived, and throwing -himself into the enemy's rear. The battle and victory of Princeton -followed, and the American army moved to Morristown, while Cornwallis -hastened back to New Brunswick and thence to New-York—the different -detachments of British troops, which had been scattered through New -Jersey, being at all points discomfited.</p> - -<p>Returning from this digression to the Indian relations of New-York, there -is one event to be noted, the character of which cannot be explained. -Among the manuscripts preserved in the family of the hero of Oriskany, -[FN-1] is a speech from the Oneida chiefs to Colonel Elmore, the officer -who, at the commencement of the present year, was in the command of Fort -Schuyler, announcing the final extinguishment of the great council-fire -of the Six Nations at Onondaga. As the central nation of the confederacy, -their general councils, time immemorial, had been holden at the Onondaga -Castle, at which, in their own figurative language, their council-fire was -ever kept burning. These councils assembled annually to discuss the -exterior relations, and all matters of national concernment. They were -composed of chiefs delegated from each member of the federative republic, -and sometimes numbered as many as eighty sachems in the assembly. [FN-2] -By what means the event had been accomplished—whether the calamity was -the result of pestilence or war—the speech of the Oneidas does not -inform us; although it announces the fall of a large number of the -Onondaga warriors, in connexion with the catastrophe. Still, the -transaction is veiled in darkness so thick as to baffle investigation. -The following is the speech:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Colonel, afterward General Herkimer.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "The national council took cognizance of war and peace, of the - affairs of the tributary nations, and of their negotiations with the - French and English Colonies. All their proceedings were conducted with - great deliberation, and were distinguished for order, decorum, and - solemnity. In eloquence, in dignity, and in all the characteristics of - profound policy, they surpassed an assembly of feudal barons, and were - perhaps not far inferior to the great Amphyctionic council of - Greece."—<i>De Wilt Clinton.</i></p> - - -<p class="exit"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Fort Schuyler,</span> <i>Jan.</i> 19th, 1777.<br> - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Speech of the Oneida Chiefs to Col. Elmore.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We are sent here by the Oneida chiefs, in conjunction with the -Onondagas. They arrived at our village yesterday. They gave us the -melancholy news that the grand council-fire at Onondaga was extinguished. -We have lost out of their town by death ninety, among whom are three -principal sachems. We, the remaining part of the Onondagas, do now inform -our brethren that there is no longer a council-fire at the capital of the -Six Nations. However, we are determined to use our feeble endeavors to -support peace through the confederate nations. But let this be kept in -mind, that the council-fire is extinguished. It is of importance to our -well-being that this be immediately communicated to General Schuyler, and -likewise to our brothers the Mohawks. In order to effect this, we -deposit this belt with Tekeyanedonhotte, Colonel Elmore, commander at -Fort Schuyler, who is sent here by General Schuyler to transact all -matters relative to peace. We therefore request him to forward this -intelligence in the first place to General Herkimer, desiring him to -communicate it to the Mohawk Castle near to him, and then to Major Fonda, -requesting him to immediately communicate it to the Lower Castle of -Mohawks. Let the belt then be forwarded to General Schuyler, that he may -know that our council-fire is extinguished, and can no longer burn." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Transcribed by the author from the original draught, as furnished - to General Herkimer by Colonel Elmore.</p> - - -<p>This singular document is worthy of preservation, not only as the -authentic, but as the only account of the occurrence recorded. It contains -a mystery, however, which cannot now be solved. Still, as no belligerent -events are known to have been enacted in the Onondaga country during that -winter, the most plausible conjecture would attribute the mortality -indicated by the speech to some pestilential disorder, which might have -swept over them, as with the Schoharie Canton eighteen months before.</p> - -<p>In the County of Tryon, which now demands our chief attention, great -uneasiness was again awakened among the inhabitants, toward the close -of the winter, especially in the remoter settlements south of the Mohawk, -by the reported gathering of the Indians at Oghkwaga. The fact that their -numbers were increasing at that point having been satisfactorily -ascertained, Colonel John Harper, of Harpersfield, was despatched thither -by the Provincial Congress of New-York to ascertain their intentions. -Taking every necessary measure of precaution to guard against surprise, -and to be ready for any emergency, by having the officers of his militia -regiment on the <i>qui vive,</i> Colonel Harper departed upon his mission, -accompanied only by a single white man and one Indian. He arrived on the -27th of February, and was well received by the Indians, who manifested -a perfectly friendly disposition toward himself, and also toward the -settlements. So far from exhibiting any belligerent intentions, they -expressed their sorrow for the troubles of the country, and declared their -determination to take no part in the controversy. Satisfied as to the -sincerity of their professions, although subsequent events proved that -they must have been dissembling, Colonel Harper supplied the means of -a festival, and presented them with an ox, which was roasted for the -occasion. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Annals of Tryon County.</p> - - -<p>Colonel John Harper was one of four brothers—William, John, Alexander, -and Joseph Harper, who, with eighteen others, planted themselves down -upon a tract of country, in 1768, which was subsequently named -Harpersfield. After his return from this mission, he was for a time in -command of one of the little forts in Schoharie. On one occasion, in -March or April of this year, he took a circuit alone from Schoharie -through the woods to Harpersfield, and thence, when returning, struck -farther to the westward, toward the head waters of the Susquehanna. While -ascending a hill, he suddenly saw a company of Indians approaching. As -they had discovered him, any attempt to fly would have been vain. They -would have shot him down. Having a great coat over his military dress, -he made no attempt to avoid a meeting, and in passing, the Colonel and -the Indians exchanged salutations. In one of the Indians he recognized -Peter, a Mohawk whom he had formerly seen at Oghkwaga. They did not -recognize him, however; but from his manner of speech supposed him to be -a loyalist, and under that impression communicated to him the fact that -their destination was to cut off "the Johnstone settlement," a small -Scotch Colony on the eastern shore of the Susquehanna, near Unadilla, -or Anaquaqua, as that place was sometimes called. Having obtained this -information, he changed his course, and hurrying back to Harpersfield, -collected fifteen resolute men, with whom he gave chase to the marauders. -In addition to their arms, the Colonel caused each man of his little band -to provide himself with two days' provisions and a rope. In the course of -the following night, in descending the valley of the Charlotte river, they -descried the fire where the Indians were encamped. Halting for a while -to refresh and prepare for the contest, the Colonel and his men now stole -upon the foe with the utmost caution. It was almost day-light, and the -Indians were in a profound slumber—their arms being stacked in the -middle of their little encampment. These were carefully removed by Harper -and his party, as a measure of precaution. The moment for action having -arrived, singling each his man, the cords were made ready, and every -Indian, ere he was well awake, found himself bound and in the grasp of -a foe. The sleeping Gulliver was not more thoroughly secured by the -vexatious net-work of the Lilliputians. But Peter and his companions -were not secured by Lilliputian ties, and they had to deal with a -different race of men. When it became light in the morning, Peter -discovered his captor. "Ugh!" he exclaimed—"Colonel Harper!—Why did -I not know you yesterday?" The gallant Colonel proceeded to Albany with -his prisoners, and surrendered them to the commanding officer of the -station. It was a bold and well-executed achievement—and all the better -that it was bloodless.</p> - -<p>Although, as we have seen. Colonel Harper had parted from the Indians -at Oghkwaga upon the most amicable terms, yet indications of a different -temper were soon afterward manifested by this fickle people, of which the -movement of Peter, so opportunely discovered and intercepted, was the -first outbreak. Thayendanegea, likewise, appeared among them in the course -of the Spring, having separated from Guy Johnson, between whom and himself -some difficulty had occurred. Intelligence of the chieftain's departure -from Canada, and march across the country to Oghkwaga with a large body -of warriors, was received by the Tryon County Committee early in May from -Fort Schuyler, and communicated to the Provincial Congress by its -chairman, Isaac Paris. Not a little additional uneasiness was also -occasioned at the same time by the spirit discernible among the Tories. -Many of those loyalists, who had taken their departure the preceding year -with Sir John Johnson, had, nevertheless, left their wives and children -in the remote settlements, with whom they were evidently in communication; -while scouting parties, both of Tories and Indians, were hovering on the -northern outskirts of the county. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. documents in the office of the Secretary of State, Albany.</p> - - -<p>The presence of the crafty chieftain at Oghkwaga did not improve the -pacific disposition of the natives, as will appear in the sequel; although -Brant himself had not thus far committed any act of hostility within the -province of New-York. The fact of his having borne a part in the battle -of the Cedars seems, moreover, not to have been known in the Mohawk -Valley, since they were yet uncertain whether it was his intention to -raise the hatchet in the contest or not.</p> - -<p>But these uncertainties were not of long duration. In the month of June, -1777, the chief of the Mohawks ascended the Susquehanna from Oghkwaga to -Unadilla, [FN] attended by seventy or eighty of his warriors, and requested -an interview with the Rev. Mr. Johnstone and the officers of the militia of -the neighborhood. He stated that the object of his visit was to procure -provisions, of which his people were greatly in want. And such were their -necessities, that if peaceable means would not answer, the Indians must -obtain them by force.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Tunadilla was the Indian name of this place, nor does the propriety - of the alteration appear.</p> - - -<p>Advantage was taken of the interview to sound the chief as to his future -intentions—whether he was for peace or for war; and his answers were far -less difficult of solution than the riddle of the Sphynx. He complained -of the ill-treatment which, as he alleged, some of the Mohawks, who had -remained behind on the flight of the majority of the nation, had received -at the hands of the Whigs. The Mohawks, he said, were as free as the air -they breathed, and were determined to remain so; and they could not brook -it that any of their brethren should be seized and imprisoned, as had -been the case at the Castle. [FN] These, he demanded, should be set at -liberty, and suffered to remove from the country. In regard to the -question of peace or war, he said the Mohawks were always warriors—that -their agreement with the King was very strong, and they were not such -villains as to break their covenant.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Probably on suspicion of maintaining correspondence with the enemy.</p> - - -<p>The visit continued two days, during which time the Indians were well -supplied with provisions, and on their departure permitted to take away -some live cattle and sheep. The inhabitants, however, scattered and few, -and quite remote from any considerable settlement, no longer feeling -themselves safe in their houses, sought protection in places of greater -security—principally in Cherry Valley, the place of their first location, -whence they had removed, a few years before, into the vale of the -Susquehanna. Some of the scattered settlers in the Unadilla region fled -to the German Flats, and others, probably, to the older towns upon the -Hudson.</p> - -<p>The Indian forces of Captain Brant continuing to increase at Oghkwaga, -and the anxiety of the people becoming greater with every report from -that quarter, General Herkimer [FN-1] determined to repair thither, and -obtain an interview. For this purpose the General dispatched a messenger -to that place, and invited the chief to meet him at Unadilla—moving -forward himself at the same time, at the head of about three hundred of -the local militia, from the regiments of Colonels Cox, Klock, and -Isenlord, well armed and provided. The precise object of the General, in -seeking this interview with Brant, remains to this day more a matter of -conjecture than of certainty. The few scattered fragments of Herkimer's -correspondence which have fallen into the hands of the writer, show that -it was no sudden movement; but, on the contrary, that General Schuyler, -Colonel Van Schaick, Colonel Harper, and others, were consulted upon the -subject. On the application of Herkimer, Colonel Van Schaick was detached -to his assistance on the 15th of June, with one hundred and fifty men, -with which force he repaired to Cherry Valley, but could proceed no -farther for want of provisions. General Schuyler was also to repair -thither in person, in the event of his presence being deemed necessary. -[FN-2] Ostensibly, the expedition was one of peace; [FN-3] but the extent -of the preparations, and the physical strength of the expedition, imparted -an equivocal character to the movement; not more so, however, than was -the conduct of Brant during the whole Spring, since his proceedings were -such as to keep the minds of the people in a state of feverish excitement -and ceaseless uncertainty. Thus, on the 10th of June, Colonel Harper wrote -urgently to General Herkimer for a supply of ammunition, in the -expectation of an immediate hostile irruption of Brant into the Valley -of the Schoharie Kill. On the 13th, the Cherry Valley Committee wrote -to the General a still more alarming letter. Brant, according to this -statement, in connexion with some of the loyalists of Unadilla, had -marked a path directly through the forest to Æsopus, by which route the -Tories of Ulster and Orange Counties were to join his forces at Oghkwaga; -at which place the chief had vaunted that shortly he would not fear the -approach of three thousand men. [FN-4] On the other hand. Major Fonda -wrote, on the 19th of June, that an embassy of chiefs and sachems of the -Cayuga and Seneca nations, having repaired to Oghkwaga to remonstrate -with Thayendanegea against farther hostilities, the latter had determined -to listen to their councils, and withdraw into the Cayuga country. In -pursuance of this policy, it was added, on what was esteemed good -authority, that the Mohawk chief had released a prisoner with his own -hands, telling the captors that they had acted wrong. [FN-5]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] In the Autumn of 1776, three Brigadier-Generals of the militia - were commissioned by the Provincial Congress of New-York, of whom Colonel - Nicholas Herkimer was one. The Herkimer family was one of the first to - settle at the German Flats, and the name is among those of the original - patentees—not <i>Herkimer,</i> however, which is a corruption—but - <i>Ergemore,</i> which was the true German name.—<i>Letter of L. Ford to the - author.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MS. letters of Colonels Van Schaick, Tupper, and others, among - Gen. Herkimer's papers.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Letter of L. Ford, Esq. to the author.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] MS. letter from Samuel Clyde to General Herkimer.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] MS. letter of Major Jelles Fonda, among the Herkimer papers.</p> - - -<p>Such was the uncertain condition of things when the expedition under -consideration was commenced. Brant and Herkimer had been near neighbors -and personal friends, before the troubles came on, [FN] and it is possible -the General still cherished a belief that he might yet detach the dusky -warrior from the cause he had embraced, but nevertheless might not be -disinclined to relinquish. Perhaps he designed nothing more than to drive -him from his equivocal position. Perhaps, also, should opportunity be -presented, it was his intention to seize his person. But be these -suppositions as they may, it will be seen that there was at least one -moment in which he contemplated a more decisive course.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The residence of General Herkimer was a short distance below the - Little Falls of the Mohawk, near the river. His mansion, built of brick, - is yet standing. Brant's farm, on which he was residing when the - Revolutionary storm arose, was near the Upper Indian Castle, about three - miles below the house of Herkimer. The farm lies directly upon the river, - and is now very valuable. I visited the place in the Autumn of 1835. No - other memorials of its last noble possessor remained than the cellar of - his house, and the apple-trees which stood before his door. These were - vigorous, and in full bearing.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>It was a full week after the arrival of General Herkimer at Unadilla -before Captain Brant made his appearance. He came to the neighborhood of -the General's encampment, accompanied by five hundred warriors. Having -halted, he dispatched a runner to General Herkimer, with a message, -desiring to be informed of the object of his visit. General Herkimer -replied that he had merely come to see and converse with his brother, -Captain Brant. The quick-witted messenger inquired if all those men -wished to talk to his chief too? However, he said to the General that he -would carry his talk back to his chief, but he charged him that he must -not cross the field upon the margin of which they were standing, and -departed. But an arrangement was soon made, through the agency of -messengers, by which a meeting was effected. The scene exhibited at this -interview, as related by those who were present at it, was novel and -imposing. The hostile parties were now encamped within the distance of -two miles from each other. About midway between their encampments, a -temporary shed was erected, sufficiently extensive to allow some two -hundred persons to be seated. By mutual stipulation their arms were to -be left in their respective encampments. [FN] Soon after the adjustment -of the preliminaries and the completion of the fixtures above mentioned, -the chief of the Mohawks himself appeared in the edge of the distant -forest, and approached the place designated, already in the occupation -of Herkimer, somewhat warily, accompanied by Captain Bull, (a Tory,) -William Johnson, (son of Sir William, by Brant's sister Mary,) a -subordinate chief of the Mohawks, an Indian woman, and also by about -forty warriors. After some little parleying, a circle was formed by -General Herkimer, into which Brant and the General entered, together with -the other Indian chief and two of Herkimer's officers. After the -interchange of a few remarks, the chieftain, keeping an eagle-eye upon -his visitor, inquired the reason of his being thus honored. General -Herkimer replied, as he had done to the <i>avant-courier,</i> that he had come -to see him on a friendly visit. "And all these have come on a friendly -visit, too?" replied the chief "All want to see the poor Indians; it is -very kind." he added, with a sarcastic curl of the lip. General Herkimer -expressed a desire to go forward to the village, but the chief told him -he was quite near enough, and that he must not proceed any farther.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. statement of facts collected by L. Ford, Esq.</p> - - -<p>The General next endeavored to enter into a conversation with the Mohawk -touching the difficulties with England, in order to ascertain his feelings -and intentions. The conference now became earnest and animated, although -the chief at first gave Herkimer evasive and oracular answers. To a -question, however, put to him directly, he finally replied:—"That the -Indians were in concert with the King, as their fathers had been; That -the King's belts were yet lodged with them, and they could not violate -their pledge; That General Herkimer and his followers had joined the -Boston people against their sovereign; That although the Boston people -were resolute, yet the King would humble them; That General Schuyler was -very smart on the Indians at the treaty of German Flats, [FN-1] but at -the same time was not able to afford the smallest article of clothing; -And finally, that the Indians had formerly made war on the white people -when they were all united; and as they were now divided, the Indians were -not frightened." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Adjourned to Albany.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Annals of Tryon County.</p> - - -<p>Colonel Cox, who was in the suite of General Herkimer, then made a few -remarks, the substance of which was, that if such was the fixed -determination of the Indians, nothing farther need be said. But his -manner, or some of the expressions uttered by the Colonel, which have not -been preserved, gave offence to the chief. He was exceedingly irritated; -[FN-1] and by a signal to the warriors attending him at a short distance, -they ran back to their encampment, and soon afterward appeared again with -their rifles, several of which were discharged, while the shrill war-whoop -rang through the forest. Meantime, however, by explanations or otherwise, -the chief was soothed and his warriors were kept at a proper distance, -although the demand of General Herkimer for the surrender of sundry Tories -was peremptorily refused. The conference ended by an agreement between -the parties to meet again at 9 o'clock the following morning. General -Herkimer and his forces, forbidden to advance any farther, encamped as -before. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Manuscript statement of Joseph Waggoner, in the author's - possession.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - -<p>The next morning General Herkimer called one of his most trusty men aside, -Joseph Waggoner by name, for the purpose of communicating to him, in -confidence, a matter of great importance, respecting which the most -profound secrecy was enjoined. He then informed Waggoner that he had -selected him and three others to perform a high and important duty, -requiring promptness, courage, and decision. His design, the General said, -was to take the lives of Brant and his three attendants, on the renewal -of their visit that morning. For this purpose he should rely upon Waggoner -and his three associates, on the arrival of the chief and his friends -within the circle as on the preceding day, each to select his man, and, -at a concerted signal, shoot them down upon the spot. There is something -so revolting—so rank and foul—in this project of meditated treachery, -that it is difficult to reconcile it with the known character of General -Herkimer. And yet it is given on the written authority of Waggoner -himself, whose character was equally respectable. The patriotic veteran, -in devising such a scheme, had probably reasoned himself into the belief -that the intended victims were only Indians, and that in the emergency -of the country, it would be justifiable to do evil that good might come. -It was, however, a most reprehensible scheme—scarcely less defensible -than the murder, by Catharine de Medicis, of some of the Huguenot chiefs, -who were invited to Paris under the guise of friendship, on the eve of -the Bartholomew massacre, and treacherously taken off by poison; and -equal in its purposed atrocity, though upon a smaller scale, to the -subsequent treachery of Ali Pacha of Egypt, in regard to the Mamelukes, -whom he caused to be decoyed into the strong-hold of Cairo, and -slaughtered. Indian that he was, there is no known act of perfidy -chargeable upon Brant; and he had met Herkimer on his own invitation. A -betrayal of his confidence, under those circumstances, would have brought -a stain upon the character of the Provincials, which all the waters of -the Mohawk could not have washed away.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, however, the design was not carried into execution. Whether -the wary chieftain entertained any suspicions of foul play, is not known. -But, certain it is, that his precaution and his bearing, when he arrived -at Herkimer's quarters, were such as to frustrate the purpose. As he -entered the circle, attended as before, he drew himself up with dignity, -and addressed General Herkimer as follows:—"I have five hundred warriors -with me, armed and ready for battle. You are in my power; but as we have -been friends and neighbors, I will not take the advantage of you." [FN-1] -Saying which, at a signal, a host of his armed warriors darted forth from -the contiguous forest, all painted and ready for the onslaught, as the -well-known war-whoop but too clearly proclaimed. The chief continued the -discourse by advising the General to go back to his own home—thanked him -for his civility in coming thus far to see him, and told him that perhaps -he might one day return the compliment. Meantime, he said, he would go -back to his village, and for the present the General might rest assured -that no hostilities should be committed by the Indians. He then requested -that the Rev. Mr. Stuart, the English missionary at Fort Hunter, might -be permitted to retire into Canada, as also the wife of Colonel Butler. -To these requests General Herkimer assented, although the latter was not -complied with. He then presented the Indians with ten or a dozen heads of -cattle, which they fell upon and slaughtered incontinently. [FN-2] Brant -himself turned proudly away, and buried himself in the forest; while -General Herkimer struck his tents, and retraced his steps to the valley -of the Mohawk.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Waggoner's manuscript.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - -<p>Thus terminated this most singular conference. "It was early in July, -and the morning was remarkably clear and beautiful. But the echo of the -war-whoop had scarcely died away, before the heavens became black, and -a violent storm obliged each party to seek the nearest shelter. Men less -superstitious than many of the unlettered yeomen, who, leaning upon their -arms, were witnesses of the events of this day, could not fail in -after-times to look back upon the tempest, if not as an omen, at least -as an emblem of those bloody massacres with which these Indians and -their associates afterward visited the inhabitants of this unfortunate -frontier." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Annals of Tryon County.</p> - - -<p>This was the last conference held with the hostile Mohawks. Their chief -very soon afterward drew off his warriors from the Susquehanna, and united -them to the forces of Sir John Johnson and Colonel John Butler, who were -concentrating the Tories and refugees at Oswego. It was at about the same -period that the officers of the British Indian department had summoned -a general council of the Six Nations, to be held at that place; and it is -probable that Brant arrived at the post with his warriors for that -occasion. According to Ramsay, the invitations to this council were sent -forth by Guy Johnson, the Indians being requested to assemble "to eat the -flesh and drink the blood of a Bostonian." This language was understood -figuratively, however,—the roasting of an ox and a banquet being -intended.</p> - -<p>The council having assembled, [FN] the business was opened by the British -Commissioners, who informed the chiefs that their object in calling the -meeting was to engage their assistance in subduing the rebel Colonies, -the people of which had risen up against the good King their master, and -were about to rob him of a great part of his wealth and possessions. As -an inducement to enter the service, they were promised an ample reward. -The chiefs in reply, or rather those of them who were averse to joining -in the war, informed the British officers of the treaty of German Flats -and Albany, in which they had bound themselves to take no part in the -contest, and the parties to that compact repeated their determination to -abide by the treaty, and not take up the hatchet against their white -neighbors.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The only account of this great Indian council, (farther than the - mere statement that such a council was held,) which the author has been - able to discover, is that given in the life of Mary Jemison, a white - woman, who, being taken captive near Pittsburgh in 1755, when a child, - after her parents were killed, was raised by the Indians, and became in - fact one of them, in every thing but her birth and complexion. She - married an Indian, and lived to a very advanced age, and died among them. - She was present at this council; and from the fact that the truth of - other portions of her interesting narrative is sustained by other - authorities, her statement may be received as substantially correct. The - life of this remarkable woman, who died but a few years since, was - published by James D. Bemis, of Canandaigua. There will be several - occasions of referring to it hereafter.</p> - - -<p>The discussions were protracted, nor were the entreaties of the -Commissioners of any avail against the resolution of the Indians to -maintain their good faith, until they addressed their avarice, "by -telling them that the people of the Colonies were few in number, and -would be easily subdued; and that on account of their disobedience to the -King, they justly merited all the punishment that it was possible for -white men and Indians to inflict upon them. The King," they said, "was -rich and powerful, both in money and subjects. His rum was as plenty as -the water in Lake Ontario, and his men as numerous as the sands upon its -shore; and the Indians were assured, that if they would assist in the war, -and persevere in their friendship for the King until its close, they -should never want for goods or money," [FN] Overcome by their persevering -importunities, and by more direct and palpable appeals to their senses, -in a rich display of tawdry articles calculated to please their fancies, -the Indians proved recreant to their plighted faith to the Colonies, and -concluded a treaty of alliance with Great Britain—binding themselves to -take up the hatchet against the rebels, and continue in his Majesty's -service until they were subdued.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Life of Mary Jemison, written in 1823.</p> - - -<p>At the close of the treaty, each Indian was presented with a suit of -clothes, a brass kettle, [FN] a gun, a tomahawk and scalping-knife, a -quantity of ammunition, a piece of gold, and the promise of a bounty upon -every scalp they should bring in. "Thus richly clad and equipped, the -Indians returned to their respective homes, after an absence of about two -weeks, full of the fire of war, and anxious to encounter their (new-made) -enemies."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The brass kettles received at Oswego by the Senecas, (to which tribe - Mary belonged,) on the occasion mentioned in the text, were yet in use - in that nation, so late as 1823.</p> - - -<p>From that day Thayendanegea was the acknowledged chief of the Six Nations, -and he soon became one of the master spirits of the motley forces employed -by Great Britain in her attempts to recover the Mohawk Valley, and to -annoy the other settlements of what then constituted the North-western -frontier. Whether in the conduct of a campaign or of a scouting-party, -in the pitched battle or the foray, this crafty and dauntless chieftain -was sure to be one of the most efficient, as he was one of the bravest, -of those who were engaged. Combining with the native hardihood and -sagacity of his race the advantages of education and of civilized -life,—in acquiring which, he had lost nothing of his activity or his -power of endurance—he became the most formidable border foe with whom -the Provincials had to contend, and his name was a terror to the land. -His movements were at once so secret and so rapid, that he seemed almost -to be clothed with the power of ubiquity.</p> - -<p>The first of his hostile demonstrations within the Colony of New-York is -believed to have been made in the month of May preceding the interview -with General Herkimer; although from the semi-pacific intercourse -maintained with him for several weeks longer, the fact was not then -certainly known. The settlement of Cherry Valley was commenced in 1739; -and in consequence of some threatened Indian troubles, a detachment of -troops had been stationed there as early as 1763. But no military works -were erected, and the breaking out of the war of the Revolution found the -place defenceless. While Brant was collecting his warriors at Oghkwaga, -however, the inhabitants bethought themselves of the necessity of -defences. But not having the means to undertake the erection of any -formidable work, the house of Colonel Samuel Campbell was selected as the -largest, strongest, and most eligibly situated for military purposes. A -rude embankment of logs and earth was thrown up around this building, so -extended in its dimensions as likewise to include two large barns. These -buildings were all strengthened, and provided with doors and -window-shutters bullet-proof. Small block-houses were also erected within -the enclosure; and to this place, in moments of peril and alarm, the -inhabitants fled for protection. Martial law was proclaimed, and no -persons were allowed either to enter or leave the settlement without -permission.</p> - -<p>Toward the close of May, and soon after these precautionary measures had -been executed, Brant conceived the idea of making a descent upon the -settlement, for the purpose of either killing, or making captive, the -principal inhabitants, especially the vigilant members of the Committee. -It has been stated in a former page, that among the precautionary measures -adopted the preceding year, the exempts from military duty had organized -themselves into a volunteer company. The martial fever of course descended -from sire to son; and as the population had been considerably augmented -by the arrival of distant settlers for safety, a goodly number of boys -were collected, who formed a corps of cadets, with no better armor than -wooden swords and guns. These juvenile soldiers happened to be parading -upon the esplanade in front of Colonel Campbell's house at the very hour, -one bright sunny morning, when Brant and his party of warriors, who had -secretly arrived from Oghkwaga, were reconnoitering the post under shelter -of a tangled thicket skirting the brow of a hill about a mile distant. -His vision being somewhat obstructed by the intercepting shrubbery, the -chief mistook the lads for <i>bona fide</i> soldiers. Observing the semblance -of a fortification before described, Captain Brant moved his party to a -convenient lurking-place near the road leading to the Mohawk river, and -there lay in ambush for the purpose of obtaining such information as -might chance to come in his way. A short distance from where the chief -lay ensconced behind a large rock, "the road wound along near the edge -of a cliff, overhanging a rocky glen of one hundred and fifty feet deep. -This chasm was shaded by evergreens, and the whole scene was shadowy and -almost dark, even at mid-day. The wildness of the place was increased -by the dashing of a mountain-torrent into the gloomy abyss, called, by -the Indians, the falls of Tekaharawa." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Annals of Tryon County.</p> - - -<p>It chanced, that on the morning of that day, Lieutenant Wormwood, a -promising young officer from Palatine, of an opulent family, had been -despatched to Cherry Valley, with information to the authorities that -a detachment from Colonel Klock's regiment of militia was to march to -their defence on the following day. It was toward evening that Lieut. -Wormwood started on his return to the Mohawk, accompanied by the bearer -of some despatches, named Peter Sitz. As he mounted his horse in the -village, he threw down his portmanteau, remarking that he needed not to -take it, as he should return on the next morning with his company. He -was well-mounted, and richly dressed "in a suit of ash-colored velvet, -which attracted much attention during his stay;" and many persons remained -at the door, looking at the noble bearing of the young patriot, until he -disappeared behind the crest of the hill in the direction of the -Tekaharawa. Scarcely, however, had the clattering of hoofs died away upon -their ears, before a discharge of musketry resounded from the glen—the -startling report being speedily followed by the soldier's horse, returning -at full speed, the saddle crimsoned with blood. Suspicions of the most -painful description at once flashed upon the minds of the people, and -a party was immediately despatched to investigate the circumstances. They -returned without success that night, but on the following morning the -body of Wormwood was found behind the rock heretofore described, scalped -and lifeless. It afterward appeared, that as Wormwood and Sitz approached -the rock, they were hailed, but instead of answering, they put spurs to -their horses and endeavored to pass. Being fired upon, Lieutenant Wormwood -fell wounded, as did the horse of Sitz. The Indians rushed forth from -their ambuscade, and Sitz was made prisoner; while the gallant officer -was scalped by Brant's own hand. The chief is said to have lamented the -death of this young man. They were not only acquaintances, but friends; -and he had been fired upon under the supposition that he was an officer -of the Continental army. [FN] The despatches carried by Sitz were double, -and it was fortunate that he had sufficient presence of mind to destroy -the genuine, and deliver the delusive papers to his savage captors. -Deceived thereby as to the real strength at Cherry Valley, Brant retired -without committing any farther act of hostility. Colonel Klock arrived -at Cherry Valley on the following morning, accompanied by the afflicted -father of the slaughtered officer, who was mourned and wept by all who -knew him.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Annals of Tryon County,</p> - - -<p>Another coincident event, forming an appropriate conclusion to the present -chapter, was the tragic death of the great Shawanese chief, <i>Cornstock,</i> -with his gallant son, <i>Ellinipsico</i>; both of whom will be remembered as -among the brave Indian leaders at the battle of the Kanhawa, the last -action of the Cresap war, in 1774; and both of whom were now as basely -murdered by white men, as were the family of Logan. The circumstances -attending this foul transaction were these:—Cornstock, after the defeat -of his warriors at Point Pleasant, and his subsequent treaty of peace -with Lord Dunmore, had become sincerely and truly the friend of the -Colonies; and while the Indians of the Northwest, generally, were -preparing to take up arms with the English, he exerted himself to the -utmost to prevent his own nation from any participation in the contest. -But the influence of the British agents, and the example of the -surrounding Indian nations, were so powerful upon the minds of the -Shawanese, that Cornstock perceived his pacific efforts were likely to -prove futile. Thus circumstanced, he repaired to the fort which had been -erected at Point Pleasant after the battle of the Kanhawa, to lay the -matter before the officer in command—Captain Arbuckle—and take his -advice. He was accompanied on this mission by a young Delaware chief named -<i>Redhawk,</i> who had also fought by his side in the Cresap war. Having made -a full developement of the state of Indian affairs in the North-west, and -frankly admitted that, from the causes already indicated, he should be -unable to prevent the Shawanese from taking up the hatchet in the cause -of the Crown, the commander of the fort deemed it expedient to detain the -old chief, with his Delaware companion, as hostages for the good conduct -of their people. Nor did they remain unwillingly—little anticipating the -fate that awaited them—and giving all the information respecting the -Indians and their country, that could be desired by the Americans.</p> - -<p>Uneasy at the protracted absence of his father, Ellinipsico, his son, -went in pursuit, and traced him to the fort, where they had an affectionate -meeting. Unfortunately, the day after the arrival of the young warrior at -Point Pleasant, two white men having crossed the Kanhawa on a hunting -expedition, were fired upon by some straggling Indians, and one of them, -whose name was Gilmore, was killed. The other escaped. No sooner was the -event of Gilmore's death known, than the cry of revenge was raised, and -a party of ruffians assembled, under the command of a Captain Hall—not -to pursue and punish the perpetrators of the murder—but to fall upon the -friendly and peaceable Indians in the fort. Arming themselves, and cocking -their rifles, they proceeded directly to the little garrison, menacing -death to any or all who should oppose their nefarious designs. Some friend -of the hostage-chiefs attempted to apprise them in advance of the -approaching danger; but the savage mob were probably too close upon the -heels of the messenger to allow of their escape. At the sound of the -clamor without, Ellinipsico is said to have been somewhat agitated. Not -so the veteran Cornstock. He had too often grappled with death on the -war-path to fear his approaches now. Perceiving the emotion of his son, -he calmly observed:—"<i>My son, the Great Spirit has seen fit that we -should die together, and has sent you to that end. It is his will, and let -us submit,</i>" The infuriated mob had now gained the apartment of the -victims; Cornstock fell, perforated with seven bullets, and died without -a struggle. The son, after the exhortation of his father, met his fate -with composure, and was shot on the seat upon which he was sitting. -Red-hawk, the young Delaware, died with less fortitude. He hid himself -away, but was discovered and slain. Another friendly Indian, in the fort -at the time, was likewise killed, and his body mangled by the barbarians -in a manner that would have disgraced savages of any other complexion. -"Thus," says an Indian Chronicler, [FN] "perished the mighty Cornstock, -sachem of the Shawanese, and king of the Northern confederacy, in 1774—a -chief remarkable for many great and good qualities. He was disposed to be -at all times the friend of white men, as he was ever the advocate of -honorable peace. But when his country's wrongs summoned him to the battle, -he became the thunderbolt of war, and made his enemies feel the weight of -his arm. His noble bearing, his generous and disinterested attachment to -the Colonies, his anxiety to preserve the frontier of Virginia from -desolation and death, all conspired to win for him the esteem and respect -of others; while the untimely and perfidious manner of his death caused -a deep and lasting feeling of regret to pervade the bosoms, even of those -who were enemies to his nation, and excited the just indignation of all -toward his inhuman murderers."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Withers's Indian Chronicles, as quoted by Drake,</p> - - -<p>It argues a sad deficiency of military discipline, that such a foul -transaction could have occurred at any regularly established post. The -command of Arbuckle, however, must have been small, inasmuch as he was not -only opposed to the commission of the outrage, but sallied forth, in -company with another captain, named Stuart, for the purpose of -intercepting the ruffians, and preventing the execution of their purpose. -But all remonstrance was vain. The enraged assailants, pale, and quivering -with fury, presented their rifles to the breasts of those officers, -threatening them with instant death if they stood in their way. It has -been said that Cornstock felt a presentiment of his death on the morning -of its occurrence. A council had been summoned for the consideration of -some business of importance, connected, probably, with Indian affairs, -since the old chief bore a part in the deliberations. In the course of -one of his speeches delivered on that occasion, he said, with emphasis, -to the council:—"<i>When I was young, every time I went to war, I thought -it likely that I might return no more; but I still lived; I am now in -your hands; you may kill me if you choose. I can die but once, and it is -alike to me whether I die now or at another time.</i>" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Doddridge's Indian Wars, pp. 238—240.</p> - - -<p>The Indian biography of our country supplies but few additional facts -concerning the life of this brave and just man. He had a son, known among -the whites as <i>The Wolf,</i> whose name was somewhat conspicuously associated -with the earlier events of the Revolution. The Wolf, with three others, -was a hostage at Williamsburgh, Virginia, at the time of Lord Dunmore's -embarkation on board of the British fleet. After the escape of his -Lordship, he solicited and obtained an interview with The Wolf and his -associates on board of his ship; during which he explained to them the -causes of his flight, and urged them to flee also, as the only means of -escaping the fury of the revolutionists. Adopting this counsel, they took -to the woods on returning to the shore. The night following came on -excessively dark. One of The Wolf's companions separated from his fellows, -and was lost. The others soon afterward returned to Williamsburgh, where -they were well received by the inhabitants. What farther befell The Wolf, -or the house of Cornstock, is not known.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chix">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">British preparations for the prosecution of the war—Indications at the - North—Doubtful position and conduct of General Howe—Embarrassing to - the Americans—Intercepted correspondence—General Howe sails to the - Chesapeake—Enters Philadelphia in triumph—Burgoyne approaches from - the North—Indian policy—Sir Guy Carleton—False estimates of the - strength of Ticonderoga—Burgoyne arrives at Crown Point—Feasts the - Indians—Invests Ticonderoga—Carries the outworks—Fortifies Sugar - Hill—The fortress evacuated by St. Clair—Retreat of the - Americans—Battles near Skenesborough and at Fort Ann—Burgoyne enters - the valley of the Hudson—Schuyler, without means, retreats from Fort - Edward—Terror of the people—Cruelties of the Indians—Story of Miss - M<sup>c</sup>Crea—General flight of the population—Mrs. Ann Eliza - Bleecker—Heroism of Mrs. Schuyler—Attempted assassination of General - Schuyler.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Having</span> failed in their efforts to extinguish the rebellion during the -preceding year, the government of the parent country-resolved to put forth -still greater energies during the present. For this purpose a powerful -force was organized in Canada, the command of which was transferred from -Sir Guy Carleton—the ablest British General, by the way, at that time or -subsequently in America—and conferred upon General Burgoyne—an officer, -also, of unquestioned merit—whose spirit of enterprise and thirst for -military glory could not be exceeded. It was the aim of this Northern -army to open a communication between Canada and New-York—thus cutting -off New-England, which the ministry justly considered the hot-bed of the -Revolution, from all communication with the Middle States; while Sir -William Howe, with an army of 16,000 men, was to withdraw from New Jersey, -and move round simultaneously to the Chesapeake, and take possession of -the Middle States; and thus, as it was hoped, compel the whole to return -to their allegiance.</p> - -<p>Doubts, however, for several months hung over the intentions of the enemy, -whose designs were so skilfully veiled as for a long time almost to -paralyze the exertions of the Americans. The retreat of Carleton from Lake -Champlain, the preceding Autumn, even after the lake was in his power and -Crown Point in his possession, suggested a doubt whether a serious -invasion was meditated from that quarter. On the contrary, the impression -was general that the expedition of Burgoyne was destined against Boston; -and that Sir William Howe, whose movements in New Jersey were enigmatical -to perplexity, was to co-operate in an effort to re-subjugate New England. -The British government itself, as it is believed, contributed to the -distractions of Congress and the American commander, by causing reports -to be circulated that Boston was to be the next point of attack. Arthur -Lee, being then in Bordeaux, was thus confidentially advised, and he lost -no time in communicating such supposed intention to the Secret Committee -of Congress, who in turn gave the like information to the -Commander-in-chief, and also to the Legislature of Massachusetts. The -consequence of these distractions was unfortunate for the Americans. Less -attention was paid to preparations for the defence of the North than -otherwise would have been given; while Massachusetts, apprehending that -all her strength would be required for her own defence, set about raising -troops for her own protection, at the expense of the main army, from which -its quota of recruits was withheld. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letters of Washington, during the months of May, June, and July, - 1777.</p> - - -<p>Before the close of June, however, the designs of the enemy in regard to -the North became obvious. A person from Canada, arrested as a spy, and -brought before General Schuyler, stated on his examination, "that the -British forces were approaching St. Johns, and were to advance through -Lake Champlain under General Burgoyne; and also that a detachment of -British troops, Canadians and Indians, was to penetrate the country by -the way of Oswego and the Valley of the Mohawk. He added many particulars, -respecting the strength and arrangements of the British army, which turned -out in the end to be nearly accurate, but of which no intelligence had -before been obtained, or by many anticipated." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Sparks—Note in Life and Cor. of Washington, vol. iv.</p> - - -<p>The movements of General Howe were still equivocal, even after Burgoyne -had commenced his descent upon the North—thus adding to the -embarrassments of Washington. And in order the more certainly to mislead -the American commander as to his real intentions. General Howe wrote a -feigned despatch to Burgoyne, on the subject of ascending the Hudson to -join him, the bearer of which fell purposely into the hands of the -Americans, while pretending to be on his way to Canada. Unable, therefore, -to determine whether such might not be his design, (although the -intercepted despatch was regarded with strong suspicion,) or whether, on -the other hand, it might not be the purpose of Howe to pass round to the -Chesapeake and thence strike at Philadelphia, the American General was -compelled to remain inactively watching his motions, strengthening, in -the mean time, to the utmost of his power, his positions in the -highlands—without being able to detach any large number of troops to the -assistance of General Schuyler, then commanding the Northern Department. -And even after General Howe had embarked his troops and dropped down to -Sandy Hook—having evacuated New Jersey on the 30th of June -[FN-1]—Washington was still in doubt whether it might not yet be his -intention to return with the tide, and pass up the river in the -night. [FN-2] Such, however, was no part of the plan of the British -commander. His destination, on leaving the harbor of New-York, was the -Chesapeake and Philadelphia; and the latter branch of the campaign -indicated in the opening of the present chapter, was so far successful, -that after a series of victories over the forces of General Washington, -commencing at Brandywine and ending at Germantown, General Howe took -possession of, and established himself in, the capital of Pennsylvania.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] It is a pleasing evidence of the sound religious views of - Washington, that he was a firm believer in the immediate interpositions - of Providence in directing and controlling the affairs of men. His - letters abound in passages that might be cited, showing his quickness to - discern the finger of Providence, and his readiness to make the - acknowledgment. Thus, in regard to the departure from New Jersey by - General Howe, he says:—"The evacuation of Jersey at this time seems to - be a peculiar mark of Providence, as the inhabitants have an opportunity - of securing their harvests of hay and grain, the latter of which would - in all probability have undergone the same fate with many farm-houses, - had it been ripe enough to take fire."—<i>Letter of Washington to Maj. - Gen. Armstrong, July</i> 4, 1777.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "If we were certain Gen. Burgoyne were approaching Ticonderoga - with his whole army, I should not hesitate a moment in concluding that it - is in consequence of a preconcerted plan with Gen. Howe, and that the - latter is to co-operate with him by pushing his whole force up the North - River, and aiming a stroke in the first instance and immediately at the - Highlands."—<i>Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, July</i> 2. - Again, in several successive letters, after the embarkation of General - Howe's army from Staten Island, Washington spoke of the perplexity in - which he was kept by the shifting manœuvres of the fleet. On the 22d - of July he wrote—"I cannot give you any certain account of General - Howe's operations. His conduct is puzzling and embarrassing beyond - measure; so are the informations which I get. At one time the ships are - standing up toward the North River; in a little while they are going up - the Sound; and in one hour after, they are going out of the - Hook."—<i>Letter to General Schuyler.</i> The fleet actually sailed for the - Capes of Virginia on the 23d of July.</p> - - -<p>But a far different fortune attended the arms of Burgoyne. The regular -troops of his command, English and German, amounted to above seven -thousand men, added to which were large numbers of American and Canadian -loyalists, together with many hundred Indians; a species of force, which, -it has been held by British historians, Sir Guy Carleton was reluctant to -employ, while General Burgoyne, it has been alleged, entertained no such -scruples. It has ever been claimed as a virtue on the part of Carleton, -and carried to the credit of his humanity, that, rather than employ the -Indians, he submitted to the injustice of having the command of this -expedition, properly belonging to him, conferred upon an officer who was -not entitled to lead the enterprise. It is perhaps true, from his more -intimate knowledge of the Indian character, that he had formed such an -estimate of their services as to render him somewhat less sanguine than -others as to their value. His experience could not but have taught him -the extent of their inutility in war, the capriciousness of their -character, their intractableness and inconstancy. He must have known that -their ideas of war were totally different from those of civilized nations; -by reason of which, notwithstanding their ferocity, and the incredible -examples of passive valor which they sometimes afford in cases adapted to -their own opinions, they were nevertheless utterly regardless of, and -looked with contempt upon, those belligerent usages which are considered -as honorable, generous, and fair in the modern service of civilized men. -He could not have been ignorant of the fact, that the object and design -of most of the wars in which the Indians engage, are not so much to -conquer by manly and open battle, as to murder and destroy after their -own peculiar fashion. In one word, that accomplished officer very well -knew the services of the Indians to be uncertain; their rapacity to be -insatiable; their faith at all times doubtful; and their action cruel to -barbarity. Still, as we have already shown beyond contradiction, he was -among the first to court the alliance and obtain the services of Brant -and his Mohawks, on their descent to Montreal in 1775. The commendations, -therefore, that have been bestowed upon Sir Guy Carleton upon this -subject, at the expense of Burgoyne, were as undeserved by the one as -unjust toward the other. True, the march of Burgoyne was tracked with -blood, which a high-souled officer should scorn in such manner to -shed; [FN] but the footsteps of Carleton might have been equally sanguine -had the command been entrusted to him.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It is but just to this gallant but unfortunate officer, however, to - state, that he did all in his power to restrain the excesses and - barbarities of the Indians. At the council and war-feast, which he gave - them near Crown Point, he endeavored to explain to them the laws of - civilized war; and charged them that they must only kill those opposing - them in arms; that old men, women, children, and prisoners, must be held - sacred from the knife or hatchet, even in the heat of battle. But it did - no good.</p> - - -<p>Never, probably, at the time, had there been an army of equal numbers -better appointed than that of Burgoyne. The train of brass artillery, in -particular, was perhaps the finest that had ever been allotted to an army -not far exceeding the present in numerical strength, and for a time -victory seemed to perch upon his ensigns.</p> - -<p>General Carleton, it will be remembered, had made himself master of Lake -Champlain, and the fortifications at Crown Point the Autumn before. The -first object for attack presenting itself to General Burgoyne, therefore, -was Ticonderoga—situated in the mountain gap through which the waters of -Lake George fall into Lake Champlain. This fortress was then in command -of General St. Clair, and was supposed by the Americans to be a post of -great security. The principal fortress, the ruins of which are yet -standing in frowning and rugged strength, was situated on an angle of land -which is surrounded on three sides by water filled with rocks. A great -part of the south side was covered by a deep morass; and where that -failed, in the north-west quarter, the old French lines served as a -defence. These lines had been strengthened by additional works and a -block-house. The Americans had other defences and block-houses in the -direction of Lake George, together with two new block-houses and some -other works to the right of the French lines. Still greater pains had -been taken in fortifying the high circular hill on the eastern shore of -the inlet opposite, known as Mount Independence. On the summit of this -mountain, which is table-land, the Americans had erected a star-fort, -enclosing a large square of barracks, well fortified, and supplied with -artillery. The foot of the mountain, on the west side projecting into the -water, was strongly entrenched to its edge, and the entrenchment lined -with heavy artillery. These lower works were sustained and covered by a -battery, about half-way up the side of the mountain, and were connected -by a bridge across the inlet, which had been constructed at great labor -and expense. [FN-1] These, and other works of defence, had been judged -sufficient to render the post secure. The Commander-in-chief himself, -although indeed the works had not fallen under his own inspection, had -formed a very erroneous opinion of their strength, or perhaps, to speak -more correctly, of the natural advantages of the position, and of the -defensibility of the works. [FN-2] Such, in fact, was his confidence in -the post, that the idea of its loss seems from his correspondence scarce -to have entered his mind.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] London Universal Magazine, April, 1782.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "I am pleased to find, by your letter to Congress, that a strong - supply of provisions has been thrown into Ticonderoga. Since that is the - case, I see no reason for apprehending that it can possibly fall into - the hands of the enemy in a short time, even were they to bring their - whole force to a point; but if they have divided it to make the different - attacks that you mention, General St. Clair will, in all probability, - have an opportunity of acting on the defensive; and should he not be - quite successful, he may damage them so considerably, that they will not - be able to attack him in his works; to which, I dare say, he will always - secure a retreat in case of accident."—<i>Letter of Washington to General - Schuyler, July</i> 2, 1777.</p> - - -<p>But in all their labors, the American engineers had overlooked the high -peak, or mountain, called Sugar Hill, situated south of the bridge, on -the point of land at the confluence of the waters of Lakes George and -Champlain. Originally it had been supposed, and taken for granted, that -the crest of Sugar Hill was not only inaccessible, but too distant to be -of any avail in covering the main fortress. This opinion was an error, to -which the attention of the officers had been called the preceding year -by Colonel John Trumbull, then Adjutant-General for the Northern -Department. When Colonel Trumbull made the suggestion, he was laughed at -by the mess; but he soon proved the greater accuracy of his own vision, -by throwing a cannon shot to the summit; and subsequently clambered up to -the top, accompanied by Colonels Wayne and Arnold. [FN] It was a criminal -neglect, on the part of the Americans, that the oversight was not at once -corrected, by the construction of a work upon that point, which would have -commanded the whole post.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Conversations of the author with Colonel John Trumbull, and also - his unpublished memoirs, to which the author has had access.</p> - - -<p>General Burgoyne arrived at Crown Point on the 21st of June; and after -meeting and feasting the Indians, and attempting to instruct them in the -rules and principles of civilized war, and making other necessary -preparations—not forgetting to send forth a manifesto which he supposed -would spread terror through the Northern Colonies—he advanced with great -caution to the investment of Ticonderoga, where he arrived on the 2d of -July. Most unaccountably, the Americans immediately abandoned all their -works in the direction of Lake George—setting fire to the block-houses -and saw-mills; and without sally or other interruption, permitted the -enemy, under Major General Phillips, to take possession of the very -advantageous post of Mount Hope, which, besides commanding their lines in -a dangerous degree, totally cut off their communication with Lake George. -The only excuse for such an early abandonment of this important point, -was found in the fact that General St. Clair had not force enough to man -all his defences.</p> - -<p>One of the first objects that attracted the attention of the British -commander, was the unoccupied point of Sugar Hill. It was forthwith -examined, and its advantages were found to be so great, that immediate -dispositions were made for its occupation. A winding road was cut to its -summit, a battery commenced, and cannon to serve it transported thither. -Under these circumstances, finding himself invested on all sides, and -batteries ready to be opened upon him not only from around, but above, -and having, moreover, not half troops enough to man his works—St. Clair -hastily convened a council of war on the 5th of July, and an evacuation -was unanimously decided upon as the only alternative for the -emergency. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "The evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence is an event - of chagrin and surprise, not apprehended nor within the compass of my - reasoning. I know not upon what principle it was founded, and I should - suppose it still more difficult to be accounted for, if the garrison - amounted to five thousand men, in high spirits, healthy, well supplied - with provisions and ammunition, and the Eastern militia marching to their - succor, as you mentioned in your letter of the 9th to the Council of - Safety of New-York."—<i>Letter of Washington to General Schuyler, July</i> - 15, 1777. The truth, however, is, that the actual force and condition of - St. Clair's army had been universally over-estimated—as well by the - officers at a distance as by the public. The eyes of the nation were - turned upon that post; and when the news of the retreat went abroad, the - disappointment was extreme; and the loud voice of complaint and censure, - against the unfortunate General, was reiterated from one end of the - continent to the other. But, notwithstanding the "chagrin" and - "surprise," so keenly felt by the Commander-in-chief at the loss of this - important post, his strong sense of justice interposed to shield the - unfortunate commander from condemnation unheard. He wrote to General - Schuyler on the 13th of July, that General St. Clair owed it to himself - to insist upon an opportunity of giving his reasons for evacuating - Ticonderoga, but he at the same time said—"I will not condemn, or even - pass censure upon, an officer unheard." Time, however, proved that he had - acted the part of a judicious and skillful officer; but the excitement - of the moment was so great, caused by chagrin on the one hand and alarm - on the other, that all eyes were blind, and all ears deaf, to the true - reasons of the case, and even to the palliating circumstances.—<i>Sparks's - Life of Gonverneur Morris.</i></p> - - -<p>Following up such a promising advantage, the British commander pushed -forward upon the retiring army, with such a degree of vigor that the -retreat became almost a rout. The Americans, however, made a stand between -Skenesborough and Fort Anne in a well-contested battle; but after much -hard fighting, were again compelled to retreat. Another engagement ensued -at Fort Anne, with a like result; and the victorious Briton entered the -valley of the Hudson, and took possession of Fort Edward, which, weak and -unprovided, had likewise been evacuated on his approach by General -Schuyler.</p> - -<p>These movements by the British commander had been made with equal vigor -and celerity; and such was the confusion of the Americans in their flight, -that no advices of the disaster were forwarded by express to General -Schuyler, to prepare him for the approach of the victors. Indeed, that -officer was suffered to remain several days without intelligence from St. -Clair of any description, excepting some vague flying rumors of the -evacuation. [FN-1] During this suspense, General Schuyler wrote to the -Commander-in-chief upon the subject, who, in turn, expressed his amazement -at the mystery which seemed to hang over the affairs of the fortress. At -one moment Washington was led to believe that St. Clair and the whole -garrison had been made prisoners, and at another that the rumor of the -evacuation was wholly untrue; and that the silence, for which it baffled -conjecture to account, arose from the circumstance that the Americans -were shut up in their works. [FN-2] But this doubt did not continue long. -Notwithstanding that the advance of the enemy was repulsed at Fort Anne, -Colonel Long, who was in command of that post, immediately evacuated it, -contrary to the express orders of General Schuyler; and Schuyler himself, -at the head of only fifteen hundred men at Fort Edward, "without -provision, with little ammunition, not above five rounds to a man, having -neither balls, nor lead to make any—and the country in the deepest -consternation," [FN-3] was obliged also to fall back in the direction of -Albany. The blow was a severe one; but the Commander-in-chief possessed -a soul equal to every crisis. No undue elevation of spirit followed his -successes; neither did the clouds of adverse fortune, so frequently -darkening the prospect of the American arms, sink him into -despondency. [FN-4] Indeed, each succeeding calamity was but another test -of his moral greatness, for he rose above them all.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter from General Schuyler to General Washington, July 9, 1777.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter from General Washington in reply.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Letter of Schuyler to Washington.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] "This stroke is severe indeed, and has distressed us much. But, - notwithstanding things at present have a dark and gloomy aspect, I hope - a spirited opposition will check the progress of General Burgoyne's army, - and that the confidence derived from his success, will hurry him into - measures that will, in their consequences, be favorable to us. We should - never despair. Our situation has before been unpromising, and has changed - for the better; so, I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, - we must only put forth new exertions, and proportion our efforts to the - exigency of the times."—<i>Letterr of Washington to General Schuyler, - July</i> 15, 1777.</p> - - -<p>Nothing, however, could exceed the terror which these events diffused -among the inhabitants, not only of Northern New-York, but of the New -England States. The consternation was, moreover, increased by the reported -murders and the cruelties of the savages—since all the efforts of General -Burgoyne to dissuade them from the perpetration of their cruel enormities -were ineffectual. Restrain them he could not; and it was admitted by the -British writers of that day, that the friends of the Royal cause, as well -as its enemies, were equally victims to their indiscriminate rage. It was -even ascertained that the British officers were deceived by their -treacherous allies, into the purchase of the scalps of their own comrades.</p> - -<p>Among other instances of cruelty, the well-known murder of Miss Jane -M<sup>c</sup>Crea, which happened in the early part of the campaign, filled the -public mind with horror. Every circumstance of this unnatural and bloody -transaction—around which there lingers a melancholy interest to this -day—served to heighten alike its interest and its enormity. Many have -been the versions of this bloody tale. General Gates, who had at this -juncture been most unjustly directed to supersede General Schuyler in the -command of the Northern Department, assailed General Burgoyne in the -newspapers with great virulence upon the subject of these outrages. After -charging the British commander with encouraging the murder of prisoners, -and the massacre of women and children, by paying the Indians a stipulated -price for scalps, Gates, in a letter addressed to General Burgoyne, thus -spoke of the case now specially under consideration:—"Miss M<sup>c</sup>Crea, a -young lady, lovely to the sight, of virtuous character and amiable -disposition, engaged to an officer of your army, was, with other women -and children, taken out of a house near Fort Edward, carried into the -woods, and there scalped and mangled in the most horrid manner. Two -parents, with their six children, were treated with the same inhumanity, -while quietly resting in their own happy and peaceful dwelling. The -miserable fate of Miss M<sup>c</sup>Crea was particularly aggravated, by being -dressed to receive her promised husband; but met her murderer, employed -by you. Upward of one hundred men, women, and children, have perished by -the hands of the ruffians to whom, it is asserted, you have paid the price -of blood."</p> - -<p>General Burgoyne replied, and repelled with indignation the charge of -encouraging, in any respect, the outrages of the Indians. He asserted -that from the first he had refused to pay for scalps, and had so informed -the Indians at their council. The only rewards he gave them were for -prisoners brought in, and by the adoption of this course he hoped to -encourage a more humane mode of warfare on their part. In this letter -Burgoyne said:—"I would not be conscious of the acts you presume to -impute to me, for the whole continent of America, though the wealth of -worlds was in its bowels and a paradise upon its surface." [FN-1] In -regard to the hapless fate of Miss M<sup>c</sup>Crea, General Burgoyne -remarked:—"Her fall wanted not the tragic display you have labored to -give it, to make it as sincerely abhorred and lamented by me as it can be -by the tenderest of her friends. The act was no premeditated barbarity. -On the contrary, two chiefs, who had brought her off for the purpose of -security, not of violence to her person, disputed which should be her -guard, and in a fit of savage passion in one, from whose hands she was -snatched, the unhappy woman became the victim. Upon the first intelligence -of this event, I obliged the Indians to deliver the murderer into my -hands; and though to have punished him by our laws, or principles of -justice, would have been perhaps unprecedented, he certainly should have -suffered an ignominious death, had I not been convinced, from my -circumstances and observations, beyond the possibility of a doubt, that -a pardon under the terms which I presented and they accepted, would be -more efficacious than an execution, to prevent similar mischiefs. The -above instance excepted, your intelligence respecting the cruelty of the -Indians, is false." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] While these pages are passing through the press, the author has - fallen upon a letter written from Montreal, and published in the - <i>Remembrancer</i> for 1777, in which it was stated that a party of the - Indians had returned to Montreal in a high state of dissatisfaction, - because of the severity of Burgoyne's discipline toward them, and his - refusal to tolerate their mode of warfare, or pay them their accustomed - bounty for scalps. It was further stated that they waited upon Sir Guy - Carleton with their complaints—liking their old "Father" much better - than their new.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Vide Marshall's Life of Washington, Vol. I, Appendix.</p> - - -<p>The British commander doubtless labored to make the best of his case, and -in respect to Miss M<sup>c</sup>Crea, his statement was much nearer to the truth than -that of General Gates. The actual circumstances of the case, stripped of -its romance, were these:—Miss M<sup>c</sup>Crea belonged to a family of loyalists, -and had engaged her hand in marriage to a young refugee named Jones, a -subordinate officer in the British service, who was advancing with -Burgoyne. Anxious to possess himself of his bride, he despatched a small -party of Indians to bring her to the British camp. Her family and friends -were strongly opposed to her going with such an escort; but her affection -overcame her prudence, and she determined upon the hazardous adventure. -She set forward with her dusky attendants on horseback. The family resided -at the village of Fort Edward, from whence they had not proceeded more -than half a mile before her conductors stopped to drink at a spring. -Meantime the impatient lover, who deserved not her embrace for confiding -her protection to such hands, instead of going himself, had despatched -a second party of Indians upon the same errand. The Indians met at the -spring; and before the march was resumed, they were attacked by a party -of the Provincials. At the close of the skirmish the body of Miss M<sup>c</sup>Crea -was found among the slain—tomahawked, scalped, and tied to a pine tree, -yet standing by the side of the spring, as a monument of the bloody -transaction. The name of the young lady is inscribed on the tree, the -trunk of which is thickly scarred with the bullets it received in the -skirmish. It also bears the date 1777. "Tradition reports that the Indians -divided the scalp, and that each party carried half of it to the agonized -lover." [FN] The ascertained cause of her murder was this. The promised -reward for bringing her in safety to her betrothed, was a barrel of rum. -The chiefs of the two parties sent for her by Mr. Jones, quarreled -respecting the anticipated compensation. Each claimed it; and, in a moment -of passion, to end the controversy, one of them struck her down with his -hatchet.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Silliman's Tour from Hartford to Quebec. Vide, also, Marshall, - Gordon, and others.</p> - - -<p>The tale was sufficiently painful according to the simple facts of the -case, and its recital produced a thrill of horror wherever it -came—enlarged and embellished, as it was sure to be in its progress, by -every writer who could add to the eloquence of the narrative or the pathos -of its catastrophe.</p> - -<p>As the invader advanced, the inhabitants fled in the wildest -consternation. The horrors of war, however mitigated by the laws and -usages of civilization, are at all times sufficiently terrific; but when -to these the fierce cruelties of a cloud of savages are superadded, those -only who have been familiar with an American border warfare can form an -adequate opinion of its atrocities. Among the fugitives driven from their -peaceful abodes on the present occasion, was Mrs. Ann Eliza Bleecker, a -lady who has been somewhat celebrated as one of the early poets of our -country. She was the daughter of Mr. Brandt Schuyler of the city of -New-York, and the wife of John J. Bleecker, Esq., of New Rochelle, whose -enterprise, together with his lady's love for the wild scenery of the -forest, had induced him to exchange a residence among the busy haunts -of men for a solitary plantation in the vale of the Tomhanic—a mountain -stream flowing into the Hoosic river, about twenty miles from Albany. Mr. -Bleecker's residence lay directly in the march of Burgoyne, on whose -approach he hastened to Albany to provide accommodations for his family. -But a few hours after his departure, Mrs. Bleecker, as she sat at table -received intelligence that the enemy, with tomahawk and brand, was within -two miles of her residence. Instant flight was the only alternative. -Taking one of her children in her arms and seizing the other by the hand, -she started off on foot attended only by a young mulatto girl, and leaving -her house and all its contents a prey to the Indians. The roads were -encumbered by carriages, loaded with women and children, each intent upon -his or her own safety; so that no assistance could be obtained, and her -only recourse was to mingle in the fugitive throng, and participate in -the common panic and common distress. Having traveled about five miles -on foot, however, she succeeded in obtaining a seat for the children in -a wagon which served to facilitate her march. On the following morning she -was met by her husband, who conducted her to Albany, and from thence down -the Hudson as far as Red Hook one of her children dying by the way. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The facts of this incident in the life of Mrs. Bleeker are taken - from Kettel's biographical sketches of American poets. The memoirs of - Mrs. B. together with her poems, were published many years ago, but I - sought in vain among the libraries and the Bleekers to obtain a - copy.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>Amid this scene of desolation and affright, there was yet one woman whose -proud spirit was undaunted. It was the lady of General Schuyler. The -General's country-seat was upon his estate in Saratoga, standing upon the -margin of the river. On the approach of Burgoyne, Mrs. Schuyler went up -to Saratoga, in order to remove their furniture. Her carriage was attended -by only a single armed man on horseback. When within two miles of her -house, she encountered a crowd of panic-stricken people, who recited to -her the tragic fate of Miss M<sup>c</sup>Crea, and representing to her the danger of -proceeding farther in the face of the enemy, urged her to return. She had -yet to pass through a dense forest, within which even then some of the -savage troops might be lurking for prey. But to these prudential councils -she would not listen. "The General's wife," she exclaimed, "must not be -afraid!" And pushing forward, she accomplished her purpose. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] I have derived this incident, and also that respecting the General, - which follows in the text, from Mrs. James Cochran of Oswego, who was - the youngest daughter of General Schuyler.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>Before the mansion was evacuated, however, the General himself had a -narrow escape from assassination by the hand of a savage, who had -insinuated himself into the house for that purpose. It was at the hour -of bed-time, in the evening, and while the General was preparing to retire -for the night, that a female servant, in coming in from the hall, saw a -gleam of light reflected from the blade of a knife, in the hand of some -person whose dark outline she discerned behind the door. The servant was -a black slave, who had sufficient presence of mind not to appear to have -made the discovery. Passing directly through the door into the apartment -where the General was yet standing near the fire-place, with an air of -unconcern she pretended to arrange such articles as were disposed upon -the mantel-piece, while in an undertone she informed her master of her -discovery, and said, aloud, "I will call the guard." The General instantly -seized his arms, while the faithful servant hurried out by another door -into a long hall, upon the floor of which lay a loose board which creaked -beneath the tread. By the noise she made in trampling rapidly upon the -board, the Indian—for such he proved—was led to suppose that the -Philistines were upon him in numbers, sprang from his concealment and -fled. He was pursued, however, by the guard and a few friendly Indians -attached to the person of General Schuyler, overtaken, and made prisoner. -Exasperated at his treachery, the friendly Indians were resolved to put -him to death, and it was with much difficulty that they were diverted -from their purpose by the General.</p> - -<p>The effect of the incidents we have been detailing, and other recitals of -savage cruelties, not all, as General Burgoyne represented, without -foundation, was extensive and powerful. The cry of vengeance was -universal; and a spirit was aroused which proved of speedy and great -advantage to the American arms.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chx">CHAPTER X.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Expedition against the Mohawk Valley from Oswego—Despondency of the - people in Tryon County—Letter of John Jay—Arrest of several of the - disaffected—Flight of others to Canada—Schuyler's complaints of the - cowardice of the people—Great discouragements—Proclamation of General - Herkimer—Letter from Thomas Spencer—St. Leger's approach—Caution and - plan of his march—Diary of Lieut. Bird—Fort Stanwix invested—Colonel - Gansevoort takes command—Its deplorable condition—Gansevoort joined - by Willett—Story of Captain Gregg—Situation of the garrison—Arrival - of St. Leger—His proclamation—Burgoyne's affairs becoming - critical—Affair of Bennington—General Herkimer, with the Tryon County - militia, advances to the relief of Gansevoort—Battle of - Oriskany—Bloody upon both sides—Unexampled bravery of Captain - Gardenier—Major Watts—Dissatisfaction of the Indians—Sortie and - success of Colonel Willett—Death and character of General Herkimer.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Contemporaneously</span> with the descent of Burgoyne upon Northern New-York, -Colonel Barry St. Leger had been despatched from Montreal, by the way of -the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, to Oswego, there to form a junction -with the Indians and loyalists under Sir John Johnson and Captain Brant. -From Oswego, St. Leger was to penetrate by the way of Oneida Lake and Wood -Creek to the Mohawk river, with a view of forming a junction from that -direction with Burgoyne, on his arrival in Albany. The alarm everywhere -felt on the approach of Burgoyne from the North, was greatly increased -in Tryon County, on receiving intelligence of the contemplated invasion -by the Indians and loyalists from the West, The news of this movement was -first brought to the inhabitants by an Oneida half-breed sachem named -Thomas Spencer, who came therewith direct from Canada, whither he had gone -as a secret emissary to obtain information. Spencer stated that he had -been present at a council held at the Indian castle of Cassassenny, at -which Colonel Claus presided. [FN-1] According to Thomas's relation. -Colonel Claus strongly urged the Indians to join in the expedition into -the Mohawk Valley by the Western approach; boasting of the strength of -the army under Burgoyne, which had gone against Ticonderoga, and the -number of Indians with them, and before whom he assured them Ticonderoga -would fall. "Yes," said Colonel Claus, "Ticonderoga is mine. This is true: -you may depend on it, and not one gun shall be fired." Singularly enough, -though improbable at the time, the prediction, as we have seen, was -literally fulfilled. "The same," added the superintendent, "is true of -Fort Schuyler. I am sure that when I come before that fort, and the -commanding officer shall see me, he also will not fire a shot, but will -surrender the fort to me." The Oneida sachem farther informed the people -that Sir John Johnson and Colonel Claus were then at Oswego with their -families, with seven hundred Indians and four hundred regular troops. -There were also six hundred Tories on one of the islands above Oswegatchie -preparing to join them; and Colonel Butler was to arrive at Oswego on the -14th of July from Niagara, to hold a council with the Six Nations, to all -of whom he would offer the hatchet to join them and strike the -Americans. [FN-2] Thomas thereupon concluded his communication in the -following speech:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Colonel Daniel Claus, a brother-in-law of Sir John Johnson, had - either superseded Guy Johnson as Indian Superintendent in Canada, or - been appointed a Deputy.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Referring, doubtless, to the Grand Council, of which an account is - given in chapter VIII.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Now is your time to awake, and not to sleep longer; or, on the -contrary, it shall go with Fort Schuyler as it went already with -Ticonderoga.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> I therefore desire you to be spirited, and to encourage one -another to march on to the assistance of Fort Schuyler. Come up, and show -yourselves as men, to defend and save your country before it is too late. -Despatch yourselves to clear the brush about the fort, and send a party -to cut trees in the Wood Creek to stop up the same.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> If you don't come soon, without delay, to assist this place, -we cannot stay much longer on your side; for if you leave this fort -without succor, and the enemy shall get possession thereof, we shall -suffer like you in your settlements, and shall be destroyed with you. We -are suspicious that your enemies have engaged the Indians, and endeavor -daily yet to strike and fight against you; and General Schuyler refuses -always that we shall take up arms in the country's behalf.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> I can assure you, that as soon as Butler's speech at Oswego -shall be over, they intend to march down the country immediately to -Albany. You may judge yourselves that if you don't try to resist, we shall -be obliged to join them or fly from our Castles, as we cannot hinder them -alone. We, the good friends of the country, are of opinion, that if more -force appears at Fort Schuyler, the enemy will not move from Oswego to -invade these frontiers. You may depend on it we are willing to help you -if you will do some efforts too."</p> - -<p>The counsel of the faithful Oneida was neither early enough, nor was it -seconded with sufficient promptitude on the part of the inhabitants. -Indeed, it must be confessed, that, as the storm of war rolled onward, -gathering at once from different directions, and threatening daily to -break upon them with increasing fury, many of the yeomen who had hitherto -borne themselves nobly, began to falter. A spirit of disaffection had also -been more widely diffused among the settlements than could have been -supposed from the previous patriotic conduct of the people, while treason -lurked in many places where least suspected. Upon this subject, and with -special reference to the popular feeling and conduct in Tryon County, -John Jay, then sitting in the State Convention at Kingston, addressed the -following letter to Gouverneur Morris, a member of the Council of Safety, -who was at that time with General Schuyler in the North:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Jay to Gouverneur Morris.</span><br> - "<i>Kingston, July</i> 21<i>st,</i> 1777.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Morris,</span></p> - -<p>"The situation of Tryon County is both shameful and alarming. Such abject -dejection and despondency, as mark the letters we have received from -thence, disgrace human nature. God knows what to do with, or for them. -Were they alone interested in their fate, I should be for leaving their -cart in the slough till they would put their shoulders to the wheel.</p> - -<p>"Schuyler has his enemies here, and they use these things to his -disadvantage. Suspicions of his having been privy to the evacuation of -Ticonderoga spread wide; and twenty little circumstances, which perhaps -are false, are trumped up to give color to the conjecture. [FN] We could -wish that your letters might contain paragraphs for the public. We are -silent because we have nothing to say; and the people suspect the worst -because we say nothing. Their curiosity must be constantly gratified, or -they will be uneasy. Indeed, I do not wonder at their impatience, the late -Northern events having been such as to have occasioned alarm and -suspicion. I have not leisure to add any thing more, than that I am, very -sincerely, yours, &c.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Jay.</span>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Reference has already been made, in the text, to the injustice done - toward General Schuyler during this memorable year. There was probably no - officer in the service, the Commander-in-chief alone excepted, who was - considered by the enemy so great an obstacle to the success of their - arms. A narrow sectional prejudice existed against him in New England. - The failure of the Canadian campaign had been most wrongfully attributed - to him in 1776, and with equal injustice the fall of Ticonderoga was now - charged to his remissness by his own countrymen. The enemy were not slow - to avail themselves of these prejudices and groundless imputations, and - through the agency of the Tories, the most artful and insidious means - were employed to destroy the public confidence in his integrity and - capacity. The flame of suspicion was fanned by them until it became - general, and was openly avowed. Committees, towns, and districts, - assembled, and passed resolves expressing their distrust in him, and both - Congress and the Provincial Legislature of New-York were addressed upon - the subject. General Schuyler, than whom there was not a truer patriot, - nor a more earnest or active in the public service, was well aware of - these movements. To a Committee of the Provincial Congress, who had - formally communicated the charges to him, he returned an answer worthy - of a brave and magnanimous soldier. The character of this answer will - be understood from this single sentence:—"We must bear with the caprice, - jealousy, and envy of our misguided friends, and pity them."</p> - - -<p>As early as the 10th of April, Colonel Robert Van Rensselaer wrote to a -friend, that the Chairman of the County Committee had applied to him for -the assistance of his militia, to quell an insurrection of the loyalists -in Ballston; but such was the condition of his own regiment, that he was -obliged to decline the request. The spirit of disaffection had become so -prevalent among his men, that numbers of them had taken the oath of -secrecy and allegiance to Great Britain. However, he added that seventeen -of the villains had been arrested by the vigilance of the officers, and -were then in confinement; and a hope was indulged of being able to detect -the whole. [FN-1] Early in the following month the residue of the Roman -Catholic Scotch settlers in the neighborhood of Johnstown ran off to -Canada, together with some of the loyalist Germans—all headed by two -men named M<sup>c</sup>Donald, who had been permitted by General Schuyler to visit -their families. The fact that the wives and families of the absconding -loyalists were holding communication with them, and administering to their -subsistence on the outskirts of the settlements, had suggested their -arrest, and removal to a place of safety, to the number of four -hundred—a measure that was approved by General Herkimer and his -officers. [FN-2] Alarming reports of various descriptions were continually -in circulation, and the inhabitants were harassed beyond measure by the -necessity of performing frequent tours of military duty—acting as scouts -and reconnoitering parties; and standing, some of them, as sentinels -around their fields, while others did the labor. No neighborhood felt -secure, and all were apprehensive that the whole country would be ravaged -by the Indians; while parties of the disaffected were continually stealing -away to augment the ranks of the enemy. Thus circumstanced, and at the -very moment when they were called upon to reinforce Fort Schuyler, the -Committees both of Palatine and Schoharie, feeling that they were not -strong enough even for self-defence, were calling upon the Council of -Safety at Albany to send additional forces for their protection. Mr. -Paris wrote repeatedly upon the subject. The Schoharie Committee, on the -17th of July, wrote very frankly, that "the late advantages gained by the -enemy had such an effect, that many who had been counted as friends of -the State were drawing back. Our situation," he added, "is -deplorable—excepting those who have sought protection from the enemy. -We are entirely open to the Indians and Tories, whom we expect every hour -to come upon us. Part of our militia are at Fort Edward; and of the few -that are here, many are unwilling to take up arms to defend themselves, -as they are unable to stand against so many enemies. Therefore if your -honors do not grant us immediate relief to the amount of about five -hundred men, we must either fall a prey to the enemy, or take protection -also." [FN-3] On the 18th of July, General Schuyler wrote to the Hon. -Pierre Van Courtlandt, from Saratoga, and again on the 21st from Fort -Edward, to the same effect. "I am exceedingly chagrined," he says, "at -the pusillanimous spirit which prevails in the County of Tryon. I -apprehend much of it is to be attributed to the infidelity of the leading -persons of that quarter. If I had one thousand regular troops, in -addition to those now above and on the march, I should venture to keep -only every third man of the militia, and would send them down. The -substance of Colonel Harper's information had been transmitted about a -month ago. In consequence whereof, I sent Colonel Van Schaick into Tryon -County with as many troops as I could collect. After the improper -agreement made by General Herkimer, [FN-4] these troops were marched back; -but as soon as I was informed of the march, I ordered them to remain in -Tryon County, where they are still, and I have sent up Colonel Wesson's -regiment to reinforce them. But if I may be allowed to judge of the temper -of General Herkimer and the Committee of Tryon County, from their letters -to me, nothing will satisfy them unless I march the whole army into that -quarter. With deference to the better judgment of the Council of Safety, -I cannot by any means think it prudent to bring on an open rupture with -the savages at the present time. The inhabitants of Tryon County are -already too much inclined to lay down their arms, and take whatever terms -the enemy may please to afford them. Half the militia from this (Tryon) -County, and the neighboring State of Massachusetts, we have been under the -necessity of dismissing; but the whole should go. I enclose you the -proceedings of a council of General officers, held at this place on the -20th instant. You will perceive that we have been driven to the necessity -of allowing some of the militia to return to their plantations. The -remainder have promised to remain three weeks longer—that is to say, -unless they choose to return sooner, which will doubtless be the case, -and for which they have many reasons." [FN-5]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] MS. documents in the Department of State, Albany.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MS. documents in the Department of State, Albany—Letter of Isaac - Paris.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] MS. correspondence of the Provincial Congress—Secretary's office, - Albany.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Probably referring to the interview between Herkimer and Brant - at Unadilla.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] MS. Cor. Council of Safety—Secretary's office, Albany.</p> - - -<p>The complaints of General Schuyler were not without just foundation, as -the reader has already seen. Indeed, both regulars and militia in Tryon -County, seemed for the moment to have lost all the high qualities of -soldiers or citizens. Of two hundred militiamen ordered to muster and join -the garrison of Fort Schuyler, only a part obeyed; while two companies of -regular troops, receiving the like orders, entered upon the service with -great reluctance, and not without urging various excuses—complaining that -service in scouting parties had unfitted them for garrison duty. [FN] Under -circumstances of such discouragement, it was a time of peculiar trial to -the officers and Committees of Safety. Tryon County had early espoused -the cause of freedom, and apparently with greater unanimity than any other -county in the State; and the extensive defection, or criminal apathy, -which we have just been contemplating, was altogether unexpected. But a -crisis was approaching, which necessity soon obliged them to meet. -Accordingly, on the 17th of July, General Herkimer issued a patriotic -proclamation to the inhabitants of the county, announcing the gathering -of the enemy at Oswego, "Christians and Savages," to the number of two -thousand strong, with the intention of invading the frontier, and calling -upon the people <i>en masse,</i> to be ready at a moment's warning to repair -to the field, with arms and accoutrements, on the approach of the enemy. -Those in health, from 16 to 60 years of age, were designated for actual -service; while those above 60 years of age, or invalids, were directed to -arm for the defence of the women and children at whatever place they might -be gathered in for safety. Concerning the disaffected, and those who might -refuse to obey the orders, it was directed in the proclamation that they -should be arrested, their arms secured, and themselves placed under guard -to join the main body. All the members of the Committee, and all those -who, by reason of having formerly held commissions, had become exempts -from service, were invited to repair to the rendezvous, and aid in -repulsing the foe; "not doubting that the Almighty Power, upon our humble -prayers, and sincere trust in Him, will then graciously succour our arms -in battle for our just cause, and victory cannot fail on our side."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Annals of Tryon County.</p> - - -<p>The Oneida Indians, who were sincerely disposed to favor the cause of the -United States, but who, pursuant to the humane policy of Congress and the -advice of General Schuyler, had determined to preserve their neutrality, -beheld the approaching invasion from Oswego with no small degree of -apprehension. The course they had marked out for themselves, as they were -well aware, was viewed with displeasure by their Mohawk brethren, while -the other members of their confederacy were obviously inclined to side -with their "Uncle." [FN] Living, moreover, in the immediate neighborhood -of Fort Schuyler, where St. Leger's first blow must be struck, they were -not a little troubled in the prospect of what might happen to themselves. -The watchful Thomas Spencer, therefore, despatched the following letter -to the Committee on the 29th of July, which was received on the 30th:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] In the Six Nations, the Mohawks—the head tribe—were called - "Uncle." The Oneidas were "the elder brother," &c.</p> - - -<p>"At a meeting of the chiefs, they tell me that there is but four days -remaining of the time set for the king's troops to come to Fort Schuyler, -and they think it likely they will be here sooner.</p> - -<p>"The chiefs desire the commanding officers at Fort Schuyler not to make -a Ticonderoga of it; but they hope you will be courageous.</p> - -<p>"They desire General Schuyler may have this with speed, and send a good -army here; there is nothing to do at New-York; we think there is men to -be spared—we expect the road is stopped to the inhabitants by a party -through the woods; we shall be surrounded as soon as they come. This may -be our last advice, as these soldiers are part of those that are to hold -a treaty. Send this to the Committee—as soon as they receive it, let -the militia rise up and come to Fort Schuyler.</p> - -<p>"To-morrow we are a-going to the Three Rivers [FN] to the treaty. We -expect to meet the warriors, and when we come there and declare we are -for peace, we expect to be used with indifference and sent away."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The junction of the Oneida, Seneca, and Oswego rivers—not "Three - Rivers" in Canada.</p> - - -<p>"Let all the troops that come to Fort Schuyler take care on their march, -as there is a party of Indians to stop the road below the fort, about -80 or 100. We hear they are to bring their cannon up Fish Creek. We hear -there is 1000 going to meet the enemy. We advise not—the army is too -large for so few men to defend the Fort—we send a belt of 8 rows to -confirm the truth of what we say.</p> - -<p>"It looks likely to me the troops are near—hope all friends to liberty, -and that love their families, will not be backward, but exert themselves; -as one resolute blow would secure the friendship of the Six Nations, and -almost free this part of the country from the incursions of the -enemy." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. letter among the papers of General Gansevoort. Thomas Spencer - was a blacksmith, who had resided among the Cayugas, and was greatly - beloved by the Indians.—<i>Letter from General Schuyler to Colonel - Dayton—Gansevoort papers.</i></p> - - -<p>The certainty that the invaders were thus approaching, the earnestness -of the appeals of the Committee to the patriotism of the people, the -influence of the proclamation of the German General, who was a much -better man than officer, save only in the single attribute of courage; -and, above all, the positive existence of a common danger from which -there was no escape; were circumstances, together, not without their -effect. And although the eleventh hour had arrived, yet the militia, and -all upon whom the call to arms had been made, now began to move with a -degree of alacrity and an exhibition of spirit that went far to atone -for the unpatriotic, if not craven, symptoms already noticed.</p> - -<p>Meantime, having completed his organization at Oswego, General St. Leger -commenced his march upon Fort Schuyler, moving by the route already -indicated, though with great circumspection. The name of this place of -rendezvous has already recurred more than once, or twice, in the -preceding pages. Its position was important, and it had been a place of -renown in the earlier wars of the Colony. The river bearing the same -name, which here pours Northwardly into Lake Ontario, is the outlet both -of the Oneida and Seneca rivers, through which, and their tributary -streams, it is connected with the chain of small lakes bearing the names -of Oneida, Cazenovia, Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca, and -Canandaigua. Its estuary, of course, forms the natural opening into the -rich district of country surrounding those lakes, which, down to the -period of the present history, contained the principal towns of four of -the Five Nations of Indians. During the wars between the French and -Five Nations, Oswego was repeatedly occupied by the armies of the former. -It was here that Count Frontenac landed, on his invasion of the Onondaga -country in 1692, at which time, or subsequently, a considerable military -work was erected on the western side of the river. During the war with -France, which was closed in America by the conquest of Canada, it was -in the occupancy of the Provincials and English. The expedition destined -to descend the St. Lawrence upon Montreal, was assembled at this point -in 1759, after the fall of Niagara, under General Shirley and Sir William -Johnson, The army was encamped here several weeks, and finally broke up -without attempting its main object—owing, as Sir William Johnson -intimates in his private diary, to a want of energy on the part of -Shirley. After the fall of Quebec and Montreal into the hands of the -English, a battalion of the 55th regiment was stationed at Oswego, under -Major Duncan, a brother of the naval hero of Camperdown. A new and far -more formidable work was constructed upon the Eastern or North-eastern -promontory, formed by the embouchure of the river into the lake. The new -position was far better chosen for a fortress than the old; and, -ultimately, before the Britons were dispossessed of it by the Americans, -it became a work of somewhat formidable strength and dimensions. The -situation is one of the most beautiful that can be imagined; and during -the two or three years in which Major Duncan was in command, by the -cultivation of a large garden, the laying out and improving of a -bowling-green, and other pleasure-grounds, it was rendered a little -paradise in the wilderness. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Mrs. Grant's delightful book—"Memoirs of an American Lady," - chapters xliv. to xlvii. inclusive.</p> - - -<p>All told, the army of St. Leger consisted of seventeen hundred -men—Indians included. These latter were led by Thayendanegea. The order -of their march, as beautifully drawn and colored, was subsequently taken, -with the escritoire of the commanding General, and will be found on the -subsequent page, accurately copied and engraved. The advance of the main -body, it will be seen, was formed of Indians, marching in five Indian -columns; that is, in single files, at large distances from each other, -and four hundred and sixty paces in front of the line. From these columns -of Indians, files were stretched at a distance often paces from each -other, forming a line of communication with the advanced guard of the -line, which was one hundred paces in front of the column. The right and -left flanks were covered by Indians at one hundred paces, forming -likewise lines of communication with the main body. The King's regiment -moved from the left by Indian file, while the 34th moved in the same -order from the right. The rear-guard was formed of regular troops; while -the advance guard, composed of sixty marksmen, detached from Sir John -Johnson's regiment of Royal Greens, was led by Sir John's brother-in-law, -Captain Watts. Each corps was likewise directed to have ten chosen -marksmen in different parts of its line, in case of attack, to be pushed -forward to any given point as circumstances might require. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. directions found among the captured papers of St. Leger.</p> -<br><br><br> - - -<P class="image" style="text-align: center; page-break-before: always;"><img src="images/marchorder.jpg"style="max-width:100%; max-height:100%" alt="St. Leger's Order of March"></P> -<br><br><br> - - - - -<p style="page-break-before: always;">From these extraordinary precautions, it may well be inferred that -General St. Leger, who probably acted much under the advice of Sir John -Johnson and the refugee Provincials, who must have been best acquainted -with the country and the character of the enemy they were going to -encounter, was not a little apprehensive of an attack by surprise while -on his march.</p> - -<p>In addition to the arrangements already indicated, a detachment from the -8th regiment, with a few Indians, was sent a day or more in advance, -under the command of Lieutenant Bird. This officer pushed forward with -spirit, but was somewhat annoyed by the insubordination and independent -action of his allies. The following extracts from his private diary [FN] -will not only disclose his own embarrassments, but illustrate the -character of Indian warriors acting in concert with regular troops:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. Diary of Lt. Henry Bird, captured from Gen. St. Leger by Col. - Gansevoort.</p> - - -<p>"<i>Tuesday,</i> 28<i>th July,</i> 1777.—After going two miles, and no savages -coming up, waited two hours for them. Sixteen Senecas arriving, proceeded -to the Three Rivers [FN]—waited there two hours—seventy or eighty -Messesaugues coming up, I proposed moving forward. They had stolen two -oxen from the drove of the army, and would not advance, but stayed to -feast. I advanced without Indians seven miles farther—in all nineteen -miles. Posted four sentinels all night from a sergeant's guard of twelve -men—relieved every hour—visited every half hour. All fires put out at -9 o'clock."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The junction of the Oneida, Seneca, and Oswego rivers.</p> - - -<p>"<i>Wednesday</i>—Set off next morning at six, having waited for the savages -till that time, though none arrived. Ordered the boats to keep seventy -rods behind each other—half the men keeping their arms in their hands, -while the other half rowed. Ordered, on any of the boats being fired -upon, that the men should jump ashore. The rest to support them with all -expedition. Rowed all night. Encamped at Nine Mile Point.</p> - -<p>"<i>Thursday, July</i> 30.—With twenty-seven Senecas and nine Messesaugues -joined Mr. Hair's party. [FN] Many savages being with us, proceeded to -Wood Creek, a march of fifteen miles. . . ."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Lieut. Hair—afterward killed.</p> - - -<p>"<i>Friday.</i>—The savages hinted an intention to send parties to Fort -Stanwix, but to proceed in a body no farther. I called a council of the -chiefs—told them I had orders to approach near the fort—that if they -would accompany me, I should be content; but if they would not go, I -should take the white people under my command, and proceed myself. The -Messesaugues said they would go with me. The Senecas said I had promised -to be advised by their chiefs—that it was their way to proceed with -caution. I answered, that I meant only as to fighting in the bush, but -that I had communicated my intentions to them in the former camp, of -preventing them [the Americans meaning] from stopping the creek, [FN] and -investing their fort. But since I had promised to be advised by them, I -would take it so far as to wait till next morning—and would then -certainly march by daybreak. After some counseling, they seemed pleased -with what I had said, and said they would send out large scouts to -prepare the way. Accordingly eight-teen or twenty set off this evening."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] General Schuyler had directed the commanding officer of Fort - Stanwix to obstruct the navigation of Wood Creek by felling trees - therein.</p> - - -<p>On the 2d of August, however, Bird wrote back to his General that no -savages would advance with him except Henriques, a Mohawk, and one other -of the Six Nations, an old acquaintance of his. The letter -continues:—"Those two, Sir, I hope to have the honor to present to you. -A savage, who goes by the name of Commodore Bradley, was the chief cause -of their not advancing to-day. Twelve Messesaugues came up two or three -hours after my departure. Those, with the scout of fifteen I had the -honor to mention to you in my last, are sufficient to invest Fort -Stanwix, if you favor me so far as not to order to the contrary." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. of the original letter, among the Gansevoort papers.</p> - - -<p>St. Leger received this letter on the same day, at Nine Mile Point, -whence he immediately despatched the following reply:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"General St. Leger to Lieut. Bird.</span><br> - <i>Nine Mile Point, Aug.</i> 2, 1777.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I this instant received your letter containing the account of your -operations since you were detached, which I with great pleasure tell you -have been sensible and spirited; your resolution of investing Fort -Stanwix is perfectly right; and to enable you to do it with greater -effect, I have detached Joseph [Thayendanegea] and his corps of Indians -to reinforce you. You will observe that I will have nothing but an -investiture made; and in case the enemy, observing the discretion and -judgment with which it is made, should offer to capitulate, you are to -tell them that you are sure I am well disposed to listen to them; this is -not to take any honor out of a young soldier's hands, but by the presence -of the troops to prevent the barbarity and carnage which will ever obtain -where Indians make so superior a part of a detachment; I shall move from -hence at eleven o'clock, and be early in the afternoon at the entrance -of the creek.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I am, Sir, your most obt. and humble ser't. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Barry St. Leger."</span> - - "<i>Lieut. Bird, 8th reg't.</i>" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. of the original letter, among the Gansevoort papers,—Vide, - also, Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>The investment of the fort was made by Lieut. Bird forthwith—Brant -arriving to his assistance at the same time. But the result of the siege -that followed proved that the British commander had grievously -miscalculated the spirit of the garrison of Fort Stanwix, in his -anticipations of a speedy capitulation. Still, his prudential order, the -object of which was to prevent an unnecessary sacrifice of life at the -hands of his Indian allies, calculating, of course, upon an easy victory, -was not the less commendable on that account.</p> - -<p>The situation of Fort Stanwix itself—or rather Fort Schuyler, as it must -now be called—next demands attention. At the beginning of the year, as -we have already seen, the post was commanded by Colonel Elmore of the -State service. The term of that officer expiring in April, Colonel Peter -Gansevoort, also of the State troops, was designated as Colonel Elmore's -successor, by an order from General Gates, dated the 26th of that month. -Notwithstanding the labors of Colonel Drayton, in repairing the works, -the preceding year, Colonel Gansevoort found them in such a state of -dilapidation, that they were not only indefensible, but untenable. A -brisk correspondence ensued between that officer and General Schuyler -upon the subject, from which it is manifest that, to say nothing of the -miserable condition of his defences, with the prospect of an invasion -from the West before him, his situation was in other respects -sufficiently deplorable. He had but a small number of men, and many of -those were sick by reason of destitution. [FN-1] Added to all which was -the responsibility of the Indian relations confided to him by special -order of General Schuyler on the 9th of June. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letters among the Gansevoort papers.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "You will keep up a friendly intercourse with the Indians, and - suffer no speeches to be made to them by any person not employed in the - Indian Department; and when you have occasion to speak to them, let your - speech be written, and a copy transmitted to me, that the Commissioners - may be informed of every transaction with those people."—<i>Schuyler's - letter to Colonel Gansevoort.</i> Colonel G. lost no time in holding a - council with such of the chiefs and warriors as yet remained friendly, - and he seems to have fully acquired their confidence. He delivered a - sensible speech on the occasion, but it contains nothing requiring - farther note.</p> - - -<p>Colonel Marinus Willett was soon afterward directed to join the garrison -at Fort Schuyler with his regiment, and most fortunate was the selection -of such an officer as Willett to cooperate with such another as -Gansevoort; since all the skill, and energy, and courage of both were -necessary for the situation. The work itself was originally a square -fort, with four bastions, surrounded by a ditch of considerable width -and depth, with a covert way and glacis around three of its angles; the -other being sufficiently secured by low, marshy ground. In front of the -gate there had been a drawbridge, covered by a salient angle raised in -front of it on the glacis. In the centre of the ditch a row of -perpendicular pickets had been erected, with rows of horizontal pickets -fixed around the ramparts under the embrasures. But since the conclusion -of the French war, the fort had fallen into decay; the ditch was filled -up, and the pickets had rotted and fallen down; [FN-1] nor had any -suitable progress been made in its reparation. Immediate exertions, -energetic and unremitting, were necessary to repair, or rather to renew -and reconstruct, the works, and place them in a posture of defence, -should the long anticipated invasion ensue from that quarter. A more -correct idea of the wretched condition of the post, even down to the -beginning of July, may be found from the annexed letter:—[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Willett's Narrative.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MS. copy, preserved among General Gansevoort's papers.</p> - - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Gansevoort to General Schuyler.</span><br> - <i>Fort Schuyler, July</i> 4<i>th,</i> 1777.</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Having taken an accurate review of the state of the garrison, I think -it is incumbent on me to inform your Excellency by express of our present -circumstances. Every possible assistance is given to Captain Marquizee, -to enable him to carry on such works as are deemed absolutely necessary -for the defence of the garrison. The soldiers are constantly at -work—even such of them as come off guard are immediately turned out to -fatigue. But I cannot conceal from your Excellency the impossibility of -attending fully to all the great objects pointed out in the orders issued -to the commanding officer on the station, without farther assistance. -Sending out sufficient parties of observation, felling the timber into -Wood Creek, clearing the road from Fort Dayton, which is so embarrassed, -in many parts, as to be impassable, and prosecuting, at the same time, -the internal business of the garrison, are objects of the greatest -importance, which should, if possible, be immediately considered. But -while no exertions compatible with the circumstances we are in, and -necessary to give your Excellency satisfaction with respect to all these -interesting matters, shall be omitted, I am very sensible it is not in -our power to get over some capital obstructions without a reinforcement. -The enclosed return, and the difficulties arising from the increasing -number of hostile Indians, will show to your Excellency the grounds of -my opinion. One hundred and fifty men would be needed speedily and -effectually to obstruct Wood Creek; an equal number will be necessary to -guard the men at work in felling and hauling of timber. Such a deduction -from our number, together with smaller deductions for scouting parties, -would scarcely leave a man in the garrison, which might therefore be -easily surprised by a contemptible party of the enemy. The number of -inimical Indians increases. On the affair of last week only two made -their appearance. Yesterday a party of at least forty, supposed to be -Butler's emissaries, attacked Ensign Sporr with sixteen privates, who -were out on fatigue, cutting turf about three quarters of a mile from -the fort. One soldier was brought in dead and inhumanly mangled; two were -brought in wounded—one of them slightly and the other mortally. Six -privates and Mr. Sporr are missing. Two parties were immediately sent -to pursue the enemy, but they returned without being able to come up with -them. This success will, no doubt, encourage them to send out a greater -number; and the intelligence they may possibly acquire, will probably -hasten the main body destined to act against us in these parts. Our -provision is greatly diminished by reason of the spoiling of the beef, -and the quantities that must be given from time to time to the Indians. -It will not hold out above six weeks. Your Excellency will perceive, in -looking over Captain Savage's return of the state of the artillery, that -some essential articles are very scarce. As a great number of the -gun-bullets do not suit the fire-locks, some bullet-moulds of different -sizes for casting others, would be of great advantage to us. Our stock -of powder is absolutely too little; a ton, in addition to what we have, -is wanted as the lowest proportion for the shot we have on hand. We will, -notwithstanding every difficulty, exert ourselves to the utmost of our -power; and if your Excellency will be pleased to order a speedy -reinforcement, with a sufficient supply of provision and ammunition to -enable us to hold out a siege, we will, I hope, by the blessing of God, -be able to give a good account of any force that will probably come -against us."</p> - -<p>The picture is gloomy enough; and was rendered the more so from the -mistakes of the engineer, a Frenchman, who had been employed by General -Schuyler, and whom it was ultimately found necessary to arrest and send -back to head-quarters. [FN] Colonel Willett had from the first doubted the -capacity of Marquizee, and after his dismissal the work proceeded for the -most part under his own immediate direction.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Willett's Narrative.</p> - - -<p>The garrison had likewise other difficulties to encounter. With the -gathering of St. Leger's motley forces at Oswego, preparatory to his -descent upon the Mohawk, the Indians, as has already been seen by -Gansevoort's letter, began to appear in scouting parties in the -circumjacent forests. The utmost caution was therefore necessary on -leaving the fort, even for a short distance. It was during this critical -period that the familiar incident of Captain Gregg and his faithful dog -occurred, of which the following brief account was given by Colonel -Gansevoort:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Col. Gansevoort to Gen. Schuyler, (Extract.)</span><br> - <i>Fort Schuyler, June</i> 26, 1777.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to inform your Honor that Captain Gregg and Corporal Madison, -of my regiment, went out a gunning yesterday morning, contrary to orders. -It seems they went out just after breakfast, and at about 10 o'clock -Corporal Madison was killed and scalped. Captain Gregg was shot through -his back, tomahawked and scalped, and is still alive. He informs me that -the misfortune happened about ten o'clock in the morning. He looked at -his watch after he was scalped. He saw but two Indians. He was about one -mile and a half from the fort, and was not discovered until two o'clock -in the afternoon. I immediately sent out a party and had him brought into -the fort, just after three o'clock; also the corpse of Madison. Gregg is -perfectly in his senses, and speaks strong and hearty, notwithstanding -that his recovery is doubtful." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. of the original draught, among Col. Gansevoort's papers.</p> - - -<p>There was little of romance in Colonel Gansevoort, and he related the -incident with military brevity. The story, however, has often been told, -with a variety of amplifications, particularly in regard to the wounded -soldier's faithful dog, to whose affectionate sagacity he is said to have -been indebted for his discovery, if not his life. According to the -narrative of President Dwight, it appears that Gregg and his companion -had been seduced into a fatal disobedience of orders, by the clouds of -pigeons appearing in the adjoining woods. Immediately upon their fall, -the Indians rushed upon them for their scalps, which they took—giving -each a simultaneous cut upon the head with their tomahawks. The corporal -had been killed by the shot, but Captain Gregg was only wounded. [FN] -Feigning death, however, he had the presence of mind, and the fortitude, -to submit to the subsequent torture without betraying himself by a groan -or the quivering of a muscle. The Indians departing immediately, Captain -Gregg crawled to his lifeless companion, and pillowed his head upon his -body; while his faithful dog ran to a place at no great distance thence, -where two men were engaged in fishing, and by his imploring looks and -significant actions, induced them to follow him to the spot where lay his -wounded master. Hastening to the fort, the fishermen reported what they -had seen, and a party of soldiers being forthwith despatched to the -place, the bodies of the wounded and the dead were speedily brought into -the garrison, as we have seen from the Colonel's official account. -Captain Gregg was severely wounded, independently of the scalping; and -his case was for a long time critical.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It has been asserted in history, that St. Leger encouraged these - isolated murders by large bounties for scalps. Twenty dollars is said to - have been the price he paid; but his despatch to Lieut. Bird, before - cited, does not corroborate the charge of such inhumanity. That despatch - was a private document, moreover, not written for the light, or for - effect, and must therefore be received as true. It was found among Col. - Gansevoort's papers.</p> - - -<p>The friendly Indians, then chiefly, if not exclusively, Oneidas, though -still acting and speaking in the name of the Six Nations, presented an -address of condolence to Colonel Gansevoort on this occasion, to which -the latter made a suitable reply, which alone has been preserved, and -reads as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother Warriors of the Six Nations:</span> I thank you for your good talk.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You tell us you are sorry for the cruel usage of Captain -Gregg, and the murder of one of our warriors; that you would have -immediately pursued the murderers, had not General Schuyler, General -Gates, and the French General, desired you not to take any part in this -war; and that you have obeyed their orders, and are resolved to do so. -I commend your good inclination and intention.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You say you have sent a runner to the Six Nations, to inform -them of what has happened, and that you expect some of your chiefs will -look into the affair, and try to find out the murderers. You have done -well. I shall be glad to smoke a pipe with your chiefs, and hope they -will do as they speak.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> I hope the mischief has been done, not by any of our good -friends of the Oneida nation, but by the Tories, who are enemies to you -as well as to us, and who are ready to murder yourselves, your wives, and -children, if you will not be as wicked as themselves.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> When your chiefs shall convince me that Indians of the Six -Nations have had no hand in this wicked thing, and shall use means to -find out the murderers and bring them to justice, you may be assured that -we will strengthen the chain of friendship, and embrace you as our good -brothers. I will not suffer any of our warriors to hurt you."</p> - -<p>The address contained two or three additional paragraphs in reference to -other subjects. Captain Gregg recovered, and resumed his duties; and -having served to the end of the war, lived many years afterward.</p> - -<p>Another tragic incident occurred at nearly the same time. About noon, on -the 3d of July, the day being perfectly clear. Colonel Willet was -startled from his siesta by the report of musketry. Hastening to the -parapet of the glacis, he saw a little girl running with a basket in her -hand, while the blood was trickling down her bosom. On investigating the -facts, it appeared that the girl, with two others, was picking berries, -not two hundred yards from the fort, when they were fired upon by a party -of Indians, and two of the number killed. Happily, she who only was left -to tell the tale, was but slightly wounded. One of the girls killed, was -the daughter of an invalid, who had served many years in the British -artillery. He was entitled to a situation in Chelsea Hospital, but had -preferred rather to remain in the cultivation of a small piece of ground -at Fort Stanwix, than again to cross the ocean. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Willett's Narrative.</p> - - -<p>By the middle of July, the Indians hovering about the fort became so -numerous, and so bold, as to occasion great annoyance. Large parties of -soldiers could only venture abroad on the most pressing emergencies; and -even one of these was attacked, several of its numbers killed and -wounded, and the officer in command taken prisoner. The force of the -garrison, at this time, consisted of about five hundred and fifty -men—ill-supplied, as we have already seen, both with provisions and -munitions of war. Fortunately, however, on the 2d of August, the very -day of the investiture of the fort by the advance of St. Leger's army -under Thayendanegea and Bird, Lieutenant Colonel Mellon, of Colonel -Weston's regiment, arrived with two hundred men, and two batteaux of -provisions and military stores. Not a moment was lost in conveying these -opportune supplies into the fort. Delay would, indeed, have been -dangerous; for at the instant the last loads arrived at the fort, the -enemy appeared on the skirt of the forest, so near to the boats, that -the captain who commanded them became their prisoner. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Willett's Narrative.</p> - - -<p>The command of Colonel Gansevoort now consisted of seven hundred and -fifty men, all told; and upon examination it was ascertained that they -had provisions for six weeks—with fixed ammunition enough for the small -arms. But for the cannon they were lamentably deficient—having barely -enough for nine rounds per diem during the period specified. A besieging -army was before the fort, and its garrison was without a flag! But as -necessity is the mother of invention, they were not long thus destitute. -Stripes of white were cut from ammunition shirts; blue from a camblet -cloak captured from the enemy; while the red was supplied from such odds -and ends of clothes of that hue as were at hand. [FN] And, thus furnished, -commenced the celebrated defence of Fort Schuyler.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Idem.</p> - - -<p>Such was the condition of Fort Schuyler at the commencement of the -memorable siege of 1777—an event, with its attending circumstances, -forming an important feature in the Northern border warfare of the -Revolution, Colonel St. Leger [FN-1] himself arrived before the fort on -the 3d of August, with his whole force—a motley collection of British -regulars, Hessian auxiliaries, New-York loyalists, usually denominated -"Johnson's Greens," together with numbers of the Canadians, and the -Indians under Thayendanegea. Sir John Johnson, and Colonels Claus and -Butler, [FN-2] were also engaged with him in the expedition. A flag was -sent into the fort on the morning of that day, with a copy of a rather -pompous proclamation from St. Leger, which, it was probably supposed, -from its vaunting threats and lavish promises, might produce a strong -impression upon the garrison. "The forces intrusted to my command are -designed to act in concert, and upon a common principle, with the -numerous armies and fleets which already display, in every quarter of -America, the power, the justice, and, when properly sought, the mercy -of the King." So commenced the proclamation. After denouncing "the -unnatural rebellion" as having already been made the "foundation for the -completest system of tyranny that ever God in his displeasure suffered -for a time to be exercised over a froward and stubborn generation," and -charging that "arbitrary imprisonment, confiscation of property, -persecution and torture, unprecedented in the inquisitions of the Roman -church, were among the palpable enormities that verified the -affirmation"—and after denouncing "the profanation of religion," and -other "shocking proceedings" of the civil authorities and committees in -rebellion, the proclamation proceeded—"animated by these considerations; -at the head of troops in the full powers of health, discipline, and -valor; determined to strike where necessary, and anxious to spare when -possible, I, by these presents, invite and exhort all persons in all -places where the progress of this army may point, and by the blessing of -God I will extend it far, to maintain such a conduct as may justify me -in protecting their lands, habitations, and families." The object of his -address was to hold forth security, and not depredation; he offered -employment to those who would join his standard; security to the infirm -and industrious; and payment in coin for all the supplies the people -would bring to his camp. In conclusion, he said—"If, notwithstanding -these endeavors, and sincere inclinations to effect them, the frenzy of -hostility should remain, I trust I shall stand acquitted in the eyes of -God and men, in denouncing and executing the vengeance of the State -against the willful outcasts. The messengers of justice and of wrath -await them in the field; and devastation, famine, and every concomitant -horror that a reluctant, but indispensable prosecution of military duty -must occasion, will bar the way to their return." [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] It is difficult, from the books, to determine what was at that - time the precise rank of St. Leger. He has usually been called a - Brigadier General. By some contemporary writers he was called Colonel - St. Leger. But in General Burgoyne's despatches to Lord George Germaine, - of August 20, 1777, he is repeatedly denominated Lieutenant-Colonel St. - Leger. He is also called Colonel St. Leger by Bissett. But he, - nevertheless, signed his name as a Brigadier-General in a letter to - Col. Gansevoort, on the 9th of August.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] At the breaking out of the war, John Butler was - Lieutenant-Colonel of a regiment of the Tryon County militia, of which - Guy Johnson was the Colonel and Jelles Fonda the Major. Sir John had - been commissioned a General after the decease of his father.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] For the proclamation, entire, see Appendix No. III. It is a copy, - or nearly so, of the proclamation almost simultaneously issued by - General Burgoyne, announcing his approach from Lake Champlain.</p> - - -<p>This manifesto, however, produced no effect, then or afterward. The siege -had been anticipated, and the brave garrison, officers and men, had -counted the cost and determined to defend the fortress to the last. -Accordingly, hostilities commenced actively on the morning of the -following day. The Indians, concealing themselves behind clumps of -shrubbery and stumps of trees, annoyed the men who were employed in -raising the parapets not a little with their rifles. Several were -wounded; and it was found necessary immediately to station sharpshooters -at suitable points, to watch opportunities, and fire in return. The 5th -was spent in much the same manner, with the addition of the throwing of -a few shells by the enemy—several of which fell within the fort, and -some in the barracks. "On the evening of this day, soon after it was -dark, the Indians, who were at least one thousand in number, spread -themselves through the woods, completely encircling the fort, and -commenced a terrible yelling, which was continued at intervals the -greater part of the night." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Willett's Narrative.</p> - - -<p>Having thus commenced his operations, Colonel St. Leger found means of -conveying the intelligence to General Burgoyne—not for a moment -anticipating the distressing circumstances in which the Northern -Commander-in-chief already found himself involved, though but mid-way -in the career of victory. Harassed incessantly by the foes he had -vanquished; unable to obtain supplies, except by sending back for them -to Fort George, in which service his troops were already greatly -fatigued; not one third of his horses arrived from Canada; the roads -excessively bad, and rendered all but impassable by a deluge of rain; -with only four days of provisions on hand; the vaunting General, who had -boasted in the British capital that, with ten thousand men, he could -march through the whole rebel country at pleasure, already found himself -in an unenviable situation. But on learning the advance of General St. -Leger, he instantly and justly considered that a rapid movement forward, -at this critical juncture, would be of the utmost importance. If the -retreating Americans should proceed up the Mohawk with a view of -relieving Fort Schuyler, in the event of St. Leger's success against that -place they would place themselves between two fires; or perhaps Burgoyne -supposed that were such a movement to be made on the part of the -Americans, he might yet throw his army between them and Albany, and thus -compel them either to stand a general engagement or to strike off to the -right, and by recrossing the Hudson higher up, secure a retreat into New -England. If, on the other hand, the Americans should abandon Fort -Schuyler to its fate, and themselves fall back upon Albany, he argued -that the Mohawk country would of course be entirely laid open to him; -his junction with St. Leger established, and the combined army be at -liberty to select its future line of operation. [FN] But his supplies were -inadequate to such an extensive operation, and his army was too weak to -allow him to keep up such a chain of posts as would enable him to bring -them up daily from the <i>depot</i> at Lake George. With a view, therefore, -of obtaining immediate relief, and of opening a new source of supply, -especially of cattle, from the upper settlements of New England, the -expedition to Bennington, the place of deposite of provisions for the -Provincial forces, was planned, and committed to a detachment of the -Hessian troops, under Colonel Baum, for execution. The signal failure -of this expedition was calculated still farther both to embarrass and -depress the invaders; while the brilliant success of the militia under -General Starke on that occasion, proving, as it had done, that neither -English nor German troops were invincible, revived the drooping spirits -of the disheartened; re-inspired the people with confidence of ultimate -success; and was the source of universal exultation.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] London Universal Magazine.</p> - - -<p>The progress of events brings us back to the lower Valley of the Mohawk. -No sooner was the advance of St. Leger upon Fort Schuyler known to the -Committee and officers of Tryon County, than General Herkimer, in -conformity with the proclamation heretofore cited, summoned the militia -of his command to the field, for the purpose of marching to the succor -of the garrison. Notwithstanding the despondency that had prevailed in -the early part of the Summer, the call was nobly responded to, not only -by the militia, but by the gentlemen of the County, and most of the -members of the Committee, who entered the field either as officers or -private volunteers. The fears so generally and so recently indulged -seemed all to have vanished with the arrival of the invader, and the -General soon found himself at the head of between eight hundred and a -thousand men, all eager for action and impatient of delay. Their place -of rendezvous was at <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Fort Dayton,</span> (German Flats,) in the upper section -of the Mohawk Valley—and the most beautiful. The regiments were those -of Colonels Klock, Visscher, Cox, and one or two others, augmented by -volunteers and volunteer officers, who were pushing forward as though -determined at all hazards to redeem the character of the county. Indeed, -their proceedings were by far too impetuous, since they hurried forward -in their march without order or precaution, without adequate flanking -parties, and without reconnoitering the ground over which they were to -pass. They moved from Fort Dayton on the 4th, and on the 5th reached the -neighborhood of Oriskany, [FN-1] where they encamped. From this point an -express [FN-2] was sent forward by General Herkimer to apprise Colonel -Gansevoort of his approach, and to concert measures of co-operation. The -arrival of the express at the fort was to be announced by three -successive discharges of cannon, the report of which, it was supposed, -would be distinctly heard at Oriskany—only eight miles distant. Delays, -however, intervened, so that the messengers did not reach the fort until -ten or eleven o'clock on the following morning; previous to which the -camp of the enemy being uncommonly silent, a portion of their troops had -been observed by the garrison to be moving along the edge of the woods -down the river, in the direction of the Oriskany Creek. [FN-3] The -concerted signals were immediately fired; [FN-4] and as the proposition -of Herkimer was to force a passage to the fort, arrangements were -immediately made by Colonel Gansevoort to effect a diversion of the -enemy's attention, by making a sally from the fort upon the hostile -camp, for which purpose two hundred men were detailed, consisting one -half of Gansevoort's, and one half of the Massachusetts troops, and one -field-piece—an iron three pounder. The execution of the enterprise was -entrusted to Colonel Willett. [FN-5]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Probably the site of Whitestown. One of the MS. narratives in - the author's possession says they crossed the river at old Fort Schuyler - (now Utica.)</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Adam Hehner accompanied by two other men.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Letter of Colonel Willett to Governor Trumbull of Connecticut.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] MS. of Captain Henry Seeber, in the author's possession. See, - also, Willett's Narrative.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Willett's letter to Governor Trumbull. The officers serving in - this detachment were Captain Van Benschoten and Lieutenant Stockwell, - who led the advance guard; Captains Allen, (of Massachusetts,) Bleecker, - Johnson, and Swartwout; Lieutenants Diefendorf, Conyne, Bogardus, - M<sup>c</sup>Clenner, and Ball; Ensigns Chase, Bailey, Lewis, Denniston, Magee, - and Arnent. The rear-guard was commanded by Major Badlam.</p> - - -<p>It appears that on the morning of that day, which was the 6th of August, -General Herkimer had misgivings as to the propriety of advancing any -farther without first receiving reinforcements. His officers, however, -were eager to press forward. A consultation was held, in which some of -the officers manifested much impatience at any delay, while the General -still urged them to remain where they were until reinforcements could -come up, or at least until the signal of a sortie should be received from -the fort. High words ensued, during which Colonels Cox and Paris, and -many others, denounced their commander to his face as a Tory and coward. -The brave old man calmly replied that he considered himself placed over -them as a father, and that it was not his wish to lead them into any -difficulty from which he could not extricate them. Burning, as they now -seemed, to meet the enemy, he told them roundly that they would run at -his first appearance. [FN-1] But his remonstrances were unavailing. Their -clamor increased, and their reproaches were repeated, until, stung by -imputations of cowardice and a want of fidelity to the cause, [FN-2] and -somewhat irritated withal, the General immediately gave the order—"March -on!" [FN-3] The words were no sooner heard than the troops gave a shout, -and moved, or rather rushed forward. They marched in files of two deep, -preceded by an advanced guard and keeping flanks upon each side. [FN-4]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Travels of President Dwight, vol. iii. p. 192.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MS. statement of George Walter, in possession of the author; also - of Henry Seeber.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Statement of Adam Miller, in possession of the author.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] It has been charged by most writers that even these ordinary - precautions were not observed. Miller and Walter, however, both assert - the fact.</p> - - -<p>Having, by 10 o'clock, proceeded rapidly forward to the distance of only -two or three miles, [FN-1] the guards, both front and flanks, were -suddenly shot down, the forest rang with the war-whoops of a savage foe, -and in an instant the greater part of the division found itself in the -midst of a formidable ambuscade. Colonel St. Leger, it appeared, having -heard of the advance of General Herkimer, in order to prevent an attack -in his intrenchments, had detached a division of Sir John Johnson's -regiment of Greens, under Sir John's brother-in-law, Major Watts, Colonel -Butler with his Rangers, and Joseph Brant with a strong body of Indians, -to intercept his approach. [FN-2] With true Indian sagacity, Thayendanegea -had selected a position admirably fitted for his purpose, which was, to -draw the Americans, whom he well knew to be approaching in no very good -military array, into an ambuscade. The locality favored his design. There -was a deep ravine crossing the path which Herkimer with his undisciplined -array was traversing, "sweeping toward the East in a semi-circular form, -and bearing a Northern and Southern direction. The bottom of this ravine -was marshy, and the road crossed it by means of a causeway. The ground, -thus partly enclosed by the ravine, was elevated and level. The ambuscade -was laid upon the high ground west of the ravine." [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The battle ground is about two miles west of Oriskany, and six - from Whitesborough.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] In every account of this battle which has fallen under the - author's observation, excepting that of Colonel Willett, Sir John - Johnson is made the British commander at this battle. He was not in it - at all, as will appear a few pages forward. Even the cautious and - inquisitive President Dwight falls into the error, and carries it - through his whole account.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>The enemy had disposed himself adroitly, in a circle, leaving only a -narrow segment open for the admission of the ill-starred Provincials on -their approach. The stratagem was successful. Unconscious of the presence -of the foe, Herkimer, with his whole army excepting the rear-guard, -composed of Colonel Visscher's regiment, found himself encompassed at -the first fire—the enemy closing up the gap at the instant of making -himself known. By thus early completing the circle, the baggage and -ammunition wagons, which had just descended into the ravine, were cut -off and separated from the main body, as also was the regiment of Colonel -Visscher, yet on the Eastern side of the ravine; which, as their general -had predicted, instantly and ingloriously fled, leaving their companions -to their fate. They were pursued, however, by a portion of the Indians, -and suffered more severely, probably, than they would have done, had they -stood by their fellows in the hour of need, either to conquer or to fall.</p> - -<p>Being thrown into irretrievable disorder by the suddenness of the -surprise and the destructiveness of the fire, which was close and brisk -from every side, the division was for a time threatened with -annihilation. At every opportunity the savages, concealed behind the -trunks of trees, darted forward with knife and tomahawk to ensure the -destruction of those who fell; and many and fierce were the conflicts -that ensued hand to hand. The veteran Herkimer fell, wounded, in the -early part of the action—a musket ball having passed through and killed -his horse, and shattered his own leg just below the knee. [FN-1] The -General was placed upon his saddle, however, against the trunk of a tree -for his support, and thus continued to order the battle. Colonel Cox, -and Captains Davis and Van Sluyck, were severally killed near the -commencement of the engagement; and the slaughter of their broken ranks, -from the rifles of the Tories and the spears and tomahawks of the -Indians, was dreadful. But even in this deplorable situation the wounded -General, his men dropping like leaves around him, and the forest -resounding with the horrid yells of the savages, ringing high and wild -over the din of battle, behaved with the most perfect firmness and -composure. The action had lasted about forty-five minutes in great -disorder, before the Provincials formed themselves into circles in order -to repel the attacks of the enemy, who were concentrating, and closing -in upon them from all sides. [FN-2] From this moment the resistance of -the Provincials was more effective, and the enemy attempted to charge -with the bayonet. The firing ceased for a time, excepting the scattering -discharges of musquetry from the Indians; and as the bayonets crossed, -the contest became a death struggle, hand to hand and foot to foot. -Never, however, did brave men stand a charge with more dauntless courage, -and the enemy for the moment seemed to recoil—just at the instant when -the work of death was arrested by a heavy shower of rain, which suddenly -broke upon the combatants with great fury. The storm raged for upward of -an hour, during which time the enemy sought such shelter as might be -found among the trees at a respectful distance; for they had already -suffered severely, notwithstanding the advantages in their favor.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Walton's MS. account.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The first movement of this kind was made by Jacob Seeber, without - orders, according to the narrative of Henry Seeber.</p> - - -<p>During this suspension of the battle, both parties had time to look -about, and make such new dispositions as they pleased for attack and -defence, on renewing the murderous conflict. The Provincials, under the -direction of their General, were so fortunate as to take possession of -an advantageous piece of ground, upon which his men formed themselves -into a circle, and as the shower broke away, awaited the movements of -the enemy. In the early part of the battle, the Indians, whenever they -saw a gun fired by a militia-man from behind a tree, rushed upon and -tomahawked him before he could re-load. In order to counteract this mode -of warfare, two men were stationed behind a single tree, one only to fire -at a time—the other reserving his fire until the Indians ran up as -before. [FN-1] The fight was presently renewed, and by the new -arrangement, and the cool execution done by the fire of the militia -forming the main circle, the Indians were made to suffer severely; so -much so, that they began to give way, when Major Watts [FN-2] came up -with a reinforcement, consisting of another detachment of Johnson's -Greens. [FN-3] These men were mostly loyalists, who had fled from Tryon -County, now returned in arms against their former neighbors. As no -quarrels are so bitter as those of families, so no wars are so cruel and -passionate as those called civil. Many of the Provincials and Greens were -known to each other; and as they advanced so near as to afford -opportunities of mutual recognition, the contest became, if possible, -more of a death struggle than before. Mutual resentments, and feelings -of hate and revenge, raged in their bosoms. The Provincials fired upon -them as they advanced, and then springing like chafed tigers from their -covers, attacked them with their bayonets and the butts of their muskets, -or both parties in closer contact throttled each other and drew their -knives; stabbing, and sometimes literally dying in one another's embrace.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Brother of the late venerable John Watts, of New-York.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Campbell. The enemy, as on the march from Oswego, had posted a - line of sentinels at short distances from each other, extending from - St. Leger's intrenchments to the scene of action; so that communications - could be interchanged rapidly, and at pleasure.</p> - - -<p>At length a firing was heard in the distance from the fort, a sound as -welcome to the Provincials as it was astounding to the enemy. Availing -themselves of the hint, however, a <i>ruse-de-guerre</i> was attempted by -Colonel Butler, which had well-nigh proved fatal. It was the sending, -suddenly, from the direction of the fort, a detachment of the Greens -disguised as American troops, in the expectation that they might be -received as a timely reinforcement from the garrison. Lieutenant Jacob -Sammons was the first to descry their approach, in the direction of a -body of men commanded by Captain Jacob Gardenier—an officer who, during -that memorable day, performed prodigies of valor. Perceiving that their -hats were American, Sammons informed Captain Gardenier that succors from -the fort were coming up. The quick eye of the Captain detected the ruse, -and he replied—"Not so; they are enemies; don't you see their green -coats!" [FN-1] They continued to advance until hailed by Gardenier, at -which moment one of his own soldiers, observing an acquaintance, and -supposing him a friend, ran to meet him, and presented his hand. It was -grasped, but with no friendly gripe, as the credulous fellow was dragged -into the opposing line, and informed that he was a prisoner. He did not -yield without a struggle; during which Gardenier, watching the action and -the result, sprang forward, and with a blow from his spear leveled the -captor to the dust and liberated his man. [FN-2] Others of the foe -instantly set upon him, of whom he slew the second and wounded a third. -Three of the disguised Greens now sprang upon him, and one of his spurs -becoming entangled in their clothes, he was thrown to the ground. Still -contending, however, with almost super-human strength, both of his thighs -were transfixed to the earth by the bayonets of two of his assailants, -while the third presented a bayonet to his breast, as if to thrust him -through. Seizing this bayonet with his left hand, by a sudden wrench he -brought its owner down upon himself, where he held him as a shield -against the arms of the others, until one of his own men, Adam -Miller, [FN-3] observing the struggle, flew to his rescue. As the -assailants turned upon their new adversary, Gardenier rose upon his seat; -and although his hand was severely lacerated by grasping the bayonet -which had been drawn through it, he seized his spear lying by his side, -and quick as lightning planted it to the barb in the side of the -assailant with whom he had been clenched. The man fell and -expired—proving to be Lieutenant M<sup>c</sup>Donald, one of the loyalist officers -from Tryon County. All this transpired in far less time than is -necessarily occupied by the relation. While engaged in the struggle, some -of his own men called out to Gardenier—"for God's sake, Captain, you are -killing your own men." He replied—"they are not our men—they are the -enemy—fire away!" A deadly fire from the Provincials ensued, during -which about thirty of the Greens fell slain, and many Indian warriors. -The parties once more rushed upon each other with bayonet and spear, -grappling and fighting with terrible fury; while the shattering of shafts -and the clashing of steel mingled with every dread sound of war and death, -and the savage yells, more hideous than all, presented a scene which can -be more easily imagined than described. [FN-4] The unparalleled fortitude -and bravery of Captain Gardenier infused fresh spirits into his men, some -of whom enacted wonders of valor likewise. It happened during the <i>melee,</i> -in which the contending parties were mingled in great confusion, that -three of Johnson's Greens rushed within the circle of the Provincials, -and attempted to make prisoner of a Captain Dillenback. This officer had -declared he would never be taken alive, and he was not. One of his three -assailants seized his gun, but he suddenly wrenched it from him, and -felled him with the butt. He shot the second dead, and thrust the third -through with his bayonet. [FN-5] But in the moment of his triumph at an -exploit of which even the mighty Hector, or either of the sons of Zeruiah -might have been proud, a ball laid this brave man low in the dust.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Manuscript narrative of William Gardenier, in the possession of - the author.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] The same whose private narrative has already been cited.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] MS. of William Gardenier. It was in reference to these individual - deeds of prowess, that the eloquent Gouveneur Morris thus spoke in his - address before the New-York Historical Society:—"Let me recall, - gentlemen, to your recollection, that bloody field in which Herkimer - fell. There was found the Indian and the white man born on the banks of - the Mohawk, their left hand clenched in each other's hair, the right - grasping in a gripe of death, the knife plunged in each other's bosom; - thus they lay frowning."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] George Walter relates this incident, in his narrative, in the - possession of the author. Walter was himself a witness of the fact, - while lying wounded with two balls, by the side of General Herkimer.</p> - - -<p>Such a conflict as this could not be continued long; and the Indians, -perceiving with what ardor the Provincials maintained the fight, and -finding their own numbers sadly diminished, now raised the retreating cry -of <i>"Oonah!"</i> and fled in every direction, under the shouts and hurrahs -of the surviving Provincials and, a shower of bullets. Finding, moreover, -from the firing at the fort, that, their presence was necessary elsewhere, -the Greens and Rangers now retreated precipitately, leaving the victorious -militia of Tryon County masters of the field. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It is an extraordinary fact, that every historian who has written - of the battle of Oriskany, has recorded it as a defeat of the - Provincials, from Marshall and Ramsay down, to say nothing of the British - chroniclers. Such was also the author's impression until he undertook the - present investigation. Captain Brant himself, in conversation with Samuel - Woodruff, Esq. admitted that they were the victors; and all the written - statements which the author has been able to procure from the survivors - of that battle, bear the same testimony.</p> - - -<p>Thus ended one of the severest, and, for the numbers engaged, one of the -most bloody battles of the Revolutionary war. Though victorious, the loss -of the Provincials was very heavy; and Tryon County long had reason to -mourn that day. Colonel Paris was taken prisoner by the enemy, and -afterward murdered by the Indians. Several other prisoners were also -killed by the savages, after they had been brought into Colonel Butler's -quarters; and, as it was said, by the Colonel's own tacit consent, if not -permission in terms. But the general character of that officer forbids the -imputation. [FN-1] Major John Frey, of Colonel Klock's regiment, was -likewise wounded and taken; and to show the more than savage fury burning -in the bosoms of the men brought into conflict on this occasion, the -disgraceful fact may be added, that his own brother, who was in the -British service, attempted to take his life after he had arrived in -Butler's camp. The Major saw his brother approaching in a menacing manner, -and called out—"Brother, do not kill me! Do you not know me?" But the -infuriated brother rushed forward, and the Major was only saved by the -interposition of others. [FN-2] The whole number of the Provincial militia -killed was two hundred, exclusive of wounded and lost as prisoners. Such, -at least, was the American report. The British statements claimed that -four hundred of the Americans were killed, and two hundred taken -prisoners. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The late Doctor Moses Younglove, of Hudson, Columbia County, was - the surgeon of General Herkimer's brigade. He was taken prisoner in this - battle by a sergeant of Sir John Johnson's regiment. After his release he - made a deposition setting forth many grievous barbarities committed, both - by the Indians and Tories, upon the prisoners who fell into their hands - that day. They were cruelly tortured, several of them murdered; and, as - the Doctor had reason to believe, some of them were subsequently taken to - an island in Lake Ontario, and eaten. This is scarcely to be believed. - See Deposition of Dr. Younglove, Appendix No. IV.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MS. statement of Jacob Timmerman, in the author's possession.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] "On the 5th I learned, from discovering parties on the Mohawk - river, that a body of one thousand militia were on their march to raise - the siege. On the confirmation of this news, I moved a large body of - Indians, with some troops, the same night, to lay in ambuscade for them - on their march. They fell into it. The completest victory was obtained. - Above four hundred lay dead on the field, amongst the number of whom were - almost all the principal movers of rebellion in that country."—<i>Letter - of Colonel St. Leger lo General Burgoyne, Aug,</i> 11, 1777.</p> - - -<p>Retaining possession of the field, the survivors immediately set -themselves at work in constructing rude litters, upon which to bear off -the wounded. Between forty and fifty of these, among whom was the -commanding General, were removed in this manner. The brave old man, -notwithstanding the imprudence of the morning—imprudence in allowing a -premature movement at the dictation of his subordinates—had nobly -vindicated his character for courage during the day. Though wounded, as we -have seen, in the onset, he had borne himself during the six hours of -conflict, under the most trying circumstances, with a degree of fortitude -and composure worthy of all admiration. Nor was his example without effect -in sustaining his troops amid the perils by which they were environed. At -one time during the battle, while sitting upon his saddle raised upon a -little hillock, being advised to select a less exposed situation, he -replied—"I will face the enemy." Thus, "surrounded by a few men, he -continued to issue his orders with firmness. In this situation, and in the -heat of the onslaught, he deliberately took his tinder-box from his -pocket, lit his pipe, and smoked with great composure." [FN-1] At the -moment the soldiers were placing him on the litter, while adjusting the -blankets to the poles, three Indians approached, and were instantly shot -down by the unerring rifles of three of the militia. These were the last -shots fired in that battle. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Campbell. An officer, who was in the general staff at the battle - of Leipzig, has related to the author a very similar incident in the - conduct of old Blucher. He was not wounded; but he sat upon a hillock, - issuing his orders and smoking his pipe, while the cannon balls were - ploughing up the earth about him.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Narrative of Jacob Sammons, MS. The officers of the Tryon County - militia killed or wounded in this battle were as follows:—In Colonel - Frederick Visscher's regiment, Captains John Davis and Samuel Pettingill, - killed; Major Blauvelt and Lieut. Groat taken prisoners and never heard - of afterward; Captain Jacob Gardenier and Lieut. Samuel Gardenier - wounded. In Colonel Jacob Klock's regiment, Major John Eisenlord, and - Major Van Sluyck, and Captain Andrew Dillenback, killed; Captains - Christopher Fox and John Breadbeg, wounded; Brigade Major John Frey, - wounded and taken prisoner. In Colonel Peter Bellinger's regiment, Major - Enos Klepsattle, Captain Frederick Helmer, and Lieut. Petrie, were - killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Bellinger and Henry Walradt were - taken prisoners. In Colonel Ebenezer Cox's regiment, Colonel Cox and - Lieut. Col. Hunt were killed; Captains Henry Diefendorf, and Robert - Crouse, and Jacob Bowman, killed. Captain Jacob Seeber and Lieut. - William Seeber mortally wounded. The surgeon, Moses Younglove, was taken - prisoner. Among the volunteers not belonging to the militia, who were - killed, were Isaac Paris, (then a member of the Legislature,) Samuel - Billington, John Dygert, and Jacob Snell, members of the Committee of - Safety. There was likewise a Captain Graves who fell, but to which - regiment he belonged the author has not ascertained.</p> - - -<p>The loss of the enemy in this engagement was equally, if not more severe, -than that of the Americans. The Greens and Rangers of Sir John Johnson and -Colonel Butler must have suffered badly, although no returns were given in -the contemporaneous accounts. Major Watts was severely wounded and left on -the field, as was supposed, among the slain. His death was reported by -Colonel Willett, in his letter to Governor Trumbull, and by other -authorities. But such was not the fact. Reviving from faintness produced -by loss of blood, some hours after the action, he succeeded in crawling to -a brook, where, by slaking his thirst, he was preserved from speedy death, -and in the course of two or three days was found by some Indian scouts, -and brought into St. Leger's camp. [FN-1] But the Indians were the most -roughly handled, they having lost nearly one hundred warriors, several of -whom were sachems in great favor. Frederick Sammons, who had been detached -upon a distant scout previous to the battle, returning some days -afterward, crossed the battle-field, where, he says—"I beheld the most -shocking sight I had ever witnessed. The Indians and white men were -mingled with one another, just as they had been left when death had first -completed his work. Many bodies had also been torn to pieces by wild -beasts." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] This statement respecting Major Watts was derived from the late - Mr. John Watts, of New-York, his brother. As mentioned in the text, St. - Leger, in his official report, did not state the number of his own killed - and wounded. Colonel Butler, however, wrote to Sir Guy Carleton—"Of the - New-Yorkers, Captain M<sup>c</sup>Donald was killed, Captain Watts dangerously - wounded, and one subaltern. Of the Rangers, Captains Wilson and Hare - killed, and one private wounded. The Indians suffered much, having - thirty-three killed and twenty-nine wounded; the Senecas lost seventeen, - among whom were several of their chief warriors, and had sixteen wounded. - During the whole action the Indians showed the greatest zeal for his - Majesty's cause; and had they not been a little too precipitate, scarcely - a rebel of the party would have escaped. Most of the leading rebels are - cut off in the action, so that any farther attempts from that quarter - are not to be expected. Captain Watts, of the Royal New-Yorkers, whose - many amiable qualities deserved a better fate, lay wounded in three - places upon the field two days before he was found."—<i>Parliamentary - Register.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MS. narrative of Frederick Sammons, in the author's possession.</p> - - -<p>It has been affirmed that the Indians were persuaded to join in this -battle only with great difficulty, and not until they had been induced to -sacrifice their reason to their appetites. It was very manifest that -during the action many of them were intoxicated. The consequence was, that -they suffered more severely than ever before. [FN-1] According to the -narrative of Mary Jemison, the Indians, (at least the Senecas,) were -deceived into the campaign. "They were sent for to see the British whip -the rebels. They were told that they were not wanted to fight, but merely -to sit down, smoke their pipes, and look on. The Senecas went to a man; -but, contrary to their expectation, instead of smoking and looking on, -they were obliged to fight for their lives; and in the end of the battle -were completely beaten, with a great loss of killed and wounded." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Journal of General Lincoln.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Life of Mary Jemison.</p> - - -<p>The whole Indian force was led by Thayendanegea in person—"the great -Captain of the Six Nations," as he was then called—and as the Cayugas had -now likewise joined the Mohawks in alliance with the arms of England—the -Onondagas adopting a doubtful policy, but always, in fact, acting against -the Provincials—he must have had a large force in the field. Of the -Senecas alone thirty-six were killed and a great number wounded. Captain -Brant was accustomed, long years afterward, to speak of the sufferings of -his "poor Mohawks" in that battle. Indeed, the severity with which they -were handled on that occasion, rendered them morose and intractable during -the remainder of the campaign; and the unhappy prisoners were the first to -minister with their blood to their resentment. [FN] "Our town," says Mary -Jemison, "exhibited a scene of real sorrow and distress when our warriors -returned and recounted their misfortunes, and stated the real loss they -had sustained in the engagement. The mourning was excessive, and was -expressed by the most doleful yells, shrieks, and howlings, and by -inimitable gesticulations."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] In Mr. Samuel Woodruff's memoranda of his conversations with Brant, - referred to in the introduction, it is noted as the admission of the - latter, that "he and his Mohawks were compelled to flee in a dispersed - condition through the woods, all suffering from fatigue and hunger before - they arrived at a place of safety. Their retreat began at nightfall. They - were pursued by a body of Oneidas, who fought with General Herkimer. The - night was dark and lowery. Exhausted by the labors of the day, and - fearful he might be overtaken by the pursuing Oneidas, Brant ascended a - branching tree, and planting himself in the crotch of it, waited somewhat - impatiently for daylight." There is evidently somewhat of error in this - statement. The field of battle was not more than five miles from St. - Leger's entrenchments, and the battle was ended at 2 o'clock P. M. Judge - W. probably confounded this battle with another—perhaps that of the - Chemung.</p> - - -<p>It was unfortunate that General Herkimer formed his line of march with so -little judgment that, when attacked, his men were in no situation to -support each other; and more unfortunate still, that he marched at all, -so long before he could expect to hear the concerted signal for the -diversion to be made in his favor by the sortie of Colonel Willett. The -heavy rainstorm, moreover, which caused a suspension of the battle, had -likewise the effect of delaying the sally for nearly an hour. It was made, -however, as soon as it was practicable, and was not only completely -successful, but was conducted with such ability and spirit by the gallant -officer to whom it was confided, as to win for him the applause of the foe -himself. [FN-1] In addition to the two hundred men detailed for this -service, under Colonel Willett's command, as before stated, fifty more -were added to guard the light iron three pounder already mentioned. With -these troops, and this his only piece of mounted ordnance, Colonel Willett -lost not a moment, after the cessation of the rain, in making the sally. -The enemy's sentinels being directly in sight of the fort, the most rapid -movements were necessary. The sentinels were driven in, and his advanced -guard attacked, before he had time to form his troops. Sir John Johnson, -whose regiment was not more than two hundred yards distant from the -advanced guard, it being very warm, was in his tent, divested of his coat -at the moment, and had not time to put it on before his camp was assailed. -Such, moreover, were the celerity of Willett's movement and the -impetuosity of the attack, that Sir John could not bring his troops into -order, and their only resource was in flight. The Indian encampment was -next to that of Sir John, and in turn was carried with equal rapidity. The -larger portion of the Indians, and a detachment from the regiment of Sir -John, were, at the very moment of this unexpected assault upon their -quarters, engaged in the battle of Oriskany. Those who were left behind -now betook themselves,—Sir John and his men to the river,—and the -Indians to their natural shelter, the woods—the troops of Colonel Willett -firing briskly upon them in their flight. The amount of spoil found in the -enemy's camp was so great, that Willett was obliged to send hastily to the -fort for wagons to convey it away. Seven of these vehicles were three -times loaded and discharged in the fort, while the brave little Provincial -band held possession of the encampments. Among the spoils thus captured, -consisting of camp equipage, clothing, blankets, stores, &c. were five -British standards, the baggage of Sir John Johnson, with all his papers, -the baggage of a number of other officers, with memoranda, journals, and -orderly books, containing all the information desirable on the part of the -besieged. [FN-2] While Colonel Willett was returning to the fort, Colonel -St. Leger, who was on the opposite side of the river, attempted a movement -to intercept him. Willett's position, however, enabled him to form his -troops so as to give the enemy a full fire in front, while at the same -time he was enfiladed by the fire of a small field-piece. The distance was -not more than sixty yards between them; and although St. Leger was not -backward in returning the fire, his aim was nevertheless so wild as to be -entirely without effect. The assailants returned into the fortress in -triumph, without having lost a man—the British flags were hoisted on the -flag-staff under the American—and the men, ascending the parapets, gave -three as hearty cheers as were ever shouted by the same number of voices. -Among the prisoners brought off by the victors, was Lieutenant Singleton, -of Sir John Johnson's regiment. Several Indians were found dead in their -camp, and others were killed in crossing the river. The loss to the enemy, -particularly in stores and baggage, was great; while the affair itself was -of still more importance, from the new spirit of patriotic enthusiasm with -which it inspired the little garrison. [FN-3] For this chivalrous exploit -Congress passed a resolution of thanks, and directed the Commissary -General of military stores to procure an elegant sword, and present the -same to Colonel Willett in the name of the United States.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] London Universal Magazine, 1782.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "Among other things taken from the enemy, were several bundles - of papers, and a parcel of letters belonging to our garrison, which they - had taken from our militia, but not yet opened. Here I found one letter - for myself; there were likewise papers belonging to Sir John Johnson, - and several others of the enemy's officers, with letters to and from - General St. Leger, the commander. These letters have been of some - service to us."—<i>Colonel Willett's letter to Governor Trumbull.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] In this account of the sortie, the author has adopted almost the - very language of the brave Colonel himself, in his Narrative. As he led - the affair, and was of course the best qualified to describe it, the - author could do no better than take his own words. In tracing the - progress of the siege, it will be often necessary to draw from the same - indisputable source.</p> - - -<p>General Herkimer did not long survive the battle. He was conveyed to his -own house [FN-1] near the Mohawk river, a few miles below the Little Falls; -where his leg, which had been shattered five or six inches below the knee, -was amputated about ten days after the battle, by a young French surgeon -in the army of General Arnold, and contrary to the advice of the General's -own medical adviser, the late Doctor Petrie. But the operation was -unskillfully performed, [FN-2] and it was found impossible by his -attendants to stanch the blood. Colonel Willett called to see the General -soon after the operation. He was sitting up in his bed, with a pipe in his -mouth, smoking, and talking in excellent spirits. He died the night -following that visit. His friend, Colonel John Roff, was present at the -amputation, and affirmed that he bore the operation with uncommon -fortitude. He was likewise with him at the time of his death. The blood -continuing to flow—there being no physician in immediate attendance—and -being himself satisfied that the time of his departure was nigh, the -veteran directed the Holy Bible to be brought to him. He then opened it -and read, in the presence of those who surrounded his bed, with all the -composure which it was possible for any man to exhibit, the thirty-eighth -psalm—applying it to his own situation. [FN-3] He soon afterward expired; -and it may well be questioned whether the annals of man furnish a more -striking example of Christian heroism—calm, deliberate, and firm in the -hour of death—than is presented in this remarkable instance. Of the early -history of General Herkimer but little is known. It has been already -stated that his family was one of the first of the Germans who planted -themselves in the Mohawk Valley. And the massive stone mansion, yet -standing at German Flats, bespeaks its early opulence. He was an -uneducated man—with, if possible, less skill in letters, even than -General Putnam, which is saying much. But he was, nevertheless, a man of -strong and vigorous understanding—destitute of some of the essential -requisites of generalship, but of the most cool and dauntless courage. -These traits were all strikingly disclosed in the brief and bloody -expedition to Oriskany. But he must have been well acquainted with that -most important of all books—<span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Bible</span>. Nor could the most learned -biblical scholar, lay or clerical, have selected a portion of the Sacred -Scriptures more exactly appropriate to the situation of the dying soldier, -than that to which he himself spontaneously turned. If Socrates died like -a philosopher, and Rousseau like an unbelieving sentimentalist. General -Herkimer died like a <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Christian Hero.</span> Congress passed a resolution -requesting the Governor and Council of New-York to erect a monument, at -the expense of the United States, to the memory of this brave man, of the -value of five hundred dollars. This resolution was transmitted to the -Governor of New-York, George Clinton, in a letter from which the following -passage is quoted:—"Every mark of distinction shown to the memory of -such illustrious men as offer up their lives for the liberty and happiness -of their country, reflects real honor on those who pay the tribute; and -by holding up to others the prospect of fame and immortality, will animate -them to tread in the same path." Governor Clinton thus wrote to the -Committee of Tryon County on the occasion:—"Enclosed you have a letter -and resolves of Congress, for erecting a monument to the memory of your -late gallant General. While with you I lament the cause, I am impressed -with a due sense of the great and justly merited honor the Continent has, -in this instance, paid to the memory of that brave man." Such were the -feelings of respect for the services and memory of the deceased -entertained by the great men of that day. Sixty years have since rolled -away, and the journal of Congress is the only monument, and the -resolution itself the only inscription, which as yet testify the gratitude -of the republic to <span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Nicholas Herkimer.</span></p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Yet standing, 1837.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Col. Roff's statement—MS. in possession of the author.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Statement of Colonel Roff, in possession of the author.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><A ID="chxi">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Siege of Fort Schuyler continued—Forced letter from prisoners to Col. - Gansevoort—St. Leger summons the garrison to surrender—Refusal of - Gansevoort—Appeal of Sir John Johnson to the people of Tryon - County—Secret expedition of Colonel Willett and Major - Stockwell—Schuyler orders Arnold to the relief of Gansevoort—Willett - proceeds to Albany—Arrest of Walter Butler, and others, at German - Flats—Tried and convicted as a spy—Reprieved—Sent to - Albany—Escapes—Arnold's proclamation—Advance of the - besiegers—Uneasiness of the garrison—Sudden flight of St. Leger and - his forces—Stratagem of Arnold—Story of Hon-Yost Schuyler—Merriment - and mischief of the Indians—Arrival of Arnold at the Fort—The spoils - of victory—Public estimation of Gansevoort's services—Address to his - soldiers—His promotion—Address of his officers.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Though</span> in fact defeated at Oriskany, the enemy claimed, as we have seen, -a victory. In one sense, it is true, the achievement was theirs. They had -prevented the advance of the Americans to the succor of the fort; and on -their retreat the Americans were unable to pursue. Still the field was -won, and retained by them. [FN-1] Availing himself of his questionable -success, however, and well knowing that days must probably elapse before -the garrison could become apprised of the whole circumstances of the -engagement and its issue, St. Leger lost no time in endeavoring, by false -representations, to press the besieged to a capitulation. On the same -night of the battle, therefore, at 9 o'clock, Colonel Bellinger and Major -Frey, being in St. Leger's camp as prisoners, were compelled to address -a note to Colonel Gansevoort, greatly exaggerating the disasters of the -day, and strongly urging a surrender. In this letter they spoke of the -defeat at Oriskany, of the impossibility of receiving any farther succor -from below—of the formidable force of St. Leger, together with his train -of artillery—announced the probable fact that Burgoyne and his army were -then before Albany, and stated that longer resistance would only result -in "inevitable ruin and destruction." [FN-2] The letter was transmitted to -Colonel Gansevoort by St. Leger's Adjutant-general, Colonel Butler, who, -in delivering it, made a verbal demand of surrender. Colonel Gansevoort -replied that he would give no answer to a verbal summons, unless delivered -by Colonel St. Leger himself, but at the mouth of his cannon.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] It was alleged, in some of the contemporaneous accounts, that the - forces engaged with Herkimer were ordered back in consequence of the - sortie of Willett. That circumstance, however, does not alter the - essential facts of the case. The victory was the same.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] See Appendix, No. V. for a copy of this letter, written while - under duress.</p> - - -<p>On the following day a white flag approached the garrison, with a request -that Colonel Butler, and two other officers, might be admitted into the -fort as bearers of a message to the commanding officer. Permission being -granted, those officers were conducted blind-folded into the fort, and -received by Colonel Gansevoort in his dining-room. The windows of the room -were shut, and candles lighted; a table was also spread, upon which were -placed some slight refreshments. Colonels Willett and Mellen were present -at the interview, together with as many of the American officers as could -be accommodated in the quarters of their commander. After the officers -were seated and the wine had been passed around, Major Ancrom, one of the -messengers, addressed Colonel Gansevoort in substance as follows:—</p> - -<p>"I am directed by Colonel St. Leger, the officer commanding the army now -investing this garrison, to inform the commandant that the Colonel has, -with much difficulty, prevailed on the Indians to agree, that if the -garrison, without farther resistance, shall be delivered up, with the -public stores belonging to it, to the investing army, the officers and -soldiers shall have all their baggage and private property secured to -them. And in order that the garrison may have a sufficient pledge to this -effect, Colonel Butler accompanies me to assure them, that not a hair of -the head of any one of them shall be hurt." (Here turning to Colonel -Butler, he said, "That, I think, was the expression they made use of, was -it not?"—to which the Colonel answered, "Yes.") "I am likewise directed -to remind the commandant, that the defeat of General Herkimer must deprive -the garrison of all hopes of relief, especially as General Burgoyne is now -in Albany; so that, sooner or later, the fort must fall into our hands. -Colonel St. Leger, from an earnest desire to prevent farther bloodshed, -hopes these terms will not be refused; as in this case it will be out of -his power to make them again. It was with great difficulty the Indians -consented to the present arrangement, as it will deprive them of that -plunder which they always calculate upon on similar occasions. Should, -then, the present terms be rejected, it will be out of the power of the -Colonel to restrain the Indians, who are very numerous and much -exasperated, not only from plundering the property, but destroying the -lives, probably, of the greater part of the garrison. Indeed, the Indians -are so exceedingly provoked and mortified by the losses they have -sustained in the late actions, having had several of their favorite chiefs -killed, that they threaten—and the Colonel, if the present arrangements -should not be entered into, will not be able to prevent them from -executing their threats—to march down the country, and destroy the -settlement, with its inhabitants. In this case, not only men, but women -and children, will experience the sad effects of their vengeance. These -considerations, it is ardently hoped, will produce a proper effect, and -induce the commandant, by complying with the terms now offered, to save -himself from future regret, when it will be too late."</p> - -<p>This singular oration was of course delivered extemporaneously, as also -was the following reply by Colonel Willett, with the approbation of -Colonel Gansevoort:—</p> - -<p>"Do I understand you, Sir? I think you say, that you come from a British -colonel, who is commander of the army that invests this fort; and by your -uniform, you appear to be an officer in the British service. You have -made a long speech on the occasion of your visit, which, stripped of all -its superfluities, amounts to this—that you come from a British colonel, -to the commandant of this garrison, to tell him, that if he does not -deliver up the garrison into the hands of your Colonel, he will send his -Indians to murder our women and children. You will please to reflect, sir, -that their blood will be on your head, not on ours. We are doing our duty; -this garrison is committed to our charge, and we will take care of it. -After you get out of it, you may turn round and look at its outside, but -never expect to come in again, unless you come a prisoner. I consider the -message you have brought, a degrading one for a British officer to send, -and by no means reputable for a British officer to carry. For my own part, -I declare, before I would consent to deliver this garrison to such a -murdering set as your array, by your own account, consists of, I would -suffer my body to be filled with splinters, and set on fire, as you know -has at times been practised, by such hordes of women and children killers -as belong to your army."</p> - -<p>Colonel Willett observes in his narrative, whence these facts are drawn, -that in the delivery he looked the British major full in the face; and -that he spoke with emphasis is not doubted. The sentiments contained in -this reply were received with universal applause by the Provincial -officers, who, far from being intimidated by the threats of the -messengers, were at once impressed with the idea that such pressing -efforts to induce a capitulation could only be the effect of doubt, on the -part of the enemy himself, of his ability either to sustain the siege or -carry the works by assault. Before the interview was closed, Major Ancrom -requested that an English surgeon who was with him might be permitted to -visit the British wounded in the garrison, which request was granted. -Major Ancrom also proposed an armistice for three days, which was -likewise agreed to by Colonel Gansevoort—the more readily, probably, -because of his scanty supply of ammunition.</p> - -<p>On the 9th of August, Colonel Gansevoort having refused to recognize any -verbal messages from the British commander, Colonel St. Leger transmitted -the substance of Major Ancrom's speech in the form of a letter—protesting -that no indignity was intended by the delivery of such a message—a -message that had been insisted upon categorically by the Indians—and -formally renewing the summons of a surrender—adding, that the Indians -were becoming exceedingly impatient, and if the proposition should be -rejected, the refusal would be attended with very fatal consequences, not -only to the garrison, but to the whole country of the Mohawk river. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Appendix, No. VI.</p> - - -<p>The reply of Colonel Gansevoort was written with soldierly brevity, in -the following words:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Col. Gansevoort to Col. St. Leger.</span><br> - <i>Fort Schuyler, Aug</i>. 9<i>th,</i> 1777.</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Your letter of this day's date I have received, in answer to which I say, -that it is my determined resolution, with the forces under my command, to -defend this fort to the last extremity, in behalf of the United American -States, who have placed me here to defend it against all their enemies.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I have the honor to be, Sir, - Your most ob't. humble serv't., - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Peter Gansevoort,</span> - <i>Col. commanding Fort Schuyler.</i> - -"<i>Gen. Barry St. Leger.</i>" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Copied, by the author, from the original draft, found among the - Gansevoort papers.</p> - - -<p>Failing in these attempts to induce a surrender, the besiegers, four days -afterward, had recourse to another expedient. It was the issuing of an -appeal to the inhabitants of Tryon County, signed by Sir John Johnson, -Colonel Claus, and Colonel John Butler, similar in its tenor to the verbal -and written messages of St. Leger to Colonel Gansevoort. The appeal -commenced with strong protestations of a desire for the restoration of -peace, with a promise of pardon, and oblivion for the past, -notwithstanding the many and great injuries the signers had received, upon -a proper submission by the people. They, too, were threatened with the -ravages of a victorious army, and the resentment of the Indians for the -losses they had sustained at Oriskany, in the event of rejecting this -appeal. In regard to the garrison of Fort Schuyler, its longer resistance -was pronounced "mulish obstinacy," and the people of the Mohawk Valley -were urged to send up a deputation of their principal men, to oblige the -garrison to do at once what they must be forced to do soon—surrender. If -they did not surrender, the threat was again repeated that every soul -would be put to death by the Indians. [FN] Messengers were despatched with -this document into Tryon County, but to no good purpose; while, as will -soon appear, some of those messengers were involved in serious difficulty -by their errand.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Appendix, No. VII. I have found this document only in <i>The - Remembrancer</i> for 1777, page 451.</p> - - -<p>But if Colonel Willett's success in the brilliant execution of the sortie -on the 6th, entitled him, as it unquestionably did, to the commendations -he received, a still more perilous enterprise, undertaken by him a few -days afterward, was thought, alike by friends and foes, to entitle him to -still greater applause. The artillery of the besiegers was not -sufficiently heavy to make any impression upon the works, and there was -every probability that the garrison might hold out until succors should -be obtained, could their situation be made known. Colonel Willett was not -only well acquainted, but exceedingly popular, in Tryon County; and it was -supposed that, should he show himself personally among the militia of that -district, notwithstanding the extent of their suffering in the late -expedition, he might yet rally a force sufficient to raise the siege. The -bold project was therefore conceived by him of passing by night, in -company with another officer, through the enemy's works, and, regardless -of the danger from the prowling savages, making his way through some -forty or fifty miles of sunken morasses and pathless woods, in order to -raise the County and bring relief. [FN-1] Selecting Major Stockwell for -his companion. Colonel Willett undertook the expedition on the 10th, and -left the fort at ten o'clock that night, each armed with nothing but a -spear, and provided only with a small supply of crackers and cheese, a -small canteen of spirits, and in all other respects unincumbered, even by -a blanket. Having escaped from the sally-port, they crept upon their -hands and knees along the edge of a morass to the river, which they -crossed by crawling over upon a log, and succeeded in getting off -unperceived by the sentinels of the enemy, although passing very near to -them. Their first advance was into a deep-tangled forest in which, -enveloped in thick darkness, they lost their direction, and found it -impossible to proceed. While in this state of uncertainty, the barking of -a dog added little to their comfort, inasmuch as it apprized them that -they were not far from a new Indian encampment, formed subsequent to the -sortie a few days before. They were therefore compelled to stand perfectly -still for several hours, and until the morning star appeared to guide -their way. Striking first in a Northern direction for several miles, and -then Eastwardly, they traced a zig-zag course, occasionally adopting the -Indian method of concealing their trail by walking in the channels of -streams, and by stepping on stones along the river's edge. In this way -they traveled the whole of the ensuing day without making a single halt. -On the approach of night they dared not to strike a light, but lay down -to sleep, interlocked in each other's arms. Pursuing their journey on the -12th, their little stock of provisions being exhausted, they fed upon -raspberries and blackberries, of which they found an abundance in an -opening occasioned by a windfall. Thus refreshed, they pushed forward with -renewed vigor and at an accelerated pace, and arrived at Fort Dayton at -three o'clock in the afternoon. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] British Universal Magazine.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "So successful was Colonel Willett in all his movements, that the - Indians, believing him to be possessed of supernatural power, gave to - him the name of the Devil."—<i>Campbell.</i></p> - - -<p>The Colonel and his friend received a hearty welcome from Colonel Weston, -whose regiment was then in charge of Fort Dayton, and from whom he -obtained the agreeable intelligence that, on learning the news of General -Herkimer's disaster. General Schuyler had ordered Generals Arnold and -Larned, with the Massachusetts brigade, to march to the relief of Colonel -Gansevoort. Colonel Willett thereupon took horse immediately for Albany -to meet General Arnold, who was to command the expedition; and in four -days afterward accompanied Arnold back to Fort Dayton, where the troops -were assembling. The first New-York regiment had been added to the brigade -of General Larned, who was yet in the rear, bringing up the heavy baggage -and stores.</p> - -<p>During Willett's brief absence to Albany, an incident occurred in the -neighborhood of Fort Dayton, showing that if he had been active in his -attempts to bring succors to the fort, the enemy, on the other hand, had -not been idle. About two miles above Fort Dayton resided a Mr. Shoemaker, -a disaffected gentleman, who had been in his Majesty's commission of the -peace. Having heard of a clandestine meeting of Tories at the house of -that gentleman, Colonel Weston despatched a detachment of troops thither, -which came upon the assemblage by surprise, and took them all prisoners. -Among them was Lieutenant Walter N. Butler, from St. Leger's army, who, -with fourteen white soldiers and the same number of Indians, [FN-1] had -visited the German Flats secretly, with the appeal of Sir John Johnson, -Claus, and the elder Butler, referred to in a preceding page, for the -purpose of persuading the timid and disaffected inhabitants to abandon -the Provincial cause, and enroll themselves with the King's army before -Fort Schuyler. Butler was in the midst of his harangue to the meeting at -the moment of the unwelcome surprise. General Arnold ordered a -court-martial, and caused him to be tried as a spy. [FN-2] Of this -tribunal Colonel Willett officiated as Judge Advocate. The Lieutenant was -convicted, and received sentence of death; but at the intercession of a -number of officers, who had known him while a student at law in Albany, -his life was spared by a reprieve. He was, however, removed to Albany and -closely imprisoned until the Spring of the following year. When General -the Marquis de Lafayette assumed the command of the Northern department, -the friends of the Butler family, in consequence, as it was alleged, of -his ill-health, interceded for a mitigated form of imprisonment. He was -then removed to a private house and kept under guard, but shortly -afterward effected his escape—owing, it was reported, to treachery—and -was subsequently distinguished as one of the severest scourges of the -beautiful valley which had given him birth.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The Remembrancer for 1777, page 395.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The Remembrancer states that Butler came "on a truce to the - inhabitants of the County." But if he did bear a flag, it could be no - protection for such a mission—as it was not.</p> - - -<p>The address of Johnson, Claus, and Butler, having been thus introduced -among the people of the County, Arnold issued a proclamation from Fort -Dayton for the purpose of counteracting its influence. It was couched in -severe language in regard to St. Leger and his heterogeneous -army—denounced those of the people who might be seduced by his arts to -enroll themselves under the banner of the king—but promised pardon to -all, whether Americans, Savages, Germans, or Britons, who might return to -their duty to the States. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Appendix, No. VIII.</p> - - -<p>Meantime Colonel St. Leger was pushing his operations before the fort with -considerable vigor. Every effort to intimidate the garrison having failed, -and the commander exhibiting an unsubmitting spirit, St. Leger "commenced -approaching by sap, and had formed two parallels, the second of which -brought him near the edge of the glacis; but the fire of musketry from the -covert way rendered his farther progress very difficult." [FN] The fire -of his ordnance producing no effect, his only means of annoying the -garrison was by throwing shells; but these proved of so little consequence -as to afford a discouraging prospect of success. Having advanced, however, -within one hundred and fifty yards, it is not to be denied that some -uneasiness began to be manifested within the garrison. Ignorant of the -fate of Colonel Willett and Major Stockwell, and entirely cut off from -all communication from without, their provisions daily exhausting, and -having no certain prospect of relief, some of the officers commenced -speaking in whispers of the expediency of saving the garrison from a -re-enactment of the Fort William Henry tragedy, by acceding to St. Leger's -proffered terms of capitulation. Not so the commander. After weighing well -the circumstances of the case, he came to the deliberate resolve, in the -event of obtaining no succor from without, when his provisions were about -exhausted, to make a sally at night, and cut his way through the -encampment of the besiegers, or perish in the attempt.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Willett's Narrative.</p> - - -<p>Fortunately, the necessity of executing the bold determination did not -arrive. The siege had continued until the 22d of August, when, suddenly, -without any cause within the knowledge of the garrison, the besiegers -broke up their encampment, and retired in such haste and confusion as to -leave their tents, together with a great part of their artillery, camp -equipage, and baggage behind. What was the motive for this unexpected -flight of a vaunting and all but victorious foe, was a problem they were -unable to solve within the garrison, although their joy was not, on that -account, the less at their deliverance. It subsequently appeared that the -panic which produced this welcome and unexpected change in the situation -of the garrison, was caused by a <i>ruse-de-guerre,</i> practised upon the -forces of St. Leger by General Arnold, who had been waiting at Fort Dayton -several days for the arrival of reinforcements and supplies. [FN-1] But, -having heard that St. Leger had made his approaches to within a short -distance of the fort, Arnold, on the 22d of August, determined at all -events to push forward and hazard a battle, rather than see the garrison -fall a sacrifice. [FN-2] With this view, on the morning of the 23d, he -resumed his march for Fort Schuyler, and had proceeded ten miles of the -distance from Fort Dayton when he was met by an express from Colonel -Gansevoort, with the gratifying intelligence that the siege had been -raised. The cause of this sudden movement was yet as great a mystery to - the Colonel and his garrison, as was the flight of the host of Ben-hadad -from before Samaria to the king of Israel, when the Syrian monarch heard -the supernatural sound of chariots, and the noise of horses, in the days -of Elisha the prophet. Arnold was, of course, less in the dark. The -circumstances were these:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] "I wrote you, the 21st instant, from German -Flats, that from the - best intelligence I could procure of the enemy's strength, it was much - superior to ours; at the same time I inclosed you a copy of the - resolutions of a council of war, and requested you to send me a - reinforcement of one thousand light troops."—<i>Letter of Arnold to - General Gates, Aug,</i> 23, 1777.—"I have been retarded by the badness of - the roads, waiting for some baggage and ammunition, and for the militia, - who did not turn out with that spirit which I expected. They are now - joining me in great numbers. A few days will relieve you."—<i>MS. letter - from Arnold to Colonel Gansevoort, Aug,</i> 22, 1777.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter above cited from Arnold to General Gates. Vide - Remembrancer, 1777, page 444.</p> - - -<p>Among the party of Tories and Indians captured at Shoemaker's under -Lieutenant Butler, was a singular being named <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Hon-Yost Schuyler.</span> His place -of residence was near the Little Falls, where his mother and a brother -named Nicholas, were then residing. Hon-Yost Schuyler was one of the -coarsest and most ignorant men in the valley, appearing scarce half -removed from idiocy; and yet there was no small share of shrewdness in his -character. Living upon the extreme border of civilization, his -associations had been more with the Indians than the whites; and -tradition avers that they regarded him with that mysterious reverence and -awe with which they are inspired by fools and lunatics. Thus situated and -thus constituted, Hon-Yost had partially attached himself to the Royalist -cause, though probably, like the Cow-boys of West Chester, he really cared -little which party he served or plundered; and had he been the captor of -the unfortunate Andre, would have balanced probabilities as to the best -way of turning the prize to account. Be these things, however, as they -may, Hon-Yost was captured, with Walter Butler, and, like him, was tried -for his life, adjudged guilty, and condemned to death. His mother and -brother, hearing of his situation, hastened to Fort Dayton, and implored -General Arnold to spare his life. The old woman strongly resembled the -gypsy in her character, and the eloquence and pathos with which she -pleaded for the life of her son, were long remembered in the unwritten -history of the Mohawk Valley. Arnold was for a time inexorable, and the -woman became almost frantic with grief and passion on account of her -wayward son. Nicholas, likewise, exerted himself to the utmost in behalf -of his brother. At length General Arnold proposed terms upon which his -life should be spared. The conditions were, that Hon-Yost should hasten to -Fort Schuyler, and so alarm the camp of St. Leger as to induce him to -raise the siege and fly. The convict-traitor gladly accepted the -proposition, and his mother offered herself as a hostage for the faithful -performance of his commission. Arnold, however, declined receiving the -woman as a hostage, preferring and insisting that Nicholas should be -retained for that purpose. To this the latter readily assented, declaring -that he was perfectly willing to pledge his life that Hon-Yost would -fulfill his engagements to the utmost. Nicholas was, therefore, placed in -confinement, while Hon-Yost departed for the camp of Colonel St. -Leger—having made an arrangement with one of the Oneida Indians, friendly -to the Americans, to aid him in the enterprise. Before his departure -several shots were fired through Schuyler's clothes, that he might appear -to have had a narrow escape; and the Oneida Indian, by taking a circuitous -route to Fort Schuyler, was to fall into the enemy's camp from another -direction, and aid Hon-Yost in creating the panic desired. The emissary -first presented himself among the Indians, who were in a very suitable -state of mind to be wrought upon by exactly such a personage. They had -been moody and dissatisfied ever since the battle of Oriskany—neither the -success nor the plunder promised them had been won, and they had -previously received some vague and indefinite intelligence respecting the -approach of Arnold. They had likewise just been holding a pow-wow, or were -actually convened in one, for the purpose of consulting the Manitto -touching the dubious enterprise in which they were engaged, when Hon-Yost -arrived. Knowing their character well, he communicated his intelligence to -them in the most mysterious and imposing manner. Pointing to his riddled -garments, he proved to them how narrow had been his escape from the -approaching army of the rebels. When asked the number of the troops that -Arnold was leading against them, he shook his head mysteriously, and -pointed upward to the leaves of the trees. The reports spread rapidly -through the camps, and reaching the ears of the commander, Hon-Yost was -sent for to the tent of St. Leger himself. Here he was interrogated, and -gave information that General Arnold, with two thousand men, was so near -that he would be upon them within twenty-four hours. He gave St. Leger a -pitiable narrative of his captivity, trial, and condemnation to the -gallows. It was while on his way to execution, as he alleged, that, -finding himself not very closely guarded, he took an opportunity to effect -his escape—thinking, at the worst, that he could only die, and it would -be as well to be shot as hanged. A shower of bullets had indeed been let -fly at him, but fortunately had only wounded his clothes, as the General -might see. [FN-1] Meantime the Oneida messenger arrived with a belt, and -confirmed to the Indians all that Schuyler had said; adding, that the -Americans had no desire to injure the Indians, and were intent only upon -attacking the British troops and rangers. While making his way to the camp -of the besiegers, the ingenious Oneida had fallen in with some two or -three straggling Indians of his acquaintance, to whom he communicated his -business, and whose assistance in furthering the design he engaged. These -sagacious fellows dropped into the Indian camp at different points, and -threw out alarming suggestions—shaking their heads mysteriously, and -insinuating that a bird had brought them intelligence of great -moment. [FN-2] They spoke of warriors in great numbers advancing rapidly -upon them, and used every indirect method of infusing a panic into the -minds of the listeners who gathered around them. The Indians presently -began to give signs of decamping, and St. Leger assayed in vain to -reassure them. He convened a council of their chiefs, hoping that by the -influence of Sir John Johnson, and Colonels Claus and Butler, he should -still be able to retain them. Other reports, of a yet more terrifying -tendency, getting afloat, not only among the Indians but in the other -camp, the former declared that "the pow-wow said they must go;" and a -portion of them took their departure before the council broke up. The -result was a general and precipitate flight. It has been stated, that in -the commencement of the retreat the Indians made themselves merry at the -expense of their white allies, by raising a shout that the Americans were -upon them, and then laughing at the groundless terror thus created. [FN-3] -According to the account derived by Gordon from the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, an -altercation took place between Colonel St. Leger and Sir John Johnson, the -former reproaching the latter with the defection of the Indians, while the -Baronet charged his commander with but an indifferent prosecution of the -siege. It was in the gray of twilight, when a couple of sachems, standing -upon a little eminence not far in the rear, and overhearing the -interchange of sharp words between them, put an end to the unpleasant -colloquy by raising the shout—"<i>they are coming!—they are coming!"</i> -Both St. Leger and Sir John recommenced their retreat with all possible -expedition upon hearing such an alarm. Their troops were equally nimble -of foot on the occasion, throwing away their knapsacks and arms, and -disencumbering themselves of every hindrance to the quick-step; while the -Indians, enjoying the panic and confusion, repeated the joke by the way -until they arrived at the Oneida Lake. It is believed, however, that it -was not the Americans alone of whom St. Leger began to stand in fear, -being quite as apprehensive of danger from his own dusky allies as he was -of the approaching army of Arnold. There is British authority for stating -that the Indians actually plundered several of the boats belonging to -their own army; robbing the officers of whatsoever they liked. Within a -few miles of the camp, they first stripped off the arms, and afterward -murdered, with their own bayonets, all those British, German, and -American soldiers who were separated from the main body. [FN-4] Thus were -the threats of savage vengeance sent by Colonel St. Leger to the garrison, -in some degree wreaked upon his own army. Hon-Yost Schuyler accompanied -the flying host to the estuary of Wood Creek, where he deserted, threading -his way back to Fort Schuyler the same evening—imparting to Colonel -Gansevoort his first information of the advance of Arnold. [FN-5] From -Fort Schuyler, Hon-Yost proceeded back to the German Flats. On presenting -himself at Fort Dayton, his brother was discharged, to the inexpressible -joy of his mother and their relatives. But he proved a Tory in grain, and -embraced the first opportunity subsequently presented, which was in -October, of running away to the enemy, with several of his neighbors, and -attaching himself to the forces of Sir John Johnson. [FN-6]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Remembrancer, for 1777—p. 447-448.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Travels of President Dwight, vol. iii. p. 195-197.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Travels of President Dwight, vol. iii. p. 195-197.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] British Universal Magazine. Indeed, St. Leger's report of this - disastrous retreat, addressed to General Burgoyne from Oswego, on the - 27th of August, corresponds very closely with the American accounts - whence the present narrative has been drawn. He states that the Indians - fell treacherously upon their friends, and became more formidable than - the enemy they had to expect. He leaves no room, however, to suppose that - there was any difficulty between Sir John Johnson and himself—calling - him "his gallant coadjutor," &c. and commending his exertions to induce - the Indians again to meet the enemy, as also those of Colonels Claus and - Butler.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Letter of Colonel Gansevoort to General Arnold.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-6] After the close of the contest, Hon-Yost returned to the Mohawk - Valley, and resided there until his death—which event occurred about - twenty years since.</p> - - -<p>Immediately on the receipt of Colonel Gansevoort's despatch announcing St. -Leger's retreat. General Arnold pushed forward a detachment of nine -hundred men, with directions, if possible, to overtake the fugitives, and -render their flight still more disastrous. On the day following, Arnold -himself arrived at the fort, where he was received with a salute of -artillery and the cheers of the brave garrison. He, of course, found that -Gansevoort had anticipated his design of harassing the rear of the flying -enemy, and had brought in several prisoners, together with large -quantities of spoil. [FN-1] So great was their panic, and such the -precipitancy of their flight, that they left their tents standing, their -provisions, artillery, ammunition, their entire camp equipage, and large -quantities of other articles enhancing the value of the booty. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of Arnold to General Gates, Aug. 24, 1777.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Among other articles was the escritoire of St. Leger himself, - containing his private papers, several of which have been used by the - author in writing this and the preceding chapters.</p> - - -<p>Thus ended the siege of Fort Schuyler, or Fort Stanwix, as the public have -always preferred calling it. St. Leger hastened with his scattered forces -back to Oswego, and thence to Montreal. From that post he proceeded to -Lake Champlain, passing up the same to Ticonderoga, for the purpose of -joining the army of Burgoyne. Finding that the enemy had evacuated the -country between the fort and Lake Ontario, and that the post could be in -no immediate danger from that direction, Colonel Gansevoort took the -opportunity of visiting his friends at Albany, and at the seat of the -State government, then just organised at Kingston. His reception was most -cordial, as appears not only from contemporaneous accounts, but from the -following modest address to his fellow-soldiers of the garrison, on his -return to resume his command:—</p> - -<p>"I should be wanting in justice to you, if I did not give some testimony -of your good conduct during the time you have been in this garrison, and -especially while we were besieged by the enemy. Believe me, that I am -impressed with a proper sense of the behavior by which you have done -essential service to your country, and acquired immortal honor to -yourselves. Nothing can equal the pleasure I have experienced since my -absence, in hearing and receiving the public approbation of our country -for our services, which is, and must be, to every soldier, a full and -ample compensation for the same. Permit me to congratulate you upon the -success of the American arms, both to the Southward and Northward. Every -day terminates with victory to America; and I make not the least doubt, -but in this campaign we shall effectually establish the Independence of -the United States, and thereby secure to ourselves the rights and -liberties for which we have so nobly stood forth." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Copied by the author from the original manuscript. It was filed away - among the Colonel's papers, with the following inscription:—"A laconic - address to my fellow officers and soldiers after our success at Fort - Stanwix."</p> - - -<p>As an evidence of the value placed upon the services of the Colonel in the -defence of Fort Schuyler, he was shortly afterward promoted in the State -line to the rank of Brigadier General, while his gallantry was farther -rewarded by a Colonel's commission from Congress in the army of the United -States. [FN-1] On leaving his regiment, its officers presented him with an -affectionate letter of congratulation on his promotion, mingled with an -expression of their regret at the loss to the regiment of "so worthy a -patron." To which the Colonel returned an appropriate letter of -thanks. [FN-2] The people of Tryon County were of course rejoiced, that -the blow, directed, as the enemy supposed, with unerring certainty against -them, had been averted. They had suffered severely in the campaign; but -there were enough of her sons yet left to swell the ranks of General -Gates not a little; and they pressed ardently to join his standard, -although circumstances did not then require them long to remain in the -field.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] There seems to have been something peculiar and special in this - commission. In a letter which Colonel Gansevoort wrote jointly to William - Duer and Gouverneur Morris, a copy of which is preserved among his - papers, he observes:—"Congress have done me the honor of appointing me - Colonel Commandant of Fort Schuyler. I should esteem it as a favor if - you would inform me whether I am to receive any pay for that commission, - other than as Colonel of the third regiment of New-Yorkers; and if not, - I should be glad if you would endeavor to get something allowed me, as - my present pay will not reimburse my table liquors, which you may well - conceive to be something considerable as commanding officer. I am not - solicitous to make money by my commission; but I could wish not to sink - by it, as I am obliged to do now. The commission which Congress has sent - me as <i>commandant of Fort Schuyler,</i> subjects me as much to the command of - my superior officers, as any former one. If that was the intention of - Congress, the appointment is nugatory. If not, I wish Congress to alter - the commission."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The following is a copy of the address referred to in the - text:—"Honored Sir: From a just sense of that conduct which has hitherto - been so conspicuously shown to advance the third New-York regiment to - honor and public notice, we congratulate you that those characteristics - which so eminently point out the gentleman and soldier, have by your - personal bravery been deservedly noticed by our bleeding country. - Although we rejoice at your promotion, yet we cannot but regret the loss - of so worthy a patron. That the prosperity which has crowned your conduct - with victory may still be continued, is the sincere wish and prayer of, - honored Sir, your most obedient and very humble servants." It was signed - by twenty-six officers. Colonel Gansevoort replied as - follows:—"Gentlemen: Your polite address on my promotion merits my - sincerest thanks. Gratitude, I hope, shall never be wanting in me to the - third N. Y. regiment, who have, by their firmness and discipline, been - the chief authors of my promotion. Therefore, Gentlemen, please to accept - my warmest wishes for the prosperity of the corps, that all their - virtuous endeavors in the defence of their bleeding country may be - crowned with honor and success, which will always be the earnest prayer - of, Gentlemen, your most obliged, humble servant."</p> - - -<p>In October following, when Sir Henry Clinton was ascending the Hudson for -the purpose either of succoring, or of co-operating with, Burgoyne, -Colonel Gansevoort was ordered to Albany by General Gates, to take command -of the large force then concentrating at that place. Happily, as will -appear in the succeeding chapters, there was no occasion to test his -prowess in his new and temporary command.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chxii">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Recurrence to the invasion of Burgoyne—General Schuyler again superseded - by Gates—Causes of this injustice—Battle of Stillwater—Both armies - entrench—Battle and victory of Behmus's Heights—Funeral of General - Frazer—Retreat of Burgoyne—Difficulties increasing upon him—His - capitulation—Meeting of Burgoyne and Gates—Deportment of Gates toward - Gen. Washington—Noble conduct of General Schuyler.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The</span> temporary pacification of the Western part of the State, resulting -from the events of which we have just closed the narrative, affords an -opportunity for recurring to the invasion of Burgoyne, who was left in -the mid career of victory, checked, it is true, by unexpected and -increasing difficulties, until brought to a stand by the serious affair -of Bennington, heretofore incidentally disposed of. On shifting the scene, -however, from the head waters of the Mohawk to the upper districts of the -Hudson, General Gates is again found in command of the Northern -Department—General Schuyler, to whose wise measures and indefatigable -exertions the country was mainly indebted for arresting the progress of -Burgoyne, and during whose command the victory of Bennington had been won -by General Stark—having been most unjustly superseded by express -resolution of Congress. There had, during the present year, been a very -unwise, unworthy, and capricious interference, on the part of Congress, -with the command of this department. On the 25th of March, without a -reason assigned, General Gates had superseded General Schuyler, his -superior officer, by order of Congress; and on the 22d of May, without -any expressed motive, General Schuyler was restored to the command of -that department. [FN-1] Again, on the 1st of August, it was resolved by -Congress that General Schuyler should repair to head-quarters, while the -Commander-in-chief was, by the same resolution, directed to order such -general officer as he should think proper, to assume the command in -Schuyler's place. The day after the passage of that resolution, General -Washington received a letter from the New England delegation in Congress, -suggesting the name of General Gates, as the officer who would be most -likely to restore harmony, order, and discipline, and to relieve our -affairs in that quarter. [FN-2] We have, in a former chapter, referred to -the prejudices existing against General Schuyler, and the causes of them. -These had now become so strong, and the Eastern States, in particular, -were so hostile to his longer continuance in the command, that even his -friends acquiesced in the expediency, though not in the justice, of his -removal. [FN-3] General Schuyler himself, however, felt acutely the -discredit of being recalled at the most critical and interesting period -of the campaign; when the labor and activity of making preparations to -repair the disasters of it had been expended by him; and when an -opportunity was offered, as he observed, for that resistance and -retaliation which might bring glory upon our arms. [FN-4]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Memoirs of General Wilkinson, vol. i. p. 163.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Sparks's Life and Cor. of Washington, vol. v. p. 14. The original - of this letter to Washington is in the hand-writing of Samuel Adams, and - is signed by the following names, in the order in which they here stand, - viz: John Adams, Nathaniel Folsom, Samuel Adams, Henry Marchant, - Elbridge Gerry, Eliphalet Dyer, William Williams.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Marshall.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Address of Chancellor Kent before the New-York Historical Society, - Dec. 1828. The calumnies directed against St. Clair and Schuyler, in - regard to the fall of Ticonderoga, were so gross as to exceed belief in - their propagation. These officers were denounced as traitors to the - country, acting in concert with the enemy, and the ignorant and credulous - were led to believe that they had received an immense treasure in silver - balls, fired by Burgoyne into St. Clair's camp, and by his order picked - up, and transmitted to Schuyler at Fort George. Wilkinson, who was - Gates's Adjutant General, avers that respectable people questioned him - with much gravity as to the fact! These slanders were, for factious - purposes, countenanced by respectable men, and the consequence was, - general defection and desertion, in the early part of the Summer, so - that, at one time, the Northern army was reduced to less than three - thousand, and the militia to less than thirteen hundred—and these - subject to no effectual restraint.</p> - - -<p>The Commander-in-chief paid no heed to the advisory epistle from the New -England delegates, but in a respectful letter to the President of -Congress, declined the honor of making the selection. [FN] Had he not thus -excused himself, it is not presumption to intimate, that, influenced by -the peculiar attitude which Gates had even then begun to assume, and -acting, as Washington ever did, under the stern behests of conscience, he -would have made a different selection from that proposed to him by the -Eastern representatives, and which ultimately prevailed.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "At the same time that I express my thanks for the high mark of - confidence which Congress has been pleased to repose in me by their - resolve, authorising me to send an officer to command the Northern army, - I should wish to be excused from making the appointment. For this, many - reasons might be mentioned, which, I am persuaded, will occur to Congress - on reflection. The Northern department in a great measure has been - considered as separate, and more peculiarly under their direction; and - the officers commanding there always under their nomination. I have never - interfered farther than merely to advise, and to give such aids as were - within my power, on the requisitions of those officers. The present - situation of that department is delicate and critical, and the choice of - an officer to the command may involve very interesting and important - consequences."—<i>Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, - Aug.</i> 3, 1777.</p> - - -<p>General Gates, however, did not join the Northern army until the 19th of -August; and as the time was not specified within which he was required to -report himself at head-quarters, General Schuyler was allowed to remain -at the North, with the approbation both of Congress and the -Commander-in-chief, until after the campaign had been closed by the -surrender of the British commander and his army. Nor were his exertions -the less active, or his counsels the less freely proffered, in the cause -of his country, because of the injustice by which his pride had been -wounded. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "The zeal, patriotism, perseverance, and salutary arrangements of - General Schuyler, had roused the spirit of the country, and vanquished - the prejudices excited against him by artifice, intrigue, and - detraction."—<i>Wilkinson's Memoirs.</i> - - -<p>After the evacuation of Fort Edward, [FN-1] as mentioned in a former -chapter, General Schuyler fell down the river to Stillwater, on the 3d of -August, and began to entrench his camp there on the 4th. Burgoyne's -ill-conceived expedition to Bennington, under Colonel Baum, deprived him -of one-sixth of his effective force on the 16th. It was not until near a -month afterward, during which period the American army had been greatly -strengthened at Stillwater, that Burgoyne was again prepared to advance. -Having at length, by dint of almost incredible labor, brought up from Fort -George a supply of provisions for thirty days, and thrown a bridge of -boats over the Hudson, the British commander with his army crossed on the -13th and 14th of September, and encamped on the heights and plains of -Saratoga. On the night of the 17th, Burgoyne encamped within four miles -of the American army; and about noon on the 19th, advanced in full force -against it—the latter having, in the mean time, advanced toward the enemy -three miles above Stillwater. Burgoyne commanded his right wing in person, -covered by General Frazer and Colonel Breyman, with the grenadiers and -light-infantry, who were posted along some high grounds on the right. The -front and flanks were covered by Indians, Provincials, and Canadians. The -enemy's left wing and artillery were commanded by Generals Phillips and -Riedesel, who proceeded along the great road. Colonel Morgan, who was -detached to observe their motions, and to harass them as they advanced, -soon fell in with their pickets in advance of their right wing, attacked -them sharply and drove them in. A strong corps was immediately detached -by the enemy against Morgan, who, after a brisk engagement, was in turn -compelled to give way. A regiment being ordered to the assistance of -Morgan, whose riflemen had been sadly scattered by the vigor of the -attack, the battle was renewed at about one o'clock, and was maintained -with spirit, though with occasional pauses, for three hours—the -commanders on both sides supporting and reinforcing their respective -parties. By four o'clock the battle became general, Arnold, with nine -Continental regiments and Morgan's corps, having completely engaged the -whole right wing of the enemy. [FN-2] The contest, accidentally commenced, -in the first instance, now assumed the most obstinate and determined -character. It was maintained four hours longer—the soldiers being often -engaged hand to hand. The approach of night terminated the battle—the -Americans retreating to their encampment, but not from other necessity -than the darkness. The enemy were provided with artillery, but the ground -occupied by the Americans would not allow the use of field-pieces. The -fluctuations of the battle were frequent during the day, and although the -British artillery fell into the hands of the Americans at every alternate -charge, the latter could neither turn them upon the enemy nor bring them -off. "The wood prevented the last, and the want of a match the first, as -the lint-stock was invariably carried away, and the rapidity of the -transitions did not allow the Americans time to provide one." [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] It was during a skirmish before Fort Edward, when the Americans - were flying from a party of thirty or forty Indians, that the late - General Matthew Clarkson, of New-York—then Major Clarkson and aid to - General Arnold—was wounded by a ball which passed through the muscular - integuments of the throat. The wound was supposed to be fatal at the - time, but he soon recovered.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Holmes, who follows Stedman. General Wilkinson denies that Arnold - shared much in this battle. He says:—"Not a single general officer was - on the field of battle on the 19th, until evening, when General Lamed - was ordered out. About the same time Generals Gates and Arnold were in - front of the centre of the camp, listening to the peal of small arms, - when Colonel Morgan Lewis, deputy quartermaster General, returned from - the field, and being questioned by the General, he reported the - undecisive progress of the action—at which Arnold exclaimed, '<i>by G— - I will put an end to it,</i>' and clapping spurs to his horse, galloped off - at full speed. Colonel Lewis immediately observed to General Gates, 'You - had better order him back, the action is going well, and he may by some - rash act do mischief.' I was instantly despatched, overtook, and remanded - Arnold to camp."—<i>Memoirs, vol. i, Chap. vi.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Memoirs of General Wilkinson, vol. i. chapter vi.</p> - - -<p>General Wilkinson, at that time Adjutant General, who was himself in the -battle, and whose account of it is the best that has been written, -sustains the remark made above, that the engagement was perfectly -accidental; neither of the opposing Generals meditating an attack at that -time, and yet, by a mutual misconception of each other's purposes, they -were kept the whole day acting upon the defensive; confining themselves -to the ground occupied at first by accident, "and neither attempting a -single manœuvre during one of the longest, warmest, and most obstinate -battles fought in America. General Gates believed that his antagonist -intended to attack him, and circumstances seemed to justify the like -conclusion on the part of Burgoyne; and, as the thickness and depth of an -intervening wood concealed the position and movements of either army from -its adversary, sound caution obliged the respective commanders to guard -every assailable point. Had either of the Generals been properly apprised -of the dispositions of his antagonist, a serious blow might have been -struck either on the left of the American army, or on the enemy's right;" -but although the combatants changed ground a dozen times in the course of -the day, the contest was terminated by the darkness, on the spot where it -began. [FN-1] Few actions have been more remarkable than this, both for -vigor of attack and obstinacy of resistance. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Idem.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Stedman. The loss on the part of the Americans, in killed and - wounded, was between three and four hundred. Among the former were - Colonels Colburn and Adams, and several other valuable officers. The - loss of the British was from six hundred to a thousand, killed, wounded, - and taken.</p> - - -<p>Both armies remained in the same positions until the beginning of -October—each entrenching itself within lines and redoubts, which, in the -most eligible positions, were strengthened with batteries. The engineer -having the direction of the American works at Behmus's Heights, was the -celebrated Polish patriot, Thaddeus Kosciusko, who had also served in the -same capacity at Ticonderoga.</p> - -<p>The action of the 19th of September had again essentially diminished the -strength of Burgoyne, added to which were the great and increasing -difficulties of obtaining supplies, and the perpetual annoyances to which -he was subjected by the American scouts, and still larger detachments, -who were attacking his pickets, hanging upon his flanks, and cutting off -his foraging parties. By the 4th of October his supplies were so far -reduced that the soldiers were placed upon short allowance, and his -position was in other respects becoming so critical, that, hearing nothing -from Sir Henry Clinton, for whose cooperation from New-York he had been -waiting since the battle of the 19th, the idea of advancing was -relinquished, and instead thereof, discussions were held respecting the -practicability of a retreat. This could only be done by first dislodging -the Americans, whose forces, disciplined and undisciplined, now far -out-numbered his own, from their posts on the heights. On the 4th of -October, Burgoyne sent for Generals Phillips, Riedesel, and Frazer, to -consult with them on the best measures to be taken. His project was to -attack and attempt to turn the left wing of the Americans at once; but -the other Generals judged that it would be dangerous to leave their stores -under so feeble a protection as eight hundred men, according to the -proposition of their commander. A second consultation was held on the 5th, -at which General Riedesel positively declared that the situation of the -army had become so critical, that they must either attack and force the -entrenchments of Gates, and thus bring about a favorable change of -affairs, or recross the Hudson, and retreat upon Fort George. Fraser -approved of the latter suggestion, and Phillips declined giving an -opinion. General Burgoyne, to whom the idea of retreating was most -unwelcome, declared that he would make, on the 7th, a reconnaissance as -near as possible to the left wing of the Americans, with a view of -ascertaining whether it could be attacked with any prospect of success. -He would afterward either attack the army of Gates, or retreat by the -route in the rear of Battenkill. This was his final determination, and -dispositions were made accordingly. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Memoirs of Madame the Baroness de Riedesel.</p> - - -<p>Early in the afternoon of the 7th, General Burgoyne drew out fifteen -hundred men for the purpose of making his proposed reconnaissance, which -he headed himself, attended by Generals Phillips, Riedesel, and Frazer. -They advanced in three columns toward the left wing of the American -positions, entered a wheat-field, displayed into line, and then began -cutting up the wheat for forage. The movement having been seasonably -discovered, the centre advanced guard of the Americans beat to arms; the -alarm was repeated throughout the line, and the troops repaired to the -alarm posts. Colonel Wilkinson being at head-quarters at the moment, was -despatched to ascertain the cause of the alarm. He proceeded to within -sixty or seventy rods of the enemy, ascertained their position, and -returned; informing General Gates that they were foraging; attempting also -to reconnoiter the American left, and likewise, in his opinion, offering -battle. After a brief consultation. Gates said he would indulge them; and -Colonel Morgan, whose rifle corps was formed in front of the centre, was -directed "to begin the game." [FN-1] At his own suggestion, however, Morgan -was allowed to gain the enemy's right by a circuitous course, while Poor's -brigade should attack his left. [FN-2] The movement was admirably -executed; the New-York and New Hampshire troops attacked the enemy's front -and left wing with great impetuosity; while, true to his purpose, Morgan, -just at the critical moment, poured down like a torrent from the hill, and -attacked the enemy's right in front and flank. The attack was soon -extended along the whole front of the enemy with great determination. -Major Ackland, at the head of the grenadiers, sustained the attack of -Poor with great firmness. [FN-3] But on his right the light infantry, in -attempting to change front, being pressed with ardor by Colonel Dearborn, -were forced to retire under a close fire, and in great disorder. They were -re-formed by the Earl of Balcarras behind a fence in the rear of their -first position; but, being again attacked with great audacity in front -and flanks by superior numbers, resistance became vain, and the whole -line, commanded by Burgoyne in person, gave way, and made a precipitate -and disorderly retreat to his camp, [FN-4] The right of Burgoyne had given -way first, the retreat of which was covered by the light infantry and a -part of the 24th regiment. The left wing in its retreat would inevitably -have been cut to pieces, but for the intervention of the same troops, -performing in its behalf the same service that, a few moments before, -they had done for the right. This retreat took place in exactly fifty-two -minutes after the first shot was fired—the enemy leaving two twelve and -six six pounders on the field, with the loss of more than four hundred -officers and men, killed, wounded, and captured, and among them the flower -of his officers, viz: General Frazer, Major Ackland,[FN-5] Sir Francis -Cook, and many others.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] General Burgoyne afterward stated to Wilkinson, in conversation, - that his purpose on that day was only to reconnoiter and obtain forage, - and that in half an hour, had his motives not been penetrated by - Wilkinson and he not been attacked, he should have finished his - observations and returned to his camp.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Wilkinson's Memoirs.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Holmes.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Memoirs of General Wilkinson.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Idem. General Wilkinson gives an interesting incident respecting - Major Ackland. While pursuing the flying enemy, passing over killed and - wounded, he heard a voice exclaim—"Protect me, sir, against this boy!" - Turning his head, he saw a lad, thirteen or fourteen years of age, - deliberately aiming at a wounded officer, lying in the angle of a - worm-fence. The purpose of the boy was arrested—the officer proved to - be the brave Ackland who had commanded the grenadiers, and was wounded - in both legs. He was immediately sent to head-quarters. The story of - Major Ackland has been rendered familiar to all, even before escaping - the nursery, by the interesting narrative of Lady Harriet, his wife, who - was with the army, and who, two days after the battle, came to the - American camp, under a flag, to join her husband. The incident, from the - embellishments it received, was touching and romantic. When divested of - its poetry, however, and reduced to the plain matter of fact, according - to the statement of the late General Dearborn, which he authorized - Wilkinson to publish in his memoirs, the affair was not so very - extraordinary that it might not have been enacted by any other pretty - woman under the same circumstances, who loved her husband. Major Ackland - had already been sent down to Albany, when Lady Harriet arrived at the - camp of General Gates. She was treated with all possible courtesy, and - permitted to follow and join him. Major Ackland was a gallant officer - and a generous foe. While in New-York, on his parole, he did all in his - power to favor the treatment of distinguished American prisoners. After - his return to England, he sacrificed his life in defence of American - honor. Having procured a regiment, at a dinner of military men, the - courage of the Americans was questioned. He repelled the imputation with - decision. High words ensued, in the course of which Ackland gave the lie - direct to a subordinate officer named Lloyd. A meeting was the - consequence, in which he was shot through the head. Lady Harriet lost - her senses, and continued deranged two years; after which she married a - gentleman named Brudenell, who had accompanied her from the camp of - Burgoyne, at Saratoga, to that of Gates, in search of her wounded - husband.</p> - - -<p>The British troops had scarcely entered their lines, when the Americans, -led by General Arnold, pressed forward, and, under a tremendous fire of -grape-shot and musketry, assaulted their works throughout their whole -extent from right to left. Toward the close of the day, the enemy's -intrenchments were forced by the left of the Americans, led by Arnold in -person, who, with a few of his men, actually entered the works; but his -horse being killed, and the General himself badly wounded in the leg, -they were forced to retire, and the approach of darkness induced them to -desist from the attack. [FN-1] Meantime, on the left of Arnold's -detachment, the Massachusetts troops, under Colonel Brooks, had been still -more successful—having turned the enemy's right, and carried by storm -the works occupied by the German reserve. Colonel Breyman, their -commander, was killed; and his corps, reduced to two hundred men, and -hotly pressed on all sides, was obliged to give way. This advantage was -retained by the Americans; and darkness put an end to an action equally -brilliant and important to the Continental arms. Great numbers of the -enemy were killed, and two hundred prisoners taken. The loss of the -Americans was inconsiderable. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Subsequent to the battle of the 19th September, and previous to - that now under review, Arnold had had some difficulty with Gates. A sharp - correspondence en sued, in the course of which the former demanded - permission to join the Commander-in-chief in Pennsylvania. The - consequence was, that Arnold found himself without any command on the - 7th. He was exceedingly chafed at his position; but, orders or no orders, - he could not be kept from the field. His conduct was very strange, and - he has been charged by Wilkinson and others with intoxication that day. - Be it so or not, before the action was over, he was in the hottest of it, - and exercising command. He expressed himself foolishly and presumptuously - in front of the German division; and it was without orders that he - collected a few desperate followers, with whom he entered the enemy's - intrenchment, where he received his wound.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Holmes.</p> - - -<p>On the morning of the 8th, before daybreak, the enemy left his position -and defiled into the plain where his provisions were; but was obliged to -halt until the evening, because his hospital could not be sooner -removed. [FN-1] The Americans immediately moved forward, and took -possession of the abandoned camp. Burgoyne having condensed his force upon -some heights which were strong by nature, and covered in front by a ravine -running parallel with the entrenchment of his late camp, a random fire of -artillery and small arms was kept up through the day—particularly on the -part of the enemy's sharpshooters and Provincials, who were stationed in -coverts of the ravine, which rendered their fire annoying to every person -crossing their line of vision. [FN-2] It was by a shot from one of these -lurking parties, that General Lincoln, late in the day, received a severe -wound in the leg while riding near the line.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Memoirs of the Baroness de Riedesel. Of this lady. General - Wilkinson says—"I have more than once seen her charming blue eyes - bedewed with tears at the recital of her sufferings. With two infant - children she accompanied her husband, Major General the Baron de - Riedesel from Germany to England, from England to Canada, and from the - last place to the termination of General Burgoync's campaign, in which - she suffered more than the horrors of the grave in their most frightful - aspect." Her Memoirs were published in Berlin in 1800. They are full of - interest. Some of the distressing scenes which attended the close of - Burgoyne's campaign are so graphically told by the Baroness, and afford - such striking illustrations of the horrors of war, that the author has - ventured to transfer a few pages to the Appendix of the present volume. - See Appendix, No. IX.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Memoirs of General Wilkinson.</p> - - -<p>The gallant Frazer, who had been mortally wounded the day before, died at -8 o'clock on the morning of the 8th. On the evening of his fall, when it -was rendered certain that he could not recover, he sent for General -Burgoyne, and requested that he might be buried at 6 o'clock the following -evening, on the crest of a hill upon which a breastwork had been -constructed. It was a subject of complaint against Burgoyne, that in order -to comply with this request, he delayed his retreat, and thus contributed -to the misfortunes of his army. Be that as it may, the dying soldier's -request was observed to the letter. At the hour appointed the body was -borne to the hill that had been indicated, attended by the Generals and -their retinues; the funeral service was read by the Chaplain; and the -corpse interred, while the balls of the American cannon were flying around -and above the assembled mourners. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Baroness Riedesel, from whose spirited Memoirs the circumstances - of this funeral are drawn, states that General Gates protested afterward - that had he known what was going on, he would have stopped the fire - immediately. It must have been a solemn spectacle, and General Burgoyne - himself described it with his usual eloquence and felicity of - expression:—"The incessant cannonade during the solemnity; the steady - attitude and unaltered voice with which the chaplain officiated, though - frequently covered with dust, which the shot threw up on all sides of - him; the mute but expressive mixture of sensibility and indignation upon - every countenance; these objects will remain to the last of life upon the - mind of every man who was present. The growing duskiness added to the - scenery, and the whole marked a character of that juncture, that would - make one of the finest subjects for the pencil of a master that the - field ever exhibited. To the canvass, and to the faithful page of a more - important historian, gallant friend! I consign thy memory. There may thy - talents, thy manly virtues, their progress and their period, find due - distinction; and long may they survive, long after the frail record of - my pen shall be forgotten!"—<i>State of the Expedition from Canada, &c. - &c.</i> p. 169.</p> - - -<p>It was evident from the movements in the enemy's camp, that he was -preparing to retreat; but the American troops, having in the delirium of -joy consequent upon their victory, neglected to draw and eat their -rations—being withal not a little fatigued with the two days' exertions, -fell back to their camp, which had been left standing in the morning. -Retreat was, indeed, the only alternative remaining to the British -commander, since it was now quite certain that he could not cut his way -through the American army, and his supplies were reduced to a short -allowance for five days. He accordingly commenced his retreat that night, -but lingered by the way; so that on the 10th he was yet near Saratoga, -where he took up a position. During this retreat he ordered the -farm-houses to be burnt by the way, among which was the elegant mansion -of General Schuyler, with its mills and out-buildings. This conduct on -the part of the British commander was viewed as alike disreputable and -unnecessary. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "The cruelties which mark the retreat of your army, in burning the - gentlemen's and farmers' houses as it passed along, are almost, among - civilized nations, without precedent; they should not endeavor to ruin - those they could not conquer; their conduct betrays more of the - vindictive malice of the monk than the generosity of a soldier."—<i>Letter - of Gates to Burgoyne, Oct.</i> 12, 1777.</p> - - -<p>Well knowing that a farther retreat, with a view, if possible, of reaching -his <i>depot</i> at Fort George, and escaping through the lakes, was now the -only movement to which Burgoyne could have recourse to save the shattered -remains of his army, Gates lost no time in throwing several strong -detachments of troops into his rear. A division of fourteen hundred was -stationed on the heights opposite the ford at Saratoga; two thousand in -his rear, to prevent his retreat upon Fort Edward; and fifteen hundred at -a ford yet higher up. Apprehensive that he should be entirely penned up, -Burgoyne sent forward a corps of artificers to repair the bridges; but -these, though strongly guarded, were driven precipitately back. His -thoughts were next directed to the opening of a passage by the way of -Fort Edward; but the Americans had already re-possessed themselves of -that work, and were well provided with artillery. Thus environed with -difficulties, which were increasing; every hour, his effective force -reduced to less than three thousand five hundred men,—the American army -increasing every moment, and now forming an almost entire circle around -him,—harassed at all points, especially by the sharp-shooters who hovered -about him,—Burgoyne was driven to the necessity of entering into a -convention with General Gates, which was done by the unanimous consent of -a general council of his officers. The preliminaries were soon adjusted; -and on the 17th of October, the royal army surrendered prisoners of war. -At the opening of the campaign, the army of Burgoyne numbered nine -thousand two hundred and thirteen men. The number that laid down their -arms, was five thousand seven hundred and fifty-two. His Indian allies -had all, or nearly all, abandoned him several days before.</p> - -<p>On the same day that the articles of capitulation were carried into -effect, Burgoyne, with his general officers, was received in the quarters -of General Gates, and entertained by him at dinner. They were received -with the utmost courtesy, and with the consideration due to brave but -unfortunate men. The conversation was unrestrained, affable, and -free. [FN-1] Indeed, the conduct of Gates throughout, after the terms of -the surrender had been adjusted, was marked with equal delicacy and -magnanimity, as Burgoyne himself admitted in a letter to the Earl of -Derby. In that letter, the captive General particularly mentioned one -circumstance which, he said, exceeded all he had ever seen or read of on -a like occasion. It was the fact, that when the British soldiers had -marched out of their camp to the place where they were to pile their arms, -<i>not a man of the American troops was to be seen</i>—General Gates having -ordered his whole army out of sight, that not one of them should be a -spectator of the humiliation of the British troops, nor offer the smallest -insult to the vanquished. This was a refinement of delicacy, and of -military generosity and politeness, reflecting the highest credit upon -the conqueror; and was spoken of by the officers of Burgoyne in the -strongest terms of approbation. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Memoirs of the Baroness de Riedesel. The first meeting of - Burgoyne with Gates is thus described by Wilkinson:—"General Gates, - advised of Burgoyne's approach, met him at the head of his camp—Burgoyne - in a rich royal uniform, and Gates in a plain blue frock; when they had - approached nearly within sword's length, they reined up and halted. I - then named the gentlemen, and General Burgoyne, raising his hat most - gracefully, said—'The fortune of war. General Gates, has made me your - prisoner;' to which the conqueror, returning a courtly salute, promptly - replied—'I shall always be ready to bear testimony that it has not been - through any fault of your Excellency.'"</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Remembrancer of 1777, pages 482, 83. A letter published in that - repository of the events of the American Revolution, at the same time, - stated that "some few of the New England men desired to have Burgoyne in - their hands for half an hour. Being asked for what purpose, they said - they would do him no manner of harm; they would only tar and feather him, - and make him stand on the head of one of his own empty beef-barrels, and - read his own proclamation."—481, 82. If made at all, the suggestion - must have been merely the sportive sally of a wag.</p> - - -<p>It was, perhaps, no fault of General Gates, that he had been placed in -command at the North just at the auspicious moment when the discomfiture -of Burgoyne was no longer problematical. He was ordered by Congress to -the station, and performed his duty well. But it is no less true that the -laurels won by him ought to have been harvested by Schuyler. General -(then Colonel) Wilkinson, who was not only an active officer in that -campaign, but a member of Gates's own military family, has placed this -question in its true aspect. He maintains that not only had the army of -Burgoyne been essentially disabled by the loss of a heavy detachment, -artillery and baggage, and by the defeat of the Hessians at Bennington, -before the arrival of Gates, but that the repulse of St. Leger at Fort -Schuyler had deranged his plans, while safety had been restored to the -western frontier, and the panic thereby caused to subside. He likewise -maintains that after the reverses at the North, no wise in justice -attributable to him, and before the arrival of Gates, the zeal, -patriotism, and salutary arrangements of General Schuyler had vanquished -the prejudices excited against him; that by the defeat of Baum and St. -Leger, Schuyler had been enabled to concentrate and oppose his whole -Continental force against the main body of the enemy; and that by him, -also before the arrival of Gates, the friends of the Revolution had been -re-animated and excited to manly resistance, while the adherents of the -royal cause were intimidated, and had shrunk into silence and inactivity. -From these premises, which are indisputable, it is no more than a fair -deduction to say, "that the same force which enabled Gates to subdue the -British army, would have produced a similar effect under the orders of -General Schuyler; since the operations of the campaign did not involve a -single instance of professional skill, and the triumph of the American -arms was accomplished by the physical force and valor of the troops, -<span style="font-variant:small-caps">under the protection and direction of the god of battles.</span>" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Wilkinson's Memoirs, vol. i. chap. v.</p> - - -<p>Flushed with his fortuitous success, or rather with the success attending -his fortuitous position, Gates did not wear his honors with any remarkable -meekness. On the contrary, his bearing even toward the Commander-in-chief -was far from respectful. He did not even write to Washington on the -occasion, until after a considerable time had elapsed. In the first -instance Wilkinson was sent as the bearer of despatches to Congress, but -did not reach the seat of that body until fifteen days after the articles -of capitulation had been signed; and three days more were occupied in -arranging his papers before they were presented. [FN-1] The first mention -which Washington makes of the defeat of Burgoyne, is contained in a -letter written to his brother on the 18th of October—the news having -been communicated to him by Governor Clinton. He spoke of the event again -on the 19th, in a letter addressed to General Putnam. On the 25th, in a -letter addressed to that officer, he acknowledges the receipt of a copy -of the articles of capitulation <i>from him</i>—adding, that that was the first -authentic intelligence he had received of the affair, and that he had -begun to grow uneasy, and almost to suspect that the previous accounts -were premature. And it was not until the 2d of November that Gates deigned -to communicate to the Commander-in-chief a word upon the subject, and -then only incidentally, as though it were a matter of secondary -importance. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Sparks. "It was on this occasion that one of the members made a - motion in Congress, that they should compliment Colonel Wilkinson with - the gift of a pair of spurs."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem. All that Gates said upon the subject in the letter referred - to, was comprised in these few words:—"Congress having been requested - immediately to transmit copies of all my despatches to them, I am - confident your Excellency has long ago received all the good news from - this quarter." Two days before this, in a letter directed to Gates, - Washington had administered one of those mild and dignified rebukes so - very like himself. In this letter, written in reference to a special - mission of Colonel Hamilton to the North, the Commander-in-chief - said:—"By this opportunity I do myself the pleasure to congratulate you - on the signal success of the army under your command, in compelling - General Burgoyne and his whole force to surrender themselves prisoners - of war." . . . "At the same time I cannot but regret that a matter of - such magnitude, and so interesting to our general operations, should - have reached me by report only, or through the channel of letters not - bearing that authenticity which the importance of it required, and which - it would have received by a line under your signature, stating the - simple facts."—<i>Lettrs of Washington, vol. v. pages</i> 104, 112, 113, - 124, 125.</p> - - -<p>General Schuyler was in the camp with Gates at the time of the surrender, -though without any personal command; and when Burgoyne, with his general -officers, arrived in Albany, they were the guests of Schuyler, by whom -they wore treated with great hospitality. The Baroness de Riedesel speaks -with great feeling of the kindness she received from General Schuyler on -her first arrival in the camp of General Gates, and afterward at the hands -of Mrs. Schuyler and her daughters in Albany. The urbanity of his manners, -and the chivalric magnanimity of his character, smarting as he was under -the extent and severity of his pecuniary losses, are attested by General -Burgoyne himself, in his speech in 1778, in the British House of Commons. -He there declared that, by his orders, "a very good dwelling-house, -exceeding large store-houses, great saw mills, and other out-buildings, -to the value altogether perhaps of £10,000 sterling," belonging to -General Schuyler, at Saratoga, were destroyed by fire a few days before -the surrender. He said farther, that one of the first persons he saw, -after the convention was signed, was General Schuyler; and when expressing -to him his regret at the event which had happened to his property, General -Schuyler desired him "to think no more of it, and that the occasion -justified it, according to the principles and rules of war. He did more," -said Burgoyne; "he sent an aid-de-camp [FN-1] to conduct me to Albany, in -order, as he expressed it, to procure better quarters than a stranger -might be able to find. That gentleman conducted me to a very elegant -house, and, to my great surprise, presented me to Mrs. Schuyler and her -family. In that house I remained during my whole stay in Albany, with a -table of more than twenty covers for me and my friends, and every other -possible demonstration of hospitality." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The late Colonel Richard Varick, then the military secretary of - Gen. Schuyler.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Parliamentary History, vol. xix. p. 1182—as quoted by Chancellor - Kent in his address before the New-York Historical Society.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chxiii">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Sir Henry Clinton's attempt to co-operate with Burgoyne—Storming of - Forts Clinton and Montgomery—Burning of Æsopus—Review of military - operations elsewhere—Expedition to Peekskill—Of Gov. Tryon to - Danbury—Progress of Sir William Howe in Pennsylvania—Battle of - Brandywine—Massacre of the Paoli—Battle of Germantown—Death of Count - Donop—Murder of Captain Deitz and family at Berne—John Taylor—Lady - Johnson ordered to leave Albany—Exasperation of Sir John—Attempts to - abduct Mr. Taylor—An Indian and white man bribed to assassinate General - Schuyler—Fresh alarms in Tryon County—Address of Congress to the Six - Nations—The appeal produces no effect—Articles of confederation—Close - of the year.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Simultaneously</span> with the events rapidly sketched in the preceding chapter, -an expedition from New-York to the North was undertaken by Sir Henry -Clinton, to which an incidental reference has already been made. The -obvious intention of Sir Henry was to relieve General Burgoyne; [FN] but -it was undertaken at too late a period to render him any assistance; a -fact admitted by Sir Henry himself, who excused the delay by stating that -he could not attempt it sooner without leaving the defences of New-York -too feebly guarded. This expedition consisted of about three thousand men, -convoyed by a fleet under Commodore Hotham, who proceeded up the Hudson -river early in October, and was destined, in the first instance, against -Forts Montgomery and Clinton, near the Southern boundary of the highlands. -These fortresses had been constructed chiefly for the purpose of -preventing the ships of the enemy from ascending the river, and were not -defensible in the rear. They were commanded by Governor Clinton, with the -assistance of General James Clinton, his brother.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter from Washington to General Putnam, Oct. 19, 1777.</p> - - -<p>The troops of the enemy were landed at Stoney Point, twelve miles below -the forts. A small advanced party of the Americans was met and attacked -at about 10 o'clock in the morning of the 6th of October, when within two -and a half miles of the fort. This party was of course driven in, having -returned the enemy's fire. [FN-1] When arrived within a mile of the forts, -Sir Henry divided his troops into two columns; the one, consisting of nine -hundred men under Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, was destined for the attack -on Fort Montgomery; the other, under the immediate command of Sir Henry -Clinton, was to storm the stronger post of Fort Clinton. [FN-2] -Ascertaining that the enemy were advancing to the west side of the -mountain, to attack his rear, Governor Clinton ordered a detachment of -upward of one hundred men, under Col. Lamb, together with a brass -field-piece and fifty men more, to take a strong position in advance. They -were soon sharply engaged, and another detachment of an equal number was -sent to their assistance. They kept their field-piece sharply playing upon -the enemy's advancing column, and were only compelled to give way by the -point of the bayonet—spiking their field-piece before they relinquished -it. In this preliminary encounter the loss of Sir Henry was severe.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter from Governor Clinton to the Committee of Safety, Oct. 7, - 1777.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Holmes.</p> - - -<p>Pressing rapidly onward, both forts were in a few minutes attacked with -vigor upon all sides. The fire was incessant during the afternoon until -about five o'clock, when a flag approaching, Lieutenant Colonel -Livingston was ordered to receive it. The officer was the bearer of a -peremptory summons to surrender, as he alleged, to prevent the effusion -of blood. Nor would he treat, unless upon the basis of a surrender of the -garrison as prisoners of war, in which case he was authorised to assure -them of good usage. The proposition being rejected "with scorn," [FN-1] -in about ten minutes the attack was renewed, and kept up until after dark, -when the enemy forced the American lines and redoubts at both forts, and -the garrisons, determined not to surrender, undertook to fight their way -out. The last attack of the enemy was desperate; but the Americans, -militia as well as regulars, resisted with great spirit, and, favored by -the darkness, many of them escaped. Governor Clinton himself escaped by -leaping a precipice in the dark, and jumping into a boat, in which he was -conveyed away. His brother was wounded and taken prisoner. Of the British -forces, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell and Count Grabouski, a Polish -nobleman, engaged as a volunteer under Sir Henry, were slain. The loss of -the Americans, killed, wounded, and missing, was stated at two hundred -and fifty. The British loss was stated at two hundred, but was believed -to have been much more than that of the Americans. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of Governor Clinton to the Council of Safety, from which - the facts of this affair are chiefly drawn.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "I believe, from the bravery of the garrison of Fort Montgomery, - Sir Henry Clinton purchased victory at no inconsiderable expense. General - Campbell was certainly killed. This they mention in their own official - account, but call him Lieutenant Colonel of the fifty-second regiment. - He was a General on the American establishment, so declared in one of - the orderly books which fell into our hands."—<i>Letter of Washington to - General Putnam.</i> [Sparks corrects the Commander-in-chief upon this - point—believing that General Campbell was another person, who was at - Staten Island at the time in question.]</p> - - -<p>On the 7th, a summons to surrender, signed jointly by Sir Henry Clinton -and Commodore Hotham, was sent to Fort Constitution; [FN-1] but the flag -was fired upon, and returned. To avenge the insult, an attack was -immediately determined upon, but on arriving at the fort on the following -day, there was no enemy to assault—an evacuation having taken place, so -precipitate as to leave considerable booty to the conqueror. [FN-2] Sir -Henry Clinton proceeded no farther, but a strong detachment of his army, -under General Vaughan, pursued the enterprise, with Commodore Hotham, as -far north as Æsopus, [FN-3] destroying several vessels by the way. At -Æsopus Creek there were two small batteries and an armed galley, -mounting, however, in all, but six or seven guns. These were easily -silenced. General Vaughan then effected a landing, marched to the town, -and laid it in ashes. Large quantities of stores had been accumulated at -this place, which were of course destroyed. Disappointed, however, by the -disastrous termination of the campaign of Burgoyne, Sir Henry Clinton -made an expeditious return to the city.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Situated at West Point.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter of Commodore Hotham to Sir William Howe. "The whole number - of cannon taken in the three forts amount to sixty-seven, with a large - quantity of provisions, ammunition, and stores of all kinds."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] The ancient Dutch name of Kingston, the present shire town of the - County of Ulster, N. Y. It was a large and wealthy inland town, built - almost entirely of stone, upon a rich and beautiful plain about three - miles from the river. The naked walls of many of the houses destroyed - by General Vaughan, were standing, unrepaired, until within five or six - years.</p> - - -<p>But the war was this year fruitful in military events in other parts of -the confederation, some of the principal of which may appropriately be -passed in review at this stage of the present chapter. In the month of -March, after the return of the British troops from their bootless -expedition through the Jerseys, to New-York, Colonel Bird was detached -against Peekskill, with five hundred men, for the purpose of destroying -the American stores deposited at that place. General M<sup>c</sup>Dougall, -commanding a small guard at the <i>depôt,</i> on the approach of a force which -he had not the power to resist, set fire to the stores and retreated. A -similar expedition, for the same object, was directed against Danbury -toward the close of April, consisting of two thousand men under the -conduct of Major General Tryon. Landing at Compo Creek, between Norwalk -and Fairfield, the march of Governor Tryon to the point of his destination -was almost unopposed. A large quantity of provisions—beef, pork, and -flour—had been collected by the Americans at that place, which were -guarded only by about one hundred militia and Continental troops. Not -being able to oppose the enemy, Colonel Huntington retired to a -neighboring height, and awaited reinforcements. The town of Danbury and -the stores were burnt on the 26th of April. [FN] During the afternoon and -the following night Generals Wooster, Arnold, and Silliman collected such -militia forces as they could, for the purpose of harassing the retreat of -the enemy the next morning. With three hundred men, Wooster gallantly -attacked his rear at 11 o'clock on the 27th, while Arnold, with five -hundred more, awaited his arrival at Ridgeway. Wooster fell, mortally -wounded, and his troops were obliged to give way. At Ridgeway, Arnold -skirmished with the enemy for about an hour, but could not make a stand, -or prevent them from remaining at that place over night. On the 28th, -the march of the enemy was resumed, as also was the skirmishing by General -Arnold, which was continued until 5 o'clock in the afternoon; when, as -they approached their ships, the Americans charged with intrepidity, but -were repulsed and broken. Embarking immediately, Governor Tryon returned -to New-York, with a loss of one hundred and seventy men. The loss of the -Americans was one hundred. These predatory excursions were retaliated by -the Americans under Colonel Meigs, who made a brilliant expedition against -Sag Harbor, where the enemy had collected a quantity of stores. The guard -was talfen by surprise—the place carried by the bayonet—the stores -destroyed, including twelve transport vessels—and Colonel Meigs -re-crossed the Sound to Guilford without the loss of a man.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The property destroyed consisted of eighteen houses; eight hundred - barrels of pork and beef; eight hundred barrels of flour; two thousand - bushels of grain, and seventeen hundred tents.</p> - - -<p>After the return of the British forces from New Jersey, Sir William Howe -suffered them to remain upon Staten Island until near midsummer, when, as -the reader has seen in a previous chapter, he embarked with sixteen -thousand men, and sailed for the Chesapeake Bay. On the 24th of August -he landed at Elkton, whence, after being joined by Generals Grant and -Knyphausen, he directed his march upon Philadelphia. Anticipating the -design of the British commander, Washington threw himself, with his whole -disposable force, between Sir William and Philadelphia, for the purpose -of intercepting and bringing him to a general engagement. The disastrous -battle of Brandywine was fought on the 11th of September. The loss of the -Americans was three hundred killed and six hundred wounded and taken -prisoners. That of the enemy was about one hundred killed and four hundred -wounded. While General Washington with the main army retreated across the -Schuylkill, General Wayne was left at the Paoli with fifteen hundred men, -for the purpose of gaining and harassing the enemy's rear. But, -notwithstanding the wonted vigilance of this officer, he was surprised in -the course of the night, and routed, by General Gray, who had been -detached for that purpose with two regiments of the enemy's line and a -body of light troops. General Wayne had attempted to conceal himself upon -an elevated piece of woodland, having an opening of a few acres upon -which his troops bivouacked for the night, in perfect security, as was -supposed. The approach of the enemy was so cautious as to take the -Americans completely by surprise. Guided by the light of their fires, the -enemy succeeded in cutting off their outposts and pickets without noise, -and then rushed upon the sleeping camp without firing a gun, and depending -alone upon the bayonet. Three hundred were slain, many of whom were -transfixed with bayonets as they lay sleeping in their tents. But, though -surprised. General Wayne was cool and self-possessed; and, as the enemy -himself acknowledged, "by his prudent dispositions" in the moment of -alarm, succeeded in bringing off the remainder of his troops. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Some twenty years ago, the citizen soldiers of the neighborhood of - the Paoli piously collected the remains of such of the brave men who - were slain on that occasion as could be found, and interred them on the - field of the massacre. A small mound was raised over them, which is - walled in, and surrounded by a plain marble monument—a square block, - with an urn at the top, bearing inscriptions upon each of the sides, in - the following words:—</p> - - <p class="quote"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">First:</span> "Sacred to the memory of the patriots, who, on this spot, fell a - sacrifice to British barbarity, during the struggle for American - Independence, during the night of the 20th of September, 1777."</p> - - <p class="quote"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Second:</span> "Here repose the remains of fifty-three American soldiers, who - were the victims of cold-blooded cruelty in the well-known massacre of - the Paoli, while under the command of Gen. Anthony Wayne, an officer, - whose military conduct, bravery, and humanity, were equally conspicuous - throughout the Revolutionary war."</p> - - <p class="quote"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Third:</span> "The atrocious massacre, which this stone commemorates, was - perpetrated by British troops under the immediate command of Maj. Gen. - Gray."</p> - - <p class="quote"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Fourth:</span> "This memorial in honor of Revolutionary patriotism, was erected - September 20, 1817, by the Republican Artillerists of Chester County, - aided by the contributions of their fellow-citizens."</p> - -<p class="quote"> An annual military parade is held upon this interesting field. The - name—<i>The Paoli</i>—is derived from a celebrated tavern, at two miles - distance, on the Great Lancaster Road, which was established - contemporaneously with the Corsican struggle for independence, and named - in honor of the unfortunate chieftain of that enterprise. It bears the - same name still.—<i>Journal of a Visit to the field of Brandywine, by - the author.</i></p> - - -<p>General Washington had taken post on the Eastern bank of the Schuylkill, -about sixteen miles from Germantown. General Howe marched upon Germantown -with his main army, where he arrived on the 26th of September. On the -27th Lord Cornwallis took possession of Philadelphia without resistance. -On the 4th of October, the battle of Germantown was fought, in which it -was claimed by the enemy that the Americans were defeated, although it -was, in fact, a drawn battle. This action was produced by an attempt of -the Commander-in-chief to effect something by way of surprise. Having -ascertained the situation of the enemy, the Americans marched all night, -and arrived at Germantown at daylight. The enemy was attacked upon two -quarters, in both of which the Americans were successful. Indeed, the -enemy, as it was afterward ascertained, were thrown into such a state of -tumult and disorder, and so panic-stricken, that a retreat to Chester had -been resolved upon. But the morning was so excessively dark and foggy, -that neither the advantages gained by the Americans, nor the confusion -of the enemy, could be perceived. This circumstance, by concealing from -the Americans the true situation of the enemy, obliged the -Commander-in-chief to act with more caution and less expedition than he -could have wished; and, what was still more unfortunate, it served to keep -the different divisions of the Americans in ignorance of each other's -movements, and prevent their acting in concert. It also occasioned them -to mistake one another for the enemy. In this situation, it was considered -unsafe to push too far through a strong village, while enveloped in a haze -so thick as to border upon positive darkness. The consequence was a -retreat, by the Americans at the very instant when victory was declaring -in their favor. The action lasted two hours, and the fighting was -severe—the loss of the Americans being about one hundred men, killed, -wounded, and missing. Among the slain was the brave General Nash, of North -Carolina. Severe, however, as the action was, the enemy were rendered -nothing better by the event; while the result was regarded by Washington -"as rather unfortunate than injurious." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This brief account of the battle of Germantown is drawn from - Washington's letters to the President of Congress, his brother, and - Governor Trumbull. General Washington attributed the successes of Sir - William Howe in Pennsylvania, and his own consequent disasters, to the - apathy and disaffection of the people of that State. In one of his - letters upon the subject, he says:—"The Northern army, before the - surrender of General Burgoyne, was reinforced by upward of twelve hundred - militia, who shut the only door by which Burgoyne could retreat, and cut - off all his supplies. How different our case! The disaffection of a great - part of the inhabitants of this State, the languor of others, and the - internal distraction of the whole, have been among the great and - insuperable difficulties which I have met with, and have contributed not - a little to my embarrassments this campaign."—<i>Letter of Washington to - Landon Carter, Oct.</i> 27, 1777. Many other letters from the - Commander-in-chief, written during the winter and spring of 1778, - complain of the conduct of the people of Pennsylvania, in supplying the - enemy in Philadelphia with provisions—particularly from Bucks County. - In a letter to Maj. General Armstrong, of that State, dated at Valley - Forge, March 27th, he says:—"The situation of matters in this State is - melancholy and alarming. We have daily proof that a majority of the - people in this quarter are only restrained from supplying the enemy with - horses and every kind of necessary, through fear of punishment; and, - although I have made a number of severe examples, I cannot put a stop to - the intercourse."</p> - - -<p>But all the advantages thus gained by the enemy, had been more than -counterbalanced by the reverses of St. Leger, and the nearly simultaneous -capture of Burgoyne and his well-appointed army at the North. Another -circumstance, gratifying to the friends of the American arms, was the -repulse of Count Donop, at Red Bank. The Count, a brave and experienced -officer, fell, mortally wounded; and about 400 of his troops were -killed. [FN] The laurels won by Colonel Christopher Greene, the American -commander, on that occasion, were not the less creditably worn because -of the necessity which compelled him subsequently to abandon the post, -on the approach of Cornwallis with a greatly superior force.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Count Donop died of his wounds three days after the action, at a - house near the fort. A short time before his death, he said to Monsieur - Duplessis, a French officer who constantly attended him in his illness, - "It is finishing a noble career early. I die the victim of my ambition, - and of the avarice of my sovereign."—<i>Travels of the Marquis - Chastellux.</i></p> - - -<p>But neither the fall of Burgoyne, nor the flight of St. Leger, relieved -the border settlements beyond Albany from their apprehensions. Though in -less danger of a sweeping invasion, yet the scouts and scalping parties -of the Tories and Indians were continually hovering upon their outskirts; -and so crafty were the foe, and so stealthy their movements, that no -neighborhood, not even the most populous villages, felt themselves secure -from those sudden and bloody irruptions which mark the annals of Indian -warfare. Very soon after the capture of Burgoyne, there was an occurrence -in the neighborhood of Albany, of a highly painful description. Previous -to the commencement of the war, a militia company had been organized in -the town of Berne, comprising eighty-five men, commanded by Captain Ball. -On the breaking out of hostilities, the Captain, with sixty-three of his -men, went over to the enemy. Thus deserted by their leader, the command -of the residue of the company devolved upon the ensign, Peter Deitz. -These all embraced the cause of the country, and for the safety of their -settlement threw up a little picketed fort, at a place now called the -Beaver Dam. Deitz was soon afterward commissioned a captain, and his -brother, William Deitz, his lieutenant. On the approach of Burgoyne they -marched to Saratoga, and joined the army of Gates. Here the Captain was -killed by the accidental discharge of the gun of one of his own men. -William Deitz immediately succeeded to the vacancy; and rendered such -good service in the campaign as specially to incur the vengeance of the -Tories and Indians. Availing themselves of an early opportunity to glut -their hate, a party of them stole into the settlement of Berne, where they -surprised and made prisoner of the Captain in his own house. They next -brought him forth into the court, bound him to the gate-post, and then -successively brought out his father and mother, his wife and children, and -deliberately murdered them all before his eyes! The Captain was himself -carried a prisoner to Niagara, where he ultimately fell a sacrifice to -their cruelty. [FN-1] An instance of more cool and fiend-like barbarity -does not occur in the annals of this extraordinary contest. It was only -equaled by the conduct of the Tories afterward at Wyoming, and transcended -by the refinement of cruelty practised by a French officer, during one of -the earlier wars of the Indians, upon an unhappy prisoner among the remote -tribe of the Dionondadies, as related by La Potherie. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Albany Monthly Magazine, conducted by the late Horatio G. - Spafford, 1815.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Vide Colden's Canada, and Smith's History of New-York.</p> - - -<p>Other incidents occurred at Albany and in its neighborhood, at about the -same period, which are deemed worthy of note. At the time of Sir John -Johnson's flight from Johnstown, his lady had remained behind, and was -removed immediately, or soon afterward, to Albany. It was in this year -that Mr. John Taylor, [FN] after having performed several important -confidential services under the direction of General Schuyler, was -appointed a member of the Albany Council of Safety. He was a man of great -shrewdness and sagacity, deliberate in the formation of his purposes, and -resolute in their execution when matured. The Whigs of Albany were greatly -annoyed during the whole contest by the loyalists resident among them; -many of whom, it was discovered from time to time, must have been in -correspondence with the enemy. The duties of the Council of Safety were -consequently the more arduous, requiring sleepless vigilance and unwearied -activity; together with firmness and energy in some cases, and great -delicacy in others. A watchful though general surveillance was necessarily -enforced over the community at large, while an eye of closer scrutiny was -kept upon the character and conduct of great numbers of individuals -composing that community. Mr. Taylor was in every respect equal to the -station, and was singularly fortunate both in detecting and defeating the -evil machinations of the adherents of the Crown.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The gentleman here referred to was much in the civil service, and - occasionally as a volunteer in the military, during the war of the - Revolution, and was almost constantly in public life, afterward in the - councils of the State, until within a few years of his death. He was - nine years Lieutenant-Governor, and for a time the acting Governor of - the State; to which station he was first chosen in 1813. His life was - rather useful than brilliant; but he was a sound patriot, and died the - death of a Christian in 1829—aged 87.</p> - - -<p>Among his early discoveries was the important circumstance that Lady -Johnson was in active and frequent correspondence with her husband, and -that the facilities derived from confidential agents and her powerful -connexions, enabled her to keep the enemy on either side—in New-York and -Canada—correctly advised, not only of the movements and designs of each -other; but likewise of the situation of American affairs. Under these -circumstances Mr. Taylor proposed a resolution to the Council, directing -her removal forthwith from that part of the country. The proposition was -received with disfavor, and encountered much opposition in the Council. -Some of the members seemed to lack the firmness necessary to adopt such -a resolution, anticipating the resentment and probable vengeance of the -Baronet, on hearing that his lady had been treated with any thing -bordering upon harshness; while others, probably, thought the precaution -either would be useless, or that it was scarce worth while thus to wage -war upon a woman. Convinced, however, of the danger of her longer presence -in that section of the country, Mr. Taylor urged her removal so -strenuously as at length to prevail; taking upon himself the execution of -the order.</p> - -<p>Sir John, greatly exasperated at the measure, availed himself of a flag -to admonish the mover of the resolution, that should the chances of war -throw that gentleman into his possession, he should be instantly delivered -over to the fury of the savages. The reply of the Councilor was -characteristic of the man:—"If Mr. Taylor should be so fortunate as to -have Sir John Johnson in his power, he should most assuredly be treated -as a gentleman." Several attempts were subsequently made by the enemy, -probably under the direction of Sir John, to make a captive of that -gentleman. It being his custom to ride frequently on horseback for -exercise, and often on the road leading toward Schenectady, in company, -generally, with his intimate friend through life, Major Popham, who was -then in the military family of General James Clinton, a small scout of -Indians, under the direction of Captain Brant, was on one occasion planted -in ambush upon that road, at a point where it was supposed he would be -sure to pass. Providentially, however, and for reasons never explained, -and perhaps not known to themselves, on the morning referred to the -friends shortened their ride, and wheeled about without passing the -ambuscade, though approaching it within striking distance. One of the -Indians, afterward taken prisoner, stated that Mr. Taylor might easily -have been shot, but that their orders were to take him alive.</p> - -<p>Another, and a yet bolder scheme was subsequently adopted to effect the -capture of the sagacious Committee-man, for which purpose a party of the -enemy were actually introduced not only into the city of Albany, but into -the loft of Mr. Taylor's own stable, standing in the rear of his house -and upon the margin of the river. In order, moreover, to facilitate their -flight with the intended captive, a canoe had been procured and moored at -the water's edge. Their design was to enter the house in the night, and -seize and bear him silently away. One of the servants happening to step -into the yard after the family had retired to rest, the lurking foes -thought the time for a rush had arrived. But in their preparations to -spring forward they alarmed the servant too soon, and he was enabled to -get back into the house, bolt the door, and give timely warning. The -insidious purpose was of course frustrated. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The facts in this statement respecting Lady Johnson and Mr. Taylor, - have been derived from an extended biographical sketch of the latter, - written by his surviving friend, the venerable Major William Popham, and - also from a letter addressed to the author by General John T. Cooper.</p> - - -<p>Nor were these the only hostile attempts directed, at about the same -period, against individuals at Albany; General Schuyler was again selected -for a victim even of assassination. Smarting under their disappointment -in the overthrow of Burgoyne, to which discomfiture the energy and efforts -of Schuyler had so essentially contributed, a conspiracy was formed either -to capture or destroy him. For this purpose the Tories corrupted a white -man, who had been patronised by the General, and who was even then in his -employment, to do the foul deed, and also one of the friendly Indians, -whose clan had for years been in the habit of hunting upon his premises -in Saratoga, during the fishing season at Fish Creek, which ran through -his farm, and in which immense quantities of fish were then taken. [FN-1] -To effect their object, the two assassins took their station under a -covert, in a valley about half a mile from the General's premises, and -by which they had previously ascertained he was shortly to pass. They -soon descried his approach on horseback. As he advanced, they took -deliberate aim; when, with a sudden movement, the Indian struck up his -associate's gun with the exclamation—"<i>I cannot kill him; I have eaten -his bread too often!</i>" [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The herring fishery was considerable at Fish Creek at the period - referred to. The Indians took them in large quantities—dried and pounded - them into powder which they mixed with corn-meal, and packed away in - boxes made of bark, for future consumption.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Facts communicated to the author by Mrs. James Cochran of Oswego.</p> - - -<p>Early in the Autumn, the inhabitants of Unadilla and the contiguous -settlements in that direction, were again imploring the commander of Fort -Schuyler for a detachment of troops to protect them from another -expedition, which, the Oneidas had informed them, Colonels Johnson and -Butler were getting on foot at Oswego. The project, according to the news -obtained from the Oneidas, contemplated a simultaneous descent of the -Tories and Indians upon five different points, comprehending all the -principal settlements west of Schenectady. These unpleasant tidings were -in some degree confirmed, by the discovery of a large scouting party of -the enemy on the Sacondaga, at the north of Johnstown.</p> - -<p>The alarm was increased, toward the close of October, by the arrival of -an express at the Canajoharie Castle, announcing that within a few days -Sir John Johnson would return to Oswego, with six hundred regular troops -and a large body of Indians. It was stated that Sir John had succeeded -in raising twenty-two Indian nations in arms against the Colonists. They -were about sending a belt to the Oneidas, and in the event of their -refusal to take up the hatchet with their brethren in behalf of the King, -they were themselves to be attacked as the first measure of the invasion. -These facts were immediately communicated to General Schuyler by a letter -dated October 25th, announcing also the flight, to the ranks of Sir John -Johnson, of Hon-Yost Schuyler, and twelve or fourteen of his neighbors at -Fall Hill and in that vicinity, as heretofore stated. The letter contained -a strong appeal for an additional force to defend the valley—with an -assurance, that in the event of receiving no farther means of security, -the greater part of the inhabitants had become so discouraged that they -would probably lay down their arms; [FN] in other words, throw themselves -upon the protection of the King.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. letter to General Schuyler—Secretary's office, Albany.</p> - - -<p>But, after all the alarm, nothing very serious resulted from these -threatening indications during the residue of the year 1777. Still the -Congress was unwilling that the year should close without making one more -effort to win back the Six Nations from the British service, at least to -a state of neutrality, if nothing more. With this view, on the 3d of -December the following address to the Indians of those Nations was -reported by the Committee on Indian affairs, and adopted. It is inserted -at length in this order, on account of its eloquence, and its surpassing -excellence among the documents connected with the Indian diplomacy of the -republic:—</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Address of the Congress to the Six Nations.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors:</span> The great council of the United States -call now for your attention. Open your ears that you may hear, and your -hearts that you may understand.</p> - -<p>"When the people on the other side of the great water, without any cause, -sought our destruction, and sent over their ships and their warriors to -fight against us, and to take away our possessions, you might reasonably -have expected us to ask for your assistance. If we are enslaved, you -cannot be free. For our strength is greater than yours. If they would not -spare their own brothers of the same flesh and blood, would they spare -you? If they burn our houses and ravage our lands, could yours be secure?</p> - -<p>"But, <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span> we acted on very different principles. Far from desiring -you to hazard your lives in our quarrel, we advised you to remain still -in ease and at peace. We even entreated you to remain neuter; and under -the shade of your trees and by the side of your streams, to smoke your -pipe in safety and contentment. Though pressed by our enemies, and when -their ships obstructed our supplies of arms and powder and clothing, we -were not unmindful of your wants. Of what was necessary for our own use, -we cheerfully spared you a part. More we should have done, had it been -in our power.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, Cayugas, Senecas, Tuscaroras, and Mohawks:</span> Open your ears and -hear our complaints. Why have you listened to the voice of our enemies? -Why have you suffered Sir John Johnson and Butler to mislead you? Why have -you assisted General St. Leger and his warriors from the other side of -the great water, by giving them a free passage through your country to -annoy us; which both you and we solemnly promised should not be defiled -with blood? Why have you suffered so many of your nations to join them in -their cruel purpose? Is this a suitable return for our love and kindness, -or did you suspect that we were too weak or too cowardly to defend our -country, and join our enemies that you might come in for a share of the -plunder? What has been gained by this unprovoked treachery? What but shame -and disgrace! Your foolish warriors and their new allies have been -defeated and driven back in every quarter; and many of them justly paid -the price of their rashness with their lives. Sorry are we to find that -our ancient chain of union, heretofore so strong and bright, should be -broken by such poor and weak instruments as Sir John Johnson and Butler, -who dare not show their faces among their countrymen; and by St. Leger, -a stranger whom you never knew! What has become of the spirit, the wisdom, -and the justice of your nations? Is it possible that you should barter -away your ancient glory, and break through the most solemn treaties, for -a few blankets or a little rum or powder? That trifles such as these -should prove any temptation to you to cut down the strong tree of -friendship, by our common ancestors planted in the deep bowels of the -earth at Onondaga, your central council-fire? That tree which has been -watered and nourished by their children until the branches had almost -reached the skies! As well might we have expected that the mole should -overturn the vast mountains of the Allegheny, or that the birds of the -air should drink up the waters of Ontario!</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, Cayugas, Senecas, Onondagas, and Mohawks:</span> Look into your -hearts, and be attentive. Much are you to blame, and greatly have you -wronged us. Be wise in time. Be sorry and mend your faults. The great -council, though the blood of our friends, who fell by your tomahawks at -the German Flats, cries aloud against you, will yet be patient. We do not -desire to destroy you. Long have we been at peace; and it is still our -wish to bury the hatchet, and wipe away the blood which some of you have -so unjustly shed. Till time should be no more, we wish to smoke with you -the calumet of friendship around your central fire at Onondaga. But, -Brothers, mark well what we now tell you. Let it sink deep as the bottom -of the sea, and never be forgotten by you or your children. If ever again -you take up the hatchet to strike us—if you join our enemies in battle -or council—if you give them intelligence, or encourage or permit them to -pass through your country to molest or hurt any of our people—we shall -look on you as our enemies, and treat you as the worst of enemies, who, -under a cloak of friendship, cover your bad designs, and like the -concealed adder, only wait for an opportunity to wound us when we are -most unprepared.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Believe us who never deceive. If, after all our good counsel -and all our care to prevent it, we must take up the hatchet, the blood to -be shed will lie heavy on your heads. The hand of the thirteen United -States is not short. It will reach to the farthest extent of the country -of the Six Nations; and while we have right on our side, the good Spirit, -whom we serve, will enable us to punish you, and put it out of your power -to do us farther mischief.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, Oneidas and Tuscaroras:</span> Hearken to what we have to say to you -in particular. It rejoices our hearts that we have no reason to reproach -you in common with the rest of the Six Nations. We have experienced your -love, strong as the oak, and your fidelity, unchangeable as truth. You -have kept fast hold of the ancient covenant chain, and preserved it free -from rust and decay, and bright as silver. Like brave men, for glory you -despised danger; you stood forth in the cause of your friends, and -ventured your lives in our battles. While the sun and moon continue to -give light to the world, we shall love and respect you. As our trusty -friends, we shall protect you, and shall at all times consider your -welfare as our own.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the Six Nations:</span> Open your ears and listen attentively. It -is long ago that we explained to you our quarrel with the people on the -other side of the great water. Remember that our cause is just; you and -your forefathers have long seen us allied to those people in friendship. -By our labor and industry they flourished like the trees of the forest, -and became exceedingly rich and proud. At length nothing would satisfy -them, unless, like slaves, we would give them the power over our whole -substance. Because we would not yield to such shameful bondage, they took -up the hatchet. You have seen them covering our coasts with their ships, -and a part of our country with their warriors; but you have not seen us -dismayed; on the contrary, you know that we have stood firm like rocks, -and fought like men who deserved to be free. You know that we have -defeated St. Leger, and conquered Burgoyne and all their warriors. Our -chief men and our warriors are now fighting against the rest of our -enemies, and we trust that the Great Spirit will soon put them in our -power, or enable us to drive them all far beyond the great waters.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Believe us that they feel their own weakness, and that they -are unable to subdue the thirteen United States. Else why have they not -left our Indian brethren in peace, as they first promised and we wished -to have done? Why have they endeavored, by cunning speeches, by falsehood -and misrepresentations, by strong drink and presents, to embitter the -minds and darken the understandings of all our Indian friends on this -great continent, from the North to the South, and to engage them to take -up the hatchet against us without any provocation? The Cherokees, like -some of you, were prevailed upon to strike our people. We carried the war -into their country, and fought them. They saw their error, they repented, -and we forgave them. The United States are kind and merciful, and wish -for peace with all the world. We have, therefore, renewed our ancient -covenant chain with their nation.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> The Shawanese and Delawares give us daily proofs of their good -disposition and their attachment to us, and are ready to assist us against -all our enemies. The Chickasaws are among the number of our faithful -friends. And the Choctaws, though remote from us, have refused to listen -to the persuasions of our enemies, rejected all their offers of -corruption, and continue peaceable. The Creeks are also our steady -friends. Oboylaco, their great chief, and the rest of their sachems and -warriors, as the strongest mark of their sincere friendship, have -presented the great council with an eagle's tail and rattle trap. They -have desired that these tokens might be shown to the Six Nations and their -allies, to convince them that the Creeks are at peace with the United -States. We have therefore directed our commissioners to deliver them into -your hands. Let them be seen by all the nations in your alliance, and -preserved in your central council house at Onondaga.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, Sachems and Warriors of the Six Nations:</span> Hearken to our -counsel. Let us who are born on the same great continent, love one -another. Our interest is the same, and we ought to be one people, always -ready to assist and serve each other. What are the people who belong to -the other side of the great waters to either of us? They never come here -for our sakes, but to gratify their own pride and avarice. Their business -now is to kill and destroy our inhabitants, to lay waste our houses and -farms. The day, we trust, will soon arrive, when we shall be rid of them -forever. Now is the time to hasten and secure this happy event. Let us -then, from this moment, join hand and heart in the defence of our common -country. Let us rise as one man, and drive away our cruel oppressors. -Henceforward let none be able to separate us. If any of our people injure -you, acquaint us of it and you may depend upon full satisfaction. If any -of yours hurt us, be you ready to repair the wrong or punish the -aggressor. Above all, shut your ears against liars and deceivers, who, -like false meteors, strive to lead you astray, and to set us at variance. -Believe no evil of us till you have taken pains to discover the truth. Our -council-fire always burns clear and bright in Pennsylvania. Our -commissioners and agents are near your country. We shall not be blinded -by false reports or false appearances.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> What may be farther necessary at this time for our common good -you will learn from our commissioners, who sit round our council-fire at -Albany. Hear what they say, and treasure it up in your hearts. Farewell."</p> - -<p>This appeal produced no effect. It was one of the misfortunes incident to -the poverty of the country at that crisis, that Congress was unable to -conciliate the friendship of the Indians, by such a liberal dispensation -of presents as they had been in the habit of receiving from the -superintendents of the crown, and as they were yet enabled to receive -from the British government at or by the way of Montreal. Thayendanegea, -early in the preceding year, had taunted General Herkimer, at Unadilla, -with the poverty of the Continental government, which, he said, was not -able to give the Indians a blanket. The fact was but too true; and the -officers of the crown were not slow in availing themselves of it, not -only by appeals to their cupidity, but by a more lavish bestowment of -presents than ever. Thus Guy Johnson, in one of his speeches to the Six -Nations at the West, put the significant questions to them: "Are they," -(the rebels, as he probably called them) "able to give you any thing more -than a piece of bread and a glass of rum? Are you willing to go with them, -and suffer them to make horses and oxen of you, to put you to the -wheelbarrows, and to bring us all into slavery?" While, therefore, the -Americans were unable to furnish the Indians with those necessaries of -life, for a supply of which they had become accustomed to rely upon the -white man, they found an abundance of stores at Montreal, wide open at -their approach. And under these circumstances, with the single exceptions -of the Oneidas, and the feeble band of the Tuscaroras, all the efforts of -Congress to conciliate their friendship, or even to persuade them to -neutrality, proved unavailing.</p> - -<p>Thus ended the military operations of the year 1777. At the close of the -Pennsylvania campaign, the British army went into winter quarters in -Philadelphia, and the American at Valley Forge. On the 15th day of -November, what are now called the <i>old</i> "Articles of Confederation and -Perpetual Union," between the thirteen Colonies, were adopted by Congress; -and on the 22d of the same month, it was resolved that all proposals for -a treaty between the United States and Great Britain, inconsistent with -the independence of the former, should be rejected. It was likewise -farther resolved, that no conference should be held with any commissioners -on the part of Great Britain, unless, as a measure preliminary, the fleets -and armies of that power were withdrawn.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chxiv">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Treaty of alliance with France—Policy of France—Incidents of the - Winter—Projected expedition against St. Johns—Lafayette appointed to - the command of the North—Failure of the enterprise for lack of - means—Disappointment and chagrin of Lafayette—Unpleasant indications - respecting the Western Indians—Indian council at Johnstown—Attended - by Lafayette—Its proceedings—And result—Reward offered for Major - Carleton—Letter of Lafayette—He retires from the Northern - Department—Return of the loyalists for their families—Unopposed—Their - aggressions—Prisoners carried into Canada—Their fate—Re-appearance - of Brant at Oghkwaga and Unadilla—Anecdote of Brant—Comparative - cruelty of the Tories and Indians—Murder of a family—Exposed situation - of the people—Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean—Sends a challenge to Brant—Burning of - Springfield—First battle in Schoharie.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The</span> opening of the year 1778 was marked by an event that diffused -universal joy among the people. It had been rightly judged by American -statesmen, that, smarting under the loss which France had experienced by -the war ending in 1763, of her broad North American possessions, the -government of that country would be nothing loath to aid in the infliction -of a like dismemberment of territory upon Great Britain. With a view, -therefore, of cultivating friendly relations with France, and deriving -assistance from her if possible, Commissioners had been despatched to the -Court of Versailles, in 1776, with the plan of a treaty of amity and -commerce to be submitted to that government. Still, more than a year had -elapsed, during which the Commissioners [FN-1] had been exerting -themselves to the utmost, to obtain a recognition of the Independence of -the United States without success. It was evident that France looked upon -the revolt of the American Colonies with secret satisfaction; but she had -been so much weakened by the former contest, that time was needed for -repose and recovery of her strength. Hence, from the arrival of the -Commissioners in the French capital, in December 1776, to the close of -1777, they had been living upon "hope deferred." It is true that the -Americans received great assistance from the French, in supplies of arms -and ammunition; and although not openly allowed, yet means were found by -the American privateers, secretly to dispose of their prizes in French -ports. Still, the government was lavish in its professions of friendship -for England, even though confidentially giving the Americans strong -assurances of sympathy and ultimate assistance. The untoward result of -Burgoyne's campaign, intelligence of which was received in Paris early in -December, was the opportune means of ending this vacillating policy on the -part of the Court of Versailles. The feelings of the French people toward -England could no longer be disguised; since the news occasioned as much -general joy as though the victory had been achieved by their own arms. -[FN-2] The consequence was, that, on the 6th of February, the French -government entered into treaties of amity, commerce, and alliance, with -the United States, on principles of the most perfect reciprocity and -equality. The French cabinet clearly foresaw that this measure would soon -produce a war between themselves and England, and acted in the expectation -of such a consequence. Indeed, M. Girard, one of the French Secretaries -of State, in his conferences with the American Commissioners, had the -frankness to avow that they were not acting wholly for the sake of the -United States, but because they thought the moment a favorable one for -humbling their haughty rival, by aiding in the dismemberment of her -empire. Hence the King had not only determined to acknowledge the -Independence of the United States, but to support it—without the -expectation of compensation. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The Commissioners were, Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur - Lee. Mr. Jefferson had been originally designated as one of the - Commissioners; but, declining the appointment, Mr. Lee was selected in - his stead.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter of the Commissioners.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Marshall.</p> - - -<p>The news of the treaty with France was not received in the United States -until late in the Spring. [FN-1] Meantime other circumstances occurred -during the Winter, in the Northern part of New-York, deserving of note in -the present narrative. First among these, was the notable project of -General Gates for a second descent, in mid-winter, upon Canada. In -November following the defeat of Burgoyne, on the reorganization of the -Board of War, Gates, in the first flush of his popularity, was placed at -its head as president. He had not been long at Yorktown, [FN-2] where -Congress was then in session, before he conceived the project of directing -an irruption into Canada across the ice upon Lake Champlain, for the -purpose of destroying the stores and shipping of the enemy at St. Johns; -and, possibly, of striking a sudden blow upon Montreal. It was -subsequently but too well ascertained that the condition of the Northern -army, with which Gates certainly ought to have been acquainted, was by no -means such as to warrant the undertaking of any offensive enterprise. -Still the victorious commander of the North had the address to obtain a -vote of Congress directing the expedition, [FN-3] the conduct of which was -entrusted to the Marquis de Lafayette. This gallant young nobleman had -been burning with a desire to distinguish himself in a separate command, -and this project opened to him the prospect of realizing the object -dearest to his heart.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The event was commemorated in the American camp, on the 7th of - May, in a style corresponding with its importance—a general order for - the celebration having been issued by the Commander-in-chief. It began - as follows:—"It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the Universe to - defend the cause of the United American States, and finally to raise us - up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish our - liberty and independency upon a lasting foundation; it becomes us to get - apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the divine goodness, and - celebrating the important event, which we owe to his divine - interposition." The pageant was strictly military, and is described by - the letters of that day as exceedingly brilliant. The joy manifested was - unfeigned and unspeakable. The Commander-in-chief dined in public with - all the officers of his army. "When his Excellency took his leave, there - was a universal clap, with loud huzzas, which continued until he had - proceeded a quarter of a mile, during which time there were a thousand - hats tossed in the air. His Excellency turned round with his retinue, - and huzzaed several times."—<i>Letter of an officer.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] York, in Pennsylvania.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Journals of Congress, vol. iv. p. 48.</p> - - -<p>But, neither in the inception nor in the maturing of the enterprise, had -the Commander-in-chief been consulted; and the first knowledge he -possessed of the project was derived from a letter from General Gates, - inclosing another to the Marquis, informing him of his appointment to -the command. [FN] The disrespect to the Commander-in-chief, to whom the -youthful soldier was bound by the strongest ties of friendship and -respect, was so manifest, that the Marquis at first hesitated in -accepting the command. Nor was his reluctance lessened by the suspicious -circumstance that General Conway, the base instrument of the Gates -faction in the conspiracy against Washington, had been assigned as his -second in command. Soaring above all selfish considerations, however, -Washington advised the Marquis to accept the trust confided to him by -Congress. Lafayette, therefore, repaired from the camp at Valley Forge to -York town, to be more particularly advised as to the object and the -details of the enterprise. The plan of organizing a light but efficient -force, to make a sudden dash upon St. Johns, and destroy the flotilla -which gave the enemy the command of Lake Champlain, and to inflict such -farther injury as might be effected in a rapid campaign, was fully -unfolded to him. Ample supplies of men and means were promised by Gates; -and, after securing the services of the Baron de Kalb to the -expedition—an officer older in rank than Conway, who would necessarily -be his second in command—the Marquis accepted the appointment.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "I am much obliged by your polite request of my opinion and advice - on the expedition to Canada and other occasions. In the present instance, - as I neither know the extent of the objects in view, nor the means to be - employed to effect them, it is not in my power to pass any judgment upon - the subject. I can only sincerely wish that success may attend it both - as it may advance the public good, and on account of the personal honor - of the Marquis de Lafayette, for whom I have a very particular esteem - and regard."—[<i>Letter of Washington to Gates, Jan.</i> 27, 1778.] "I shall - say no more of the Canada expedition, than that it is at an end. I never - was made acquainted with a single circumstance relating to it."—<i>Letter - of Washington to General Armstrong, of Pennsylvania.</i></p> - - -<p>Full of high hopes, a brilliant enterprise before him, and panting for an -opportunity to signalize himself in a separate command, the Marquis -pushed forward to Albany, amid all the rigors of winter, to enter at once -upon the service, and apparently with as much confidence as though he had -achieved the exploit. Sad, however, was his disappointment at the posture -of affairs on his arrival at Albany. Conway, who had arrived there three -days before him, at once assured him that the expedition was quite -impossible. Such, likewise, was the opinion of Generals Schuyler, Lincoln, -and Arnold, the latter two of whom were detained at Albany by the -unhealed wounds received upon the fields of Saratoga. Indeed, he was not -long in ascertaining, from the quarter-master, commissary, and -clothier-generals, that there was a lamentable deficiency of almost every -necessary of which he had been led to expect an abundant supply. The -number of troops was altogether inadequate. Three thousand effective men -were believed to be the smallest force that would suffice, and that number -was promised. But scarcely twelve hundred could be mustered fit for duty, -and the greater part of these were too naked even for a Summer -campaign. [FN-1] Their pay was greatly in arrear; and officers and men were -alike indisposed to the service. [FN-2] Originally it had been intended to -confide the proposed expedition to General Stark, whose prowess at the -battle of Bennington had rendered him exceedingly popular with the -people; and it was supposed that he could at once bring into the field a -sufficient number of his mountaineers to strike the blow with -success. [FN-3] Stark was invited to Albany, and James Duane was sent -thither from Congress to confer with him upon the subject. But the -inducement offered by Congress being in the form of a bounty, contingent -only upon success, was thought not sufficient; and when a representation -of the circumstances was made by Mr. Duane to that body, the scheme was -changed and enlarged, at the suggestion of General Gates, according to -the plan which the Marquis was to execute.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of Lafayette to General Washington, dated Albany, Feb. - 13, 1778.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] On the 19th of February James Duane wrote to Governor Clinton - respecting the impracticability of the enterprise, since the Marquis - could find neither the troops nor the preparations. In the course of his - letter, Mr. Duane said of the Marquis:—"His zeal for this country, of - which he has given marks even to enthusiasm, and his ardent desire of - glory, lead him to wish the expedition practicable; but he is too - considerate to pursue it rashly, or without probable grounds of a - successful issue. I must mention to your Excellency a circumstance which - shows the liberality of his disposition. He determined, on his entering - into Canada, to supply his army through his own private bills on France - to the amount of five or six thousand guineas, and to present that sum - to Congress as a proof of his love to America and the rights of human - nature."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] "I was to find General Stark with a large body, and indeed - General Gates told me '<i>General Stark will have burned the fleet before - your arrival.</i>' Well, the first letter I receive in Albany is from - General Stark, who wishes to know 'what number of men, from where, for - what time, and for what rendezvous, I desire him to raise.'"—<i>Letter - from Lafayette to Washington.</i></p> - - -<p>Having attentively examined the situation of affairs, and the means -within his control, and consulted with the several able captains at -Albany, the young soldier saw with inexpressible chagrin that the -obstacles were insuperable. In the language of another, amounting to a -bitter satire, whether thus intended or not—"the Generals only were got -in readiness;" [FN-1] and the gallant Marquis was compelled to relinquish -the enterprise, without even the poor privilege of making an attempt. He -certainly had great reason, not only for vexation, but disgust—advised, -as he had been, to announce to his court the degree of confidence reposed -in him by Congress, in thus confiding to him a separate command of such -importance—not, of course, suspecting, for a moment, that General Gates -could have been so ignorant of the actual situation of the department -from which he had been so recently transferred. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Marshall.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The history of this abortive project has been drawn chiefly from - a long MS. letter from James Duane to Governor Clinton, in the author's - possession. On his way to Albany, the Marquis visited Mr. Duane, and was - accompanied by him thither.</p> - - -<p>The Marquis wrote to his greatest and best friend, the Commander-in-chief, -upon the subject of what he called his "distressing and ridiculous -situation," in the bitterness of his spirit. "I am sent," said he, "with -a great noise, at the head of an army, to do great things. The whole -continent, France, and, what is the worst, the British army, will be in -expectation. How far they will be deceived, how far we shall be ridiculed, -you may judge by the candid account you have got of the state of our -affairs." It is quite evident, from the tenor of the letter we are -quoting, that the Marquis suspected that he had been purposely detached -from the company of Washington with some sinister design:—"There are -things, I dare say, in which I am deceived. A certain Colonel is not here -for nothing." . . . "I am sure a cloud is drawn before my eyes. However, -there are points I cannot be deceived in." . . . "They have sent me more -than twenty French officers. I do not know what to do with them. I am at -a loss to know how to act, and indeed I do not know for what I am here -myself." And again, toward the close of the letter, he says:—"I fancy the -actual scheme is, to have me out of this part of the continent, and -General Conway as chief under the immediate direction of General Gates. -How they will bring it about I do not know, but be certain something of -that kind will appear. You are nearer than myself, and every honest man -in Congress is your friend; therefore you may foresee and prevent the -evil a hundred times better than I can." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter from Lafayette to Washington, dated Albany, Feb. 23, - 1778.—Vide Sparks, Cor. of Washington, vol. v, Appendix.</p> - - -<p>The true position of affairs at Albany having been made known to Congress, -it was resolved to instruct the Marquis to suspend the expedition, and at -the same time to assure him "that Congress entertained a high sense of -his prudence, activity, and zeal; and that they were fully persuaded -nothing would have been wanting on his own part, or on the part of the -officers who accompanied him, to give the expedition the utmost possible -effect." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Secret Journal, March 2d, cited by Sparks.</p> - - -<p>But, to return to the Indian affairs of the Mohawk Valley. Early in the -year, various unpleasant symptoms were perceptible, indicating the design -of a renewed and more extensive Indian war than had been anticipated at -any previous moment. Information was received from the remote West, of a -general disposition among the nations in the region of the great lakes, -and the upper Mississippi, to join the Mohawks, Cayugas, Onondagas, and -Senecas, against the United States. The master-spirit of those threatened -movements was Joseph Brant, whose winter-quarters were at the central and -convenient point of Niagara. Nor were Sir John Johnson and his associates, -Claus and Butler, inactive; while the British commander at Detroit, -Colonel Hamilton, was at the same time exercising a powerful influence -over the surrounding nations of the forest. On the opening of the year, -therefore, great fears were entertained for the security of the frontiers -from the Mohawk to the Ohio. Still, with the Six Nations, Congress -resolved to make yet another effort of conciliation—to secure their -neutrality, if nothing farther. Accordingly, on the 2d of February, -resolutions were passed, directing a council to be held with these -nations at Johnstown, in the County of Tryon. General Schuyler and -Volkert P. Douw were appointed commissioners for that purpose, and -Governor Clinton was requested to designate a special commissioner to be -present on the occasion. In pursuance of this solicitation, James Duane -was appointed for that duty. The resolutions of Congress instructed the -commissioners "to speak to the Indians in language becoming the -representatives of free, sovereign, and independent States, and in such -a tone as would convince them that they felt themselves to be so." [FN] -It was left to the discretion of the commissioners to determine whether -it would be prudent to insist upon their taking up arms in behalf of the -States, or whether to content themselves with efforts to secure their -neutrality.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Journals of Cong. vol. iv. page 63.</p> - - -<p>The directions were, that the council should be holden between the 15th -and 20th of February; but so slow or reluctant were the Indians in -assembling, that the proceedings were not commenced until the 9th of -March. Whether General Schuyler attended, is not known. The Marquis de -Lafayette, who was then temporarily in command of the Northern Department, -accompanied Mr. Duane to Johnstown, and was present at the council. More -than seven hundred Indians were collected at the treaty, consisting of -Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Onondagas, a few Mohawks, and three or four Cayugas; -but not a single Seneca, which was by far the most powerful nation. On -the contrary, they had the boldness to send a message, affecting great -surprise, "that while our tomahawks were sticking in their heads, their -wounds bleeding, and their eyes streaming with tears for the loss of -their friends at German Flats, [FN] the commissioners should think of -inviting them to a treaty!"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Oriskany, meaning. The quotation is from a manuscript letter of - James Duane.</p> - - -<p>The proceedings were opened by an address from Congress, framed in -accordance with the spirit of the resolutions already cited, asserting -the power of the United States, and their magnanimous conduct toward the -Six Nations—and charging them distinctly with the ingratitude, cruelty, -and treachery, with which their pacific advances had been requited, and -for which reparation was demanded. From this charge of treachery, the -Oneidas and Tuscaroras were not only honorably excepted, but, on the -contrary, were applauded for their firmness and integrity, and assured of -friendship and protection.</p> - -<p>An Onondaga chief spoke in behalf of the guilty tribes. He exculpated -himself and his brother sachems, casting the blame on the young and -head-strong warriors, who, he said, would not listen to prudent -councils—illustrating their own internal difficulties by those -occasionally existing among the people of the States, which it was at -times found impossible to repress. He also spoke of the difficulty they -were obliged to encounter, in withstanding the influence of Butler and -others in the service of the Crown, acquired by bribery and other kindred -artifices.</p> - -<p>An Oneida chief answered for his own nation and the Tuscaroras, with a -spirit and dignity which would not have disgraced a Roman senator. He -pathetically lamented the degeneracy of the unfriendly tribes; predicted -their final destruction; and declared the fixed and unalterable resolution -of the tribes which he represented, at every hazard, to hold fast the -covenant chain with the United States, and be buried with them in the -same grave, or with them to enjoy the fruits of victory and peace. He -fully evinced the sincerity of these professions, by desiring that the -United States would erect a fortress in their country, and station a small -garrison within it for their defence. A promise to this effect having been -given, the Oneida concluded with a solemn assurance, that the two nations -for whom he spoke would at all times be ready to cooperate with the United -States against all their enemies.</p> - -<p>In a private interview afterward, the Oneidas warned the Commissioners -against trusting to the Onondagas, whom they considered as enemies to the -United States, notwithstanding their seeming contrition for the past. The -Oneidas declared that they had not the least doubt that the Onondagas, -Cayugas, and Senecas would renew their hostilities early in the Spring; -that Colonel Butler would again be in possession of Oswego, which he would -more strongly fortify; and for these events they entreated the -Commissioners to be prepared.</p> - -<p>In their reply to the Indians, the Commissioners again applauded the -Oneidas and Tuscaroras for their fidelity and courage. The other nations, -they said, were not sufficiently represented to warrant the holding of a -treaty with them. But they, nevertheless, directed that another council -for those tribes should be held in Onondaga, at some subsequent day, at -which the demand of the United States of satisfaction for past wrongs -should be publicly made, and an explicit answer exacted. They were -admonished that the cause of the United States was just; that the hand of -the United States could reach the remotest corner of the country of the -Senecas; and that they trusted that the Good Spirit whom they served, -would enable them to punish all their enemies, and put it out of their -power to do them farther injury. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Unpublished letter of James Duane to Governor Clinton, giving a - report of his mission, in the author's possession.</p> - - -<p>The inhabitants of Tryon County, many of whom were spectators at the -council, were highly gratified with the proceedings; and it was supposed -that the moral effect would be good, not only in regard to the Oneidas, -but also upon the Onondagas—those tribes being closely connected by -intermarriages; but the Commissioners left the council under the full -persuasion that from the Senecas, Cayugas, and the greater part of the -Mohawks, nothing but revenge for their lost friends and tarnished glory -at Oriskany and Fort Schuyler was to be anticipated; more especially since -the enemy was so plentifully supplied with the means of corruption, while -it was not in the power of the United States so much as to furnish their -best friends with the necessaries of life, even in the course of -trade. [FN-1] Still, in order, as far as possible, to regain some of their -lost ascendancy over the Indians, by means of traffic, the Commissioners -of that department were shortly afterward authorized by Congress to open -a trading establishment at Fort Schuyler. But the inadequacy of the -provision must be evident from the fact, that the slender exchequer of -the government allowed an appropriation of no greater sum for that -important object, than ten thousand dollars. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Unpublished letter of James Duane to Governor Clinton, heretofore - cited.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Journals of Congress, vol. iv. p. 256.</p> - - -<p>While at Johnstown during this visit, the Marquis de Lafayette was waited -upon by Colonel Campbell and others, for the purpose of calling his -attention to the exposed situation of Cherry Valley. The consequence was -an order for the erection of a fort at that place. An engineer was -detailed upon that duty, and detachments of troops ordered both to that -place and Schoharie. Three slight fortifications had been built in the -valley of the Schoharie-kill during the preceding year, called the Upper, -Middle, and Lower Forts. These works were merely circumvallations of earth -and wood, thrown up around some strong dwelling-houses constructed of -stone, within which the women and children were placed in moments of -peculiar danger. The church was the citadel of the Lower Fort, and all -were manned by small companies of soldiers, having each a single brass -field-piece. The Marquis likewise directed the erection of a fort in the -Oneida country, pursuant to the request of the Indians of that nation.</p> - -<p>It was but too evident, from the reports borne upon every western breeze, -that all these measures of precaution in that direction were necessary. -To the Johnsons and their adherents the recovery of the Valley of the -Mohawk was an object of the first importance; and they watched every -opportunity of moving in that quarter, which promised even a possible -chance of success. Even while the Marquis was present with the Indian -Commissioners at Johnstown, no less a personage than a British Colonel, -a nephew of Sir Guy Carleton, and bearing the same honorable name, was -well understood to be lurking in that vicinity as a spy. Every effort was -made for his arrest; and, as an inducement to the militia and Indians to -be on the alert, the Marquis offered a reward of fifty guineas from his -own purse, as will appear by the annexed letter to Col. Gansevoort:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Marquis de Lafayette to Col. Gansevoort.</span><br> - <i>Johnstown, the</i> 9<i>th March,</i> 1778.</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"As the taking of Colonel Carleton is of the greatest importance, I wish -you would use every exertion in your power to have him apprehended. I -have desired Colonel Livingston, who knows him, to let you have any -intelligence he can give, and join to them those I have got by one other -spy, about the dress and figure of Carleton. You may send as many parties -as you please, and every where you'll think proper, and do every -convenient thing for discovering him. I dare say he knows we are after -him, and has nothing in view but to escape, which I beg you to prevent by -all means. You may promise, in my name, <i>fifty guineas hard money,</i> -besides every money they can find about Carleton, to any party of soldiers -or Indians who will bring him alive. As every one knows now what we send -for, there is no inconvenience to scatter in the country which reward is -promised, in order to stimulate the Indians.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I have the honor to be. Sir, - Your most obedient servant, - The Mqs. de <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Lafayette.</span> - - "<i>Col. Gansevoort, Com't. Fort Schuyler.</i>" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This letter has been copied from the original, among the Gansevoort - papers.</p> - - -<p>The condition contained in this letter, that, to entitle the captor to the -promised reward, Carleton must be brought in alive, comports with the -well-known humanity, through life, of the illustrious friend of human -liberty who wrote it. But the search was fruitless, Carleton was an active -and efficient partisan officer, and was never taken. The Marquis retained -the command at the North only until the middle of April, when he was -ordered to head-quarters, and Gates again assumed the command of the -department.</p> - -<p>In the month of June, the loyalists who had fled to Canada with Sir John -Johnson, to the number of one hundred and upward, performed an exploit -equally bold and remarkable, which naturally suggests the inquiry, where -were the Whigs of Tryon County at that time; and in what were they -engaged? The incident to which reference is had, was the return of those -selfsame loyalists for their families, whom they were permitted to collect -together, and with whom they were suffered to depart into the country, -and the active service of the enemy. Nor was this all. Not only was no -opposition made to their proceedings, but on their way they actually -committed acts of flagrant hostility, destroyed property, and took several -prisoners. Having completed their arrangements, they moved northward from -Fort Hunter, through Fonda's Bush—making four prisoners on their way -thither, [FN-1] and at Fonda's Bush five others. [FN-2] From this place -they proceeded across the great marsh to Sir William Johnson's fish-house, -on the Sacondaga, capturing a man named Martin, and another named Harris, -on the way, and at the fish-house taking a brave fellow named Solomon -Woodworth and four others. [FN-3] They burnt the house and outbuildings of -Godfrey Shew at this place, and departed with their prisoners, leaving -the women and children houseless. Embarking on the Sacondaga in light -canoes, previously moored at that place for the purpose, they descended -twenty-five miles to the Hudson, and thence, by the way of Lakes George -and Champlain, proceeded to St. Johns in safety. The day after his -capture, Woodworth succeeded in making his escape. At St. Johns, John -Shew and four others were given up to the Indians, by whom they were taken -to their village in Canada. They were neither considered nor treated -exactly as prisoners of war; and Shew, with three of his companions, soon -afterward escaped and returned home. [FN-4] From St. Johns, the loyal -party proceeded down the St. Lawrence to Quebec, where the residue of the -prisoners were kept in close confinement about four months. Some of the -number died, and the remainder were sent to Halifax, and thence exchanged -by the way of Boston. This movement of the Tories back in a body to their -deserted homes, and its success, form one of the most extraordinary -incidents, though in itself comparatively unimportant, which transpired -during the wars of the Mohawk country. [FN-5]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Mr. Cough and his son, and Mr. Marinas and his son.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] John Putnam, Jr., Mr. Salisbury, Mr. Rice, Mr. Joseph Scott, and - Mr. Bowman.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Godfrey Shew, and his three sons, John, Stephen, and Jacob.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] In the Autumn of 1780 young Shew was again captured by a scouting - party of Indians and Tories, in the woods in the neighborhood of - Ballston, and at the instigation of one of the latter, named John Parker, - was immediately murdered. Parker was himself soon afterward taken as a - spy by Captain Bernett of the militia—carried to Albany, tried, - convicted, and executed.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] The facts respecting this expedition have been collected and - furnished to the author by John J. Shew, of Northampton, N. Y.</p> - - -<p>With the opening of the season for active operations—though he was -himself never inactive—Thayendanegea had again returned to his former -haunts on the Susquehanna—Oghkwaga and Unadilla. He soon proved himself -an active and dreaded partisan. No matter for the difficulties or the -distance, wherever a blow could be struck to any advantage, Joseph Brant -was sure to be there. Frequent, moreover, were the instances in which -individuals, and even whole families in the outskirts of the settlements, -disappeared, without any knowledge on the part of those who were left, -that an enemy had been near them. "The smoking ruins of their dwellings, -the charred bones of the dead, and the slaughtered carcasses of the -domestic animals, were the only testimonials of the cause of the -catastrophe, until the return of a captive, or the disclosures of some -prisoner taken from the foe, furnished more definite information." [FN] -But there is no good evidence that Brant was himself a participator in -secret murders, or attacks upon isolated individuals or families; and -there is much reason to believe that the bad feelings of many of the -loyalists induced them to perpetrate greater enormities themselves, and -prompt the parties of Indians whom they often led, to commit greater -barbarities than the savages would have done had they been left to -themselves.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>In support of the foregoing opinion of Captain Brant, the following -incident, occurring in the Summer of the present year, may be adduced. -A lad in Schoharie County, named William M<sup>c</sup>Kown, while engaged in raking -hay alone in a meadow, happening to turn round, perceived an Indian very -near him. Startled at his perilous situation, he raised his rake for -defence, but his fears were instantly dissipated by the savage, who -said—"Do not be afraid, young man; I shall not hurt you." He then -inquired of the youth for the residence of a loyalist named Foster. The -lad gave him the proper direction, and inquired of the Indian whether he -knew Mr. Foster? "I am partially acquainted with him," was the reply, -"having once seen him at the Half-way Creek." [FN-1] The Indian then -inquired the lad's name, and having been informed, he added—"You are a -son of Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kown who lives in the north-east part of the town, I -suppose; I know your father very well; he lives neighbor to Captain -M<sup>c</sup>Kean; I know M<sup>c</sup>Kean very well, and a very fine fellow he is, too." -Emboldened by the familiar discourse of the Indian, the lad ventured to -ask his name in turn. Hesitating for a moment, his rather unwelcome -visitor replied:—"My name is Brant!" "What! Captain Brant?" eagerly -demanded the youth. "No; I am a cousin of his," was the rejoinder; but -accompanied by a smile and a look that plainly disclosed the transparent -deception. It was none other than the terrible Thayendanegea -himself. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Bowman's Creek, halfway between Cherry Valley and the Mohawk - River.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Annals of Tryon County.</p> - - -<p>On the other hand, the following tragic circumstance, given on the same -indisputable authority, sustains the assertion that the Tories were -oftentimes more cruel than their savage associates. While a party of -hostiles were prowling about the borders of Schoharie, the Indians killed -and scalped a mother, and a large family of children. "They had just -completed the work of death, when some loyalists of the party came up, -and discovered an infant breathing sweetly in its cradle. An Indian -warrior, noted for his barbarity, approached the cradle with his uplifted -hatchet. The babe looked up in his face, and smiled; the feelings of -nature triumphed over the ferocity of the savage; the hatchet fell with -his arm, and he was about stooping down to take the innocent in his arms, -when one of the loyalists, cursing him for his humanity, thrust it through -with his bayonet, and, thus transfixed, held it up struggling in the -agonies of death, as he exclaimed—'<i>this, too, is a rebel!</i>'"</p> - -<p>To guard against these painful transactions, nothing short of the most -exemplary watchfulness would suffice. Not only their habitations, but -those who labored in the fields, were guarded, being themselves armed at -their ploughs, like the laborers of the prophet in rebuilding the walls -of Jerusalem. Nor was this vigilance confined to any particular location. -The inhabitants around the whole border, from Saratoga, north of -Johnstown, and west to the German Flats, thence south stretching down to -Unadilla, and thence eastwardly crossing the Susquehanna, along the -Charlotte river to Harpersfield, and thence back to Albany—were -necessarily an armed yeomanry, watching for themselves, and standing -sentinels for each other in turn; harassed daily by conflicting rumors; -now admonished of the approach of the foe in the night by the glaring -flames of a neighbor's house; or compelled suddenly to escape from his -approach, at a time and in a direction the least expected. Such was the -tenure of human existence around the confines of this whole district of -country, from the Spring of 1777 to the end of the contest in 1782.</p> - -<p>The first movement of Brant himself, this season, (1778,) was upon the -settlement of Springfield, a small town at the head of Otsego Lake, lying -directly west of Cherry Valley, about ten miles. Those of the men who did -not fly, were taken prisoners. The chieftain then burnt the entire -settlement, with the exception of a single house, into which he collected -all the women and children, and left them uninjured.</p> - -<p>It was reported in the month of June, that Brant, whose forces were -increasing at Unadilla, was fortifying that post; and Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean was -despatched with a small patrol in that direction, by the people of Cherry -Valley, to make observations. Arriving at a house about twenty-five miles -from that place, M<sup>c</sup>Kean was informed that Brant had been there with fifty -men, that day, and would probably return in the evening. M<sup>c</sup>Kean was at -first disposed to take possession of the house, and attempt its -defence—his force consisting of but five men, exclusive of himself. But, -ultimately forming a more prudent resolution, he withdrew "his forces" -before nightfall, and returned home without having reconnoitered the -chieftain's position at Unadilla. In the course of his journey, he wrote -a letter to Brant, upbraiding him for the predatory system of warfare in -which he was engaged, and challenging him either to single combat, or to -meet him with an equal number of men and have a pitched battle—"adding, -that if he would come to Cherry Valley, they would change him from a <i>Brant</i> -to a <i>goose.</i>" This chivalrous missive was fastened to a stick, and placed -in an Indian path. No modern post-office could have transmitted the letter -with greater speed or safety. The "contents" were "noted" by Brant in a -letter addressed to Mr. Parcifer Carr, a loyalist living some fifteen or -twenty miles north, upon the Unadilla settlement, to whom the chief wrote -for provisions. He also solicited Mr. Carr to allow two or three of his -men to join him, and likewise to send him a few guns, with some -ammunition—adding, "I mean now to fight the cruel rebels as well as I -can." In a postscript, he intimated that the people of Cherry Valley, -though very bold in words, would find themselves mistaken in calling him -a "goose." Whether the challenge of Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean, and the pun upon the -chieftain's name, had any influence upon his subsequent conduct in that -section of the country, is not known.</p> - -<p>On the 2d of July a smart engagement took place, on the upper branch of -the Cobleskill, between a party of regular troops and Schoharie militia -under Captain Christian Brown, and a large body of Indians. There were -twenty-two militiamen and thirty regulars, the latter under charge of a -lieutenant whose name has not been preserved. The Indians, by their own -account, were four hundred and fifty strong. They were victorious—the -Americans retreating with a loss of fourteen killed, eight wounded, and -two missing. The Indians burnt several houses, killed and destroyed all -the horses and cattle which they could not drive away, and took -considerable plunder besides. They remained in the woods adjoining the -battleground one day and two nights, dressing the wounded, and packing up -their booty, with which they retired unmolested. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The only account of this battle which the author has been able to - discover, is contained in John M. Brown's pamphlet history of Schoharie. - He states it to have taken place on the day preceding the massacre of - Wyoming, but dates it in 1776, instead of 1778, which was doubtless the - true date.</p> - - -<p>Thenceforward, until the close of the war, the settlements of Schoharie -were perpetually harassed by the strolling bands of the enemy, until at -length they were entirely laid waste by a formidable invasion. The -principal of these settlements was the vale of the Schoharie-kill—doubly -inviting from the beauty of its scenery and the fertility of its -soil—which was even then thickly inhabited. But, although frequently -doomed to suffer from the savage tomahawk, justice nevertheless demands -the admission, that the first blood was drawn in that valley, and the -first act of barbarity committed, by the white man, upon the body of an -Indian sachem.</p> - -<p>The circumstances leading to the outrage were these: At an early stage of -the contest, the officers of the Crown made a very strenuous effort to -control the popular feeling, and preserve the loyalty of the people of -Schoharie. For this purpose, not only the regular militia of the -settlements, but all the male population capable of bearing arms, were -required to meet the King's Commissioners at the house of Captain George -Mann, a loyalist of great wealth and influence, to take the oath of -allegiance. They assembled in arms, and were kept on parade, day after -day, as they slowly gathered at the place of rendezvous in obedience to -the requisition. Those who were loyalists at heart readily took the oath; -but great reluctance was manifested on the part of those whose -predilections ran with the Whigs. These, however, were threatened with the -pains and penalties of arrest, confiscation, and death, in case of -refusal; so that for the most part they complied with the demand of the -Commissioners, and took the oath of fidelity to the Crown. Immediately on -taking the oath, the hat of the subject was decorated with a piece of -scarlet cloth; while some of those most strongly desirous of manifesting -their loyalty, wore scarlet caps. Prominent among the latter class, were -Ludwig Snyder, of the Duanesburg settlement, [FN] and a Mohawk sachem named -Peter Nickus, who gave offence to the Whigs by brandishing his tomahawk -and occasionally sounding the war-whoop.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Snyder afterward abjured the Loyal cause, and discharged his duty - faithfully as a Whig.</p> - - -<p>But there were a few bold spirits upon whom, neither the threats of his -Majesty's officers, nor the menaces of the Indians in their company, had -any effect. They refused peremptorily to take the oath. Chief among these -were Nicholas Sternberg and William Deitz, who left the parade on the -evening of the first or second day, and returned to their homes—bitterly -denounced as rebels and traitors by the Royalists, and threatened with a -visit of Tories and Indians during the night. To avoid an arrest, -Sternberg took to the woods at evening, leaving his family in great -anxiety, although the slaves, of whom he possessed a large number, -volunteered to defend their mistress and the children. But there was no -pursuit, and the recusants both returned to the parade on the following -day—determined, of course, to render all proper obedience to the laws yet -in force, but equally determined not to take the oath of allegiance; -although Mrs. Sternberg besought her husband, with tears, not to jeopard -his own safety, and the lives of his family, by longer refusal. Nay, she -went farther; and appealing to the Bible, the good woman showed him the -passage in which all men are enjoined "to fear God and honor the King." -But it was with Sternberg as with the Puritans, He believed that -"opposition to tyrants was obedience to God," as implicitly as did the -regicides who engraved that immortal sentiment upon the New Haven rock; -and he was inflexible in his purpose.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, however, in the course of the day affairs took quite a -different turn. It was at about the middle of the afternoon that Captain -Mann mustered those who had taken the oath and received the red badge. -They numbered one hundred and upward, and were paraded before the -Captain's own house to perform their martial exercise, when their -attention was arrested by the sound of steeds trampling in the distance. -A moment longer, and a cloud of horsemen came galloping along the highway -from the direction of Albany, with drawn swords flashing brightly in the -sun. These unexpected visitors proved to be Captain Woodbake, and two -hundred cavalry, the object of whose approach was to disperse the Royal -gathering and proclaim the government of the republic. Their arrival was -exceedingly inopportune for Captain Mann, who was cut short in the midst -of a loyal oration, in which he was commending his citizen-soldiers for -their loyalty, and threatening those who refused the badge of their -sovereign, with vengeance, swift and inevitable. As the cavalry -approached, Captain Mann took to his heels and fled; while his loyal -followers, many of whom had assumed the before-mentioned insignia, and -signed the royal muster-roll on compulsion, either followed his example -or threw away their red caps, and tore off the scarlet patches from their -hats, with the utmost possible expedition. Orders were immediately issued -by Captain Woodbake that Mann should be taken and brought to him—alive, -if possible, but if not—not. Numbers started in pursuit, while those who -remained upon the ground were collected into line, and a proclamation was -read to them by Captain Woodbake, declaring the Royal authority at an -end—pronouncing the acts of the King's Commissioners null and void—and -absolving the people from the oath of allegiance just taken, upon the -ground that, by the laws neither of God nor man, are oaths binding which -have been taken upon compulsion. Commending those who had refused to take -the oath for their patriotism, he informed them that a Committee of Safety -must be appointed, who would temporarily be invested with the civil and -military authority of the district, and until, by elections and otherwise, -the government could be organized in a more regular manner. Nicholas -Sternberg and William Deitz were thereupon nominated by Woodbake to serve -as said Committee, and invested orally with all necessary power for the -government of the district; and the people were enjoined to obedience.</p> - -<p>The affairs of the government having thus been settled, all hands were -ordered in pursuit of Captain Mann, and sentinels were posted at different -points of observation. Among these was Mr. Sternberg's eldest son Lambert, -who was stationed by the side of a wheat-stack, sheltered by a roof of -thatch upon four posts. [FN] The orders were strict, that if Mann would not -surrender, he must be shot. Toward evening, on the approach of a -thunder-gust, young Sternberg, who was a lad of only sixteen years, -climbed to the top of the wheat-stack for shelter, where, to his great -surprise, he stumbled upon the loyal captain. The youth informed him at -once that he must surrender or be shot. The Captain implored for -mercy—declaring that he dared not to surrender himself to Woodbake, -because his life would be taken. The youth repeated that his orders were -explicit, and he must surrender or be shot. But Mann had lived a neighbor -to his father—had ever been kind to him—and his heart failed at the -thought of taking his life. He then proposed to the Captain to fire his -musket by way of alarm, that others might come and take him. But this was -objected to by Mann with equal earnestness. It now thundered and lightened -fearfully, while the rain descended in torrents. Watching his opportunity, -therefore, and availing himself of the conflict of the elements, and that, -also, which was working in the bosom of his young neighbor so suddenly -placed in hostile array against him, Mann contrived to spring from his -hiding-place, and by sliding down upon one of the barrack-posts, effected -his escape into a corn-field and thence into the woods. The stripling -soldier fired, as in duty bound, but doubtless rejoiced that the shot was -without effect.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] These structures in new countries, where barns are not large enough - to shelter the produce, are called barracks.</p> - - -<p>On the next day, information having been received that a body of Indians -were lurking in the neighborhood of Middleburg, a few miles farther up -the valley, Captain Woodbake proceeded thither with his squadron of horse. -The only Indian seen was the before-mentioned sachem, Peter Nickus, who -was discovered in a thicket of hazel bushes, and immediately brought to -the ground by a shot that broke his thigh. Several pistols were -simultaneously snapped at him, but without effect; the troops then -dismounted, and running upon the wounded Indian, inhumanly hacked him to -pieces with their swords. Peter Nickus was therefore the first victim of -the Revolution in the Valley of the Schoharie-kill, nor does it appear -that he had himself been guilty of any act of positive hostility.</p> - -<p>All search for Captain Mann was for the time fruitless. He succeeded in -escaping to the mountains, where he remained fifteen days; but at length -was induced to surrender through the intervention of friends, on condition -that he should receive no personal injury. He was thereupon taken to -Albany, and kept in confinement to the end of the war. [FN]</p> - -<hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The property of Captain Mann was not confiscated, and he was - suffered to return and repossess himself of his estate, where he lived - and died a faithful citizen of the republic. All the families named in - this narrative were of great respectability, and their descendants are - still in that section of country. The author has derived the facts of - the four last preceding pages from a written narrative by the son of - Nicholas Sternberg. It was thrown out of its proper chronological order, - because not received until after this chapter was in the hands of the - printer.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chxv">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">The story of Wyoming—Glance at its history—Bloody battle between the - Shawanese and Delawares—Count Zinzendorf—Conflicting Indian claims - and titles—Rival land companies of Connecticut and Pennsylvania—Murder - of Tadeusund—The first Connecticut Colony destroyed by the - Indians—Controversy respecting their titles—Rival Colonies planted in - Wyoming—The civil wars of Wyoming—Bold adventure of Captain - Ogden—Fierce passions of the people—The Connecticut settlers - prevail—Growth of the settlements—Annexed to Connecticut—Breaking - out of the Revolution—The inhabitants, stimulated by previous hatred, - take sides—Arrest of suspected persons in January—Sent to - Hartford—Evil consequences—The enemy appear upon the outskirts of the - settlements in the Spring—Invasion by Colonel John Butler and the - Indians—Colonel Zebulon Butler prepares to oppose them—Two of the - forts taken—Colonel Z. Butler marches to encounter the enemy—Battle - of Wyoming—The Americans defeated—The flight and massacre—Fort - Wyoming besieged—Timidity of the garrison—Zebulon Butler's authority - not sustained—He escapes from the fort—Colonel Denniston forced to - capitulate—Destruction of the Valley—Barbarities of the Tories—Brant - not in the expedition—Catharine Montour—Flight of the - fugitives—Expedition of Colonel Hartley up the Susquehanna—Colonel - Zebulon Butler repossesses himself of Wyoming, and rebuilds the - fort—Indian skirmishes—Close of the History of Wyoming.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The</span> melancholy story of Wyoming stands next in chronological order. It -does not, indeed, appertain directly to the history of the Mohawk Valley; -but it is nevertheless connected intimately with that history, while it -has ever been regarded as one of the most prominent events in the border -history of the Revolutionary contest. Its importance, moreover, as a -section of the <i>Indian</i> portion of that contest, is such as to warrant the -episode, if such it must be called. Many were the battles during that -struggle, of far greater importance than the affair of Wyoming, both in -regard to their magnitude and their results; and many were the scenes -characterised by equal if not greater atrocity. But from a variety of -circumstances, as well antecedent as subsequent to the battle, it has -happened that no event connected with the aboriginal wars of our country -stands out in bolder relief than that. Sixty years have elapsed since the -tragedy of Wyoming was enacted; the actors themselves are no more; and yet -the very mention of the event sends a chill current to every youthful -heart, while the theatre of the action itself has been rendered classic -as well as consecrated, by the undying numbers of one of the most gifted -bards of the age. So long as English poetry exists, will the imaginary -tale of <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Gertrude</span> of <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Wyoming</span> be read, admired, and wept; and thousands, in -every generation to come, will receive the beautiful fiction for truth, -while the details of fact by the faithful historian, rejecting the -exaggerations of Ramsay and Gordon, and their associate writers of the -revolutionary era, together with compilers more modern, who have taken no -pains to inquire for the truth, may be regarded as too common-place and -unimportant for attention.</p> - -<p>Wyoming is the name of a beautiful section of the vale of the Susquehanna, -situated in the north-eastern part of the State of Pennsylvania. It is -twenty-five miles in length, by about three in breadth, lying deep between -two parallel ranges of mountains, crested with oak and pine. The scenery -around is wild and picturesque, while the valley itself might be chosen -for another paradise. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Wyoming is a corruption of the name given to the place by the - Delaware Indians, who called it <i>Maughwauwame.</i> The word is a compound; - <i>Maughwau</i> meaning large or extensive, and <i>wame</i> plains or meadows; so - that the name may be translated "<i>The Large Plains.</i>" In the language of - the Six Nations, Wyoming was called <i>Sgahontowano,</i> or <i>"The Large - Flats.</i>" <i>'Gahonto</i> meaning, in their language, a large piece of ground - without trees.—<i>Chapman's History of Wyoming.</i></p> - - -<p>The possession of this valley has not been an object of the white man's -ambition or cupidity alone. It has been the subject of controversy, and -the fierce battle-ground of various Indian tribes, within the white man's -time, but before his possession; and from the remains of fortifications -discovered there, so ancient that the largest oaks and pines have struck -root upon the ramparts and in the entrenchments, it must once have been -the seat of power, and perhaps of a splendid court, thronged by chivalry, -and taste, and beauty—of a race of men far different from the Indians, -known to us since the discovery of Columbus. It was here that the -benevolent Count Zinzendorf pitched his tent, on commencing his Christian -labors among the Shawanese, and where he was saved from assassination by -the providential intervention of a poisonous reptile. Originally it lay -within the territory of the Lenni Lenape, or Delaware Indians; but it was -claimed by the Six Nations by right of conquest. In 1742 a grand council -of the chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations and Delawares was held in -Philadelphia, in consequence of difficulties touching the title to certain -lands lying within the forks of the Delaware, which the proprietaries of -Pennsylvania alleged that William Penn had purchased of the Delawares, -but which the Delawares yet retained in possession, while at the same time -the Six Nations claimed the ownership. The Governor of Pennsylvania having -explained the state of the case to the council, reminded the chiefs of -the Six Nations that, inasmuch as they had always required the government -of Pennsylvania to remove such whites as intruded upon their lands, so -now the government expected the Six Nations to remove the Indians from -the lands which it had purchased. [FN] Old Cannassateego was the master -spirit of the Iroquois delegation on this occasion; and, after due -consideration, he pronounced the decision of his associate chiefs. He -rebuked the Delawares in the sharpest terms for their dishonesty and -duplicity, in first selling land which did not belong to them, and even -then retaining possession of it themselves. He taunted them for their -degraded condition, as having been conquered and made women of by his -people, and after an indignant philippic, ordered them to leave the -disputed territory, and remove to Wyoming or Shamokin.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Chapman's History of Wyoming.</p> - - -<p>The commands of the Six Nations were neither to be question[ed] nor -disregarded, by the surrounding Indian nations, at that stage of their -history, and the clan of the Delawares occupying the land in dispute, -forthwith removed to Wyoming, then in the partial occupancy of a clan of -the Shawanese. But the latter were friendly to the Six Nations at that -time, and were suffered to retain possession of the west side of the -river, while the Delawares planted themselves down upon the east, and -built their town of Maughwauwame—the original of Wyoming.</p> - -<p>But the close proximity of the two clans or parts of nations, was no -addition to their happiness. Mutual jealousies were entertained; and no -long period of time elapsed before their animosities were sharpened into -actual hostilities upon the smallest provocation. At length there was -cause for more substantial war. On the breaking out of hostilities between -the French and American Colonies, in what is now called the old French -war, the Shawanese espoused the side of the French, while the Six Nations -and Delawares adhered to the English. Still the two Indian communities in -Wyoming did not actually take up arms in <i>that</i> contest, until the -occurrence of an incident which, it is believed, may be set down for the -smallest cause of war as yet recorded in history. It happened one day, -while the Delaware warriors were upon the chase among the mountains, that -their women and children were gathering fruit along the margin of the -river below their town. While thus engaged, a party of the Shawanese women -and children paddled their canoes across the river and joined them. In the -course of the morning a Shawanese child caught a large grasshopper—the -species, probably, having parti-colored wings—and a quarrel arose among -the children for the possession of the insect. In this quarrel the mothers -soon began to participate, and an Amazonian battle was the consequence. -The Delaware squaws contended that the Shawanese had no right to trespass -upon their side of the river; and after several had been killed upon both -sides, the latter, who were the weaker party, were driven to the canoes, -and their own homes.</p> - -<p>Upon the return of the warriors of the respective tribes, both prepared -to avenge the wrongs of their wives and children. The Shawanese were the -invaders; but they were met at the river's brink by the Delawares, nothing -averse to the combat, who obstinately opposed their landing from their -canoes. Great numbers were killed, chiefly of the Shawanese, before they -gained the shore. Succeeding in this however, a battle, furious and -bloody, was fought about a mile below the Delaware town, in which several -hundreds were killed on both sides. The Shawanese, whose forces had been -greatly weakened at the landing, were at length overpowered, and obliged -to escape as best they could, with the loss of half their number. The -consequence of this defeat was the immediate evacuation of the valley, -which they left, to join the greater body of their nation on the Ohio. [FN] -To the Delawares, who had been oppressed and denationalized by the -Iroquois or Six Nations, the victory was of great -importance—re-establishing, as it did, their character as brave warriors, -although it was not until many years afterward that the sentence of being -considered women was revoked by their former conquerors.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Chapman's History of Wyoming.</p> - - -<p>Still, at the time when Count Zinzendorf commenced the mission of the -United Brethren in that valley, the jurisdiction was conceded to belong -to the Six Nations; and a formal permission was given to the count by the -latter, to preach the Gospel among them. He was met by a numerous embassy -of their chiefs, from whom he received a speech of welcome, which at once -laid the foundation of a good understanding between them. [FN] But, -notwithstanding this admitted superiority of the Iroquois in the time of -Sir William Johnson, the rival and conflicting Indian claims of title were -the cause of rival negotiations between the white land-speculators and -both nations of Indians, which in the end were the cause of many and very -sore evils, as will presently appear.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Heckewelder. The incident of the serpent, referred to in a preceding - page, was as follows:—Jealous of the Count's intentions in coming among - them, some of the Indians had resolved upon his death. "Zinzendorf was - alone in his tent, seated upon a bundle of weeds composing his bed, and - engaged in writing, when the assassins approached to execute their bloody - commission. It was night, and the cool air of September had rendered a - fire necessary to his comfort. A blanket curtain was the only guard to - the entrance of his tent. The heat of his fire had drawn forth a large - rattlesnake from the contiguous brake; and the reptile, to enjoy the - genial warmth, had crawled slowly into the tent, and passed over one of - the holy man's legs unperceived. Without, all was still and quiet, except - the distant sound of the river at the rapids a mile below. At this - moment the Indians softly approached the door of his tent, and gently - removing the curtain, contemplated the venerable man, too deeply engaged - in the subject of his thoughts to observe either their approach or the - serpent which lay extended before him. At a sight like this, even the - heart of the savages shrank from the idea of committing the barbarous - act, and they hastily returned to their lodge, and informed their - companions that the <i>Great Spirit</i> protected the stranger, for they had - found him with no door but a blanket, and had seen a large rattlesnake - crawl over his legs without attempting to injure him." This circumstance - wrought as great a change as did the incident of the viper, after the - shipwreck, in the fortunes of Paul. The Count soon acquired the - confidence of the Indians; and the occurrence probably contributed - essentially toward inducing many of them subsequently to embrace the - Christian religion.—<i>Chapman's His. Wyoming.</i></p> - - -<p>The first movement toward the planting of a white colony in the Wyoming -Valley was made by Connecticut in 1753. It was justly held that this -section of country belonged originally to the grant of James I., in 1620, -to the old Plymouth Company. The Earl of Warwick and his associates having -purchased the right of the Plymouth Company to the territory of -Connecticut and the lands beyond New Jersey, west, "from sea to sea," -within certain limits, Connecticut claimed under that grant. But no sooner -was a company formed to plant a colony in Wyoming—called the <i>Susquehanna -Company</i>—than Pennsylvania preferred a claim to the same territory, under -a grant from Charles II. to William Penn, in 1681, covering the whole -claim of Connecticut; and a rival association, called the <i>Delaware -Company,</i> was organised in like manner to settle it. The strife of each, -at first, was to circumvent the other in purchasing the Indian title. At -this time it was conceded that the aboriginal proprietaries were the Six -Nations; and, though beset on all sides, old King Hendrick refused for a -time to dispose of the territory to either party. Ultimately, however, -the Six Nations sold to the Susquehanna Company; and in 1755 the -Connecticut Colony was commenced. But by reason of the French and Indian -wars, their settlers were compelled to return to Connecticut, and the -obstacles became so numerous, that it was not until 1762 that they were -enabled to obtain a foothold.</p> - -<p>The Pennsylvanians immediately prepared to oppose the settlers from -Connecticut. A case was made up and transmitted to England, on which Mr. -Pratt, the Attorney General, (afterward Lord Camden,) gave an opinion in -favor of the successors of Penn. Connecticut likewise sent over a case, -and on her part obtained a like favorable opinion from eminent counsel. -In this position of the controversy, a catastrophe befell the infant -settlement, which put an end to the enterprise for several years. Thus -far the relations between the Colonists and the Indians had been of the -most pacific character. The old Delaware chief Tadeuskund, who had -embraced the Christian religion, was, with his people, their friend. But -he had given offence to some of the Six Nations in 1758, a party of whom -came among the Delawares, under the guise of friendship, in April, 1763, -and murdered the venerable chief by setting fire to his dwelling, in -which he was consumed. [FN] The murder was charged by the Indians upon the -adventurers from Connecticut. But the emigrants, unconscious that a storm -was rising against them, remained in fancied security. They had given no -offence; and in order to allay any suspicions that might otherwise be -awakened among the Indians, they had even neglected to provide themselves -with weapons for self-protection. The consequence was the sudden -destruction of their settlement by a party of Delaware Indians, on the -15th of October. The descent was made upon the town while the men were at -work in the fields. About twenty persons were killed, and several were -taken prisoners. Those who could, men, women, and children, fled to the -woods and the mountains, from whence they were compelled to behold the -sad spectacle of their dwellings in flames, and the Indians making off -with the remains of their little property. Their flight through a -trackless forest to the Delaware, unprovided with food, and unprotected -by suitable clothing against the searching weather of Autumn, was painful -to a degree. But even then their journey was not ended, as they had yet -to proceed back to Connecticut, destitute, and on foot.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Tadeuskund was a Delaware chief of note. Previous to the year 1750, - he was known among the English by the name of <i>Honest John.</i> He was - baptized by the Moravians, but was wavering and inconstant. He was too - fond of the war-path to become a consistent follower of the pacific - Moravians. When he saw opportunities of signalizing himself as a warrior, - therefore, he left his faith, to re-embrace it as might suit his policy. - He inclined to the French in the war; but assisted in concluding a peace - among several Indian nations in 1758, which gave umbrage to the Six - Nations.</p> - - -<p>In 1668 the Delaware Company took advantage of a treaty holden at Fort -Stanwix, and purchased of the same Six Nations, who had sold to the -Connecticut Company, the same territory of Wyoming. The Pennsylvanians -entered upon immediate possession; and when, on the opening of the ensuing -Spring, the Connecticut Colonists returned with recruits, they found -others in the occupancy of the lands, with a block-house erected, and -armed for defence, under the direction of Amos Ogden and Charles Stewart, -to whom a lease of a section of land in the heart of the valley had been -granted by John Penn, for the express purpose of ousting the Connecticut -claimants. Here was a new and unexpected state of things. Some of the -leading men of the Connecticut Colony were decoyed into the block-house, -arrested, and sent off to a distant prison. But recruits coming on from -Connecticut, they in turn built works of defence, and proceeded with their -colonial labors.</p> - -<p>In the Summer of 1769, the Governor of Pennsylvania made preparations to -dispossess the intruders, as they considered the Connecticut people, by -force; and a detachment of armed men, to the number of two hundred, was -sent into the territory. The Colonists prepared for a siege; but one of -their leaders having been taken prisoner, and sent to gaol in -Philadelphia, after a show of resistance, and having no weapons of defence -but small arms, they capitulated, and agreed to leave the territory, with -the exception of seventeen families, who were to remain and secure the -crops. But no sooner had the Colonists departed, than the Pennsylvanians, -led by Ogden, plundered the whole colony, destroying their fields of -grain, killing their cattle, and laying the whole settlement in ruin; so -that the seventeen families were compelled to fly from starvation.</p> - -<p>In the month of February, 1770, the Connecticut Colonists rallied, and -marched upon Wyoming, under a man named Lazarus Stewart. They took Ogden's -house and his piece of artillery, during his absence. But on his return -he collected his friends, and hostilities ensued between the two parties, -which were prosecuted with varying success for several weeks. During this -time, an engagement occurred, in which several were killed and wounded on -both sides. Ogden's house, which had been fortified, was besieged, and -finally taken—after several days' cannonading, and the destruction of -one of his blockhouses, containing his supplies, by fire. In the terms of -capitulation the Connecticut party allowed Ogden to leave six men in -charge of his remaining property. But the conduct of Ogden the preceding -year had not been forgotten, and the <i>lex talionis</i> was rigidly and -speedily executed.</p> - -<p>In September following, a force of one hundred and fifty men was sent -against the Connecticut settlers, under the command of Captain Ogden, as -he was now called. He took the settlement entirely by surprise, while the -laborers were in the fields at work, and the women and children in the -fort. Many of the men, nevertheless, reached the fort, and prepared to -defend it; but it was carried by assault in the night—the women and -children were barbarously trampled under foot—and the whole settlement -plundered and destroyed the following day, with more than Indian rapacity. -The Colonists were made prisoners, and sent off to distant gaols. Thus was -the settlement again broken up. But the triumph of Ogden was brief. In -December the fort was again surprised and carried by Captain Stewart, at -the head of some Lancastrians united with the late Colonists. A few of -the men fled naked to the woods; but the greater portion, together with -the women and children, residing for security in houses built within the -ramparts, were taken prisoners. Those, having been deprived of their -property, were driven from the valley.</p> - -<p>The parties to these controversies, which could not but engender all the -bitterest passions in the nature of man—rendering what might have been -a second Eden, a theatre of strife, discord, and "hell-born -hate,"—fought, of course, as they pretended, under the jurisdiction of -the respective States to which they assumed to belong. The civil -authorities of Pennsylvania frequently interposed; and after the burning -of Ogden's block-house, attempts were made to arrest several of the -Connecticut party for arson. Stewart was apprehended, but was soon -afterward rescued.</p> - -<p>After the capture of the fort in December, the Supreme Court of -Pennsylvania once more issued a writ for his arrest, and the sheriff was -sent with the posse at his heels; but the garrison would not admit him. -The fort was fired upon by the posse, under the direction of the sheriff, -and in returning the fire, one of the Ogdens (Nathan) was killed. The -sheriff thereupon drew off his forces for the night. But it was no sooner -dark, than Stewart and forty of his men withdrew from the fortress, -leaving a garrison of only twelve persons, who capitulated on the -following morning. Three hundred pounds reward was offered by the Governor -of Pennsylvania for the arrest of Stewart. The fort was left in charge of -Amos Ogden, who induced most of his former associates to return with him.</p> - -<p>In July following, this important post was again doomed to change hands. -The Colony was invaded by Captain Zebulon Butler, with upward of seventy -men. These being joined by Stewart and his party, they immediately took -possession of the lands, while Ogden with his people, to the number of -eighty-two, retired into the new fort of Wyoming, which they had just -built, and prepared for resistance. The contest was now assuming greater -importance than ever. Butler and Stewart at once invested the fortress, -and recruits arriving from Connecticut, they were enabled to throw up -redoubts, and open entrenchments for a regular siege. This new fort was -planted directly upon the bank of the river. Perceiving himself thus -completely shut in, Ogden formed the bold enterprise of leaving his -garrison in the night, and floating down the river, past the works and -the sentinels of the enemy, in order to repair to Philadelphia for -succors. For the purpose of better securing his escape, by means of -a cord he caused a bundle to be floated along in the river following him, -which, being the most perceptible object, would naturally attract the -attention and receive the fire of the enemy, if discovered. The <i>ruse de -guerre</i> was completely successful. The deceptive object did attract the -attention of the besiegers and received their fire; although Ogden himself -was in immediate peril, since his hat and clothes were riddled with -bullets. He nevertheless escaped to Philadelphia, and is entitled to the -credit of performing one of the boldest and most difficult individual -exploits on record.</p> - -<p>In consequence of these tidings, the government ordered a force of one -hundred men to be sent to the relief of Fort Wyoming, commanded by Colonel -Asher Clayton. These were to be separated into two divisions, and marched -to the fort from different directions. Captain Dick, with one division, -proceeded toward the fort with pack-horses of provisions for one hundred -men. When in its neighborhood, however, he was ambuscaded by the troops -of Butler and Stewart, and thrown into confusion by the fire. Twenty-two -of the party succeeded in getting into the fort, and the remainder, with -four pack-horses of provisions, fell into the hands of Butler. The siege -continued, and was prosecuted with great vigor until the 14th of August, -when, his supplies being exhausted, Colonel Clayton, the assailant, -capitulated—stipulating that his troops, together with Ogden and his -party, should withdraw from Wyoming. Ogden was wounded during the siege, -and a second shot killed another officer, named William Ridyard, upon whom -the former was leaning, being faint from loss of blood.</p> - -<p>The president of the Pennsylvania proprietaries complained of the conduct -of the Connecticut people in these hostilities, and Governor Trumbull -disclaimed any connexion with the affairs of Wyoming on the part of the -State over which he presided. But as the Connecticut people continued to -pour reinforcements into the settlement, the Pennsylvanians withdrew their -forces, and for a season made no farther attempts upon the territory.</p> - -<p>The settlers now claimed the protection of Connecticut, the government -of which attempted a mediation between the people of Wyoming and the -government of Pennsylvania—but without success. Meantime the people of the -Colony proceeded to organize a government, and to exercise almost all the -attributes of sovereignty. The general laws of Connecticut were declared -to be in force; but for their local legislation, they organized a pure -democracy—the people of all their towns and settlements meeting in a -body, as in Athens of old, and making their laws for themselves. The -legislature of Connecticut extended its broad aegis over them, framed a -new county called Westmoreland, and attached it to the county of -Litchfield in the parent State. Zebulon Butler and Nathan Denniston were -appointed justices of the peace, and the people sent one representative -to the Legislature of Connecticut. The governments of Connecticut and -Pennsylvania kept up a war of proclamations and edicts upon the subject, -while the settlement advanced in population and extent with unexampled -rapidity.</p> - -<p>Thus matters proceeded until the year 1775, when, just after hostilities -had been commenced between the Colonies and the British troops at -Lexington, the old feuds between the settlers of the rival companies -suddenly broke forth again. A new settlement of the one was attacked by -the militia of the other, one man was killed, several were wounded, and -others made prisoners, and carried off to a distant jail. Other outrages -were committed elsewhere, and of course all the angry passions—all the -bitter feelings of hatred and revenge between the rival parties claiming -the soil and the jurisdiction—broke out afresh. The settlements of each -had become extended during the five years of peace, which of course had -multiplied the parties to the contest; so that, as the men of Wyoming -flew to arms, a more formidable civil war than ever was in prospect, at -the moment when every arm should have been nerved in the common cause of -the whole country. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] At this time the settlements consisted of eight townships, viz: - Lackawana, Exeter, Kingston, Wilkesbarre, Plymouth, Nanticoke, - Huntington, and Salem; each containing five miles square. The six - townships were pretty full of inhabitants; the two upper ones had - comparatively few, thinly scattered.—<i>Almon's Remembrancer, for</i> 1778.</p> - - -<p>Congress being now in session, interposed its authority by way of -mediatorial resolutions. But to no purpose. The interposition was -repeated, and again disregarded. In the meantime the Pennsylvanians -brought seven hundred men into the field, who were marched against Wyoming -under the direction of Colonel Plunkett. But in ascending the west bank -of the Susquehanna, on coming to a narrow defile, naturally defended by a -rocky buttress, their march was suddenly arrested by a volley of musketry. -An instant afterward the invaders discerned that the rocky parapets were -covered with men bristling in arms—prepared for a Tyrolese defence of -tumbling rocks down upon the foe, should their firearms prove insufficient -to repel him. Taken thus suddenly and effectively by surprise, Plunkett -retreated with his forces behind a point of rocks, for consultation. He -next attempted to cross the river, and resume his march on the other side. -But here, too, the people of Wyoming had been too quick for him. The -invaders were so hotly received by a detachment in ambuscade on the other -side, that they were constrained to retreat, nor did they attempt to rally -again.</p> - -<p>Thus terminated the last military demonstration of the Provincial -government of Pennsylvania against the valley of Wyoming. Never, however, -had a civil war raged with more cordial hatred between the parties—not -even during the bloody conflicts between the Guelphs and the -Ghibellines—than was felt between the adherents of the respective land -companies, in the collisions just passed under review. Most unfortunate -was it, therefore, that the quarrel broke out afresh at the precise moment -when the services of all were alike wanted for the common -defence—especially on a border exposed to the daily irruptions of the -Indians.</p> - -<p>Nor was this the only evil. There being a wide difference of opinion -between the people in almost every section of the country, on the great -question at issue between the parent country and the Colonies, it was -natural to anticipate that such of these contending parties as adhered to -the Royalist cause, would cherish a twofold enmity toward those -republicans who had been previously in arms against them. These feelings -of hostility were of course mutual; and as many of the adherents of the -Delaware Company, and perhaps some from both factions, early escaped to -the enemy, and enrolled themselves under the banners of Sir John Johnson -and Colonel John Butler, there can be no difficulty in accounting for the -peculiar ferocity which marked the conduct of such of the refugees as -returned in arms against their former belligerent neighbors. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This sketch of the preliminary history of Wyoming, rapid as it is, - has nevertheless occasioned a longer digression than was intended; but - it has seemed necessary to the deduction of something like a just - hypothesis, by which to judge of the peculiar features of the battle of - Wyoming and the massacre that followed.</p> - - -<p>The population of the Wyoming settlements, at the commencement of the war, -numbered five thousand souls. Three companies of regular troops were -enlisted among them for the service of the United States. Their militia, -regularly enrolled, amounted to eleven hundred men capable of bearing -arms, and of this force three hundred entered the army; [FN] so prolific -was their soil, and so industrious were the people, that they were enabled -to furnish large supplies of provisions for the army. Three thousand -bushels of grain were sent thence to the army in the Spring of the -present year. The same plan of watchfulness against the scouts and -scalping parties of the enemy was adopted as in other frontier -settlements, and the utmost vigilance was observed; while regular -garrison duty was, in successive turns, performed by the citizen soldiers -in the several fortifications which defended their valley.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Chapman's History of Wyoming—also Memorial to the Connecticut - Legislature.</p> - - -<p>Some faint demonstrations were made by straggling parties of Tories and -Indians, who prowled about the settlements during the Summer of the -preceding year, while St. Leger was besieging Fort Schuyler; but after a -few skirmishes with the inhabitants they dispersed, and the latter -remained undisturbed during the rest of the year. Still, an impression -that some of the Tories, who had been in arms against them, or who had -been instrumental in bringing the Indians upon them, were yet lurking in -the vicinity, and bent upon mischief, left the people not altogether at -ease; and in the month of January, 1778, twenty-seven suspected -inhabitants were arrested. Nine of these were discharged on examination, -for want of sufficient evidence to warrant their detention; while the -remaining eighteen were sent to Hartford, in Connecticut, and imprisoned. -The nine who were first discharged, immediately fled to the enemy, and -were followed thither by such of their suspected associates as were -subsequently set at liberty in Connecticut. It was but natural that these -proceedings still more embittered the feelings of these Loyalists against -the Whigs, and the effect was soon perceptible in the behavior of the -Tories and Indians occasionally patrolling their borders.</p> - -<p>For a time, however, the apprehensions thus excited were allayed by -several pacific messages from the Indian nations deeper in the interior, -who sent parties of runners with assurances of a desire for peace. But -these assurances were deceptive. Instead of being messengers of peace, it -was ascertained in March, from one of them while in a state of -intoxication, that their business was to amuse the people and allay their -fears while preparations were making to attack them. This Indian, with his -associate warriors, was immediately arrested and placed in confinement, -while the women of the party were sent back with a flag. The alarm was -likewise given to the scattered and remote settlers, some of them living -thirty miles up the river, who thereupon immediately sought for greater -security in the more populous towns. During the months of April and May, -the settlements began to be more considerably annoyed by larger parties -of Tories and Indians, who hung upon their borders, and made frequent -incursions among them for purposes of plunder—robbing the people, as -opportunity afforded, of live stock, grain, and other articles of -provisions. Waxing yet more audacious in June, several murders were -committed. Six of these victims were a mother and her five children, who -were doubtless killed under a misapprehension as to her character, since -the woman was the wife of one of the Tories who had been arrested in -January. The houses and plantations of the slain were of course plundered -of every thing of value which the marauders could carry away. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Almon's Remembrancer, 1778—Second Part.</p> - - -<p>Toward the close of June, the British officers in command at Niagara -determined to strike a blow upon these settlements; for which purpose -about three hundred white men, consisting in part of regular troops, but -principally of refugee Loyalists, under the command of Colonel John -Butler, together with about five hundred Indians, marched in that -direction. Arriving at Tioga Point, Butler and the Indian leaders [FN-1] -procured floats and rafts, upon which they embarked their forces, and, -descending the Susquehanna, landed at a place called the Three Islands, -whence they marched about twenty miles, and crossing a wilderness, entered -the valley of Wyoming through a gap of the mountain near its northern -extremity. [FN-2] They took possession of two small forts, without -opposition, on the 2d of July—the first of which was called the Exeter -fort. It was said the garrison consisted chiefly of Tories, who -treacherously surrendered it to the enemy. The other was the fort of -Lackawana, where the enemy encountered some resistance. But it was soon -carried, a magistrate named Jenkins being killed, together with his -family, and several others, mostly women and children, made prisoners. -One of these forts was burnt. [FN-3] In the other, the proper name of -which was Fort Wintermoot, Colonel John Butler established his -head-quarters.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] It is difficult to ascertain with certainty from what tribes or - nations these Indians were drawn. It will be seen by a note a few pages - onward, that there is reason to suppose they were from Detroit, and were - led by an officer of the British service. Certainly they had no chiefs - of any considerable note among them.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Marshall's Life of Washington.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] The Remembrancer.</p> - - -<p>The inhabitants, on receiving intelligence of the approach of the -invaders, assembled within a fortification four miles below, called Fort -Forty, from the circumstance of its having been occupied by forty men, at -some period of the antecedent troubles of the Colony. Colonel Zebulon -Butler, whose name has occurred several times in the preceding summary of -the history of Wyoming, was in command of about sixty regular troops, and -he now made every exertion to muster the militia of the settlements. But -in his official despatch he complained, that as the women and children -had fled to the several forts, of which there were seven within the -distance of ten miles along the valley, the men, too many of them, would -remain behind to take care of <i>them.</i> Still, he succeeded in collecting -about three hundred of the militia, and commenced his march to meet the -enemy on the 1st of July, in connexion with the regular troops before -mentioned, commanded by Captain Hewett. On their first advance, they fell -in with a scout of Indians, of whom they killed two. These savages had -just murdered nine men engaged at work in a corn-field. [FN-1] Not being -supplied with provisions, Colonel Zebulon Butler [FN-2] was obliged to -fall back upon Fort Forty, while his militia procured supplies. They -mustered again on the 3d, and a council of war was convened. Messengers -having been despatched to the head-quarters of General Washington for -assistance, immediately after the enemy's movements were known at Wyoming, -Colonel Z. Butler was desirous of waiting for reinforcements. But his -officers and men were impatient for a trial of strength. [FN-3] The -messengers had already been gone so long, that it was supposed they had -been cut off, and consequently that General Washington was ignorant of -their situation. In that case no reinforcements could reach them in -season to save their valley from being ravaged; and as the enemy's forces -were daily increasing, it was held to be the part of wisdom to attack him -at once.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Colonel Z. Butler's letter.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] It is necessary to repeat the Christian names of both the Butlers, - to avoid confusion—that being the surname of both the opposing - commanders.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Marshall.</p> - - -<p>While the question was under debate, five officers arrived from the -Continental army, who, on hearing the tidings of the meditated invasion, -had thrown up their commissions and hastened home to protect their -families. They had heard nothing of the messengers, and intimated that -there was no prospect of speedy assistance. [FN] The discussions were -animated; but the apprehension, that in the event of longer delay the -enemy would become too powerful for them, and thus be enabled to sweep -through their valley and destroy their harvest, was so strong, and the -militia were so sanguine of being able to meet and vanquish the enemy, -that Colonel Butler yielded, and set forward at the head of nearly four -hundred men. Colonel Denniston, his former associate in the commission of -the peace, being his second in command.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Chapman.</p> - - -<p>It was intended to make a quick movement, and take the enemy by surprise. -Having approached within two miles of Fort Wintermoot, [FN-1] a small -reconnoitering party was sent forward for observation. They ascertained -that the enemy were carousing in their huts in perfect security; but on -their return they were so unfortunate as to fall in with an Indian scout, -who immediately fired and gave the alarm. [FN-2] The Provincials pushed -rapidly forward; but the British and Indians were prepared to receive -them—"their line being formed a small distance in front of their camp, -in a plain thinly covered with pine, shrub-oaks, and undergrowth, and -extending from the river to a marsh, at the foot of the mountain." [FN-3] -On coming in view of the enemy, the Americans, who had previously marched -in a single column, instantly displayed into a line of equal extent, and -attacked from right to left at the same time. [FN-4] The right of the -Americans was commanded by Colonel Zebulon Butler, opposed to Colonel -John Butler commanding the enemy's left. Colonel Dennison commanded the -left of the Americans, and was opposed by Indians forming the enemy's -right. [FN-5] The battle commenced at about forty rods distance, without -much execution at the onset, as the brush-wood interposed obstacles to -the sight. The militia stood the fire well for a short time, and as they -pressed forward, there was some giving way on the enemy's right. -Unluckily, just at this moment the appalling war-whoop of the Indians -rang in the rear of the American left—the Indian leader having conducted -a large party of his warriors through the marsh, and succeeded in turning -Dennison's flank. A heavy and destructive fire was simultaneously poured -into the American ranks; and amidst the confusion, Colonel Dennison -directed his men to "<i>fall back,</i>" to avoid being surrounded, and to gain -time to bring his men into order again. This direction was mistaken for -an order to "retreat," whereupon the whole line broke, and every effort -of their officers to restore order was unavailing. At this stage of the -battle, and while thus engaged, the American officers mostly fell. The -flight was general. The Indians, throwing away their rifles, rushed -forward with their tomahawks, making dreadful havoc—answering the cries -for mercy with the hatchet—and adding to the universal consternation -those terrific yells which invest savage warfare with tenfold horror. So -alert was the foe in this bloody pursuit, that less than sixty of the -Americans escaped either the rifle or the tomahawk. Of the militia -officers, there fell one lieutenant-colonel, one major, and ten captains, -six lieutenants, and two ensigns. Colonel Durkee, and Captains Hewett -and Ransom were likewise killed. Some of the fugitives escaped by swimming -the river, and others by flying to the mountains. As the news of the -defeat spread down the valley, the greater part of the women and children, -and those who had remained behind to protect them, likewise ran to the -woods and the mountains; while those who could not escape thus, sought -refuge in Fort Wyoming. The Indians, apparently wearied with pursuit and -slaughter, desisted, and betook themselves to secure the spoils of the -vanquished.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The fort was thus called after the proprietor of the land whereon - it was built, and the adjacent territory—a distinguished Tory named - Wintermoot. He was active in bringing destruction upon the valley, and, - after doing all the mischief he could to the settlement, removed to - Canada. During the war with England in 1812-15—while the British were - investing Fort Erie, a son of old Mr. Wintermoot, a lieutenant in the - enemy's service, was killed by a volunteer from the neighborhood of - Wyoming. Young Wintermoot was reconnoitering one of the American pickets, - when he was shot down by the said volunteer, who was engaged in the same - service against a picket of the enemy. The volunteer returned into the - fort, bringing in the arms and commission of the officer he had slain as - a trophy.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Chapman.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Marshall.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Col. Z. Butler's letter.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Chapman.</p> - - -<p>On the morning of the 4th, the day after the battle, Colonel John Butler, -with the combined British and Indian forces, appeared before Fort Wyoming, -and demanded its surrender. The inhabitants, both within and without the -fort, did not, on that emergency, sustain a character for courage becoming -men of spirit in adversity. They were so intimidated as to give up without -fighting; great numbers ran off; and those who remained, all but betrayed -Colonel Zebulon Butler, their commander. [FN-1] The British Colonel Butler -sent several flags, requiring an unconditional surrender of his opposing -namesake and the few Continental troops yet remaining, but offering to -spare the inhabitants their property and effects. But with the American -Colonel the victor would not treat on any terms; and the people thereupon -compelled Colonel Dennison to comply with conditions which his commander -had refused. [FN-2] The consequence was, that Colonel Zebulon Butler -contrived to escape from the fort with the remains of Captain Hewett's -company of regulars, [FN-3] and Colonel Dennison entered into articles of -capitulation. By these it was stipulated that the settlers should be -disarmed and their garrison demolished; that all the prisoners and public -stores should be given up; that the property of "the people called -Tories" should be made good, and they be permitted to remain peaceably -upon their farms. In behalf of the settlers it was stipulated that their -lives and property should be preserved, and that they should be left in -the unmolested occupancy of their farms. [FN-4]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Colonel Z. Butler's letter.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Idem.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Chapman's History.</p> - - -<p>Unhappily, however, the British commander either could not or would not -enforce the terms of the capitulation, which were to a great extent -disregarded as well by the Tories as Indians. Instead of finding -protection, the valley was again laid waste—the houses and improvements -were destroyed by fire, and the country plundered. Families were broken -up and dispersed, men and their wives separated, mothers torn from their -children, and some of them carried into captivity, while far the greater -number fled to the mountains, and wandered through the wilderness to the -older settlements. Some died of their wounds, others from want and -fatigue, while others still were lost in the wilderness, or were heard of -no more. Several perished in a great swamp in the neighborhood, which from -that circumstance acquired the name of "<i>The Shades of Death,</i>" and retains -it to this day. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Chapman's History.</p> - - -<p>These were painful scenes. But it does not appear that any thing like a -massacre followed the capitulation. [FN-1] Nor, in the events of the -preceding day, is there good evidence of the perpetration of any specific -acts of cruelty, other than such as are usual in the general rout of a -battle-field—save only the unexampled atrocities of the Tories, -thirsting, probably, for revenge in regard to other questions than that -of allegiance to the King. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] It will be seen, a few pages forward, by a letter from Walter - Butler, writing on behalf of his father, Col. John Butler, that a solemn - denial is made of any massacre whatever, save the killing of men in arms - in the open field. This letter, in vindication of the refugee Butlers, - would have been introduced here, but for its connexion with the affair - of Cherry Valley.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Indeed, for cold-blooded cruelty, which may be called murder - outright, there was nothing at Wyoming, with the single exception of the - fratricide soon to be related, at all comparable to the massacre of the - Mexicans at San Jacinto by the <i>soi-disant</i> Texan heroes under Houston.</p> - - -<p>There seems, from the first, to have been an uncommonly large proportion -of loyalists in the Wyoming settlements, whose notions of legal restraint, -from the previous collisions of the inhabitants, were of course -latitudinarian; nor were their antecedent asperities softened by the -attempts of the Whigs to keep them within proper control, after -hostilities had commenced. The greater number of these, as we have already -seen, together with those who were arrested, had joined themselves to the -enemy. But these were not all the defections. After the arrival of the -enemy upon the confines of the settlement, and before the battle, a -considerable number of the inhabitants joined his ranks, and exhibited -instances of the most savage barbarity against their former neighbors and -friends. [FN-1] Nor has it ever been denied, in regard to the battle of -Wyoming, that none were more ferocious and cruel—more destitute of the -unstrained quality of mercy, than those same loyalists or Tories. An -example of the spirit by which they were actuated is found in the -following occurrence, which, on account of its Cain-like barbarity, is -worthy of repetition. Not far from the battleground was an island in the -Susquehanna, called Monockonock, to which several of the fugitive -militia-men fled for security throwing away their arms, and swimming the -river. Here they concealed themselves as they could among the brush-wood. -Their place of retreat being discovered, several Tories followed them; -and, though obliged to swim, yet so intent were they upon the work of -death, that they succeeded in taking their guns with them. Arriving upon -the island, they deliberately wiped their gun-locks, recharged their -pieces, and commenced searching for the fugitives. Two of these were -concealed in sight of each other, but one of them escaped. But it was -nevertheless his lot to behold a scene painful enough to make the most -hardened offender weep, and "blush to own himself a man." One of the -pursuers came upon his companion in partial concealment, who proved to be -his own brother. His salutation was—"So, it is you, is it?" The unarmed -and defenceless man, thus observed, came forward, and fell upon his knees -before his brother, begging for mercy—promising to live with him, and -serve him for ever, if he would but spare his life. "All this is mighty -fine," replied the unrelenting traitor, "but you are a d—d -rebel!"—saying which, he deliberately leveled his rifle, and shot him -dead upon the spot. [FN-2] In a domestic war marked by such atrocity, even -among those claiming to be civilized, it becomes us to pause before we -brand the untutored savage, who fights according to the usages of his own -people, with <i>all</i> that is revolting and cruel. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Chapman.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Chapman's Hist. of Wyoming.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Doctor Thatcher, in his Military Journal, records still greater - barbarities as having been perpetrated on this bloody occasion. He - says—"One of the prisoners a Captain Badlock, was committed to torture, - by having his body stuck full of splinters of pine knots, and a fire of - dry wood made around him, when his two companions, Captains Ransom and - Durkee, where thrown into the same fire, and held down with pitchforks - till consumed. One Partial Terry, the son of a man of respectable - character, having joined the Indian party, several times sent his father - word that he hoped <i>to wash his hands in his heart's blood.</i> The monster - <i>with his own hands murdered his father, mother, brothers, and sisters, - stripped off their scalps, and cut off his father's head!!</i> Thomas Terry - <i>with his own hands butchered his own mother, his father-in-law, his - sisters and their infant children, and exterminated the whole family!!</i>" - Upon which the worthy Doctor remarks—"It is only in the infernal regions - that we can look for a parallel instance of unnatural wickedness." It is - doubtful whether so great an atrocity was ever committed even there. - Certainly no such were perpetrated at Wyoming. Dr. Thatcher also states, - that when Col. Z. Butler sent a flag to propose terms of capitulation, - the reply of Col. John Butler was in two words—"<i>The Hatchet.</i>" He also - remarks, in regard to the moral and social condition of Wyoming, that but - for the dissensions produced by the war of the Revolution, "the - inhabitants of this secluded spot might have lived in the enjoyment of - all the happiness which results from harmony and the purest natural - affection." Witness the ten years of civil wars sketched in the preceding - pages. It was also reported that a man named Thomas Hill with his own - hands killed his own mother, his father-in-law, his sisters and their - families! And such is history! These monstrous exaggerations were the - reports of the battle first published at Poughkeepsie on the 20th of - July, as derived from the lips of the terrified fugitives who were - wending their way back to Connecticut,</p> - - -<p>There is still another important correction to be made, in reference to -every written history of this battle extant, not even excepting the last -revised edition of the Life of Washington by Chief Justice Marshall. This -correction regards the name, and the just fame, of Joseph Brant, whose -character has been blackened with all the infamy, both real and imaginary, -connected with this bloody expedition. Whether Captain Brant was at any -time in company with this expedition, is doubtful; but it is certain, in -the face of every historical authority, British and American, that so far -from being engaged in the battle, he was many miles distant at the time -of its occurrence. Such has been the uniform testimony of the British -officers engaged in that expedition, and such was always the word of -Thayendanegea himself. It will, moreover, be seen, toward the close of the -present work, that after the publication of Campbell's "Gertrude of -Wyoming," in which poem the Mohawk chieftain was denounced as "the Monster -Brant," his son repaired to England, and in a correspondence with the -poet, successfully vindicated his father's memory from the calumny. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Since the present chapter was written, and while the work was under - revision, the author has received a letter from Mr. Samuel C. Frey, of - Upper Canada, a son of the late Philip R. Frey, Esq. a loyalist of Tryon - County, who was an ensign in H. B. M.'s Eighth Regiment, and who, with - his regiment, was engaged in the campaign and battle of Wyoming. Philip - R. Frey, the ensign spoken of, died at Palatine, Montgomery (formerly - Tryon) County, in 1823. It was his uniform testimony that Brant was not - at Wyoming. Mr. Frey writes to the author, that there were no chiefs of - notoriety with the Indians on that expedition, and that the Indians - themselves were led from Detroit, by Captain Bird of the Eighth Regiment. - Bird had been engaged in a love affair at Detroit, but, being very ugly, - besides having a harelip, was unsuccessful. The affair getting wind, his - fellow-officers made themselves merry at his expense, and in order to - steep his griefs in forgetfulness, he obtained permission to lead an - expedition somewhere against the American frontier. Joining the Indians - placed under him, and a detachment of his regiment, to Butler's rangers, - they concerted the descent upon Wyoming. Ensign Frey stated that he was - ill-natured during the whole march, and acted with fool-hardiness at the - battle. He farther stated, according to the letter of his son, that the - American Colonel challenged them to a fair field-fight, which challenge - was accepted. "The next morning, at about 9 o'clock, the Americans poured - out of the fort about three hundred and forty in number—the Indians fell - back over a hill—the troops on both sides drew up in battle array and - soon commenced; after a few rounds fired, the American Colonel ordered - his drum-major to beat a charge, the drum-major mistook the order and - beat a retreat, the Americans became disordered immediately, and ran - helter-skelter; the moment the Indians saw them running, they poured - down upon them from their hiding places, so that no more than about forty - survived out of three hundred and forty." Rarely, indeed, does it happen - that history is more at fault in regard to facts than in the case of - Wyoming. The remark may be applied to nearly every writer who has - attempted to narrate the events connected with the invasion of Colonel - John Butler. Ramsay, and Gordon, and Marshall—nay, the British - historians themselves—have written gross exaggerations. Marshall, - however, in his revised edition, has made corrections, and explained how - and by whom he was led into error. My excellent friend, Charles Miner, - Esq. long a resident of Wyoming, a gentleman of letters and great - accuracy, furnished the biographer of Washington with a true narrative - of the transactions, which he made the basis of the summary account - contained in his revised edition. Other writers, of greater or less note, - have gravely recorded the same fictions, adding, it is to be feared, - enormities not even conveyed to them by tradition. The grossest of these - exaggerations are contained in Thatcher's Military Journal and Drake's - Book of the Indians. The account of the marching out of a large body of - Americans from one of the forts, to hold a parley, by agreement, and - then being drawn into an ambuscade and all put to death, is false; the - account of seventy Continental soldiers being butchered, after having - surrendered, is also totally untrue. No regular troops surrendered, and - all escaped who survived the battle of the 3d. Equally untrue was the - story of the burning of houses, barracks, and forts, filled with women - and children.</p> - - -<p>It is related in the unwritten history of this battle, that the celebrated -Catharine Montour was present, with her two sons; and that she ranged the -field of blood like a chafed tigress, stimulating the warriors of her -adopted race to the onslaught, even in the hottest of the fight. But from -the antecedent character of that remarkable woman, the story can hardly be -credited. She was a native of Canada, a half-breed, her father having been -one of the early French governors—probably Count Frontenac, as he must -have been in the government of that country at about the time of her -birth. During the wars between the Six Nations and the French and Hurons, -Catharine, when about ten years of age, was made a captive, taken into the -Seneca country, adopted and reared as one of their own children. When -arrived at a suitable age, she was married to one of the distinguished -chiefs of her tribe, who signalized himself in the wars of the Six Nations -against the Catawbas, then a great nation living south-westward of -Virginia. She had several children by this chieftain, who fell in battle -about the year 1730, after which she did not again marry. She is said to -have been a handsome woman when young, genteel, and of polite address, -notwithstanding her Indian associations. It was frequently her lot to -accompany the chiefs of the Six Nations to Philadelphia, and other places -in Pennsylvania, where treaties were holden; and from her character and -manners she was greatly caressed by the American ladies—particularly in -Philadelphia, where she was invited by the ladies of the best circles, -and entertained at their houses. Her residence was at the head of the -Seneca Lake. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Catharinestown—so named from her. This account of Catharine Montour - is chiefly drawn from Witham Marshe's Journal of a treaty with the Six - Nations, held at Lancaster in 1744—Vide Mass. Hist. Coll. In 1758 Sir - William Johnson had an Indian interpreter in his service, known as - "Captain Montour." One of Catharine's sons was called "Captain," and was - probably the same. Tradition, at Seneca Lake, holds that Catharine - Montour was killed by Sullivan's men in 1779. But it will hereafter be - seen that such was not the fact.</p> - - -<p>Some of the flying fugitives from Wyoming had not proceeded many miles -from their desolate homes, before they met a detachment of Continental -troops on their way to assist the Colony. It was now too late. But the -detachment, nevertheless, remained at Stroudsburg three or four weeks, by -which time Colonel Zebulon Butler had collected a force consisting of -straggling settlers and others, with whom, and the regular troops just -mentioned, he returned, and repossessed himself of Wyoming—the enemy -having retired shortly after the battle—Colonel John Butler to Niagara, -and the Indians to their homes; while Thayendanegea moved as he had -occasion, from his old haunts higher up the Susquehanna, at Oghkwaga and -Unadilla.</p> - -<p>Immediately on the reception of the disastrous tidings from Wyoming at the -Continental head-quarters, Colonel Hartley's regiment was ordered thither, -with instructions from Congress to remain on that frontier until the -crops were secured and the enemy should have retreated. He was joined by -several militia companies, and, among other officers, by Colonel Dennison, -who, in the capitulation of Wyoming, had stipulated not again to serve -against the King's troops. He accompanied Colonel Hartley in an expedition -against some of the Indian towns up the Susquehanna, in the direction of -Oghkwaga, several of which were destroyed. A few prisoners were also -taken. It appearing, however, that the enemy were gathering in too much -force for him to remain long within their territory, Colonel Hartley was -constrained to retreat. An attack was made upon his rear, but the -assailants were repulsed. Colonel Dennison doubtless felt himself -warranted in breaking the stipulations of Fort Wyoming, by the fact that -those stipulations were not strictly observed by the Tories and Indians. -But the enemy made no such allowance; and this expedition, or rather the -conduct of Colonel Dennison, was subsequently used as a pretext for some -of the incidents connected with the attack upon Cherry Valley.</p> - -<p>Colonel Zebulon Butler built another fort at Wyoming, which he continued -to occupy until the next year, when the command of that region devolved -upon General Sullivan. In the mean time the outskirts of the settlements -were frequently harassed by straggling parties of Tories and Indians, who -occasionally committed an assassination or carried off a few prisoners. -The Americans, in turn, despatched every Indian who fell in their way. In -March following, the fort was surrounded by a force of two hundred and -fifty Indians, and Tories disguised as such. They attacked the fortress, -but fled on the discharge of a single piece of artillery—burning whatever -buildings had either been re-erected or left standing at the former -invasion. The garrison was too weak to allow of a pursuit. A few weeks -afterward, as a company of Continental troops were approaching the fort, -under the command of Major Powell, they were fired upon by a party of -Indians in ambush, while passing along a single track through a difficult -swamp. In this attack, Captain Davis, Lieutenant Jones, and four privates, -were killed. The detachment formed for action with all possible despatch; -but the Indians fled after two or three discharges. Nor did they re-appear -afterward, in that immediate neighborhood, in any subsequent stage of the -revolutionary contest, although other sections of the Pennsylvania -frontier, farther south and west, suffered occasionally from their -depredations, particularly in the following year, while Sullivan was -preparing to advance into the Seneca country. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Thus ends the revolutionary history of Wyoming. But from what has - been given in the preceding pages, touching the history of this valley - and its feuds before the Revolution, the reader may possibly feel some - desire to learn the subsequent progress of the long-pending land quarrel. - After the Indians had been chastised, the settlers returned, and the - valley and its precincts once more began to flourish. Pennsylvania again - interposed her claims; and a Commission was appointed by Congress, which - met in New Jersey, to hear the case and decide the question. It was - unanimously decided in favor of Pennsylvania. The people held that this - decision was one of jurisdiction merely, and with this understanding - cheerfully acquiesced in it. But fresh troubles arose. A company of - Continental troops was stationed there in 1783, to keep the peace, and - this only made matters worse—the soldiers became licentious and - overbearing, and the people were exceedingly annoyed thereat. In the - Spring of 1784, by a succession of ice-dams which accumulated in the - river, the valley was overflowed, and the inhabitants were compelled to - fly to the mountains for safety. When the ice gave way, the floods swept - off every thing—leaving the whole valley a scene of greater desolation - than ever. Presently afterward the old troubles broke out afresh. The - inhabitants refused to obey their new masters. The Connecticut settlers - flew to arms—the Pennsylvanians sent troops thither—the Connecticut - settlers laid siege to the fort—there were riots and skirmishings, and - some killed and wounded. The Connecticut people were taken prisoners by - treachery, and sent off to prison. They escaped. Reinforcements of troops - were sent by Pennsylvania—there was more blood shed. Various attempts - were made to settle the difficulties. Commissioners were appointed upon - the subject, one of whom was Timothy Pickering. He was forcibly seized, - and carried into captivity. His story has been written by himself, and - is full of interest. These difficulties continued, with feelings of the - bitterest contention, ten years, before matters were compromised between - the parties, so that they settled down in peace. It is now a rich and - flourishing county, and may be called the Paradise of Pennsylvania.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chxvi">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Evacuation of Philadelphia by Sir Henry Clinton—Followed through New - Jersey by Washington—Battle of Monmouth—Conduct and arrest of General - Lee—Retreat of the enemy—Arrival of the French fleet—Combined attack - of the Americans and French upon the British army of Rhode - Island—British fleet escapes from Count D'Estaing—Battle of Rhode - Island—Failure of the expedition—Projected campaigns against the - Indians—Captains Pipe and White-Eyes—M<sup>c</sup>Kee and Girty—General M<sup>c</sup>Intosh - ordered against the Sandusky towns—Irruption of Brant into - Cobleskill—Of M<sup>c</sup>Donald into the Schoharie settlements—Pusillanimity - of Colonel Vrooman—Bravery of Colonel Harper—His expedition to - Albany—Captivity of Mr. Sawyer—Slays six Indians and escapes—Colonel - William Butler sent to Schoharie—Morgan's rifle corps—Daring - adventures of Murphy and Elerson—Death of Service, a noted - Tory—Murphy's subsequent adventures—Affairs at Fort Schuyler—Alarming - number of desertions—Destruction of Andros-town by the - Indians—Conflagration of the German Flats—Expedition of Colonel - William Butler from Schoharie to Unadilla and Oghkwaga.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">No sooner</span> had Great Britain been apprized of the alliance between France -and her revolted Colonies, than it was determined to evacuate -Philadelphia, and concentrate the Royal army at New-York. Accordingly, on -the 18th of June the British troops crossed the Delaware into New Jersey, -and commenced their march for New-York, ascending the east bank of the -river to Allentown, and thence taking the lower road leading through -Monmouth to Sandy Hook, General Washington, anticipating this movement, -had previously detached a division of the army under General Maxwell, to -impede the enemy's march. It was known that General Gates was approaching -with the army from the North, and the enemy's motions were no sooner -ascertained, than General Wayne was despatched, with one thousand chosen -men, to strengthen the lines. The Marquis de Lafayette was directed to -take command of the whole force thus sent in advance, while Washington -himself moved rapidly forward with the main army. It was his design to -bring on a general, and, if possible, a decisive engagement. The result -of his movements for that object was the battle of Monmouth, fought on -the 28th of June. The dispositions for this engagement were admirably -arranged on the night of the 27th, the position of the enemy being such -as to afford the best advantages for an attack upon his rear the moment -he should get in motion. Such being the intentions of the -Commander-in-chief, they were communicated to General Lee, who was ordered -to make his dispositions accordingly, and to keep his troops lying upon -their arms to be in readiness at the shortest notice. At five in the -morning of the 28th, the front of the enemy was observed to be in motion, -and orders were instantly despatched to General Lee to move on and attack, -"unless there should be very powerful reasons to the contrary." Lee was -also advised that Washington was himself advancing to support him. After -marching about five miles, "to the great surprise and mortification" of -the Commander-in-chief, he met the whole advanced corps retreating, by the -orders of Lee, "without having made any opposition, except one fire given -by a party under Colonel Butler, on their being charged by the enemy's -cavalry, who were repulsed." [FN-1] Lee was sharply rebuked, and placed in -arrest. Hurrying to the rear of the retreating corps, which the -Commander-in-chief found closely pressed by the enemy, he arrested their -flight, re-formed them, and with the aid of some well-served pieces of -artillery, at once checked the enemy's advance, and gained time for making -such dispositions as the unexpected emergency required. The battle soon -became general, and was obstinately contested at various points through -the whole day, until dark; Sir Henry Clinton and General Washington -heading their respective armies in person. By the misconduct of Lee, -however, and an error of General Scott in the morning, advantages had been -lost which entirely disconcerted the views of the Commander-in-chief, and -deprived the American arms of a victory which was all but certain. Still, -the fortunes of the day were so far recovered, that, from being the -pursued, "the Americans drove the enemy back over the ground they had -followed, and recovered the field of battle, and possessed themselves of -their dead. But as they retreated behind a morass very difficult to pass, -and had both flanks secured with thick woods, it was found impracticable -for the Americans, fainting with fatigue, heat, and want of water, to do -any thing more that night." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, July 1, 1778.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter of Washington to his brother, John Augustine Washington, - July 4, 1778.</p> - - -<p>Both armies encamped in the field, and lay upon their arms; Washington -himself sleeping in his cloak under a tree in the midst of his soldiers. -His intention was to renew and end the battle on the following morning, -not doubting as to the issue. Indeed, the result of that day's fight was -justly considered a victory by the American officers, and but for the -conduct of Lee in the morning, it would almost beyond question have been -decisive. [FN-1] But the purpose of the Commander-in-chief to renew the -engagement was frustrated by a silent midnight retreat of the enemy—so -silent, indeed, that his departure was not known until the morning. [FN-2] -A variety of circumstances concurred to render a pursuit by the Americans -unadvisable; among the principal of which were, the extreme heat of the -weather, the fatigue of the army from its march through a deep sandy -country, almost entirely destitute of water, and the distance the enemy -had gained by his midnight march. A pursuit, it was believed, would answer -no valuable purpose, and would certainly be fatal to numbers of the men, -several of whom had perished of heat on the preceding day. [FN-3] The -American commander thereupon drew off his army to the Hudson, crossed -over, and once more established his head-quarters at White Plains. -Meantime Sir Henry Clinton proceeded to Sandy Hook, and thence passed his -troops over to New-York. The loss of the Americans in this battle was -eight officers and sixty-one privates killed, and one hundred and sixty -wounded. That of the enemy was three hundred and sixty-eight in killed, -wounded, and missing, and about one hundred taken prisoners. One thousand -of their men deserted on their march. Both parties claimed the victory, -which was in fact won by neither. The advantages, in the earlier part of -the day, were in favor of the British; in the after-part, of the -Americans. The stealthy retreat of the former, moreover, covered by the -darkness, left no doubt as to which army was best prepared to renew the -conflict with the return of daylight.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] In a letter to General Gansevoort from Colonel Willett, who was - on a visit to head-quarters at the time of the battle of Monmouth, the - Colonel says:—"I have had the pleasure of seeing the American army, - under the great General Washington, triumph over the haughty British in - the battle of Monmouth. The action was grand, and ended - gloriously."—<i>MS. letter of Col. Willett.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] In his despatches to his government, Sir Henry Clinton stated - that he took the advantage of the moonlight in his retreat; when, in - reality, he did not begin the retreat until some hours after the moon - had set. In the course of a correspondence in the following Spring, - between Governor William Livingston and Sir Henry, the Governor taunted - him upon this subject of his moonlight retreat. That correspondence was - sharp upon both sides. Governor Livingston wrote to Sir Henry that he - had received indisputable evidence, that a British General had offered - a large sum of money to an inhabitant of New Jersey to assassinate him, - (Governor L.) Sir Henry repelled the imputation in strong - terms—declaring that were he "capable of harboring such an infamous - idea as that of assassination, he would not blacken himself with so foul - a crime to obtain so trifling an end." Clinton was evidently irritated, - and from the coarseness of his language, gave Governor Livingston the - decided advantage in his rejoinder, which was equally dignified and - severe.—<i>Vide Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vi. pp.</i> 279, 281.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Letter of Washington to the President of Congress.</p> - - -<p>The French fleet, under the Count D'Estaing, consisting of twelve ships -of the line and six frigates, having on board four thousand troops, -arrived on the coast of Virginia about the 1st of July. The design of the -French commander was to engage the British squadron in the Chesapeake. -But unfortunately, the latter had sailed for New-York a few days before. -Thither the Count followed the British admiral, but the bar of the -New-York harbor would not allow the entrance of his heavy ships. An attack -upon New-York thus proving to be impracticable, by the advice of General -Washington it was determined to make an attempt upon Rhode Island, then -occupied by six thousand British troops commanded by Major General Sir -Robert Pigott. General Sullivan, with an army of ten thousand men, was -lying in the neighborhood of Providence, Count D'Estaing arrived off -Newport on the 25th of July, and arrangements were soon adjusted between -General Sullivan and himself for a combined attack upon the town of -Newport by land and sea. The assault was to be made on the 9th of August, -for which purpose Sullivan moved down to Tiverton, where he was joined by -General Greene, and the ships of war entered the channel. But the militia -not having joined the regular troops so promptly as was expected, General -Sullivan judged it necessary to postpone the attack for a day or two. -Meantime Lord Howe appeared off the harbor with the British fleet, and -the Count D'Estaing immediately put to sea to engage him. The French fleet -having the weather gage, the British admiral weighed anchor and put to -sea, followed by the Count. A storm separated the fleets, so that no -engagement took place; and on his return to port on the 19th, Count -D'Estaing found it necessary to repair to Boston to refit. During the -absence of the Count, however, while in chase of Lord Howe, General -Sullivan had crossed over to the island, and on the 15th laid siege to -the town of Newport. But when the French admiral departed for Boston, the -militia, disappointed and disheartened at being thus abandoned by their -allies, left the service in such numbers, that Sullivan was compelled to -raise the siege and retire. He was pursued to the distance of a mile north -of Quaker Hill, where, on the 29th of August, was fought the battle of -Rhode Island. It was a sharp and obstinate engagement of half an hour, at -the end of which the enemy gave way and retreated. The loss of the -Americans was two hundred and eleven. That of the enemy two hundred and -sixty. [FN] Ascertaining, soon afterward, that strong reinforcements were -coming from New-York to the aid of General Pigott, a resolution was -immediately adopted by Sullivan to evacuate the island. This determination -was executed on the night of the 30th—most luckily, as the event proved; -for on the very next day Sir Henry Clinton arrived at Newport with four -thousand troops, which reinforcement would doubtless have enabled the -enemy to cut off the retreat of the Americans.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] One of the most brilliant affairs during this expedition was - performed by Colonel John Trumbull, who was acting as a volunteer under - Sullivan at the time—as will be seen by the Colonel's memoirs when - published.</p> - - -<p>In September, after the return of the British troops to New-York, strong -divisions moved northward on each side of the Hudson river. By a -detachment of one of these, under General Gray, a regiment of American -cavalry, commanded by Colonel Baylor, was surprised while asleep at -Tappan, and almost entirely cut off. The enemy rushed upon the sleeping -troopers, numbering one hundred and four privates with their bayonets. -The loss, killed, wounded, and taken, was sixty-four. This exploit was -very similar to that of the Paoli, under the same General, the preceding -year.</p> - -<p>In consequence of the hostile spirit very generally and extensively -manifested by the Indians—the great western tribes becoming more and -more restive—early in June, immediately preceding the affair of Wyoming, -Congress had determined upon a more enlarged and decisive campaign against -them. This had, indeed, become the more necessary from the belligerent -indications among the Delawares and Shawanese, inhabiting the territory -now forming the State of Ohio. At the commencement of the war -<i>Koquethagaeehlon,</i> the Delaware chief usually known as Captain -<i>White-Eyes,</i> a firm friend of the Colonies, had succeeded in preventing -his people from taking up the hatchet against them, in opposition to the -views of his rival chief, Captain <i>Pipe.</i> But in the Spring of the present -year, the policy of the latter had well nigh prevailed, through the -revengeful machinations of three celebrated loyalists, named <i>M<sup>c</sup>Kee, -Elliot,</i> and <i>Simon Girty,</i> who had been confined at Pittsburgh as Tories; -but who, effecting their escape, traversed the Indian country to Detroit, -proclaiming, as they went, that the Americans had resolved upon their -destruction, and that their only chance of safety was to espouse the -cause of the Crown, and fight. Availing himself of the excitement created -by those fugitives, [FN-1] Captain Pipe assembled a large number of his -warriors, and proclaimed "every one an enemy to his country who should -endeavor to persuade them against fighting the Americans, and declared -that all such ought surely to be put to death." But White-Eyes was by no -means inactive in his efforts to preserve peace. Collecting the people of -his tribe, he addressed them with great earnestness and pathos. Observing -that some of his warriors were preparing to take up the hatchet, he -admonished them strongly against such a course, which, in the end, could -only bring upon them sure destruction. Still, if they believed he was -wrong—if they were disposed to place more confidence in the tales of -those whom he knew to be fugitives, than to himself, they should not go -out without him. "But he would not go out with them like the bear-hunter, -who sets the dogs on the animal to be beaten about with his paws while he -keeps at a safe distance. No! He would lead them on, place himself in -their front, and be the first who should fall. They only had to determine -what they meant to do. As for his own mind, it was fully made up not to -survive his nation. And he would not spend the remainder of a miserable -life, in bewailing the total destruction of a brave people who deserved -a better fate." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The names of these men will be of frequent recurrence in the - subsequent volume of this work, in connexion with the Indian wars of - 1789—1794.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Drake's Book of the Indians.</p> - - -<p>The counsel of White-Eyes, supported by a conciliatory message, which was -received just in good time, from the Americans, prevailed for the moment, -and the Delawares came to the unanimous determination to follow his -advice, and his alone. Availing himself of the hour of success, -White-Eyes forthwith despatched the following energetic letter to the -Shawanese of the Scioto, who had also been visited by M<sup>c</sup>Kee, Elliot, and -Girty.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Grand-children, ye Shawanese:</span> Some days ago a flock of birds, that had -come on from the East, lit at Goschochking, imposing a song of theirs -upon us, which song had nigh proved our ruin. Should these birds, which, -on leaving us, took their flight toward Scioto, endeavor to impose a song -on you likewise, do not listen to them, for they lie."</p> - -<p>But the hostile action of these people was only suspended for a short -time, and it became necessary for more extended and efficient operations -against nearly the whole race. [FN-1] In the project of Congress already -adverted to, it was intended that one expedition should move upon Detroit, -while General Gates was instructed by resolution to co-operate with that -expedition by carrying the war into the Seneca country, and also to -dispossess the enemy of Oswego, should he be found in the occupancy of -that post. It appears, that at the very moment of the invasion of Wyoming, -there was a delegation of Seneca chiefs at Philadelphia; but having taken -their departure without communicating with the government, a resolution -was passed by Congress, immediately upon the receipt of Colonel Z. -Butler's despatches, instructing the Board of War to send after the -chiefs, and ascertain from them in what character, and for what purposes, -they had made the said visit; and also to inquire whether the Seneca -warriors had not been engaged in hostilities against the United States. -On the 16th of July information was received that the chiefs refused to -return, and instructions to General Schuyler were proposed, directing him -to intercept and detain them at Albany. The motion was negatived; but on -the 25th of July, Congress having ascertained that the Senecas were -actually engaged in the invasion of Wyoming, "aided by Tories and other -banditti from the frontiers of New-York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania," -it was resolved that the expedition against the hostiles of the Six -Nations should be forwarded with all possible despatch. In the mean time, -however, from the expensiveness of the undertaking, the expedition against -Detroit was reluctantly abandoned; but in lieu thereof, General M<sup>c</sup>Intosh, -commanding the Western department, was ordered to proceed from Pittsburgh -against those of the Indian towns the destruction of which, in his -opinion, would tend most effectually to intimidate and chastise them. -[FN-2] M<sup>c</sup>Intosh had been stationed at Pittsburgh early in the Spring, and -with a small party of regulars and militia, had descended the Ohio about -thirty miles, and erected a fort, which was called by his own name, at -Beavertown. It was a small work, built of strong stockades, and furnished -with bastions mounting one six pounder each. The situation was well -chosen, as a point affording the best facilities for intercepting the war -parties of the western Indians, in their frequent hostile incursions the -present year.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Indeed, the Shawanese had not been remarkably quiet antecedent to - the visitation of M<sup>c</sup>Kee, Elliot, and Girty, since they had for several - years been engaged in a system of predatory warfare against the - celebrated Colonel Daniel Boon and his adventurous companions, almost - from the day they made their appearance upon the banks of the Ohio, with - their families, in 1773, when the settlement of the present Slate of - Kentucky was commenced. Boon had been engaged with Lord Dunmore in his - war against the Shawanese in 1774. In the following year he was attacked - in Boonsborough, his principal settlement; and through the entire years - of 1776 and 1777, hostilities were actively prosecuted by the savages - against the advancing Colonists. In one of the earlier battles Boon had - lost a son. A second son fell afterward, and his daughter was taken a - captive, but bravely rescued by the chivalrous father. In April, 1777, - the Indians so divided their forces as to fall upon all the infant - settlements at once, and their little forts only saved the people from - destruction. On the 15th of April, Boonsborough was attacked by one - hundred Indians, at which time the inhabitants suffered severely. On the - 19th, Colonel Logan's fort was attacked by a force of two hundred - Indians, but they were repulsed by the garrison, consisting of only - thirteen men—two of whom were killed. Reinforcements arriving from - Virginia, the skirmishes became almost daily. In February of the present - year, (1778) Boonsborough was again attacked, and the gallant Colonel - himself taken prisoner. He was taken first to Chilicothe, and thence to - Detroit, where he was treated with humanity by Colonel Hamilton, the - Governor, who offered the Indians 100 pounds if they would surrender him - into his hands, that he might liberate him on his parole. But having - imbibed a strong affection for their most subtle and successful enemy, - the Indians declined the offer. Taking him back to Chilicothe, the - Colonel was duly adopted into one of the Shawanese families as a son, - to whom his new parents became strongly attached. He soon acquired their - confidence to such an extent, that they allowed him to wander off, and - hunt by himself. Ascertaining, however, that they were meditating another - descent upon Boonsborough, he absconded, and, eluding pursuit, reached - his home on the 20th of June.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Journals of Congress, vol. iv. pages, 343, 398, 415, 427.</p> - - -<p>This expedition was doubtless judged the more important from the -increasing audacity of the Indians on the Ohio border of Virginia, now -forming the State of Kentucky. In August, Colonel Boon had led a small -band of nineteen men against one of the Indian towns on the Scioto, -before reaching which he fell in with and dispersed a party of forty -Indians then on their way to Boonsborough. The Colonel found the town at -Point Creek deserted; and learned that their whole force had gone against -his own settlement, to the defence of which he was consequently compelled -to hasten back. Fortunately he anticipated their arrival by a few hours, -and was enabled to prepare his little garrison for defence. On the 8th of -August the Indians, to the number of about four hundred and fifty, -arrived before the fort, led, in addition to their own chiefs, by Captain -Duquesne, and eleven other Canadian Frenchmen, The garrison was formally -summoned to surrender, which summons was peremptorily refused. A treaty -was then proposed by the besiegers, and acceded to; the Indians requiring -that nine men should be sent out to them as negotiators. But this movement -proved to be an artifice, by means of which they hoped to gain access to -the fort. An attempt to grapple with and carry off the nine negotiators, -though happily unsuccessful, disclosed their treacherous design. The -besiegers then attempted a regular approach from the river's brink by -mining; but finding that the garrison had discovered their purpose, and -were engaged in countermining them, the siege was abandoned on the 20th -of August. The loss of the enemy was thirty-seven killed and a much larger -number wounded. The loss of the garrison was only two men killed and four -wounded.</p> - -<p>But, as we have seen, the expedition of General M<sup>c</sup>Intosh, as authorized by -the vote of Congress recently cited, was specially destined against the -Sandusky towns. It was commanded by the General himself, and consisted of -one thousand men; but such were the delays in getting it on foot, that -the officers, on arriving at Tuscarawa, judged it imprudent to proceed -farther at such an advanced season of the year. They therefore halted at -that place, and built Fort Laurens, in which M<sup>c</sup>Intosh left a garrison of -one hundred and fifty men under the command of Colonel John Gibson, and -returned himself to Fort Pitt for the winter. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Doddridge's Indian Wars.</p> - - -<p>Connected with these distant Indian operations, of the Summer of 1778, -was one equally distinguished by the boldness of its conception and the -brilliancy of its execution. The increasing hostility of the remote tribes -upon the waters of the Mississippi and its tributaries, had induced a -belief that a powerful influence must have been exerted upon their minds -by the settlements planted long before at Kaskaskias, and in the country -of the upper Mississippi, by the French, in connexion with Canada. For -the purpose of striking at once at the root of the evil, an expedition -was organized early in the season, the object of which was to invade and -take possession of those settlements. The command was entrusted to Colonel -George Rogers Clarke, of Virginia, a bold and experienced border officer, -and his whole force, destined to penetrate twelve hundred miles through -a wilderness, which was in fact the enemy's country, did not exceed two -hundred men. The rendezvous of this little army was at the great Kanhawa, -where they were attacked by a superior Indian force before their -embarkation. But finding they were not able to make any impression upon -the fort, the assailants drew off, having killed but one man and wounded -one or two more. Descending to the falls of the Ohio, a small fort was -erected at that place, in which a garrison was left of ten or twelve -families. Arriving within about sixty miles of the mouth of the Ohio, the -troops were landed, and, with only four days' provisions, marched for the -Illinois. They reached the precincts of Kaskaskias at midnight on the -sixth day, having marched two days without food, and determined forthwith, -and unanimously, to take the town or die in the attempt. The town was -strongly fortified, and contained about two hundred and fifty well-built -houses; but the approach of the invaders was unknown; the people and the -garrison were alike slumbering in security; and both town and fort were -taken—the latter being carried by surprise, although the defences were -sufficiently strong to resist a thousand men. The commanding officer, -Philip Rocheblave, was made prisoner; and among his papers, falling into -the hands of Colonel Clarke, were the instructions which he had from time -to time received from the British Governors of Quebec, Detroit, and -Michilimackinack, urging him to stimulate the Indians to war by the -proffer of large bounties for scalps. Rocheblave was sent a prisoner to -Williamsburgh in Virginia, and with him were sent the papers taken from -his portfolio.</p> - -<p>On the day after the fall of Kaskaskias, Captain Joseph Bowman, at the -head of thirty mounted men, was sent to attack three other towns upon the -Mississippi, the first of which, called Parraderuski, distant fifteen -miles from Kaskaskias, was surprised, and taken without opposition—the -inhabitants at once assenting to the terms of the conqueror. The next town -was St. Philips, distant nine miles farther up. The force of Captain -Bowman was so small, that he wisely determined to make a descent upon St. -Philips in the night, that his strength, or rather his weakness, might be -concealed. The precaution ensured success; and the inhabitants, with whom -the whole negotiation was conducted in the night, acceded to the terms -prescribed. From St. Philips, Captain Bowman directed his course upon the -yet more considerable town of Cauhow, distant between forty and fifty -miles. This town contained about one hundred families, and was also -approached secretly, and entered in the night. Captain Bowman, with his -troop, rode directly to the quarters of the commander, and demanded the -surrender of himself and the whole town, which was immediately complied -with. Taking possession of a large stone house, well fortified, the "bold -dragoon" immediately established his quarters therein, and awaited the -morning's dawn, which would disclose to the people the diminutive force -to which they had surrendered. Enraged at the discovery, one of the enemy -threatened to bring a body of one hundred and fifty Indians against the -little American squadron, and cut them off. But he was secured, and in -the course of ten days upward of three hundred of the inhabitants became -so reconciled to their change of masters, as to take the oath of -allegiance to the United States. Leaving a small guard at Cauhow, Captain -Bowman returned to Kaskaskias. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The facts connected with this expedition of Colonel Clarke, are - drawn from a letter of Captain Bowman to Colonel John Hite of Virginia. - See Almon's American Remembrancer, vol. vi. pp. 82, 83. The settlements - thus taken were immediately erected by Virginia into a county, called - Illinois.</p> - - -<p>But the enemy on the New-York frontiers were by no means inactive. In -addition to the severe affair in the Cobleskill settlement, in which -Captain Christian Brown was the leader of the American militia and a small -band of regulars, as noted in the last preceding chapter but one, a large -band of Indians and Tories, under the conduct of Brant and Barent Frey, -broke into the same district at the close of May, and inflicted no small -degree of damage by the destruction of both life and property. They were -met by Captain Patrick, belonging to Colonel Alden's regiment, and a -handful of troops, who were entirely cut to pieces. Captain Patrick fell -early in the engagement. His lieutenant, a corporal, and nineteen men, -were also killed. The command then devolved upon a sergeant, who fought -bravely, as all had done. But they were surrounded by a force greatly -superior in numbers, and but four men, exclusive of the sergeant, -escaped—all wounded. The bodies of Patrick and his lieutenant were -shockingly mutilated. A portion of the settlement was burnt, and the -settlement of Turlock, in the same vicinity, was also ravaged. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The only account of this affair which the author has discovered, - was found accidentally among the papers of General Gansevoort, after the - fourteenth chapter had been printed. It is contained in a letter from - Colonel Richard Varick to Colonel Gansevoort, dated Schenectady, June 3, - 1778, which states that the invasion took place on the preceding - Saturday. Had this letter been sooner discovered, the incident would - have been inserted in more exact chronological order—since the affair - in which Captain Brown was the American commander, occurred, as related - in the fourteenth chapter, from Brown's narrative, more than a month - afterward.</p> - - -<p>Nor was this all. In the course of the Summer, and probably at about the -time of Colonel Hartley's expedition into the country above Wyoming, one -of the M<sup>c</sup>Donalds, who had fled from Johnstown, a loyalist officer, -distinguished for his activity, made a sudden irruption into the Schoharie -settlements, at the head of about three hundred Tories and Indians, -burning houses, and killing and making prisoners such of the inhabitants -as came in his way, and were not able to make their escape. The little -fortress of Schoharie was occupied by a small garrison, commanded by -Colonel Vrooman—one of that class of men who, though officers, are -certain never to be called soldiers. They saw the ravages of the -enemy—the conflagrations by night rendering visible the acts of outrage -committed by day—but from their own weakness dared not to venture forth, -or make a show of opposition. The brave Colonel Harper was in the fort -with Vrooman, and was little satisfied with the course of that officer. -Leaving the fort, therefore, himself, he succeeded in making his way -through the enemy, mounted his horse, and started express for Albany. His -movement was discovered, and several Tories and Indians were despatched -in pursuit. They overtook him in the night at an inn at Fox's Creek, after -he had retired to bed. Hearing the noise below, the Colonel sprang up in -full panoply, and as they broke open the door which he had locked, he -presented his arms with such earnestness, that they recoiled. Standing -upon the watch until the dawn of morning, he again succeeded in getting -to horse, and rode off. One of the Indians followed him almost to -Albany—the Colonel being obliged frequently to turn upon his dusky -pursuer, who as often took to his heels as his pursuit was discovered. -Having communicated the situation of affairs in the Schoharie valley to -Colonel Gansevoort, a squadron of cavalry was forthwith detached to their -assistance. The detachment rode all night, and early on the following -morning, to the great joy of the terrified inhabitants who remained, the -tramp of hoofs announced the approach of succors. The spirited -light-horse-men had no sooner sounded a charge and made a dash upon the -besiegers, led on by Harper, than the troops sallied out from the fort, -and a precipitate retreat of the enemy was the consequence. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Rev. Mr. Fenn, of Harpersfield.</p> - - -<p>The people of Schoharie had suffered severely from the scouts and scalping -parties of the enemy during the Summer; but their bravery in individual -contests had amply avenged their wrongs. On one occasion a party of seven -Indians made prisoner of a Mr. Sawyer, whom they bound, and marched off -into the wilderness. Having proceeded eight or ten miles, they laid -themselves down to sleep for the night. But their prisoner had been less -effectually secured than they supposed. In the course of the night he -succeeded in disengaging his hands, and cautiously taking a hatchet from -the girdle of one of the Indians, he despatched six of them in rapid -succession, and wounded the seventh, who made his escape. Having thus -relieved himself of his keepers, Sawyer returned home in safety, and at -his leisure. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>Soon after the battle of Monmouth, Lieutenant Colonel William Butler, -with one of the Pennsylvania regiments and a detachment of Morgan's -riflemen, was ordered to the North, and stationed at Schoharie. Butler -was a brave and experienced officer, especially qualified for the service -upon which he was appointed. [FN] His arrival in Schoharie had a salutary -effect, by discouraging the disaffected, and by the presence of a stronger -force than had yet been among them, establishing the confidence and -reviving the spirits of the people. Several of his scouting parties also -returned with good success. Attached to the rifle corps, under Captain -Long, were several bold spirits, who signalized themselves so greatly in -the partisan warfare in which they were engaged, that many of their -exploits are freshly remembered among the inhabitants of Schoharie to -this day. Of this number were David Elerson, and a Virginian named Murphy. -The first expedition of Captain Long was directed to the valley of the -Charlotte river—one of the upper tributaries of the Susquehanna, flowing -from the mountains south of Schoharie. The object was to arrest and bring -to the fort a conspicuous Tory living upon that stream, named Service. -His house being a point of rendezvous and supply for the Tory and Indian -scouts, it was desirable that it should be broken up. While on his way -to the place of destination, it was the good fortune of Captain Long to -intercept a company of Tories, enlisted for the King's service, in the -neighborhood of Catskill, by a Captain Smith, who were then on their way -to join Sir John Johnson at Niagara. Smith was killed by the simultaneous -shots of Elerson and his Captain—they being a few rods in advance at the -moment when the Tory leader emerged at the head of his men from a thicket. -His followers fled in every direction. They had intended to lodge that -night with Service; but that unfortunate man had guests of quite another -character. While unapprised of danger, his house was surrounded by the -troops of Long, when in an instant Murphy and Elerson rushed in, and made -him a prisoner. Having been informed that he must accompany them to -Schoharie, on leaving his house he seized an axe standing by the door, -which he poised, and directed for a blow at the head of Murphy. The -latter was too quick-sighted to receive it; but as he sprang aside to -avoid the descending weapon, Service fell dead from the rifle of Elerson.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Washington to General Stark.</p> - - -<p>After his term of enlistment had expired. Murphy remained in Schoharie, -and made war on his own account. He was as remarkable for his fleetness, -as for his courage and great precision in firing. He used a -double-barreled rifle; and the fact of his frequently firing twice in -succession, without stopping to load, and always bringing down his man, -rendered him a terror to the Indians. Not knowing the peculiar -construction of his rifle, they were impressed with the belief that it was -a charmed weapon, and supposed he could continue firing as long and as -often as he pleased without loading at all. He fought the savages after -their own fashion—was more than their equal in stratagem or with his -heels—and the greater the apparent danger he was encountering, the -greater was his delight. When he had opportunity, he took pattern of the -Indians in scalping those who fell by his unerring aim; and it was said -that he killed forty of their warriors with his own hands.</p> - -<p>Colonel Gansevoort yet remained in the command of Fort Schuyler, and was -continued there during nearly the whole year, although, wearied by -inaction, Willett, and others of his officers, made a strong and formal -effort to be relieved, that their regiment might have an opportunity to -distinguish themselves in the field with the main army. At Fort Schuyler -they could have little else to do than observe the motions of the enemy -on the lakes and the St. Lawrence, and to watch, and occasionally cut off, -a hostile party when venturing too near the garrison. But from the -correspondence of the officers, it would appear that the troops of the -garrison must have been the severest sufferers from this petty mode of -warfare, since the enemy seemed ever to be hovering in the precincts, -ready to bring down or carry into captivity such straggling soldiers as -ventured beyond musket-shot from the fort. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] As an example of these individual murders, the following passage is - copied from a MS. letter from Major Robert Cochran to Colonel Gansevoort, - dated Sept. 8, 1778. During the occasional absences of Colonel - Gansevoort, Major Cochran was in command of the post:—"This morning, - Benjamin Acker, of Captain De Witt's company, who was out in the meadow, - was killed and scalped by a party of Indians, who were seen and fired at - by the sentinel near Brodack's house. I heard the firing in my room, and - ran to the officer of the guard to know what was the matter. I was - informed that a party of Indians had fired upon one of our men who had - gone to catch a horse, and that he had either been killed or taken - prisoner. I ordered Captain Bleecker to go out immediately, with the - guard just parading, to see if he could find him dead or alive. They - found Acker lying dead. He was scalped, and a weapon about two feet and - a half long, like this,"—[here Major Cochran gave a drawing of the - instrument—a war club, with a blade like the spear of a lance inserted - in the side, near the upper end of it,]—"lying near him. This lance-head - had been stuck several times in his body. It is supposed to have been - left behind on purpose, as there were several marks on it, denoting the - number of persons killed and scalps taken by the means of it."—[Captain - Bleecker mentioned in the foregoing extract, is the venerable Leonard - Bleecker, yet living at Sing Sing. He was a very active and efficient - officer at Fort Schuyler for a long time.]</p> - - -<p>Early in July, Lieutenant M<sup>c</sup>Clellan, an active and efficient officer, was -sent with a small party to destroy the buildings and public works at -Oswego, which it was ascertained were not at that moment in the occupation -of the enemy. The object of the expedition was accomplished and the -buildings where burnt to the ground, together with a quantity of -ammunition, provisions, and other public stores. It seems unaccountable -that this post should have been left thus wholly unprotected; the only -occupants found by the American party being a woman and her children, and -a lad fourteen years old. The woman and her family, together with her -furniture and a suitable supply of provisions, were placed in an -out-building, and left without farther molestation. The boy was brought -off as a prisoner, and furnished some important information touching the -movements of the enemy between their island rendezvous in the St. -Lawrence, and Niagara. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. draft of a letter from Colonel Gansevoort to General Stark, - July 10, 1778.</p> - - -<p>But Colonel Gansevoort had some serious troubles to encounter within the -garrison, and some painful duties to execute. Notwithstanding the high -character which the forces constituting the garrison had acquired, and -the sound patriotism of his officers, the spirit of disaffection appeared -among them in the Spring, and the early part of the Summer, to an alarming -extent. Distant as was the post of Fort Schuyler from New-York, Sir Henry -Clinton had succeeded in the introduction of an emissary within the fort, -in the character of a recruit. His name was Samuel Geake. He was an -American soldier, and had been corrupted while a prisoner in New-York, -whence he was sent forth, in company with Major Hammell, also an American -prisoner, whose virtue yielded to the all-subduing power of gold. [FN-1] -Geake accompanied Hammell to Poughkeepsie, where, in furtherance of his -iniquitous designs, he enlisted in Captain Abraham Swartwout's company, -[FN-2] and was transferred to Fort Schuyler, to join Colonel Gansevoort's -regiment; into which place, for specific objects, he was instructed to -insinuate himself by an aide-de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton. After Hammell's -arrest, Colonel Varick wrote to Gansevoort, putting him on his guard as -to the character of Geake. A sergeant named Kartele was employed by -Colonel Gansevoort to ingratiate himself in Geake's confidence, and, if -possible, ascertain his true character, and penetrate his designs. The -commission was successfully executed by the sergeant, and the whole -circumstances of Hammell's employment by the enemy, and his own, were -elicited. Geake was thereupon arrested, but not until he had made great -progress in his designs, and was on the eve of desertion, for the purpose -of joining the British army in Philadelphia. He was tried by a -court-martial made a full confession, and, with his confederates, was -sentenced to death. [FN-3] The sentence was not carried into execution -against Geake, not only because the constitution of the court was -irregular, but because of the desire of the Commander-in-chief to spare -him as a witness against Hammell, as will presently appear. The following -documents will complete this section of the proceedings at Fort -Schuyler:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Hammell was Brigade-major to General James Clinton, and had been - taken by Sir Henry Clinton at the storming of Fort Montgomery. According - to Geake's confession, Hammell was employed in the commissary of - prisoners' department, by the British officers in New-York, before he - was sent out upon his mission of treason. General James Clinton, by the - way, was not taken at Fort Montgomery, as stated in the text account of - that affair. Though wounded, he escaped; although his-brother, the - Governor, supposed him to be a prisoner, when he wrote his official - account to the Committee of Safety.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Captain Swartwout was with Gansevoort at the siege of Fort - Schuyler, and gave his cloth cloak to form the blue stripes of the flag - spoken of in the account of the siege, as being made up for the occasion.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] These facts have been gathered from the proceedings of the - court-martial, preserved among General Gansevoort's papers. The president - of the court was Captain Greece, who had been shot, tomahawked, and - scalped, the year before. According to Geake's confession, Hammell was - promised a Colonelcy of a new Irish regiment to be raised from deserters - from the American army, and such others as they could enlist. Geake was - to receive a commission as lieutenant. His mission to Fort Schuyler was - to acquire accurate knowledge of its strength and the extent of its - supplies—to induce as many of the garrison to desert as possible—and - to spike the cannon on their departure.</p> - - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Gansevoort to General Washington.</span><br> - <i>Fort Schuyler, August 13, 1778.</i></p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I have the unhappiness to inform your Excellency that desertion has -lately been very frequent from this garrison. Since the 26th of last -March we have had three sergeants, two corporals, and twenty privates -desert from this battalion, besides one bombardier, one gunner, and one -other from the artillery. Before the date above mentioned, several -soldiers had been tried by a general Court Martial at this garrison for -desertion, but never received the punishment due their crimes. The -sentences of these different courts martial were carefully sent to the -commanding General of this Department, [FN] but no returns have been ever -received. Some time in June last, Colonel Varick informed me that a -recruit, who had just joined our battalion, was suspected of being a -confederate with Major Hammell. I ordered his conduct to be narrowly -inspected. He was detected in the fact of corrupting and enticing the -soldiers to desert. Upon being apprehended, he confessed that he came -upon such designs, and was sent by an aid-de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton as -a spy—to endeavor to enlist what Irishmen he could from the American -army. There was every appearance of his being a spy. He was immediately -tried by a general court martial—the sentence was directly sent down for -approbation, but no answer has been received, and the man still lies -confined in irons."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] General Stark was then in command at Albany.</p> - - -<p>"Finding the spirit of desertion to increase, and the men in general to -be exceeding uneasy,—probably arising from their being so long stationed -on this frontier post. They have been frequently heard in their private -conversations to say that they would sooner die than stay here the ensuing -winter. My officers, as well as myself, were convinced, that unless some -example was made, we should not be able to check this growing evil. A -party of five men deserted on the 10th of August. They were taken by the -Tuscarora Indians, on their way to Canada, fifty miles from this fort. -They were brought in on the 13th. A general court martial was convened on -the 15th. They were sentenced to die. The officers in a body desired -their immediate execution, as the only way effectually to stop the -increasing spirit of desertion.</p> - -<p>"While these men were under sentence of death, a party returned from the -German Flats, who had been to drive cattle to this garrison. They had -lost six men by desertion, who were pursued, but without effect. This, -together with the above reasons, and being apprehensive of some design of -the enemy, and hearing a report which they had carefully spread among the -savages, of having upward of seventy men enlisted in this garrison, who -would rise upon their appearance, convinced me of the necessity of a rigid -example, and resolved me to take the advice of my officers by ordering the -prisoners to be executed. They were accordingly shot at the head of the -regiment on the 17th. [FN] In doing of which, although I could not find -that the articles of war gave me the fullest authority, yet, as commanding -officer of a frontier post, far distant from the Commander in-chief, and -having a separate commission from Congress as commandant of this post, I -considered myself fully empowered in a case of such great necessity. I -hope your Excellency will be convinced of this necessity, and approve of -the justness of the execution. Inclosed your Excellency has a copy of the -proceedings of the court martial. I am, &c."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Notwithstanding this severe example, it is noted in the private - diary of Adjutant Hutton, of Colonel Gansevoort's regiment, that on the - same day on which these five men were tried and sentenced to death, six - others deserted; and two others deserted five days after their - execution.—<i>Vide Gansevoort's papers.</i></p> -<br><br> - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Washington to Colonel Gansevoort.</span><br> - <i>Head-Quarters, White Plains,</i>}<br> - 29th <i>August,</i> 1778.}</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir.</span></p> - -<p>"I have just received your favor of the 13th instant. Inclosed is a copy -of a letter sent you some time ago respecting the court martial you -transmitted.</p> - -<p>"The spirit of desertion which possessed your soldiers, was certainly -very alarming, and required a serious check. I hope the intention of the -example you have made will be fully answered; and although the proceeding -was not strictly in the prescribed form, yet the necessity of the case -may justify the measure.</p> - -<p>"I have spoken to Lieut. Colonel Willett on the application of the -officers of the garrison. It is impossible to comply at present with their -request, things are so circumstanced—but I shall take steps to relieve -it before winter. [FN-1]</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I am, sir, your obedient, humble serv't. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Geo. Washington.</span> - - "<i>Col. Gansevoort.</i>" [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - -<p class="quote"> [FN-1] In November following, Gansevoort's command was relieved by - Colonel Guise Van Schaick, whose regiment was assigned to that post.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] These letters have been copied by the author from the originals. - The enclosure mentioned in the above letter from General Washington reads - as follows:—</p> - - <p class="direct" style="font-size:80%">[Copy.]</p> -<p class="exit" style="font-size:80%"> <i>"Head-Quarters, White Plains,}<br> - August</i> 13, 1778.}</p> - -<p class="list" style="font-size:80%"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - - <p class="quote">"I have received the proceedings of a court-martial held by your order, - respecting Samuel Geake. As neither the articles of war, nor any resolves - of Congress, authorise the constituting of general courts-martial by any - other than the Commander-in-chief, the commanding officer of a separate - department, or a general officer commanding in a particular State, I - should have been under the necessity of ordering a second trial, and - appointing a court for the purpose, if it had been judged expedient to - bring Geake to punishment. But as his confession contains information - very pointedly against Major Hammell, which concurs with other accounts - I have received, I think it of more importance to the public to save - Geake, as a witness against Hammell, than to make an example of him. You - will therefore keep him in such a kind of confinement as will effectually - prevent his escape, till matters are ripe for the prosecution of Major - Hammell, and at the same time will be as little rigorous as the nature - of the case will admit. He need, however know nothing of my intention. I - am, &c.</p> - -<p class="list2" style="font-size:80%"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Geo. Washington.</span> - - "<i>Col. Gansevoort.</i>"</p> - - -<p>The position of Fort Schuyler was of the first importance, as the key to -the western entrance of the Mohawk country; but it was nevertheless too -remote from the upper German settlements of the valley, to afford them -protection from sudden irruptions of the enemy avoiding that fortress in -their approach. The consequence was that the work of destruction was -actively prosecuted among the settlements referred to, during the Summer -of this year. The first blow was struck upon a small and rather secluded -hamlet, called Andrus-town, situated about six miles south-east of the -German Flats, [FN-1] on the 18th of July, by a small party of Indians led -by Brant in person. This settlement consisted of seven families, planted -upon a lot of one thousand acres. [FN-2] They were in affluent -circumstances for borderers, and the object of the invasion was plunder. -The settlement was utterly destroyed—every thing of value that could be -removed, was carried away—the houses and other buildings were reduced to -ashes—an aged man named Bell, with his son and two others, was -killed—one other inhabitant perished in the flames of his own house—and -the remainder of the little colony were carried into captivity. Advices -of this catastrophe had no sooner reached the Flats, than a party of -resolute Whigs determined to pursue the marauders, among whom was John -Frank, one of the Committee of Safety. [FN-3] Arriving at the scene of -desolation, they hastily buried the dead, and continued their march, -accompanied by six or seven friendly Indians, to the Little Lakes, [FN-4] -where, also, was a small white colony known as "Young's Settlement," from -the name of its founder. Here it was discovered that the enemy was so far -in advance, that the chase was relinquished. But as Young, the head man -of the settlement, was a Tory, as also was his next neighbor, a man named -Collyer, the exasperated Whigs avenged, to a small extent, the destruction -of Andrus-town, by plundering and burning their habitations.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] In the North part of the present town of Warren.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The names of the proprietors were Bell, Frank, Oosterhoudt, Crim, - Staring, Lepper, and Hoyer.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] John Frank, Esq. yet a resident of German Flats, very old, but - with mental faculties unimpaired. The author has known him these - twenty-five years, and in September, 1837, paid him a visit. Most of the - information respecting the events now immediately under consideration, - is derived from him.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Two small lakes in the South-east part of the town of Warren, - discharging their waters into Otsego Lake.</p> - - -<p>But the most considerable event of the season in that vicinity, was the -entire destruction of the comparatively extensive and populous settlement -of the German Flats. This settlement, originally called Burnetsfield, from -the circumstance that the patent had been granted by Governor Burnet, -extended over the richest and most beautiful section of the Mohawk Valley, -comprehending the broad alluvial lands directly beyond the junction of -the West Canada creek and the river, and including about ten miles of the -valley from east to west. Midway of the settlement, on the south side of -the river, yet stands the ancient stone church, the westernmost of the -line of those structures built under the auspices of Sir William Johnson. -A short distance east of the church stood the large and massive-built -stone mansion of the Herkimer family, which, like the church itself, was -used as a fort. [FN-1] Hence it was called Fort Herkimer. On the north -side of the river, upon a gravelly plain, elevated some ten or fifteen -feet above the surrounding Flats, stood Fort Dayton. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] It was at this place that the first Liberty Pole in the valley was - reared, in the Spring of 1775. The sheriff of Tryon County, White, with - whose subsequent history the reader is already acquainted, came up to - the Flats with a large body of militia from Johnstown, and cut it down. - White had been a captain in the French war.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The present site of the village of Herkimer, in the town of the - same name, and one of the most beautiful localities in America. The name - of German Flats was designed for this town, which would have been the - most appropriate, as Herkimer would have been for the town on the south - side of the river, now called German Flats, where the Flats are far less - extensive, and where the Herkimer family resided. The mistake was made - by the legislature when the towns were named. This explanation, together - with the geographical description in the text, is necessary to prevent - confusion in regard to the localities of Forts Dayton and Herkimer, in - the record of subsequent events.</p> - - -<p>At the time of which we are writing, the settlement on the south side of -the river numbered thirty-four dwelling-houses, and there were about an -equal number upon the north side, together with as many barns and other -out-buildings, and several mills. The population, for the number of -houses, was numerous. The lands, rich by nature, and well cultivated, had -that year brought forth by handfuls; so that the barns were amply stored -with their products.</p> - -<p>It was at the close of August, or early in the month of September, that -this fine district was laid waste by the Indians under the direction of -Brant. Most providentially, however, the invasion was attended with the -loss of but two lives—one man being killed outright, and another, named -M<sup>c</sup>Ginnis, perished in the flames. The particulars of this hostile -irruption were these:—Entertaining some suspicions of Brant, who was at -Unadilla, a scout of four men had been despatched into that vicinity for -observation. Three of these men were killed at the Edmeston settlement. -The fourth, John Helmer, succeeded in making his escape, and returned to -the Flats at half an hour before sundown, just in time to announce that -Brant, with a large body of Indians, was advancing, and would, in a few -hours, be upon them. All was, of course, terror and alarm through the -settlement; and the inhabitants—men, women, and children—were gathered -into Forts Dayton and Herkimer for security. In flying to those defences, -they gathered up the most valuable of their stuff, and by means of boats -and canoes upon the river, succeeded, in the course of the evening, in -collecting a large portion of their best articles of furniture. But they -had no time to look after their flocks and herds.</p> - -<p>Early in the evening Brant arrived at the edge of the settlement, but as -the night came on excessively dark and rainy, he halted with his forces -in a ravine, near the house of his Tory friend Shoemaker, where the -younger Butler and his party were captured the preceding year. Here the -chieftain lay with his warriors until the storm broke away toward -morning—unconscious that his approach had been notified to the people by -the scout in season to enable them to escape the blow of his uplifted arm. -Before the dawn he was on foot, and his warriors were sweeping through -the settlement; so that the torch might be almost simultaneously applied -to every building it contained. Just as the day was breaking in the east, -the fires were kindled, and the whole section of the valley was speedily -illuminated by the flames of houses and barns, and all things else -combustible. The spectacle, to the people in the forts, was one of -melancholy grandeur. Every family saw the flames and smoke of its own -domicile ascending to the skies, and every farmer the whole product of -his labor for the season dissolving into ashes.</p> - -<p>Having no fire-arms larger than their rifles, the Indians avoided even a -demonstration against the forts, notwithstanding their chagrin that -neither scalps nor prisoners were to grace their triumph. But as the light -of day advanced, their warriors were seen singly, or in small groups, -scouring the fields, and driving away all the horses, sheep, and black -cattle that could be found. Nothing upon which they could lay their hands -was left; and the settlement, which, but the day before, for ten miles had -smiled in plenty and in beauty, was now houseless and destitute. [FN-1] -Happily, however, of human life there was no greater sacrifice than has -already been mentioned. After the Indians had decamped with their booty, -a force of between three and four hundred militia-men collected, and went -in pursuit—following as far as Edmeston's plantation on the Unadilla -river, where the bodies of the three scouts were found and buried. But no -other results attended this expedition. [FN-2] A party of the Oneida -Indians was more successful. They penetrated into one of the Unadilla -settlements, burnt several houses, retook some of the cattle driven from -the German Flats, and brought off a number of prisoners. The results of -this little expedition were communicated to Major Cochran, then in command -at Fort Schuyler, on or about the 25th of September, by a deputation of -about one hundred of the Oneida and Tuscarora warriors, in the following -speech:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The Remembrancer states that there were 63 dwelling-houses, 57 - barns, 3 grist-mills, and two saw-mills burnt, with most of the furniture - and grain kept therein; and 235 horses, 229 horned-cattle, 269 sheep, - and 93 oxen, taken and carried away. Judge Frank informed the author that - he was upon guard on the morning of the conflagration, standing upon the - corner of the fort (Herkimer,) which afforded him the best view of the - scene when the flames broke forth. He also saw the dusky swarms of - savages rush down the hill-slopes into the meadows after the cattle, as - soon as it was sufficiently light to discern objects with tolerable - distinctness. The whole scene, he says, was picturesque and sublime.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "Captain Gilbert Tice came from Niagara a few days before Brant - set out with his party to destroy the German Flats. He had 33 Indians - with him, mostly Mohawks. Brant's whole party at the German Flats was - 300 Tories, and 152 Indians. There were no regular troops amongst - them."—<i>MS. letter of Major Cochran to Colonel Gansevoort, Sept.</i> 28, - 1778.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have now taken the hatchet and burnt Unadilla, [FN] and a - place called the Butternuts. We have brought five prisoners from each - of those places. Our warriors were particular that no hurt should be done - to women and children. We left four old men behind, who were no more able - to go to war. We have re-taken William Dygert, who was taken about nine - weeks ago by Brant on Fall Hill. We now deliver him to you, so that he - may return to his friends. Last year we took up the hatchet at - Stillwater, and we will now continue it in our hands. The Grasshopper, - one of the Oneida chiefs, took to himself one of the prisoners to live - with him in his own family, and has adopted him as a son."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Indians must have meant one of the upper settlements on the - Unadilla, somewhere between the Butternuts and the "Forks," about - twenty-five miles north of the embouchure of that river into the - Susquehanna. The principal town of the Indians was at the mouth of the - river, and was destroyed two or three weeks afterward by Colonel Butler, - as will presently appear.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We deliver you six prisoners, with whom you are to act as you -please.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You had a man scalped here some time ago. We Oneidas and -Tuscaroras have now taken revenge, and have brought you some slaves. We -do not take scalps. We hope you are now convinced of our friendship to -you and your great cause. The warriors detain two of the prisoners till -tomorrow morning. The Canasaragas have one in their possession. They will -bring him to-morrow or the next day." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. report of Major Cochran to Colonel Gansevoort.</p> - - -<p>The Oneidas, with very few exceptions, were ever faithful to the cause of -the Whigs, and sometimes fought with great personal bravery. The Oriskany -clan of that nation joined General Herkimer on the morning of his -disastrous battle, under their chiefs Cornelius and Colonel Honyerry, and -sustained themselves valiantly in that murderous conflict. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This fact was derived from Judge Frank, after the chapter containing - the account of the battle of Oriskany was written, Honyerry, or Hansjune - Tewahongrahkon, as his name stands in the archives of the war department, - was commissioned a captain by the Board of War in 1779.</p> - - -<p>But the acquisitions of booty by the Indians at the German Flats were more -than counterbalanced, a few days afterward, by their losses in their own -chief towns, Unadilla and Oghkwaga, which were invaded, and in turn laid -waste, by Colonel William Butler, with the 4th Pennsylvania regiment, a -detachment of Colonel Morgan's rifle-men, then recently stationed at -Schoharie, as we have already seen, and a corps of twenty rangers. Having -marched from Schoharie to the head waters of the Delaware, and descended -that stream two days' march, Colonel Butler struck off thence to the -Susquehanna, upon which he emerged in the neighborhood of Unadilla. He -approached the settlement with great caution; but the enemy had left the -place several days before. Two of the white settlers, Tories, were made -prisoners, however, one of whom was compelled to guide the forces of -Butler to Oghkwaga, which service he performed. The town was taken -possession of without interruption, the Indians having fled the day -before in the greatest confusion—leaving behind a large quantity of corn, -their dogs, some cattle, and a great part of their household goods. The -march of Butler's troops had been fatiguing, and the vegetables and -poultry, which they found here in great abundance, enabled them to fare -sumptuously during their stay. The town was uncommonly well built for an -Indian settlement, there being a considerable number of good farm-houses -on either side of the river. These were all destroyed, together with the -Indian castle three miles farther down the river, as also large quantities -of provisions, intended for their winter's supply. They saw nothing of the -enemy, and lost only one man at that place, who was shot by an Indian -straggler lurking in ambush. Returning to Unadilla, that settlement, upon -both sides of the river, was burnt, as also a grist-mill and saw-mill—the -only ones in the Susquehanna valley. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Colonel William Butler to General Stark.</p> - - -<p>But although, so far as fighting was concerned, it was an easy campaign, -still the difficulties encountered by the expedition were very great, and -such as could not have been undergone but by men "possessing a large share -of hardiness, both of body and mind. They were obliged to carry their -provisions on their backs; and, thus loaded, frequently to ford creeks -and rivers. After the toils of hard marches, they were obliged to camp -down during wet and chilly nights without covering, or even the means of -keeping their arms dry." [FN] They completed their work in sixteen days, -and returned to Schoharie. But the Indians were not slow in taking their -revenge for this destruction of their towns. An Indian's vengeance -slumbers no longer than until an opportunity is afforded for sating it, -as will appear in the ensuing chapter.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Ramsay.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chxvii">CHAPTER XVII.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Walter N. Butler—His flight from Albany, bent on revenge—The Great - Tree—Hostile indications among the Senecas and Cayugas—Premonitions - of an attack by Butler and Brant upon Cherry Valley—Discredited by - Colonel Alden—Scouts sent out and captured—Surprise of the - town—Massacre and burning—Death of Colonel Alden—Families of Mr. - Wells, Mr. Dunlop, and others—Brutality of the Tories—Family of Mr. - Mitchell—The monster Newberry—Departure of the enemy with their - captives—A night of gloom—Women and children sent back—Letter of - Butler to Gen. Schuyler—Murder of Mrs. Campbell's mother—Vindication - of Brant—Interesting incident—Brant's opinion of Capt. M<sup>c</sup>Kean—Colonel - John Butler laments the conduct of his son—Letter of General James - Clinton to Walter Butler—Letter of Butler in reply—Molly - Brant—Particulars of Mrs. Campbell's captivity—Feast of thanksgiving - for their victory—The great feast of the White Dogs—Return of Walter - Butler from Quebec—Colonel Butler negotiates with the Indians for Mrs. - Campbell—She goes to Niagara—Catharine Montour and her sons—Mrs. - Campbell finds her children—Descends the St. Lawrence to - Montreal—Meets Mrs. Butler—Arrives at Albany, and is joined by her - husband—Grand campaign projected—Jacob Helmer and others sent - privately to Johnstown for the iron chest of Sir John—Execution of - Helmer—Arrival of British Commissioners—Not received—Exchange of - Ministers with France—Incidents of the war elsewhere for the year.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The</span> arrest of Walter N. Butler, at the German Flats, in the Summer of -1777; his trial, and condemnation to death; his reprieve; as also his -subsequent imprisonment in Albany, and his escape; are facts with which -the reader has already been made acquainted. Although his execution would -have been perfectly justifiable under the <i>code militaire,</i> taken, as he -had been, within the American lines, in the very act of inviting the -people to treason; yet the respectability of his family, and the -associations he had himself formed in Albany, where he had been educated -to the profession of the law, were the causes, through the interposition -of those who had been his personal friends before the war, of saving his -life. Still, the reprieve granted by General Arnold was followed by -rigorous confinement in the jail at Albany until the Spring of the present -year; when, being either sick in reality, or feigning to be so, through -the clemency of General Lafayette his quarters were changed to a private -house, where he was guarded by a single sentinel. It appears that the -family with whom he lodged were Tories at heart; and having succeeded in -making the sentinel drunk, through their assistance Butler was enabled to -effect his escape. A horse having been provided for him, he succeeded in -joining his father at Niagara soon after the affair at Wyoming. His temper -was severe and irascible; but he was nevertheless not without his good -qualities, and was a young man of fair promise—"a pretty able young -lawyer," to use an expression from the lips of one who knew him well. [FN] -It is believed, however, that he took mortal offence at his treatment -while in Albany, and re-entered the service of the Crown, burning with -resentment and thirsting for revenge.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The venerable John Frank of German Flats. Butler studied law with - the late Francis Sylvester.</p> - - -<p>This recapitulation, in part, of a portion of the younger Butler's -history, is deemed essential in connexion with the events to be recorded -in the present chapter.</p> - -<p>There was with General Washington, during most of the Summer, a Seneca -chief, called <i>The Great Tree,</i> who, on leaving the head-quarters of the -Commander-in-chief, professed the strongest friendship for the American -cause, and his first object, after his return to his own people, was to -inspire them with his own friendly sentiments. While passing through the -Oneida nation on his way home, he professed the strongest confidence in -his ability to keep his own tribe bound in the chain of friendship, and -pledged himself, in the event of his failure, to come down with his -friends and adherents, and join the Oneidas. Early in October, Mr. Dean, -the Indian interpreter and agent in the Oneida territory, wrote to Major -Cochran, then in command of Fort Schuyler, that, not hearing from The -Great Tree as soon as they expected, they had despatched messengers to -the Seneca country, who had returned with unfavorable intelligence. It -was stated, that on his arrival in his own country The Great Tree found -his tribe all in arms. The warriors had been collected from the remotest -of their lodges, and were then thronging the two principal towns, -Kanadaseago and Jennesee. Having heard that the Americans were preparing -an expedition against their country, they had flown to arms; and The Great -Tree was himself determined to chastise the enemy who should dare to -penetrate his country. The Oneida messengers were farther told that all -the Indians west of their own tribe, including, of course, the Onondagas, -together with the Indian settlements on the Susquehanna and its branches, -were to join them. They were to rendezvous somewhere on the Tioga, and -make a descent either upon the Pennsylvania or New Jersey frontier. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Major Cochran to Col. Gansevoort, October 10, 1778.</p> - - -<p>The Mohawk chief, Thayendanegea, does not appear to have been among the -Senecas at this time; and it is believed that the fermentation had been -wrought by Butler, after his return to Niagara. Be that as it may, he -obtained the command of a detachment of his father's rangers, with -permission to employ the forces of Captain Brant. Though late in the -season, young Walter determined to undertake an expedition into Tryon -County, and avenge his imprisonment. [FN] It has been asserted, that while -on his way from Niagara with his rangers, Butler met Brant returning from -the Susquehanna country to his old winter-quarters at Niagara, and that -the proud Mohawk was not a little displeased at the idea of being assigned -to a subordinate station under a man whom he cordially disliked. However, -the difficulty was adjusted, and the sachem was prevailed upon to turn -back upon the white settlements, with five hundred of his warriors. The -united force comprised seven hundred men.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>The point selected by the enemy was Cherry Valley—a settlement as -remarkable for the respectability of its inhabitants, as its location was -for its beauty. Unlike the generality of border settlements, the people -were intelligent, and exemplary for their morals. So scrupulous were they -in regard to observing the precepts of Christianity, that their Committee -of Safety declined sitting with the Tryon County Committee on the Sabbath -day—unless in the event of such alarming circumstances as would -necessarily "super-exceed the duties to be performed in attending the -public worship of God;"—which, they said, did not then appear to be the -case. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter to Tryon County Committee, signed by John Moore, Samuel - Clyde, and Samuel Campbell, dated June 9, 1775.</p> - - -<p>It has already been stated, that in consequence of their exposed -situation, the Marquis de Lafayette had directed the erection of a -fortification at that place early the preceding Spring. Colonel Gansevoort -at once solicited the command of the post, with the regiment which had so -greatly distinguished itself the preceding year in the defence of Fort -Schuyler. But it was given to Colonel Ichabod Alden, at the head of an -eastern regiment, unfortunately but little accustomed to Indian warfare.</p> - -<p>On the 8th of November, Colonel Alden received a despatch from Fort -Schuyler by express, advising him that his post was to be attacked by the -Tories and Indians. The intelligence had been conveyed to Fort Schuyler -by an Oneida Indian, reporting that he received it from one of the -Onondagas, who had been present at a great meeting of the Indians and -Tories at Tioga, at which the determination was formed. In consequence of -the lateness of the season, the inhabitants, not anticipating any farther -hostilities before Spring, had removed their effects from the -fortification, where, during the Summer, they had been deposited for -safety, back to their own dwellings. On the receipt of this intelligence, -they requested permission to remove once more into the fort, or at least -to be allowed again to deposite their most valuable property within its -walls. But Colonel Alden, discrediting the intelligence as an idle Indian -rumor, denied their solicitations, assuring the people that he would use -all diligence against surprise, and by means of vigilant scouts, be at -all times prepared to warn them of approaching danger. Accordingly scouts -were despatched in various directions on the 9th. The party proceeding -down the Susquehanna, as it were in the very face of the enemy, very -wisely kindled a fire in the evening, by the side of which they laid -themselves down to sleep. The result might have been foreseen. They were -all prisoners when they awoke!</p> - -<p>Extorting all necessary information from the prisoners so opportunely -taken, the enemy moved forward on the 10th—Butler with his rangers, and -Thayendanegea with his Indians—encamping for the night on the top of a -hill, thickly covered with evergreens, about a mile south-west of the -fort and village of Cherry Valley. The snow fell several inches during -the night—the storm turning to rain in the morning, with a thick and -cloudy atmosphere. The officers of the garrison were accustomed to lodge -about among the families near the fort; and from the assurances of Colonel -Alden, the apprehensions of the people were so much allayed, that they -were reposing in perfect security. Colonel Alden himself, with Stacia, -his lieutenant-colonel, lodged with Mr. Robert Wells, a gentleman of great -respectability, recently a judge of the county, who was, moreover, an -intimate friend of Colonel John Butler, as he had also been of Sir William -Johnson. [FN-1] Having ascertained the localities in which the officers -lodged, the enemy approached the unsuspecting village in the greatest -security, veiled by the haze which hung in the atmosphere. An alarm was, -however, given, before the enemy had actually arrived in the village, by -the firing of an Indian upon a settler from the outskirts, who was riding -thither on horseback. He was wounded, but nevertheless pushed forward, -and gave instant information to the vigilant Colonel. Strange as it may -seem, this officer still disbelieved the approach of an enemy in -force—supposing the shot to have proceeded from a straggler. But he was -soon convinced of his error; for even before the guards could be called -in, the Indians were upon them. Unfortunately, probably, for the -inhabitants, the rangers had halted just before entering the village to -examine their arms, the rain having damaged their powder. During this -pause, the Indians sprang forward; and the Senecas, being at that period -the most ferocious of the Six Nations, were in the van. The house of Mr. -Wells was instantly surrounded by the warriors of that tribe, and several -Tories of no less ferocity, who rushed in and massacred the whole family, -consisting at that time of himself, his mother, his wife, his brother and -sister, John and Jane, three of his sons, Samuel, Robert, and William, -and his daughter Eleanor. The only survivor of the family was John, who -was then at school in Schenectady. His father had taken his family to that -place for safety some months before, but his fears having subsided, they -had just removed back to their home. [FN-2] Colonel Alden, having escaped -from the house, was pursued some distance down a hill by an Indian, who -repeatedly demanded of him to surrender. This, however, he refused to do, -turning upon his pursuer repeatedly, and snapping his pistol, but without -effect. The Indian ultimately hurled his tomahawk with unerring direction -at his head, and rushing forward, tore his scalp from him in the same -instant. Thus, in the very outset of the battle, fell the commander, who, -had he been as prudent as he was brave, might have averted the tragic -scenes of that hapless day. Lieutenant-colonel Stacia was made prisoner; -and the American guards, stationed at the house of Mr. Wells, were all -either killed or taken.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Robert Wells was the father of the late distinguished counselor, - John Wells, of New-York.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Notice of John Wells by William Johnson, Esq. concluding vol. of - Johnson's Reports.</p> - - -<p>The destruction of the family of Mr. Wells was marked by circumstances of -peculiar barbarity. It was boasted by one of the Tories, that he had -killed Mr. Wells while engaged in prayer—certainly a happy moment for a -soul to wing its flight to another state of existence; but what the degree -of hardihood that could boast of compassing the death of an unarmed man -at such a moment! His sister Jane was distinguished alike for her beauty, -her accomplishments, and her virtues. As the savages rushed into the -house, she fled to a pile of wood on the premises, and endeavored to -conceal herself. She was pursued and arrested by an Indian, who, with -perfect composure, wiped and sheathed his dripping knife, and took his -tomahawk from his girdle. At this instant a Tory, who had formerly been -a domestic in the family, sprang forward and interposed in her -behalf—claiming her as a sister. The maiden, too, who understood somewhat -of the Indian language, implored for mercy. But in vain. With one hand -the Indian pushed the Tory from him, and with the other planted his -hatchet deep into her temple!</p> - -<p>The fort was repeatedly assaulted during the day, and at times with -spirit; but Indians are not the right description of troops for such -service, and being received by a brisk fire of grape and musketry from -the garrison, they avoided the fort, and directed their attention chiefly -to plundering and laying waste the village, having sated themselves in -the onset with blood. In this work of destruction they were unmolested, -since, numbering more than twice as many as the garrison, a sortie was -felt to be unwarrantable.</p> - -<p>Among the families which suffered from the tomahawks of the Indians and -Tories—for the latter, as at Wyoming, were not to be outdone by their -uncivilized allies—were those of the Rev. Samuel Dunlop, and a Mr. -Mitchell. Mrs. Dunlop was killed outright, and thus shared the fate of -Mrs. Wells, who was her daughter. Mr. Dunlop and another daughter would -likewise have been murdered but for the interposition of Little Aaron, a -chief of the Oghkwaga branch of the Mohawks, who led the old gentleman, -tottering beneath the weight of years, to the door, and stood beside him -for his protection. The Indians attempted to plunder him of some of his -attire, but the sachem compelled them to relinquish that portion of their -spoil. The venerable servant of God, shocked by the events of that day -beyond the strength of his nerves, died within a year afterward.</p> - -<p>The case of Mr. Mitchell was still more painful. He was in the field at -work when he beheld the Indians approaching; and being already cut off -from his house, his only course was to betake himself to the woods. On -returning to his home, after the enemy had retired, he found his house on -fire, and within its plundered walls the murdered bodies of his wife and -three of his children. The fourth, a little girl of ten or twelve years -of age, had been left for dead. But signs of life appearing, the parent, -having extinguished the fire, which had not yet made much progress, -brought his little mangled daughter forth to the door, and while bending -over her, discovered a straggling party of the enemy approaching. He had -but just time to conceal himself, before a Tory sergeant, named Newberry, -rushed forward, and by a blow of his hatchet extinguished what little -growing hope of life had been left, by a darker though less savage enemy -than himself. It is some consolation, while recording this deed of blood, -to be able to anticipate the course of events, so far as to announce that -this brutal fellow paid the forfeit of his life on the gallows, by order -of General James Clinton, at Canajoharie, in the summer of the following -year. On the next day Mr. Mitchell removed his dead to the fort with his -own arms, and the soldiers assisted in their interment. Several other -families were cut off—the whole number of the inhabitants slain being -thirty-two, mostly women and children. In addition to these, sixteen -soldiers were killed. Some of the inhabitants escaped, but the greater -proportion were taken prisoners. Among the former were Mrs. Clyde, the -wife of Colonel Clyde, who was absent, and her family. She succeeded in -reaching the woods with her children, excepting her eldest daughter, whom -she could not find at the moment; and although the savages were frequently -prowling around her, she yet lay secure in her concealment until the next -day. The eldest daughter, likewise, had made a successful flight, and -returned in safety. Colonel Campbell was also absent; but hastening home -on hearing the alarm, he arrived only in time to behold the destruction -of his property by the conflagration of the village, and to ascertain that -his wife and children had been carried into captivity. [FN] The torch was -applied indiscriminately to every dwelling-house, and, in fact, to every -building in the village. The barns, being filled with the combustible -products of husbandry, served to render the conflagration more fierce and -terrific; especially to the fugitive inhabitants who had escaped to the -woods for shelter, and whose sufferings were aggravated by the -consciousness that their retreating footsteps were lighted by the flames -of their own households.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Colonel Campbell was the grandfather of the author of the Annals of - Tryon County, so frequently referred to in the present volume, to whom - the author is almost exclusively indebted for the facts respecting the - invasion of Cherry Valley. The author of the Annals being himself a - native of that place, was not only familiar with its history from his - cradle, but has taken great pains to collect the facts. There is indeed - no other reliable authority. Ramsay is equally brief and unsatisfactory; - while Macauley's wretched jumble of every thing, called, for what reason - cannot be divined, a History of New-York, contains the most foul - misrepresentations. The massacre was bad enough, in all conscience; but - when it is stated that, "not content with killing the inhabitants, they - ripped open and quartered the women, and then suspended their mangled - limbs on the trees—that the helpless infants were taken from their - mothers' breasts, and their brains knocked out against the posts,"—and - when these statements are compared with the real facts of the case, we - may well tremble for the truth of history. The simple incident which - gave rise to this shocking tale of mutilating the bodies of the dying - and dead, was this. One of the Tories had lived as a domestic with the - Rev. Mr. Dunlop. He had run away in consequence of ill-treatment, as was - alleged, on the part of Mrs. D. After she was slain, it is said he cut - off her hand. But even this story is of doubtful authenticity.</p> - - -<p>The prisoners taken numbered between thirty and forty. They were marched, -on the evening of the massacre, down the valley about two miles south of -the fort, where the enemy encamped for the night. Large fires were kindled -round about the camp, into the centre of which the prisoners, of all ages -and sexes, were promiscuously huddled, and there compelled to pass the -hours till morning—many of them half naked, shivering from the inclemency -of the weather, with no shelter but the frowning heavens, and no bed but -the cold ground. It was a dismal night for the hapless group—rendered, -if possible, still more painful by the savage yells of exultation, the -wild, half-frantic revelry, and other manifestations of joy on the part -of the victors, at the success of their bloody enterprise. In the course -of the night a division of the spoil was made among the Indians, and on -the following morning the march was resumed; although parties of the -Indians returned to prowl among the ruins of the village or hang upon its -outskirts, during the greater part of the day, and until reinforcements -of militia from the Mohawk Valley began to arrive, when they dispersed.</p> - -<p>The retiring enemy had not proceeded far on their way, before the -prisoners, with few exceptions, experienced a change in their -circumstances, as happy as it was unexpected. They had been separated, -for the convenience of traveling, into small groups, in charge of -different parties of the enemy. On coming to a halt, they were collected -together, and informed that it had been determined to release all the -women and children, excepting Mrs. Campbell and her four children, and -Mrs. Moore and her children. These it was resolved to detain in captivity -as a punishment to their husbands, for the activity they had displayed in -the border wars. With these exceptions, the women and their little ones -were immediately sent back, bearing the following letter from the -commander of the rangers, addressed to General Schuyler. As a key to the -letter, and perhaps, also, to the motives of Captain Butler in this act -of humanity, it should here be remarked, that on the flight of his father -and himself to Canada, his mother and the younger children had been left -behind. Mrs. Butler and her children were detained by the Committee of -Safety, and permission to follow the husband and son to Canada had been -refused, as has been stated in a former chapter:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Captain Butler to General Schuyler.</span><br> - <i>Cherry Valley, Nov.</i> 12, 1778.</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I am induced by humanity to permit the persons whose names I send -herewith, to return, lest the inclemency of the season, and their naked -and helpless situation, might prove fatal to them, and expect that you -will release an equal number of our people in your hands, amongst whom I -expect you will permit Mrs. Butler and family to come to Canada; but if -you insist upon it, I do engage to send you, moreover, an equal number -of prisoners of yours, taken either by the Rangers or Indians, and will -leave it to you to name the persons. I have done every thing in my power -to restrain the fury of the Indians from hurting women and children, or -killing the prisoners who fell into our hands, and would have more -effectually prevented them, but that they were much incensed by the late -destruction of their village of Anguaga [FN-1] by your people. I shall -always continue to act in that manner. I look upon it beneath the -character of a soldier to wage war with women and children. I am sure -you are conscious that Colonel Butler or myself have no desire that your -women or children should be hurt. But, be assured, that if you persevere -in detaining my father's family with you, that we shall no longer take -the same pains to restrain the Indians from prisoners, women and children, -that we have heretofore done.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I am, your humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Walter N. Butler,</span> - <i>Capt. Com. of the Rangers.</i> - - "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Schuyler.</span>" [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] One of the old names of Unadilla.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] This letter was recently found among the papers of General James - Clinton.</p> - - -<p>Having thus, in a great measure, disencumbered themselves of their -prisoners, the enemy proceeded on their journey by their usual route at -that period, down the Susquehanna to its confluence with the Tioga, -thence up that river into the Seneca country, and thence to Niagara. Mrs. -Cannon, an aged lady, and the mother of Mrs. Campbell, was likewise held -in captivity; but being unfitted for traveling by reason of her years, -the Indian having both in charge despatched the mother with his hatchet, -by the side of the daughter, on the second day of their march. Mrs. -Campbell was driven along by the uplifted hatchet, having a child in her -arms eighteen months old, with barbarous rapidity, until the next day, -when she was favored with a more humane master. In the course of the -march a straggling party of the Indians massacred an English family named -Buxton, residing on the Butternut Creek, and reduced their buildings to -ashes. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] There is some reason to doubt whether this murder of the Buxtons - was not the work of the Oneidas, during their excursion to Unadilla - and the Butternuts.</p> - - -<p>Thus terminated the expedition of Walter N. Butler and Joseph Brant to -Cherry Valley. Nothing could exhibit an aspect of more entire desolation -than did the site of that village on the following day, when the militia -from the Mohawk arrived, too late to afford assistance. "The cocks crowed -from the tops of the forest trees, and the dogs howled through the fields -and woods." The inhabitants who escaped the massacre, and those who -returned from captivity, abandoned the settlement, until the return of -peace should enable them to plant themselves down once more in safety; -and in the succeeding Summer the garrison was withdrawn and the post -abandoned.</p> - -<p>Next to the destruction of Wyoming, that of Cherry Valley stands out in -history as having been the most conspicuous for its atrocity. And as in -the case of Wyoming, both in history and popular tradition, Joseph Brant -has been held up as the foul fiend of the barbarians, and of all others -deserving the deepest execration. Even the learned and estimable -counselor, who so long reported the adjudicated law of the State of -New-York, [FN-1] in the tribute to the memory of the late John Wells, with -which he closed the last volume of his juridical labors, has fallen into -the same popular error; and applies the second stanza in the striking -passage of "Gertrude of Wyoming," which called forth the younger Brant -in vindication of his father's memory, to the case of his departed and -eminent friend. [FN-2] It was indeed most true as applied to the melancholy -case of Mr. Wells, of whose kindred "nor man, nor child, nor thing of -living birth," had been left by the Indians. But it may be fearlessly -asserted that it was not true as coupled with the name of Joseph Brant. -It has already been seen that Brant was not the commander of this -expedition; and if he had been, it is not certain that he could have -compelled a different result. But it is certain that his conduct on that -fatal day was neither barbarous nor ungenerous. On the contrary, he did -all in his power to prevent the shedding of innocent blood; and had it not -been for a circumstance beyond his control, it is more than probable that -the distinguished counselor referred to, would not have been left "alone -of all his race." Captain Brant asserted, and there is no reason to -question his veracity, that on the morning of the attack, he left the -main body of the Indians, and endeavored to anticipate their arrival at -the house of Mr. Wells, for the purpose of affording protection to the -family. On his way it was necessary to cross a ploughed field, the -yielding of the earth in which, beneath his tread, so retarded his -progress, that he arrived too late.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] William Johnson, Esq. long reporter of the Supreme Court, the - Court of Errors, and the Court of Chancery of this State.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The passage referred to—as unjust as it is poetical—will be - found near the close of the second volume of the present work, in the - sketch of the life of the younger Brant.</p> - - -<p>But this is not all. On entering one of the dwellings, he found a woman -employed in household matters. "Are you thus engaged," inquired the chief, -"while all your neighbors are murdered around you?" The woman replied that -they were in favor of the King. "That plea will not avail you today," -replied the warrior. "They have murdered Mr. Wells's family, who were as -dear to me as my own." "But," continued the woman, "there is one Joseph -Brant: if he is with the Indians, he will save us." "I am Joseph Brant!" -was the quick response; "but I have not the command, and I know not that -I can save you; but I will do what is in my power." At the moment of -uttering these words, he observed the Senecas approaching. "Get into bed -quick," he commanded her, "and feign yourself sick." The woman obeyed, -and when the Indians came up, he put them off with that pretext. Instantly -as they departed, he rallied a few of his Mohawks by a shrill signal, and -directed them to paint his mark upon the woman and her children. "You are -now probably safe," he remarked—and departed. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It is an Indian practice thus to mark, their captives, and the known - mark of a tribe or chief is a protection from danger at other hands.</p> - - -<p>Another instance, from the same authority, [FN] will serve farther to -illustrate the conduct and bearing of this distinguished Indian leader -on that occasion: After the battle was over, he inquired of one of the -captives for Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean, who had retired to the Mohawk Valley with -his family. "He sent me a challenge once," said the chief; "I have now -come to accept it. He is a fine soldier thus to retreat!" It was said in -reply: "Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean would not turn his back upon an enemy where there -was a probability of success." "I know it," rejoined Brant; "he is a brave -man and I would have given more to take him than any other man in Cherry -Valley; but I would not have hurt a hair of his head."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>These were generous sentiments, worthy of a generous soldier. Indeed, the -whole conduct of the Mohawk chief on that melancholy day was anything -rather than characteristic of the "monster" Brant has been represented to -be. Of the conduct of the leader of the expedition, Captain Walter N. -Butler, a less charitable judgment must be formed—not so much perhaps on -account of the atrocities committed—because these, too, may have been -beyond his control, or suddenly perpetrated without his knowledge—but -because the expedition was entirely one of his own undertaking. It was -said that Colonel John Butler was grieved at the conduct of his son at -this place; remarking, on one occasion, in regard to the murder of Mr. -Wells and family—"I would have gone miles on my hands and knees to save -that family, and why my son did not do it, God only knows." It has also -been asserted that the Colonel accused Brant of having incited the Indians -secretly to commit the excesses in question, in order to bring odium upon -his son, under whose command, as the reader has already been informed, he -had been placed, strongly in opposition to his own wishes. But the Mohawk -repelled the charge, and appealed to his former conduct, particularly in -the case of Springfield, as a vindication of his character from the -imputation of wanton cruelty. On the other hand, it has been laid to the -charge of Butler, that when, on the night preceding the massacre, some of -his rangers desired secretly to apprise their friends in the village of -the storm which was to burst upon them in the morning, he peremptorily -denied the request—apprehending that if a few were ever so cautiously -admonished of the approaching danger, the tidings would be bruited and -the whole village escape. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>These things may, or they may not, be true. But in either case the -loyalist Butlers, father and son, should be justly dealt by, although they -have not been as yet. At least the world has never heard what they might -possibly have said in their own defence—nay, what they did say—in regard -to the affairs of Wyoming and Cherry Valley; and candor requires the -admission, that the narratives of those events which have descended to -us, were written too soon after their occurrence to warrant a belief in -the entire impartiality of the writers. But as truth constitutes the great -excellence of history, and as a just opinion can rarely be formed upon -testimony altogether <i>exparte</i> after fifty-eight years of silence, it may -be allowed to the Butlers, though dead, to speak a word for themselves. -The elder Butler lived at Niagara many years after the close of the -contest; and, though employed in the British Indian Department, his -conduct was such, both in public and private life, as to command the -respect of those who knew him.</p> - -<p>The letter of Captain Butler to General Schuyler, written the day after -the affair at Cherry Valley, was delivered by the gentleman who, of all -others, felt the greatest interest in facilitating the arrangement -proposed—Colonel Campbell himself. It was not answered by General -Schuyler, for the reason that he was not then in command of the district; -and for the still farther reason that, from the circumstances of the case, -it took a different direction. On the 1st of January, however, the -following letter upon the subject was addressed to Captain Butler by -Brigadier-General James Clinton:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Clinton to Captain Butler.</span><br> - <i>Albany, January</i> 1st, 1779.</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"A letter, dated the 12th of November last, signed by you, and directed to -General Schuyler, and which was delivered by John Campbell, is come to -hand. As its contents related to persons who were citizens of the State, -with which the military do not interfere, the letter was not delivered to -Brigadier-General Hand, who commanded in this department, but transmitted -to his Excellency Governor Clinton, that his pleasure might be known on -its contents. He has authorized me to make the exchange you request. I am -at a loss to know not only where to direct to you, but also in what part -of the country the unhappy prisoners taken from this State have been -carried. I therefore send the bearers, A. B. and C. D. with a flag, to -carry this letter to any place where they may learn you are, or any other -officer who can accomplish the exchange in your absence. Should the -prisoners be in any of the Indian villages, and in a condition to be -moved, you will please to send them to the nearest of our settlements; -or, if you do not choose to do that, I will send proper persons to meet -and receive them at any place you may appoint. I am not informed if Mrs. -Butler, her family, and such others as will be given in exchange for those -you have in captivity, and those you have suffered to return as mentioned -in your letter, would choose to move at this inclement season. If they do, -they shall be sent. If not, they may remain until Spring; and then they -may either go to Oswego or Canada, at their option. Should the prisoners -taken at Cherry Valley, or any others belonging to the State of New-York, -be at Niagara, it will be impossible for them to re-turn until Spring; -and then I request that they may be sent to Oswego or Fort Schuyler, and -that you will send notice of your determination, that provision may be -made accordingly. Do not flatter yourself, sir, that your father's family -have been detained on account of any consequence they were supposed to be -of, or that it is determined they should be exchanged in consideration of -the threat contained in your letter. I should hope, for the sake of human -nature and the honor of civilized nations, that the British officers had -exerted themselves in restraining the barbarity of the savages. But it is -difficult even for the most disinterested mind to believe it, as numerous -instances of barbarity have been perpetrated where savages were not -present—or, if they were, the British force was not sufficient to -restrain them, had there been a real desire so to do. The enormous murders -committed at Wyoming and Cherry Valley would clearly have justified a -retaliation; and that your mother did not fall a sacrifice to the -resentment of the survivors of those families who were so barbarously -massacred, is owing to the humane principles which the conduct of their -enemies evinces a belief that they are utterly strangers to. The flag -will carry their arms with them, that they may furnish themselves with -provisions, should what they set out with be expended before they reach -any places where they can be supplied. As Captain Butler may be absent, I -enclose a copy of this letter to General Schuyler.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I am, &c, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">James Clinton,</span></p> - - <p>"To Captain Walter Butler, or any officer in the British service to whom - this may be handed." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This letter has been copied from the original draft, among the - papers of General Clinton.</p> - - -<p>This letter reached its destination in due season, and called forth the -following reply from Captain Butler, written in behalf of his father and -himself:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Butler to General Clinton.</span><br> - <i>Niagara,</i> 18th <i>Feb.</i> 1779.</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I have received a letter dated the 1st January last, signed by you, in -answer to mine of the 12th November.</p> - -<p>"Its contents I communicated to Lieutenant Colonel Bolton, the commanding -officer of this garrison, &c. by whom I am directed to acquaint you, that -he had no objection that an exchange of prisoners, as mentioned in your -letter, should take place; but not being fully empowered by his -Excellency—General Haldimand [FN]—to order the same immediately to be -put in execution, has thought proper I should go down to the -Commander-in-chief for his direction in the matter."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] General Sir Frederick Haldimand had previous to this time superseded - Sir Guy Carleton in the command of the Canadas.</p> - - -<p>"In the mean time, Colonel Butler, as he ever has done on every other -occasion, will make every effort in his power to have all the prisoners, -as well those belonging to your troops, as the women and children, in -captivity among the different Indian nations, collected and sent in to -this post to be forwarded to Crown Point, should the exchange take place -by the way of Canada, or to Oswego, if settled there. In either case -Colonel Bolton desires me to inform you that the prisoners shall receive -from him what assistance their wants may require, which prisoners have at -all times received at this post.</p> - -<p>"The disagreeable situation of your people in the Indian villages, as well -as ours amongst you, will induce me to make all the expedition in my power -to Canada, (Quebec,) in order that the exchange may be settled as soon as -possible. For the good of both, I make no doubt that his Excellency -General Haldimand will acquiesce in the proper exchange. The season of -the year renders it impossible that it should take place before the 10th -or 15th May next. However, I shall write you, by the way of Crown Point, -General Haldimand's determination, and when and where the exchange will -be most agreeable to him to be made, I could wish Mrs. Butler and her -family, including Mrs. Scheehan and son, and Mrs. Wall, were permitted to -go to Canada in the Spring, even should the exchange be fixed at Ontario.</p> - -<p>"It is not our present business, sir, to enter into an altercation, or to -reflect on the conduct of either the British or the Continental forces, -or on that of each other; but since you have charged (on report, I must -suppose) the British officers in general with inhumanity, and Colonel -Butler and myself in particular; in justice to them, and in vindication -of his and my own honor and character, I am under the disagreeable -necessity to declare the charge unjust and void of truth, and which can -only tend to deceive the world, though a favorite cry of the Congress on -every occasion, whether in truth or not.</p> - -<p>"We deny any <i>cruelties</i> to have been committed <i>at Wyoming,</i> either by -whites or Indians; so far to the contrary, that not a man, woman, or -child was hurt after the capitulation, or a woman or child before it, and -none taken into captivity. Though, should you call it <i>inhumanity</i> the -killing <i>men in arms in the field</i>, we in that case plead guilty. The -inhabitants killed at Cherry Valley does not lay at my door—my conscience -acquits. If any are guilty (as accessories) it's yourselves; at least the -conduct of some of your officers. First, Colonel Hartley, of your forces, -sent to the Indians the enclosed, being a copy of his letter charging -them with crimes they never committed, and threatening them and their -villages with fire and sword and no quarters. The burning of one of their -villages, then inhabited only by a few families—your friends—who -imagined they might remain in peace and friendship with you, till assured -a few hours before the arrival of your troops that they should not even -receive quarters, took to the woods; and, to complete the matter, Colonel -Denniston and his people appearing again in arms with Colonel Hartley, -after a solemn capitulation and engagement not to bear arms during the -war, and Colonel Denniston not performing a promise to release a number -of soldiers belonging to Colonel Butler's corps of rangers, then prisoners -among you, were the reasons assigned by the Indians to me, after the -destruction of Cherry Valley, for their not acting in the same manner as -at Wyoming. They added, that being charged by their enemies with what -they never had done, and threatened by them, they had determined to -convince you it was not fear which had prevented them from committing the -one, and that they did not want spirit to put your threats against them -in force against yourselves.</p> - -<p>"The prisoners sent back by me, or any now in our or the Indians' hands, -must declare I did every thing in my power to prevent the Indians killing -the prisoners, or taking women and children captive, or in any wise -injuring them. Colonel Stacey and several other officers of yours, when -exchanged, will acquit me; and must further declare, that they have -received every assistance, before and since their arrival at this post, -that could be got to relieve their wants. I must, however, beg leave, by -the bye, to observe, that I experienced no humanity, or even common -justice, during my imprisonment among you.</p> - -<p>"I enclose you a list of officers and privates whom I should be glad were -exchanged likewise. The list of the families we expect for those as well -sent back as others in our hands, you have likewise enclosed.</p> - -<p>"Colonel Stacey, and several officers and others, your people, are at this -post, and have leave to write.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I am, - Your very humble serv't., - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Walter N. Butler,</span> - <i>Captain corps of Rangers.</i> - - "<i>Brigadier Gen.</i><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> Clinton,</span> } - <i>of the Continental forces."</i>}</p> - -<p>This is a straight-forward, manly letter; and when the impartial reader -is weighing the testimony in regard to the transactions of which it -speaks, it certainly deserves consideration. It is, moreover, believed to -be the first time that the accused have been permitted to relate their -own side of the case. There were, no doubt, bloody outrages -committed—probably upon both sides—because in such a contest, waged by -borderers, many of whom, as has been seen, were previously burning with -indignation against each other, it is hardly to be expected that -individual combatants would always contend hand to hand with all the -courtesy which characterised gallant knights in the days of chivalry. In -justice to Colonel John Butler, moreover, it must be admitted that his -conduct toward his prisoners at Niagara, and among the Indians in that -country, was uniformly characterised by humanity. One proof of this -disposition was afforded in the case of Colonel Stacia, whose destruction -had, for some reason or other, been determined upon by Molly Brant, the -Indian wife of Sir William Johnson; who, in her widowhood, had been taken -from Johnstown to Niagara. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "Molly Brant had, for some cause, a deadly hostility to Colonel - Stacia. Resorting to the Indian method of dreaming, she informed Colonel - Butler that she had dreamed that she had the Yankee's head, and that she - and the Indians were kicking it about the fort. Colonel Butler ordered - a small keg of rum to be painted and given to her. This, for a short - time, appeased her; but she dreamed a second time that she had the - Yankee's head, with his hat on, and that she and the Indians were - kicking it about the fort for a football. Colonel Butler ordered another - keg of rum to be given to her, and then told her decidedly that Colonel - Stacia should not be given up to the Indians. Apart from this - circumstance, I know nothing disreputable to Molly Brant. On the - contrary, she appears to have had just views of her duties. She was - careful of the education of her children, some of whom were respectably - married."—<i>Campbells Annals.</i>—It may be added, that her descendants - from Sir William Johnson compose some of the most respectable and - intelligent families of Upper Canada at this day. The traditions of the - Mohawk Valley state, that the acquaintance of Sir William with Molly had - a rather wild and romantic commencement. The story runs, that she was a - very sprightly and very beautiful Indian girl of about sixteen when he - first saw her. It was at a regimental militia muster, where Molly was - one of a multitude of spectators. One of the field-officers coming near - her upon a prancing steed, by way of banter she asked permission to mount - behind him. Not supposing she could perform the exploit, he said she - might. At the word she leaped upon the crupper with the agility of a - gazelle. The horse sprang off at full speed, and, clinging to the - officer, her blanket flying, and her dark tresses streaming in the wind, - she flew about the parade-ground swift as an arrow, to the infinite - merriment of the collected multitude. The Baronet, who was a witness of - the spectacle, admiring the spirit of the young squaw, and becoming - enamoured of her person, took her home as his wife.</p> - - -<p>The few prisoners from Cherry Valley were marched, by the route already -indicated, to the Seneca country, Mrs. Campbell was carried to the Seneca -castle at Kanadaseago, where she was presented to a family to fill a place -made vacant by the death of one of its members. Her children, the infant -included, were separated from her, and distributed among different Indian -families. Being skillful with her needle, and rendering herself useful to -those with whom she lived, she was treated with indulgence. No restraints -were imposed upon her, and she was even gratified in her desire to pay a -due regard to the Sabbath, of which institution they were ignorant. Among -other little civilities, perceiving that she wore caps, an Indian -presented her one, which was cut and spotted with blood. On a closer -scrutiny, her feelings were shocked by the discovery, from the mark, that -it had belonged to the lovely companion of her youth, the hapless Jane -Wells!</p> - -<p>After returning from a successful expedition, a dance of <i>Thanksgiving</i> is -performed by the Iroquois, which partakes of the character of a religious -ceremony; [FN-1] and Mrs. Campbell had the opportunity, soon after her -arrival at Kanadaseago, of witnessing the festival in honor of their -recent victory, of which she herself was one of the trophies. A grand -council was convoked for this purpose, and preparations were made for the -observance of the festival, upon a scale corresponding with the importance -of the achievements they were to celebrate. The arrangements having been -completed, the warriors came forth to the centre of the village, where -the great fire had been kindled, horribly disfigured by black and red -paint, and commenced their savage rites by singing of their own exploits, -and those of their ancestors,—by degrees working themselves up into a -tempest of passion; whooping, yelling, and uttering every hideous cry; -brandishing their knives and war-clubs, and throwing themselves into the -most menacing attitudes, in a manner terrific to the unpractised beholder. -There was no prisoner put to the torture, or attired with the raven -death-cap on this occasion; [FN-2] but the prisoners were paraded, and the -scalps borne in procession, as would have been the standards taken in -civilized warfare in the celebration of a triumph. For every scalp, and -for every prisoner taken, the <i>scalp-yell,</i> or, as it is sometimes called, -the <i>death-halloo,</i> was raised in all its mingled tones of triumph and -terror. [FN-3] The scalp-yell is the most terrific note which an Indian -can raise, and from the numbers that had fallen during this expedition, -it was often repeated. The white dog for the sacrifice was then killed; -the offerings collected were thrown into the fire; whereupon the dog was -laid upon the pile and thoroughly roasted. The flesh was then eaten, and -the wild festival closed.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Heckewelder. - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The Indians do not often put their prisoners to the torture, or - even to death—seldom, unless when they have sustained great losses, or - when some of their warriors have been murdered. The torture is then - resorted to, to glut their vengeance.—<i>Heckewelder.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Idem.</p> - - -<p>From an account of the ceremonies at one of the festivals, of which Mrs. -Campbell was a spectator during her captivity, she must have been present -at the great annual feast of thanksgiving and remission of sin, which is -held by the Senecas and other tribes of the confederacy. This is their -greatest national and most solemn sacrifice. It is invariably held at the -time of the old moon in January, and is celebrated with great parade; the -ceremonies being conducted with the utmost order, harmony, and decorum, -under the direction of a large committee appointed for that purpose.</p> - -<p>The festivities continued nine days, on the first of which two white dogs, -without spot or blemish, if such could be found, were strangled and hung -up before the door of the council-house, at the height of twenty feet. -Not a drop of blood was allowed to be shed in compassing their death, as -the victims would thereby be rendered unfit for the sacrifice. After the -animals were killed, and before their suspension, their faces were painted -red, as also the edges of their ears and other parts of their bodies. -They were then fantastically decorated with ribbons and feathers, -rendering them as beautiful, in the eye of an Indian, as possible. Their -fancy dress being completed, the dogs were hung up, and the ceremonies of -the frolic commenced. In the course of the first day every lodge in the -town was visited by the committee, each member being provided with a -shovel, with which he removed the ashes and coals from every hearth, and -scattered them to the winds. In this manner the fire of every lodge was -extinguished, to be re-kindled only by striking virgin sparks from the -flint. The discharge of a gun at every lodge announced that the work of -purification, even of fire itself, had been performed; and with this -ceremony ended the labors of the first day.</p> - -<p>The ceremonies of the second day were opened with a dance by the -committee, after which, dressed in bear-skins, the members visited every -lodge, with baskets to take up alms—receiving whatever was bestowed, but -particularly tobacco, and other articles used for incense in the -sacrifice. Two or three days were occupied in receiving these grateful -donations, during which time the people at the council-house were engaged -in dances and other recreations. On the fifth day masks were added to the -bear-skin dresses of the masters of the festival, some ludicrous and -others frightful, in which they ran about the village, smearing themselves -with dirt, and bedaubing all such as refused to add to the contents of -their baskets of incense. While thus engaged, the collectors were supposed -to receive into their own bodies all the sins of their tribe, however -numerous or heinous, committed within the preceding year.</p> - -<p>On the ninth day of the feast, by some magical process, the sins of the -nation thus collected were transfused from the several members of the -Committee into one of their number. The dogs were then taken down, and -the whole weight of the nation's iniquity, by another magical process, -was transfused into their lifeless carcasses. The bodies of the dogs were -next laid upon an altar of wood, to which fire was applied, and the whole -consumed—the masters of the sacrifice throwing the tobacco and other -odoriferous articles into the flames, the incense ascending from which -was supposed to be acceptable to the Great Spirit. The sacrifice ended, -the people all partook of a bountiful feast, the chief article of which -was succotash. Then followed the war and peace dances, and the smoking of -the calumet. Thus refreshed, and relieved from the burden of sin—at -peace with the Great Spirit, and with each other—the warriors with their -families returned, each to his own house, prepared to enter upon the -business and the duties of another year; the chiefs, during the festival, -having carefully reviewed the past, and adjusted their policy for the -future. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The reminiscences of Mrs. Campbell scarcely allowed her to give the - particulars of this great festival <i>in extenso,</i> although she seems, - from the Annals of her grandson, to have retained a remembrance of the - leading points of the ceremonies. The author has supplied the - deficiencies of her account from the life of Mrs. Jemison. The sacrifice - of dogs is, we believe, universal among the North American Indians. How - long the practice has prevailed cannot well be known. Cotton Mather - affirms, "that the Indians, in their wars with us, finding a sore - inconvenience by our <i>dogs,</i> sacrificed a <i>dog</i> to the <i>devil;</i> after which - no <i>English</i> dog would bark at an <i>Indian</i> for divers months - ensuing." <i>Magnalia,</i> iii. 192. What interpreter the devil had on these - occasions, does not appear. That he did not understand the Indian tongue, - is manifest from the same writer:—"Once finding that the <i>Daemons,</i> in - a possessed young woman, understood the <i>Latin, Greek,</i> and <i>Hebrew</i> - tongues, my curiosity induced me to make trial of this <i>Indian</i> language, - and the <i>Daemons</i> did seem as if they did not understand it."—<i>Sands.</i></p> - - -<p>Captain Butler having returned from his visit to General Haldimand, with -permission for the proposed exchange of prisoners, the Colonel, his -father, proceeded to the Seneca castle to negotiate for the release of -Mrs. Campbell. The family by whom she had been adopted were very reluctant -to part with her; but, after the holding of a council, the strong appeals -of Colonel Butler, who was anxious for the release of his own wife and -family, prevailed. Mrs. Campbell, however, had been pledged to a Genesee -family, whither she was shortly to be removed; and as her liberation could -not be completed without the consent of that family, Guyanguahta, the aged -king of the Senecas, who had become her zealous friend, made the journey -to the Genesee on her behalf. He was successful, and Mrs. Campbell was -removed to Niagara. The aged king, being too old to go out upon the -war-path, had borne no part in the pending hostilities. He seemed little -disposed to evil, and on parting with the fair captive bade her an -affectionate farewell in the words following:—"You are about to return -to your home and friends," said the venerable sachem. "I rejoice. You -live a great way off, and many journeys from here. I am an old man, and -do not know that I shall live to the end of the war. If I do, I will come -and see you." [FN] Mrs. Campbell reached Niagara in June, 1779. While -residing there, among others she had an opportunity of seeing the -celebrated Catharine Montour, whose name occurs in the preceding pages -in connexion with the battle of Wyoming. One of her two sons, who had -signalized themselves at Wyoming, was also in the affair at Cherry Valley; -and it was he who made prisoner of Mr. Cannon, the father of Mrs. -Campbell, after he had been wounded by a musket ball. Being a Whig of -consideration, and also a member of the Committee of Safety, it was -determined to retain Mr. Cannon in captivity, for the purpose of -exchanging him for some one of their own men of like consequence. But his -age and his wound rendered him an inconvenient prisoner, and Kate Montour -was in a rage with her son for not having killed him outright. Yet, -notwithstanding this exhibition of a savage temper, she was treated with -marked consideration by the British officers.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>It was not until June of the following year that Mrs. Campbell was sent -from Niagara to Montreal, on her way home. While residing at the former -post, the Indians having been driven into the fort, she was enabled to -recover three of her children. On her arrival at Montreal, she met with -Mrs. Butler and her family, who had been previously released. Here, also, -and in charge of that lady, Mrs. Campbell found her fourth child, a little -son who had been torn from her in the Cherry Valley massacre. He was -dressed in the green uniform of Butler's rangers; but had forgotten the -English language—speaking nothing but Indian. From Montreal Mrs. Campbell -was sent to Albany by the way of Lake Champlain, [FN] where she was shortly -afterward joined by her husband, who had been stationed at Fort Schuyler -most of the time during her captivity.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] On her way from Montreal, a variety of circumstances and incidents - intervened to harass Mrs. Campbell and the prisoners returning in her - company, and to retard their progress. She had been detained four months - at Montreal, and these additional delays were exceedingly vexatious. - Before their departure from Crown Point, a rumor had reached the American - shores of the lake, from Ticonderoga to Skenesborough, that another - expedition was about to be undertaken from Canada against New-York, and - the inhabitants had become not a little alarmed at the prospect. It - happened that the men in the batteaux containing the prisoners, were - clad in blanket coats, and some of the women wore red cloaks. A scout - had discovered them on the lake, and taking them for a party of Indians - and Tories, gave the alarm, and before their arrival, more than a - thousand men had collected, under Col. Ethan Allen. While stopping at a - small fortress, eight miles from Castleton, it was announced that a flag - was approaching. It was supposed to be sent to demand the surrender of - the fortress. Col. Herrick, of the militia, struck his sword upon the - ground with such force that he broke it in pieces, saying it should not - be surrendered. Col. Allen told the prisoners that they should not again - fall into the hands of the enemy, and immediately mounting them upon - horseback, sent them off toward Albany, with an escort of a hundred men. - This flag was sent for the following reason:—It had been rumored that - the inhabitants in that section had said that if they were not protected - from the incursions of the Indians and Tories, they would seek protection - elsewhere. It is perhaps needless to add that this flag was sent to offer - them the protection of Great Britain—a proposition which was of course - refused.—<i>Campbell's Annals.</i></p> - - -<p>The destruction of Cherry Valley closed the warlike operations of both -nations, in the North, for that year. A formidable campaign had indeed -been projected early in the season, as has been already stated, not only -against the hostiles of the Six Nations, but likewise against the nations -more remote, for whom Detroit was the common centre. But the larger half -of this enterprise had been abandoned after the irruption into Wyoming, -and the next project contemplated the invasion of the Seneca country by -way of the Tioga and Chemung rivers. In October this branch of the project -was likewise deferred, at the suggestion of Generals Gates and Schuyler.</p> - -<p>Meantime, notwithstanding that these enterprises had successively fallen -to the ground for want of "the sinews of war," Congress had been -projecting another stupendous campaign, comprehending a simultaneous -attack upon the whole northern range of British possessions, from Cape -Breton and Newfoundland to Detroit. The French fleet was to co-operate by -attacking the islands and territories at the estuary of the St. Lawrence; -while the Americans were to send an army to Detroit, another to Niagara, -a third to Oswego, and a fourth against Montreal by the way of St. -Francis. It is needless to add, that although Congress had arranged all -the details, the moment the plan was laid before the Commander-in-chief, -who had not previously been consulted in the premises, it was necessarily -laid aside. In the first place, the nation had not the means; and in the -second, Congress, in arranging matters for this splendid undertaking, had -forgotten that they were to leave Sir Henry Clinton, and all the British -forces in New-York, and at the South, computed at the least at seventeen -thousand men, behind! Thus closed the Northern campaigns of 1778. The -British, Tories and Indians went into winter-quarters, and the frontier -inhabitants disposed of themselves as best they could.</p> - -<p>Much has been said in the traditions of Tryon County, and somewhat, also, -in the courts of law, in cases involving titles to real estate formerly -in the family of Sir William Johnson, respecting the burial of an iron -chest, by his son Sir John, previous to his flight to Canada, containing -the most valuable of his own and his father's papers. Late in the Autumn -of the present year, General Haldimand, at the request of Sir John, sent -a party of between forty and fifty men privately to Johnstown, to dig up -and carry the chest away. The expedition was successful; but the chest -not being sufficiently tight to prevent the influence of dampness from -the earth, the papers had become mouldy, rotten, and illegible, when taken -up. The information respecting this expedition was derived, in the Spring -following, from a man named Helmer, who composed one of the party, and -assisted in disinterring the chest. Helmer had fled to Canada with Sir -John. While retiring from Johnstown with the chest, he injured his ankle; -and by reason of his lameness, went back to his father's house, where he -remained concealed until Spring, when he was arrested. He was tried as -a spy by a court-martial, at Johnstown, April 15,1779, and sentenced to -death—chiefly on his own admissions to the court. A considerable number -of rather summary executions, by the Whigs of Tryon County, took place in -the course of the contest. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This information, in regard to the recovery of the iron chest, is - derived from the minutes of the court-martial, among the papers of Gen. - Clinton. The MS. narrative of Jacob Sammons, in the author's possession, - states that the chest was dug up during a night in May, 1778, by Lieut. - Crawford, at the head of forty men sent from Canada for that purpose. - Sammons then held a lease of the Johnson farm from the committee of - sequestrations. The chest had been buried beneath one of the garden - walks. Sammons discovered it in the morning, with the fragments of papers - scattered around it. But as he wrote his narrative long afterward, the - probability is that the date given on the trial of Helmer is the true - one.</p> - - -<p>The leading military events occurring in other parts of the country, -during the year 1778, have already been incidentally adverted to, with -the exception of those that transpired at the South. In the month of June, -the Earl of Carlisle, Governor Johnstone, and William Eden, Esq. who, in -conjunction with General and Lord Howe, had been appointed Commissioners -to make another attempt to treat with the Colonies, arrived, and sent -their instructions to Congress. A letter from the President was despatched -in reply, rebuking the Commissioners for the language indulged by them -in regard to the King of France, our ally, and again peremptorily refusing -to entertain a negotiation, except upon the basis of independent States. -On the 6th of August, M. Gerard was publicly received as Minister -Plenipotentiary of the King of France—to the great joy of the American -people; and on the 14th of September, Dr. Benjamin Franklin was appointed -Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Versailles.</p> - -<p>In the course of the Summer, two incursions of British regulars and -American refugees had been made from Florida into Georgia. Both -expeditions met with such disheartening obstacles, as to induce their -retreat without accomplishing more than the destruction of the church, -dwelling-houses, and rice-fields of Midway. In return for these -visitations. General Robert Howe led an expedition of about two thousand -men, mostly militia, into Florida. He captured the British posts on the -St. Mary's river, and was proceeding successfully, when his march was -arrested by sickness, so fatal to his army as to compel a relinquishment -of the enterprise. Toward the close of the year, the British -Commander-in-chief determined to strike a signal blow against the South. -For this purpose an expedition of two thousand men, under the command of -Colonel Campbell, an officer of courage and ability, embarked at New-York -on the 27th of November, destined against Savannah. After a passage of -three weeks, Colonel Campbell landed near the mouth of Savannah river. -General Howe, to whom the defence of Georgia had been confided, had but -six hundred regular troops and a few hundred militia to oppose the -invaders. This officer had taken a position between the landing and the -town, where a battle was fought on the 29th of December. He was -out-numbered, out-generaled, and beaten, with a loss of one hundred -killed. The town and fort of Savannah, thirty-eight officers, four hundred -and fifteen privates, twenty-three mortars, together with the shipping in -the river, and a large quantity of ammunition and provisions, fell into -the hands of the conquerors. It was an easy victory to the enemy, whose -loss was but seven killed and nineteen wounded.</p> - -<p>From these glimpses of the events of the year 1778, occurring elsewhere -than in the Indian country, it seems, after the battle of Monmouth, to -have been a season of comparative inactivity on both sides. Still, having -repossessed themselves of the strong pass of the Highlands immediately -after the return of Sir Henry Clinton and Commodore Hotham to New-York, -toward the close of the preceding year, no lack of industry was exhibited -on the part of the Americans in strengthening and multiplying its -defences, from which neither force nor treachery ever again dislodged -them. The prosecution of those works had been originally entrusted to -General Putnam; but the advanced age of that patriotic officer had -rendered him less active than formerly, and he had become unpopular in -New-York—mainly from an impression that a more energetic commander, -stationed, as he was, with an army at Fishkill, and apprised of the -approach of Sir Henry Clinton, would have saved Forts Clinton and -Montgomery. By directions from the Commander-in-chief, therefore, the -Connecticut veteran had been transferred back to his own State, upon a -different service.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;"><a id="chxviii">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></h2> -<br> - - - <p class="chap">Indian siege of Fort Laurens—Successful stratagems—Flight of the - pack-horses—The fort abandoned—Projected enterprise from Detroit—Gov. - Hamilton captured at St. Vincent by Col. Clarke—Projects of - Brant—Uneasiness in the West of New-York—Deliberations of the Oneidas - and Onondagas—Brant's projects defeated—Treachery of the - Onondagas—Colonel Van Schaick marches to lay waste their - towns—Instructions of General Clinton—Passage of Wood Creek and Oneida - Lake—Advance upon the Indian towns—Their destruction—Return of the - expedition to Fort Schuyler—Mission of the Oneidas to Fort Schuyler in - behalf of the Onondagas—Speech of Good Peter—Reply of Colonel Van - Schaick—Irruption of Tories and Indians into the lower Mohawk - country—Stone Arabia—Defence of his house by Captain Richer—The - Indians in Schoharie—General Clinton traverses the Mohawk - valley—M<sup>c</sup>Clellan's expedition to Oswegatchie—Unsuccessful—Irruption - of the Onondagas into Cobleskill—Defeat of the Americans—The - settlement destroyed—Murders in the neighborhood of Fort - Pitt—Irruptions of Tories into Warwarsing—Invasion of Minisink—Battle - near the Delaware—Massacre of the Orange County militia—Battle with - the Shawanese.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The</span> erection of an advanced post, called Fort Laurens, on the Tuscarawa, -by General M<sup>c</sup>Intosh, who was directed to advance upon the Indian towns -of Sandusky, has been mentioned in a preceding chapter. Colonel Gibson, -who had been left in command of the fort, with a garrison of one hundred -and fifty men, soon found his position rather uncomfortable, by reason of -the swarms of Indians hovering about the precincts, who soon became so -numerous as completely to invest the little fortress. The first hostile -demonstration of the forest warriors was executed with equal cunning and -success. The horses of the garrison were allowed to forage for themselves -upon the herbage, among the dried prairie-grass immediately in the -vicinity of the fort—wearing bells, that they might be the more easily -found if straying too far. It happened one morning in January, that the -horses had all disappeared, but the bells were heard, seemingly at no -great distance. They had, in truth, been stolen by the Indians, and -conveyed away. The bells, however, were taken off, and used for another -purpose. Availing themselves of the tall prairie-grass, the Indians formed -an ambuscade, at the farthest extremity of which they caused the bells to -jingle as a decoy. The artifice was successful. A party of sixteen men -was sent in pursuit of the straggling steeds, who fell into the snare. -Fourteen were killed upon the spot, and the remaining two taken prisoners, -one of whom returned at the close of the war, and of the other nothing -was ever heard. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Rev. Mr. Doddridge, whose little work is the authority for all - the facts relative to Fort Laurens, states that Captain, afterward - General Briggs, of Virginia, being the officer of the day, was - exceedingly desirous of heading the party sent to bring in the horses, - but was refused permission by Colonel Gibson, who remarked, that when he - had occasion to send out a captain's command, he should be thankful for - his services, but until then, he must be content to discharge his duties - within the fort. "On what trifling circumstances," adds the good - minister, "do life and death sometimes depend!"</p> - - -<p>Toward evening of the same day, the whole force of the Indians, painted, -and in the full costume of war, presented themselves in full view of the -garrison, by marching in single files, though at a respectful distance, -across the prairie. Their number, according to a count from one of the -bastions, was eight hundred and forty-seven—altogether too great to be -encountered in the field by so small a garrison. After this display of -their strength, the Indians took a position upon an elevated piece of -ground at no great distance from the fort, though on the opposite side of -the river. In this situation they remained several weeks, in a state -rather of armed neutrality than of active hostility. Some of them would -frequently approach the fort sufficiently near to hold conversations with -those upon the walls. They uniformly professed a desire for peace, but -protested against the encroachments of the white people upon their -lands—more especially was the erection of a fort so far within the -territory claimed by them as exclusively their own, a cause of -complaint—nay, of admitted exasperation. There was with the Americans -in the fort, an aged friendly Indian named John Thompson, who seemed to -be in equal favor with both parties, visiting the Indian encampment at -pleasure, and coming and going as he chose. They informed Thompson that -they deplored the continuance of hostilities, and finally sent word by -him to Colonel Gibson, that they were desirous of peace, and if he would -present them with a barrel of flour, they would send in their proposals -the next day. The flour was sent, but the Indians, instead of fulfilling -their part of the stipulation, withdrew, and entirely disappeared. They -had, indeed, continued the siege as long as they could obtain subsistence, -and raised it only because of the lack of supplies. Still, as the -beleaguerment was begun in stratagem, so was it ended. Colonel Gibson's -provisions were also running short, and as he supposed the Indians had -entirely gone off, he directed Colonel Clark, of the Pennsylvania line, -with a detachment of fifteen men, to escort the invalids of the garrison, -amounting to ten or a dozen men, back to Fort M<sup>c</sup>Intosh. But the Indians -had left a strong party of observation lurking in the neighborhood of the -fort; and the escort had proceeded only two miles before it was fallen -upon, and the whole number killed with the exception of four—one of whom, -a captain, escaped back to the fort. The bodies of the slain were interred -by the garrison, on the same day, with the honors of war. A party was -likewise sent out to collect the remains of the fourteen who had first -fallen by the ambuscade, and bury them; which service was performed. It -was found, however, that the wolves had mostly devoured their flesh, and -by setting traps upon the new-made grave, some of those ravenous beasts -were caught and shot on the following morning.</p> - -<p>The situation of the garrison was now becoming deplorable. For two weeks -the men had been reduced to half a pound of sour flour, and a like -quantity of offensive meat, per diem; and for a week longer they were -compelled to subsist only upon raw hides, and such roots as they could -find in the circumjacent woods and prairies, when General M<sup>c</sup>Intosh most -opportunely arrived to their relief, with supplies, and a reinforcement -of seven hundred men. But still they came near being immediately reduced -to short allowance again, by an untoward accident causing the loss of a -great portion of their fresh supplies. These supplies were transported -through the wilderness upon pack-horses. The garrison, overjoyed at the -arrival of succors, on their approach to within about a hundred yards of -the fort manned the parapets and fired a salute of musketry. But the -horses must have been young in the service. Afrightened at the detonation -of the guns, they began to rear and plunge, and broke from their guides. -The example was contagious, and in a moment more, the whole cavalcade of -pack-horses were bounding into the woods at full gallop, dashing their -burdens to the ground, and scattering them over many a rood in all -directions—the greater portion of which could never be recovered. But -there was yet enough of provisions saved to cause the mingling of evil -with the good. Very incautiously, the officers dealt out two days' rations -per man, the whole of which was devoured by the famishing soldiers, to -the imminent hazard of the lives of all, and resulting in the severe -sickness of many. Leaving the fort again, General M<sup>c</sup>Intosh assigned the -command to Major Vernon, who remained upon the station several months. He, -in turn, was left to endure the horrors of famine, until longer to endure -was death; whereupon the fort was evacuated and the position -abandoned—its occupation and maintenance, at the cost of great fatigue -and suffering, and the expense of many lives, having been of not the least -service to the country.</p> - -<p>Originally it had been the purpose of General M<sup>c</sup>Intosh to penetrate -through the wilderness to Lake Erie, and thence make a descent upon -Detroit; and by a letter from the Commander-in-chief to a Committee of -Congress appointed to confer with him upon military subjects, it seems to -have been his opinion that M<sup>c</sup>Intosh had made the best dispositions for -the enterprise which the circumstances of the case allowed. But he was -disappointed in his expectations of men, provisions, and stores. This -seems to have been one of those undertakings by order of Congress, without -consultation with the Commander-in-chief, which had previously annoyed -him not a little. Still, it received his approbation, the more readily -because its design was in coincidence with his own views on the subject -of Indian warfare—his uniform opinion being, that the cheapest and most -effectual method of opposing them, was to carry the war into their own -country. By their incursions into the frontier settlements, so long as -the Americans were content to act on the defensive, the Indians had little -to lose and every thing to gain; whereas the direct reverse would be the -consequence of an offensive war against them. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Washington to the Committee of Congress, Jan. 12,1779.</p> - - -<p>But, notwithstanding the untoward result of General M<sup>c</sup>Intosh's expedition, -the Indian branch of the service opened auspiciously the present year -elsewhere, and first in a region yet deeper in the west than Fort Laurens. -Colonel Hamilton, the British Lieutenant-Governor of Detroit—a rough, -bad-tempered, and cruel officer, who had signalised himself by the -exertion of a malignant influence over the Indians—and had provoked them -to take up the hatchet against the Americans by every possible -means—instigating them to deeds of blood by large rewards—had projected -a powerful Indian expedition against the Virginia frontier, to be executed -early in the Spring. [FN-1] With this design, at the close of the -preceding Autumn, Hamilton left Detroit, and took post at St. Vincents, on -the Wabash, in order to act earlier and more efficiently immediately -after the breaking up of Winter. But his purpose was most happily defeated -by a blow from a direction which he did not anticipate. Colonel Clarke, -who was yet with a small force in command of Kaskaskias, having learned, -in February, that Hamilton had weakened himself by despatching many of his -Indians in different directions to annoy the frontiers of the States, -formed the bold resolution of attacking him in his quarters. After a -difficult movement by land and water, at the head of one hundred and -thirty men, Clarke suddenly arrived before St. Vincents. The town at once -submitted; and on the following day, Colonel Hamilton and the garrison -surrendered themselves prisoners of war. It was the good fortune of -Colonel Clarke also to intercept and capture a valuable convoy of -provisions and stores, coming to St. Vincents from Detroit. Hamilton was -transferred to Virginia, where the Council of the Commonwealth instituted -an inquiry into the inhuman conduct imputed to him, and his confinement -in irons, on a diet of bread and water, was recommended. [FN-2] The plans -of the enemy were not a little disconcerted by this small, though -brilliant affair; and peace with several of the Indian tribes in that -direction was the immediate consequence.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Should any one doubt the propriety of speaking thus harshly in - history of this Colonel Hamilton, let him read the "Narrative of the - capture and treatment of John Dodge, by the British at Detroit," - published in Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vi. pp. 73-81.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Ramsay.</p> - - -<p>In the mean time, and before this disaster befell the Detroit expedition, -some bold winter emprise was projected by Joseph Brant, which—in -consequence, probably, of the capture of Hamilton—miscarried, or rather -was not attempted to be put in execution. It does not appear what the -measure was upon which Brant was meditating; but on the 1st of January, -Colonel Van Dyck, then in command of Fort Schuyler, wrote to General -Clinton, "that the Oneidas had just received information that the enemy -seemed determined to strike some capital blow during the winter." In -addition to an application from the Quiquoga Indians to join them in the -expedition, Colonel Van Dyck stated that "one of the principal Oneida -warriors had received a private letter from Joseph Brant, inviting him to -join the Six Nations with his adherents, that he might avoid the danger -to which his tribe was exposed." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Papers of General James Clinton.</p> - - -<p>There is reason to suppose that a part of Brant's project was to strike a -blow upon the Oneidas themselves, unless they could be seduced from their -neutrality—amounting, as it did, almost to an alliance with the United -States. [FN] But this faithful tribe were neither to be coaxed nor driven -from the stand they had maintained since the beginning of the controversy. -On the 16th and 17th of January, the Oneidas and Tuscaroras held a -council, to deliberate upon the invitations of the Quiquogas and Captain -Brant, the result of which they communicated to Colonel Van Dyck on the -following day. They informed that efficient officer, that after giving -permission to any of their tribe, who desired to join the enemy, to -withdraw, there was a unanimous resolution of the council "to stand by -each other in defence of their lives and liberty, against any enemy that -might be disposed to attack them;" and to the late message of the -Quiquogas, they unanimously agreed to return the following answer, viz: -"That as they had ever behaved themselves in a quiet, and peaceable manner -toward the confederacy, they could not conceive that their conduct could -be considered reprehensible by them. They likewise put them in mind of -their long and unwearied efforts to prevent the Six Nations involving -themselves in the calamities of war, and that they had exerted themselves -so far as by their influence to relieve, from close confinement, some of -their people whom the fortune of war had put into the hands of their -enemies. But that they now utterly despaired of ever being able to effect -a reconciliation between the Confederacy and the United States; and that -the only hope they had of them was, that some of them would, in time, -abandon the cause thus imprudently espoused; that they would never violate -their alliance with the American States; and though they would not be the -aggressors, or wantonly provoke any tribe to war, yet that they should -henceforth be on their guard against any enemy whatever."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] On the 9th of April, 1779, Congress passed a resolution granting the - commission of Captain to four of the Oneida and Tuscarora Indians, and - eight commissions of Lieutenants. Subsequently, the then principal Oneida - chief, Louis Atayataroughta, was commissioned a Lieutenant-colonel. - Louis, or "Colonel Louis" as he was afterward called, was the - representative of three races, being part Indian, part Negro, and part - white man. A few other commissions were issued to those Indians in the - course of the war. The greater number served faithfully. Some were - killed, and three of the lieutenants deserted to the enemy, and exchanged - their commissions for the same rank in the British service.</p> - - -<p>Seven of the principal Onondaga chiefs, who had hitherto been considered -as neutrals, being at the time in Oneida, on their way to Fort Schuyler, -it was determined to call them in to the council, and acquaint them with -the above resolution. It was accordingly done by the transmission of a -large black belt of wampum. The Onondagas replied, "That they were very -glad to hear the resolution which their children, the Oneidas and -Tuscaroras, had made. They observed, that as the Oneidas, who were the -head of the confederacy, had committed the council-fire and tree of peace -to their care, with a charge to guard them against the approach of any -thing which might injure either, or tend to interrupt the harmony of the -confederacy, they had therefore invariably pursued the path of peace; and -though they had been desired by the opposite party of their tribe to -extinguish the council-fire, yet they had refused, nor could they -consistently do it while the Oneidas retained any hopes of accommodating -matters in the Six Nations. But as the heads of the confederacy had -declared themselves so fully upon that subject, they had now let go their -hold of peace, extinguished the council-fire, and sunk the tree into the -earth; and were determined to join their children, the Oneidas and -Tuscaroras, to oppose any invader."</p> - -<p>The Onondagas farther engaged, upon their return home, to effect a final -separation in their tribe, and insist that every one should declare for -one side or the other. The conduct of most of the Onondagas had been from -the first equivocal—often openly hostile. But those present at this -council manifested a better feeling, and joined in the request of the -Oneidas for troops to aid in their protection. The Oneidas, on this -occasion, placed great confidence in the professions of their Onondaga -brethren, and were in high spirits at the result of the council. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] General Clinton's correspondence—MS. letter of Colonel Van Dyck.</p> - - -<p>There was other evidence, not only of the intention of Thayendanegea to -make a powerful Indian descent upon the Mohawk during this winter, but of -the supposed fidelity of these Onondagas to the United Sates. About the -middle of February, General Clinton, having through various channels and -by several expresses, received information at Albany of such a design, -marched to Schenectady with Colonel Van Schaick's regiment, ordering the -latter as far up the Mohawk as Caughnawaga, there to await the event. On -the 26th of February, Captain Copp, of Fort Van Dyck, [FN-1] wrote to -Captain Graham, then in charge of Fort Schuyler, announcing that two of -the Oneida messengers, of distinguished (Indian) families, had just -returned from Niagara, where they had obtained positive evidence of -Brant's purpose. The Mohawk chief had received expresses, announcing that -the Shawanese and Delawares were to strike a simultaneous blow upon the -frontier of Virginia; [FN-2] and Brant himself was to lead the main -expedition direct to the Mohawk, while another diversion was to be created -by sending a smaller force round by the Unadilla, to fall upon the -settlements of Schoharie. In regard to the fidelity of the Onondagas, it -was stated by the Oneida chiefs that fourteen of that nation had been -despatched to Niagara, by the chiefs of the tribe, to persuade their -brethren, who had taken up the hatchet with the Mohawks, to return. But -these fourteen messengers had not been permitted to come back themselves, -and the Onondagas were apprehensive that they and all their people at -Niagara had been made prisoners. The uneasiness in Tryon County was -greatly increased under these circumstances. Major Jelles Fonda wrote to -General Clinton, stating that there were yet three hundred Tory families -in the northern part of that settlement, affording aid and comfort to the -hostile refugees, who kept up a continual intercourse with them, across -through the woods, or by lake Champlain, to Canada. For greater security, -therefore, he urged permission to build a strong block-house, and station -fifty rangers within it, on the Sacondaga river, directly north of -Johnstown.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] In the Oneida or Onondaga country.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The project of Colonel Hamilton, frustrated by his capture.</p> - - -<p>Captain Brant, however, either abandoned or deferred the threatened -invasion, probably for the reason already indicated—the capture of -Colonel Hamilton. The winter consequently passed away without any serious -disturbance in that region. But, notwithstanding all the fair professions -of the Onondagas, their treachery had become alike so manifest and so -injurious, as to render it expedient, immediately on the opening of the -Spring, to make them a signal example to the rest of their red brethren. -Accordingly, early in April an expedition was detailed upon this service -by General Clinton, with the approbation of the Commander-in-chief, -consisting of detachments from the regiments of Colonels Van Schaick and -Gansevoort, to the number of five hundred men, under the conduct of the -former. The troops were moved as expeditiously as possible to Fort -Schuyler, and thirty batteaux were simultaneously ordered thither to -transport them down Wood Creek, and through the Oneida Lake to Three -Rivers. Colonel Van Schaick's instructions were very full and explicit -upon every point. The design was to proceed as rapidly and cautiously as -possible, in order to take the Indians by surprise; for which purpose, on -the morning of the departure of the expedition, it was to be announced -that its destination was against Oswego. Colonel Van Schaick was directed -to burn and utterly destroy the village and castle of the Onondagas, -together with all their cattle and effects; but he was strictly enjoined -to make as many prisoners as possible, and put none to death who could be -taken alive. The following passage occurs in the instructions of General -Clinton on this occasion, which is worthy of preservation:—"Bad as the -savages are, they never violate the chastity of any women, their -prisoners. Although I have very little apprehension that any of the -soldiers will so far forget their character as to attempt such a crime on -the Indian women who may fall into their hands, yet it will be well to -take measures to prevent such a stain upon our army." [FN] This injunction -speaks volumes in praise of the soldier who wrote it. Colonel Van Schaick -was farther enjoined to dissuade any of our Indian allies from -accompanying him; and Lieutenant-Colonel Willett and Major Cochran were -detailed to serve in the expedition.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. instructions of General Clinton.</p> - - -<p>The orders to Colonel Van Schaick were issued on the 9th of April, and so -rapidly were the necessary arrangements expedited, that every thing was -in readiness for the departure from Fort Schuyler on the 18th. During the -evening of that day, the batteaux, with the necessary stores, were -silently removed across the carrying-place to Wood Creek, and all things -there placed in order. The troops were early in motion on the morning of -the 19th, and a thick mist contributed essentially in covering the -movement, had there been any spies lurking about to make observation. The -number of men embarked, including officers, was five hundred and -fifty-eight. Their progress to the Oneida Lake was considerably impeded, -by reason of trees which had fallen across the creek; so that much of the -first day's journey was performed by the troops on foot. The passage of -the Oneida Lake was effected as expeditiously as possible; and although -they encountered a strong and excessively disagreeable head-wind, they -nevertheless reached the Onondaga Landing, opposite to old Fort -Brewington, with the whole flotilla, by three o'clock in the afternoon of -the 20th. Leaving a suitable guard with the boats, the little army pushed -immediately forward, and, despite the obstacles in traversing a -deep-tangled forest, the soil resembling a morass, they marched nine miles -without halting. The night was dark, wet, and cold; but knowing well the -wariness of the enemy and the celerity of their movements, and how -frequently they were prepared to strike when least expected, the troops -were necessarily precluded from kindling fires, and obliged to sleep on -their arms. The march was resumed very early on the morning of the 21st, -and in order to save time, they were obliged to ford an arm of the -Onondaga Lake, about two hundred yards wide and four feet in depth. -Arriving at the estuary of Onondaga Creek, at the head of the lake, -Captain Graham, commanding the advance guard, captured one of the warriors -of the tribe; and although they were now within two or three miles of the -village and castle, this was the first Indian seen, or who was apprised -of the approach of the expedition. Captain Graham was now directed again -to advance with all possible rapidity and caution, for the purpose of -surrounding the lower castle, while the residue of the main force was -divided into small detachments, and hurried forward for the purpose of -falling upon the other towns, in such rapid succession as, if possible, -to take all the villages by surprise. This chain of villages extended -through the valley of the Onondaga Creek for the distance of ten miles. -The tribe had once been among the most powerful of the Aganuschioni, or -confederated people of the Five Nations. Situated in the centre of the -confederacy, to the Onondagas, time immemorial, had been committed the -keeping of the great council-fire. This fire had been extinguished in -1692 by Count Frontenac, who then came against it at the head of a -powerful expedition from Montreal, and utterly destroyed the village. It -had again been put out in the Spring of 1777, and was now doomed to a -third extinction, equally summary and complete with the former. But -although the expedition of Colonel Van Schaick had been thus far, and was -throughout, admirably conducted, yet the surprise was not as complete as -had been intended. While Captain Graham's company was securing a few -prisoners taken in the outskirts of the village, near the principal -castle, means were found by the wily adversary to give the alarm in -advance. The tidings, of course, flew from village to village with greater -rapidity than the several detachments of troops could equal, and the -Indians scattered off to the woods in all directions. But such was the -precipitancy of their flight, that they carried nothing with them—not -even their arms. Still, thirty-three of their number were taken prisoners, -and twelve killed. Three villages, consisting of about fifty houses, were -burnt to the ground; and a large quantity of provisions, consisting -chiefly of beans and corn, destroyed. Nearly one hundred muskets were -taken among the booty, and several rifles, together with a considerable -quantity of ammunition. Their swivel at the council-house was rendered -useless, and their cattle and horses were destroyed. The work of -destruction having been completed, the detachment immediately commenced -its return to Fort Schuyler. It was fired upon in the afternoon by a small -party of Indians in the woods, but without injury, while one of the enemy -fell by the return fire. On Saturday, the 24th, the troops were all back -again at Fort Schuyler, having performed a journey, going and returning, -of one hundred and eighty miles, and effected their object without the -loss of a single man. [FN] In the letter enclosing his official report to -General Clinton, Colonel Van Schaick spoke in the highest terms of the -good conduct of the officers and soldiers engaged in this expedition; and -bestowed the warmest encomiums upon Colonel Willett and Major Cochran, for -the efficient assistance received from them.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Colonel Van Schaick's report—papers of General Clinton.</p> - - -<p>At this distance of time, from the very imperfect data afforded by written -history, this expedition against the Onondagas appears like a harsh, if -not an unnecessary measure. But, notwithstanding the professions of this -nation, those in the direction of public affairs at that period -unquestionably felt its chastisement to be a work of stern necessity. -General Schuyler had written that unless some exemplary blow should be -inflicted upon the hostiles of the Six Nations, Schenectady would shortly -become the boundary of the American settlements in that direction. The -enterprise had, moreover, the sanction of the Commander-in-chief; while -nothing could be more humane, in regard to a warlike expedition, than the -instructions of General Clinton. But no small degree of uneasiness was -nevertheless felt by the Oneidas, at the swift destruction which had thus -overtaken the principal town of their next-door neighbors; and it was not -long after the return of Colonel Van Schaick to Fort Schuyler, before he -was visited by a formal delegation from that nation. At the head of the -embassage was Skenandoah, an important sachem of the tribe, accompanied by -Good Peter, the orator, and Mr. Deane, the interpreter. The object of this -mission was an inquiry into the causes of the movement against the -Onondagas, with whom, as has been previously remarked, the Oneidas were -closely connected by intermarriages. Having been introduced, Good Peter -spoke as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> You see before you some of your friends, the Oneidas; they come -to see you.</p> - -<p>"The engagements that have been entered into between us and our brothers, -the Americans, are well known to you.</p> - -<p>"We were much surprised, a few days ago, by the news which a warrior -brought to our Castle with a war-shout, informing us that our friends, the -Onondagas, were destroyed.</p> - -<p>"We were desirous to see you on this occasion, as they think you might -have been mistaken in destroying that part of the tribe.</p> - -<p>"We suppose you cannot answer us upon this subject, as the matter was -agreed upon below. But perhaps you may know something of this matter.</p> - -<p>"When we heard of this account, we sent back word to our friends remaining -among them, telling them not to be pale-hearted because some of them were -destroyed, but to keep up with their former engagements.</p> - -<p>"We sent off some of our people to Canasaraga, to invite them to come to -our village; but they returned an answer that they had sent some of their -own runners to Onondaga, to learn the particulars, and they waited for -their return.</p> - -<p>"Our people brought for answer, that they were much obliged to their -children, the Oneidas, for attending to them in their distresses, and they -would be glad if they would speak smoothly to their brethren, the -Americans, to know whether all this was done by design, or by mistake.</p> - -<p>"If it was a mistake, say they, we hope to see our brethren the -prisoners—if by design, we still will keep our engagements with you, and -not join the King's party. But if our brethren, the Americans, mean to -destroy us also, we will not fly—we will wait here and receive our death.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> This was the answer of the Onondagas. As for us, the Oneidas and -Tuscaroras, you know our sentiments. We have supposed we know yours.</p> - -<p>"The Commissioners promised us that when they found any thing wrong, they -would tell us and make it right.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> If we have done anything wrong, we shall now be glad if you -would now tell us so." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Sexagenary, a collection of revolutionary papers connected with - the border wars, edited by S. De Witt Bloodgood, Esq.</p> - - -<p>At the end of each sentence, the attending sachems uttered the usual -sound of approbation, and having concluded, Good Peter resumed his seat. -The address was that of a diplomatist; and it was supposed probable that -the Onondagas were themselves at the bottom of the embassy, with a view of -obtaining information by which to regulate their future conduct. Equally -adroit was the reply of Colonel Van Schaick, given in the following -terms:—</p> - -<p>"I am glad to see my friends, the Oneidas and Tuscaroras. I perfectly -remember the engagements the Five Nations entered into four years ago, -and that they promised to preserve a strict and honorable neutrality -during the present war, which was all we asked them to do for us.</p> - -<p>"But I likewise know that all of them, except our brethren the Oneidas -and Tuscaroras, broke their engagements, and flung away the chain of -friendship. But the Onondagas have been great murderers; we have found the -scalps of our brothers at their Castle.</p> - -<p>"They were cut off, not by mistake, but by design—I was ordered to do -it—and it is done.</p> - -<p>"As for the other matters of which you speak, I recommend a deputation to -the Commissioners at Albany. I am not appointed to treat with you on those -subjects.</p> - -<p>"I am a warrior. My duty is to obey the orders which they send me."</p> - -<p>No farther explanations appear to have been interchanged; and the Oneidas -were perhaps the more readily pacified, inasmuch as they were really -friendly to the Americans, while at the same time they must have been -acquainted with the conduct of the Onondagas, which had justly incurred -the chastisement. Scalping parties were always hovering about the -unprotected borders, especially in the neighborhood of Fort Schuyler; and -the Indians of none of the tribes were more frequently discovered -belonging to these parties, than of that nation.</p> - -<p>It is, perhaps, a coincidence worth noting, that on the very day on which -Colonel Van Schaick departed from Fort Schuyler for Onondaga, the lower -section of the Mohawk Valley was thrown into alarm by the sudden -appearance of an Indian force simultaneously on both sides of the river, -in the vicinity of Palatine. On the South side a party rushed down upon -the settlement, took three prisoners, together with several horses, and -drove the inhabitants into Fort Plank. At the very same hour another -division of the savages made a descent upon the back part of Stone-Arabia, -where, in the onset, they burnt two houses and murdered one man. The next -house in their course belonged to Captain Richer. The occupants were -Richer, his wife, and two sons, and an old man. The Captain and his two -boys being armed, on the near approach of the Indians gave them a warm -reception. A sharp action ensued. The old man, being unarmed, was killed; -as also was one of the brave boys, a lad seventeen years of age. Captain -Richer was severely wounded and his arm was broken; his other son was also -wounded in the elbow, and his wife in one of her legs. And yet, -notwithstanding that the whole garrison was either killed or wounded, the -Indians retreated on the loss of two of their number.</p> - -<p>On the same day a party of Senecas appeared in Schoharie, made prisoners -of Mr. Lawyer and Mr. Cowley, and plundered their houses. The panic was -again general; the people flying to the forts for safety, and the -Committee of Palatine writing immediately to General Clinton, at Albany, -for assistance. The General was an officer of great activity, and so -rapidly did he move in cases of alarm, that he traversed the Mohawk -Valley with Colonel Gansevoort's regiment and the Schenectady militia, -and was back at Albany again on the 28th. The Indians who appeared on the -south side were from the West—those on the north side were Mohawks from -Canada. General Clinton, in his despatches to the Governor, his brother, -expressed an opinion, that but for his timely movement on that occasion, -the enemy would have driven the settlements all in upon Schenectady. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. letter of Jacob R. Cork and Peter Wagner to General Clinton, - and General Clinton's letter to the Governor.</p> - - -<p>On the 30th of April, Lieutenants M<sup>c</sup>Clellan and Hardenburgh returned to -Fort Schuyler from an unsuccessful expedition at the head of a body of -Indians, against the small British garrison at Oswegatchie. It was their -intention to take the fort by surprise; but, falling in prematurely with -some straggling Indians, several shots were imprudently exchanged, by -reason of which their approach became known to the garrison. They then -attempted by stratagem to draw the enemy from the fort, and partly -succeeded, but could not induce them to venture far enough from their -works to cut them off; and on approaching the fort themselves, the -assailants were so warmly received by cannister and grape, as to be -compelled to retreat without unnecessary delay. The only service -performed was to send a Caughnawaga Indian into Canada with a letter, in -French, by "a French General," probably the Marquis de Lafayette, -addressed to the Canadians, and written in the preceding Autumn. [FN-1] -This expedition was despatched from Fort Schuyler on the day before -Colonel Van Schaick moved upon Onondaga; and from a letter addressed by -General Clinton, six weeks afterward, to General Sullivan, there is reason -to believe one object was to get clear of the Oneida Indians then in the -fort, until Colonel Van Schaick should have proceeded so far upon his -expedition, that they or their people would not be able to give the -Onondagas notice of his approach. All the Indians still remaining in Fort -Schuyler on the 18th, were detained expressly for that object of -precaution. General Clinton conceded their usefulness as scouts and spies -upon the British forces; but, he observed, "their attachment to one -another is too strong to admit of their being of any service when employed -against their fellows." [FN-2] This testimony is certainly not -discreditable to the Indian character as such.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] M<sup>c</sup>Clellan's letter to General Clinton.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter of Gen. Clinton to Gen. Sullivan.</p> - - -<p>But if, as has been seen, the Oneidas were disposed to send a deputation -to make pacific inquiries at Fort Schuyler, in regard to Colonel Van -Schaick's attack upon their neighbors, the descendants of Garanguli and -Sadakenaghtie [FN-1] were not themselves willing to pass the matter over -thus lightly. Fired with indignation at the destruction of their villages -and castle, and the putting out of the great council-fire which they had -so long kept burning at their national altar, they resolved upon summary -vengeance. To this end, three hundred of their warriors were speedily upon -the war-path, bending their steps to the valley of the Schoharie-kill. The -settlement of Cobleskill, [FN-2] which had suffered so severely the -preceding year, situated about ten miles west of the Schoharie-kill, and -yet comprising nineteen German families, was the first object of attack. -But they were prevented from taking the place by surprise, in consequence -of two of their number straggling a considerable distance in advance of -the main body, who were discovered by a scout of two of the Cobleskill -militia. One of the Indians was shot, and the other fled; and the scouts -hastened home to give the alarm. Intelligence of the enemy's approach was -immediately despatched to Schoharie, with a request for assistance. A -captain of the Continental army was thereupon sent to Cobleskill with a -detachment of regular troops. On the following morning a party of Indians -sallied out of the woods, and after approaching the settlement, suddenly -returned. They were pursued by a small detachment of troops to the edge -of the forest, where their reception was so sharp as to compel a retreat. -The Captain himself immediately marched to the scene of action with the -whole of his little band, together with fifteen volunteers of the militia. -The Indians receded before the whites for a time, and continued the -deception by showing themselves at first in small numbers on the skirt of -the forest, until they had accomplished the identical purpose they had in -view. The Captain and his men pursued, without any knowledge of the -disparity of numbers they had to encounter, until the Indians had drawn -them sufficiently within their toils to make a stand. Their numbers now -multiplied rapidly, and the battle became animated. The Captain fell -wounded, and was soon afterward killed. His men, panic-stricken, instantly -fled; but in the twinkling of an eye, a cloud of several hundred savages, -until then in concealment, rose upon all sides of them, pouring in a -deadly shower of rifle balls, and making the forest ring with their -appalling yells. The inhabitants of the settlement, on perceiving the -disaster which had befallen the troops, fled in the direction of Schoharie -with a portion of the fugitive soldiers. Their flight was facilitated, or -rather they were prevented from being overtaken, by seven of the Captain's -brave fellows, who took possession of a deserted house and made a resolute -defence. From the windows of their castle they fired briskly upon the -Indians, and bringing them to a pause, detained them until the inhabitants -had made good their flight to Schoharie. Unable to drive the soldiers -from the house, the Indians at length applied the brand, and the brave -fellows were burnt to death within its walls. The whole settlement was -then plundered and burnt by the Indians. But they did not proceed farther -toward Schoharie. The loss of the whites was twenty-two killed and two -taken prisoners. The bodies of the slain were found the next day, sadly -mutilated; and in the hand of one of them the Indians had placed a roll -of Continental bills—a severe satire upon the description of money for -which the soldiers were serving. The great fact, however, that it was the -<span style="font-variant:small-caps">cause,</span> and not the <span style="font-variant:small-caps">pay,</span> which kept the Americans in the field, could -scarcely be appreciated by the forest warriors. They were led in this -battle by a Tory, who was subsequently killed by the celebrated -Murphy. [FN-3] Their loss was severe, but to what extent was not known. -Thus was amply avenged the destruction of Onondaga.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Two illustrious Onondaga warriors and orators of the preceding - century. Vide Colden's Canada.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Usually thus written; but the old inhabitants say it should be - Cobuskill.—<i>Spafford.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Campbell's Annals. The authority of Mr. Campbell for most if not - all his information respecting the operations of the enemy in the - Schoharie country, was the late Rev. Mr. Fenn, of Harpersfield—a - gentleman most intimately acquainted with the early history of that - region. Still, there is clearly a mistake in assigning, as has been done, - Captain Patrick as the American leader against the Onondagas on this - occasion, since that officer fell in the same neighborhood more than a - year before, as stated in a letter written at the time by Colonel Varick. - [See chap. xvi. text, and also a note.] Who led the Americans on this - last occasion, the author has not ascertained. But the accounts just - referred to, that it was Captain Patrick, are certainly - incorrect—unless, indeed, there wore two Patricks, both captains, and - both killed in the same neighborhood.</p> - - -<p>During the month of April, the inhabitants of Monongalia, on the -north-western Virginia border and the western part of Pennsylvania, in the -vicinity of Fort Pitt, had been severely harassed by the Indians. On the -9th of that month, a party of four men, despatched from Fort Pitt, were -all killed and scalped at the distance of fifteen miles from the fort. On -the 13th, a man named David Morgan, of Monongalia, discovered two Indians -creeping upon several children at work in a field. He gave the alarm to -the latter, and then shot one of the Indians dead. The other rushed upon -Morgan, and grappled, with him. A severe contest ensued for the possession -of the Indian's knife, which Morgan ultimately obtained; the Indian, by -grasping the blade, having his hand severely lacerated. Morgan stabbed the -Indian, and ran for the fort, while the Indian took to the woods. A party -set off immediately in pursuit, and soon overtook the savage, sitting -against a tree. He begged for mercy, and was at first taken as a prisoner; -but during the march back to the fort, he became rather surly, whereupon -his captors killed and scalped him—taking, also, the scalp from the -warrior who had been first shot by Morgan. On the following day another -Indian scout was discovered, one of whom was killed and scalped. Two days -afterward the Indians killed and scalped David Maxwell and his wife. -Several families were carried into captivity. Among the prisoners was one -resolute woman, who killed one of her guards, wounded another, and -effected her escape. [FN] These individual murders were the more cruel, -inasmuch as they could have no effect upon the result of the pending -contest. The snatching away of prisoners by these petty expeditions was a -different affair; and often served a twofold purpose—enabling the enemy -frequently to extort information, and, by a silent operation, continually -increasing the number of prisoners in their hands for exchange. But, -whether murdered outright or carried into captivity, the trials of the -inhabitants upon a frontier, thus hourly exposed to dangers of the most -appalling description, can scarcely be appreciated by those who have not -been placed in similar peril.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Almon's Remembrancer—letter from Fort Pitt.</p> - - -<p>The frontier towns of the County of Ulster were likewise not a little -annoyed, in the early part of May, by a detachment of thirty or forty of -Butler's rangers, who, from their knowledge of the country, were supposed -to have fled to the royal standard from that neighborhood. On the 4th of -May, four dwelling-houses and five barns were burnt by them in -Fantine-kill. Six of the inhabitants were murdered, besides three or four -more who were supposed to be burnt in their houses. Colonel Philip Van -Courtlandt, stationed at that time with one of the New-York regiments at -Warwasing, went in pursuit of the traitors; but although he twice came in -sight of them upon the crest of a mountain, they were too dexterous in -threading the forests to allow him to overtake them; and the Colonel had -scarcely turned back from the pursuit, before they fell upon the town of -Woodstock, in the neighborhood of Kingston, where they burnt several -houses and committed other depredations. They made a few prisoners, some -of whom were carried away; while others were compelled, by the up-raised -hatchet, to take an oath not to serve in arms against the King. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Idem—Article from Warwasing, published first in Poughkeepsie.</p> - - -<p>In order to preserve, unbroken, a narrative of the principal Indian -campaign of the present year, it is necessary somewhat to anticipate the -progress of events, by recording in this place the particulars of the -celebrated invasion of Minisink, and the bloody battle that immediately -ensued near the Delaware. [FN-1] The brave Count Pulaski, with his -battalion of cavalry, had been stationed at Minisink during the preceding -winter; but in the month of February he was ordered to South Carolina, to -join the army of General Lincoln. [FN-2] Left thus wholly unprotected, -save by its own people, Captain Brant determined to make a descent upon -it, for the purpose of taking both plunder and prisoners. Accordingly, on -the 20th of July, or rather during the night of the 19th, the crafty -Mohawk stole upon the slumbering town, at the head of sixty Indians and -twenty-seven Tory warriors, disguised as Indians—which was a very common -practice with the loyalists when acting with the savages. Such was the -silence of their approach, that several houses were already in flames when -the inhabitants awoke to their situation. Thus surprised, and wholly -unprepared, all who could escape fled in consternation, leaving the -invaders to riot upon the spoil. Ten houses and twelve barns were burnt, -together with a small stockade fort and two mills. Several persons were -killed, and others taken prisoners. The farms of the settlement were laid -waste, the cattle driven away, and all the booty carried off which the -invaders could remove. Having thus succeeded in his immediate object. -Brant lost no time in leading his party back to the main body of his -warriors, whom he had left at Grassy Brook.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Minisink, for an inland American town, is very ancient. It is - situated about ten miles west of Goshen, in the County of Orange, (N. Y.) - on the Navisink river, and among what are called the Shawangunk - Mountains. It is bordered on the south-west by both the States of New - Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Wallkill also rises in this town. Its - history, previous to the war of the Revolution, is full of interest. A - severe battle was fought with the Indians in Minisink, July 22, 1669, - the bloody horrors of which yet live in the traditions of that - neighborhood.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter of Washington.</p> - - -<p>No sooner had the fugitives from Minisink arrived at Goshen with the -intelligence, than Dr. Tusten, the Colonel of the local militia, issued -orders to the officers of his command to meet him at Minisink on the -following day, with as many volunteers as they could raise. The order was -promptly obeyed, and a body of one hundred and forty-nine men met their -colonel at the designated rendezvous, at the time appointed—including -many of the principal gentlemen of the county. A council of war was held, -to determine upon the expediency of a pursuit. Colonel Tusten was himself -opposed to the proposition, with so feeble a command, and with the -certainty, if they overtook the enemy, of being obliged to encounter an -officer combining, with his acknowledged prowess, so much of subtlety as -characterized the movements of the Mohawk chief. His force, moreover, was -believed to be greatly superior to their's in numbers, and to include many -Tories as well acquainted with the country as themselves. The Colonel, -therefore, preferred waiting for the reinforcements which would be sure -soon to arrive, the more especially as the volunteers already with him -were but ill provided with arms and ammunition. Others, however, were for -immediate pursuit. They affected to hold the Indians in contempt, insisted -that they would not fight, and maintained that a re-capture of the plunder -they had taken would be an easy achievement. Town-meeting counsels, in the -conduct of war, are not usually the wisest, as will appear in the sequel. -The majority of Tusten's command were evidently determined to pursue the -enemy; but their deliberations were cut short by Major Meeker, who mounted -his horse, flourished his sword, and vauntingly called out—"Let the -brave men follow me, the cowards may stay behind!" It may readily be -supposed that such an appeal to an excited multitude would decide the -question, as it did. The line of march was immediately taken up, and after -proceeding seventeen miles the same evening, they encamped for the night. -On the morning of the 22d they were joined by a small reinforcement under -Colonel Hathorn, of the Warwick regiment, who, as the senior of Colonel -Tusten, took the command. When they had advanced a few miles, to Halfway -Brook, they came upon the Indian encampment of the preceding night, and -another council was held there. Colonels Hathorn, Tusten, and others, -whose valor was governed by prudence, were opposed to advancing farther, -as the number of Indian fires, and the extent of ground they had occupied, -removed all doubt as to the superiority of their numbers. A scene similar -to that which had broken up the former council was acted at this place, -and with the same result. The voice of prudence was compelled to yield to -that of bravado.</p> - -<p>Captain Tyler, who had some knowledge of the woods, was sent forward at -the head of a small scouting party, to follow the trail of the Indians, -and to ascertain, if possible, their movements; since it was evident that -they could not be far in advance. The Captain had proceeded but a short -distance before he fell from the fire of an unseen enemy. This -circumstance occasioned considerable alarm; but the volunteers, -nevertheless, pressed eagerly forward, and it was not long before they -emerged upon the hills of the Delaware, in full view of that river, upon -the eastern bank of which, at the distance of three-fourths of a mile, -the Indians were seen deliberately marching in the direction of a -fording-place near the mouth of the Lackawaxen. This discovery was made -at about 9 o'clock in the morning. The intention of Brant to cross at the -fording-place was evident; and it was afterward ascertained that his booty -had already been sent thither in advance.</p> - -<p>The determination was immediately formed by Colonel Hathorn, to intercept -the enemy at the fording-place, for which purpose instant dispositions -were made. But, owing to intervening woods and hills, the opposing bodies -soon lost sight of each other, and an adroit movement on the part of Brant -gave him an advantage which it was impossible for the Americans to regain. -Anticipating the design of Hathorn, the moment the Americans were out of -sight Brant wheeled to the right, and by threading a ravine across which -Hathorn had passed, threw himself into his rear, by which means he was -enabled deliberately to select his ground for a battle and form an -ambuscade. Disappointed in not finding the enemy, the Americans were -brought to a stand, when the enemy disclosed himself partially, in a -quarter altogether unexpected. According to the American account, the -first shot was fired upon an Indian, who was known, and who was mounted -upon a horse stolen at Minisink. The Indian fell, and the firing soon -became general—the enemy contriving, in the early part of the engagement, -to cut off from the main body of Hathorn's troops a detachment comprising -one third of his whole number. The conflict was long and obstinate. The -number of the enemy being several times greater than that of the Goshen -militia, the latter were surrounded, and ultimately hemmed within the -circumference of an acre of ground. Being short of ammunition, Hathorn's -orders, in imitation of those of Putnam at Bunker Hill, were strict that -no man should fire until very sure that his powder would not be -lost. [FN-1] The battle commenced about 11 o'clock in the morning, and was -maintained until the going down of the sun; both parties fighting after -the Indian fashion, every man for himself, and the whole keeping up an -irregular fire from behind rocks and trees as best they could. About -sunset the ammunition of the militia was expended, and the survivors -attempted to retreat, but many of them were cut down. Doctor Tusten was -engaged behind a cliff of rocks in dressing the wounded when the retreat -commenced. There were seventeen disabled men under his care at the moment, -whose cries for protection and mercy were of the most moving description. -The Indians fell upon them, however, and they all, together with the -Doctor, perished under the tomahawk. Among the slain were many of the -first citizens of Goshen; and of the whole number that went forth, only -about thirty returned to tell the melancholy story. [FN-2] Several of the -fugitives were shot while attempting to escape by swimming the Delaware.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Putnam's order was—"Don't fire, boys, till you see the white of - their eyes."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Among the slain were Jones, Little, Duncan, Wisner, Vail, - Townsend, and Knapp. In 1822 the people of Orange County collected the - bones, which until then had been left to bleach on the battle-field, and - caused them to be buried. The funeral procession numbered twelve thousand - people, among whom was Major Poppino, one of the survivors of the - battle—then nearly one hundred years old. The author has to some extent - drawn upon the discourse of the Rev. Dr. Wilson, delivered on that - occasion, in writing this account of the battle.</p> - - -<p>Brant has been severely censured for the cruelties perpetrated, or alleged -to have been perpetrated, in this battle. He always maintained that he had -been unjustly blamed, and that his conduct had been the subject of unjust -reproach. He stated that, having ascertained that the Goshen militia were -in pursuit of him, determined to give him battle, he of course prepared -himself for their reception. Still, having obtained the supplies he -needed, his own object was accomplished. He also stated, that on the near -approach of the Americans, he rose, and presenting himself openly and -fairly to their view, addressed himself to their commanding officer, and -demanded their surrender—promising at the same time to treat them kindly -as prisoners of war. He assured them, frankly, that his force in ambush -was sufficient to overpower and destroy them; that then, before any blood -had been shed, he could control his warriors; but should the battle -commence, he could not answer for the consequences. But, he said, while he -was thus parleying with them, he was fired upon, and narrowly escaped -being shot down—the ball piercing the outer fold of his belt. Immediately -upon receiving the shot, he retired, and secreted himself among his -warriors. The militia, emboldened by his disappearance, seeing no other -enemy, and disbelieving what he had told them, rushed forward heedlessly -until they were completely within his power. In crossing a creek they had -broken their order, and before they could form again on the other side, -Brant gave the well-known signal of the war-whoop. Quick as the -lightning's flash, his dark cloud of warriors were upon their feet. Having -fired once, they sprang forward, tomahawk in hand. The conflict was fierce -and bloody. Few escaped, and several of the prisoners were killed. There -was one who during the battle saved himself by means which Brant said were -dishonorable. By some process or other, though not a Freemason, he had -acquired a knowledge of the master mason's grand hailing signal of -distress; and having been informed that Brant was a member of the -brotherhood, he gave the mystic sign. Faithful to his pledge, the -chieftain interposed and saved his life. Discovering the imposture -afterward, he was very indignant. Still, he spared his life, and the -prisoner ultimately returned to his friends after a long captivity. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This version of the battle, as given by Brant, has been derived by - the author from the notes of conversations with the old chief, by Samuel - Woodruff, Esq. heretofore cited. The prisoner referred to as having been - saved by the erroneous supposition of Brant that he was a Freemason, was - the late Major Wood of Orange County. The Rev. Doctor Wilson gives the - following account of this incident:—"Major Wood of Orange County, - (N. Y.) was made a prisoner at the battle of Minisink, because Brant, - from an accidental sign, mistook him for a Freemason. On the evening - after the battle, when the 'monster' was about to tie him, he - remonstrated, said he was a gentleman, and promised not to escape. He was - not tied, but laid between two Indians; and told, that should he attempt - to escape he should be tomahawked. The blanket on which he lay took fire - in the night, and he dared not move, lest the tomahawk might sink into - his head, until the fire reached his feet, when he kicked it out. It was - Brant's blanket. Brant treated him very harshly ever after; and when - Major Wood asked him the reason, he replied, 'D—n you, you burnt my - blanket.' Major Wood was, for many years after the peace, a resident of - Orange County, and one of its most respectable citizens." Dr. Wilson - supposes that the Masonic signal was made by mere accident. It may have - been so; but the author has been told otherwise, and that one of the - first acts of his life, after his return, was to become a Freemason. - This he considered himself in honor bound to do. He also stated that he - had always felt mortified at the deception he had practised, and that - nothing could have been more withering than the scorn with which Brant - ever looked upon him afterward.</p> - - -<p>There was another occurrence of deep and thrilling interest connected with -this battle, the particulars of which were related in after-years by Brant -himself, while on a visit to the city of New-York. [FN-1] Among those who -were grievously wounded was Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Wisner, a gentleman -of great respectability, a magistrate, serving among the Goshen -volunteers. In surveying the battle-field, the situation of Wisner -arrested the attention of the Indian commander, who examined his -condition. The chief saw that he was wounded past hope of recovery, but -he was, nevertheless, in the full possession of his faculties, and was -even able to converse. Believing his case to be altogether beyond the -power of medical and surgical skill, and having no means of carrying him -away. Brant reflected a moment upon his own course of duty. He was -disposed to save his life if he could, and yet felt that it was -impossible. To leave him thus helpless and alone upon the field, in the -possession of his senses to a degree enabling him to appreciate all the -horrors of his situation, would be the height of cruelty. Added to which -was the moral certainty, that the wolves abounding in the forest, guided -by the scent of blood, would soon be gorging themselves alike upon the -wounded and the dead. The thought, therefore, that Wisner might be torn -in pieces while yet alive, seemed to him even more than savage cruelty. -Under these distressing circumstances and considerations, the chief argued -with himself that true humanity required a speedy termination of his -sufferings. Having formed this conclusion, the next point was to compass -his death without inflicting additional torture upon his feelings. With -this view he engaged Wisner in conversation, and while diverting his -attention, struck him dead in an instant, and unperceived, with his -hatchet. It was but a savage exhibition of humanity; but there was -benevolence in the intention, however strangely reasoned; and the motive -of the final blow is to be applauded, notwithstanding the shudder caused -by its contemplation. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Conversations of Brant with General Morgan Lewis, related by the - latter to the author.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The British account of this battle, published in New-York on the - 18th of August, 1779, as received from "a person just arrived from Joseph - Brant and his brethren," stated that Brant had with him only sixty - Indians and twenty white men. Among the principal inhabitants killed, the - same account gave the following return: "Colonel Benjamin Tustan, Jr., - Captain Samuel Jones, Captain John Little, Captain John Wood, Captain - Duncan, Captain Benjamin Vail, Captain Reat Tyler, Adjutant Nathaniel - Frink, Lieutenant Benjamin Dunning, Lieutenant Samuel Knapp, Lieutenant - John Wood, Lieutenant Abraham Shepherd, Justice Gabriel Weisner, Justice - Gilbert Vail, Justice Roger Townsend, Justice William Barker, - Commissioner James Knapp, Commissioner James Mashier. Wounded, Major - Hans Decker, Major Samuel Meeker, of the Minisink militia. Out of one - hundred and forty-nine that went out, thirty returned—missing one - hundred and nineteen."—<i>Vide Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vi. p.</i> 276.</p> - - -<p>From Minisink, by a rapid movement, Brant fell upon a settlement on the -south side of the Mohawk, where, on the 2d of August, he made a few -prisoners—the name of one of whom was House. This man, with his -companions, was carried back into the woods, and left in charge of the -Indians, while Brant, with four of his warriors, went off upon some secret -enterprise. On the fourth day after his absence, he returned, attended by -his four warriors, but on horseback himself, having been wounded in the -foot by a musket shot. The wound, however, was not like that of Achilles, -in the heel, but by a buck-shot in the ball of the great toe—and -therefore in a place less equivocal for a soldier's honor. They then -commenced their march in the direction of Tioga; but as House became too -lame by walking to continue the journey on foot, the Indians proposed -killing him. To this Brant objected; and having been acquainted with House -before the war, he released him on condition of his taking an oath of -neutrality, which was written by the chief in the Indian language. House -signed the oath, and Brant witnessed it. He was then released, and being -somewhere in the vicinity of Otsego Lake, where General Clinton was then -making preparations for his celebrated descent of the Susquehanna, House -came into Clinton's camp on the 8th of August—the day previous to his -embarkation. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. letter of General James Clinton to Governor Clinton, his - brother.</p> - - -<p>Contemporaneously with these occurrences, and while, as will subsequently -appear, the attention of the American officers was directed to more -important movements, the Indians and Tories once more broke in upon the -Pennsylvania border, in Northampton, Lyconia, and the neighborhood of -Sunbury. In a succession of petty affairs between the 1st and 21st of -July, several neighborhoods were destroyed and mills burnt. On the 17th, -all the principal houses in the township of Munsey were burnt. Two persons -were killed on that day, and four had been killed a few days previous, -besides several taken prisoners. On the 20th, three men were killed by a -small party hovering about Freeland's Fort, situated on the West branch -of the Susquehanna, seventeen miles from Sunbury. On the 28th, five days -after the affair of Minisink, this little defence, which was garrisoned -by only thirty men, and about fifty women and children who had sought -refuge within its walls, was invested by one of the M<sup>c</sup>Donalds, at the head -of two hundred Indians, and one hundred troops calling themselves -regulars. But, although wearing the British uniform, it was believed that -they were American loyalists. The enemy met with less resistance during -this irruption than would have been the case, but for the circumstance -that the greater part of the men had been drafted for the boat service of -General Sullivan, who was then at Wyoming, preparing to enter the Seneca -country. Fort Freeland was too weak of itself, and too weakly garrisoned, -to hold out long against such a disparity of force. Captain Hawkins Boone, -a brave officer, stationed with thirty men at a distance of some miles, -marched to the relief of the fort immediately on hearing of the -investment. The garrison had surrendered before his arrival. Boone -nevertheless gave battle to the enemy; but, overpowered by numbers, he was -slain, together with eighteen of his men, whose scalps were carried as -trophies into the fort. Two other officers. Captains Dougherty and -Hamilton, were also killed. By the terms of capitulation, M<sup>c</sup>Donald -stipulated to spare the women and children, and allow them to depart. The -fort, and the houses in its vicinity, were then burnt. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Almon's Remembrancer—article from Philadelphia.</p> - - -<p>Meantime the Shawanese were continuing their depredations upon the Ohio -border of Virginia, with results certainly not unfavorable to the former. -Colonel Boon being absent in North Carolina, Colonel Bowman led an -expedition of one hundred and sixty men, in July, against the Shawanese -of Old Chilicothe. Although Bowman fell upon the Indians suddenly, and -without knowledge on their part of his approach, they nevertheless fought -him bravely for several hours, and compelled him to retreat. Falling back -thirty miles, Bowman made a stand, and was shortly overtaken by the -Indians with augmented numbers. Another engagement ensued, which, during -the first two hours, promised no advantage to the forces of Bowman. -Colonel Harrod then proposed to mount a number of men upon horses and make -a cavalry charge. The suggestion was adopted, and the expedient succeeded. -The Indians fought with remarkable fury, but were, nevertheless, broken, -and compelled to fly in all directions. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone.</p> - - -<p>With these incidents closes the present volume. The second will open with -a narrative of the most formidable Indian campaign undertaken during the -contest for American Independence.</p> -<br><br><br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br> - <h2>NOTE.</h2> -<br> -<p>It is desirable that the present note should be read in connection with -the sixth chapter of this volume, containing the account of General -Schuyler's expedition to Johnstown in February, 1776, for the purpose of -disarming the Tories of Tryon County, and of arresting Sir John Johnson. -The immediate causes of that expedition, aside from the information of a -wretch named Connell, do not appear with sufficient distinctness to divest -the proceedings of General Schuyler of a character almost of harshness. -But while the author has entertained little, if any, doubt, that Congress -had good and sufficient reasons for directing the expedition, and Schuyler -for his energetic execution of his orders, the reasons for the urgency of -the movement have never transpired. Since the preceding sheets were from -the press, however, the author has received copies of certain documents -from the archives of the British Government, which reflect all the light -upon the subject that can be desired. After the perusal of these papers, -the propriety of the measure, if it ever has been, can no longer be -questioned:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Governor Tryon to Lord George Germaine.</span><br> - - "<i>On board H. B. M. Ship, Dutchess of Gordon,</i>}<br> - <i>New-York Harbor,</i> 3d <i>Jan.</i> 1776.}</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "My Lord,</span></p> - -<p>"The gentleman who delivered me the enclosed letter from Sir John Johnson, -assured me that by Government's complying with its contents, Sir John -could muster five hundred Indians to support the cause of government, and -that these, with a body of regulars, might retake the forts. If Sir John -had the title of Superintendent of Indian Affairs, it would give the -greatest weight to his Majesty's Indian affairs—the Indians having the -greatest affection for the son of their late benefactor. I wish your -Lordship may think as favorably of Sir John's proposals as I do," &c. &c.</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Enclosure in the above.]</span></p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Sir John Johnson to Governor Tryon.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir—</span>I hope the occasion and intention of this letter may plead my -excuse for the liberty I take, in introducing to your Excellency the -bearer hereof, Captain Allan M<sup>c</sup>Donnell, who will inform you of many -particulars which cannot at this time be safely communicated in writing. -The distracted and convulsed state that this unhappy county is now worked -up to, and the situation that I am in here, together with the many -obligations our family owe to the best of sovereigns, induce me to fall -upon a plan that may, I hope, be of service to the country, the propriety -of which I entirely submit to your Excellency's better judgment, -depending on that friendship which you have been pleased to honor me with, -for your advice on, and representation to His Majesty, of what I propose. -Having consulted with all my friends in this quarter, among whom are many -old and good officers, I have come to the resolution of forming a -battalion, and have named all the officers, most of whom have a good deal -of interest in their respective neighborhoods, and have seen a great -number of men ready to complete the plan. We must, however, not think of -stirring, until support and supplies of many necessaries to enable us to -carry our design into execution are received—all which Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Donnell will -inform your Excellency of I make not the least doubt of the success of -this plan, should we be supported in time. As to news, I must beg leave -to refer you to Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Donnell, who will inform you of every thing that -has been done in Canada, that has come to our knowledge. As I find by the -papers you are soon to sail for England, I despair of having the pleasure -to pay my respects to you, but most sincerely wish you an agreeable -voyage, and a happy sight of your family and friends.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I am, your Excellency's - Most obedient, humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Johnson."</span></p> - -<p>It was beyond doubt the organization and other preparations indicated in -the preceding letter, some knowledge of which must have transpired, that -induced Congress to direct the expedition into Tryon County, referred to -above, which was so vigorously executed by General Schuyler, as narrated -in the sixth chapter of the present volume. And the same Allan M<sup>c</sup>Donnell, -who, with Sir John Johnson, was one of the negotiators with General -Schuyler on that occasion, was the secret emissary sent by Sir John, one -month before, to negotiate with Governor Tryon. Thus the whole matter in -respect to that expedition is explained.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - - <h1 class="page; direct">APPENDIX.</h1> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="page; direct">APPENDIX.</h2> -<br><br> - <hr width="80%"> - - <h3 class="direct">No. I.</h3> -<br> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from the Introduction.]</span></p> - -<p>[The following is the article referred to in the text. It is extracted -from Almon's American Remembrancer, (a work purporting to be an authentic -collection of facts, published in London during the Revolutionary War,) -for the year 1782, Vol. 14, page 185. It was long supposed to be -authentic, but has since been ascertained to be a publication from the pen -of Doctor Franklin, written for political purposes.]</p> - - <p class="direct"><i>Extract of a letter from Captain Gerrisk, of the New-England militia, - dated Albany, March</i> 7<i>th,</i> 1782.</p> - -<p>The peltry taken in the expedition will, as you see, amount to a good deal -of money. The possession of this booty at first gave us pleasure; but we -were struck with horror to find among the packages eight large ones, -containing scalps of our unhappy folks taken in the three last years by -the Seneca Indians, from the inhabitants of the frontiers of New-York, -New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and sent by them as a present to -Col. Haldiman, Governor of Canada, in order to be by him transmitted to -England. They were accompanied by the following curious letter to that -gentleman:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "<i>Tioga, January</i> 3<i>d,</i> 1782.</p> - -<p> "May it please your Excellency,</p> - -<p>"At the request of the Seneca chiefs, I send herewith to your Excellency, -under the care of James Boyd, eight packs of scalps, cured, dried, hooped, -and painted with all the Indian triumphal marks, of which the following -is invoice and explanation.</p> - - <p class="hang">"No. 1. Containing 43 scalps of Congress soldiers, killed in different - skirmishes; these are stretched on black hoops, four inch diameter; - the inside of the skin painted red, with a small black spot to note - their being killed with bullets. Also 62 of farmers, killed in their - houses; the hoops red; the skin painted brown, and marked with a hoe; - a black circle all round to denote their being surprised in the night; - and a black hatchet in the middle, signifying their being killed with - that weapon.</p> - - <p class="hang">"No. 2. Containing 98 of farmers, killed in their houses; hoops red; - figure of a hoe, to mark their profession; great white circle and sun, - to show they were surprised in the day-time; <i>a little red foot,</i> to show - they stood upon their defence, and died fighting for their lives and - families.</p> - - <p class="hang">"No. 3. Containing 97 of farmers; hoops green, to show they were killed - in their fields; a large white circle with a little round mark on it - for the sun, to show that it was in the daytime; black bullet mark on - some—hatchet on others.</p> - - <p class="hang">"No 4. Containing 102 of farmers, mixed of the several marks above; only - 18 marked with a little yellow flame, to denote their being of - prisoners burnt alive, after being scalped, their nails pulled out by - the roots, and other torments; one of these latter supposed to be of a - rebel clergyman, his band being fixed to the hoop of his scalp. Most - of the farmers appear by the hair to have been young or middle aged - men; their being but 67 very gray heads among them all; which makes - the service more essential.</p> - - <p class="hang">"No. 5. Containing 88 scalps of women; hair long, braided in the Indian - fashion, to show they were mothers; hoops blue; skin yellow ground, - with little red tadpoles, to represent, by way of triumph, the tears - of grief occasioned to their relations; a black scalping-knife or - hatchet at the bottom, to mark their being killed with those - instruments; 17 others, hair very gray; black hoops; plain brown - colour, no mark but the short club or cassetete, to show they were - knocked down dead, or had their brains beat out.</p> - - <p class="hang">"No. 6. Containing 193 boys' scalps, of various ages; small green hoops; - whitish ground on the skin, with red tears in the middle, and black - bullet marks, knife, hatchet, or club, as their deaths happened.</p> - - <p class="hang">"No. 7. 211 girls scalped, big and little; small yellow hoops; white - ground; tears, hatchet, club, scalping-knife, &c.</p> - - <p class="hang">"No. 8. This package is a mixture of all the varieties above-mentioned, - to the number of 122; with a box of birch bark, containing 29 little - infants' scalps of various sizes; small white hoops; white ground.</p> - -<p>"With these packs the Chiefs send to your Excellency the following speech, -delivered by Coneiogatchie, in council, interpreted by the elder Moore, -the trader, and taken down by me in writing.</p> - -<p>"'<i>Father!</i>—We send you herewith many scalps, that you may see that we are -not idle friends. A blue belt.</p> - -<p>"'<i>Father!</i>—We wish you to send these scalps over the water to the Great -King, that he may regard them and be refreshed; and that he may see our -faithfulness in destroying his enemies, and be convinced that his presents -have not been made to ungrateful people. A blue and white belt with red -tassels.</p> - -<p>"'<i>Father!</i>—Attend to what I am now going to say; it is a matter of much -weight. The great King's enemies are many, and they grow fast in number. -They were formerly like young panthers; they could neither bite nor -scratch; we could play with them safely; we feared nothing they could do -to us. But now their bodies are become big as the elk, and strong as the -buffalo, they have also got great and sharp claws. They have driven us out -of our country by taking part in your quarrel. We expect the great King -will give us another country, that our children may live after us, and be -his friends and children as we are.—Say this for us to the great King. -To enforce it, we give this belt. A great white belt with blue tassels.</p> - -<p>"'<i>Father!</i>—We have only to say further, that your traders exact more than -ever for their goods; and our hunting is lessened by the war, so that we -have fewer skins to give for them. This ruins us. Think of some remedy. -We are poor, and you have plenty of every thing. We know you will send us -powder and guns, and knives, and hatchets; but we also want shirts and -blankets. A little white belt.'</p> - -<p>"I do not doubt but that your Excellency will think it proper to give some -further encouragement to those honest people. The high prices they -complain of, are the necessary effect of the war. Whatever presents may be -sent for them through my hands shall be distributed with prudence and -fidelity. I have the honour of being</p> - -<p class="list2"> "Your Excellency's most obedient, - And most humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">JAMES CRAUFURD,"</span></p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="page; direct">No. II.</h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 104.]</span></p> -<br> -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Account</span> of the treaty held at Albany, in August 1775, with the Six -Nations, by the Commissioners of the Twelve United Colonies, met at -General Congress at Philadelphia.</p> - -<p>The Commissioners on the part of the Colonies, were Major General Philip -Schuyler, Major Joseph Hawley, Mr. Turbot Francis, Mr. Oliver Wolcott, -and Mr. Volkert P. Douw. After the adjournment from German Flats, and the -arrival of the Indians at Albany, as stated in the text, the following -proceedings were had.</p> - -<p>At a meeting of the Commissioners for transacting Indian affairs in the -northern department, held at Albany on Wednesday, the 23d August, 1775. -Present:</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Gen. Schuyler, Col. Francis, Mr. Douw.</span></p> - -<p>Resolved, unanimously, that the Indians of the Six Nations be invited to -receive our congratulations on their safe arrival here; that it be at five -o'clock this afternoon; that the committee of the city of Albany and the -principal gentlemen of the place be requested to accompany the -Commissioners; and that the following letters be wrote for that purpose -to the chairman of the committee.</p> - -<p class="exit"> <i>Albany,</i> 22<i>d August,</i> 1775.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Gentlemen.</span>—Your generous exertions to support the American cause against -the nefarious schemes of a wicked and profligate ministry, the propriety -with which you have conducted those Indian affairs that have become the -subject of your consideration, a consciousness that without your aid, and -that of gentlemen of the town conversant in those matters, the important -business of the ensuing conference cannot be so properly conducted as our -zeal for the service makes us wish, are so many motives which point out -to us the necessity of calling on you and those gentlemen for your aid -and advice; which we entreat you will give us without reserve; and be -assured that it will be attended to with all that deference that is due -to your respectable body and to their good judgment. We propose to pay a -visit this afternoon at five o'clock to the Indians. We beg the favor of -the committee to honor us with their company, as so respectable a body -will greatly add to the complimentary visit we mean to pay them. We shall -go from Cartwright's, and shall take it as a favor if the gentlemen of the -town, who are not of the committee, would be pleased to go with us.</p> - -<p>We are, gentlemen, with great respect,</p> - -<p class="list2"> Your most humble servants, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">P. Schuyler, - Volkert P. Douw, - Turbot Francis.</span></p> - -<p>To which the committee returned the following answer:—</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Gentlemen,</span>—Your polite invitation for us to join in paying a -complimentary visit to the Indians this afternoon at five o'clock, we -accept of, and shall for that purpose attend at Cartwright's at the hour -appointed.</p> - -<p class="list2"> We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants. - By order of the committee, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Abraham Yates, Jr.</span> <i>Chairman.</i></p> - -<p>The sachems and warriors of the Six Nations being assembled, the -Commissioners, attended by the committee and principal gentlemen of the -city of Albany, met them, and addressed them as follows:—</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren op the Six Nations,</span>—We, the deputies appointed by the Twelve -United Colonies, the decendants of Quedar, [FN] and the gentlemen of the -city of Albany, congratulate you on your arrival here. They are glad to -see you well, and thank the great God that he suffers us to meet.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "Quedar," the name which the Indians had given Governor - Stuyvesant—being probably, the result of their effort to pronounce the - name "Peter."</p> -<br> - - <hr width="80%"> -<br> - -<p>At a meeting of the Commissioners for transacting Indian affairs for the -northern department held at the city of Albany, on Tuesday, 25th of -August, 1775. Present:</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Gen. Schuyler, Col. Wolcott, Col. Francis, Mr. Douw.</span></p> - -<p>The following message was sent to the committee of the city of Albany:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> <i>Albany,</i> 25<i>th August,</i> 1775.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Gentlemen,</span>—The Commissioners of Indian affairs are to open the treaty -with the Six Nations this morning, about eleven, at the Dutch church. They -request the favor of your attendance, and that of the principal gentlemen -of the town, and would wish, previous to the meeting, to be honored with -your company at Cartwright's.</p> - -<p>To Abraham Yates, Jr. Esq. Chairman of the committee of Albany.</p> - -<p>The chairman and committee attended agreeable to invitation.</p> - -<p>In the course of their interview with the Commissioners this day, the -Indians stated that they had some business to transact with the people of -Albany, with whom they were desirous of having an interview before -proceeding with the main object for which the Council had been convened. -They therefore requested a day for that purpose. The request was -granted—a meeting of the citizens of Albany was held immediately, at -which <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Walter Livingston, Jeremiah Van Renselaer,</span> and <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dr. Samuel Stringer</span> -were appointed a committee to hold the preliminary council with the -Indians. The interview took place on the same evening, when Seaghnagerat, -an Oneida sachem, opened the proceedings by the following speech:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany:</span>—We beg you will acquaint us when your body is -complete.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany:</span>—The day is now come that we have arrived in -consequence of your invitation. When you saw four of the Oneida Nations, -you said you was glad to see them at your Council Chamber. We are now here -in consequence thereof. You told us you would be glad to see us -again—that you rejoiced to see them, and that you would open the ashes, -and rekindle the old council-fire at Albany. We are glad to see that some -of the sparks of that old council-fire yet remain. We rejoice, even to -excess, to find it so.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers attend!</span>—I have one addition to make to what passed between four -of the Oneida Nation and you, when last at your Council Chamber. When you -found from our conference with your brothers at the German Flats, that our -sentiments of public affairs so much coincided with yours, you farther -told us that all the governments of America on the sea-coasts were anxious -to know whether we were disposed to peace, and that you, the Twelve United -Colonies, were resolved to support your civil constitution and liberties, -and you rejoiced to find that we all so firmly resolved to maintain peace.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany:</span>—You farther observed. In the intercourse you had -with four of the Oneida Nation, that you greatly rejoiced at the -conference you had at the German Flats. You farther said that you was -surprised about a letter Guy Johnson had received from the chief warrior, -General Gage, about removing the ministers from among us. That you -rejoiced that the Indians were instructed in the Christian religion, and -that the ministers that were among us might continue.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany, attend!</span>—We have something further yet to relate of -your speech. You desired, at the intercourse you had with the four -messengers, that we should acquaint the Six Nations with your speech, and -that thereafter three or four of each Nation should come down. You farther -said that you would have been glad to have attended at the council-fire -at Guy Johnson's to hear what he should say to the Indians, and see if his -sentiments and yours should coincide. But you then soon heard that he had -removed from there to Fort Stanwix, from there to Oswego; that you -despaired of hearing any thing from him, and therefore desired us that we -would let you know what was done at that fire.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, attend!</span>—You made another proposal at the intercourse you had -with four of our Nation, which was this:—that you had heard that there -was to be a council of the whole of our Nation at the German Flats, you -desired our people that they would let you know what passed between us -and them. Our delegates, in our names, then told you that it would be more -agreeable that two or more of your members should attend, and hear -themselves what passed there. This, brethren, is the substance of what -passed between you and the four of the Oneida Nation.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany, attend!</span>—We now, upon this day, going through with -what passed between some of your members and us, when the conference ended -at German Flats. You said—Brothers, let us both endeavor to keep peace, -that we may continue to enjoy its blessings. We desire not that you should -trouble yourselves in the least with these disputes between us and those -over the great waters; only exert yourselves in maintaining the covenant -that was made between your and our forefathers, at this place of our -council-fire. Your delegates told us at the German Flats, that, although -you should be drove back from the sea-coast by your enemies, yet you would -not ask our aid.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany, farther attend!</span>—Two things more you delivered at the -German Flats. The first was this;—That we, the Oneida Nation, should give -a kind ear to your speech; you then produced two ancient belts of -wampum,—one of twenty rows, which was the old covenant between the whole -Oneida Nation and <i>Quedar-Gorah;</i> another that was given by the Six -Nations, by the Indian called <i>Kayinguaraghtoh,</i> of the Seneca Nation; you -also said that these belts should again be produced for the inspection of -the whole Six Nations at the intended council-fire to be re-kindled at -Albany.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany:</span>—We have now finished the principal subjects that -passed between you and us, the Oneida Nation; and we, all of us, the Six -Nations, are here now present, to hear what has passed, and to prevent any -false reports that may be propagated by news carriers.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany, now attend!</span>—You, also, the commissioners who are -here present, lend your ears and hear our voice. You, our brothers of -Albany, have desired the sentiments of the Six Nations. We, the Six -Nations and our allies, which extend to Detroit, Ohio, and Caughnawaga, -upon our first hearing the bad news that circulated along the eastern -shore of this island, assembled and resolved upon a union amongst us, -Indians, and to maintain peace; and we rejoice that nothing more has been -asked of us. There is nothing different in our minds than what we have now -told. We shall not take notice of any hostile propositions that may be -made to us, for we bear an equal proportion of love to you and the others -over the great waters in the present dispute; and we shall remain at -peace and smoke our pipes; and the Six Nations will always keep the path -open, and we call God to witness to the truth of what we now say, and it -proceeds from our hearts.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>A belt of eight rows.</i>]</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany, now attend,</span> and incline your ears to what we have now -to say:—</p> - -<p>"We, the Six Nations, have heard the voice of a bird called Tskleleli, a -news carrier, that came among us. It has told us that the path at the -western communication, by Fort Stanwix, would be shut up, either by the -one party or the other. Brothers, let it not be; and let the communication -be open for passing and repassing, and let not our country be stained with -blood, and be always compassionate to the old women, and let the young -ones grow up and enjoy the blessings of peace. Brothers, let not that -passage be shut up by you, but confine yourselves to the dispute to the -eastward; for this western communication lays near our council-fire, and -the consequence might be fatal. Indeed, Brothers, your language and Col. -Guy Johnson's coincides, in some things, with one another; and the party -that applies to us to shut up that passage we will look upon as deceivers -and transgressors; and we despise a double-dealer from our hearts, and -whom we look upon God Almighty will hereafter punish as such. And we hope -that when you give your answer, you will speak from the integrity of your -hearts, as we now have done.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>A belt of fifteen rows.</i>]</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany, attend!</span>—The Five Nations just now said they would -open their minds in full to you,—they would tell you every thing they -brought with them. This Belt respects the letter Guy Johnson received from -General Gage, concerning the removal of the ministers from among us. Our -father, the minister who stands here, we love, [FN] we love him -exceedingly. Perhaps, in a little time, he may be wrested from us, carried -off like a prisoner. Our hearts tremble for him—we tremble greatly. He -has been threatened; and should he be taken, it might overthrow the whole -Five Nations. Our brothers, the white people, would, perhaps, say that the -Oneida Nation had delivered up their minister, and that the Six Nations -did not regard their missionaries. But, truly, we regard our father, the -minister, and missionaries; therefore, we propose to your consideration, -whether it be not wise that the missionaries retire for a little while; -particularly our father, the minister, Mr. Kirkland, should reside a short -space with his family, as we hope this quarrel cannot subsist long, -because you are brothers, both of one nation and blood, and we hope it -will soon be settled; and when a reconciliation takes place, let our -missionaries immediately return to us; this, however, we refer to your -consideration, and leave at your pleasure. Now, Brethren, we have -unburthened our minds, and opened our bosoms, and delivered what we had -to say."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Rev. Mr. Kirkland.</p> - - -<p>To which the Albanian Committee made the following reply:</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the Six Nations!</span>—We thank you for your speech. The -Commissioners appointed by the Twelve United Colonies, and with our -consent, will first transact business with you; after they have done, we -will answer your speech."</p> - -<p>At a treaty began and held with the Indians of the Six United Nations at -the city of Albany, on Friday, the 25th of August, 1775—Present—</p> - -<p>Gen. Schuyler, Col. Oliver Wolcott, Col. Turbot Francis, Volkert P. Douw, -Commissioners; the Chairman and Committee, and principal inhabitants of -the city of Albany. The proceedings were opened by the Oneida sachem, -Seaghnagerat, by the following speech:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—We acquainted you yesterday evening, that we should first -speak to our brethren, the Committee of Albany. We have done so, and have -opened our whole minds to them.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—When we met two of your body at the German Flats, they -presented these strings to us, and invited us to come down to Albany, and -kindle up a great council-fire of peace, under the auspices of the Twelve -United Colonies. Now, as these strings have never been changed, we return -them to you again, and desire that the great council-fire of peace may be -kindled up.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—You desired us to shut our ears, and fortify our minds against -any evil reports that we might hear on our way down, and to pay no regard -to what any liars and ill-disposed persons might say to us, as they would -only mean to sow dissension between us and our brothers of the Twelve -United Colonies.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—Our minds are proof against the attempts of such wicked -persons. Now, Brothers, let us give you a little advice on our parts. -There are liars and mischief-makers among the Indians, as well as amongst -the white people. Therefore pay no regard to this or that that any single -Indian may say, but attend to what you may hear from the mouth of our -great council; for that will be the truth, and the sense of all the Six -United Nations."</p> - -<p>The Commissioners then replied in the following words:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors of the Six Nations!</span>—We return thanks to -the Great God that has suffered us to meet together this day, in love, -peace, and friendship. In token of which we will now sit down and smoke -the pipe of peace together."</p> - -<p>[Here the great calumet was lighted up, and went round; after which the -Commissioners proceeded:—]</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—We, the deputies appointed by and in the name of the Twelve -United Colonies, assisted by the descendants of your ancient friend -Quedar, and your Albany brethren, embrace this opportunity to rekindle the -ancient council-fire, which formerly burnt as bright as the sun in this -place, and to heap on it so much fuel that it may never be extinguished; -and also to renew the ancient covenant chain with you, which you know has -always been kept bright and clean, without any stain or rust; and which -by this belt we now strengthen, that for ever hereafter you and we may -have but one heart, one head, one eye, and one hand.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>A belt.</i>]</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren:</span>—Our business with you, besides kindling the ancient -council-fire, and renewing the covenant and brightening up every link of -the chain, is, in the first place, to inform you of the advice that was -given, about thirty years ago, by your wise forefathers, in a great -council which they held at Lancaster in Pennsylvania, when Cannassateego -spoke to us in these very words. [FN] 'Brethren, we, the Six Nations, -heartily recommend unison and a good agreement between you, our brethren. -Never disagree, but preserve a strict friendship for one another; and -thereby you, as well as we, will become the stronger. Our wise forefathers -established unison and amity between the Five Nations. This has made us -formidable; this has given us great weight and authority with our -neighboring nations. We are a powerful confederacy; and if you observe the -same methods our wise forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh -strength and power. Therefore, whatever befalls you, never fall out with -one another.' These were the words of Cannassateego."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Colden's History of the Five Nations, and Massachusetts - Historical Collection, for an account of the treaty referred to—1744.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—Our forefathers rejoiced to hear Cannassateego speak these -words. They sunk deep into their hearts. The advice was good. It was kind. -They said to one another, 'The Six nations are a wise people. Let us -hearken to them, and take their counsel, and teach our children to follow -it. Our old men have done so.' They have frequently taken a single arrow, -and said—'Children, see how easy it is broken.' Then they have taken and -tied twelve arrows together with a strong string, and our strongest men -could not break them. 'See,' said they, 'this is what the Six Nations -mean. Divided, a single man may destroy you. United, you are a match for -the whole world.' We thank the Great God that we are all united; that we -have a strong confederacy, composed of twelve provinces. [FN] These -provinces have lighted a great council-fire at Philadelphia, and have sent -sixty-five counselors to speak and act in the name of the whole, and -consult for the common good of the people, and of you, our brethren of the -Six Nations, and your allies; the talk of this great council we shall -deliver to you to-morrow."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Which were enumerated.</p> - - -<p>The Council having resumed business on the 26th, the proceedings were -opened by the Commissioners in the following manner:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors!</span>—Let this string open your ears to hear, -and incline your hearts to accept, the talk of the Twelve United Colonies, -which they have sent to you by their deputies. They speak as follows:—</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers Sachems, and Warriors:</span>—We, the delegates from the Twelve -United Provinces, viz.. New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, -Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three lower counties of -Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North -Carolina and South Carolina, now sitting in general congress at -Philadelphia, send this talk to you, our brothers. We are sixty-five in -number, chosen and appointed by the people throughout all these provinces -and colonies, to meet and sit together in one great council, to consult -together for the common good of the land, and speak and act for them.</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—In our consultation we have judged it proper and necessary -to send you this talk, as we are upon the same island, that you may be -informed of the reasons of this great council, the situation of our civil -constitution, and our disposition toward you, our Indian brothers of the -Six Nations, and their allies.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>Three strings, or a small belt.</i>]</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers and Friends, now attend!</span>—When our fathers crossed the great -waters and came over to this land, the King of England gave them a talk; -assuring them that they and their children should be his children, and -that if they would leave their native country and make settlements, and -live here, and buy and sell, and trade with their brethren beyond the -water, they should still keep hold of the same covenant chain and enjoy -peace. And it was covenanted that the fields, houses, goods, and -possessions, which our fathers should acquire, should remain to them as -their own, and be their children's for ever, and at their sole disposal.</p> - -<p>"'Trusting that this covenant should never be broken, our fathers came a -great distance beyond the water, laid out their money here, built houses, -cleared fields, raised crops, and through their own labor and industry -grew tall and strong.</p> - -<p>"'They have bought, sold, and traded with England, according to agreement; -sending to them such things as they wanted, and taking in exchange such -things as are wanted here. The King of England and his people kept the -way open for more than one hundred years, and by our trade became richer, -and by a union with us, greater and stronger than the other kings and -people who live beyond the water.</p> - -<p>"'All this time they lived in great friendship with us, and we with them; -for we are brothers—one blood.</p> - -<p>"'Whenever they were struck, we instantly felt as though the blow had been -given to us—their enemies were our enemies.</p> - -<p>"'Whenever they went to war, we sent our men to stand by their side and -fight for them, and our money to help them and make them strong. That we -have done this, Brothers, you have been all witnesses to in the last war. -You know we assisted them in taking Niagara, Cataroqui, Ticonderoga, Crown -Point, and Canada; and lastly, when they had no more enemies upon this -island, we went to fight, and helped them to take many large islands that -lay in the hot countries, where they got more than thirty cart-loads of -silver. They thanked us for our love, and sent us good tokens, and renewed -their promise to be our people for ever; and when the war was over, they -said, children, we thank you that you have helped to make us great. We -know that it has cost you a great deal of money; and therefore, children, -we give you a present, that you may maintain your warriors.</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers and Friends, open a kind ear.</span>—We will now tell you of the -quarrel betwixt the counselors of King George and the habitants and -colonies of America.</p> - -<p>"'Many of his counselors are proud and wicked men. They persuade the King -to break the covenant chain, and not to send us any more good talks. A -considerable number have prevailed upon him to enter into a new covenant -against us, and have torn asunder and cast behind their backs the good -old covenant which their ancestors and ours entered into and took strong -hold of.</p> - -<p>"'They now tell us, they will slip their hands into our pocket without -asking, as though it were their own; and at their pleasure they will take -from us our charters or written civil constitution, which we love as our -lives; also our plantations, our houses, and goods, whenever they please, -without asking our leave. That our vessels may go to <i>this</i> island in the -sea, but to <i>this</i> or <i>that</i> particular island we shall not trade any more. -And, in case of our non-compliance with these new orders, they shut up -our harbors.</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—This is our present situation—thus have many of the King's -counselors and servants dealt with us. If we submit, or comply with their -demands, you can easily perceive to what a state we will be reduced. If -our people labor on the field, they will not know who shall enjoy the -crop; if they hunt in the woods, it will be uncertain who shall taste of -the meat or have the skins; if they build houses, they will not know -whether they may sit round the fire with their wives and children; they -cannot be sure whether they shall be permitted to eat, drink, and wear -the fruits of their own labor and industry.</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers and Friends of the Six Nations, attend!</span>—We upon this island -have often spoke and intreated the King, and his servants the counselors, -that peace and harmony might still continue between us; that we cannot -part with, or lose our hold of, the old covenant chain, which united our -fathers and theirs; that we want to brighten this chain, and keep the way -open as our fathers did; that we want to live with them as brothers; -labor, trade, travel abroad, eat and drink in peace. We have often asked -them to love us, and live in such friendship with us as their fathers did -with ours.</p> - -<p>"'We told them again, that we judged we were exceedingly injured, that -they might as well kill us as take away our property and the necessaries -of life. We have asked why they treat us thus? What has become of our -repeated addresses and supplications to them? Who hath shut the ears of -the King to the cries of his children in America? No soft answer—no -pleasant voice from beyond the waters has yet sounded in our ears.</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span>—Thus stands the matter betwixt Old England and America. You, -Indians, know how things are proportioned in a family between the father -and the son—England we regard as the father, this island may be compared -as the son.</p> - -<p>"'The father has a numerous family, both at home and upon this island; he -appoints a great number of servants to assist him in the government of his -family; in process of time, some of his servants grow proud and -ill-natured—they were displeased to see the boy so alert, and walk on so -nimbly with his pack; they tell the father, and advise him to enlarge this -child's pack—they prevail; the pack is increased, the child takes it up -again; as he thought it might be the father's pleasure, speaks but few -words, those very small, for he was loath to offend the father. Those -proud and wicked servants, finding they had prevailed, laughed to see the -boy sweat and stagger under his increased load. By and by they apply to -the father to double the boy's pack, because they heard him complain; and -without any reason said they, he is a cross child, correct him if he -complains any more. The boy intreats the father, and addresses the great -servants in a decent manner that the pack might be lightened; he could not -go any farther; humbly asks if the old fathers, in any of their records, -had described such a pack for the child; after all the tears and -intreaties of the child, the pack is redoubled; the child stands a little -while staggering under the weight, ready to fall every moment; however, he -intreats the father once more, though so faint he could only lisp out his -last humble supplication—waits awhile—no voice returns. The child -concludes the father could not hear—those proud servants had intercepted -his supplications or stopped the ears of the father. He therefore gives -one struggle and throws off the pack, and says he cannot take it up again, -such a weight will crush him down and kill him, and he can but die if he -refuses.</p> - -<p>"'Upon this, those servants are very wroth, and tell the father many false -things respecting the child; they bring a great cudgel to the father, -asking him to take it in his hand and strike the child.</p> - -<p>"'This may serve to illustrate the present condition of the King's -American subjects or children.</p> - -<p>"'Amidst these oppressions, we now and then heard a mollifying and -reviving voice from some of the King's wise counselors, who are our -friends and feel our distresses; when they heard our complaints and our -cries, they applied to the King; they also told those wicked servants that -this child in America was not a cross boy; it had sufficient reason for -crying; and if the cause of its complaint was neglected, it would soon -assume the voice of a man, plead for justice like a man, defend its -rights, and support the old covenant chain of their fathers.</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, listen!</span>—Notwithstanding all our intreaties, we have but -little hope the King will send us any more good talks by reason of his -evil counselors; they have persuaded him to send an army of soldiers, and -many ships of war, to rob and destroy us. They have shut up many of our -harbors, seized and taken into possession many of our vessels; the -soldiers have struck the blow, killed some of our people; the blood now -runs of the American children; they have also burned our houses and towns, -and taken much of our goods.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>A black belt.</i>]</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers!</span>—We are now necessitated to rise, and forced to fight, or give -up our civil constitution, and run away and leave our farms and houses -behind us. This must not be. Since the King's wicked counselors will not -open their ears, and consider our just complaints and the cause of our -weeping, and have given the blow, we are determined to drive away the -King's soldiers, and to kill and destroy all those wicked men we find in -arms against the peace of the Twelve United Colonies upon this island. We -think our cause is just; therefore we hope God will be on our side. We do -not take up the hatchet and struggle for honor and conquest, but to -maintain our civil constitution and religious privileges, the very same -for which our forefathers left their native land and came to this country.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>A black belt.</i>]</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers and Friends!</span>—We desire you will hear and receive what we have -now told you, and that you will open a good ear and listen to what we are -now going to say. This is a family quarrel between us and Old England. -You, Indians, are not concerned in it. We don't wish you to take up the -hatchet against the King's troops. We desire you to remain at home, and -not join either side; but keep the hatchet buried deep. In the name and -behalf of all our people, we ask and desire you to love peace and maintain -it, and love and sympathize with us in our troubles; that the path may be -kept open with all our people and yours, to pass and re-pass without -molestation.</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers!</span>—We live on the same ground with you. The same island is our -common birthplace. We desire to sit down under the same tree of peace with -you; let us water its roots and cherish its growth, till the large leaves -and nourishing branches shall extend to the setting sun, and reach the -skies.</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, observe well!</span>—What is it we have asked of you? Nothing but -peace, notwithstanding our present disturbed situation; and if application -should be made to you by any of the King's unwise and wicked ministers to -join on their side, we only advise you to deliberate with great caution, -and in your wisdom look forward to the consequences of a compliance. For -if the King's troops take away our property, and destroy us who are of the -same blood with themselves, what can you, who are Indians, expect from -them afterwards?</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>A white belt.</i>]</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the Six Nations!</span>—When we perceived this island began to -shake and tremble along the Eastern shore, and the sun darkened by a black -cloud which arose from beyond the great water, we kindled up a great -council-fire at Philadelphia; and we sat around it until it burnt clear, -and so high that it illuminated this whole island. We renewed our hold -upon the old covenant chain, which united and strengthened our ancestors, -and which was near slipping out of our hands before we had kindled this -great council-fire at Philadelphia. We have now taken fast hold, nor will -we let it go without a mighty struggle, even unto death.</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—We are now Twelve Colonies, united as one man. We have but -one heart and one hand. Brothers, this is our Union Belt. By this belt, -we, the Twelve United Colonies, renew the old covenant chain by which our -forefathers, in their great wisdom, thought proper to bind us and you, -our brothers of the Six Nations, together, when they first landed at this -place; and if any of the links of this great chain should have received -any rust, we now brighten it, and make it shine like silver. As God has -put it into our hearts to love the Six Nations and their allies, we now -make the chain of friendship so strong, that nothing but an evil spirit -can or will attempt to break it. But we hope, through the favor and mercy -of the Good Spirit, that it will remain strong and bright while the sun -shines and the water runs.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>Delivered the Union belt.</i>]</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—It is necessary, in order for the preservation of friendship -between us and our brothers of the Six Nations, and their allies, that a -free and mutual intercourse be kept up betwixt us. Therefore the Twelve -United Colonies, by this belt, remove every difficulty that may lie in the -great road that runs through the middle of our country; and we will also -clear up and open all the small roads that lead into the great one. We -will take out every thorn, briar, and stone, so that when any of our -brothers of the Six Nations, or their allies, have an inclination to see -and talk with any of their brethren of the Twelve United Colonies, they -may pass safely without being scratched or bruised. Brothers, the road is -now open for our brethren of the Six Nations and their allies, and they -may now pass and repass as safely and freely as the Twelve United Colonies -themselves; and we are further determined, by the assistance of God, to -keep our roads open and free for the Six Nations and their allies, as long -as this earth remains.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>Path belt.</i>]</p> - -<p>"'<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers!</span>—We have said we wish you Indians may continue in peace with -one another, and with us the white people. Let us be cautious in our -behavior toward each other at this critical state of affairs. This island -now trembles, the wind whistles from almost every quarter; let us fortify -our minds, and shut our ears against false rumors; let us be cautious what -we receive for truth, unless spoken by wise and good men. If any thing -disagreeable should ever fall out between us the Twelve United Colonies, -and you the Six Nations, to wound our peace, let us immediately seek -measures for healing the breach. From the present situation of our -affairs, we judge it wise and expedient to kindle up a small council-fire -at Albany, where we may hear each other's voice, and disclose our minds -more fully to one another.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>A small belt.</i>]</p> - -<p>"'Therefore we say. Brothers, take care—hold fast to your covenant chain. -You know our disposition towards you, the Six Nations of Indians, and your -allies. Let this our good talk remain at Onondaga, your central council -house. We depend upon you to send and acquaint your allies to the -northward, the seven tribes on the river St. Lawrence, that you have this -talk of ours at the great council-fire of the Six Nations. And when you -return, we invite your great men to come and converse farther with us at -Albany, where we intend to re-kindle the council-fire, which your and our -ancestors sat around in great friendship. <i>Brothers and friends!</i></p> - -<p class="list2"> "'We greet you all, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">FAREWELL.'"</span></p> -<p class="exit"> [<i>The large belt of intelligence and declaration.</i>]</p> - -<p>Such was the talk transmitted to the Six Nations by the Commissioners from -Congress. The process of communication to the Indians, through -interpreters, is very slow. Every thing must be performed with great -deliberation, and the Indian language is composed of such lengthened -compounds, that the labor of delivering and translating a speech is -exceedingly tedious. The delivery of this talk from Congress occupied the -business hours of two days. At the close, Kanaghquaesa, one of the Chiefs, -replied:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span>—We have sat round, and smoked our pipes at this our ancient -place of kindling up our council-fires. We have heard all you have said, -and have heard nothing but what is pleasant and good. As you have -communicated matters of great importance to us, we will sit down to-morrow -and deliberate coolly upon them; and the day following will give you -answers to every thing you have laid before us."</p> - -<p>Having convened again on the 31st of August, Little Abraham, the Mohawk -Sachem, spoke, in answer to the Commissioners, as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, Great Men deputed by the Twelve United Colonies, attend!</span>—We -are this day called to meet you in council, in order to reply to what you -said to us. We hope we need not recapitulate the whole of your discourse. -We shall only touch upon each head. At our last conference in this house, -we promised to return you our answer the day but one following. We did not -do it, and we mean to make you an apology. We hope you have taken no -offence. We were not prepared by that time, and that was our reason. -Brothers, you informed us that there was a great council of sixty-five -members convened at Philadelphia, and that you were appointed by them to -deliver a talk to the Six Nations. It seems you, our brothers, having a -desire to rekindle a council-fire, took to your assistance the descendants -of Quedar, and have kindled up a council-fire that shall never be -extinguished. To which the Six Nations reply: This you have done by order -of the great Council at Philadelphia. We are glad to hear the news. It -rejoices our hearts, and it gives exceeding joy through all the Six -Nations.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span>—As you desired your belts might not be returned, but be -deposited at our central Council House, we shall only make use of them to -refresh our memories, and speak upon them as we go on with our answers. -Brothers, we shall not recite every particular, as we before mentioned. -You observed, when these commotions first began, a council of sixty-five -members convened together at Philadelphia; and you put us in mind of what -Cannassateego formerly said at Lancaster respecting the necessity of a -union among you. An old sachem, a brother of Cannassateego, is here -present, and remembers the words of his brother. You illustrated the -necessity and use of a union by one and twelve arrows. You said your -grandfathers had inculcated this doctrine into their children. You said, -that as the tree of peace was formerly planted at this place, you desired -that the Six Nations might come down, and sit under it, and water its -roots, till the branches should flourish and reach to heaven. This the -Six Nations say shall be done. Brothers, we need only remind you of a few -of the things you said to us, as you have them all written down. You -informed us, that by an ancient covenant with the King of England, you -were to enjoy the same privileges with the people on the other side of the -great waters, that for a long time you did enjoy the same privileges, by -which means you and your brethren over the water both became a great -people; that lately, by advice of evil counselors, you are much oppressed, -and had heavier packs put upon you than you could bear; that you have -frequently applied to be eased of your burthen, but could obtain no -redress; that finding this the case, you had thrown off the packs. The -Six Nations thank you for acquainting them with your grievances, and the -methods taken to obtain redress. You likewise informed them of what -resolutions you had formed in consequence of these matters.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers</span>,—After stating your grievances, and telling us you had not been -able to obtain redress, you desired us to take no part, but bury the -hatchet. You told us it was a family quarrel; and therefore said, 'You -Indians, sit still, and mind nothing but peace.' Our great man, Col. -Johnson, did the same thing at Oswego; he desired us to sit still -likewise. You likewise desired us, that if application should be made to -us by any of the King's officers, we would not join them. Now, therefore -attend, and apply your ears closely. We have fully considered this matter. -The resolutions of the Six Nations are not to be broken or altered. When -they resolve, the matter is fixed. This, then, is the determination of the -Six Nations, not to take any part; but as it is a family affair, to sit -still and see you fight it out. We beg you will receive this as -infallible, it being our full resolution; for we bear as much affection -for the King of England's subjects on the other side the water, as we do -for you, born upon this island. One thing more we request, which is, that -you represent this in a true light to the delegates from all the Colonies, -and not vary; and that you observe the same regard for truth when you -write to the King about these matters for we have ears, and shall hear, -if you represent any thing in a wrong point of light. We likewise desire -you would inform our brothers at Boston of our determination.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span>—It is a long time since we came to this resolution. It is the -result of mature deliberation. It was our declaration to Col. Johnson. We -told him we should take no part in the quarrel, and hoped neither side -would desire it. Whoever applies first, we shall think in the wrong. The -resolutions of the Six Nations are not to be broken. Of the truth of this -you have a late instance. You know what the Shawanese have lately been -engaged in. They applied to us for assistance, but we refused them. [FN] -Our love for you has induced us not to meddle. If we loved you less, we -should have been less resolute."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] In the affair of Col. Cresap and Logan, and the Indian war that - followed, the <i>Mohawks</i> were not engaged. The Cayugas and Senecas were.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span>—You likewise informed us, that when you perceived this island -began to tremble, and black clouds to arise beyond the great water, you -kindled up a great fire at Philadelphia, a fire which shone bright and -clear to your utmost settlements; that you sat round that fire, -deliberating what measures to pursue for the common good; that while -sitting round it you recollected an ancient covenant made between your -fathers and ours when they first crossed the great water and settled here, -which covenant they first likened to a chain of iron. But when they -considered that iron would rust, they made a silver chain, which they were -always to rub and keep bright, and clear of spots. This they made so -strong, that an evil spirit could not break it. This friendship-chain you -have now renewed. This covenant is to continue to future generations. We -are glad you have thought proper to renew this covenant, and the whole -Six Nations now thank you. This covenant-belt you desire us to deposit at -our central council-house, that future generations may call to mind the -covenant now made between us. You may depend we shall send and inform all -our neighboring council-fires of the matters now transacted. We close, -with the whole Six Nations repeating their thanks that you have renewed -the covenant made between their forefathers and yours.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, attend!</span>—As you had renewed the ancient covenant, you thought -proper to open the path, and have a free communication with this place. -As the fire had for some time been put out, the path had got stopped up. -You removed all obstructions out of the great roads and paths, all stones -and briars; so that if any of us chose to travel the road, we should -neither meet with any obstruction, or hurt ourselves. Brothers, we thank -you for opening the road. You likewise informed us you were determined to -drive away, destroy, and kill all who appeared in arms against the peace -of the Twelve United Colonies. Brothers, attend. We beg of you to take -care of what you do. You have just now made a good path; do not so soon -defile it with blood. There are many round us. Caghnawagas, who are -friends to the king. Our path of peace reaches quite there. We beg all -that distance may not be defiled with blood. As for your quarrels to the -Eastward, along the sea-coasts, do as you please. But it would hurt us to -see those brought up in our own bosoms ill-used. In particular, we would -mention the son of Sir William Johnson. He is born among us, and is of -Dutch extraction by his mother. He minds his own affairs, and does not -intermeddle in public disputes. We would likewise mention our father, the -minister, who resides among the Mohawks, and was sent them by the King. -He does not meddle in civil affairs, but instructs them in the way to -heaven. He absolutely refuses to attend to any political matters, and -says they do not belong to him. They beg he may continue in peace among -them. The Mohawks are frequently alarmed with reports that their minister -is to be torn away from them. It would occasion great disturbance was he -to be taken away. The King sent him to them, and they would look upon it -as taking away one of their own body. Therefore they again request that -he may continue to live in peace among them. [FN]"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This Missionary was the Rev. Mr. Stewart, who afterward removed to - Upper Canada.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers</span>,—After having informed us of the situation of affairs, and -having finished your business, you advised us to shut our ears against -false reports, and that we should not attend to flying stories, but to -what wise and good men should say; for which reason you had kindled up a -council-fire at this place, that we might always converse together, and -know the truth of things. Your brothers of the Six Nations say, 'Let it -be so; it shall be as you desire.' They thank you for this advice, and -desire you would use the same precautions; that you would shut your ears -to flying stories, but keep your eye upon the chief council, such as you -see now convened. The Six Nations desire you would always inform them -fully of what respects them. We have, for this purpose, opened our ears -and purified our minds, that we may always hear and receive what you have -to say with good and clean minds; and whenever we receive any important -intelligence, we shall always bring it to this council-fire.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—You delivered us this pipe; on one side the tree of peace, on -the other a council-fire; we Indians sitting on one side of the fire, and -the representatives of the twelve United Colonies upon the other. You have -desired that this pipe may be left at our central council-house, and that -the tree of peace may be planted, and that the branches may be so high as -to be visible to all our allies. Brothers, we thank you, and shall take -care to deposit this where you desire, and when we meet to deliberate upon -business, shall always use this as our council-pipe.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, attend!</span>—In the course of your speech you observed, we of the -Six Nations were a wise people, and saw a great way before us; and you -asked us, if you upon this island were conquered, what would become of -the Indians? You say you are uncertain of holding your possessions, and -that you do not know who may enjoy the product of your labor. Now, -therefore, Brothers, attend; you particularly, our Brothers of Albany; we -address ourselves particularly to you. Our Brothers of Albany have taken -two pieces of land from us without any reward, not so much as a single -pipe. We therefore desire you will restore them, and put us into peaceable -possession again. If you refuse to do this, we shall look upon the -prospect as bad; for if you conquer, you will take us by the arm, and pull -us all off. Now, therefore, as the twelve United Colonies have renewed -this covenant of peace, we beg that there may be no obstruction upon your -part, but that you would restore our lands to us; for which, as we said -before, you never paid us even a single pipe.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—You have now finished your business, and we have made short -replies. You have kindled up a council-fire of peace, and have planted a -tree of peace, according to ancient custom. We find that you have omitted -one thing, which is this:—According to our ancient custom, whenever a -council-fire was kindled up, and a tree of peace planted, there was some -person appointed to watch it. Now, as there is no person appointed to -watch this tree, we of the Six Nations take it upon us to appoint one. Let -it be the descendant of our ancient friend, Quedar. He has to consider -whether he will take the charge of it, and communicate to us whatever may -respect it. He that watches this council-fire is to be provided with a -wing, that he may brush off all insects that come near it, and keep it -clear. That is the custom at our central council-house. We have one -appointed for that purpose.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—As you have this day renewed the ancient covenant of -friendship, and have again brightened the ancient chain, renew likewise -another ancient custom respecting the regulation of trade. Let us have a -trade at this place, and likewise at Schenectady, as it was in former -times when we had hold of the old covenant. For then, Brothers, if our -people came down with only a few musquash skins, we went home with glad -hearts. Brothers, let it be so again. Let the twelve United Colonies take -this into consideration.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>A belt of ten rows of wampum.</i>]"</p> - -<p>Abraham, the Mohawk, having concluded, <i>Tiahogwando,</i> an Oneida sachem, -succeeded him as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—This is all the Six Nations have to say at present. They would -just mention one thing more before they break up. The Six Nations look -upon this as a very good time to speak their minds, as here are the -representatives of the twelve United Colonies. The dispute between the -people of New-England and Penn seems to us to become a serious affair, and -therefore the Six Nations take upon them to speak their minds freely, as -they address the inhabitants of the whole continent. [FN] Many years ago, -at a council held in Pennsylvania, when Cannassateego, that has been -before mentioned, was present, Penn desired the Six Nations would sell -him that piece of land known by the name of Scanandanani, or Susquehannah. -The Indians of the Six Nations refused to sell it, saying, the great God -would not permit them. Therefore they made him a present of that land, -known by the name of Scanandanani. Penn received it, and made them -valuable presents. After this, Colonel Lydius, a gentleman employed by the -people of Boston, treated with some of the Indians to get that land from -them. But he never kindled up a council-fire upon the occasion. He spoke -to them whenever he met them; never with more than ten. From these he -pretended to make a purchase of that tract. Gov. Penn, also, at the great -treaty at Fort Stanwix, in the year 1768, desired that the land might be -his, and distributed among the Six Nations, Shawanese and Caughnawagas, -ten thousand dollars, for which they gave him a writing. This is an affair -with which all the Six Nations are acquainted, and any one would lie who -said they knew nothing about it. We have taken an opportunity to speak of -this matter now, as the mind of the whole continent is now here. . . ."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Referring to the long and bitter controversy between Connecticut - and Pennsylvania respecting the territory of Wyoming, of which more - hereafter.</p> - - -<p>At this point the proceedings were adjourned over to the next day, being -the 1st of September, when the Commissioners made the following reply:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the Six Nations, attend!</span>—We yesterday heard with pleasure -your answer to the twelve United Colonies, and we return thanks to the -great Governor of the universe that he has inclined your hearts to approve -and accept the brotherly love offered to you by the twelve United -Colonies. It makes us happy to hear so wise and brave a people as our -brothers of the Six Nations are, publicly declare their unalterable -resolution to maintain and support peace and friendship with the twelve -United Colonies. This, Brothers, you have said, and we sincerely believe -you. Brothers, we requested of you Indians of the Six Nations not to -interfere in our quarrels. We are not in the least doubtful of success, -as our cause is just. We will live or die like men. We can raise an army -of three hundred thousand fighting men, who are brave, and are determined -not to part with their civil and religious privileges. Therefore we now -repeat to you, Brothers of the Six Nations, take great care of the strong -friendship you have now made with the twelve United Colonies. Let that be -your care, and that only. Peace is what we wish to establish.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the Six Nations:</span>—You yesterday told us, that as the roads -in your country were opened for you and your brothers of the twelve United -Colonies to pass and repass, you desired at the same time that we would -not stain the road with blood. Brothers, be assured we have no intention -at present to spill blood in your country, and we hope it never may -happen; and it never can, provided those wicked men, who are come so far -from home in order to disturb the peace of the twelve United Colonies, do -not appear in your country. But as we are determined to be free or die, -we must pursue them until we drive them from off this island, or until -they confirm our ancient privileges. Therefore, Brothers, rest assured, -whatever may happen between us and our enemies, we never will injure or -disturb the peace of the Six Nations, but preserve invariable the -friendship that is now established, even unto death.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—You also desired yesterday that some of your friends of our -blood should remain in peace, and particularly the missionary at Fort -Hunter, who did not concern himself with the affairs of this world, but -was earnestly engaged in conducting you to happiness, and instructing you -in the reverence due to the great God who governs the universe. Brothers, -such a man we love, and we are desirous of his remaining quiet and happy -with you. We are also desirous that all the other missionaries, that have -been engaged in the same good cause, may safely continue among you, and -instruct you in the Gospel, which will be the means of your happiness in -this world and the one to come.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—As we always looked upon you, Brothers of the Six Nations, to -be a wise and capable people in conducting business of every kind, we were -a little surprised to hear you say that no one was appointed by the twelve -United Colonies to attend and watch the fire that they have kindled up at -this place; when we have repeatedly told you that they had appointed five -persons, whose business it was to attend and preserve it bright and clear, -and that two of those five live in this town, who would take particular -care, and who had full authority from the twelve United Colonies, to keep -the flame bright and clear. Brothers, for fear you should not have -understood us fully, we again acquaint you that the twelve United Colonies -have authorized General Schuyler and Mr. Douw, both of this town, to keep -the fire burning, that it may illuminate the whole country of the Six -Nations, who may always see the way down to it, and sit in peace around -it.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—You yesterday desired that the trade may be opened at this -place and at Schenectady. We also wish it, and it will be done; so that -you may trade as you formerly did, and be able to return home with your -goods to your entire satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—You yesterday mentioned some matters concerning land claimed -by the people of Albany, and also the land in dispute between Connecticut -and Gov. Penn. We now inform you that we are not authorized to transact -any business of that kind at present, but will represent the matter at the -Grand Congress at Philadelphia.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—We have now finished, and let you know the present that we -have from the twelve United Colonies is preparing for you, and when it is -ready we will acquaint you. Wagons shall be provided for you whenever you -are ready to set off for Schenectady."</p> - -<p>Thus ended the business of the Commissioners with the Indians, more -amicably, to all appearance, than could reasonably have been anticipated, -when all the circumstances preceding and attending the negotiations are -taken into consideration. There was, however, the "unfinished business" -between the Indians and the municipality of Albany yet to be completed. -For this purpose a council was arranged for the day following, September -2d, and the Commissioners, on the part of the United Colonies, were again -invited to attend. The council was held in the Presbyterian meeting-house. The preliminaries -of form having been adjusted, the Committee of the Common Council and -citizens of Albany, delivered the following reply to the speech of the -Oneida sachem, on the 25th of August:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the Six Nations:</span>—We suppose it will not be insisted upon to -repeat the whole of your speech, as we conceive it unnecessary, and -therefore shall only take notice of the material parts.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—You said that you was glad to see us at this place on the -25th August, in consequence of our invitation; and that you was glad to -see that some sparks of the old council-fire yet remained, and that you -rejoiced, even to excess, to find it so.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—We thank you for your kind congratulations and salutations at -meeting us here, and rejoice in the opportunity you have given us at this -time, of meeting one another in friendship and peace, to talk of old times -and renew our ancient treaty.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—We are happy to find that you so readily accepted our request -to come and see us, and that you have had so much patience, and behaved -so orderly during your short stay among us.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—At the conference of our deputies with you at the German -Flats, they showed you some old belts of wampum, which you expressed a -desire to see. Here are those belts, and we hope even Time will not wear -them out. This is the Belt given by the Oneida Nation, and is the old -covenant between the whole Oneida Nation and <i>Gorah Quedar.</i> This is the -belt that was given by the Indian <i>Kayinguaraghtoh</i> in behalf of the Six -Nations.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers attend:</span>—In your speech, you farther observed that you had long -since taken a resolution to take no active part in the present contest for -liberty. We do not offer to censure you for your conduct; but admire your -wisdom, praise your pacific disposition, and hope you will have fortitude -to maintain and persevere in it.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>A belt.</i>]</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—You further said that the road to the westward, you heard by -the bird, was to be stopped up; this matter is beyond our limits. The -commissioners of the twelve United Colonies having spoken to you at large -about the roads, that they shall be left open, we entirely agree with -them in this; and therefore shall add nothing on this point, and return -the belt.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—You said further, and delivered us this belt; that you was -anxious about and concerned for your minister, Mr. Kirkland; and asked our -advice about his remaining among you, who we do not see you should be -deprived of without your consent, any more than the Mohawk tribe should -be deprived of their missionary. We highly approve of your concern for the -ministers of the Gospel, and your attachment for the pure precepts and -doctrine of Christianity. But if your minister is removed, we should fear -the consequence. It would certainly give occasion of jealousy to your -Brethren, the white people, that you Indians were not well disposed. -Therefore it is our ardent wish that they may all remain among you, as -your teachers and instructors in virtue, piety, and true religion; and we -hope you may benefit and profit by their instruction.</p> - -<p class="exit"> "[<i>A belt.</i>]</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—Before any commissioners were appointed by the twelve United -Colonies—from the disagreeable condition of our country, and the ancient -friendship and alliance subsisting between us, commenced in the days of -your ancestors and our forefathers, we took upon us, as the -representatives of the people of the city and county of Albany, to give -you an invitation to pay us a friendly visit, that we might have an -opportunity of seeing you here, at the place where the first fire was -kindled, that we might rake up the old ashes, and not suffer it to be -extinguished, but renew the old covenant chain, and make it shine with -brighter lustre.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—We are happy to find from your speech, that you still retain -that affection for us which a well-founded friendship will naturally -produce, and which we hope, from our conduct toward you, is not unmerited; -and we rejoice to find that you feel for our distresses, and lament the -unnatural quarrel of brethren, which you express so warmly by a desire of -an amicable settlement.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—Time will not permit us, at present, to mention to you, how, -and on what occasion, the first covenant was made between you and our -forefathers. They had never deserted you, but kept their covenants and -agreements with you, nor do we mean to act otherwise on our part.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—This covenant, afterwards improved upon, was confirmed between -you and us in the year 1665, one year after this country went over to the -crown of England. Since this, you have from time to time admitted into -your chain, the Tuscaroras, and most, if not all, the twelve United -Colonies.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—There are five gentlemen commissioners, appointed by the -twelve United Colonies, at the grand council in Philadelphia; and the -management of public affairs in the Indian department now belongs to them. -These gentlemen have informed you of the nature of the dispute between -Great Britain and this country; and testified their desire of keeping up -the council fire between us.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—We know it is customary, at the renewal of any covenants -between us, that a present should follow; we now make it known to you, -that the goods you will receive of the commissioners of the twelve United -Colonies are partly ours; we pay our proportionable part toward them, so -that what you receive of them is from us also. We are the same. There is -no distinction.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—If our memory do not fail us, we think that when we invited -two or three of each of our brethren of the Six Nations to come down here, -we also desired that you would acquaint us of what had passed in the -congress held at Oswego (which as yet we know nothing of.) You say, -indeed, you are glad we are peaceably inclined as well as Col. Johnson; -but you have told us nothing else of what had passed there, which we had -expected, and do wish that our brothers conceal nothing from us, -especially as you called God to witness for the truth of what you said.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the Six Nations, and you, the Mohawks in particular:</span>—We -apprehend the bird Tsklelele has been busy again. He seems to be a -mischievous bird, and ought not to be nourished or entertained. In your -answer to the commissioners you addressed yourselves to the inhabitants -of Albany, complaining that they had taken from you two pieces of land -without giving you the value of a pipe of tobacco for them; and that you -desired they would restore you to the peaceable possession of them, and -that the commissioners would look into this matter and afford you relief. -The land you speak of we suppose to be Ticonderoga.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—This is a matter foreign to the business we met upon, (and we -are not authorised nor qualified to enter upon the subject, it is a -business that belongs to the corporation of Albany) yet as we may be -considered the representatives of the people at large, our entire silence -may be construed into guilt of the heavy charge fixed upon us. For your -satisfaction as well as of the audience, we will endeavor to show by a -few remarks that the accusation is groundless. The lands alluded to are -granted by the charter of Albany. We never heard that any of your nation -have been dispossessed or driven off those lands; but you hitherto have -and still enjoy those lands without the least interruption.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—As we observed before, the matter cannot properly come before -us, but belongs to another body; and therefore the application to us is -improper. However, give us leave to say, that, instead of complaining, we -think the Mohawks, if they considered their own interest and that of their -posterity, and would be candid, must acknowledge the truth of the fact, -and rejoice at this day, that they have had such faithful guardians and -trustees, for if it had not been so, who would have enjoyed those lands -now? There have been complaints concerning this matter before, and -inquiries into it before proper tribunals; and for your information, and -that of the curious, we refer to the proceedings of the House of Assembly -of this Colony, and also to the minutes taken on a conference between the -corporation of this city and yourselves, at which Sir William Johnson was -present, and therefore return you the belt."</p> - -<p>After consultation, the Indians returned the following answer by <i>Abraham,</i> -chief of the Mohawks:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany:</span>—We return you thanks for your speech, and that you -have informed us that the twelve United Colonies by their commissioners, -have opened all the roads; and we now take it for granted that the -communications at Fort Stanwix are not to be shut up, and that the New -England people never will do it. This, Brethren, has been the occasion of -some anxiety in the minds of the Six Nations.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the Six Nations, attend;</span> <i>You also the people of Albany, and -you the twelve United Colonies by your commissioners:</i>—Last spring Col. -Johnson informed us that the New England people were near him to take him -prisoner. Upon which we, like people intoxicated, took up our guns and -ran to assist him, as he was our superintendent. But, Brethren, as it -happened in the manner before mentioned, we hope you will look upon it in -that light. We, the Six Nations, have now made and renewed our ancient -covenants. The proceedings just now mentioned have brought me down. I have -made a proper acknowledgment to the Six Nations, and now do the same to -you, and I hope you will raise me up again. The news I was just speaking -of, came not from a bird, but from your own people.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany, farther attend:</span>—I shall only make a short reply to -your speech relating to the lands. Many agreeable things are therein. You -farther say, that you never heard that any of us were driven from those -lands. There is one thing which is not so agreeable. It is the Tskleleli. -You, Brothers, know how that matter is, and in case I was to answer that -part of your speech, it might perhaps draw us into an argument;—and as -you are not, as you say, the proper body to which we ought to have -applied, and as you have referred us to former proceedings, we shall -close.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany:</span>—We the Six Nations now tell you, that it is at your -pleasure to call on us, and we will inform you of what passed in the -congress at Oswego."</p> - -<p>Taking the hint that the Indians would say nothing except in due form, the -chairman of the committee immediately said:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the Six Nations:</span>—We are now ready to hear it, and should be -glad you would inform us."</p> - -<p>The Mohawk chief then proceeded:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of Albany:</span>—You sent for us to inform you of what passed at -Oswego;—but you have not, since we have been down, desired it. We have -been always ready; and as you have now asked us, we will now tell you, -and think it our duty, as we look upon it that God will punish us should -we conceal any thing from you.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—The transactions of that treaty were very public. The -Shawanese were there, and some from Detroit. Mr. Johnson told us, that the -fire kindled there was a fire of peace, that all the white people were the -king's subjects, and that it seemed they were intoxicated. Mr. Johnson -also told us, that the white people were all got drunk, and that God's -judgment hung over them, but did not know on which side it would fall. Mr. -Johnson farther told us, that the council-fire was kindled on account of -the present dispute, and desired us not to interfere, as they were -Brothers, and begged us to sit still and maintain peace. This is what -Colonel Johnson told us at that council-fire. He also said he had his eye -on Mr. Kirkland; that he was gone to Philadelphia and along the sea-coast; -that he was become a great soldier and a leader. Is this your minister? -says he. Do you think your minister minds your souls? No, by the time he -comes to Philadelphia, he will be a great warrior, and when he returns he -will be the chief of all the Five Nations.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span>—There were present five people of Detroit, five from -Caughnawaga, and two of the Shawanese. Col. Johnson told them, that by the -time he returned from Canada, they should have all their men there, and he -would then kindle a council-fire; and he would also desire them not to -take any part in this dispute, as it was a quarrel between brothers. Mr. -Johnson also told them that this council-fire was kindled upon peace, and -that it seemed, by reason of the white people's intoxication, that God's -judgment hung over them. He also told us that he was going to the Governor -of Canada, who was of a different opinion from him, but would talk with -him; and he farther said that he would tell the Caughnawaga Indians the -same he told us, and for that purpose desired that two of each nation -might go along, and hear it. He likewise desired us to consider which way -we would have our trade, whether up this river, or from Canada. He at the -same time assured us, that we should not suffer for want of goods, as we -were not concerned, nor had any hand in the present dispute. He also -mentioned something about the council-fires. He said there are two fires -which you shall keep your eyes upon, and if they call you down to Albany, -do not you go, for they will deceive you, and tell you a great many fine -stories. We are very glad that your language and Col. Johnson's so well -agrees."</p> - -<p>Thus ended this grand council with the Six Nations, and the last council -ever held at Albany, with the great aboriginal confederacy which has been -denominated the Roman Republic of the Indian world.</p> -<br><br><br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct">No. III.</h2> -<br><br> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 231.]</span></p> -<br> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">By Barry St. Leger, Esq.,</span></p> -<br> -<p>Commander-in-chief of a chosen body of troops from the grand army, as well -as an extensive corps of Indian allies from all the nations, &c., &c.</p> - -<p>The forces entrusted to my command are designed to act in concert, and -upon a common principle, with the numerous armies and fleets which already -display, in every quarter of America, the power, justice, and, when -properly sought, the mercy of the King.</p> - -<p>The cause in which the British arms are thus exerted, applies to the most -affecting interest of the human heart, and the military servants of the -Crown, at first called forth for the sole purpose of restoring the rights -of the constitution, now combine with love of their country and duty to -their sovereign, the other extensive incitements which spring from a due -sense of the general privileges of mankind. To the eyes and ears of the -temperate part of the public, and to the breast of suffering thousands in -the provinces, be the melancholy appeal, whether the present unnatural -rebellion has not been made a foundation for the completest system of -tyranny that ever God in his displeasure suffered for a time to be -exercised over a froward and stubborn generation. Arbitrary imprisonment, -confiscation of property, persecution and torture unprecedented in the -inquisitions of the Romish Church, are among the palpable enormities that -verify the affirmative. These are inflicted by Assemblies and Committees, -who dare to profess themselves friends to liberty, upon the most quiet -subjects, without distinction of age or sex, for the sole crime, often -for the sole suspicion, of having adhered in principle to the government -under which they were born, and to which by every tie, divine and human, -they owe allegiance. To consummate these shocking proceedings, the -profanation of religion is added to the most profligate prostitution of -common reason; the consciences of men are set at nought; and multitudes -are compelled, not only to bear arms, but also to swear subjection to an -usurpation they abhor.</p> - -<p>Animated by these considerations; at the head of troops in the full powers -of health, discipline and valor, determined to strike when necessary, and -anxious to spare when possible; I by these presents invite and exhort all -persons, in all places where the progress of this army may point, and by -the blessing of God I will extend it far, to maintain such a conduct as -may justify me in protecting their lands, habitations, and families. The -intention of this address is to hold forth security, not depredation, to -the country.</p> - -<p>To those whom spirit and principle may induce to partake the glorious task -of redeeming their countrymen from dungeons, and reestablishing the -blessings of legal government, I offer encouragement and employment; and -upon the first intelligence of their associations, I will find means to -assist their undertakings. The domestic, the industrious, the infirm, and -even the timid inhabitants, I am desirous to protect, provided they remain -quietly at their houses; that they do not suffer their cattle to be -removed, nor their corn or forage to be secreted or destroyed; that they -do not break up their bridges or roads; nor by any other acts, directly or -indirectly, endeavor to obstruct the operations of the king's troops, or -supply or assist those of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Every species of provision brought to my camp will be paid for at an -equitable rate and in solid coin. If, notwithstanding these endeavors and -sincere inclinations to effect them, the frenzy of hostility should -remain, I trust I shall stand acquitted in the eyes of God and man, in -denouncing and executing the vengeance of the State against the willful -outcasts. The messengers of justice and of wrath await them in the field, -and devastation, famine, and every concomitant horror that a reluctant but -indispensable prosecution of military duty must occasion, will bar the way -to their return.</p> - -<p class="list2"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Barry St. Leger.</span><br> - - By order of the Commander-in-chief, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Will. Osb. Hamilton,</span> Secretary.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="page; direct">No. IV.</h2> -<br><br> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 241.]</span></p> -<br> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The</span> fury and cruelty of the Indians and Tories at and immediately after -the battle of Oriskany, is strongly set forth in the following affidavit, -the original of which is now in the office of the Secretary of State, -Albany. Dr. Younglove died about fifteen years since in the city of -Hudson. He was known to the author as a respectable man, though of strong -feelings and prejudices. Any statement of this kind, from a man of his -temperament, would be likely to receive a strong coloring, without, -however, any designed misstatement of facts.</p> - -<p>"Moses Younglove, Surgeon of General Herkimer's brigade of militia, -deposeth and saith, that being in the battle of said militia above -Oriskany on the 6th of August last, toward the close of said battle he -surrendered himself a prisoner to a savage, who immediately gave him up to -a sergeant of Sir John Johnson's regiment; soon after which, a Lieutenant -in the Indian department came up in company with several other Tories, -when said Mr. Grinnis by name, drew his tomahawk at this deponent, and -with a deal of persuasion was hardly prevailed on to spare his life. He -then plundered him of his watch, buckles, spurs, &c.; and other Tories -following his example, stripped him almost naked with a great many -threats, while they were stripping and massacring prisoners on every side. -That this deponent, on being brought before Mr. Butler, Sen., who demanded -of him what he was fighting for; to which this deponent answered, he -fought for the liberty that God and Nature gave him, and to defend himself -and dearest connexions from the massacre of savages. To which Butler -replied, 'you are a damned impudent rebel;' and so saying, immediately -turned to the savages, encouraging them to kill him, and if they did not, -the deponent and the other prisoners should be hanged on a gallows then -preparing. That several prisoners were then taken forward toward the -enemy's head-quarters with frequent scenes of horror and massacre, in -which Tories were active as well as savages; and in particular one Davis, -formerly known in Tryon County on the Mohawk river. That Lieut. Singleton, -of Sir John Johnson's regiment, being wounded, entreated the savages to -kill the prisoners, which they accordingly did, as nigh as this deponent -can judge, about six or seven."</p> - -<p>"That Isaac Paris, Esq., was also taken the same road, without receiving -from them any remarkable insult except stripping, until some Tories came -up, who kicked and abused him; after which the savages, thinking him a -notable offender, murdered him barbarously. That those of the prisoners -who were delivered up to the provost guards, were kept without victuals -for many days, and had neither clothes, blankets, shelter, nor fire; while -the guards were ordered not to use any violence in protecting the -prisoners from the savages, who came every day in large companies with -knives, feeling of the prisoners, to know who were fattest. That they -dragged one of the prisoners out of the guard with the most lamentable -cries; tortured him for a long time; and this deponent was informed, by -both Tories and Indians, that they ate him, as appears they did another -on an island in Lake Ontario, by bones found there nearly picked, just -after they had crossed the lake with the prisoners. That the prisoners who -were not delivered up, were murdered in considerable numbers from day to -day round the camp, some of them so nigh that their shrieks were heard. -That Capt. Martin, of the batteaux-men, was delivered to the Indians at -Oswego, on pretence of his having kept back some useful intelligence. That -this deponent during his imprisonment, and his fellows, were kept almost -starved for provisions; and what they drew, were of the worst kind, such -as spoiled flour, biscuit full of maggots, and mouldy, and no soap -allowed, or other method of keeping clean; and were insulted, struck, &c. -without mercy by the guards, without any provocation given. That this -deponent was informed by several sergeants orderly on Gen. St. Leger, that -twenty dollars were offered in general orders for every American scalp.</p> - -<p class="list2"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"MOSES YOUNGLOVE.</span> - - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"JOHN BARCLAY,</span> - <i>Chairman of Albany Committee.</i>"</p> -<br><br><br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br> - - - - - <h2 class="direct">No. V.</h2> -<br> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 249.]</span></p> -<br> - -<p>The following is a copy of the letter addressed to Colonel Gansevoort, -while under duress in the camp of General St. Leger, by Colonel Bellinger -and Major Frey:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> "9 <i>o'clock P. M.—Camp before Fort Stanwix,</i>}<br> - 6<i>th August,</i> 1777.}</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"It is with concern we are to acquaint you that this was the fatal day in -which the succors, which were intended for your relief, have been attacked -and defeated, with great loss of numbers killed, wounded, and taken -prisoners. Our regard for your safety and lives, and our sincere advice -to you is, if you will avoid inevitable ruin and destruction, to surrender -the fort you pretend to defend against a formidable body of troops and a -good train of artillery, which we are witnesses of; when, at the same -time, you have no farther support or relief to expect. We are sorry to -inform you that most of the principal officers are killed; to wit—Gen. -Herkimer, Colonels Cox, Seeber, Isaac Paris, Captain Graves, and many -others too tedious to mention. The British army from Canada being now -perhaps before Albany, the possession of which place of course includes -the conquest of the Mohawk river and this fort."</p> - -<p>The following endorsement is on the back of this letter. "Gen. St. Leger, -on the day of the date of this letter, made a verbal summons of the fort -by his Adjutant General and Colonel Butler, and who then handed this -letter; when Colonel Gansevoort refused any answer to a verbal summons, -unless made by General St. Leger himself, but at the mouth of his cannon."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">{FN} [In regard to the battle of Oriskany, to which the preceding note - refers, the author has received an interesting anecdote from Mr. John S. - Quackenboss, of Montgomery county, which would have formed a page in the - chapter containing an account of that battle had it come to hand in - season. The father of the author's correspondent, Abraham D. Quackenboss, - resided in the Mohawk country on the south side of the river, at the - breaking out of the war. Living as it were among the Indians, bespoke - their language as well as he did his own. Among them he had a friend, - named Bronkahorse—who, though an Indian, had been his playmate, and they - had served in the French war together under Sir William Johnson. When the - revolutionary troubles came on, Bronkahorse called upon Quackenboss, and - endeavored to persuade him to espouse the cause of the King—assuring him - that their Great Father could never be conquered. Quackenboss refused, - and they parted—the Indian, however, assuring him that they were parting - as friends, although, since they had fought in one war together, he had - hoped they might do so in the other. Mr. Q. saw no more of his friend - until the battle of Oriskany. During the thickest of the fight, he heard - his name called, in the well-known voice of Bronkahorse, from behind a - large tree near by. He was himself sheltered by a tree; but in looking - out for the warrior, he saw his Indian friend. The latter now importuned - Quackenboss to surrender, assuring him of kind treatment and protection, - but also assuring him that unless he did so, he would inevitably be - killed. Quackenboss refused, and the Indian thereupon attempted to kill - him. For a moment they watched each other, each endeavoring to obtain - the first and best chance of a shot. The Indian at length fired, and his - ball struck the tree, but had nearly been fatal. Springing from his - covert upon the Indian, Quackenboss then fired, and his friend - Bronkahorse fell dead on the spot. It was the belief of Mr. Quackenboss - that the loss of the enemy during that battle equaled that of Herkimer's - command. The latter suffered the most severely in the early part of the - engagement—the enemy in the latter part]</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="page; direct">No. VI.</h2> -<br><br> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 252.]</span></p> -<br> - -<p class="exit"> "<i>Camp before Fort Stanwix, August</i> 9, 1777</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> "Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Agreeable to your wishes, I have the honor to give you on paper, the -message of yesterday, though I cannot conceive, explicit and humane as it -was, how it could admit of more than one construction. After the defeat -of the reinforcement and the fate of all your principal leaders, in which, -naturally, you built your hopes; and having the strongest reason from -verbal intelligence, and the matter contained in the letters which fell -into my hands, and knowing thoroughly the situation of General Burgoyne's -army, to be confident you are without resource—in my fears and tenderness -for your personal safety from the hands of Indians enraged for the loss of -some of their principal and most favourite leaders—I called to council -the chiefs of all the nations; and after having used every method that -humanity could suggest to soften their minds, and lead them patiently to -bear their own losses by reflecting on the irretrievable misfortune of -their enemies, I at last labored the point my humanity wished for; which -the chiefs assured me of the next morning, after a consultation with each -nation, that evening, at their fire-places. Their answer, in its fullest -extent, they insisted should be carried by Col. Butler, which he has given -in the most categorical manner. You are well acquainted that Indians never -send messages without accompanying them with menaces on non-compliance, -that a civilized enemy would never think of doing; you may rest assured, -therefore, that no insult was meant to be offered to your situation, by -the king's servants, in the message they peremptorily demanded to be -carried by Col. Butler.</p> - -<p>"I am now to repeat what has been told you by my Adjutant General; 'That -provided you will deliver up your garrison, with every thing as it stood -at the moment the first message was sent, your people shall be treated -with every attention that a humane and generous enemy can give.'</p> - -<p class="list2"> "I have the honor to be, Sir, - Your most obedient, humble Servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Barry St. Leger,</span> - "<i>Brig. Gen. of his Majesty's forces.</i></p> - -<p>"P. S.—I expect an immediate answer, as the Indians are extremely -impatient; and if this proposal is rejected, I am afraid it will be -attended with very fatal consequences, not only to you and your garrison, -but the whole country down the Mohawk river—such consequences as will be -very repugnant to my sentiments of humanity, but after this entirely out -of my power to prevent.</p> - -<p class="list2"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Barry St. Leger.</span> - - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Col. Gansevoort,</span> <i>commanding Fort Stanwix.</i>"</p> -<br><br><br> - <hr width="80%"> - - - - - - <h2 class="direct">No. VII.</h2> -<br><br> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 253.]</span></p> -<br> - -<p class="exit"> "<i>Camp before Fort Stanwix. August</i> 13, 1777.</p> - - <p>"<i>To the Inhabitants of Tryon County.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Notwithstanding</span> the many and great injuries we have received in person -and property at your hands, and being at the head of victorious troops, -we most ardently wish to have peace restored to this once happy country; -to obtain which, we are willing and desirous, upon a proper submission on -your parts, to bury in oblivion all that is past, and hope that you are, -or will be, convinced in the end that we were your friends and good -advisers, and not such wicked, designing men, as those who led you into -error, and almost total ruin. You have, no doubt, great reason to dread -the resentment of the Indians, on account of the loss they sustained in -the late action, and the mulish obstinacy of your troops in this garrison, -who have no resource but in themselves; for which reasons the Indians -declare, that if they do not surrender the garrison without further -opposition, they will put every soul to death,—not only the garrison, but -the whole country,—without any regard to age, sex, or friends; for which -reason it is become your indispensable duty, as you must answer the -consequences, to send a deputation of your principal people, to oblige -them immediately to what, in a very little time, they must be forced,—the -surrender of the garrison; in which case we will engage, on the faith of -Christians, to protect you from the violence of the Indians.</p> - -<p>"Surrounded as you are by victorious armies, one half (if not the greater -part) of the inhabitants friends to government, without any resource, -surely you cannot hesitate a moment to accept the terms proposed to you -by friends and well-wishers to the country.</p> - -<p class="list2"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"John Johnson,</span> } - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">D. W. Claus,</span> } Superintendents. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Butler,</span> }"</p> -<br><br><br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct">No. VIII.</h2> -<br><br> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 256.]</span></p> -<br> - -<p class="hang"> "<i>By the Hon.</i> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Benedict Arnold,</span> <i>Esq. Major-general and Commander-in-chief - of the army of the United States of America on the Mohawk River.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Whereas</span> a certain Barry St. Leger, a Brigadier-general in the service of -George of Great Britain, at the head of a banditti of robbers, murderers, -and traitors, composed of savages of America, and more savage Britons, -(among whom is the noted Sir John Johnson, John Butler, and Daniel Glaus,) -have lately appeared in the frontiers of this State, and have threatened -ruin and destruction to all the inhabitants of the United States. They -have also, by artifice and misrepresentation, induced many of the ignorant -and unwary subjects of these States to forfeit their allegiance to the -same, and join with them in their atrocious crimes, and parties of -treachery and parricide.</p> - -<p>"Humanity to those poor deluded wretches, who are hastening blindfold to -destruction, induces me to offer them, and all others concerned, (whether -Savages, Germans, Americans, or Britons,) PARDON, provided they do, within -ten days from the date hereof, come in and lay down their arms, sue for -protection, and swear allegiance to the United States of America.</p> - -<p>"But if, still blind to their own interest and safety, they obstinately -persist in their wicked courses, determined to draw on themselves the just -vengeance of heaven and of this exasperated country, they must expect no -mercy from either.</p> - -<p class="list2"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">B. Arnold, M. G.</span> - - "<i>Given under my hand, Head-quarters, German Flats,</i> 20<i>th - August,</i> 1777."</p> -<br><br><br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br> - - - - <h2 class="page; direct">No. IX</h2> -<br><br> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 274.]</span></p> -<br> - - <p class="hang"><i>Extracts from Mad. de Riedesel's account of her Residence in America.</i></p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">When</span> the army broke up, on the 11th of September, 1777, I was at first -told that I must remain behind; but on my repeated entreaties, and as -other ladies had been permitted to follow the army, the same indulgence -was extended to me. We advanced by short journeys, and went through many -toils; yet I would have purchased at any price the privilege thus granted -to me of seeing daily my husband. I had sent back my baggage, and only -kept a small bundle of summer dresses. In the beginning, all went well; -we thought that there was little doubt of our being successful, and of -reaching "the promised land;" and when, on the passage across the Hudson, -general Burgoyne exclaimed, "Britons never retrograde," our spirits rose -mightily. I observed, however, with surprise, that the wives of the -officers were beforehand informed of all the military plans; and I was so -much the more struck with it, as I remembered with how much secrecy all -dispositions were made in the armies of Duke Ferdinand during the -seven-years' war. [FN] Thus the Americans anticipated our movements, and -expected us wherever we arrived; and this of course injured our affairs. -On the 19th of September, an action took place, which ended to our -advantage; but we were, in consequence, obliged to halt at a place called -Freeman's Farm. I witnessed the whole action, and knowing that my husband -was among the combatants, I was full of anxiety and care, and trembled at -every shot—and nothing escaped my ear. I saw a great number of wounded, -and, what was still worse, three of them were brought into the house where -I was. One of them was a Major Harnage, whose wife was with us; the -second, a lieutenant, whose wife was of our acquaintance; and the third, -a young English officer called Young. The Major occupied, with his wife, -a room close by to that where I was. He had received a shot through his -body, and suffered exquisite pains. A few days after our arrival, I heard -groans in another room, and was told that the young officer, whom I have -just mentioned, was lying there, and that his recovery was very doubtful. -I took much interest in him, as a family of his name had shown me great -kindness during my stay in England. He expressed a great desire to see his -benefactress, for so he called me. I went into his room, and found him on -a thin bed of straw, for he had lost his whole baggage. He was eighteen -or nineteen years old, an only son, and the nephew of the same Mr. Young -I had known in England. He lamented for his parents' sake, but said -nothing of his sufferings. He had lost much blood, and the surgeon advised -him to submit to the amputation of his wounded leg; but he would not -consent to it, though the limb had become gangrenous. I sent him pillows -and blankets, and my maids gave him their mattress. I took more and more -care of him, and visited him daily; for which he thanked me a thousand -times. At last the amputation took place; but it was too late, and he died -a few days afterwards. My room being close to his, and the walls very -thin, I heard his last moans.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Lieutenant Auburey made a similar remark when the army was yet in - Canada: "We have more dangerous enemies at home than any we have to - encounter abroad; for all the transactions that are to take place, are - publicly known long before they are officially given out in orders; and - I make no doubt but you will be as much surprised as the General - (Burgoyne) was, when I tell you that the whole operations of the ensuing - campaign were canvassed for several days before he arrived, who, no - doubt, supposed, that in giving out his orders, he was communicating an - entire secret."—[Montreal, May 20th, 1777. Vol. i, p. 203.]</p> - - <p class="quote">Great secrecy, observes the same writer, was, on the contrary, observed - in the American army.</p> - - -<p>I occupied a tolerably good house, and had a large room. The door and the -wainscot were of cedar, a sort of wood which is found in abundance here; -insects are driven away by the smell of it when it is burned, and it is -often used for that purpose; but some people believe that the smoke of it -is injurious to the nerves, and principally to females in certain -situations.</p> - -<p>For our farther march, I had caused a calash to be made for me, in which -I could take, not only my children, but also my two female attendants; and -thus I followed the army in the midst of the troops, who were in great -spirits, and sang and longed for victory. We marched through endless -forests, and a beautiful district, though deserted by the inhabitants, who -ran away at our approach to reinforce General Gates's army. They are -naturally soldiers and excellent marksmen, and the idea of fighting for -their country and their liberty increased their innate courage. My husband -was encamped with the rest of the army; being myself an hour's ride -behind the army, I went every morning to pay him a visit in the camp, and -sometimes I dined there with him, but generally he took his dinner in my -quarters. There were daily skirmishes with the enemy, generally of little -importance. But my husband could never sleep without his clothes. The -weather having already grown rougher, Colonel Williams of the artillery -thought our mutual visits were rather too fatiguing for us, and proposed -to have a house built for me with a chimney, which should not cost more -than five or six guineas, and which I could uninterruptedly inhabit. I -accepted of his offer; and the building, which was to be about twenty feet -square, was begun. Such a dwelling is called a block-house, for which logs -nearly of equal diameter are put together; and if the interstices are -filled up with clay, it is not only very solid, but very warm. I was to -take possession of it on the next day; and I rejoiced in it the more, as -the nights were damp and cold, and it being close to the camp, my husband -would be able to be with me. But all at once, on the 7th of October, he -marched away with the whole staff, and then our misfortunes began. While -breakfasting with my husband, I heard that something was under -contemplation. General Fraser, and, I believe, Generals Burgoyne and -Phillips, were to dine with me on that day. I remarked much movement in -the camp. My husband told me that it was a mere reconnaissance; and as -this was frequent, I was not much alarmed at it. On my way homeward I met -a number of Indians, armed with guns, and clad in their war dresses. -Having asked them where they were going, they replied, "War, war;" by -which they meant that they were about to fight. This made me very uneasy, -and I had scarcely got home before I heard reports of guns; and soon the -fire became brisker, till at last the noise grew dreadful, upon which I -was more dead than alive. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon, instead of -guests whom I had expected to dine with me, I saw one of them, poor -General Fraser, brought upon a hand-barrow, mortally wounded. The table, -which was already prepared for dinner, was immediately removed, and a bed -placed in its stead for the General. I sat, terrified and trembling, in a -corner. The noise grew more alarming, and I was in a continual tremor -while thinking that my husband might soon also be brought in, wounded like -General Fraser. That poor General said to the surgeon, "tell me the truth; -is there no hope?" His wound was exactly like that of Major Harnage; the -ball had passed through his body, but, unhappily for the General, he had -that morning eaten a full breakfast, by which the stomach was distended, -and the ball, as the surgeon remarked, passed directly through it. I heard -often, amidst his groans, such words as these, "<i>O bad ambition! poor -General Burgoyne! poor Mistress Fraser.</i>" Prayers were read, after which he -desired that General Burgoyne should be requested to have him buried the -next day, at six o'clock in the evening, on a hill where a breast-work had -been constructed. I knew not what to do; the entrance and all the rooms -were full of sick, in consequence of the dysentery which prevailed in the -camp. At length, toward evening, my husband came; and from that moment my -affliction was much soothed, and I breathed thanks to God. He dined with -me and the aids-de-camp in great haste, in an open space in the rear of -the house. We poor females had been told that our troops had been -victorious; but I well saw, by the melancholy countenance of my husband, -that it was quite the contrary. On going away, he took me aside to tell -me every thing went badly, and that I should prepare myself to depart, but -without saying any thing to any body. Under the pretense of removing the -next day to my new lodgings, I ordered the baggage to be packed up. Lady -Ackland's tent was near ours. She slept there, and spent the day in the -camp. On a sudden she received news that her husband was mortally wounded -and taken prisoner. She was much distressed; we endeavored to persuade her -that the wound was not so dangerous, but advised her to ask permission to -join her husband, to take care of him in his sickness. She was much -attached to him, though he was rude and intemperate; yet he was a good -officer. She was a lovely woman. I divided the night between her whom I -wished to comfort, and my children who were asleep, but who, I feared, -might disturb the poor dying General. He sent me several messages to beg -my pardon for the trouble he thought he gave me. About 3 o'clock I was -informed that he could not live much longer, and as I did not wish to be -present at his last struggle, I wrapped my children in blankets, and -retired into the entrance hall. At 8 o'clock in the morning he expired.</p> -<br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br> -<p>Orders had already been issued that the army should break up immediately -after the funeral, and our calashes were ready. I was unwilling to depart -sooner. Major Harnage, though hardly able to walk a step, left his bed, -that he might not remain in the hospital, upon which a flag of truce had -been erected. When he saw me thus in the midst of danger, he drove my -children and female attendants into the vehicle, and told me that I had -not a moment to lose. I begged to be permitted to remain a little longer. -"Do what you please," replied he; "but your children I must at least -save." This touched my most tender feelings; I sprang into the carriage, -and at 8 o'clock we departed.</p> - -<p>Profound silence had been recommended to us; large fires were lighted, and -many tents were left untouched, to conceal our movement from the enemy. -We proceeded on our way the whole night. Frederica was afraid, and began -to cry; I was obliged to press a handkerchief to her mouth.</p> - -<p>We were halted at six o'clock in the morning, to our general amazement. -General Burgoyne ordered the artillery to be drawn up in a line; and to -have it counted. This gave much dissatisfaction, as a few marches more -would have ensured our safety. My husband was exhausted by fatigue, and -took a seat in the calash, where my maids made room for him; and he slept -for three hours upon my shoulder. In the mean time Captain Willoe brought -me his pocket-book, containing bank notes, and Captain Geismar, a -beautiful watch, a ring, and a well provided purse, requesting me to keep -them, which I promised to do to the last. At length we recommenced our -march; but scarcely an hour had elapsed before the army was again halted, -because the enemy was in sight. They were but two hundred in number, who -came to reconnoiter, and who might easily have been taken had not General -Burgoyne lost all his presence of mind. The rain fell in torrents. Lady -Ackland had caused her tent to be fixed up, I again suggested to her the -propriety of rejoining her husband, to whom she might be of great service -in his present situation. Yielding to my advice, she sent a message to -General Burgoyne, through his aid-de-camp Lord Petersham, to beg his -permission to leave the army. I told her that she need only insist upon -it, and she would certainly succeed. The Rev. Mr. Brudenel accompanied -her, and they went together in a boat, with a flag of truce, to the enemy. -There is a well-known and fine engraving of that event. I afterward met -with lady Ackland at Albany, when her husband was almost entirely -recovered; and both thanked me for my advice. On the 9th, it rained -terribly the whole day; nevertheless we kept ourselves ready to march. The -savages had lost their courage, and they walked off in all directions. The -least untoward event made them dispirited, especially when there was no -opportunity for plunder.</p> -<br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br> -<p>We reached Saratoga about dark, which was but half an hour's march from -the place where we had spent the day. I was quite wet, and was obliged to -remain in that condition for want of a place to change my apparel. I -seated myself near the fire, and undressed the children, and we then laid -ourselves upon some straw. I asked General Phillips, who came to see how -I was, why we did not continue our retreat, my husband having pledged -himself to cover the movement, and to bring off the army In safety. "My -poor lady," said he, "you astonish me. Though quite wet, you have so much -courage as to wish to go farther in this weather. What a pity it is that -you are not our commanding general! He complains of fatigue, and has -determined upon spending the night here, and giving us a supper." It is -very true that General Burgoyne liked to make himself easy, and that he -spent half his nights in singing and drinking, and diverting himself with -the wife of a commissary, who was his mistress, and who was as fond of -Champaign as himself. I refreshed myself at 7 o'clock the next morning, -(the 10th of October,) with a cup of tea, and we all expected that we -should soon continue our march. General Burgoyne had given orders to set -fire to General Schuyler's fine buildings and mills at Saratoga, for the -purpose of securing our retreat. An English officer brought me some good -soup, and insisted that I should partake of it. After this, we continued -our march; but only for a short time. There was much misery and disorder -in the army. The commissaries had forgotten to distribute provisions, -though we had an abundance of cattle. I saw more than thirty officers, who -complained bitterly of hunger. I gave them coffee and tea, and every thing -eatable that I had in my calash.</p> -<br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br> -<p>Our calashes remained in readiness to depart. Every body advised a -retreat, and my husband pledged himself to effect that movement, if no -time was lost. But General Burgoyne, who had been promised an Order, if -he should effect his junction with General Howe, could not be persuaded to -it, and lost every thing by his dilatoriness. About 2 o'clock we heard -again a report of muskets and cannon, and there was much alarm and bustle -among our troops. My husband sent me word that I should immediately retire -into a house which was not far off. I got into my calash with my children; -and when we were near the house, I saw, on the opposite bank of the -Hudson, five or six men, who aimed at us with their guns. Without knowing -what I did, I threw my children into the back part of the vehicle, and -laid myself upon them. At the same moment the fellows fired, and broke the -arm of a poor English soldier, who stood behind us, and who, being already -wounded, sought a shelter. Soon after our arrival a terrible cannonade -began, and the fire was principally directed against the house, where we -had hoped to find a refuge, probably because the enemy inferred, from the -great number of people who went towards it, that this was the -head-quarters of the Generals, while, in reality, none were there except -women and crippled soldiers. We were at last obliged to descend into the -cellar, where I laid myself in a corner near the door. My children put -their heads upon my knees. An abominable smell, the cries of the children, -and my own anguish of mind, did not permit me to close my eyes during the -whole night. On the next morning the cannonade begun anew, but in a -different direction. I advised my fellow-sufferers to withdraw, for a -while, from the cellar, in order to give time to clean it, for we should -otherwise injure our health. On an inspection of our retreat, I discovered -that there were three cellars, spacious and well vaulted. I suggested that -one of them should be appropriated to the use of the officers who were -most severely wounded, the next to the females, and the third, which was -nearest to the staircase, to all the rest of the company. We were just -going down, when a new thunder of cannon threw us again into alarm. Many -persons, who had no right to enter, threw themselves against the door. My -children were already at the bottom of the staircase, and every one of us -would probably have been crushed to death, had I not put myself before -the entrance and resisted the intruders. Eleven cannon-balls passed -through the house, and made a tremendous noise. A poor soldier, who was -about to have a leg amputated, lost the other by one of these balls. All -his comrades ran away at that moment, and when they returned, they found -him in one corner of the room in the agonies of death. I was myself in the -deepest distress, not so much on account of my own dangers, as of those to -which my husband was exposed, who, however, frequently sent me messages, -inquiring after my health. Major Harnage's wife, a Mrs. Reynell, the wife -of the good lieutenant who had, on the preceding day, shared his soup with -me, the wife of the commissary, and myself, were the only officers' wives -at present with the army. We sat together, deploring our situation, when -somebody having entered, all my companions exchanged looks of deep sorrow, -whispering at the same time to one another. I immediately suspected that -my husband had been killed. I shrieked aloud; but was immediately told -that nothing had happened to my husband, and was given to understand, by -a sidelong glance, that the Lieutenant had been killed. His wife was soon -called out, and found that the Lieutenant was yet alive, though one of his -arms had been shot off, near the shoulder, by a cannon-ball. We heard his -groans and lamentations during the whole night, which were dreadfully -re-echoed through the vaulted cellars; and in the morning he expired. My -husband came to visit me during the night, which served to diminish my -sadness and dejection in some degree. On the next morning we thought of -making our cellar a more convenient residence. Major Harnage and his wife, -and Mrs. Reynell, took possession of one corner, and transformed it into -a kind of closet by means of a curtain. I was also to have a similar -retreat; but I preferred to remain near the door, that I might escape more -easily in case of fire. I had straw put under my mattresses, and on these -I laid myself with my children; and my female servants slept near us. -Opposite to us were three officers, who, though wounded, were determined -not to remain behind if the army retreated. One of them was Captain Green, -aid-de-camp to General Phillips, and a very amiable and worthy gentleman.. -All three swore they would not depart without me in case of a sudden -retreat, and that each of them would take one of my children on his horse. -One of my husband's horses was constantly in readiness for myself. Mr. -de Riedesel thought often of sending me to the American camp, to save me -from danger; but I declared that nothing would be more painful to me than -to live on good terms with those with whom he was fighting; upon which he -consented that I should continue to follow the army. However, the -apprehension that he might have marched away repeatedly intruded itself -into my mind; and I crept up the staircase, more than once, to confirm or -dispel my fears; and when I saw our soldiers near their watch-fires, I -became more calm, and could even have slept.</p> -<br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br> -<p>The want of water continuing to distress us, we could not but be extremely -glad to find a soldier's wife so spirited as to fetch some from the river, -an occupation from which the boldest might have shrunk, as the Americans -shot every one who approached it. They told us afterwards that they spared -her on account of her sex.</p> - -<p>I endeavored to dispel my melancholy, by continually attending to the -wounded. I made them tea and coffee, for which I received their warmest -acknowledgments. I often shared my dinner with them. One day a Canadian -officer came creeping into our cellar, and was hardly able to say that he -was dying with hunger. I felt happy to offer him my dinner, by eating -which he recovered his health and I gained his friendship. On our return -to Canada I became acquainted with his family.</p> - -<p>I also took care of Major Bloomfield, who was wounded by a musket-ball, -which passed through both his cheeks, knocked out his teeth and injured -his tongue. He could retain nothing in his mouth, and soup and liquids -were his only nourishment. Fortunately we had some Rhenish wine, and in -the hope that the acidity would contribute to heal his wound, I gave him -a bottle, of which he took a little now and then, and with such effect -that he was soon cured. I thus acquired a new friend, and enjoyed some -happiness in the midst of cares and sufferings, which otherwise would have -weighed heavily upon my spirits. On one of these mournful days, General -Phillips, wishing to pay me a visit, accompanied my husband, who came once -or twice daily, at the risk of his life; and seeing our situation, and -observing the entreaties I made to my husband not to be left behind, in -case the army should suddenly break up, and my reluctance to fall into the -hands of the enemy, he plead my cause, and said, on retiring "I would not, -for ten thousand guineas, see this place again. I am heart-broken with -what I have seen."</p> - -<p>All our companions, however, did not deserve so much commiseration. We had -some in our cellars who ought not to have been there, and who afterwards, -when we were prisoners, were in perfect health, and walked about quite -erect, and strutted as much as they could. We remained six days in this -doleful retreat. At last a capitulation was talked of, in consequence of -having lost, by useless delays, the opportunity of effecting our retreat. -A cessation of hostilities took place, and my husband, who was quite -exhausted by fatigue, could now, for the first time, sleep quietly in a -little chamber, while I retired with my children and the maid-servants -into the adjoining room. Towards one o'clock a person came and asked to -speak with him. I was very reluctant to awaken him at that hour of the -night; and I soon observed that the errand did not much please him, for -he immediately sent the messenger back to the head-quarters, and laid -himself down again, out of humor. Soon after this General Burgoyne sent -for all the Generals and field-officers to attend a council of war early -next morning, when he proposed to break the capitulation, in consequence -of some groundless information he had received. It was, however, decided -that this step was neither advisable nor practicable; and this -determination was very fortunate for us, as the Americans told us -after-wards, that, had we broken the treaty, we should all have been cut -to pieces. This they could easily have done, as our army was reduced to -four or five thousand men, while we had given them time to raise theirs -to twenty thousand. On the morning of the 16th, however, my husband was -obliged to repair to his post, and I to my cellar.</p> - -<p>On the 17th of October the capitulation was carried into effect. The -Generals waited upon the American General Gates, and the troops -surrendered themselves prisoners of war, and laid down their arms. The -time had now come for the good woman, who had risked her life to supply -us with water, to receive the reward of her services. Each of us threw a -handful of money into her apron; and she thus received more than twenty -guineas. At such a moment at least, if at no other, the heart easily -overflows with gratitude.</p> -<br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br> -<p>When I drew near the tents, a good-looking man advanced towards me, and -helped the children from the calash, and kissed and caressed them; he then -offered me his arm, and tears trembled in his eyes. "You tremble," said -he; "do not be alarmed, I pray you." "Sir," cried I, "a countenance so -expressive of benevolence, and the kindness which you have evinced towards -my children, are sufficient to dispel all apprehension." He then ushered -me into the tent of General Gates, whom I found engaged in friendly -conversation with Generals Burgoyne and Phillips. General Burgoyne said -to me: "You can now be quiet, and free from all apprehension of danger." -I replied that I should indeed be reprehensible if I felt any anxiety when -our General felt none, and was on such friendly terms with General Gates.</p> - -<p>All the Generals remained to dine with General Gates. The gentleman who -had received me with so much kindness, came and said to me, "You may find -it embarrassing to be the only lady in such a large company of gentlemen; -will you come with your children to my tent, and partake of a frugal -dinner, offered with the best will?" "By the kindness you show to me," -returned I, "you induce me to believe that you have a wife and children." -He informed me that he was General Schuyler. He regaled me with smoked -tongues, which were excellent, with beefsteaks, potatoes, fresh butter, -and bread. Never did a dinner give so much pleasure as this. I was easy, -after many months of anxiety; and I read the same happy change in those -around me. That my husband was out of danger, was a still greater cause -of joy. After our dinner, General Schuyler begged me to pay him a visit -at his house near Albany, where he expected that General Burgoyne would -also be his guest. I sent to ask my husband's directions, who advised me -to accept the invitation. As we were two days' journey from Albany, and -it was now near five o'clock in the afternoon, he wished me to endeavor -to reach, on that day, a place distant about three hours ride. General -Schuyler carried his civilities so far as to solicit a well-bred French -officer to accompany me on that first part of my journey.</p> -<br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br> -<p>On the next day, we reached Albany, where we had so often wished -ourselves; but we did not enter that city, as we hoped we should, with a -victorious army. The reception, however, which we met with from General -Schuyler, his wife and daughters, was not like the reception of enemies, -but of the most intimate friends. They loaded us with kindness; and they -behaved in the same manner towards General Burgoyne, though he had ordered -their splendid establishment to be burnt, and without any necessity as it -was said. But all their actions proved, that at the sight of the -misfortunes of others they quickly forgot their own. General Burgoyne was -so much affected by this generous deportment, that he said to General -Schuyler, "You are too kind to me, who have done you so much injury." -"Such is the fate of war," replied he; "let us not dwell on this subject." -We remained three days with that excellent family, and they seemed to -regret our departure.</p> -<br><br><br> - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br> -<p>The following account of a visit to the field of Saratoga, on the fiftieth -Anniversary of that battle, viz: October 17, 1827, was written immediately -afterward for the use of the author of the present work. The writer, the -venerable Samuel Woodruff, Esq. of Windsor, (Conn.) it need not be added, -was a participator in the battle:—</p> - -<p class="exit"> Windsor, Conn. Oct. 31, 1827.</p> - -<p class="list"><span style="font-variant:small-caps"> My Dear Sir,</span>—</p> - -<p>You may remember when I had the pleasure to dine with you at New-York, on -the 14th inst. I had set out on a tour to Saratoga, to gratify a desire I -felt, and which had long been increasing, to view the battle-grounds at -that place, and the spot on which the royal army under the command of -General Burgoyne surrendered to General Gates on the 17th of October, -1777.</p> - -<p>I thought it would add something to the interest of that view to me, to be -there on the 17th, exactly half a century after that memorable event took -place. You will excuse me for entering a little into the feelings of Uncle -Toby respecting Dendermond, in the compressed and hastily written journal -I kept of my tour, especially as you will take into consideration that I -had the honor to serve as a volunteer under General Gates part of that -campaign, and was in the battle of the 7th of October.</p> - -<p>I take the liberty to inclose to you an extract of that part of my journal -which embraces the principal object of my tour.</p> - -<p>Oct. 17th.—After a short stop in Troy, took another stage for -Saratoga;—at Lansingburgh, a neat and handsome village, about three miles -from Troy, crossed the Hudson on a covered bridge of excellent -workmanship, over to Waterford, (Old Half Moon Point,) another rich and -flourishing village. Arrived at Fish creek in Saratoga at half past 2 -P. M. through a beautiful, well-cultivated interval of alluvial land on -the west side of the Hudson—every thing from Albany to this place wears -the appearance of wealth and comfort. Put up at Mr. Barker's tavern. After -dinner viewed the ruins of the British fortifications and head-quarters -of Gen. Burgoyne. He kept his quarters for several days at a house, now -standing and in good repair, about a mile north of Fish creek, on the west -side of the road, owned by Mr. Busher, an intelligent farmer about -seventy-five years of age. While Burgoyne held his head-quarters at this -house, Baron Reidesel, of the royal army, obtained leave of the -Commander-in-chief to place his lady the Baroness and their three small -children under the same protection;—these were also accompanied by lady -Ackland and some other ladies, wives of British officers. At that time -some of the American troops were stationed on the east bank of the Hudson, -opposite the house, in fair view of it, and within cannon-shot distance. -Observing considerable moving of persons about the house, the Americans -supposed it the <i>rendezvous</i> of the British officers, and commenced a brisk -cannonade upon it. Several shot struck and shattered the house. The -Baroness with her children fled into the cellar for safety, and placed -herself and them at the north-east corner, where they were well protected -by the cellar wall. A British surgeon by the name of Jones, having his leg -broken by a cannon ball, was at this time brought in, and laid on the -floor of the room which the Baroness and the other ladies had just left. -A cannon ball entered the house near the north-east corner of the room, -a few inches above the floor, and passing through, broke and mangled the -other leg of the poor surgeon. Soon after this he expired. Mr. Busher -very civilly conducted me into the room, cellar, and other parts of the -house, pointing out the places where the balls entered, &c. From hence I -proceeded to, and viewed with very great interest, the spot where Gen. -Burgoyne, attended by his staff, presented his sword to Gen. Gates; also, -the ground on which the arms, &c., of the royal army were stacked and -piled. This memorable place is situated on the flat, north side of Fish -creek, about forty rods west of its entrance into the Hudson, and through -which the Champlain canal now passes.</p> - -<p>Contiguous to this spot is the N. W. angle of old Fort Hardy, a military -work thrown up and occupied by the French, under Gen. Dieskau, in the year -1755. The lines of intrenchment embrace, as I should judge, about fifteen -acres of ground. The outer works yet retain the appearance of a strong -fortification, bounded south on the north side of Fish creek, and east on -the west bank of the Hudson. Human bones, fragments of fire-arms, swords, -balls, tools, implements, broken crockery, &c. &c., are frequently picked -up on this ground.</p> - -<p>In excavating the earth for the Champlain canal, which passes a few rods -west of this fort, such numbers of human skeletons were found as render -it highly probable this was the cemetery of the French garrison.</p> - -<p>About twenty or thirty rods west of the aqueduct for the canal over Fish -creek, stood Gen. Schuyler's mills, which were burned by order of Gen. -Burgoyne.</p> - -<p>Gen. Schuyler's dwelling-house also, and his other buildings, standing on -a beautiful area a little south-east of the mills on the south side of the -creek, suffered the same fate. The mills have been rebuilt and are now in -operation, at the same place where the former stood. The grandson of Gen. -Schuyler now lives in a house erected on the site of the former dwelling -of his father—a covered bridge across the creek adjoining the mills.</p> - -<p>I cannot, in this place, omit some short notices of Gen. P. Schuyler. It -seems he was commander-in-chief of the northern army until the latter part -of August, 1777, at which time he was superseded by Gen. Gates.</p> - -<p>I remember at that time there was some excitement in the public mind, and -much dissatisfaction expressed on account of that measure; and with my -limited means of knowledge, I have never been able to learn what good -reason induced his removal. Few men in our country at that time ranked -higher than Gen. Schuyler in all the essential qualities of the patriot, -the gentleman, the soldier, and scholar. True to the cause of liberty, he -made sacrifices which few were either able or willing to bear. The -nobility of soul he possessed, distinguished him from ordinary men, and -pointed him out as one deserving of public confidence.</p> - -<p>At the surrender of the royal army, he generously invited Gen. Burgoyne, -his suite, and several of the principal officers, with their ladies, to -his house at Albany; where, at his own expense, he fed and lodged them for -two or three weeks with the kindest hospitality.</p> - -<p>This is the man, who, a few days before, had suffered immense loss in his -mills and other buildings at Fish creek, burned by order of the same -Burgoyne who had now become his guest.</p> - -<p>Respecting Gen. Gates, I will only say, <i>finis coronet opus.</i></p> - -<p>Oct. 18th.—At 7 A. M. started on foot to view some other and equally -interesting places connected with the campaign of 1777. Three miles and a -half south of Fish creek, called at the house of a Mr. Smith, in which -Gen. Fraser died of wounds received in the battle of the 7th October, and -near which house, in one of the British redoubts, that officer was buried. -This house then stood by the road on the west margin of the intervale, at -the foot of the rising ground. A turnpike road having since been -constructed, running twenty or thirty rods east of the old road, the -latter has been discontinued, and Mr. Smith has drawn the house and placed -it on the west side of the turnpike.</p> - -<p>Waiving, for the present, any farther notices of this spot, I shall -attempt a concise narrative of the two hostile armies for a short period -anterior to the great battle of the 7th of October.</p> - -<p>The object of the British General was to penetrate as far as Albany, at -which place, by concert, he was to meet Sir Henry Clinton, then with a -fleet and army lying at New-York. In the early part of September, Gen. -Burgoyne had advanced with his army from Fort Edward, and crossed the -Hudson with his artillery, baggage wagons, &c., on a bridge of boats, and -intrenched the troops on the highlands in Saratoga. On the 19th of -September they left their intrenchments, and moved south by a slow and -cautious march toward the American camp, which was secured by a line of -intrenchments and redoubts on Behmus's heights, running from west to east -about half a mile in length, terminating at the east end on the west side -of the intervale.</p> - -<p>Upon the approach of the royal army, the American forces sallied forth -from their camp, and met the British about a mile north of the American -lines. A severe conflict ensued, and many brave officers and men fell on -both sides. The ground on which this battle was fought was principally -covered with standing wood. This circumstance somewhat embarrassed the -British troops in the use of their field artillery, and afforded some -advantage to the Americans, particularly the riflemen under the command -of the brave Col. Morgan, who did great execution. Night, which has so -often and so kindly interposed to stop the carnage of conflicting hosts, -put an end to the battle. Neither party claimed a victory. The royal army -withdrew in the night, leaving the field and their slain, with some of -their wounded, in possession of the Americans. The loss of killed and -wounded, as near as could be ascertained, was, on the part of the British, -600; and on that of the Americans, about 350. The bravery and firmness of -the American forces displayed this day, convinced the British officers of -the difficulty, if not utter impossibility of continuing their march to -Albany. The season for closing the campaign in that northern region was -advancing—the American army was daily augmenting by militia, volunteers, -and the "two months men," as they were then called. The fear that the two -royal armies might effect their junction at Albany, aroused the -neighboring states of New England, and drew from New Hampshire, -Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont, a large body of determined -soldiers. Baum's defeat at Bennington had inspired them with new hopes -and invigorated their spirits.</p> - -<p>Under these circumstances, inauspicious to the hostile army, the British -commander-in-chief summoned a council of war; the result of which was to -attempt a retreat across the Hudson to Fort Edward. Gen. Gates, -apprehending the probability of this measure, seasonably detached a -portion of his force to intercept and cut off the retreat, should that be -attempted.</p> - -<p>Many new and unexpected difficulties now presented themselves. The boats -which had served the British army for a bridge, being considered by them -as of no further use, had been cut loose, and most of them floated down -the river. The construction of rafts sufficient for conveying over their -artillery and heavy baggage, would be attended with great danger as well -as loss of time. The bridges over the creeks had been destroyed; great -quantities of trees had been felled across the roads by order of the -American General; and another thing, not of the most trifling nature, Fort -Edward was already in possession of the Americans. In this perplexing -dilemma the royal army found themselves completely <i>check-mated.</i> A retreat, -however, was attempted, but soon abandoned. Situated as they now were, -between two fires, every motion they made was fraught with danger and -loss. They retired to their old entrenched camp.</p> - -<p>Several days elapsed without any very active operations on either side. -This interval of time was, however, improved by the royal army in -preparations to make one desperate effort to force the line of the -American camp, and cut their way through on their march to Albany. The -American army improved the meantime in strengthening their outer works, -arranging their forces, and placing the <i>Continentals</i> on the north side of -the intrenchments, where valiant men were expected; thus preparing to -defend every point of attack; Morgan, with his riflemen, to form the left -flank in the woods.</p> - -<p>During these few days of "dreadful preparation," information daily arrived -in our camp, by deserters and otherwise, that an attack would soon be made -upon the line of our intrenchments at Behmus's heights, near the -head-quarters of Gen. Gates.</p> - -<p>The expected conflict awakened great anxiety among the American troops, -but abated nothing of that sterling intrepidity and firmness which they -had uniformly displayed in the hour of danger; all considered that the -expected conflict would be decisive of the campaign at least, if not of -the war in which we had been so long engaged. Immense interests were at -stake. Should Gen. Burgoyne succeed in marching his army to Albany, Gen. -Clinton, without any considerable difficulty, would there join him with -another powerful English army, and a fleet sufficient to command the -Hudson from thence to New-York. Should this junction of force take place, -all the states east of the Hudson would be cut off from all efficient -communication with the western and southern states.</p> - -<p>In addition to this there were other considerations of the deepest -concern. The war had already been protracted to a greater length of time -than was expected on either side at the commencement. The resources of the -country, which were at first but comparatively small in respect to those -things necessary for war, began to fail; the term of enlistment of many -of the soldiers had expired.</p> - -<p>We had no public money, and no government to guarantee the payment of -wages to the officers and soldiers, nor to those who furnished supplies -for the troops. Under these discouraging circumstances it became extremely -difficult to raise recruits for the army. During the year 1776 and the -fore part of '77, the Americans suffered greatly by sickness, and were -unsuccessful in almost every rencontre with the enemy. Men's hearts, even -the stoutest, began to fail. This was indeed the most gloomy period of the -war of the revolution.</p> - -<p>On the 7th of October, about 10 o'clock, A. M. the royal army commenced -their march, and formed their line of battle on our left, near Behmus's -heights, with Gen. Fraser at their head. Our pickets were driven in about -one o'clock P. M. and were followed by the British troops on a quick -march to within fair musket shot distance of the line of our -entrenchments. At this moment commenced a tremendous discharge of cannon -and musketry, which was returned with equal spirit by the Americans.</p> - -<p>For thirty or forty minutes the struggle at the breastworks was maintained -with great obstinacy. Several charges with fixed bayonets were made by the -English grenadiers with but little effect. Great numbers fell on both -sides. The ardor of this bloody conflict continued for some tune without -any apparent advantage gained by either party. At length, however, the -assailants began to give way, preserving good order in a regular but slow -retreat—loading, wheeling, and firing, with considerable effect. The -Americans followed up the advantage they had gained, by a brisk and -well-directed fire of field-pieces and musketry. Col. Morgan with his -riflemen hung upon the left wing of the retreating enemy, and galled them -by a most destructive fire. The line of battle now became extensive, and -most of the troops of both armies were brought into action. The principal -part of the ground on which this hard day's work was done, is known by the -name of "Freeman's farms." It was then covered by a thin growth of -pitch-pine wood without under brush, excepting one lot of about six or -eight acres, which had been cleared and fenced. On this spot the British -grenadiers, under the command of the brave Major Ackland, made a stand, -and brought together some of their field artillery; this little field -soon became literally "the field of blood." These grenadiers, the flower -of the royal army, unaccustomed to yield to any opposing force in fair -field, fought with that obstinate spirit which borders on madness. Ackland -received a ball through both legs, which rendered him unable to walk or -stand. This occurrence hastened the retreat of the grenadiers, leaving the -ground thickly strewed with their dead and wounded.</p> - -<p>The battle was continued by a brisk running fire until dark. The victory -was complete; leaving the Americans masters of the field. Thus ended a -battle of the highest importance in its consequences, and which added -great lustre to the American arms. I have seen no official account of the -numbers killed and wounded; but the loss on the part of the British must -have been great, and that on the part of the Americans not inconsiderable. -The loss of general officers suffered by the royal army was peculiarly -severe. But to return to the Smith house. I made known to the Smith family -the object of my calling upon them; found them polite and intelligent, and -learned from them many interesting particulars respecting the battle of the -7th of October. For several days previous to that time Gen. Burgoyne had -made that house his head-quarters, accompanied by several general officers -and their ladies, among whom were Gen. Fraser, the Baron and Baroness -Reidesel, and their children.</p> - -<p>The circumstances attending the fall of this gallant officer have -presented a question about which military men are divided in opinion. The -facts seem to be agreed, that soon after the commencement of the action, -Gen. Arnold, knowing the military character and efficiency of Gen. Fraser, -and observing his motions in leading and conducting the attack, said to -Col. Morgan, "that officer upon a grey horse is of himself a host, and -must be disposed of. Direct the attention of some of the sharp-shooters -among your riflemen to him." Morgan, nodding his assent to Arnold, -repaired to his riflemen, and made known to them the hint given by Arnold. -Immediately upon this, the crupper of the grey horse was cut off by a rifle -bullet, and within the next minute another passed through the horse's -mane, a little back of his ears. An aid of Fraser noticing this, observed -to him, "Sir, it is evident that you are marked out for particular aim; -would it not be prudent for you to retire from this place?" Fraser -replied, "my duty forbids me to fly from danger;" and immediately received -a bullet through his body. A few grenadiers were detached to carry him to -the Smith house.</p> - -<p>Having introduced the name of Arnold, it may be proper to note here, that -although he had no regular command that day, he volunteered his service, -was early on the ground, and in the hottest part of the struggle at the -redoubts. He behaved, (as I then thought,) more like a madman than a cool -and discreet officer. Mounted on a brown horse, he moved incessantly at a -full gallop back and forth, until he received a wound in his leg, and his -horse was shot under him. I happened to be near him when he fell, and -assisted in getting him into a litter to be carried to head-quarters.</p> - -<p>Late in the evening Gen. Burgoyne came in, and a tender scene took place -between him and Fraser. Gen. Fraser was the idol of the British army, and -the officer on whom, of all others, Burgoyne placed the greatest reliance. -He languished through the night, and expired at 8 o'clock the next -morning. While on his death-bed he advised Burgoyne, without delay, to -propose to Gen. Gates terms of capitulation, and prevent the further -effusion of blood; that the situation of his army was now hopeless; they -could neither advance nor retreat. He also requested that he might be -buried in the <i>great redoubt</i>—his body to be borne thither between sunset -and dark, by a body of the grenadiers, without parade or ceremony. This -request was strictly complied with.</p> - -<p>After viewing the house to my satisfaction, I walked up to the place of -interment. It is situated on an elevated piece of ground, commanding an -extensive view of the Hudson, and a great length of the beautiful -interval on each side of it. I was alone; the weather was calm and serene. -Reflections were awakened in my mind which I am wholly unable to describe. -Instead of the bustle and hum of the camp, and <i>confused</i> noise of the -battle of the warrior, and the shouts of victory which I here witnessed -fifty years ago, all was now silent as the abodes of the dead. And indeed -far, far the greatest part of both those armies who were then in active -life at and near this spot, are now mouldering in their graves, like that -valiant officer whose remains are under my feet,—"their memories and -their names lost,"—while God, in his merciful Providence, has preserved -my life, and after the lapse of half a century has afforded me an -opportunity of once more viewing those places which force upon my mind -many interesting recollections of my youthful days.</p> - -<p>Oct. 19th.—On my return down the river from Albany to New-York, in the -steamboat "North America," I had leisure and opportunity for reflecting -upon the immense wealth and resources of the state of New-York—greater -I believe, at this time than that of any other two states in the Union. -It would be hazarding nothing to say, that this single state possesses -more physical power, and more of the "sinews of war," than were employed -by the whole thirteen states through the war of the revolution. This, -among other considerations, led me to the reflection how honorable it -would be to the state, and how deserving of the occasion, that a monument -be erected at or near the place where the royal army surrendered by -capitulation on the 17th of October, 1777, in commemoration of an event -so important in our national history. The battle of the 7th of October -may be considered, in its effects and consequences, as the termination -of the war, with as much propriety as that of Bunker's Hill was the -commencement of it.</p> - -<p class="list2"> I am. Sir, - Very respectfully yours, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">SAMUEL WOODRUFF. - - William L. Stone,</span> Esq.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct">End of vol. I.</h2> - - - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea ( -Vol. I.), by William L. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> - -</html> diff --git a/old/52072-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/52072-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6bacdba..0000000 --- a/old/52072-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52072-h/images/marchorder.jpg b/old/52072-h/images/marchorder.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7e359b1..0000000 --- a/old/52072-h/images/marchorder.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52072-h/images/title.jpg b/old/52072-h/images/title.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6bacdba..0000000 --- a/old/52072-h/images/title.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52072-h/images/verso.jpg b/old/52072-h/images/verso.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ece1835..0000000 --- a/old/52072-h/images/verso.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52072.txt b/old/52072.txt deleted file mode 100644 index abf087e..0000000 --- a/old/52072.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,21800 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea ( Vol. -I.), by William L. Stone - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea ( Vol. I.) - Including the Border Wars of the American Revolution . . . - -Author: William L. Stone - -Release Date: May 15, 2016 [EBook #52072] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF JOSEPH BRANT, VOL 1 *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Burch with scans from the Internet Archive. - - - - -[ILLUSTRATION: Cover] - - - - -{Transcriber's Note: Quotation marks have been standardized to modern -usage. Footnotes have been placed to immediately follow the paragraphs -referencing them.} - - - - - LIFE OF BRANDT - - - - - Life - of - - JOSEPH BRANT--THAYENDANEGEA: - INCLUDING - THE BORDER WARS - OF THE - AMERICAN REVOLUTION, - AND - SKETCHES OF THE INDIAN CAMPAIGNS OF GENERALS - HARMAR, ST. CLAIR, AND WAYNE. - AND OTHER MATTERS - CONNECTED WITH THE INDIAN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES - AND GREAT BRITAIN FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO - THE INDIAN PEACE OF 1795. - - - BY WILLIAM L. STONE. - - - IN TWO VOLUMES. - VOL. I. - - - NEW-YORK: - ALEXANDER V. BLAKE, 38 GOLD STREET. - 1838. - - - - - [Entered according to Act of Congress of the United States of America - in the year 1838, by George Dearborn & co., in the Clerk's Office of - the District Court for the Southern District of New-York.] - - - New-York: - Printed by Scatcherd & Adams. - No. 38 Gold Street. - - - - - TO THE HONORABLE - - STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER, - - OF ALBANY, - -These volumes are most respectfully inscribed. If the efforts of the -writer to illustrate more fully and minutely than has hitherto been done, -the most interesting portion of American history, in its immediate -connection with the large and populous State of which The Patroon has -so long been one of the most distinguished citizens, shall be so -fortunate as to merit the regard, and receive the approbation, of one -so excellently qualified to judge of its interest and value, there will -be nothing left unsatisfied to the ambition and the hopes of - - His friend and servant, - THE AUTHOR. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - * * * * * - - CHAPTER I. - - Birth and parentage--Discussion of the doubts cast upon his origin--Visit - of Mohawk chiefs to Queen Anne--Evidence of Brant's descent from one - of those--Digression from the main subject, and Extracts from the - private and official journals of Sir William Johnson--Connexion between - Sir William and the family of Brant--Incidental references to the old - French war--Illustrations of Indian proceedings, speeches, &c.--Brant's - parentage satisfactorily established--Takes the field in the Campaign - of Lake George (1765.)--Is engaged at the conquest of Niagara - (1759.)--Efforts of Sir William Johnson to civilize the Indians--Brant - is sent, with other Indian youths, to the Moor Charity School, at - Lebanon--Leaves school--Anecdote--Is engaged on public business by Sir - William--As an Interpreter for the Missionaries--Again takes the field, - in the wars against Pontiac--Intended massacre at Detroit--Ultimate - overthrow of Pontiac--First marriage of Brant--Entertains the - Missionaries--Again employed on public business--Death of his - wife--Engages with Mr. Stewart in translating the Scriptures--Marries - again--Has serious religious impressions--Selects a bosom friend and - confidant, after the Indian custom--Death of his friend--His grief, and - refusal to choose another friend. - Page 1 - - CHAPTER II. - - Early symptoms of disaffection at Boston--Origin of the Revolutionary - War--First blood shed in 1770--Stirring eloquence of Joseph - Warren--Feelings of Sir William Johnson--His influence with the Indians - and Germans, and his unpleasant position--Last visit of Sir William to - England--His death--Mysterious circumstances attending it--Suspicions - of suicide unjust--His son, Sir John Johnson, succeeds to his title and - estates--His son-in-law, Col. Guy Johnson, to his office as - superintendent General of the Indians--Early life of Sir John--Joseph - Brant appointed Secretary to Guy Johnson--Influence of the Johnson - family--Revolutionary symptoms in County, fomented by the - proceedings in New England--First meeting of Tryon County - Whigs--Declaration of Rights--First meeting of Congress--Effect of its - proceedings--in England--Tardiness of Provincial legislature of - New-York--Spirit of the people--Notes of preparation in Massachusetts, - &c.--Overt acts of rebellion in several States--Indians exasperated by - the Virginia borderers in 1774--Melancholy story of Logan--Campaign - of Lord Dunmore and Colonel Lewis--Battle of the Kanhawa--Speech of - Logan--Its authenticity questioned--Peace of Chilicothe--Unhappy feeling - of the Indians. - 29 - - CHAPTER III. - - Unyielding course of the parent Government--Efforts of the Earl of Chatham - unavailing--Address to the Crown from New-York--Leslie's Expedition to - Salem--Affair of Lexington--Unwise movements of Tryon County - loyalists--Reaction--Public meetings--The Sammons family--Interference - of the Johnsons--Quarrel at Caughnawaga--Spirited indications at Cherry - Valley--Counteracting efforts of the Johnsons among their - retainers--Intrigues with the Indians--Massachusetts attempts the - same--Correspondence with the Stockbridge Indians--Letter to Mr. - Kirkland--His removal by Guy Johnson--Neutrality of the - Oneidas--Intercepted despatch from Brant to the Oneidas--Apprehensions - of Guy Johnson--Correspondence--Farther precautions of the - Committees--Reverence for the Laws--Letter of Guy Johnson to the - Committees of Albany and Schenectady--Substance of the reply. - 49 - - CHAPTER IV. - - Council of the Mohawk chiefs at Guy Park--A second council called by - Johnson at Cosby's Manor--Proceeds thither with his retinue--First full - meeting of Tryon County Committee--Correspondence with Guy Johnson--No - council held--Johnson proceeds farther West, accompanied by his family - and most of the Indians--Consequent apprehensions of the - people--Communication from Massachusetts Congress--Ticonderoga and Crown - Point taken by Ethan Allen--Skenesborough and St. Johns - surprised--Farther proceedings in Massachusetts--Battle of Bunker - Hill--Death of Warren--Council with the Oneidas and Tuscaroras at German - Flats--Speech to the Indians--Subsequent council with the - Oneidas--Conduct of the people toward Guy Johnson--Speech to, and reply - of Oneidas--Guy Johnson moves westwardly to Ontario--His letter to the - Provincial Congress of New-York--Holds a great Indian council at the - West--Unfavourable influence upon the dispositions of the - Indians--Causes of their partiality for the English--Great, but - groundless alarm of the people--Guy Johnson, with Brant and the Indian - warriors, descends the St. Lawrence to Montreal--Council there--Sir Guy - Carleton and Gen. Haldimand complete the work of winning the Indians - over to the cause of the Crown. - Page 71 - - CHAPTER V. - - Meeting of the second Continental Congress--Measures of - defence--Declaration--National fast--Organization of an Indian - department--Address to the Six Nations--Council called at - Albany--Preliminary consultation at German Flats--Speeches of the - Oneidas and others--Adjourn to Albany--Brief interview with the - commissioners--Conference and interchange of speeches with the - Albanians--Proceedings of the grand council--Speeches of the - commissioners--Replies of the Indians--Conclusion of the grand - council--Resumption of the conference with the Albanians--Speech of - the Albany Committee--Reply of the Indians--Disclosures of Guy Johnson's - proceedings at Oswego--Close of the proceedings--Epidemic among the - Indians--Small benefit resulting from the council--Proceedings in Tryon - County resumed--Doubtful position of New-York--Symptoms of disaffection - to the cause of the people--Sir John Johnson--Sheriff White deposed by - the people--The royal authorities superseded by appointments from the - people--Affray at Johnstown--First gun fired at Sampson Sammons--White - recommissioned by Tryon--His flight--Labors of the Committee--Opposition - of the Tories--Designs of Sir John Johnson and Sir Guy Carleton--Letter - and deputation to Sir John--Prisoners for political offences sent to - gaol--Letter from Provincial Congress--Mohawks commence fighting at St. - Johns--Speech of the Canajoharies in explanation--Indians apply for - release of prisoners--Review of the progress of the Revolution in other - parts of the Colonies--Proceedings of Parliament--Burning of - Falmouth--Descent upon Canada--Ethan Allen taken--Arnold's - expedition--Siege of Quebec--Fall of Montgomery--Caughnawaga and - Delaware Indians. - 91 - - CHAPTER VI. - - Lord Dunmore--Glance at the South--Suspicious conduct of Sir John - Johnson--Conduct of the Tories in Tryon County--Gen. Schuyler directed - by Congress to march into that County and disarm the Tories--Preliminary - mission to the Lower Mohawks--Message to them--Their displeasure and - reply--March of Schuyler--Meets the Indians at Schenectady--Interview and - speeches--Advance of Schuyler--Letter to Sir John - Johnson--Interview--Negotiations of capitulation--Terms proposed--Schuyler - advances to Caughnawaga--Joined by Tryon County Militia--Farther - correspondence with Sir John--Interview with the Indian mediators--Terms - of surrender adjusted--Schuyler marches to Johnstown--Sir John, his - household, and the Highlanders, disarmed--Troops scour the country to - bring in the loyalists--Disappointment as to the supposed Tory Depot of - warlike munitions--Return of Schuyler to Albany--Resolution of - Congress--Additional trouble with Sir John--Preparations for his - seizure--Expedition of Col. Dayton--Flight of the Baronet and his - partisans to Canada--Their sufferings--And subsequent conduct--How the - violation of his parole was considered. - 119 - - CHAPTER VII. - - History of Brant resumed--Advanced to the chieftaincy of the - Confederacy--Mode of appointing chiefs and sachems--Embarks for - England--Arrives in London--Received with marked consideration--Becomes - acquainted with James Boswell and others--Agrees to espouse the Royal - cause, and returns to America--Steals through the country to - Canada--Curious supposed letter to President Wheelock--Battle of the - Cedars--Cowardice of Major Butterfield--Outrages of the Indians--Story - of Capt. McKinstry, who was saved from the stake by Brant--Indignation - of Washington, the people, and Congress--Resolutions of - retaliation--Mutual complaints of treatment of prisoners--Murder of - Gen. Gordon--Indignation at the outrage--Indian deputation at - Philadelphia--Speech to them--Congress resolves upon the employment - of an Indian force--Schuyler opposed--Review of the incidents of the - war elsewhere--Destitution of the Army--Evacuation of Boston by the - English--Disastrous termination of the Canadian campaign--Deplorable - condition of the army--Humanity of Sir Guy Carleton--Glance at the - South--Declaration of Independence--Spirit of Tryon County--Cherry - Valley--Fortifications at Fort Stanwix--American army moves to - New-York--Arrival of the British fleet and army--Battle of - Long-Island--Washington evacuates New-York--Battle of White - Plains--Retreats across New-Jersey--Followed by Cornwallis--Defeat of - Arnold on Lake Champlain--Fall of Rhode Island--Battle of Trenton. - Page 147 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - Continuation of movements in New Jersey--Extinguishment of the - council-fire at Onondaga--Tryon County--Colonel Harper's mission to - Oghkwaga--The Harper family--Adventure at the Johnstone - settlement--Capture of Good Peter and his party--Thayendanegea crosses - from Canada to Oghkwaga--Interview with the Rev. Mr. Johnstone--Doubtful - course of Brant--Feverish situation of the people--Expedition of General - Herkimer to Unadilla--Remarkable meeting between Herkimer and - Brant--Meditated act of treachery--Wariness of the chief--Meeting - abruptly terminated--Ended in a storm--Brant draws off to Oswego--Grand - council there--The Indians generally join the Royal standard--Approach - of Brant upon Cherry Valley--How defeated--Death of Lieutenant Wormwood. - 175 - - CHAPTER IX. - - British preparations for the prosecution of the war--Indications at the - North--Doubtful position and conduct of General Howe--Embarrassing to - the Americans--Intercepted correspondence--General Howe sails to the - Chesapeake--Enters Philadelphia in triumph--Burgoyne approaches from - the North--Indian policy--Sir Guy Carleton--False estimates of the - strength of Ticonderoga--Burgoyne arrives at Crown Point--Feasts the - Indians--Invests Ticonderoga--Carries the outworks--Fortifies Sugar - Hill--The fortress evacuated by St. Clair--Retreat of the - Americans--Battles near Skenesborough and at Fort Ann--Burgoyne enters - the valley of the Hudson--Schuyler, without means, retreats from Fort - Edward--Terror of the people--Cruelties of the Indians--Story of Miss - McCrea--General flight of the population--Mrs. Ann Eliza - Bleecker--Heroism of Mrs. Schuyler--Attempted assassination of General - Schuyler. - 195 - - CHAPTER X. - - Expedition against the Mohawk Valley from Oswego--Despondency of the - people in Tryon County--Letter of John Jay--Arrest of several of the - disaffected--Flight of others to Canada--Schuyler's complaints of the - cowardice of the people--Great discouragements--Proclamation of General - Herkimer--Letter from Thomas Spencer--St. Leger's approach--Caution and - plan of his march--Diary of Lieut. Bird--Fort Stanwix invested--Colonel - Gansevoort takes command--Its deplorable condition--Gansevoort joined - by Willett--Story of Captain Gregg--Situation of the garrison--Arrival - of St. Leger--His proclamation--Burgoyne's affairs becoming - critical--Affair of Bennington--General Herkimer, with the Tryon County - militia, advances to the relief of Gansevoort--Battle of Oriskany--Bloody - upon both sides--Unexampled bravery of Captain Gardenier--Major - Watts--Dissatisfaction of the Indians--Sortie and success of Colonel - Willett--Death and character of General Herkimer. - 209 - - CHAPTER XI. - - Siege of Fort Schuyler continued--Forced letter from prisoners to Col. - Gansevoort--St. Leger summons the garrison to surrender--Refusal of - Gansevoort--Appeal of Sir John Johnson to the people of Tryon - County--Secret expedition of Colonel Willett and Major - Stockwell--Schuyler orders Arnold to the relief of Gansevoort--Willett - proceeds to Albany--Arrest of Walter Butler, and others, at German - Flats--Tried and convicted as a spy--Reprieved--Sent to - Albany--Escapes--Arnold's proclamation--Advance of the - besiegers--Uneasiness of the garrison--Sudden flight of St. Leger and - his forces--Stratagem of Arnold--Story of Hon-Yost Schuyler--Merriment - and mischief of the Indians--Arrival of Arnold at the Fort--The spoils - of victory--Public estimation of Gansevoort's services--Address to his - soldiers--His promotion--Address of his officers. - Page 249 - - CHAPTER XII. - - Recurrence to the invasion of Burgoyne--General Schuyler again superseded - by Gates--Causes of this injustice--Battle of Stillwater--Both armies - entrench--Battle and victory of Behmus's Heights--Funeral of General - Frazer--Retreat of Burgoyne--Difficulties increasing upon him--His - capitulation--Meeting of Burgoyne and Gates--Deportment of Gates toward - Gen. Washington--Noble conduct of Gen. Schuyler. - 265 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - Sir Henry Clinton's attempt to co-operate with Burgoyne--Storming of Forts - Clinton and Montgomery--Burning of AEsopus--Review of military operations - elsewhere--Expedition to Peekskill--Of Gov. Tryon to Danbury--Progress - of Sir William Howe in Pennsylvania--Battle of Brandywine--Massacre of - the Paoli--Battle of Germantown--Death of Count Donop--Murder of Captain - Deitz and family at Berne--John Taylor--Lady Johnson ordered to leave - Albany--Exasperation of Sir John--Attempts to abduct Mr. Taylor--An - Indian and white man bribed to assassinate General Schuyler--Fresh - alarms in Tryon County--Address of Congress to the Six Nations--The - appeal produces no effect--Articles of confederation--Close of the year. - 280 - - CHAPTER XIV. - - Treaty of alliance with France--Policy of France--Incidents of the - Winter--Projected expedition against St Johns--Lafayette appointed to - the command of the North--Failure of the enterprise for lack of - means--Disappointment and chagrin of Lafayette--Unpleasant indications - respecting the Western Indians--Indian council at Johnstown--Attended - by Lafayette--Its proceedings--And result--Reward offered for Major - Carleton--Letter of Lafayette--He retires from the Northern - Department--Return of the loyalists for their families--Unopposed--Their - aggressions--Prisoners carried into Canada--Their fate--Re-appearance - of Brant at Oghkwaga and Unadilla--Anecdote of Brant--Comparative - cruelty of the Tories and Indians--Murder of a family--Exposed situation - of the people--Captain McKean--Sends a challenge to Brant--Burning of - Springfield--First battle in Schoharie. - 298 - - CHAPTER XV. - - The story of Wyoming--Glance at its history--Bloody battle between the - Shawanese and Delawares--Count Zinzendorf--Conflicting Indian claims - and titles--Rival land companies of Connecticut and Pennsylvania--Murder - of Tadeusund--The first Connecticut Colony destroyed by the - Indians--Controversy respecting their titles--Rival Colonies planted - in Wyoming--The civil wars of Wyoming--Bold adventure of Captain - Ogden--Fierce passions of the people--The Connecticut settlers - prevail--Growth of the settlements--Annexed to Connecticut--Breaking - out of the Revolution--The inhabitants, stimulated by previous hatred, - take sides--Arrest of suspected persons in January--Sent to - Hartford--Evil consequences--The enemy appear upon the outskirts of - the settlements in the Spring--Invasion by Colonel John Butler and the - Indians--Colonel Zebulon Butler prepares to oppose them--Two of the - forts taken--Colonel Z. Butler marches to encounter the enemy--Battle - of Wyoming--The Americans defeated--The flight and massacre--Fort - Wyoming besieged--Timidity of the garrison--Zebulon Butler's authority - not sustained--He escapes from the fort--Colonel Denniston forced to - capitulate--Destruction of the Valley--Barbarities of the Tories--Brant - not in the expedition--Catharine Montour--Flight of the - fugitives--Expedition of Colonel Hartley up the Susquehanna--Colonel - Zebulon Butler repossesses himself of Wyoming, and rebuilds the - fort--Indian skirmishes--Close of the history of Wyoming. - Page 318 - - CHAPTER XVI. - - Evacuation of Philadelphia by Sir Henry Clinton--Followed through New - Jersey by Washington--Battle of Monmouth--Conduct and arrest of General - Lee--Retreat of the enemy--Arrival of the French fleet--Combined attack - of the Americans and French upon the British army of Rhode - Island--British fleet escapes from Count D'Estaing--Battle of Rhode - Island--Failure of the expedition-Projected campaigns against the - Indians--Captains Pipe and White-Eyes--McKee and Girty--General McIntosh - ordered against the Sandusky towns--Irruption of Brant into - Cobleskill--Of McDonald into the Schoharie settlements--Pusillanimity - of Colonel Vrooman--Bravery of Colonel Harper--His expedition to - Albany--Captivity of Mr. Sawyer--Slays six Indians and escapes--Colonel - William Butler sent to Schoharie--Morgan's rifle corps--Daring adventures - of Murphy and Elerson--Death of Service, a noted Tory--Murphy's - subsequent adventures--Affairs at Fort Schuyler--Alarming number of - desertions--Destruction of Andros-town by the Indians--Conflagration - of the German Flats--Expedition of Colonel William Butler from Schoharie - to Unadllla and Oghkwaga. - 343 - - CHAPTER XVII. - - Walter N. Butler--His flight from Albany, bent on revenge--The Great - Tree--Hostile indications among the Senecas and Cayugas--Premonitions - of an attack by Butler and Brant upon Cherry Valley--Discredited by - Colonel Alden--Scouts sent out and captured--Surprise of the - town--Massacre and burning--Death of Colonel Alden--Families of Mr. - Wells, Mr. Dunlop, and others--Brutality of the Tories--Family of Mr. - Mitchell--The monster Newberry--Departure of the enemy with their - captives--A night of gloom--Women and children sent back--Letter of - Butler to Gen. Schuyler--Murder of Mrs. Campbell's mother--Vindication - of Brant--Interesting incident--Brant's opinion of Capt. McKean--Colonel - John Butler laments the conduct of his son--Letter of General James - Clinton to Walter Butler--Letter of Butler in reply--Molly - Brant--Particulars of Mrs. Campbell's captivity--Feast of thanksgiving - for their victory--The great feast of the White Dogs--Return of Walter - Butler from Quebec--Col. Butler negotiates with the Indians for Mrs. - Campbell--She goes to Niagara--Catharine Montour and her sons--Mrs. - Campbell finds her children--Descends the St. Lawrence to Montreal--Meets - Mrs. Butler--Arrives at Albany, and is joined by her husband--Grand - campaign projected--Jacob Helmer and others sent privately to Johnstown - for the iron chest of Sir John--Execution of Helmer--Arrival of British - Commissioners--Not received--Exchange of Ministers with France--Incidents - of the war elsewhere for the year. - 369 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - Indian siege of Fort Laurens--Successful stratagems--Flight of the - pack-horses--The fort abandoned--Projected enterprise from Detroit--Gov. - Hamilton captured at St. Vincent by Col. Clarke--Projects of - Brant--Uneasiness in the West of New-York--Deliberations of the Oneidas - and Onondagas--Brant's projects defeated--Treachery of the - Onondagas--Colonel Van Schaick marches to lay waste their - towns--Instructions of General Clinton--Passage of Wood Creek and - Oneida Lake--Advance upon the Indian towns--Their destruction--Return - of the expedition to Fort Schuyler--Mission of the Oneidas to Fort - Schuyler in behalf of the Onondagas--Speech of Good Peter--Reply of - Colonel Van Schaick--Irruption of Tories and Indians into the lower - Mohawk country--Stone Arabia--Defence of his house by Captain Richer--The - Indians in Schoharie--General Clinton traverses the Mohawk - valley--McClellan's expedition to Oswegatchie--Unsuccessful--Irruption - of the Onondagas into Cobleskill--Defeat of the Americans--The settlement - destroyed--Murders in the neighborhood of Fort Pitt--Irruptions of - Tories into Warwasing--Invasion of Minisink--Battle near the - Delaware--Massacre of the Orange County militia--Battle with the - Shawanese. - 396 - - - - - - INTRODUCTION. - - * * * * * - -It is related by AEsop, that a forester once meeting with a lion, they -traveled together for a time, and conversed amicably without much -differing in opinion. At length a dispute happening to arise upon the -question of superiority between their respective races, the former, in -the absence of a better argument, pointed to a monument, on which was -sculptured, in marble, the statue of a man striding over the body of a -vanquished lion. "If this," said the lion, "is all you have to say, let -us be the sculptors, and you will see the lion striding over the -vanquished man." - -The moral of this fable should ever be borne in mind when contemplating -the character of that brave and ill-used race of men, now melting away -before the Anglo-Saxons like the snow beneath a vertical sun--the -aboriginals of America. The Indians are no sculptors. No monuments of -their own art commend to future ages the events of the past. No Indian -pen traces the history of their tribes and nations, or records the deeds -of their warriors and chiefs--their prowess and their wrongs. Their -spoilers have been their historians; and although a reluctant assent has -been awarded to some of the nobler traits of their nature, yet, without -yielding a due allowance for the peculiarities of their situation, the -Indian character has been presented with singular uniformity as being -cold, cruel, morose, and revengeful; unrelieved by any of those varying -traits and characteristics, those lights and shadows, which are admitted -in respect to other people no less wild and uncivilized than they. - -Without pausing to reflect that, even when most cruel, they have been -practising the trade of war--always dreadful--as much in conformity to -their own usages and laws, as have their more civilized antagonists, the -white historian has drawn them with the characteristics of demons. -Forgetting that the second of the Hebrew monarchs did not scruple to saw -his prisoners with saws, and harrow them with harrows of iron; forgetful, -likewise, of the scenes at Smithfield, under the direction of our own -British ancestors; the historians of the poor untutored Indians, almost -with one accord, have denounced them as monsters _sui generis_--of -unparalleled and unapproachable barbarity; as though the summary tomahawk -were worse than the iron tortures of the harrow, and the torch of the -Mohawk hotter than the faggots of Queen Mary. - -Nor does it seem to have occurred to the "pale-faced" writers, that the -identical cruelties, the records and descriptions of which enter so -largely into the composition of the earlier volumes of American history, -were not barbarities in the estimation of those who practised them. The -scalp-lock was an emblem of chivalry. Every warrior, in shaving his head -for battle, was careful to leave the lock of defiance upon his crown, as -for the bravado, "Take it if you can." The stake and the torture were -identified with their rude notions of the power of endurance. They were -inflicted upon captives of their own race, as well as upon the whites; -and with their own braves these trials were courted, to enable the -sufferer to exhibit the courage and fortitude with which they could be -borne--the proud scorn with which all the pain that a foe might inflict, -could be endured. - -But they fell upon slumbering hamlets in the night, and massacred -defenceless women and children! This, again, was their own mode of -warfare, as honourable in their estimation as the more courteous methods -of committing wholesale murder, laid down in the books. - -But of one enormity they were ever innocent. Whatever degree of personal -hardship and suffering their female captives were compelled to endure, -their persons were never dishonoured by violence; a fact which can be -predicated, we apprehend, of no other victorious soldiery that ever lived. - -In regard, moreover, to the countless acts of cruelty alleged to have been -perpetrated by the savages, it must still be borne in mind that the -Indians have not been the sculptors--the Indians have had no writer to -relate their own side of the story. There has been none "to weep for -Logan!" while his wrongs have been unrecorded. The annals of man, -probably, do not attest a more kindly reception of intruding foreigners, -than was given to the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth, by the faithful -Massassoit, and the tribes under his jurisdiction. Nor did the forest -kings take up arms until they but too clearly saw, that either their -visitors or themselves, must be driven from the soil which was their -own--the fee of which was derived from the Great Spirit. And the nation -is yet to be discovered that will not fight for their homes, the graves -of their fathers, and their family altars. Cruel they were, in the -prosecution of their contests; but it would require the aggregate of a -large number of predatory incursions and isolated burnings, to balance -the awful scene of conflagration and blood, which at once extinguished -the power of Sassacus, and the brave and indomitable Narragansets over -whom he reigned. No! until it is forgotten, that by some Christians in -infant Massachusetts it was held to be right to kill Indians as the agents -and familiars of Azazel; until the early records of even tolerant -Connecticut, which disclose the fact that the Indians were seized by the -Puritans, transported to the British West Indies, and sold as slaves, are -lost; until the Amazon and La Plata shall have washed away the bloody -history of the Spanish American conquest; and until the fact that Cortez -stretched the unhappy Guatimozin naked upon a bed of burning coals, is -proved to be a fiction, let not the American Indian be pronounced the -most cruel of men! - -If, then, the moral of the fable is thus applicable to aboriginal history -in general, it is equally so in regard to very many of their chiefs, whose -names have been forgotten, or only known to be detested. Peculiar -circumstances have given prominence, and fame of a certain description, -to some few of the forest chieftains, as in the instances of Powhatan in -the south, the mighty Philip in the east, and the great Pontiac of the -north-west. But there have been many others, equal, perhaps, in courage, -and skill, and energy, to the distinguished chiefs just mentioned, whose -names have been steeped in infamy in their preservation, because "the -lions are no sculptors." They have been described as ruthless butchers -of women and children, without one redeeming quality save those of animal -courage and indifference to pain; while it is not unlikely, that were -the actual truth known, their characters, for all the high qualities of -the soldier, might sustain an advantageous comparison with those of half -the warriors of equal rank in Christendom. Of this class was a prominent -subject of the present volume, whose name was terrible in every American -ear during the war of Independence, and was long afterward associated with -every thing bloody, ferocious, and hateful. It is even within our own day, -that the name of Brant [FN-1] would chill the young blood by its very -sound, and cause the lisping child to cling closer to the knee of its -mother. As the master spirit of the Indians engaged in the British service -during the war of the Revolution, not only were all the border massacres -charged directly upon him, but upon his head fell the public maledictions -for every individual act of atrocity which marked that sanguinary contest, -whether committed by Indians, or Tories, or by the exasperated regular -soldiery of the foe. In many instances great injustice was done to him, -as in regard to the affair of Wyoming, in connexion with which his name -has been used by every preceding annalist who has written upon the -subject; while it has, moreover, for the same cause, been consigned to -infamy, deep and foul, in the deathless song of Campbell. In other cases -again, the Indians of the Six Nations, in common with their chief, were -loaded with execrations for atrocities of which all were alike -innocent--because the deeds recorded were never committed--it having been -the policy of the public writers, and those in authority, not only to -magnify actual occurrences, but sometimes, when these were wanting, to -draw upon their imaginations for accounts of such deeds of ferocity and -blood, as might best serve to keep alive the strongest feelings of -indignation against the parent country, and likewise induce the people -to take the field for revenge, if not driven thither by the nobler impulse -of patriotism. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Almost invariably written Brandt in the books, even in despite of - his own orthography, which was uniformly Brant. - - [FN-2] See Appendix A--the well-known scalp-story of Dr. Franklin--long - believed, and recently revived and included in several works of authentic - history. - - -Such deliberate fictions, for political purposes, as that by Dr. Franklin, -just referred to, were probably rare; but the investigations into which -the author has been led, in the preparation of the present work, have -satisfied him, that from other causes, much of exaggeration and falsehood -has obtained a permanent footing in American history. Most historians of -that period, English and American, wrote too near the time when the events -they were describing occurred, for a dispassionate investigation of truth; -and other writers who have succeeded, have too often been content to -follow in the beaten track, without incurring the labour of diligent and -calm inquiry. Reference has been made above to the affair of Wyoming, -concerning which, to this day, the world has been abused with monstrous -fictions--with tales of horrors never enacted. The original causes of this -historical inaccuracy are very obvious. As already remarked, our histories -were written at too early a day; when the authors, or those supplying the -materials, had, as it were, but just emerged from the conflict. Their -passions had not yet become cooled, and they wrote under feelings and -prejudices which could not but influence minds governed even by the best -intentions. The crude, verbal reports of the day--tales of hear-say, -coloured by fancy and aggravated by fear,--not only found their way into -the newspapers, but into the journals of military officers. These, with -all the disadvantages incident to flying rumors, increasing in size and -enormity with every repetition, were used too often, it is apprehended, -without farther examination, as authentic materials for history. Of this -class of works was the Military Journal of Dr. James Thatcher, first -published in 1823, and immediately recognized as historical authority. -Now, so far as the author speaks of events occurring within his own -knowledge, and under his own personal observation, the authority is good. -None can be better. But the worthy army surgeon did not by any means -confine his diary to facts and occurrences of that description. On the -contrary, his journal is a general record of incidents and transactions -occurring in almost every camp, and at every point of hostilities, as the -reports floated from mouth to mouth through the division of the army where -the journalist happened to be engaged, or as they reached him through the -newspapers. Hence the present author has found the Doctor's journal a very -unsafe authority in regard to facts, of which the Doctor was not a -spectator or directly cognizant. Even the diligent care of Marshall did -not prevent his measurably falling into the same errors, in the first -edition of his Life of Washington, with regard to Wyoming; and it was not -until more than a quarter of a century afterward, when his late revised -edition of that great work was about to appear, that, by the assistance -of Mr. Charles Miner, an intelligent resident of Wilkesbarre, the readers -of that eminent historian were correctly informed touching the -revolutionary tragedy in that valley. Nor even then was the correction -entire, inasmuch as the name of Brant was still retained, as the leader -of the Indians on that fearful occasion. Nor were the exaggerations in -regard to the invasion of Wyoming greater than were those connected with -the irruption into, and destruction of, Cherry Valley, as the reader will -discover in the course of the ensuing pages. Indeed, the writer, in the -preparation of materials for this work, has encountered so much that is -false recorded in history as sober verity, that he has at times been -disposed almost to universal scepticism in regard to uninspired narration. - -In conclusion of this Introduction, a short history of the origin of the -present work may not be impertinent. It was the fortune of the author to -spend several of his early years, and commence his public life, in the -valley of the Mohawk--than which the country scarce affords a more -beautiful region. The lower section of this valley was entered by the -Dutch traders, and settlements were commenced, originally at Schenectady, -very soon after the first fort was built at Albany, then called Fort -Orange, by Henry Christiaens in 1614. The Dutch gradually pushed their -settlements up the Mohawk on the rich bottom lands of the river, as far -as Caughnawaga. Beyond that line, and especially in the upper section of -the valley west of the Little Falls, and embracing the broad and beautiful -garden of the whole district known as the German Flats, the first white -settlers introduced were Germans--being a division of the Palatinates, -who emigrated to America early in the eighteenth century, under the -patronage of Queen Anne. Three thousand Germans came over at the time -referred to, about the year 1709, a portion of whom settled in -Pennsylvania. The residue ascended the Hudson to a place called East Camp, -now in the county of Columbia. From thence they found their way into the -rich valley of the Schoharie-kill, about the year 1713, and thence to the -German Flats, of which they were in possession as early as 1720. The -first colony, planting themselves in Schoharie, consisted of between -forty and fifty families. Some disagreements soon after arising among -them, twelve of these families separated from their companions; and, -pushing farther westward beyond the Little Falls, planted themselves down -upon the rich alluvial Flats at the confluence of the West Canada Creek -and the Mohawk. - -At the time of its discovery, that valley was occupied by the Mohawk -Indians, the head of the extended confederacy of the Five Nations--the -Iroquois of the French, and the Romans, as Doctor Colden has denominated -them, of the New World. Of this confederacy, the Mohawks were the head or -leading nation, as they were also the fiercest. [FN] The Five Nations -early attached themselves to the English, and were consequently often -engaged in hostilities with the French of Canada, and especially with -the Hurons and Adirondacks or Algonquins--powerful nations in alliance -with the Canadians. Another consequence was, that the Mohawk valley, and -indeed the whole country inhabited by the Five Nations, were the theatre -of successive wars, from the discovery down to the close of the war of -the American Revolution. There is, therefore, no section of the United -States so rich in historical incident, as the valley of the Mohawk and -the contiguous territory at the west. - - * * * * * - - [FN] "I have been told by old men in New England, who remembered the time - when the Mohawks made war on their Indians (the Mohicans), that as soon - as a single Mohawk was discovered in their country, their Indians raised - a cry from hill to hill, _A Mohawk! A Mohawk!_ upon which they all fled, - like sheep before wolves, without attempting to make the least resistance - or defence on their side; and that the poor New England Indians - immediately ran to the Christian houses, and the Mohawks often pursued - them so closely, that they entered along with them, and knocked their - brains out in the presence of the people of the house." [_Colden's Six - Nations._] The excellent Heckewelder, in his paramount affection for the - Lenni Lenape, enters into a long argument to disprove Colden upon this - point; maintaining that the Mohawks were never of more terrific fame than - the Delawares. The authorities, however, are against the good Moravian - missionary, to which the writer may add the weight of the following - incident, of comparatively recent occurrence:--Some ten or twelve years - ago, a wandering Mohawk had straggled away from the ancient home of his - tribe, as far as the State of Maine, and presented himself, one day, in - the streets of a small town not far from the Penobscot river. Indian - forms and faces were not strangers in this little community, there being - a remnant of the Penobscots yet existing in the neighbourhood, who were - in the habit of visiting the place, four or five times a year, for the - purchase of such necessaries as their means could command. It happened - that a party of them had come in on the very day of the Mohawk's arrival; - and as he was lounging through the street, he came suddenly upon them in - turning a corner. The recognition, on their part, was instantaneous, and - was evidently accompanied by emotions of alarm and distrust. "Mohawk, - Mohawk," was muttered by one and another, and so long as he remained in - sight, their eyes were fixed upon him with an evident expression of - uneasiness. As for the Mohawk, he condescended only to give them a - passing glance, and went on his way with the same lounging, indifferent - step that he had exhibited from the first. He was a superb-looking fellow, - of about 25, full six feet in height, and could easily have demolished - three or four of the dwarfish and effeminate Penobscots. - - -At the time of the author's residence in the Mohawk country, the materials -of that history, especially that portion of them connected with events -subsequent to the conquest of Canada by Great Britain, were for the most -part ungathered. The events of the war of the Revolution, which nowhere -else raged so furiously, and was nowhere else marked with such bitter and -entire desolation, were then fresh in the recollections of the people; -and many a time and oft were the recitals listened to with thrilling -interest, and laid up in the store-house of memory, as among the richest -of its traditionary treasures. Nor was the interest of these verbal -narratives diminished by visiting the sites of the old fortifications, -strolling over the battle-fields, and noting the shot-holes in the walls -of such houses as had stood out the contest, and the marks of cannon balls -upon the trunks of trees yet remaining on fields which had been scenes of -bloody strife. - -Several years afterward it occurred to the author to undertake a task -which he ought to have commenced years before, viz. the composition of a -historical memoir of the Mohawk Valley, which would embody those written -and unwritten materials of history, now fast disappearing by the death of -the actors in the scenes to be described, and the loss of papers and -manuscripts, of which such reckless destruction is allowed in this -country. In the progress of thought and investigation upon the subject, -it was soon determined to embrace in the proposed memoir some biographical -account of the Great Chief of the Six Nations, Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea; -but there was yet another distinguished name, whose history and fame were -intimately connected with the Mohawks, and whose character has neither -been justly described nor well understood. The reader will probably -anticipate the name, Sir William Johnson. By this time it was apparent -that the work, if executed, must be more extended than had originally been -contemplated; and a few slight preparations were made for its commencement -ten years ago. - -It was some time in the year 1829 that the design was abandoned. Calling -upon his venerable friend Chancellor Kent, one morning, for the purpose -of borrowing a rare volume of a still rarer history of the old French war -of 1755-'63, the author was informed that his design had been anticipated -by William W. Campbell, Esq., a young gentleman of promise who was just -coming to the bar--a native of the country to be occupied as historic -ground--and whose work was then nearly ready for the press. Under these -circumstances, the project of the author was at once relinquished. - -Mr. Campbell's book--"Annals of Tryon County,"--made its appearance in -1831; and was at once found valuable for its facts, and creditable alike -to the industry and talents of an author, who, although then so young, -possessed the enterprise to undertake the necessary labour, and the -ambition to inscribe his name upon the roll of American historians. Still, -the work was not a substitute for that which the author had proposed; its -object was a more limited history, both of time and territory, than had -been entertained in respect of the present work. Mr. Campbell's Annals, -with the exception of a very few brief and partial sketches, embraced the -history only of the war of the Revolution in that particular section of -country, and had little to do with biography. The design of the author, -enlarged by reflection and research, now began to comprehend a history of -the Six Nations, and their wars with the French, Hurons, or Wyandots, and -Adirondacks; the settlement of the country by the pale faces; a history -of the French War, so far as that memorable contest was connected with -the Indians and colony of New-York; together, or rather blended, with the -Lives of Sir William Johnson and Joseph Brant. A work of this description -seemed to be a desideratum in American history; and in the autumn of 1832, -preparations for the undertaking were resumed, with what success will in -part be seen in the sequel. - -In the prosecution of the preliminary labour, efforts were made to procure -materials from the survivors of the family of Sir William Johnson, -residing in the Canadas. These efforts have thus far been attended with -but partial success. From one of the grandsons, however, Mr. Archibald -Johnson, a valuable manuscript volume has been procured, containing the -private diary of Sir William during the Niagara campaign of 1759, in which -General Prideaux fell, leaving the command of the army to the baronet, -whose efforts were crowned with brilliant success. From among the papers -of the late Lieut. Governor of New-York, John Taylor, in possession of his -daughter, Mrs. Cooper, the author has fortunately obtained the manuscript -of Sir William's official diary for the years 1757, 1758, and a part of -the year 1759, together with a small parcel of other papers and letters. -A few of the baronet's letters and papers are also yet extant, in the -archives of the state at Albany. All these will afford materials for his -proposed biography, and for other historical illustrations, of high value. -Many of the baronet's papers were destroyed in the war of the Revolution; -and many others, it is ascertained, are only to be found in England--to -which country a special visit will probably be necessary for their -consultation. - -It will readily be perceived, that the proposed work embraces two epochs, -between which there is a very natural, and even necessary, division. The -first embraces the early history referred to, with a history of the French -war, and the country, to the death of Sir William Johnson. The second -division embraces the life of Joseph Brant, and the revolutionary, Indian, -and Tory wars of the northern and western part of the State of New-York; -and although anticipated, to a considerable extent, by Mr. Campbell, still -the author entered the field of investigation with as much spirit as -though it had not been historically traversed before. In the course of his -labours he has visited the Mohawk Valley three several times with no other -object. Ascertaining, moreover, that the venerable Major Thomas Sammons, -of Johnstown, himself, with his father and two brothers, an efficient -actor in the scenes of the Revolution, had for many years been collecting -historical materials in that region, the author applied to him; and was -so fortunate as not only to procure his collections, but to induce the old -gentleman to re-enter the field of inquiry. By his assistance a large body -of facts and statements, taken down in writing during the last thirty -years, from the lips of surviving officers and soldiers, has been obtained -for the present work. These documents have added largely to the most -authentic materials of history, enabling the author to bring out many new -and interesting facts, and to correct divers errors in the works of -preceding writers, who have superficially occupied the same ground. In -addition to these, the few remaining papers of the brave old General -Herkimer, who fell at Oriskany in 1777, have been placed at the disposal -of the author, by his nephew, John Herkimer, Esq. Still the work of Mr. -Campbell has been found of great use, and by consent has been liberally -drawn upon. In regard to some transactions, it was, indeed, almost the -only authority; as in the cases of Cherry Valley, some of the transactions -in the Schoharie Valley, and the exploits of Colonel Harper. - -But this is not all. The author has visited Upper Canada, and Montreal -and Quebec, in search of materials. Most luckily for the cause of historic -truth, and the reputation of Joseph Brant, during his Canadian researches -he became apprised of the fact, that the old Mohawk chief, himself a man -of a pretty good English education, had left a large mass of manuscripts, -consisting of his own speeches, delivered on many and various occasions, -and a great number of letters addressed to him; together with copies of -his own letters in reply, which he had preserved with equal industry and -care. These papers were in the keeping of his youngest daughter, a lady -of high respectability, aboriginal though she be, and eligibly married -to William Johnson Kerr, Esq. of Wellington Square, Upper Canada. It was -obvious that those papers must prove a rich mine for exploration; and an -application from the author, through his friend the Hon. Marshall S. -Bidwell, of Toronto, was most readily responded to by Mr. and Mrs. Kerr. -The papers, it is true, were less connected than had been hoped; and by -hundreds of references and allusions contained therein, it is obvious that -large numbers of letters, journals, and speeches have been lost--past -recovery. Still, those which remain have proved of great assistance and -rare value. - -To the kindness of Charles A. Clinton, Esq. the author has been indebted -for access to the private papers of General James Clinton, his grandfather. -In the composition of one portion of the present volume, these papers have -been found of vast importance. General James Clinton was the father of -the late illustrious De Witt Clinton, and the brother of Governor George -Clinton. He was much in command in the northern department, and it was -under his conduct that the celebrated descent of the Susquehanna was -performed in 1779. His own letters, and those of his correspondents, have -been of material assistance, not only in relation to that campaign, but -upon various other points of history. It was among these papers that the -letters of Walter N. Butler, respecting the affairs of Cherry Valley and -Wyoming, were discovered. - -In connexion with the history of the expedition of Sullivan and Clinton, -just referred to, the author has likewise been favoured with the -manuscript diary of the venerable Captain Theodosius Fowler of this city, -who was an active officer during the whole campaign. In addition to the -valuable memoranda contained in this diary, Capt. Fowler has preserved a -drawing of the order of march adopted in ascending the Chemung, after the -junction of the two armies, and also a plan of the great battle fought -at Newtown by Sullivan, against the Indians and Tories commanded by Brant -and Sir John Johnson; both of which drawings have been engraved, and will -be found in the Appendix. - -In the winter of 1775-'76, an expedition was conducted from Albany into -Tryon County, for the purpose of disarming the Tories and arresting Sir -John Johnson, of the particulars of which very little has hitherto been -known. On application to the family of General Schuyler, it was -ascertained that his letter books for that period were lost. After much -inquiry, the necessary documents were obtained from Peter Force, Esq. at -Washington. - -The author has likewise been indebted to General Peter B. Porter, of Black -Rock, for some valuable information respecting the character and some of -the actions of Brant. General Porter was an early emigrant into the -western part of the State, as an agent for the great landholder, Oliver -Phelps; and the execution of his duties brought him into frequent -intercourse with many of the chiefs and sachems of the Indians. Among -these he became intimately acquainted with the Mohawk chief, between whom -and himself a written correspondence was occasionally maintained for -several years. Unfortunately, however, that correspondence, with other -communications in his hand-writing, which Gen. Porter had taken some pains -to preserve, was destroyed by one of the incursions of the enemy across -the Niagara during the last war. Still, the General has supplied the -author with several important reminiscences respecting the old chief, and -one transaction of thrilling interest, heretofore entirely unknown. - -A friend of the author, a highly respectable and intelligent octogenarian, -Samuel Woodruff, Esq., of Windsor, Connecticut, made a visit to Brant at -the Grand River Settlement, in the summer of 1797, and remained with him -several days, in the enjoyment of frequent and full conversations upon -many subjects. Mr. Woodruff has obligingly furnished a dozen pages or more -of instructive notes and memoranda of those conversations, which have been -freely used. The author is likewise under obligations to Professor Marsh -of Burlington College, (Vt.) a connexion, by marriage, of the Wheelock -family, for several of Brant's original letters; and also to Thomas -Morris, Esq., of New-York, who knew the chief well, and was several years -in correspondence with him, for the same favour. Mr. Campbell has, -moreover, supplied several documents of value, obtained by him after the -publication of his own book. - -Having, by the acquisition of these and other papers, procured all the -materials that appeared to remain, or, at least, all that were accessible, -while the documentary papers for the first division of the work were yet -very incomplete, the author, like Botta, in his promised complete history -of Italy, has been compelled to write the latter portion of the work -first. In the execution of this task, he had supposed that the bulk of his -labour would cease with the close of the war of the Revolution, or at -most, that some fifteen or twenty pages, sketching rapidly the latter -years of the life of Thayendanegea, would be all that was necessary. Far -otherwise was the fact. When the author came to examine the papers of -Brant, nearly all of which were connected with his career subsequent to -that contest, it was found that his life and actions had been intimately -associated with the Indian and Canadian politics of more than twenty years -after the treaty of peace; that a succession of Indian Congresses were -held by the nations of the great lakes, in all which he was one of the -master spirits; that he was directly or indirectly engaged in the wars -between the United States and Indians from 1789 to 1795, during which the -bloody campaigns of Harmar, St. Clair, and Wayne, took place; and that he -acted an important part in the affair of the North-Western posts, so long -retained by Great Britain after the treaty of peace. This discovery -compelled the writer to enter upon a new and altogether unexpected field -of research. Many difficulties were encountered in the composition of this -branch of the work, arising from various causes and circumstances. The -conflicting relations of the United States, the Indians, and the Canadians, -together with the peculiar and sometimes apparently equivocal position in -which the Mohawk chief--the subject of the biography--stood in regard to -them all; the more than diplomatic caution with which the British officers -managed the double game which it suited their policy to play so long; the -broken character of the written materials obtained by the author; and the -necessity of supplying many links in the chain of events from -circumstantial evidence and the unwritten records of Indian diplomacy; -all combined to render the matters to be elucidated, exceedingly -complicated, intricate, and difficult of clear explanation. But tangled -as was the web, the author has endeavoured to unravel he materials, and -weave them into a narrative of consistency and truth. The result of these -labours is embodied in the second part of the present work; and unless -the author has over-estimated both the interest and the importance of this -portion of American history, the contribution now made will be most -acceptable to the reader. - -In addition to the matters here indicated, a pretty full account of the -life of Brant, after the close of the Indian wars, is given, by no means -barren either of incident or anecdote; and the whole is concluded by some -interesting particulars respecting the family of the chief, giving their -personal history down to the present day. - -It may possibly be objected by some--those especially who are apt to form -opinions without much reflection--that the author has indulged rather -liberally, not only in the use of public speeches and documents, but also -in the transcription of private letters. To this he would reply, that in -his view, his course in that respect adds essentially to the value of the -work; and had it not been for the unexpected size to which the volumes -have attained, those quotations would have been made with still greater -freedom. For instance, in regard to the interesting proceedings at the -last Grand Council of the Six Nations held in Albany, it was the original -intention of the author, long as they are, to insert them in the text; and -so the matter was at first arranged. The ancient Council Fire of the Six -Nations was always kept burning at Onondaga, the central nation of the -confederacy. But from the time of the alliance between the Six Nations and -the English, the fires of the united councils of the two powers were -kindled at Albany. There, according to the Indian figure of speech, the -big tree was planted, to which the chain of friendship was made fast. But -with the close of the Great Council held there in the summer of 1775, that -fire, which had so long been burning, was extinguished. It was the last -Indian congress ever held at the ancient Dutch capital. It took place at -a most important crisis, and its proceedings were both of an important and -an interesting character. Nor, until now, have those proceedings ever been -published entire. Indeed, it is believed that no part of them was ever in -print, until very recently a portion of the manuscript was discovered, and -inserted in that invaluable collection, the papers of the Massachusetts -Historical Society. That manuscript, however, was very defective and -incomplete, and chance alone has enabled the author to supply the -deficiency. It happened, during one of his visits to the office of the -Secretary of State last year, in search of documents, that he discovered, -among some ancient, loose, and neglected papers, several sheets of Indian -treaty proceedings, which were of themselves very imperfect. Supposing, -however, that they might possibly be of use at some time, he caused them -to be transcribed. Most luckily, on examining them in connexion with the -publication of the Massachusetts collection, they were found exactly to -supply the deficiencies of the latter. The result is, that the papers -appear now for the first time entire; a portion of them, however, from -their great length, having been transferred to the Appendix. - -In regard to the use of speeches and letters, moreover, the author, after -much consideration, has adopted the plan, as far as possible, of allowing -the actors in the scenes described to tell their own stories. This is a -method of historical, and especially of biographical, writing, which is -coming more into favour than formerly. Marshall adopts it to a -considerable extent, and very effectively, in the Life of Washington. The -instructive and admirable life of that noblest of England's naval warriors, -Lord Collingwood, was constructed upon this plan. So, also, with Moore's -Life of Byron. Taylor's Life of Cowper, one of the most useful as well as -interesting lives that have been written of that most melancholy and yet -most delightful of English bards, is composed almost entirely from the -poet's own correspondence. Lockhart's captivating Memoirs of the peerless -Scott, now in course of publication, have been constructed upon the basis -of the mighty minstrel's own letters. And it is upon the same principle -that the author has quoted so largely from the letters and speeches of -Joseph Brant, and several of his distinguished correspondents; among whom, -the reader who has only heard of "the monster Brant" as a savage once -leading the Mohawks abroad upon scalping parties, will probably be -surprised to learn, were numbered many gentlemen of rank and standing in -Church and State, both in England and America. - -An able English writer [FN] has recently opened a very interesting -discussion, upon the great advantages of thus using letters and -manuscripts in the composition of history. Speaking of the maxim that -"history is philosophy teaching by example," he remarks:--"In morals, all -depends upon circumstances. An example, whether real or fictitious, can -teach us nothing, if it contains only dry facts. The mischief of a great -many histories, and those of no mean account, is, that they are quite -contented with giving an agreeable narration of naked facts, from which we -can gather nothing beyond the facts themselves. To the chronicler, the -murder of Thomas A' Becket is the murder of Becket, and it is nothing -more. To what quarter, then, are we to look for the magic by which we may -make the dry bones live again? We answer, unhesitatingly, to the letters -of the day, if there be any. We say so, not because they will contain any -elaborate description of the feelings, or expose' of the views, of the age -to which they belong, but because they must be written, to a great extent, -in the spirit of the age in which their writers lived. The events of the -day--the writers' feelings toward their neighbours, and their neighbours' -feelings toward them--their comments on the ordinary course of things -around them; these are precious records for all who wish to study mankind -and morals in history; for these things, and these alone, can enable us -fully to appreciate the temper and spirit in which the acts commemorated -in history were done. . . . It is very true that some historians profess -to use letters, and that some have actually used them in a small degree; -but, considering their great value, they have never been used as they -deserved; and, in very many cases, their existence seems to be hardly -known to historians themselves." It is in accordance with these views, -that letters and speeches have been so copiously used in the present work; -although it is not supposed that the correspondence of a burly chieftain -of the forest, or the bluff partisan officers of a wilderness border, can -in any respect be compared with Cowper's polished models of epistolary -writing, or with those of Scott or Byron, or those of Lady Mary Wortley -Montague, of Peter of Blois or John of Salisbury. They are nevertheless -valuable in themselves, both as historical records and as illustrations -of character. Of the speeches, and sketches of speeches, embodied in this -work, together with the narratives given of the occasions which called -them forth, it may be added that they are all memorials of a people,--once -a noble race--numerous and powerful--now fast disappearing from the face -of the earth--a beautiful portion of the earth--once their own! These -memorials it was one of the chief purposes of the author to gather up and -preserve. - - * * * * * - - [FN] London Quarterly Review, No. cxvi.--Art. on Upcott's Collection of - Original Letters, Manuscripts, and State Papers. - - -The plan of the work, especially of the first and larger portion of it, -may perhaps in some respects disappoint the reader, though, it is hoped, -not unfavourably. It has been the object of the author to render it not -only a local, but, to a certain extent, a brief general history of the War -of the Revolution. Thus, while it is a particular history, ample in its -details, of the belligerent events occurring at the west of Albany, the -author has from time to time introduced brief sketches of contemporaneous -events occurring in other parts of the country. By this means, bird's-eye -glimpses have been presented, for the most part in the proper order of -time, of all the principal military operations of the whole contest. In -order, moreover, to the better understanding of the incipient -revolutionary movements in the Mohawk country, (then Tryon County,) a -rapid view is given of the same description of movements elsewhere. The -proceedings of that county were, of course, connected with, and dependent -upon, those of New England, especially of Boston--the head, and heart, and -soul of the rebellion, in its origin and its earlier stages. Hence a -summary review of the measures directly, though by degrees, leading to the -revolt of the Colonies, has not been deemed out of place, in its proper -chronological position. And as all the Indian history of the Revolutionary -war at the north, the west, and the south, has been written out in full, -by the incidental sketches of other events and campaigns marking the -contest, the work may be considered in the three-fold view of local, -general, and biographical; the whole somewhat relieved, from time to time, -if not enlivened, by individual narratives--tales of captivity and -suffering--of daring adventures and bold exploits. - -Several weeks after the preceding pages had been stereotyped, but before -any considerable progress had been made in printing the body of the work, -the author was so fortunate as to obtain a large accession of valuable -materials from General Peter Gansevoort, of Albany, embracing the -extensive correspondence of his father, the late General Gansevoort, -better known in history as "the hero of Fort Stanwix." These papers, -embracing those captured by him from the British General St. Leger, have -been found of great importance in the progress of the work, and will add -materially to its completeness and its value. - -A few words respecting the embellishments of these volumes. The -frontispiece of each volume presents an elegantly engraved portrait of the -brave and wary Mohawk, who forms the principal biographical figure of the -work, taken at different periods of his life. The Chief sat for his -picture several times in England; once, at the request of Boswell, in -1776, but to what artist is not mentioned. He likewise sat, during the -same visit, to the celebrated portrait and historical painter, George -Romney, for the Earl of Warwick. He was again painted in England, in 1786, -for the Duke of Northumberland; and a fourth time, during the same visit, -in order to present his likeness in miniature to his eldest daughter. His -last sitting was to the late Mr. Ezra Ames of Albany, at the request of -the late John Caldwell, Esq. of that city. This was about the year 1805, -and the likeness is pronounced the best ever taken of Captain Brant. The -author's valued friend Catlin has made a very faithful copy of this -portrait, which has been beautifully engraved by Mr. A. Dick, a well-known -and skillful artist of New-York. This picture, as latest in the order of -time, will be found at the head of the second volume. The inscription of -this plate is a _facsimile_ of the old chief's signature, from a letter -written by him to the Duke of Northumberland not long before his death. -The author has another picture of the elder Brant, of which he may be -pardoned for giving some account. Being at Catskill, in the Summer of -1833, the author discovered, in the possession of his friend, Mr. Van -Bergen, some odd volumes of the London Magazine of 1776, in one of which -he accidentally found an engraving of Brant, from the portrait taken for -Boswell, in the gala costume of the Chief as he appeared at Court. The -countenance of this picture, however, was dull, and comparatively -unmeaning. On his visit to Upper Canada, in September, 1836, the -chieftain's daughter, Mrs. Kerr, showed him a head of her father in a gold -locket, which was full of character and energy--with an eye like the -eagle's. Having procured this locket, and placed it, together with the -engraving referred to, in the hands of Mr. N. Rogers, that eminent artist -has produced a very spirited and beautiful picture, which was painted -expressly to be engraved for this work. Before it was placed in the hands -of the artist, however, Mr. Chapman, an artist of New-York, returning from -a visit to England, brought with him a superb print of Brant, taken from -the Earl of Warwick's picture by Romney. As this print not only presents -more of the figure of the chief than either of the others, and possesses -withal more character and spirit, it has been adopted for the work in lieu -of that painted by Mr. Rogers. The engraving has also been well executed -by Dick, and stands in front of the first volume. The picture by Catlin -is the war-chief of the forest in the full maturity of years. The other -is the Indian courtier in London. This first volume also contains a finely -engraved portrait of General Gansevoort, by Prudhomme, from a portrait by -Stuart. It is a fine specimen of the gentleman of the Revolutionary era. - -But these are not all the pictorial illustrations. In the completion of -the life of Brant, it has been deemed proper to add some account of his -family subsequent to his decease. The law of official inheritance among -the Six Nations will be found peculiar to that people, the descent being -through the female line. Joseph Brant was himself the principal War-chief -of the Six Nations; and his third wife, who at his decease was left a -young widow, was, in her own right, the representative of the sovereignty -of the Confederacy, in whom alone was vested the power of naming, from -among her own children, or, in default of a child of her own, from the -next of kin, a principal civil and military chief. On the death of her -husband, therefore, she selected as his successor her youngest son, John -Brant, then a lad of seven years old. He grew up a noble fellow, both in -courage and character, as the reader will ascertain before he closes the -second volume. During the author's visit to the Brant House in Upper -Canada, he saw a portrait of the young chief, then recently deceased, -which, though painted by a country artist, and, as a whole, a very bad -picture, was nevertheless pronounced by Mr. and Mrs. Kerr to be very -correct, so far as the figure and likeness were concerned. Obtaining this -portrait from Canada last Autumn, it was placed in the hands of Mr. Hoxie, -who has produced the excellent picture which has been well engraved by Mr. -Parker, and will be found in the second volume. As the young chief went -first upon the war-path in the Niagara campaigns of 1812-15, the idea of -embodying a section of the great cataract in the back-ground of the -picture was exceedingly appropriate. - -As the name of the celebrated Red Jacket appears frequently in the second -volume, a likeness of him has been added, from a painting by Weir, -beautifully engraved by Hatch. In addition to all which is the finely -engraved title-page, designed, engraved, and presented to the author, by -his estimable friend Mr. A. Rawdon. - -In addition to these illustrations, another has been added, the character -of which is striking and its history curious. It is the sketch of a scene -at a conference with the Indians at Buffalo Creek, in the year 1793, held -by Beverley Randolph, General Benjamin Lincoln, and Colonel Timothy -Pickering, in the presence of a number of the British officers then -stationed upon that frontier. Messrs. Randolph, Lincoln, and Pickering -were on a pacific mission, accompanied, at the request of the Indians, by -a number of Quakers. The sketch of that conference was drawn by a British -officer, Col. Pilkington, and taken to Europe. In 1819 it was presented to -an American gentleman of the name of Henry, at Gibraltar, and by him given -to the Massachusetts Historical Society. The sketch is drawn with the -taste and science of a master of the art; the grouping is fine, and the -likenesses are excellent. As the history of the mission of those gentleman -forms an interesting chapter in the present work, this sketch has been -deemed an appropriate accompaniment. - -In addition to the acknowledgments already made in the preceding pages, -the author is under obligations, to a greater or less extent, to many -other individuals, for hints, suggestions, and the collection of materials. -Among these he takes pleasure in naming the Hon. Lewis Cass, late -Secretary of War, and now Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary -near the Court of St. Cloud; General Dix, Secretary of the State of -New-York, and Mr. Archibald Campbell, his deputy; General Morgan Lewis; -Major James Cochran, of Oswego, and also his Lady, who was the youngest -daughter of General Schuyler; Major William Popham, who was an aid-de-camp -to General James Clinton; Samuel S. Lush, Esq., and S. De Witt Bloodgood, -Esq. of Albany; James D. Bemis, Esq. of Canandaigua; Lauren Ford and -George H. Feeter, Esquires, of Little Falls; Giles F. Yates, Esq. of -Schenectady; William Forsyth, Esq. of Quebec; and the Rev. Mr. Lape, -formerly of Johnstown, and now of Athens, N. Y. - -With these preliminary explanations, the work is committed to the public, -in the belief that, although it might, of course, have been better -executed by an abler hand with a mind less distracted by other pressing -and important duties, it will, nevertheless, be found a substantial -addition to the stock of American history. - - WILLIAM L. STONE. - -_New-York, March,_ 1838. - - - - - LIFE OF BRANT. - - - - - LIFE - OF - - JOSEPH BRANT--THAYENDANEGEA, &c. - - * * * * * - - CHAPTER I. - - - Birth and parentage--Discussion of the doubts cast upon his origin--Visit - of Mohawk chiefs to Queen Anne--Evidence of Brant's descent from one of - those--Digression from the main subject, and Extracts from the private - and official journals of Sir William Johnson--Connexion between Sir - William and the family of Brant--Incidental references to the old French - war--Illustrations of Indian proceedings, speeches, &c.--Brant's - parentage satisfactorily established--Takes the field in the Campaign of - Lake George (1765.)--Is engaged at the conquest of Niagara - (1759.)--Efforts of Sir William Johnson to civilize the Indians--Brant - is sent, with other Indian youths, to the Moor Charity School, at - Lebanon--Leaves school--Anecdote--Is engaged on public business by Sir - William--As an Interpreter for the Missionaries--Again takes the field, - in the wars against Pontiac--Intended massacre at Detroit--Ultimate - overthrow of Pontiac--First marriage of Brant--Entertains the - Missionaries--Again employed on public business--Death of his - wife--Engages with Mr. Stewart in translating the Scriptures--Marries - again--Has serious religious impressions--Selects a bosom friend and - confidant, after the Indian custom--Death of his friend--His grief, and - refusal to choose another friend. - -The birth and parentage of Joseph Brant, or, more correctly, of -Thayendanegea--for such was his real name--have been involved in -uncertainty, by the conflicting accounts that have been published -concerning him. The Indians have no herald's college in which the lineage -of their great men can be traced, or parish registers of marriages and -births, by which a son can ascertain his paternity. Ancestral glory and -shame are therefore only reflected darkly through the dim twilight of -tradition. By some authors, Thayendanegea has been called a half-breed. -By others he has been pronounced a Shawanese by parentage, and only a -Mohawk by adoption. Some historians have spoken of him as a son of Sir -William Johnson; [FN] while others again have allowed him the honour of -Mohawk blood, but denied that he was descended from a chief. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Several authors have suggested that Brant was the son of the Baronet. - Drake, in his useful compilation, "The Book of the Indians," states that - he had been so informed by no less an authority than Jared Sparks. Drake - himself calls him an _Onondaga_ of the Mohawk Tribe! - - -Nearly twenty years ago, a brief account of the life and character of this -remarkable man was published in the Christian Recorder, at Kingston, in the -province of Upper Canada. In that memoir it was stated that Thayendanegea -was born on the banks of the Ohio, whither his parents had emigrated from -the valley of the Mohawk, and where they are said to have sojourned several -years. "His mother at length returned with two children--Mary, who lived -with Sir William Johnson, and Joseph, the subject of this memoir. Nothing -was known of Brant's father among the Mohawks. Soon after the return of -this family to Canajoharie, the mother married a respectable Indian called -Carrihogo, or News-Carrier, whose Christian name was Barnet or Bernard; -but, by way of contraction, he went by the name of Brant." Hence it is -argued that the lad, who was in future to become not only a distinguished -war-chief, but a statesman, and the associate of the chivalry and nobility -of England, having thus been introduced into the family of that name, was -first known by the distinctive appellation of "Brant's Joseph" and in -process of time, by inversion, "Joseph Brant." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Christian Register, 1819, Vol. I. No. 3, published at Kingston, - (U. C.) and edited by the Rev. Doctor, now the Honourable and Venerable - Archdeacon Strachan, of Toronto. The sketches referred to were written by - Dr. Strachan, upon information received by him many years before, from - the Rev. Dr. Stewart, formerly a missionary in the Mohawk Valley, and - father of the present Archdeacon Stewart of Kingston. - - -There is an approximation to the truth in this relation, and it is in part -sustained by the existing family tradition. The facts are these: the Six -Nations had carried their arms far to the west and south, and the whole -country south of the lakes was claimed by them, to a certain extent of -supervisory jurisdiction, by the right of conquest. To the Ohio and -Sandusky country they asserted a stronger and more peremptory claim, -extending to the right of soil--at least on the lake shore as far as -Presque Isle. From their associations in that country, it had become usual -among the Six Nations, especially the Mohawks, to make temporary removals -to the west during the hunting seasons, and one or more of those families -would frequently remain abroad, among the Miamis, the Hurons, and -Wyandots, for a longer or shorter period, as they chose. One of the -consequences of this intercommunication, was the numerous family alliances -existing between the Six Nations and others at the west--the Wyandots, in -particular. - -It was while his parents were abroad upon one of those hunting excursions, -that Thayendanegea was born, in the year 1742, on the banks of the Ohio. -The home of his family was at the Canajoharie Castle--the central of the -three Castles of the Mohawks, in their native valley. His father's name -was Tehowaghwengaraghkwin, a full-blooded Mohawk of the Wolf Tribe. [FN] -Thayendanegea was very young when his father died. His mother married a -second time to a Mohawk; and the family tradition at present, is, that the -name of Brant was acquired in the manner assumed by the publication -already cited. There is reason to doubt the accuracy of this tradition, -however, since it is believed that there was an Indian family, of some -consequence and extent, bearing the English name of Brant. Indeed, from -the extracts presently to be introduced from the recently discovered -manuscripts of Sir William Johnson, it may be questioned whether -Tehowaghwengaraghkwin, and an old chief, called by Sir William sometimes -Brant, and at others Nickus Brant, were not one and the same person. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Each of the original Five Nations was divided into three tribes--the - Tortoise, the Bear, and the Wolf. The subject of the present memoir was - of the latter. According to David Cusick, a Tuscarora, who has written a - tract respecting the history of the ancient Five Nations, the laws of the - confederation required that the Onondagas should provide the King, and - the Mohawks a great War-Chief. - - -The denial that he was a born chief, is likewise believed to be incorrect. -It is very true, that among the Six Nations, chieftainship was not -necessarily obtained by inheritance. But in regard to Thayendanegea, there -is no doubt that he was of noble blood. The London Magazine for July, -1776, contains a sketch of him, probably furnished by Boswell, with whom -he was intimate during his first visit to England in 1775-'76. In that -account it is affirmed as a fact without question, that he was the -grandson of one of the five sachems who visited England, and excited so -much attention in the British capital, in 1710, during the reign of Queen -Anne. Of those chiefs, two were of the Muhhekaneew, or River Indians, and -three were Mohawks--one of whom was chief of the Canajoharie clan. [FN-1] -Thayendanegea was of the latter clan; and as there is reason to believe -that his father was a sachem, there can be little doubt of the correctness -of the London publication, in claiming for him direct descent from the -Canajoharie chief who visited the British court at the time above -mentioned. But there is other evidence to sustain the assumption. In the -Life of the first President Wheelock, by the Rev. Messrs. McClure and -Parish, it is asserted that the father of Joseph Brant "was sachem of the -Mohawks, after the death of the famous King Hendrick." The intimacy for a -long time existing between the family of Brant and the Wheelocks, father -and sons, renders this authority, in the absence of unwritten testimony -still more authentic, very good; and as Hendrick fell in 1755, when -Thayendanegea was thirteen years of age, the tradition of the early death -of his father, and his consequent assumption of a new name, is essentially -weakened. Mrs. Grant, of Laggan, who in early life was a resident of -Albany, and intimately acquainted with the domestic relations of Sir -William Johnson, speaks of the sister of young Thayendanegea, who was -intimately associated in the family of the Baronet, as "the daughter of -a sachem." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] These five sachems, or Indian kings, as they were called, were - taken to England by Colonel Schuyler. Their arrival in London created a - great sensation, not only in the capital, but throughout the kingdom. The - populace followed them wherever they went. The Court was at that time in - mourning for the death of the Prince of Denmark, and the chiefs were - dressed in black under-clothes, after the English manner; but, instead of - a blanket, they had each a scarlet-ingrain cloth mantle, edged with gold, - thrown over all their other clothes. This dress was directed by the - dressers of the play-house, and given by the Queen. A more than ordinary - solemnity attended the audience they had of her Majesty. They were - conducted to St. James's in two coaches by Sir Charles Cotterel, and - introduced to the royal presence by the Duke of Shrewsbury, then Lord - Chamberlain. [Smith's History.] Oldmixon has preserved the speech - delivered by them on the occasion, and several historians record the - visit. Sir Richard Steele mentions these chiefs in the Tatler of May 13, - 1710, They were also made the subject of a number of the Spectator, by - Addison. - - [FN-2] "Memoirs of an American Lady," chap, xxxix. - - -In the manuscript diary of Sir William Johnson, just referred to, and of -which more particular mention has been made in the Introduction, the -Baronet often had occasion to speak of Brant, of Canajoharie. Sometimes he -was called "Nickus Brant," and at others Aroghyadagha--but most frequently -"Old Nickus," or "Old Brant." As these private journals of Sir William -have never seen the light, and are curious in themselves, a few extracts -will probably not be unacceptable to the reader--serving, as they will, -not only to illustrate the present history, but also the character of the -intercourse and relations existing between the English and the Indians, -under the administration of the Indian department by that distinguished -officer. A more just idea of the character and importance of the -chieftain's family, may likewise be derived from a perusal of the extracts -proposed to be given, exhibiting, as they do, something of the intercourse -maintained between the families of the white and the red warriors. - -It must be borne in mind, that the diary to which we are referring, was -written in the years 1757, '58, and '59--in the midst of the old French -war, ending by the conquest of Canada, in 1763. An expedition against that -colony, under the conduct of Lord Loudoun, projected early in the former -year, had been abandoned in consequence of his Lordship's inability to -bring a sufficient number of troops into the field, to meet the heavy -reinforcements sent over that year from France. Meantime the Marquis de -Montcalm, with an army of 9000 men, had advanced through Lake George, and -carried Fort William Henry--the siege of which was followed by a frightful -massacre--and was then threatening Fort Edward and the settlements on the -Hudson; while at the west, the French, with their Indian allies, were -continually threatening an invasion by the way of Oswego; and by their -scouts and scalping parties, were vexing the German settlements on the -Upper Mohawk, and continually harassing the Six Nations--or Iroquois--ever -the objects of French hostility. In this state of things, it required the -utmost activity on the part of Sir William Johnson, his officers and -Indian allies, to keep themselves well informed as to the actual or -intended movements of their subtle enemies. There was therefore constant -employment, until the close of the year, for Indian scouts and messengers, -throughout the whole wilderness country from Lake Champlain to Niagara, -and Fort Du Quesne, on the Ohio. With this explanation we proceed to the -diary: - -"1757.--_Nov._ 4. Canadiorha, alias Nickus Brant's son, who was in quest -after De Conagne as far as Oneida, came here (Fort Johnson), and said he -inquired what news was stirring among the Oneidas. One of the sachems told -him the same piece of news Ogaghte brought some days since, about the -French intending to stop the powder from the Six Nations,--building a fort -near Chennessio, &c.--that it made a great noise among the nations, and -gave them uneasiness; wherefore they were assembling often at Chennessio, -and keeping (holding) often great councils among themselves how to act in -this affair of last moment. He further was told at Oneida, that but two -days ago the Six Nations received a message from the Twightwees (Miamies), -letting their brethren of the Six Nations know that they had heard of the -insolent attempt of the French, of destroying the Six Nations; and that -after the many provocations the French gave them, in stirring them up to -war against the English, &c. they were now resolved to turn the hatchet -against the French, and resolved to pass the Six Nations' country in their -way to war. They expected not to be delayed, but to be immediately joined -by the warriors of the Six Nations, and to proceed toward Canada. He also -said he heard the foreign (distant) nations complain very much for want of -trade with the English; and Tahaddy, a Chenundidie chief, said that he was -stopped by the French to sell his fur at Cataraghqui, and that he got not -the half quantity of goods that he could (have) got from the English, and -that he intended to keep his furs for the future, and in the Spring to go -with them to Albany, and at the same time to intercede with Sir William in -behalf of all the western nations, to grant them a trade again--and -further Canadiorha said not." - -In the next extract it will be seen that Sir William speaks of Brant as a -"sachem." Of course it could be none other than the elder, or "Old Brant," -at the time; as Joseph was not then more than sixteen years old. - -"1758--_April_ 15_th._ Sir William set out for Canajoharie, and took with -him Captains Johnson,[FN-1] Fonda, and Jacobus Clement, in order to settle -some matters with the Indians of that castle. He arrived that night." -[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Guy Johnson, his son-in-law. - - [FN-2] This entry is not in the hand-writing of Sir William, but of a - certain "P. W." who was his private secretary, - - -"_April_ 16_th._ He delivered a string of wampum to Brant and Paulus, two -sachems, desiring them to call all their people out of the woods to attend -a meeting he proposed the next day with them, at which he should let them -know General Abercrombie's pleasure, and his own inclination and -advice--also what passed between him and the several nations, who of late -had had several meetings with him." - -Preparations were now making for a more formidable and vigorous campaign, -under General Abercrombie, who had succeeded Lord Loudoun. His object was -an attack upon Ticonderoga, and, if successful, a descent upon Crown Point -and Montreal. The French in Canada were of course making corresponding -exertions to repel the expected invasion. With a view of creating a -diversion, by annoying the colony of New-York from another quarter, they -were said to be preparing to invade the Mohawk Valley, by the way of -Oswego and Fort Stanwix. A party of their Indians had made a bold -irruption, toward the close of April, upon Burnetsfield, on the south side -of the Mohawk, and destroyed the entire settlement--massacreing men, -women, and children--thirty-three in number--being the whole population -save two persons. There had likewise been outrages at the German Flats, -where several Indians had been killed by the inhabitants. The militia were -promptly ordered into the field, to rendezvous at Canajoharie, whither Sir -William repaired on the 4th of May, to lead them against the -enemy--reported on the same day to be in force at the great carrying place -(Fort Stanwix.) - -Meantime it was well known that the French had left no means untried, to -seduce the five westernmost tribes of the Six Nations from their -allegiance to the English. They had long had their Jesuit priests among -the Oneidas, Onondagas, &c.; and a variety of circumstances had occurred to -induce the Mohawks to distrust their brethren of the other tribes. Under -these circumstances, Sir William received the invitation thus noted in his -diary:-- - -"_April_ 4_th._ Sir William having had an invitation from the Six Nations -to attend a grand meeting to be held at Onondaga within a few days hence, -where he intends to proceed, in case the last alarm should prove -groundless." - -The Baronet arrived at Canajoharie in the evening, and attended a dance of -the young warriors, having the scalp of one of the hostile Indians engaged -in the recent irruption, who had been killed at the German Flats. He is -thus spoken of in the diary--in the hand-writing of Sir William's -secretary. - -"The body of Otqueandageghte, an Onondaga warrior, who lived for some -years at Swegachy, and formerly a mate of Sir William's, was found. His -name was engraved on the handle (of his knife), and how often he had been -to war, together with this inscription--'_Otqueandageghte le Camera de -Jeanson._'" - -Sir William was highly respected by the Six Nations, and by the Mohawks in -particular was greatly beloved. This affection was not only manifested by -their actions, but often in their speeches, at their councils, and in -their concern for his welfare when sick, and for his safety when in the -field. [FN] Such being their feelings toward the Baronet, they were -reluctant, under existing circumstances, to allow him to place himself in -the power of the Indians about to assemble at the Great Council Fire at -Onondaga. They were likewise apprehensive that he might incur danger from -some of the scalping parties of the French. These explanations will render -the following extracts from the diary intelligible:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] To this point, at the close of a council, Sir William says--"When I - drank to them at parting, they in return drank my health, and thanked God - I had recovered my late illness. They then all said that it was happy I - did not die then; for, said they, 'had you died, we and the English would - get by the ears very soon, we see; and we fear it will be the case when - you die or leave us.'" Again, at another council the chiefs commenced - their speech:-- - - "Brother, We are extremely glad to see you so well recovered of your late - very dangerous illness, and thank the Great Spirit above for it. Had you - been taken away from us that time, our case would have been melancholy, - and our situation extremely precarious. It will be so, we fear, whenever - we lose you." - - Diary, Jan. 14-19, 1758. - - -"_May_ 5_th._ Sir William having no further accounts of the enemy's -appearance, sent a scout of two Mohawks, two Canajoharies, and a white -man, to go as far as Wood Creek and the Oneida Lake, in order to obtain -the certainty of the alarm. About noon all the women of the chief men of -this castle met at Sir William's lodging, and brought with them several of -the sachems, who acquainted Sir William that they had something to say to -him in the name of their chief women. - -"Old Nickus (Brant) being appointed speaker, opened his discourse with -condoling with Sir William for the losses his people had sustained, and -then proceeded:-- - -"Brother, we understand you intend to go to a meeting to Onondaga; we -can't help speaking with this belt of wampum to you, and giving our -sentiments on your intended journey. In the first place we think it quite -contrary to the customs of any Governors or Superintendent of Indian -affairs being called to Onondaga upon public business, as the council fire -which burns there serves only for private consultations of the -confederacy; and when matters are concluded and resolved upon there, the -confederacy are to set out for the great fire place which is at your -house, and there deliver their conclusion. In the next place we are almost -convinced that the invitation is illegal, and not agreed upon or desired -by the confederacy, but only the Qneidas--which gives us the more reason -to be uneasy about your going, as it looks very suspicious. Did not they -tell you, when they invited you, the road of friendship was clear, and -every obstacle removed that was in before? They scarce uttered it, and the -cruelties were committed at the German Flats, where the remainder of our -poor brethren were butchered by the enemy's Indians. Is this a clear road -of peace and friendship? Would not you be obliged to wade all the way in -the blood of the poor innocent men, women, and children who were murdered -after being taken? - -"Brother, by this belt of wampum, we, the women, surround and hang about -you like little children, who are crying at their parents' going from -them, for fear of their never returning again to give them suck; and we -earnestly beg you will give ear to our request, and desist from your -journey. We flatter ourselves you will look upon this our speech, and take -the same notice of it as all our men do, who, when they are addressed by -the women, and desired to desist from any rash enterprise, they -immediately give way, when, before, every body else tried to dissuade them -from it, and could not prevail." - - _Gave the Belt._ - -"_Canajoharie, May 7th._ This afternoon Sir William had a meeting with the -chief women of this castle, and returned them thanks for their condolence -of the 5th instant. At the same time he condoled with them for the loss of -one of the tribe of the Bear, that belonged to the chief of that tribe, -with a stroud blanket, a shirt, and stockings." - - _A string of Wampum._ - -"Sir William told them that he would answer their speech concerning his -journey, when the messengers who had gone to Oneida came back. He also -made private presents to a few of the head women of each tribe, with a -blanket and shirt each." - -"_May_ 10_th._ This afternoon Sir William returned his answer to the -speech of the chief women of this castle, made to him on the 5th instant, -which is as follows:-- - -"Dyattego, your tender and affectionate speech, made some days ago, I have -considered, and thereupon have dispatched messengers to Oneida, in order -to inquire how things stand there after what happened at the German -Flats, and whether my presence at the meeting would be still necessary. -These messengers are returned, and I find by them that the sachems of -Oneida likewise disapprove my proceeding any farther, for sundry reasons -they give in their reply. Wherefore I shall comply with your request to -return, and heartily thank you for the great tenderness and love expressed -for me in your speech." - - _Returned their Belt._ - -The next entry in which the name of Nickus Brant occurs, is under date of -November 18th, 1758--in which he is called the chief sachem of Canajoharie. -He must also have been a man of trust and consequence, as he had then just -returned from an important mission to a great Indian council in -Pennsylvania. - -"_Fort Johnson, Nov._ 18, 1758. Nickus, chief sachem of Canajoharie, -arrived from the meeting at Easton, and in the presence of the Belt, a -Seneca chief, several more of said nation, the Red Head, and some more -Onondagoes, showed me all the belts which passed between the Governors of -Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and these several nations of Indians there -assembled, with the purport of them, which I need not insert here." - -An important land negotiation had taken place at the council at Easton, by -which the agents of Penn had agreed to release to the Six Nations, certain -territories purchased of them at Albany in 1754--but which sale gave -dissatisfaction to the tribes. Nickus desired Sir William to communicate -this information to the Indians, on their return from hunting; and Sir -William enjoined it upon Nickus to put an end to the irregularities of his -tribe, and the mischief they were doing to the property; as "such -barbarism must be productive of very fatal consequences." - -The Diary says:--"He told me it was with the utmost concern he had heard -what I had told him, and assured me he would endeavour all in his power to -restrain them, and try to bring them to proper order; but doubted of -success while there was such a flood of rum in the country, which alone -occasioned them to commit such irregularities, and which, if not -prevented, must inevitably destroy them all in a little time." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The introduction and pernicious effects of ardent spirits among the - Indians were a frequent subject of complaint, even at that early day, of - which Sir William's memoranda, and the records of Indian speeches to him, - afford repeated proofs. - - -On the 18th of January, 1759, Sir William held a conference at Canajoharie -Castle with the Mohawk and Seneca chiefs. After condoling with them for -their losses by sickness, with three strings of wampum, and for their -losses by the war with a like number of strings, he addressed them as -follows:-- - -"Brethren of the two Mohawk Castles and Senecas: I take the first -opportunity of acquainting you that His Majesty has been pleased to -appoint Lieutenant General Amherst, Commander in Chief of all his forces -in North America, in the room of Lieutenant General Abercrombie, who is -called home. Also that the General has, by letter, desired I would use my -utmost endeavours to get as great a number of our brethren, the Six -Nations, to join him early next Spring against our common enemy, as I -possibly can. This I shall endeavour to do, and would be glad of your -advice and assistance therein, which by this belt of wampum I desire you, -as our steady friends, will afford me. - - "_A Belt._ - -"Brethren: As you are all acquainted with the late cruel and unprecedented -murder of John McMichael, one of our people, by a Cayouga [FN] Indian near -Fort Stanwix, whom he employed to escort him to Fort Herkimer, I shall not -repeat the disagreeable circumstances to you, as I am sensible it affects -you as well as me. I would now only ask your opinion what are the proper -steps to be taken in the affair, as it will always have great weight with -me. - - "_Three Strings._" - - * * * * * - - [FN] Always spelt thus by Sir William Johnson. - - -"Brethren: I lately received these strings of wampum from the Oneidas by -Captain Fonda, by which they say I am invited to a meeting proposed to be -held soon at Onondaga, where you are also desired to attend. I am ready -and willing to go if you think it will be for the good of the service. At -the same time I must observe to you, that I think it an unprecedented -manner of inviting either you or me, without some of the Onondagas coming -down with it as usual. I nevertheless submit to your judgment, as being -better acquainted with their forms, and expect you will give it me, as -well as your opinion of the proper steps for me to take, in order to get -what prisoners of ours may be among the nations." - - _Three Strings._ - -"_Do. Die._ Tarrawarriax, and another Seneca sachem, came to Sir William, -_at Brant's house,_ and told him, &c. - -"_January_ 19. The sachems, &c. being met at their council room, sent to -acquaint Sir William that they were ready to answer to what he the day -before had laid before them. On which he, with the same gentlemen who -attended him yesterday, went to the meeting, when Aroghyadecka, _alias_ -Old Brant, chief of the Canajoharies, spoke as follows:-- - -"Brother Warraghiysgey [FN]--We are much obliged to you for giving us so -timely notice of the General's desire and intentions, and we hope and wish -that he may be ready to take the field very early, which in our opinion is -what should always be done. You may depend upon our attachment and -assistance; being determined, as we declared to you at the beginning of -this war, to stand or fall with you. And as you desired our opinion with -regard to the Six Nations, we have considered of it, and think it best -that you call their sachems, chief warriors, and leading women, down to -your house as soon as may be, where we shall be ready to attend and assist -you all in our power. - - "_Returned the Belt._" - - * * * * * - - [FN] The name which the Indians had conferred upon Sir William, and by - which he was almost invariably addressed. - - -"Brother: The late murder of one of our brethren near the carrying place, -by one of the Upper nations in the French interest, gives us great -concern, and think he ought to be severely punished for it. But as we hope -the Six Nations may now act a better part than they have hitherto, we -would advise you not to say any thing about it until they come to the -meeting at your house, and then we think the milder you speak to them, the -better, at this time. And this is our opinion. - - "_Returned three Strings._ - -"Brother: As for the strings of wampum lately sent by the Oneidas, to -invite you and us to a meeting at Onondaga, we think with you that it was -not according to our ancient and usual custom, nor was it even a proper -invitation. We are of opinion that your inviting them all to your house is -much better and more in character. Wherefore we would be very glad if you -would give them an invitation, and at the same time to send some strings of -wampum, desiring they would bring what prisoners of our brethren may be -among them. - - "_Three Strings of Wampum._ - -"Brother: We return you our hearty thanks for the confidence you repose in -us, and be assured we shall ever study to act so as to continue your good -opinion of us. We are also thankful to you for the good news you yesterday -told us, and we heartily congratulate you thereon, and hope further -success may attend the King's arms." - -The course suggested by the chiefs was adopted by Sir William, and -messengers, with the usual significant belts, were forthwith dispatched to -the Cayugas and Onondagas. It was attended by the best results, as appears -from subsequent entries in the Diary. Mr. McMichael, who had been murdered -by the recreant Cayuga, was a trader of note, and the peculiar atrocity of -his murder had created a deep feeling of indignation, for which the -circumstances of treachery and duplicity stated in the official report -from the commanding officer at Fort Stanwix to Sir William, were a full -warrant. The Cayugas lost no time in manifesting their sorrow and -detestation of the crime, as will be seen from the following extract from -the Baronet's journal: [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The author is of course aware that this is a digression from his - main subject; but the incident is an interesting one, and the speech of - the Cayugas worthy of preservation for its simple pathos, and also as an - illustration of Indian character, Mr. McMichael's family are yet among - the most respectable residents of Schenectady. - - -"_Fort Johnson, Feb._ 5. Skanarady, Teughsaragarat, and Ottawannio, three -chiefs of the Cayuga nation, arrived here with several more, and after -being introduced by Clement, the interpreter, began and said: - -"Brother Warraghiyagey: The unhappy murder of one of our brethren near the -Oneida carrying place, is the occasion of our coming down at this severe -season of the year. Our nation would not be at rest, nor easy, until they -had spoke to you about it. We now, in their behalf, wipe away the tears -from your eyes, so that you may look pleasant at us. We likewise remove -all obstructions, and clear your throat, so that you may speak clear and -friendly to us. Lastly, we wipe away the blood of our brother, lately -killed near the carrying place, that the sight of it may no longer give us -concern. - - "_Three Strings of Wampum._ - -"Sir William told them that he would be ready the next morning to hear -what they had further to say, and would desire his neighbours, the -Mohawks, to attend. - -"_Wednesday, Feb._ 6. About twenty Mohawks arrived. The Cayugas being -acquainted that Sir William was ready, with the Mohawks and two -Onondagoes, to hear them, they entered the Council, and Skanarady spoke as -follows: - -"Brother Warraghiyagey: On our arrival yesterday we wiped the tears from -your eyes, and we now, agreeable to the custom of our forefathers, take -the French hatchet, (which they gave to one of our foolish, deluded young -men, giving him great rewards, and making him large promises if he would -use it against our brethren the English,) out of your head, and bury it in -a deep pool, where it can never be found; also, with this belt of wampum -we assure you that it gives our nation as much concern as it can you, and -promise the greatest care shall be taken to prevent the like happening for -the future. - - "_A Black and White Belt._ - -"Brother: With this belt we cover his grave, that the sight of it may no -longer give you or us concern. - - "_A White Belt._ - -"Brother: With these strings we raise up your head, now hanging down with -concern for the loss of one of our brethren, and beg you will no longer -keep sorrow in your mind - - "_Three Strings of Wampum._ - -"Brother: Lastly, we most earnestly entreat that you will not, for what -has happened, neglect the management of our affairs, as your neglect of -them at any, but more particularly at this, time, must render us unhappy, -and throw the confederacy into confusion. - - "_A Belt of Black and White._" - -To which Sir William replied:-- - -"Brethren of Cayuga: I have heard what you have by these belts said, and -only now tell you that I shall defer entering into the affair until the -Five Nations are met, which I expect will be soon, as I have invited them -all here. Then you and they will hear what I have to say on the subject, -and your belts shall be laid by safe until then." - -On the 11th of February, Sir William proceeded to Canajoharie, at which -place he had invited a meeting of the chiefs and warriors of the Mohawks. -The occasion, and the proceedings, will be understood from the annexed -extract:-- - -"_Monday, Feb._ 12--8 _at night._ Being all assembled, Sir William told -them that the reason of his coming to their castle was to get a number of -their briskest men to join Captain Lotteridge, and some of the Mohawks and -Schoharies, on a scout to Tienderago, [FN] or Crown Point, in order to see -what the enemy was about, and get him a prisoner from whom he might be -able to get better intelligence than the General daily receives, and which -would enable the General to take proper measures for the defence of the -country until the opening of the campaign,--and that they would be ready -in two days to set off for his house, where they would be supplied with -every thing necessary for such service. - - "_A painted War-Belt thrown between them._" - - * * * * * - - [FN] Ticonderoga--always spelled thus by Sir William Johnson. - - -No sooner was the belt cast among them, than Sonughsas, a chief of the -Bear tribe, arose, took the belt in his hand, and sang his war-song, and -was followed by several more of each tribe. Then Aroghigadecka, the chief -sachem of the castle, stood up and said:-- - -"Brother Warraghiyagey: We, the sachems and warriors of the Canajoharie -castle immediately quit our hunting on your call, and made all the haste -possible to meet you here, where we are all heartily glad to see you; and -in answer to your desire, without any hesitation, I am desired by the -young men present to tell you they will be ready to go with Captain -Lotteridge, and the Mohawks, &c. on the service you require, and we have -no reason to doubt you will (in their absence) take care of their -families, who are extremely poor and in great want of provisions. - - "_Here returned the War-Belt._ - -"Sir William thanked them for the readiness they showed on the occasion, -and told them he would give their families some provisions in their -absence, or money to purchase it, so that they should not suffer. He then -gave them an entertainment, as usual on such occasions, and parted. He -left that castle Tuesday morning, and arrived at Fort Johnson that night." - -The next mention of the Brants contained in the broken manuscripts of Sir -William, is found in the private journal kept by him of his tour to -Detroit in 1761, after the surrender of the Canadas. The duty then -devolved upon Sir William of meeting the upper Indians around the great -Lakes, previously under the influence, and many of them in the service, of -the French, in Grand Council at Detroit,--to establish friendly relations -with them, and receive a transfer of that _quasi_ allegiance which the -Indians have generally acknowledged to the whites, French, English, or -American. In addition to his own immediate suite, among whom was his son, -Lieutenant Johnson, (afterward Sir John,) he was attended on the -expedition by a detachment of troops, and a band of the Mohawk warriors. -While at Niagara, [FN] Sir William notes: - - * * * * * - - [FN] The author has already acknowledged his indebtedness to Archibald - Johnson, Esq., of Lower Canada, for the original of this very interesting - journal, which it is hoped will be of greater use in another work. - - -"_Monday, August_ 10. Nickus, [FN] of Canajoharie, an Indian, arrived here, -and acquainted me that several of his castle had died of malignant fever; -and that all Brant's family were ill of the same disorder, except the old -woman. He also told me that he had heard by the way from several Indians, -that I was to be destroyed or murdered on my way to Detroit; and that the -Indians were certainly determined to rise and fall on the English, as -several thousands of the Ottaways and other nations had agreed to join the -Five Nations in this scheme or plot." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Nickus Hance--another name and a different person from Nickus Brant, - of this Nickus, repeated mention is made in Sir William's previous - official diaries. The following quotations are given as curious - illustrations of Indian customs: - - "_Fort Johnson, May_ 22, 1757. Sir William spoke with Nickus Hance, alias - Taicarihogo, a Canajoharie chief, who came to see him, and told him, that - as he was much concerned for the loss of his (said Hance's) mother, who - lately died, that he expected he would remove his concern by going to - war, and bringing either a prisoner or a scalp to put in her room, or - stead, as is usual among Indians. Upon this Sir William gave him a very - fine black belt to enforce his request. Taicarihogo returned Sir William - thanks for the concern he shared for the loss of his mother, accepted the - belt, and promised he would, on his return home, call his young men - together, and lay Sir William's belt and request before them." [The - giving of a belt in this way, was a sort of commission to make up a - scalping party against the forces or the settlements of the - enemy.--_Author._] - - Of a similar character is the following extract from the Diary: - - "_Albany, May_ 18, 1758. Capt. Jacob Head, of a Company of Stockbridge - Indians, brought to Sir William's lodgings four French scalps, which his - cousin, chief of another company of said Indians, had taken from the - enemy some few days before, and the aforesaid Jacob spoke as follows: - - "_Brother Warraghiyagey:_ This scalp (the one with a black belt tied to it - painted) I desire maybe delivered to my wife's uncle, old Nickus, of - Canajoharie, to replace her mother, who was his sister. - - "This scalp, (meaning another upon the same stick, with a bunch of black - wampum tied to it,) I send to the aforesaid man to replace Eusenia, who - was Taraghyorie's wife. - - "This scalp, (meaning a scalp by itself on a stick, with a bunch of black - wampum,) my cousin, Captain Jacob, gives to replace old King Hendrick, of - Canajoharie. [Killed in 1755, at the battle of Lake George.--_Author._] - - "This scalp, (meaning the small one tied round with a bunch of wampum,) - my said cousin gives to replace Nickus's son, who was killed at the - battle of the Lake under your command." - - -It is needless, however, to multiply citations to the point immediately in -view. The object of those already made has been to clear up the doubts, if -possible, and establish the fact as to the immediate ancestry of -Thayendanegea, alias Joseph Brant; while, it is believed, the incidental -history necessarily involved in these extracts has not been altogether -devoid of interest. And although the fact is nowhere positively asserted, -yet there is much reason to suppose that he was the son of Nickus Brant, -whose Indian name, according to Sir William Johnson, was _Aroghyadecka;_ -but which has been furnished to the author by the family as -_Tehowaghwengaraghwin._ It has been seen from the extracts that Nickus -Brant was a Canajoharie chief of character and celebrity, between whom and -Sir William a close intimacy subsisted. When called to Canajoharie upon -business or pleasure, the Baronet's quarters were "at Brant's house," as -noted in his own Diary. It is likewise well known, that after the decease -of Lady Johnson, (an event which occurred several years antecedent to the -period of which we are now writing, and before he had won his baronetcy at -Lake George,) Sir William took to his home as his wife, Mary Brant, or -"Miss Molly," as she was called, with whom he lived until his decease in -1774, and by whom he had several children. This circumstance is thus -mentioned by Mrs. Grant in her delightful book already referred -to:--"Becoming a widower in the prime of life, he connected himself with -an Indian maiden, daughter to a sachem, who possessed an uncommonly -agreeable person and good understanding; and whether ever formally married -to him according to our usage, or not, continued to live with him in great -union and affection all his life." The Baronet himself repeatedly speaks -of this Indian lady in his private journals. While on his expedition to -Detroit, entries occur of having received news from home, and of having -written to "Molly." He always mentioned her kindly, _ex gr:_-- - -"_Wednesday, Oct._ 21_st._ Met Sir Robert Davers and Captain Etherington, -who gave me a packet of letters from General Amherst. . . . Captain -Etherington told me Molly was delivered of a girl: that all were well at -my house, where they staid two days." - -But to return from these digressions. Molly, as it has already been -stated, was the sister of Thayendanegea; and both, according to the -account of the London Magazine of 1776, the earliest printed testimony -upon the subject, were the grandchildren of one of the Mohawk chiefs who -visited England half a century before. That his father was a chief, -several authorities have likewise been cited to show; to which may be -added that of Allen's Biographical Dictionary, where the fact is -positively asserted. [FN] From such a body of testimony, therefore, direct -and circumstantial, it is hazarding but very little to assume, that, so -far from having been of humble and plebeian origin, according to the -statement of Dr. Stewart, Joseph Brant was of the noblest descent among -his nation. - - * * * * * - - [FN] President Allen is connected by marriage with the family of the late - President Wheelock, and has had excellent opportunities for arriving at - the probable truth. - - -Of the early youth of Joseph, there are no accounts, other than that he -was very young when first upon the war-path. In one of the authorities to -which reference has already been made, [FN-1] it is stated, that having -attained the age of thirteen years, he joined the warriors of his tribe -under Sir William Johnson, and was present at the memorable battle of Lake -George, in which the French were defeated, and their commander, the Baron -Dieskau, mortally wounded. The Mohawks were led into action by their -celebrated king, the brave old Hendrick, who was slain. [FN-2] It was this -victory which laid the foundation of Sir William's military fame, and in -reward for which he was created a Baronet. It is reported, that in -relating the particulars of this bloody engagement to Doctor Stewart, the -youthful warrior acknowledged, "That this being the first action at which -he was present, he was seized with such a tremor when the firing began, -that he was obliged to take hold of a small sapling to steady himself; but -that after the discharge of a few vollies, he recovered the use of his -limbs and the composure of his mind, so as to support the character of a -brave man, of which he was exceedingly ambitious." He was no doubt a -warrior by nature. "I like," said he, once in after-life, when the -conversation was about music, "the harpsichord well, and the organ still -better; but I like the drum and trumpet best of all, for they make my -heart beat quick." [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - - [FN-1] Christian Register. - - [FN-2] A council of war was called Sept. 8. It was proposed to send a - detachment to meet the enemy. When the number was mentioned to Hendrick, - he replied--"If they are to fight, they are too few; if they are to be - killed, they are too many." When it was proposed to send out the - detachment in three parties, Hendrick took three sticks, and said, "Put - these together, and you can't break them; take them one by one, and you - will do it easily." Hendrick's advice was taken, and victory was the - result.--_Holmes._ - - [FN-3] Letter of T. Campbell to Ahyonwaeghs, - - -President Allen states that the father of Thayendanegea had three sons in -the army of Sir William Johnson in the year 1756. Of these Joseph was -probably the youngest, since he was but thirteen at the battle of Lake -George in 1755. A young warrior truly; but he might well have been there, -even at that tender age, since, by all the accounts that have descended to -us, he must have been a lad of uncommon enterprise--giving early promise -of those eminent qualities, which were developed in the progress of a life -of various and important action. - -The youthful warrior likewise accompanied Sir William during the Niagara -campaign of 1759, and in the brilliant achievements of the Baronet, after -the chief command had devolved upon him by the death of General Prideaux, -is said to have acquitted himself with distinguished bravery. General -Prideaux, commanding the expedition, was killed by the accidental -explosion of a cohorn on the 20th of July, soon after commencing the -siege; but Sir William prosecuted the plan of his fallen superior with -judgment and vigour. On the 24th of July Monsieur D'Aubrey approached the -fortress with a strong force, for the purpose of raising the siege. A -severe engagement ensued in the open field, which resulted in the triumph -of the British and Provincial arms. The action was commenced with great -impetuosity by the French, but Sir William was well prepared for their -reception. After a spirited contest of half an hour, the French broke, and -the fate of the day was decided. The flight of the French was bloody and -disastrous for the space of five miles, at which distance D'Aubrey, and -most of his officers, were captured. The Indians behaved uncommonly well -on this occasion, and Brant was among them. On the following day, so -vigorously did the Baronet prosecute his operations, the fort was taken, -with all its military supplies and about six hundred prisoners. By this -blow the French were cut off from their project of keeping up a line of -fortified communications with Louisiana. - -The exertions of Sir William Johnson to improve the moral and social -condition of his Mohawk neighbours, were not the least of his praiseworthy -labours among that brave and chivalrous people. Having aided in the -building of churches and locating missionaries among them, at the request -of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland and others, he selected numbers of young Mohawks, -and caused them to be sent to the "Moor Charity School," established at -Lebanon, Connecticut, under the immediate direction of the Rev. Doctor -Eleazer Wheelock, afterward President of Dartmouth College, of which, by -its transfer, that school became the foundation. Among the youths thus -selected was young Thayendanegea, the promising brother of "Miss Molly." - -The precise year in which he was thus placed under the charge of Dr. -Wheelock cannot now be ascertained. The school itself was opened for the -reception of Indian pupils, avowedly as an Indian missionary school, in -1748; the first Indian scholar, Samson Occum, having been received into it -five years before.[FN-1] It has been asserted that Joseph was received -into the school in July 1761, at which time he must have been nineteen -years old, and a memorandum of his preceptor to that effect has been -cited. According to Dr. Stewart,[FN-2] however, he was a mere boy when -first sent to Lebanon; and it will presently appear that the entry of Dr. -Wheelock was most probably incorrect. He was doubtless at the school in -that year, and very likely on the point of leaving it; since three years -afterward he will be found settled in his own native valley, and engaged -in very different pursuits. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The success of the Doctor with him, was a strong inducement for - establishing the school. Occum was ordained to the ministry in 1759; and - was subsequently located as a missionary among the Oneidas, to which - place he was accompanied by Sir William himself. The Indian preacher - afterward compiled and published a volume of devotional hymns. - - [FN-2] Although, for want of other authorities in regard to the young - chief at this period of his life, it is necessary to use that of Dr. - Stewart, yet that is evidently not very accurate. For instance, he sends - Thayendanegea to Dr. Wheelock _at Dartmouth;_ whereas the school at that - place was not opened until 1770, at which period, or only one year - thereafter, by the same authority, the chief was living in his own house, - with a wife and children, at Canajoharie. - - -The correspondence between Doctor Wheelock and Sir William was quite -active at this period upon the subject of the school, and Joseph was -himself employed as an agent to procure recruits for it. Thus, in a letter -from the Baronet to the Doctor, dated November 17, 1761, he says--"I have -given in charge to Joseph, to speak in my name to any good boys he may -see, and encourage to accept the generous offers now made to them; which -he promised to do, and return as soon as possible, and that without -horses." The probability, however, is, that he went to the school -immediately after his return from the Niagara campaign in 1759. No doubt -he had left it before Sir William wrote the letter just cited, and, being -engaged upon some Indian mission, had been instructed to interest himself -among the people of the forest in behalf of that institution. That he did -not, himself, remain long at the school, is conceded. According to Dr. -Stewart, moreover, he made but little proficiency in his studies at this -seminary, having "learned to read but very indifferently in the New -Testament, and to write but very little." The fact, however, that the Rev. -Charles Jeffrey Smith, a missionary to the Mohawks, took Thayendanegea as -an interpreter in the year following, (1762,) and gave him an excellent -character, presents a much more favourable idea of his progress in -learning while at the school; as also does the following passage from the -memoirs of his teacher:--"Sir William Johnson, superintendent of Indian -affairs in North America, was very friendly to the design of Mr. Wheelock, -and at his request sent to the school, at various times, several boys of -the Mohawks to be instructed. [FN-1] One of them was the since celebrated -Joseph Brant; who, _after receiving his education,_ was particularly -noticed by Sir William Johnson, and employed by him in public business. He -has been very useful in advancing the civilization of his countrymen, and -for a long time past has been a military officer of extensive influence -among the Indians in Upper Canada." [FN-2] Accompanying Thayendanegea to -the "Moor School," [FN-3] were several other Mohawk youths, and two -Delawares had entered the school before him. The name of one of -Thayendanegea's companions was William, a half-breed, who was supposed to -be the son of his patron. Only two of the number remained to receive the -honours of the future college. The others, impatient of the restraints of -a school, and delighting more in the chase of game than of literary -honours, loving their native forests better than sunny fields, and -preferring to string the bow and speed the arrow, rather than turn over -the pages of Livy or Corderius, returned to their hunter state in about -two years. Thayendanegea probably left the school at the same time. He -used, when speaking of the school, to relate with much pleasantry an -anecdote of "William," who, as he affirmed, was one day ordered by Mr. -Wheelock's son to saddle his horse. The lad refused, alleging that, as he -was a gentleman's son, the performance of such a menial office would be -out of character. "Do yon know," inquired the younger Wheelock, "what a -gentleman is?" "I do," replied William; "a gentleman is a person who keeps -race-horses, and drinks Madeira wine, and that is what neither you nor -your father do,--therefore saddle the horse yourself!" [FN-4] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] When the foundation of the school was enlarged by the liberality of - the Earl of Dartmouth and others, in England, and the same was removed - from Connecticut, it contained 24 pupils, 6 of whom were Indians. There - is among the Johnson papers a letter from President Wheelock, written to - Sir William in 1772, introducing two of his Indian pupils to the - acquaintance of the Baronet.--_Author._ - - [FN-2] McClare's Life of Wheelock, page 27. - - [FN-3] So called from the name of its founder, Mr. Joshua Moor, of - Mansfield, Connecticut. - - [FN-4] Christian Recorder. This anecdote reminds the author of another, - which he has heard a distinguished Kentucky member of Congress relate - with great glee of himself. When first elected, he said he had never - crossed the Alleghenies, and he feared greatly that his ignorance and - rusticity would be but too manifest when he came to associate with - gentlemen. He had heard that gentlemen were fond of Champagne, of which - he had never tasted. But he said, that at the first dinner party after - his arrival at the seat of government, he was relieved of his - embarrassment. At the first taste of the sparkling liquor, he found that - he loved it. He knew, therefore, that he was made for a gentleman! And a - very agreeable and accomplished gentleman he became. - - -The exigencies of the frontier country did not allow Thayendanegea to -remain long associated in the mission with Mr. Smith. He was again called -out upon the war-path, as appears by the following paragraph in one of the -Rev. Mr. Kirkland's [FN] earliest reports to the Rev. Dr. Wheelock, in -regard to the Christian missionaries and teachers employed among the Six -Nations:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Rev. Samuel Kirkland, father of President Kirkland, late of - Harvard University, and for more than forty years a missionary among the - Six Nations--chiefly the Oneidas. He was the son of the Rev. Daniel - Kirkland, of Norwich (Conn.) where he was born in 1742. His education was - commenced at Dr. Wheelock's school, and his collegiate course performed - at Princeton, where he was graduated in 1765. He first commenced his - labours among the Senecas, in 1766, having learned the Mohawk language - while in college. He was often employed by the Government in various - Indian transactions, and died at Paris, Oneida County, in March, 1808. - - -"Joseph Brant, a Mohawk Indian, and of a family of distinction in that -nation, was educated by Mr. Wheelock, and was so well accomplished that -the Rev. Charles Jeffrey Smith, (a young gentleman who, out of love to -Christ and the souls of men, devotes his life, and such a fortune as is -sufficient to support himself and an interpreter, wholly to this glorious -service,) took him for his interpreter when he went on his mission to the -Mohawks, now three years ago. But the war breaking out at that time -between the back Indians and the English, Mr. Smith was obliged to return; -but Joseph tarried, and went out with a company against the Indians, and -was useful in the war; in which he behaved so much like the Christian and -the soldier, that he gained great esteem. He now lives in a decent manner, -and endeavours to teach his poor brethren the things of God, in which his -own heart seems much engaged. His house is an asylum for the missionaries -in that wilderness." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Narrative of the Indian Charity School, published by Dr. Wheelock in - 1767, page 35. - - -Neither the particular war in which the young chief was then engaged, nor -the time of the campaign, is noted in the foregoing extract. A passage -contained in a letter from Sir William Johnson to Dr. Wheelock, however, -dated April 25th, 1764, affords a clue to the desired -information:--"J---- is just returned from an expedition against the -enemy, who have abandoned their towns, of which three were burned, with -four villages, consisting, in all, of about two hundred houses, built with -squared logs, and vast quantities of corn, &c. Parties are now in pursuit -of the enemy." It was therefore early in the Spring of 1764 that young -Brant returned from the war--then brought to a close. The war itself could -have been none else than that against the great Ottoway chief Pontiac, -who, in 1763, undertook to dispossess the English of the country of the -lakes, then recently acquired by conquest from the French. Pontiac was by -far the most formidable chief with whom the English colonists had had to -contend since the fall of Philip. He combined the great Indian tribes of -the north-west almost as one man, and in 1763 led thirty-six chiefs, with -their trains of warriors, against Detroit, after having carried several -of the remote western posts. A well-concerted stratagem, timely discovered -to the British commander by an Indian woman, had well nigh placed that -important position within his power also. Foiled in the plan of obtaining -admission by stratagem and putting the garrison to death, Pontiac laid -siege to the fort, attacking it with great fury. It was besieged for a -long time, as also were the fort at Niagara and Fort Pitt. It was not -until the Autumn of 1763 that the English were able to throw succours into -Detroit, in accomplishing which enterprise some of the Mohawk warriors -were engaged. There had been several severe engagements with Pontiac's -warriors in the course of that Summer, in which the Indians attached to -the English cause had fought with great bravery. The vessel carrying the -supplies to Detroit, was likewise furiously attacked by a force of 350 -Indians, in boats on the lake, but they were bravely repulsed. In what -particular battles, during this contest, Thayendanegea was engaged, does -not appear. But he was in the war, and his courageous and enterprising -spirit offered the best evidence, that he neither avoided the post of -danger, nor failed to reach it for want of activity. Having invested -Detroit for a twelvemonth, the French, moreover, with whom he was in -alliance, having lost their power in America, Pontiac sued for peace on -the approach of Gen. Bradstreet from Pittsburgh, at the head of 3000 -men. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Pontiac was assassinated in 1779, during a war between the Ioways - and Ottawas. He was a great man. - - -In 1765, Thayendanegea, having been previously married to the daughter of -an Oneida chief, was settled at Canajoharie, as appears by a letter from -the Rev. Theophilus Chamberlain, one of the missionaries to the Six -Nations, to the Rev. Dr. Wheelock, written from Canajoharie, and dated -July 17th of that year. After speaking of the encouraging condition of the -Indian school, and the prospect of opening another, Mr. Chamberlain -said:--"I am now at Joseph Brant's house, very poorly with the dysentery, -which hath followed me near a week. Riding in the rain sometimes, wading -through tracks to get along, and lodging on the cold ground the other -night, have made me almost down sick; but my business keeps me alive. -Joseph Brant is exceeding kind." - -Three years afterward he was still leading a peaceful life at the same -place, as we learn from the following entry in the journal of Mr. Ralph -Wheelock, who had been sent to Oneida to relieve Mr. Kirkland, that -gentleman being sick: - -"_March_ 18, 1768. At my old friend, Joseph Brant's, I met one of the -chiefs of the Onondagas, (who is, by way of eminence, called the -Wise-man,) on his return to his tribe, with his wife and child; and by -Joseph Brant's help I was able to discourse with him, and delivered my -message to his nation." - -During the three years next ensuing, no certain information has been -obtained respecting his course of life. As the country was at peace, -however, he was probably leading a life of repose at home, save when -acting, upon occasional business visits among the Indians, under the -direction of Sir William Johnson. It is very probable, moreover, that he -may at that time have been connected with the English Episcopal Missions -to the Mohawks, commenced in the Mohawk Valley so early as 1702, and -continued down to the beginning of the Revolutionary war. Having been -employed as an interpreter by one of the missionaries, several years -before; and as the Rev. Dr. John Ogilvie, the predecessor of Dr. Barclay -in that mission, was engaged, in the year 1769, in revising, extending, -and reprinting the Mohawk Prayer Book, embracing additional passages of -Scripture, some occasional prayers, and Indian versifications of several -psalms, it is highly probable that Thayendanegea may have been employed as -an assistant in that labour, since he was partial to exercises of that -description. - -In the year 1771, the Rev. Mr. Stewart conducted a school at Fort Hunter, -thirty miles below Canajoharie. A venerable friend of the author, yet -living in Albany, [FN] states, that being a pupil in Doctor Stewart's -school at about that time, he had opportunities of seeing Thayendanegea at -that place frequently, and formed an acquaintance with him, which -continued, interrupted only by the war of the Revolution, until the death -of the warrior. He then formed an excellent opinion of the young chief in -regard to talents and good disposition. It is believed, that from the -shrewdness of his sister Molly and the influential position which she -occupied in the family of Sir William, added to his own talents and -sagacity, he was much employed at home by the Baronet, in the discharge of -the multifarious duties incident to his important official station. He was -also frequently engaged upon distant embassies among the western tribes, -and his talents and tact as a diplomatist of the forest, were qualities -pertaining to his character through life. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Douw Fonda, Esq., son of Captain Jelles Fonda, who was an active and - very efficient officer, both in the Indian and Military service, under - Sir William Johnson. - - -Thayendanegea was thrice married--having been twice a widower before the -war of the Revolution. His first two wives were of the Oneida tribe. The -Rev. Dr. Stewart states that he first became acquainted with him in the -winter of 1771. He was then still residing at Canajoharie, on visiting -which village the Doctor says he found him comfortably settled, in a good -house, with every thing necessary for the use of his family--consisting of -a wife, in the last stage of consumption, and two children--a son and a -daughter. His wife died some time afterward, on which Thayendanegea -repaired to Fort Hunter, and resided with the Doctor for a considerable -length of time. Doctor Stewart was then engaged upon another revision of -the Indian Prayer Book, and Joseph assisted him in making various -additional translations. He likewise assisted the Doctor in translating a -portion of the Acts of the Apostles, and a short history of the Bible, -together with a brief explanation of the Church catechism, into the Mohawk -language. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Doctor Stewart states that he was directed to repair to New-York, - and publish these books at the expense of the Missionary Society, but was - prevented by the breaking out of the war. He took the MSS. to Canada, and - afterward delivered them to Colonel Daniel Claus, by whom they were taken - to England; but it does not appear that they were ever published. - - -It is stated on the same authority, [FN] that in the winter of 1772-3, he -applied to Doctor Stewart to marry him to the half-sister of his deceased -wife, but the Divine refused the application on the ground of the -forbidden relationship. Brant, however, vindicated the act, much in the -manner of white widowers desirous of forming the like connexion; arguing, -very naturally, that the fact of the relationship would secure a greater -degree of tenderness and care for his children. Still the Episcopal -minister persisted in his refusal, and a less scrupulous German -ecclesiastic gratified his desire by performing the ceremony. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Christian Register. - - -It was at about the same period of his life that Thayendanegea became the -subject of serious religious impressions. He attached himself to the -Church, was a chastened and regular communicant at the celebration of the -Eucharist; and from his serious deportment, and the anxiety he had ever -manifested to civilize and Christianize his people, great hopes were -entertained from his future exertions in that cause. No doubt has ever -been entertained of his sincerity at that time; and it has been attributed -to the counteracting influences of the dreadful trade of war, in which it -was his fortune afterward again so actively to become engaged, that those -manifestations of Christian utility were effaced; entirely eradicated they -were not, as will be seen at a subsequent stage of the career of this -remarkable man. - -In compliance with Indian custom, he selected a bosom friend, during that -period of his life we are now contemplating, in the person of a Lieutenant -Provost, a half-pay officer residing in the Mohawk Valley. Those -unacquainted with Indian usages are not probably aware of the intimacy, or -the importance attached to this relationship. The selected friend is, in -fact, the counterpart of the one who chooses him, and the attachment often -becomes romantic; they share each other's secrets, and are participants of -each other's joys and sorrows. As the Revolutionary troubles were -approaching. Lieutenant Provost was ordered to his regiment and upon -foreign service, greatly to the regret of the future chieftain. His -lamentations attracted the attention of Doctor Stewart, who advised him to -select another friend--offering to stand as a substitute himself. But no; -the young chief declared that such a transfer of his affections could not -take place. He was Captain John's friend, and another such friend could -not be in existence at the same time. Lieutenant Provost had been ordered -to the West Indies; and in order to assure him of the strength and -constancy of his attachment, Thayendanegea procured an entire Indian -costume of the richest furs he could obtain, which was sent to him in -Jamaica. This incident has been detailed, not because in itself of any -particular importance, but as disclosing an excellent trait of character, -besides illustrating a feature of Indian life which may not be familiar to -all. [FN] Other events will now occupy the attention of the reader, in -which the Mohawk chieftain will be but one of many actors, though seldom -an obscure one. - - * * * * * - - [FN] A similar custom prevailed among the ancient Greeks. Two young - warriors often assumed this obligation of brotherhood, which was taken - with peculiar ceremonies, and maintained inviolate through life. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - - - Early symptoms of disaffection at Boston--Origin of the Revolutionary - War--First blood shed in 1770--Stirring eloquence of Joseph - Warren--Feelings of Sir William Johnson--His influence with the Indians - and Germans, and his unpleasant position--Last visit of Sir William to - England--His death--Mysterious circumstances attending it--Suspicions - of suicide unjust--His son, Sir John Johnson, succeeds to his title and - estates--His son-in-law, Col. Guy Johnson, to his office as - superintendent General of the Indians--Early life of Sir John--Joseph - Brant appointed Secretary to Guy Johnson--Influence of the Johnson - family--Revolutionary symptoms in Tryon County, fomented by the - proceedings in New England--First meeting of Tryon County - Whigs--Declaration of Rights--First meeting of Congress--Effect of its - proceedings--in England--Tardiness of Provincial legislature of - New-York--Spirit of the people--Notes of preparation in Massachusetts, - &c.--Overt acts of rebellion in several States--Indians exasperated by - the Virginia borderers in 1774--Melancholy story of Logan--Campaign of - Lord Dunmore and Colonel Lewis--Battle of the Kanhawa--Speech of - Logan--Its authenticity questioned--Peace of Chilicothe--Unhappy feeling - of the Indians. - -It has been usually asserted by historians, that the first blood in the -war of the American Revolution was shed at Lexington; but such is not the -fact. The Boston massacre of 1770 was the beginning of that contest, so -fearful in its commencement, so doubtful in its progress, and so splendid -in its results. The storm had even then been gathering for several years, -and the public mind had become exceedingly feverish, not only in regard to -the conduct of the parent government, but in respect to the language and -bearing of the officers of the crown stationed in the colonies. When, -moreover, the people of Boston were subjected to what they considered a -still greater indignity, by the quartering of soldiers among them, the -irritation was such that but a small degree of forecast was necessary to -the perception of an approaching explosion. The affair at Gray's -Rope-Walk, on the 2d of March, increased the mutual exasperation; and the -massacre that followed on the 5th was but the natural consequence. The -first blow was then struck. The town was thrown into commotion, the drums -beat to arms; and the news, with the exaggerations and embellishments -incident to all occasions of alarm, spread through the country with the -rapidity of lightning. Every where, throughout the wide extent of the old -thirteen colonies, it created a strong sensation, and was received with a -degree of indignant emotion, which very clearly foretold that blood had -only commenced flowing; and although five years intervened before the -demonstration at Lexington, there were too many nervous pens and eloquent -tongues in exercise to allow those feelings to subside, or to suffer the -noble spirit of liberty that had been awakened to be quenched. Such -stirring orations as those of Joseph Warren were not uttered in vain; and -so often as the anniversary of the 5th of March returned, were the people -reminded by him, or by his compatriots of kindred spirit--"The voice of -your brethren's blood cries to you from the ground." The admonition had -its effect, and the resolutions of vengeance sank deeper and deeper into -the hearts of the people, until the fullness of time should come. - -Sir William Johnson was too observing and sagacious a man not to note the -signs of the times. He saw the gathering tempest, and it is believed to -have given him great uneasiness. His sympathies, according to the -testimony of those who knew him, were undoubtedly with the people. He was -from the body of the people himself, having been the architect of his own -rank and fortunes; and those who were acquainted with, and yet survive -him, represent the struggle in his bosom to have been great, between those -sympathies and his own strong principles of liberty on the one hand, and -his duty to his sovereign on the other--a sovereign whom he had served -long and faithfully, and who in turn had loaded him with princely -benefactions. His domains in the Valley of the Mohawk were extensive; and -his influence, through a large number of subordinate officers and a -numerous tenantry, was correspondingly great. To the Indians, not only of -the Six Nations but those far in the west beyond, who had fallen within -the circle of his influence after the conquest of Canada and the -subjugation of Pontiac, he had been as a father, and they looked up to him -with veneration. Long association with him, and great Respect for his -character--which, from its blunt honesty, frankness, and generosity, not -altogether devoid of that roughness incident to a border population, was -well calculated to secure the attachment of such people--had also given to -his opinions the force of legal authority among the Colonists. The -population, aside from the Indians, was chiefly Dutch, in the lower part -of the Mohawk Valley; while in the interesting vale of the Schoharie Kill, -and the upper district of the Mohawk, it was composed of the descendants -of the German Palatinates, who had been planted there fifty years before. -It was not at that period a very intelligent population; and the name of -Sir William, who had been their friend and companion in peace, and their -leader in war, like that of the King, was a tower of strength. It was very -natural, therefore, that their opinions upon the great political questions -then agitating the country, should take their complexion for the most part -from those entertained by him. Hence, when the storm of civil war -commenced, the Loyalists in that valley were probably more numerous, in -proportion to the whole number of the population, than in almost any other -section of the northern colonies. - -In connexion with the troubles which every man of ordinary sagacity could -not but perceive were fermenting, Sir William visited England for the last -time in the Autumn of 1773, returning in the succeeding Spring. He -probably came back with his loyal feelings somewhat strengthened. It was -not his fortune, however, good or ill, to see the breaking out of the -tempest, the near approaches of which he had been watching with an -intenseness of observation corresponding with the magnitude of his own -personal interests, which must necessarily be involved. He died suddenly, -at Johnson Hall, on or about the 24th of June, 1774. - -It was reported by his enemies,--or rather by the enemies of the -Crown,--that he perished by his own hand, in consequence of the clouds -which he saw darkening the political sky; and such an impression is yet -very generally entertained. The tradition is, that on the day of his -decease he had received despatches from England, which were handed to him -while sitting in Court, and with which he immediately left the Court-house -and walked to his own house. These despatches, it was afterward reported, -contained instructions to him to use his influence with the Indians in -behalf of the Crown, in the event of hostilities. Another version of the -tradition is, that on the day in question he had received despatches from -Boston, the complexion of which, in his own mind, indicated that a civil -war was near and inevitable. In such an event he saw that he must either -prove recreant to his principles, or take part against the Crown; and, to -avoid either alternative, it has been extensively believed that he put an -end to his life. [FN-1] But there is no just ground for this uncharitable -conclusion. It is true that he had, on the evening of the 24th, received -despatches from Massachusetts, the tenor of which, by excitement, may have -hastened the malady to which his system was predisposed. It was a busy day -at Johnstown. The Circuit Court was in session, at which, however, Sir -William was not present, being engaged in holding a treaty with some of -the Six Nations. In the course of his speech to the Indians on that -occasion, he alluded to the despatches he had received, and stated to them -that troubles were brewing between the Americans and their King--advising -them not to abandon the cause of the latter, who had always been -benevolent and kind to them. "Whatever may happen," said the Baronet, "you -must not be shaken out of your shoes." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Mr. Campbell, in his "Annals," favors this opinion. He - says--"There is something still mysterious connected with his death. He - had been out to England, and returned the previous Spring. During a visit - which he made shortly afterward to Mr. Campbell, an intimate friend of - his at Schenectady, the conversation turned upon the subject of the - disputes between the Colonies and the Mother Country. He then said, _he - should never live to see them in a state of open war._"--Ann. p. 12. - - [FN-2] MS. statement of a gentleman whose father was with Sir William - that morning, and was present at the Indian Council. - - -In the afternoon of that day Sir William was taken with a fit. Colonel -Johnson, his son, was absent at the Old Fort--distant nine miles. An -express was sent for him, and, mounting a fleet English blood-horse, he -rode for the Hall with all possible haste. His horse fell dead when within -three quarters of a mile of the house, having run upward of eight miles -in fifteen minutes. The Colonel hired the horse of some one standing by, -and pushed forward to the Hall. On entering the room, he found his father -in the arms of a faithful domestic, who attended upon his person. He spoke -to his parent, but received no answer; and in a few minutes afterward the -Baronet expired [FN]--of apoplexy, beyond a doubt. This was early in the -evening. While the judges of the Court were at supper in the village, one -mile distant, a young Mohawk Indian entered their apartment and announced -the event. - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. statement of Colonel William Feeter, in possession of the - author. Col. F. is yet living (May, 1837.) - - -Sir William was succeeded in his titles and estates by his son, Sir John -Johnson; but the reins of authority, as General superintendent of the -Indian Department, fell into the hands of the son-in-law of Sir William, -Colonel Guy Johnson, who had long been in office as the Assistant, or -Deputy of the old Baronet. This officer was assisted by Colonel Daniel -Clans, who had likewise married a daughter of Sir William. On the decease -of his father, Sir John also succeeded to his post as Major General of the -militia. - -Of the early life of Sir John Johnson not much is known. He was not as -popular as his father, being less social, and less acquainted with human -nature and the springs of human action. He accompanied his father on some -of his warlike expeditions, however, and probably saw considerable -service. Soon after the termination of the French war, he was sent by his -father, at the head of a small expedition, to the Mohawk canton of -Oghkwaga,[FN-1] to arrest a Captain Bull, and some other malcontents and -disaffected Indians, who were charged with being engaged in an effort to -enlist the Six Nations in a war against some other Indians, or possibly -to win them over to the designs of Pontiac. For this purpose young Johnson -had a choice corps of men placed under his command, most of whom had -served with the Baronet against the French. He had also a detachment of -Indians with him. The expedition was arranged somewhat with a view of -display--for the purpose, as it was conjectured, of giving eclat to the -young commander. The enterprise was successful--Bull and his adherents -were taken, and brought in irons to Johnstown. From thence they were sent -to Albany and imprisoned for a time, but were all subsequently discharged. -Before the Revolution commenced, Sir John married Miss Mary Watts, of the -city of New-York.[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The author has found much difficulty in attempting to determine - the orthography of this place. It is now generally written Oquaga. In the - Congressional journals of the Revolution it was spelled Oneaquaga. By - some writers it is written Oghquaga. The late highly intelligent Mohawk - chief, Norton, always wrote it Oghkwaga, which orthography has been - adopted by the author. - - [FN-2] Sister to the late venerable John Watts, who died in September, - 1836. - - -The successors of Sir William Johnson did not, however, possess the same -degree of moral power over the population of Tryon County, Indian or -white, as had been exercised by him. But they nevertheless derived -essential aid from "Miss Molly," who was a woman of talents as well as -tact, and possessing great influence among the Indians, who were her own -people, Molly was in turn aided by the counsels and exertions of her -brother, Joseph Thayendanegea, who had been much in the service of Sir -William during the latter years of his life, and who, on the death of the -Baronet, was advanced to the post of Secretary of Guy Johnson. These -gentlemen, however, (Sir John Johnson, Guy Johnson, and Colonel Glaus,) -living in great splendour, at, and in the neighbourhood of Johnstown, and -thus allied with the family of a powerful Mohawk sachem, were still -enabled to exert a decided influence, especially among the Indians. They -were likewise in close official and political alliance with Colonel John -Butler, an opulent and influential gentleman of that county, and his son -Walter N. Butler--names rendered memorable, if nothing worse, by -association with certain bloody transactions, which will be developed in -the progress of the present volume. - -But, notwithstanding all their influence--and no family in America had -ever been regarded with greater deference by the surrounding population -than that of the Johnsons--they were not long in discovering that the -principles now openly avowed in Massachusetts, could not be confined -within the limits of that colony, or even of New England. Though less -openly proclaimed, yet as the waters of a fountain ooze through the earth -unseen until they have gathered force enough to break the surface and gush -forth, so was it with the principles of Liberty sent abroad by "the Boston -rebels," as they worked their way up the valley of the Mohawk; and the -successors of Sir William Johnson were not long in discovering, that -although they could still count among their retainers a large number of -adherents, the leaven of civil liberty had nevertheless been more deeply -at work than they had desired, or probably supposed. The celebrated -"Boston Port Bill," enacted in consequence of the destruction of the tea -in that harbour in 1773, had gone into operation only a month preceding -the death of Sir William; and in the next month subsequent to his decease, -a public meeting was held in the Palatine district, warmly seconding the -proposition of Massachusetts for the assembling of a general Congress, -for mutual consultation and counsel in the existing posture of the -political affairs of the Colonies. The original draft of the proceedings -of that meeting is yet in existence, in the hand-writing of Col. -Christopher P. Yates--a patriot who embarked early in the struggle, and -served to the end. They breathed the genuine spirit of freedom, and as a -declaration of rights, are well entitled to a place among the fervid -papers of that day, which were so powerful in their operation upon the -public mind. After setting forth the concern and sorrow felt by the -meeting, at the shutting up the port of Boston, and the tendency of the -acts of Parliament for raising a revenue in the American Colonies, which -they held to be an abridgment of the privileges of the people, the meeting -resolved: 1st. That they recognised the King as their lawful sovereign, -would bear true faith and allegiance to him, and would, with their lives -and fortunes, support and maintain him on the throne of his ancestors, and -the just dependence of the Colonies upon the crown of Great Britain. 2d. -That they considered it their greatest happiness to be governed by British -laws, and would pay cheerful submission to them, as far as they could do -so, consistently with the security of the Constitutional rights of English -subjects, "_which were so sacred that they could not permit them to be -violated._" 3d. That all taxes without their own consent, or the consent -of their representatives, were unjust and unconstitutional; and the acts -of Parliament upon the subject were denounced, as obvious encroachments -upon the rights and liberties of British subjects. 4th. That the act -closing the port of Boston was arbitrary and oppressive to the -inhabitants, whom they considered to be suffering in the common cause. -5th. That they would unite with their brethren elsewhere, in relieving the -necessities of the suffering poor in Boston, and in "any thing tending to -support our rights and liberties." 6th. Approving of the calling of a -general Congress, and of the five members who had already been appointed -by their brethren of New-York. 7th. That they would abide by such -regulations as might be agreed upon by the said Congress. 8th. Appointing -a committee of correspondence for that district, [FN] and recommending the -other districts of the county to do the same. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Christopher P. Yates, Isaac Paris, and John Frey. - - -The Congress met in Philadelphia in September, 1774, and after adopting -a declaration of rights, and setting forth wherein those rights had been -violated, they agreed upon an address to the King, exhibiting the -grievances of the Colonies, and praying for his Majesty's interposition -for their removal. An address to the people of British America was -likewise adopted, together with an appeal to the people of Great Britain, -as also a letter to the people of Canada. [FN-1] The Congress then -adjourned, to meet again in May, 1775. The papers put forth from that -august assembly had a powerful effect upon the public mind. They were also -highly extolled by Lord Chatham in the House of Peers, who declared, that -"In all his reading and observation--and it had been his favourite -study--for he had read Thucydides, and had studied and admired the master -states of the world--for solidity of reasoning, force of sagacity, and -wisdom of conclusion, under such complication of circumstances, no nation -or body of men could stand in preference to the General Congress at -Philadelphia." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Mr. R. H. Lee wrote the address to the American people, and Mr. - Jay that to the people of Great Britain. - - [FN-2] Parliamentary Register. - - -The Provincial Assembly of New-York was the only legislature in the -Colonies that withheld its approbation from the proceedings of the -Congress--the loyalists of that Colony being, from a variety of causes, -more numerous and influential than in any other of the provinces. In the -Valley of the Mohawk they were particularly zealous and active; and the -Johnson family, with their associates, were ceaseless in their efforts to -divert the revolutionary spirit, which was but too obviously abroad. - -But like the bitter plant in the vegetable pharmacopoeia, the principles -of liberty only thrive more rapidly beneath a pressure, and the spark -which had been struck in the Palatine district, they not only found it -impossible to extinguish, but a measure of their own adoption had the -effect of kindling it into a blaze--and, once kindled, the fire of liberty -is as inextinguishable as the Greek. - -In Massachusetts, however, other menacing measures besides the passage of -resolutions, were adopted toward the close of 1774. Governor Gage having -issued writs for the holding of a General Assembly, in October, afterward -countermanded the writs by proclamation. But the new members, to the -number of ninety, maintaining the illegality of the proclamation, met -notwithstanding. Neither the Governor, nor any substitute, appearing to -complete their organization, they formed themselves into a Provincial -Congress, and adjourned to Concord. From Concord, after some collisions -with the Governor, they removed to Cambridge; and in the course of their -sittings measures were adopted for the public defence, and the -organization of minute men, to the number of twelve thousand. Connecticut -and New Hampshire were requested to augment the number to twenty thousand. -Governor Gage complained bitterly that the edicts of this Congress were -implicitly obeyed throughout the country. Before the year had expired, a -royal proclamation was received, prohibiting the exportation of military -stores to America. This document caused general indignation. In Rhode -Island and New Hampshire the people at once seized upon the arms and -ordnance in their public places and garrisons, and other corresponding -measures were adopted by the Colonial authorities. In the more Southern -provinces signs of jealousy and discontent began to be more unequivocally -manifested. A meeting of the military officers of Virginia, under Lord -Dunmore, was held, at which resolutions, professing loyalty and looking -rebellion, were adopted. The Provincial Congress of Maryland approved of -the proceedings of the General Congress; and in South Carolina, Judge -Dayton, in a memorable charge to a Grand Jury at Camden, set the ball in -motion in that Colony. Doctor Franklin, being in London, was required to -attend a meeting of the Committee for Plantations, to whom had been -referred the petition of the Massachusetts Assembly for the removal of -Governor Hutchinson and Lieutenant-Governor Oliver. He supported the -petition, and was, the day after, dismissed by the Crown from the office -of postmaster for the Colonies. - -It may readily be conceived that an excitement thus increasing from day -to day, and thus rapidly extending the circle of its influence, would not -long be confined to measures of remonstrance and petition. Most -unfortunate was it, therefore, that, just at this conjuncture, while all -sagacious men saw by the shadows what events were coming, and all good men -were solicitous for the preservation of the character and augmentation of -the physical strength of the country, a small band of bad ones adopted a -course well fitted to awaken the jealousy of the whole Indian race, and -exasperate a portion of them to the highest pitch of anger and revenge. -It was evident that the Colonies were about to measure swords with one of -the strongest powers in Christendom, and to strike for freedom. True -wisdom, therefore, required that the clouds of Indians darkening more than -a thousand miles of our border, and in the North forming an intermediate -power between our own settlements and the country of the anticipated foe, -should be at least conciliated into neutrality, if not courted into an -alliance. But a contrary course was taken by some of the frontier-men of -Virginia, and a hostile feeling awakened by a succession of outrages, -unprovoked and more cruel than savages, as such, could have committed. -The well-informed reader will at once anticipate that reference is now -had to the hostilities upon the North-western frontier of Virginia, -commonly known as Cresap's War, from the agency of a subaltern officer -of that name, whose wanton cruelty provoked it, and one striking event -of which has rendered every American ear familiar with the name of Logan, -the celebrated "Mingo Chief." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Mingo, Mengwe, Maquas, and Iroquois, are all only different names - applied to the Six Nations. - - -The wars and the conquests of the Six Nations had been the cause of -transplanting many families, among whom were some of distinction, over the -countries subjected to their arms. Among these was the family of Logan, -the son of _Shikellimus,_ [FN] a distinguished Cayuga sachem, who had -removed from the particular location of his own tribe, to Shamokin, or -Conestoga, within the borders of Pennsylvania, where he executed the -duties of principal chief of those of the Six Nations residing on the -Susquehanna. He was a man of consequence and humanity, and one of the -earliest to encourage the introduction of Christianity by Count -Zinzendorf. He was a great friend to the celebrated James Logan, who -accompanied William Penn on his last voyage to America, and who -subsequently became distinguished in the colony for his learning and -benevolence. Hence the name of the famous son of Shikellimus, so closely -identified with the scenes about to be described. - - * * * * * - - [FN] _Shikellimus_ was a contemporary of the famous _Cannassatego,_ and - is known in Colden's History of the Six Nations by the different names - of _Skickcalamy, Shicalamy,_ and _Shick Calamy.--Drake._ - - -Logan had removed from his father's lodge at Shamokin to the Shawanese -country on the Ohio, where he had become a chief. He was a friend of the -white men, and one of the noblest of his race; not only by right of birth, -but in consideration of his own character. During the Indian wars -connected with the contest with France, which were continued for a -considerable time after the conquest of Canada, he took no part, save in -the character of a peace-maker. - -The circumstances which transformed this good and just man from a sincere -friend into a bitter foe, will appear in the following narrative:--It -happened in April or May of 1774, that a party of land-jobbers, while -engaged in exploring lands near the Ohio river, were robbed, or pretended -to have been robbed, of a number of horses by the Indians. The leader of -the land-jobbers was Captain Michael Cresap. Alarmed at the depredation -upon their property, or affecting to be so, Cresap and his party -determined to make war upon the Indians, without investigation, and -irrespective, as a matter of course, of the guilt or innocence of those -whom they should attack. On the same day, falling in with two Indians, -Cresap and his men killed them. Hearing, moreover, of a still larger party -of Indians encamped at some distance below the site of the present town -of Wheeling, the white barbarians proceeded thither, and after winning the -confidence of the sons of the forest by pretended friendship, fell upon -and slaughtered several of their number, among whom were a part of the -family of the white man's friend--Logan. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Doddridge, in his History of the Indian Wars, states that no - evidence of the imputed theft was ever adduced; and affirms his belief - that the report was false, and the Indians innocent, even of a - comparatively minor trespass. - - -Soon after this atrocious affair, another followed, equally flagitious. -There was a white settlement on the east bank of the Ohio, about thirty -miles above Wheeling, among the leading men of which were one named Daniel -Greathouse, and another named Tomlinson. A party of Indians, assembled on -the opposite bank of the river, having heard of the murders committed by -Cresap, determined to avenge their death, of which resolution Greathouse -was admonished by a friendly squaw, who advised him to escape, while he -was reconnoitering for the purpose of ascertaining their numbers. He had -crossed the river with thirty-two men under his command, and secreted them -for the purpose of falling upon the Indians; but finding that they were -too strong for him, he changed his plan of operations, re-crossed the -river, and, with a show of friendship, invited them over to an -entertainment. Without suspicion of treachery the Indians accepted the -invitation, and while engaged in drinking--some of them to a state of -intoxication--they were set upon and murdered in cold blood. Here again, -fell two more of the family of Logan--a brother and sister, the latter -being in a situation of peculiar delicacy. The Indians who had remained -on the other side of the river, hearing the noise of the treacherous -attack, flew to their canoes to rescue their friends. This movement had -been anticipated; and sharp-shooters, stationed in ambuscade, shot numbers -of them in their canoes, and compelled the others to return. - -These dastardly transactions were enacted on the 24th of May. They were -soon followed by another outrage, which, though of less magnitude, was -not less atrocious in its spirit, while it was even more harrowing to the -feelings of the Indians. The event referred to was the murder, by a white -man, of an aged and inoffensive Delaware chief named the _Bald Eagle._ He -had for years consorted more with the white people than his own, visiting -those most frequently who entertained him best. At the time of his murder -he had been on a visit to the fort at the North of the Kanhawa, and was -killed while alone, paddling his canoe. The man who committed the murder, -it was said, had been a sufferer at the hands of the Indians; but he had -never been injured by the object upon whom he wreaked his vengeance. After -tearing the scalp from his head, the white savage placed the body in a -sitting posture in the canoe, and sent it adrift down the stream. The -voyage of the dead chief was observed by many, who supposed him living, -and upon one of his ordinary excursions. When, however, the deed became -known, his nation were not slow in avowals of vengeance.[FN-1] Equally -exasperated, at about the same time, were the Shawanese, against the -whites, by the murder of one of their favourite chiefs, _Silver Heels,_ -who had in the kindest manner undertaken to escort several white traders -across the woods from the Ohio to Albany, a distance of nearly two hundred -miles.[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] McClung, as cited by Drake. - - [FN-2] Heckewelder. - - -The consequence of these repeated outrages, perpetrated by white -barbarians, was the immediate commencement of an Indian war, the first -leader of which was Logan, who, with a small party of only eight warriors, -made a sudden and altogether unexpected descent upon a Muskingum -settlement, with complete success. In the course of the Summer great -numbers of men, women, and children, fell victims to the tomahawk and -scalping-knife. Logan, however, though smarting under a keen sense of his -own wrongs, set his face against the practice of putting prisoners to the -torture, so far as he could. In one instance, he so instructed a prisoner -doomed to run the gauntlet, as to enable him to escape without receiving -essential injury. In another case, with his own hand he severed the cord -which bound a prisoner to the stake, and by his influence procured his -adoption into an Indian family. - -To punish these atrocities, provoked, as all authorities concur in -admitting, by the whites, a vigorous campaign was undertaken by the -Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, with a force of between two and three -thousand men. Eleven hundred of these Provincials, mostly riflemen, and -comprising much of the chivalry of Virginia, constituting the left wing, -were entrusted to the command of General Andrew Lewis, [FN] with -instructions to march direct for Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great -Kanhawa; while his lordship, proceeding with the right wing, was to cross -the Ohio at a higher point, and fall upon the Indian towns in their rear. -For reasons never satisfactorily explained, although the cause of some -controversy at the time, there was a failure of the expected co-operation -on the part of Lord Dunmore. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Andrew Lewis was, in fact, only a colonel; but he was in the chief - command of the division, and as he had a brother, Charles Lewis, also a - colonel, he has been designated as a General by courtesy, and for the - purpose of distinguishing the commander from the other colonel. - - -General Lewis commenced his march on the 11th of September. His course -was direct, through a trackless wilderness, one hundred and sixty miles; -over which all the supplies of the army were necessarily to be transported -on pack-horses. The march was very slow and tedious--occupying nineteen -days. Arrived at or near the junction of the Kanhawa with the Ohio, Lewis -waited eight or nine days to obtain tidings from Lord Dunmore, but heard -not a syllable. - -Early on the morning of the 10th of October, two of Lewis's scouts, who -were about a mile in advance, were fired upon by a large body of Indians; -one of the scouts was killed, and the other escaped to camp with the -intelligence. It was yet half an hour to sunrise, and instant dispositions -were made to move forward and attack. Just as the sun was rising, the -Indians, who were advancing upon a like errand, were met, and an -engagement ensued, which continued with greater or less severity through -the day. The Virginians had bivouacked upon a point of land between the -two rivers, giving the Indians an important advantage of position, -inasmuch as, if defeated, retreat would be impossible for the former, -while the latter could fly at their pleasure. But such was not the purpose -of the Indians. Their numbers have been variously stated, from eight to -fifteen hundred, consisting of Shawanese, Delawares, Mingoes, Wyandots, -Cayugas, and several other tribes, led in chief by Logan, assisted by -other celebrated chiefs, among whom were _Cornstock, Ellenipsico,_ (his -son,) and the _Red Eagle._ - -The onset was impetuous upon both sides. Colonel Charles Lewis led the -right of the Virginians, and was in advance. He fell almost at the first -fire, mortally wounded, and shortly afterward expired--having walked back -to his own camp. The Virginians, like the Indians, sought every advantage -by fighting from the shelter of trees and bushes; but in the first part -of the engagement the advantages were with the Indians, and two of the -Virginia regiments, after severe loss, especially in officers, were -compelled to give way. Colonel Fleming, who commanded the left, though -severely wounded in the beginning of the action, by two balls through his -arm and another through the breast, bravely kept the field for some time, -cheering his men, and, urging them not to lose an inch of ground, directed -them to outflank the enemy. But the assault of the Indians was vigorous -and their fire so severe, that the left, like the right, was yielding, -when, at the most critical moment, Colonel Field's regiment was brought -with great spirit and resolution into the action, by which timely movement -the fortunes of the day were retrieved. The impetuosity of the Indians was -checked, and they were in turn forced to retreat--falling back to avail -themselves of a rude breast-work of logs and brush-wood, which they had -taken the precaution to construct for the occasion. Colonel Field was -killed at the moment his gallant regiment had changed the aspect of the -battle, and he was succeeded by Captain Isaac Shelby, afterward the brave -and hardy old Governor of Kentucky. - -The Indians made a valiant stand at their breast-work, defending their -position until nearly night-fall. For several hours every attempt to -dislodge them was unsuccessful; the savages fighting like men who had not -only their soil and homes to protect, but deep wrongs to avenge. "The -voice of the mighty Cornstock was often heard during the day, above the -din of battle, calling out to his warriors, 'Be strong! Be strong!' And -when, by the repeated charge of the Virginians, some of his warriors began -to waver, he is said to have sunk his tomahawk into the head of a coward -who was attempting to fly." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Drake--who compiles his account of this spirited engagement, from - Withers, McClung, and Doddridge. - - -The action had continued extremely hot until past twelve o'clock, after -which it was abated at intervals, though a scattering fire was kept up -most of the time during the day, Toward night, finding that each -successive attack upon the line of the Indians in front but weakened his -own force, without making any perceptible impression upon the Indians, and -rightly judging that if the latter were not routed before dark, the -contest must be resumed under at least doubtful circumstances on the -following day, a final attempt was made to throw a body of troops into -the rear. Three companies were detached upon this service, led by Captain -Shelby. The ground favoured the enterprise. Availing themselves of the -tall weeds and grass upon the bank of a creek flowing into the Kanhawa, -those companies passed the flank of the Indian ranks unobserved, and -falling vigorously upon their rear, drove them from their lines with -precipitation. Night came on, and the Indians, supposing that -reinforcements of the Virginians had arrived, fled across the Ohio, and -continued their retreat to the Scioto. They had not the satisfaction of -taking many scalps--the bodies of a few stragglers only falling into their -possession. In the official account it was stated that they scalped -numbers of their own warriors, to prevent the Virginians from doing it. -Of those Indians first killed, the Virginians scalped upward of twenty. -[FN-1] The loss of the Indians was never known. It must, however, have -been severe; since, in addition to the killed and wounded borne away, -numbers of the slain were thrown into the river, and thirty-three of their -warriors were found dead upon the field on the following day. The loss of -the Virginians was likewise severe. Two of their colonels were killed, -four captains, many subordinate officers, and between fifty and sixty -privates, besides a much larger number wounded.[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Official Report. - - [FN-2] Doddridge states the number of killed at 75, and of wounded at - 140. In the estimate given in the text, Thatcher has been followed. It - is stated by Drake, that a stratagem was resorted to in this action by - the Virginians, similar to one that had been practised in the early New - England war of the Indians at Pawtucket. The Virginians, concealing - themselves behind trees, would hold out their hats from behind and draw - the fire of the Indians; the hat being instantly dropped, the Indian - warrior who had brought it down, supposing that he had killed the owner, - would rush forward to secure the scalp of his supposed victim--only to - fall beneath an unexpected tomahawk. - - -Arrived at Chilicothe, a council of the Indians was convened to debate -upon the question what was next to be done. Cornstock, it was said, had -been opposed to giving battle at Point Pleasant, but had resolved to do -his best on being overruled in council. Having been defeated, as he had -anticipated, he demanded of the council, "_What shall we do now? The Long -Knives are coming upon us by two routes. Shall we turn out and fight -them?_" No response being made to the question, he continued, "_Shall -we kill all our squaws and children, and then fight until we are all -killed ourselves?_" As before, all were silent; whereupon Cornstock struck -his tomahawk into the war-post standing in the midst of the council, and -remarked with emphasis: "_Since you are not inclined to fight, I will go -and make peace._" [FN] Saying which, he repaired to the camp of Lord -Dunmore, who, having descended the Ohio, was now approaching the Scioto. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Doddridge. - - -Meantime General Lewis, having buried his dead, and made the necessary -dispositions for an advance into the heart of the Indian country, moved -forward in pursuit of the enemy--resolved upon his extermination. He was -soon afterward met by a counter-order from Lord Dunmore, which he -disregarded; and it was not until the Governor visited Lewis in his own -camp, that a reluctant obedience was exacted. Meantime the negotiation -proceeded, but under circumstances of distrust on the part of the -Virginians, who were careful to admit only a small number of the Indians -into their encampment at any one time. The chief speaker on the part of -the Indians was Cornstock, who did not fail to charge the whites with -being the sole cause of the war--enumerating the provocations which the -Indians had received, and dwelling with peculiar force upon the murders -committed in the family of Logan. [FN] This lofty chief himself refused to -appear at the council. He was in favour of peace, but his proud spirit -scorned to ask for it; and he remained in his cabin, brooding in -melancholy silence over his own wrongs. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Cornstock was a truly great man. Col. Wilson, who was present at the - interview between the Chief and Lord Dunmore, thus speaks of the - chieftain's bearing on the occasion: "When he arose, he was in no wise - confused or daunted, but spoke in a distinct and audible voice, without - stammering or repetition, and with peculiar emphasis. His looks, while - addressing Dunmore, were truly grand and majestic, yet graceful and - attractive. I have heard the first orators in Virginia, Patrick Henry and - Richard Henry Lee; but never have I heard one whose powers of delivery - surpassed those of Cornstock." - - -Of so much importance was his name considered by Lord Dunmore however, -that a special messenger was despatched to ascertain whether he would -accede to the articles of peace. This messenger was Colonel John Gibson, -an officer in Dunmore's army, and afterward a man of some distinction. The -"Mingo Chief" did not dissent from the terms, but gave not his sanction -without an eloquent rehearsal of his grievances--relating, in full, the -circumstances of the butchery of his own entire family, to avenge which -atrocities he had taken up the hatchet. His conference with Gibson took -place in a solitary wood, and at its close, he charged him with the -celebrated speech to Lord Dunmore, which has become familiar wherever the -English language is spoken:-- - -"I appeal to any white man to say if he ever entered Logan's cabin hungry, -and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed -him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained -idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, -that my countrymen pointed, as they passed, and said, 'Logan is the friend -of the white men.' I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the -injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last Spring, in cold blood and -unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not even sparing my women -and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living -creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it; I have killed -many; I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the -beams of peace; but do not harbour a thought that mine is the joy of fear. -Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who -is there to mourn for Logan? Not one." - -This speech has ever been regarded as one of the most eloquent passages -in the English language. Mr. Jefferson remarked of it--"I may challenge -the whole orations of Demosthenes, and of Cicero, and of any more eminent -orator, if Europe has furnished more eminent, to produce a single passage -superior to it;" and an American statesman and scholar,[FN-1] scarcely -less illustrious than the author of this noble eulogium, has subscribed -to that opinion.[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] De Witt Clinton. - - [FN-2] Thatcher's Ind. Biography. It is due in candour to state, that the - authenticity of this celebrated speech has been questioned. On the first - publication of Jefferson's Notes, the relatives and friends of Cresap - made a great outcry against the charge of his having murdered Logan's - family. Among other arguments in his defence, it was contended that the - speech attributed to Logan had, in substance and almost in words, been - delivered to the General Assembly of Virginia by a sachem named Lonan, - twenty years before the date assigned to it by Mr. Jefferson. The speech - referred to was discovered in the travels of Robin, a Frenchman, who - visited the Colonies at an early period of the war of the Revolution. - The passage stands thus in the English translation of "Robin's New - Travels in America:"-- - - "Speech of the savage Lonan, in a General Assembly, as it was sent to the - Governor of Virginia, anno 1754:-- - - "Lonan will no longer oppose making the proposed peace with the white - men. You are sensible he never knew what fear is--that he never turned - his back in the day of battle. No one has more love for the white men - than I have. The war we have had with them has been long and bloody on - both sides. Rivers of blood have run on all parts, and yet no good has - resulted therefrom to any. I once more repeat it--let us be at peace - with these men. I will forget our injuries; the interest of my country - demands it. I will forget--but difficult, indeed, is the task! Yes, I - will forget that Major ---- cruelly and inhumanly murdered, in their - canoes, my wife, my children, my father, my mother, and all my kindred. - This roused me to deeds of vengeance! I was cruel in despite of myself. I - will die content if my country is once more at peace, But when Lonan - shall be no more, who, alas! will drop a tear to the memory of Lonan?" - - If the date to this speech be the true one, there is an end to the claim - of Logan. But the resemblance in many manuscripts, between the figures - 4 and 7, is so close as to induce a belief, (Dr. Barton's Journal of 1808 - to the contrary notwithstanding) that the error may have been made by the - English translator. This opinion is strengthened by the similarity - between the name given by Robin,--_Lonan_--and _Logan._ The difference - consists in a single letter, and might well have been the error of the - Frenchman, when writing the identical story of Logan. In the course of - his investigations, Mr. Jefferson was furnished with a note, written by - Logan, and sent to a white settlement, attached to a war-club, by the - hand of an Indian runner, Heckewelder also says the speech was - authenticated by Col. Gibson, and adds:--"For my part I am convinced that - it was delivered precisely as it was related to us, with this only - difference, that it possessed a force and expression in the Indian - language, which it is impossible to translate info our own," - - -Lord Dunmore, it is believed, was sincerely desirous of peace--from -motives of humanity, we are ready to believe, although writers of less -charity have attributed his course to a more unworthy feeling. Peace, -therefore, was the result of the council. But it will readily be conceded -that the Indian warriors could not have retired to their respective tribes -and homes, with any feelings of particular friendship toward the white -men. On the contrary, the pain of defeat, and the loss of the warriors who -fell, were causes of irritating reflection, in addition to the original -and grievous wrong they had suffered at the hands of Cresap and -Greathouse. The Six Nations, as a confederacy, had not taken part in the -war of the Virginia border; but many of their warriors were engaged in it, -especially the Cayugas, to which nation Logan belonged, and the warriors -of the Six Nations colonized on the banks of the Susquehanna and its -tributary the Shamokin. These, it may be reasonably inferred, returned -from the contest only to brood longer over their accumulated wrongs, and -in a temper not over-inclined to cultivate the most amicable relations -with the Colonies. In one word, the temper of the whole Indian race, with -the exception of the Oneidas, was soured by these occurrences of the year -1774;--a most unfortunate circumstance, since events were then following -in rapid succession, which within a twelvemonth rendered the friendship -of the nations not only desirable, but an object of vast importance. - -But before the direct narrative leading to those events is resumed, it -may be well to end the melancholy tale of Logan, "which can be dismissed -with no relief to its gloomy colours." After the peace of Chilicothe he -sank into a state of deep mental depression, declaring that life was a -torment to him. He became in some measure delirious;[FN-1] went to -Detroit, and there yielded himself to habits of intoxication. In the end -he became a victim to the same ferocious cruelty which had already -rendered him a desolate man. Not long after the treaty, a party of whites -murdered him as he was returning from Detroit to his own country.[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Allen's Biog. Dic. - - [FN-2] Thatcher. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - - - Unyielding course of the parent Government--Efforts of the Earl of - Chatham unavailing--Address to the Crown from New-York--Leslie's - Expedition to Salem--Affair of Lexington--Unwise movements of Tryon - County loyalists--Reaction--Public meetings--The Sammons - family--Interference of the Johnsons--Quarrel at Caughnawaga--Spirited - indications at Cherry Valley--Counteracting-efforts of the Johnsons - among their retainers--Intrigues with the Indians--Massachusetts - attempts the same--Correspondence with the Stockbridge Indians--Letter - to Mr. Kirkland--His removal by Guy Johnson--Neutrality of the - Oneidas--Intercepted despatch from Brant to the Oneidas--Apprehensions - of Guy Johnson--Correspondence--Farther precautions of the - Committees--Reverence for the Laws--Letter of Guy Johnson to the - Committees of Albany and Schenectady--Substance of the reply. - -The parent government did not relax its coercive measures, notwithstanding -the efforts of the Earl of Chatham, now venerable for his years, who, -after a long retirement, returned once more into public life, to interpose -his eloquence and the influence of his great name in behalf of the -Colonies. His lordship's address to the King for the removal of the troops -from Boston, was rejected by a large majority. His conciliatory bill was -also rejected. On the 26th of January, Messrs. Bolland, Franklin, and Lee, -the Committee from the Colonies, charged with presenting the petition of -the Continental Congress for a redress of grievances, brought the subject -before the House of Commons, and after an angry debate they refused to -receive it by a decisive vote. Meantime bills were passed, by large -majorities, restraining all the thirteen Colonies, excepting only -New-York, Delaware, and North Carolina, from the prosecution of any -foreign commerce other than with Great Britain and her dependencies. The -Eastern States were likewise excluded from the fisheries of Newfoundland. -But notwithstanding that, from motives of policy, New-York had been thus -excepted from the restraining law, its local legislature was at the same -time engaged in preparing a memorial to the Crown for a redress of -grievances--a fact which the ministers soon learned, and not without -mortification. The New-York address was a strong denunciation of the -measures of the Government toward the Colonies, and an energetic appeal -for redress. "We feel," said they, "the most ardent desire to promote a -cordial reconciliation with the parent state, which can be rendered -permanent and solid only by ascertaining the line of Parliamentary -authority and American freedom, on just, equitable, and constitutional -grounds. . . . From the year 1683 till the close of the late war, they had -enjoyed a legislature consisting of three distinct branches, a Governor, -Council, and general Assembly; under which political frame the -representatives had uniformly exercised the right of their own civil -government, and the administration of justice in the Colony. It is, -therefore, with inexpressible grief that we have of late years seen -measures adopted by the British Parliament, subversive of that -constitution under which the good people of this Colony have always -enjoyed the same rights and privileges, so highly and deservedly prized by -their fellow-subjects of Great Britain." Adverting to the essential -privilege of trial by a jury of the vicinage, they "view with horror the -construction of the statute of the 35th of Henry the VIII. as held up by -the joint address of both houses of Parliament in 1769, advising his -Majesty to send for persons guilty of treasons and misprisions of -treasons, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in order to be tried in -England;" and they "are equally alarmed at the late acts, empowering his -Majesty to send persons guilty of offences in one colony, to be tried in -another or within the realm of England." They complain of the act of 7th -of George the III. requiring the legislature of this Colony to make -provision for the expense of the troops quartered among them; of the act -suspending their legislative powers till they should have complied; and -of the Quebec act; considering themselves as interested in whatever may -affect their sister Colonies; they cannot help feeling for the distresses -of their brethren in Massachusetts, from the operation of the several acts -of Parliament passed relative to that province, and earnestly -remonstrating in their behalf. "We claim," said they, "but a restoration -of those rights which we enjoyed by general consent before the close of -the last war; we desire no more than a continuation of that ancient -government to which we are entitled by the principles of the British -constitution, and by which alone can be secured to us the rights of -Englishmen." The address was presented to the House of Commons by Mr. -Burke, but was never called up. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Holmes's Annals. - - -A new Provincial Congress was assembled in Massachusetts in February, -which, anticipating that the parent Government was preparing to strike the -first blow at that Colony, adopted farther means of precaution and -defence--but with great wisdom avoiding any thing like an overt act of -resistance. Hostilities had well nigh been commenced on the 26th of -February, between Salem and Danvers, by the opposition of Colonel Timothy -Pickering and others, to Colonel Leslie, who had been sent to Salem by -General Gage, to seize some military stores, which he had been informed -were collecting at the former place. The interposition of Mr. Barnard, the -minister of Salem, prevented the effusion of blood, and Leslie returned -to Boston from a bootless errand. - -The ill-starred expedition, by the direction of General Gage, to Concord, -and the battle of Lexington on the 19th of April, gave the signal of a -general rush to arms throughout most of the Colonies. True, it was not -admitted to be a formal commencement of hostilities, and the Provincial -Congress of Massachusetts despatched an account of that affair to Great -Britain, with depositions, establishing the fact indisputably, that both -at Concord and Lexington the firing had been commenced by the King's -troops--Major Pitcairn himself discharging the first shot, at the former -place. But although this message was accompanied by an address to the -people of Great Britain with continued professions of loyalty, yet those -professions were sent, hand in hand, with a declaration that they would -"not tamely submit to the persecution and tyranny" of the existing -ministry, and with an appeal to heaven for the justice of a cause in which -they were determined to die or conquer. It was very evident, therefore, -that reconciliation was out of the question, and that a trial of arms was -near at hand. Of course the exasperation of the public mind was now at -its height, and those who had not taken sides could no longer stand -neutral. - -It was at this moment, just as the Continental Congress was about to -reassemble, and just as the exciting intelligence was received from -Boston, that, most unwisely for themselves, the influential loyalists of -Tryon County undertook to make a demonstration against the proceedings -of the Congress of the preceding Autumn. A declaration in opposition to -those proceedings was drawn up, and advantage taken of the gathering of -the people at a Court holden in Johnstown, to obtain signatures. The -discussions ran high upon the subject, but the movers in the affair -succeeded in obtaining the names of a majority of the Grand Jurors, and -the greater portion of the magistracy of the County. - -The Whigs in attendance at the Court were indignant at this procedure, -and on returning to their respective homes, communicated their feelings -to those of their neighbors who had embraced kindred principles. Public -meetings were called, and committees appointed in every district, and -sub-committees in almost every hamlet in the County.[FN-1] The first -of these public meetings was held at the house of John Veeder in -Caughnawaga. It was attended by about three hundred people, who assembled, -unarmed, for the purpose of deliberation, and also to erect a -liberty-pole--the most hateful object of that day in the eyes of the -loyalists. Among the leaders of the Whigs on that occasion, were Sampson -Sammons, an opulent farmer residing in the neighbourhood, and two of his -sons, Jacob and Frederick. Before they had accomplished their purpose of -raising the emblem of rebellion, the proceedings were interrupted by the -arrival of Sir John Johnson, accompanied by his brothers-in-law, Colonels -Claus and Guy Johnson, together with Colonel John Butler, and a large -number of their retainers, armed with swords and pistols. Guy Johnson -mounted a high stoop and harangued the people at length, and with great -vehemence. He dwelt upon the strength and power of the King, and attempted -to show the folly of opposing his officers or revolting against the -authority of his crown. A single ship, he said, would be sufficient to -capture all the navy which could be set afloat by the Colonies; while on -the frontiers, the Indians were under his Majesty's control, and his arms -were sustained by a chain of fortified posts, extending from the Gulf of -the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi. He was very virulent in his language -toward the disaffected, causing their blood to boil with indignation. But -they were unarmed, and for the most part unprepared, if not indisposed, -to proceed to any act of violence. The orator at length became so abusive, -that Jacob Sammons, no longer able to restrain himself, imprudently -interrupted his discourse by pronouncing him a liar and a villain. Johnson -thereupon seized Sammons by the throat, and called him a d--d villain in -return. A scuffle ensued between them, during which Sammons was struck -down with a loaded whip. On recovering from the momentary stupor of the -blow, Sammons found one of Johnson's servants sitting astride of his body. -A well-directed blow relieved him of that incumbrance, and, springing upon -his feet, he threw off his coat and prepared for fight. Two pistols were -immediately presented to his breast, but not discharged, as Sammons was -again knocked down by the clubs of the loyalists, and severely beaten. On -recovering his feet once more, he perceived that his Whig friends had all -decamped, with the exception of the families of the Fondas, Veeders, and -Visschers.[FN-2] The loyalists also drew off, and Jacob Sammons returned -to his father's house, bearing upon his body the first scars of the -Revolutionary contest in the County of Tryon. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The County of Tryon then included all the Colonial settlements - West and South-west of Schenectady. It was taken from Albany County in - 1772, and named in honour of William Tryon, then Governor of the - Province. In 1784 the name was changed to Montgomery. When formed, it - embraced all that part of the State lying West of a line running North - and South, nearly through the centre of the present County of Schoharie. - It was divided into five districts, which were again subdivided into - smaller districts or precincts. The first, beginning at the East, was - the Mohawk district, embracing Fort Hunter, Caughnawaga, Johnstown, - and Kingsborough. Canajoharie district, embracing the present town of - that name, with all the country South, including Cherry Valley and - Harpersfield, Palatine district North of the river, and including the - country known by the same name, with Stone Arabia, &c., and German - Flats and Kingsland Districts, being then the most Western settlements, - and the former now known by the same name. The county buildings were at - Johnstown, where, as before mentioned, was the residence of Sir William - Johnson.--_Campbell's Annals._ - - [FN-2] Narratives of Jacob and Frederick Sammons, furnished to the - author; repeated references to both of which will be made hereafter. - - -One of the largest and most spirited of these meetings took place in -Cherry Valley. It was held in the church, and the people entered into the -subject with so much enthusiasm, that they took their children to the -assembly, that they might imbibe lessons of patriotism, as it were at the -altar--thus hallowing the cause in which they were about to engage, with -the impressive sanctions of religion. The orator of the occasion was an -Indian interpreter by the name of Thomas Spencer; he was rude of speech, -but forcible; and, warming with his theme, spoke with such power and -effect, that the story of his eloquence yet lives in the annals of -tradition. [FN] The result of this meeting was the adoption of a strong -counter-declaration, condemning the proceedings of the loyalists at -Johnstown, and approving, in the most unequivocal and solemn terms, of the -proceedings of the Continental Congress. - - * * * * * - - [FN] And also in Campbell's Annals - - -These proceedings took place early in May. But from a letter addressed to -the Committee of Safety of Albany, by the Committee of the Palatine -district, on the 18th of that month, it appears that the Johnsons and -their powerful confederates in the Mohawk district succeeded, by threats, -intimidation, and an array of military strength, in preventing the -adoption of a corresponding declaration by the Whigs. "This County," says -the Palatine Committee, "has for a series of years been ruled by one -family, the several branches of which are still strenuous in dissuading -the people from coming into Congressional measures, and have even, last -week, at a numerous meeting of the Mohawk district, appeared with all -their dependents armed to oppose the people considering of their -grievances; their number being so large, and the people unarmed, struck -terror into most of them, and they dispersed." The Committee farther -notified their friends in Albany, that Sir John Johnson was fortifying the -Baronial Hall, by planting several swivels around it; and he had paraded -parts of the regiment of militia which he commanded, on the day previous, -for the purpose of intimidation, as it was conjectured. It was likewise -reported that the Scotch Highlanders, settled in large numbers in and -about Johnstown, who were Roman Catholics, had armed themselves to the -number of one hundred and fifty, ready to aid in the suppression of any -popular outbreaks in favor of the growing cause of Liberty. - -Strong suspicions were early entertained that the Johnsons, Butlers, and -Colonel Claus, were endeavouring to alienate the good-will of the Indians -from the Colonists, and prepare them, in the event of open hostilities, to -take up the hatchet against them. Thayendanegea, alias Joseph Brant, as -heretofore mentioned, was now the secretary of Colonel Guy Johnson, the -superintendent, and his activity was ceaseless. Notwithstanding his former -friendship for Mr. Kirkland, the faithful missionary to the Oneidas, -Thayendanegea was apprehensive that his influence would be exerted to -alienate the Indians from the interests of the Crown, and attach them to -those of the Colonists. The wily chief accordingly attempted to obtain the -removal of Mr. Kirkland from his station; and at his instigation, a -dissolute sachem of the Oneidas preferred charges against the minister to -Guy Johnson, the superintendent. A correspondence took place between -Johnson and Mr. Kirkland upon the subject, in which the latter sustained -himself with force and dignity. The Oneida nation, moreover, rallied to -his support, almost to a man; so that the superintendent was obliged, for -the time being, to relinquish the idea of his forcible removal. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The correspondence referred to in this passage was discovered by the - author among the unpublished papers of Mr. Kirkland--obligingly loaned - for his use by President Kirkland of Boston. - - -Justice, however, both to Brant and Guy Johnson, requires it to be stated -that the vigilant eyes of the Bostonians had already been directed to the -importance of securing an interest among the Indians of the Six Nations, -in anticipation of whatever events were to happen. To this end a -correspondence was opened through Mr. Kirkland, even with the Mohawks, by -the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, before the affair of Lexington -and Concord. [FN] The following is a copy of the letter addressed to the -missionary by the Provincial Congress:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] Sparks's Life and Cor. of Washington, vol. iii. Appendix. - - - "To The Rev. Samuel Kirkland. - - "_Concord, April_ 4_th,_ 1775. - - "Sir, - -"The Provincial Congress have thought it necessary to address the sachem -of the Mohawk tribe, with the rest of the Six Nations, upon the subject -of the controversy between Great Britain and the American Colonies. We -are induced to take this measure, as we have been informed that those who -are inimical to us in Canada have been tampering with those nations, and -endeavouring to attach them to the interest of those who are attempting -to deprive us of our inestimable rights and privileges, and to subjugate -the Colonies to arbitrary power. From a confidence in your attachment to -the cause of liberty and your country, we now transmit to you the enclosed -address, and desire you will deliver it to the sachem of the Mohawk tribe, -to be communicated to the rest of the Six Nations; and that you will use -your influence with them to join with us in the defence of our rights; but -if you cannot prevail with them to take an active part in this glorious -cause, that you will at least engage them to stand neuter, and not by any -means to aid and assist our enemies; and as we are at a loss for the name -of the sachem of the Mohawk tribe, we have left it to you to direct the -address to him, in such way as you may think proper." - -There were at that time dwelling at Stockbridge, in the western part of -Massachusetts, a remnant of the Mohickanders, or "River Indians" as they -were usually called during the greater portion of the last century, but -latterly Stockbridge Indians, from their locality. These Indians were the -remains of the Muhhekaneew [FN-1] of the Hudson river, at the time of the -discovery. They came originally, according to their own traditions, from -the far West--even beyond the great lakes. That such was their original -location is supported by the fact, that their language was radically -different from that of the Narragansetts and New England Indians -generally, and also from the language of the Five Nations. Its affinities -were allied to the Shawanese and Chippewa, affording farther evidence that -they had emigrated from the West, crossing the country of the Delawares, -and establishing themselves on the banks of the Hudson, or Mohickannittuck -as the North River was called. They were a powerful tribe at the time of -the discovery, numbering a thousand warriors, and inhabiting the country -between the Upper Delaware and the Hudson, together with portions of -territory now included in Massachusetts and Vermont. They dwelt mostly in -little towns and villages, their chief seat being the site of the present -city of Albany--called by them Pempo-towwuthut-Muhhecanneuw, or the -Fire-place of the Nation. Becoming feeble and dispersed as the white -population increased around and among them--although their numbers had -been partially recruited by refugees from the Narragansetts and Pequods, -on the conquest of those nations--the Muhhekaneew were collected together -at Stockbridge, in 1736, under the care of the Rev. John Sergeant, who, -and his son after him, were long the spiritual guides of the tribe. They -were ever faithful to the English, having been actively employed by -General Shirley to range the country between Lake George and Montreal, -during the French war ending in the conquest of Canada. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] This is the orthography of Dr. Edwards, who was long a missionary - among them at Stockbridge. Heckewelder says their proper name was - _Mahicanni._ It is one of the most difficult things in the world to - arrive at any thing like system or certainty in regard to Indian names - of persons, places, or things. For instance, the author has papers - before him at the time of writing, in which the River Indians are called - _Moheagans, Mourigans,_ or _Mahingans,_ (French,) _Mahickanders,_ - (Dutch,) _Mohiccons,_ (English,) _Mohuccans, Mahickinders, Schaticooks, - Wabingas, Muhheakunnuks,_ and the _Moheakounucks;_ indeed, it has been - the practice of writers of different, and of even the same nations, to - spell more by the ear than by rule, until our Indian names have been - involved in almost inextricable confusion. - - [FN-2] Brown, in his pamphlet History of Schoharie, gives a singular - tradition in regard to the kings of the Mohawks, of which I have found no - other mention. Mohawks and River Indians were once bitter enemies, the - former becoming the scourge and terror of the latter. Brown states that - the last battle between the Mohegan's and Mohawks took place on Wanton - Island, in the Hudson River, not far from Catskill. The question between - them was, which should have the honour of naming their king, or which - should have the preference in the kingly honours. Both nation collected - their utmost strength upon that island, for the purpose of a final - decision and fought a pitched battle, which continued during the whole - day. Toward night the Mohawks, finding that the Mohegans were likely to - prove an overmatch for them, deemed it necessary to resort to stratagem, - for which purpose they suddenly took to flight, and gained another island - in the evening. They here kindled a great number of fires, and spread - their blankets on some bushes, gathered and disposed around them for that - purpose, as though they themselves had encamped by their fires as usual. - The Mohegans following on, landed upon the island in the depth of night, - and were completely taken in by the deception. Supposing that the Mohawks - were sleeping soundly beneath their blankets, after their fatigue the - Mohegans crept up with the greatest silence, and pouring a heavy fire - upon the blankets, rushed upon them with knives and tomahawks in hand, - making the air to ring with their yells as they fell to cutting and - slashing the blankets and bushes instead of Indians beneath them. Just - at the moment of their greatest confusion and exultation the Mohawks, - who had been lying in ambush flat upon the ground at a little distance, - poured a murderous fire upon their foes, whose figures were rendered - distinctly visible by the light of their fires, and rushing impetuously - upon them, killed the greater part and made prisoners of the residue. A - treaty was then concluded, by which the Mohawks were to have the king, - and the Mohegans were to hold them in reverence and call them "Uncle." - Hendrick was the king first named such by the Mohawks, after this - decisive victory, "who lived to a great age," says Brown, "and was killed - at the battle of Lake George under Sir William Johnson."--_Author._ - - -The relations of the Stockbridge Indians with the Oneidas had become -intimate, and it is very possible that the negotiations had even then -commenced between the two tribes, which a few years afterward resulted in -the removal of the Stockbridge Indians to the Oneida. Be that, however, -as it may, when the troubles began to thicken, the Provincial Congress -of Massachusetts sent a message to the Stockbridge Indians, apprising them -of the gathering tempest, and expressing a desire to cultivate a good -understanding between them. The Indians, in return, dispatched Captain -Solomon Ahhaunnauwaumut, their chief sachem, to the Congress, to make a -reply, and on the 11th of April he delivered the following speech: - -"Brothers: We have heard you speak by your letter--we thank you for it--we -now make answer. - -"Brothers: You remember when you first came over the great waters, I was -great and you was little, very small. I then took you in for a friend, -and kept you under my arms, so that no one might injure you; since that -time we have ever been true friends; there has never been any quarrel -between us. But now our conditions are changed. You are become great and -tall. You reach to the clouds. You are seen all around the world, and I -am become small, very little. I am not so high as your heel. Now you take -care of me, and I look to you for protection. - -"Brothers: I am sorry to hear of this great quarrel between you and Old -England. It appears that blood must soon be shed to end this quarrel. We -never till this day understood the foundation of this quarrel between you -and the country you came from. - -"Brothers: Whenever I see your blood running, you will soon find me about -to revenge my brother's blood. Although I am low and very small, I will -gripe hold of your enemy's heel, that he cannot run so fast, and so light, -as if he had nothing at his heels. - -"Brothers: You know I am not so wise as you are, therefore I ask your -advice in what I am now going to say. I have been thinking, before you -come to action, to take a run to the westward, and feel the mind of my -Indian brethren, the Six Nations, and know how they stand--whether they -are on your side or for your enemies. If I find they are against you, I -will try to turn their minds. I think they will listen to me, for they -have always looked this way for advice, concerning all important news that -comes from the rising of the sun. If they hearken to me, you will not be -afraid of any danger behind you. However their minds are affected, you -shall soon know by me. Now I think I can do you more service in this way, -than by marching off immediately to Boston, and staying there; it may be -a great while before blood runs. [FN] Now, as I said, you are wiser than I; -I leave this for your consideration, whether I come down immediately or -wait till I hear some blood is spilled." - - * * * * * - - [FN] A company of minute-men, composed of the Stockbridge Indians, was - organized by the Massachusetts Congress before the battle of Lexington. - They were retained in service some time after the war began, and came - down and joined the camp at Cambridge.--_Spetz._ - - -"Brothers: I would not have you think by this that we are falling back -from our engagements. We are ready to do any thing for your relief, and -shall be guided by your counsel. - -"Brothers: One thing I ask of you, if you send for me to fight, that you -will let me fight in my own Indian way. I am not used to fight English -fashion, therefore you must not expect I can train like your men. Only -point out to me where your enemies keep, and that is all I shall want to -know." - -Two days afterward the Congress directed the following reply to be made -to the Moheakounnuck tribe, through their chieftain: - -"Brothers: We this day, by the delegate from Stockbridge, first heard of -your friendly answer to our speech to you by Captain William Goodrich, -which answer we are told you made to us immediately by a letter, which we -have not yet received. We now reply: - -"Brothers: You say that you were once great, but that you are now little; -and that we were once little and are now great. The Supreme Spirit orders -these things. Whether we are little or great, let us keep the path of -friendship clear, which our fathers made, and in which we have both -traveled to this time. The friends of the wicked counselors of our King -fell upon us, and shed some blood soon after we spake to you last by -letter. But we, with a small twig, killed so many, and frightened them so -much, that they have shut themselves up in our great town, called Boston, -which they have made strong. We have now made our hatchets, and all our -instruments of war, sharp and bright. All the chief counselors, who live -on this side the great water, are sitting in the grand Council House in -Philadelphia; when they give the word, we shall all as one man, fall on, -and drive our enemies out of their strong fort, and follow them till they -shall take their hands out of our pouches, and let us sit in our -council-house, as we used to do, and as our fathers did in old times. - -"Brothers: Though you are small, yet you are wise. Use your wisdom to help -us. If you think it best, go and smoke your pipe with your Indian brothers -toward the setting of the sun, and tell them of all you hear and all you -see; and let us know what their wise men say. If some of your young men -should have a mind to see what we are doing, let them come down and tarry -among our warriors. We will provide for them while they are here. - -"Brothers: When you have any trouble, come and tell it to us, and we will -help you. - -"To Captain _Solomon Ahhaunnauwaumut,_ chief Sachem of the _Moheakounnuck_ -Indians." - -These documents have been thus incidentally introduced, not only as being -connected with the main history, and also as being interesting in -themselves, but in justice to Guy Johnson; since, in regard to his own -measures of defensive preparation, he is entitled to the benefit of all -the facts, going to warrant his suspicions that an extraneous influence -was exerting over the subjects of his general superintendency; and it can -hardly be supposed that he was kept altogether in ignorance, either of the -correspondence with Mr. Kirkland or of that with the Stockbridge Indians, -through whom, probably, the Bostonians were at the same time holding -intercourse with the Six Nations. These circumstances could not but awaken -a lively jealousy, in regard to the movements of the white people among -the Indians under his charge, and especially in regard to Mr. Kirkland. -Accordingly, although in the month of February the superintendent had not -been able to effect the removal of Mr. Kirkland from his station among the -Oneidas, he nevertheless accomplished that object in the course of the -Spring, as appears by a letter from the missionary himself, addressed from -Cherry Valley to the Albany Committee: - - "Mr. Kirkland to the Committee of Albany. - _Cherry Valley, Jan._ 9, 1775. - - "Gentlemen, - -"I am much embarrassed at present. You have doubtless heard that Colonel -Johnson has orders from Government to remove the dissenting missionaries -from the Six Nations, till the difficulties between Great Britain and the -Colonies are settled; in consequence of which he has forbidden my return -to thy people at Oneida. He has since given encouragement that I may -revisit them after the Congress is closed; but to be plain, I have no -dependence at all on his promises of this kind. He appears unreasonably -jealous of me, and has forbidden my speaking a word to the Indians, and -threatened me with confinement if I transgress. All he has against me I -suppose to be a suspicion that I have interpreted to the Indians the -doings of the Continental Congress, which has undeceived them, and too -much opened their eyes for Colonel Johnson's purposes. I confess to you, -gentlemen, that I have been guilty of this, if it be a transgression. The -Indians found out that I had received the abstracts of said Congress, and -insisted upon knowing the contents. I could not deny them, notwithstanding -my cloth, though in all other respects I have been extremely cautious not -to meddle in matters of a political nature. I apprehend that my -interpreting the doings of the Congress to a number of their sachems, has -done more real good to the cause of the country, or the cause of truth and -justice, than five hundred pounds in presents would have effected." - -Mr. Kirkland no doubt spoke the honest truth in this letter. His influence -was great among the Oneidas, and deservedly so. Hence, had he undertaken -the task, he might, beyond all doubt, and easily, have persuaded the -Indians of his forest-charge to espouse the cause of the Colonies. But he -did no such thing; or, at least, he avoided the exertion of any farther -influence than to persuade them to the adoption of a neutral policy. This -determination, probably, was an act of their own volition, after listening -to the interpretation of the proceedings of Congress. It was made known -to the people of New England by the following address, transmitted by the -Oneidas to Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut, with a request that he would -cause it to be communicated to the four New England Colonies: - - "The Oneida Indians to Governor Trumbull. - -"As my younger brothers of the New England Indians, who have settled in -our vicinity, are now going down to visit their friends, and to move up -parts of their families that were left behind--with this belt by them, I -open the road wide, clearing it of all obstacles, that they may visit -their friends and return to their settlements here in peace. - -"We Oneidas are induced to this measure on account of the disagreeable -situation of affairs that way; and we hope, by the help of God, they may -return in peace. We earnestly recommend them to your charity through their -long journey. - -"Now we more immediately address you, our brother, the Governor, and the -chiefs of New England. - -"Brothers: We have heard of the unhappy differences and great contention -between you and Old England. We wonder greatly, and are troubled in our -minds. - -"Brothers: Possess your minds in peace respecting us Indians. We cannot -intermeddle in this dispute between two brothers. The quarrel seems to be -unnatural. You are _two brothers of one blood._ We are unwilling to join on -either side in such a contest, for we bear an equal affection to both you -Old and New England. Should the great king of England apply to us for aid, -we shall deny him; if the Colonies apply, we shall refuse. The present -situation of you two brothers is new and strange to us. We Indians cannot -find, nor recollect in the traditions of our ancestors, the like case, or -a similar instance. - -"Brothers: For these reasons possess your minds in peace, and take no -umbrage that we Indians refuse joining in the contest. We are for peace. - -"Brothers: Was it an alien, a foreign nation, who had struck you, we -should look into the matter. We hope, through the wise government and -good pleasure of God, your distresses may be soon removed and the dark -clouds be dispersed. - -"Brothers: As we have declared for peace, we desire you will not apply to -our Indian brethren in New England for their assistance. Let us Indians -be all of one mind, and live with one another; and you white people settle -your own disputes between yourselves. - -"Brothers: We have now declared our minds; please to write to us, that we -may know yours. We, the sachems and warriors, and female governesses of -_Oneida,_ send our love to you, brother governor, and all the other chiefs -in New England." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The translation of this Oneida proclamation of neutrality was made - by Mr. Kirkland, for Gordon's History of the Revolution. It was signed by - _William Sunoghsis, Nickldsha Watshaledgh, William Kanaghquaesed, Peter - Thayebeare, Jimmy Tekayabeare, Nickbis Aghsenbare,_ i. e. garter; _Thomas - Yoghtanowea,_ i. e. spreading of the dew; _Adam Ohenwano, Quedellis - Agwerondongwas,_ i. e. breaking of the twigs; _Handerebeks - Tegahsweahdyen,_ i. e. a belt (of wampum) extended; _Johnko' Skeanendon, - Thomas Teondeatha,_ i. e. a fallen tree. - - -Of an Indian foe the inhabitants of Tryon County entertained a special -dread. In the communication of the Palatine Committee to that of Albany, -therefore, cited a few pages back, it was suggested whether it would not -be expedient to prevent the sending of powder and ammunition into the -Mohawk Valley, unless consigned to the Committee, to be sold under their -inspection. In conclusion, the Committee declared, that, although few in -number, they were determined to let the world see who were, and who were -not, attached to the cause of American liberty; and they closed by avowing -their fixed determination, "to carry into execution every thing -recommended by the Continental Congress, and to be free or die." - -Three days after making this communication to their Albany brethren, that -is to say on the 21st of May, the question whether Guy Johnson was or was -not tampering with the Indians in anticipation of hostilities, was solved -by an intercepted communication from Thayendanegea to the chiefs of the -Oneida tribe. The letter, written in the Mohawk language, was found in -an Indian path, and was supposed to have been lost by one of their -runners. The following is a translation, being the earliest specimen -extant of the composition of Brant. - - "_Written at Guy Johnson's, May,_ 1775 - -"This is your letter, you great ones or sachems. Guy Johnson says he will -be glad if you get this intelligence, you Oneidas, how it goes with him -now; and he is now more certain concerning the intention of the Boston -people. Guy Johnson is in great fear of being taken prisoner by the -Bostonians. We Mohawks are obliged to watch him constantly. Therefore -we send you this intelligence, that you shall know it; and Guy Johnson -assures himself, and depends upon your coming to his assistance, and that -you will without fail be of that opinion. He believes not that you will -assent to let him suffer. We therefore expect you in a couple of days -time. So much at present. We send but so far as to you Oneidas, but -afterward perhaps to all the other nations. We conclude, and expect that -you will have concern about our ruler, Guy Johnson, because we are all -united. - - "(Signed) Aren Kannenzaron, - Johannes Tegarihoge, - Deyagodeaghnaweagh. - - "Joseph Brant - _Guy Johnson's Interpreter._" - -The surface of this intercepted despatch discloses nothing more than a -desire, on the part of Guy Johnson, to strengthen his domestic forces for -the protection of his person, in the event of any attempt to seize and -carry him away. But the inhabitants allowed him no credit for sincerity. -Information had been received from Canada, through the emissaries sent -thither by the revolutionary leaders in Massachusetts, that secret agents -of the Crown had been sent among the Six Nations, to stir them up against -the Colonies.[FN-1] Hence the correspondence of the Massachusetts Congress -with Mr. Kirkland and the Indians, already given; and hence, also, the -increasing apprehension of the people, that the Indians were to be -inflamed and let loose upon them. Such, consequently, was their distrust -of Johnson, that they neither believed there was any design against his -person, nor that he was laboring under any apprehension of the kind. There -is no reason to doubt, however, that Guy Johnson did feel his position -to be critical. General Schuyler had his eye upon him; and, beyond -question, his every motion was so closely watched as to make him feel -very uncomfortable.[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Sparks. - - [FN-2] "Watch the movements of the Indian agent, Colonel Guy Johnson, - and prevent, so far as you can, the effect of his influence, to our - prejudice, with the Indians."--_Letter from Washington to Gen. Schuyler, - June,_ 1775. - - -Evidence, indisputable, that such was the fact, is afforded in the -correspondence annexed. The following letter was addressed, at about the -same time, by Guy Johnson to the magistrates of the Upper Mohawk -settlements:-- - - "_Guy Park, May_ 20_th,_ 1775. - - "Gentlemen, - -"I have lately had repeated accounts that a body of New Englanders, or -others, were to come to seize and carry away my person and attack our -family, under colour of malicious insinuations that I intended to set the -Indians upon the people. Men of sense and character know that my office -is of the highest importance to promote peace amongst the Six Nations, -and prevent their entering into any such disputes. This I effected last -year, when they were much vexed about the attack made upon the Shawanese, -and I last winter appointed them to meet me this month to receive the -answer of the Virginians. All men must allow, that if the Indians find -their council fire disturbed, and their superintendent insulted, they will -take a dreadful revenge. It is therefore the duty of all people to prevent -this, and to satisfy any who may have been imposed on, that their -suspicions, and the allegations they have collected against me, are false, -and inconsistent with my character and office. I recommend this to you -as highly necessary at this time, as my regard for the interest of the -country, and self-preservation, has obliged me to fortify my house, and -keep men armed for my defence, till these idle and ridiculous reports are -removed. - -"You may lay this letter before such as are interested in these matters. - - "I am. Gentlemen, - Your Humble Servant, - G. Johnson. - - "To the magistrates and others - of Palatine, Canajoharie, and - the Upper Districts." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This letter is transcribed from the original la the author's - possession. - - -In view of these letters--the intercepted despatch from Joseph Brant and -others to the Oneidas, and Johnson's letter to the Committee--the latter -body adopted a series of resolutions, renewing their expressions of -sympathy for the sufferings of their brethren in Massachusetts and the -other Colonies; declaring their approbation of the proceedings of the -New England Colonies in the existing crisis; denouncing the conduct of -Colonel Johnson in keeping an armed force constantly about him, and -stopping travelers upon the King's highway, "as arbitrary, illegal, -oppressive, and unwarrantable:" and declaring their determination "never -to submit to any arbitrary acts of any power under heaven, or to any -illegal and unwarrantable action of any man or set of men" whatever. - -In addition to the before-mentioned intercepted letter, it was ascertained -that already expresses had actually been sent to the upper tribes of the -Six Nations, to invite them down to Guy Johnson's house. His own domestic -army amounted to five hundred men, and he had now cut off all free -communication between the upper Mohawk settlements and Albany. And -although the districts of Palatine, Canajoharie, and the German Flats -were sanctioning the proceedings of the Continental Congress with much -unanimity, they were in a great measure unarmed and destitute of -ammunition--not having more than fifty pounds of powder in the districts. -Under these circumstances, the Committee wrote an urgent letter to Albany, -representing their situation, and suggesting whether it might not be -expedient to open the communication through the lower districts of the -valley by force. They also advised the sending of two trusty messengers, -well acquainted with the Indian language, to the upper nations, to -dissuade them, if possible, from obeying the summons of Guy Johnson, and -to enlighten them in respect of the true nature and causes of the quarrel -with the King's government. - -This letter was despatched by express, and the Albany Committee replied -on the following day, advising their friends of the upper districts that -they had no ammunition to spare, and dissuading them from any attempt to -re-open the communication by force. That project was accordingly -abandoned; but the Committee sent four of its members to Albany, to gain -information as to the condition of the country generally, and with -instructions to procure a quantity of powder and lead--the Committee -holding itself responsible for the purchase money. Meantime they pushed -their measures of internal organization with great energy and success, -establishing sub-committees wherever it was expedient, and assuming the -exercise of legislative, judicial, and executive powers. Secret articles -for mutual succour and defence were prepared, and very generally signed -by the Whigs; and threats having been uttered by Guy Johnson, that unless -the Committees desisted from the course they were pursuing, he would seize -and imprison certain of their number, they solemnly bound themselves to -rescue any who might thus be arrested, by force, "unless such persons -should be confined by legal process, issued upon a legal ground, and -executed in a legal manner." - -It is here worthy, not only of special note, but of all admiration, how -completely and entirely these border-men held themselves amenable, in -the most trying exigencies, to the just execution of the laws. Throughout -all their proceedings, the history of the Tryon Committees will show that -they were governed by the purest dictates of patriotism, and the highest -regard to moral principle. Unlike the rude inhabitants of most frontier -settlements, especially under circumstances when the magistracy are, from -necessity, almost powerless, the frontier patriots of Tryon County were -scrupulous in their devotion to the supremacy of the laws. Their leading -men were likewise distinguished for their intelligence; and while North -Carolina is disputing whether she did not in fact utter a declaration of -independence before it was done by Congress, by recurring to the first -declaration of the Palatine Committee, noted in its proper place, the -example may almost be said to have proceeded from the Valley of the -Mohawk. - -Simultaneously with his letter to the magistracy of the upper districts, -Guy Johnson had despatched another of the same purport, but entering more -into detail, to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the cities of -Albany and Schenectady, of which the following is a copy. The date is -wanting:-- - - "Gentlemen, - -"As the peace and happiness of the country are objects which every good -man should have at heart, I think it highly necessary to acquaint you -that for a few days I have been put to the great trouble and expense of -fortifying my house, and keeping a large body of men for the defence of -my person, &c.; having received repeated accounts that either the New -Englanders, or some persons in or about the city of Albany or town of -Schenectady, are coming up, to a considerable number, to seize and -imprison me on a ridiculous and malicious report that I intend to make -the Indians destroy the inhabitants, or to that effect. The absurdity of -this apprehension may easily be seen by men of sense; but as many -credulous and ignorant persons may be led astray, and inclined to believe -it, and as they have already sent down accounts, examinations, &c. from -busy people here, that I can fully prove to be totally devoid of all -foundation, it has become the duty of all those who have authority or -influence, to disabuse the public, and prevent consequences which I -foresee with very great concern, and most cordially wish may be timely -prevented. Any difference in political ideas can never justify such -extravagant opinions; and I little imagined that they should have gained -belief amongst any order of people, who know my character, station, and -the large property I have in the country, and the duties of my office, -which are to preserve tranquility among the Indians, hear their -grievances, &c. and prevent them from falling upon the trade and -frontiers. These last were greatly threatened by the Indians, on account -of the disturbances last year between the Virginians and the Shawanese, -during which my endeavours prevented the Six Nations from taking a part -that would have possibly affected the public; and I appointed last Fall -that the Six Nations should come to me this month, in order to receive, -amongst other things, final satisfaction concerning the lands said to be -invaded by the Virginians, who have now sent me their answer. In the -discharge of this duty, I likewise essentially served the public; but -should I neglect myself and be tamely made prisoner, it is clear to all -who know any thing of Indians, they will not sit still and see their -council fire extinguished, and superintendent driven from his duty, but -will come upon the frontiers in revenge, with a power sufficient to commit -horrid devastation. It is, therefore, become as necessary to the public -as to myself, that my person should be defended; but as the measures I am -necessitated to take for that purpose may occasion the propagation of -additional falsehoods, and may at last appear to the Indians in a light -that is not for the benefit of the public, I should heartily wish, -gentlemen, that you could take such measures for removing these -apprehensions, as may enable me to discharge my duties, (which do not -interfere with the public,) without the protection of armed men and the -apprehension of insult; and as the public are much interested in this, -I must beg to have your answer as soon as possible. - - "I am, Gentlemen, - Your most humble Servant, - G. Johnson. [FN] - - "To the Magistrates and Committee - of Schenectady, and to the Mayor, - Corporation, &c. of Albany. To - be forwarded by the former." - - * * * * * - - [FN] This letter has been copied from the original, found by the author - among the old papers in the office of the Secretary of State, Albany. - - -To this letter the municipality of Albany promptly replied, expressing -their conviction that the reports were utterly groundless, and that they -had been originated for the purpose of awakening hostile feelings in the -minds of the Indians. They also gave the Colonel an admonitory hint that -he need be apprehensive of no indignity upon his person, or injury to -his property, so long as he studied to promote the peace and welfare of -the country, by executing his duties as superintendent of the Indians -"with an honest heart." In conclusion, they exhorted him to use all means -in his power to tranquilize the Indians, by assuring them that the reports -were without any just foundation, and "that nothing would afford his -Majesty's subjects in general a greater satisfaction than to be, and -continue with them, on the strictest terms of peace and friendship." - -On the whole, however, there is no good reason to doubt that Guy Johnson -was, in reality, apprehensive of a clandestine visit from the Yankees, -and possibly of an abduction. The great influence of his official station, -and his equivocal conduct, had created universal distrust; and the affair -of the "Tea Party" had taught the loyalists, that the Bostonians were -as adroit and fearless in stratagem as in deeds of open daring and bold -emprise. Before the receipt of the preceding letters, moreover, it was -well understood that he had arrested and searched the persons of two New -Englanders, suspicious, as it was inferred, and probably not without -reason, that they had been despatched on a mission to the Indians, with -whom it was policy to prevent any communication, save through his own -interposition. Nor could he be ignorant of the fact, that at that critical -conjuncture, the possession of his person might be of as much consequence -to those who were on the verge of rebellion, as of detriment to the -service in which his predilections would probably induce him to engage. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - - - Council of the Mohawk chiefs at Guy Park--A second council called by - Johnson at Cosby's Manor--Proceeds thither with his retinue--First full - meeting of Tryon County Committee--Correspondence with Guy Johnson--No - council held--Johnson proceeds farther West, accompanied by his family - and most of the Indians--Consequent apprehensions of the - people--Communication from Massachusetts Congress--Ticonderoga and Crown - Point taken by Ethan Allen--Skenesborough and St. Johns - surprised--Farther proceedings in Massachusetts--Battle of Bunker - Hill--Death of Warren--Council with the Oneidas and Tuscaroras at German - Flats--Speech to the Indians--Subsequent council with the - Oneidas--Conduct of the people toward Guy Johnson--Speech to, and reply - of Oneidas--Guy Johnson moves westwardly to Ontario--His letter to the - Provincial Congress of New-York--Holds a great Indian council at the - West--Unfavourable influence upon the dispositions of the - Indians--Causes of their partiality for the English--Great, but - groundless alarm of the people--Guy Johnson, with Brant and the Indian - warriors, descends the St. Lawrence to Montreal--Council there--Sir Guy - Carleton and Gen. Haldimand complete the work of winning the Indians - over to the cause of the Crown. - -A council of the Mohawk chiefs was held at Guy Park, [FN-1] on the 25th of -May, which was attended by delegates from Albany and Tryon Counties. The -records of this council are very scanty and unsatisfactory. The principal -chief of the Mohawk tribe at that time was _Little Abraham_ [FN-2]--a -brother of the famous Hendrick who fell at Lake George, in the year 1775. -The council having been opened for business, Little Abraham addressed -them as follows:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Guy Park: a beautiful situation immediately on the bank of the - Mohawk. The elegant stone mansion is yet upon the premises, giving the - best evidences of substantial building. - - [FN-2] Little Abraham seems rather to have been a leading chief at the - Lower Castle of the Mohawks--not the principal War Chief. - - -"He said he was glad to meet them, and to hear the reports concerning -taking Guy Johnson, their superintendent, were false. That the Indians do -not wish to have a quarrel with the inhabitants. That during Sir William -Johnson's lifetime, and since, we have been peaceably disposed; that the -Indians are alarmed on account of the reports that our powder was stopped. -We get our things from the superintendent. If we lived as you do, it would -not be so great a loss. If our ammunition is stopped, we shall distrust -you. We are pleased to hear you say, you will communicate freely, and we -will at all times listen to what you say in presence of our -superintendent." - -After a consultation with each other, the deputations from the two County -Committees replied, in substance, that "They were glad to hear them -expressing a desire to maintain the ancient friendship which had subsisted -between their fathers, they assured the chiefs that the reports of evil -designs against their superintendent were false. They farther promised -the chiefs, that whenever they had any business to transact with them, -they would meet them at their own council fires, and in presence of their -superintendent." - -To which the Mohawk speaker responded to the following effect:-- - -"The Indians are glad that you are not surprised that we cannot spare -Col. Johnson. The love we have for the memory of Sir William Johnson, and -the obligations the whole Six Nations are under to him, must make us -regard and protect every branch of his family. We will explain these -things to all the Indians, and hope you will do the same to your people." - -This council having been but thinly attended, and only by one tribe of the -Indians, the superintendent immediately directed the assembling of another -in the western part of the county, to attend which he proceeded to the -German Flats, with his whole family and retinue. His quarters were at the -house of a Mr. Thompson, on Cosby's manor, a few miles above the Flats. -It has been alleged that this second council was convoked because of the -superintendent's dissatisfaction with the first--a conclusion not -unlikely, from the absence of the western Indians, who had been invited. - -On the 2d of June there was, for the first time, a full meeting of the -Tryon County Committee--the loyalists having previously prevented the -attendance of delegates from the lower, or Mohawk district. [FN] This -Committee addressed a strong and patriotic letter to the superintendent, -formally notifying him of the purposes of their organization. After -adverting to the oppressions of the mother country, in repeated attempts -to enforce unconstitutional enactments of Parliament, and asserting their -principles on the subject of taxation without representation--principles -which they declared to be undeniable--they avowed their object to be, to -consult as to the best methods of saving the country from devastation and -ruin; "which object, with the assistance of Divine Providence, it was -their fixed determination and resolution to accomplish;" adding, with -emphasis, "and if called upon, we shall be foremost in sharing the toil -and danger of the field." They once more adverted to the distressed -situation of the people of New England in the common cause; and declared -that they should be wanting in duty to their country and to themselves, -were they longer to refrain from announcing their determination to the -world. After repelling the charges promulgated against them, of having -compelled people to join their Committees, and of having drunk treasonable -toasts, they proceeded to discuss matters more directly personal to the -superintendent himself The following is an extract from this portion of -the letter:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] It may be interesting to some to give the names of this body of men, - who had so often professed their willingness to peril their lives and - property in defence of the liberties of their country. (From Palatine - district)--Christopher P. Yates, John Frey, Andrew Fink, Andrew Reeber, - Peter Waggoner, Daniel McDougal, Jacob Klock, George Ecker, Jun., - Harmanus Van Slyck, Christopher W. Fox, Anthony Van Veghten. (Canajoharie - district)--Nicholas Herkimer, Ebenezer Cox, William Seeber, John Moore, - Samuel Campbell, Samuel Clyde, Thomas Henry, John Pickard. (Kingsland - and German Flats districts)--Edward Wall, William Petry, John Petry, - Augustine Hess, Frederick Orendorf, George Wentz, Michael Ittig, - Frederick Fox, George Herkimer, Duncan McDougal, Frederick Helmer, John - Frink. (Mohawk district)--John Morlett, John Bliven, Abraham Van Home, - Adam Fonda, Frederick Fisher, Sampson Sammons, William Schuyler, Volkert - Veeder, James McMaster, Daniel Line--42. Christopher P. Yates was chosen - chairman of this body.--_Campbells Annals._ - - -"We are not ignorant of the very great importance of your office as -superintendent of the Indians, and therefore it is no more our duty than -inclination to protect you in the discharge of the duty of your proper -province; and we meet you with pleasure in behalf of ourselves and our -constituents, to thank yon for meeting the Indians in the upper parts of -the County, which may be the means of easing the people of the remainder -of their fears on this account, and prevent the Indians committing -irregularities on their way down to Guy Park. And we beg of you to use -your endeavours with the Indians, to dissuade them from interfering in the -dispute with the mother country and the Colonies. We cannot think that, -as you and your family possess very large estates in this County, you are -unfavourable to American freedom, although you may differ with us in the -mode of obtaining a redress of grievances. Permit us farther to observe, -that we cannot pass over in silence the interruption which the people of -the Mohawk district met in their meeting; which, we are informed, was -conducted in a peaceable manner; and the inhuman treatment of a man, -whose only crime was being faithful to his employers, and refusing to give -an account of the receipt of certain papers, to persons who had not the -least colour of right to demand any thing of that kind. We assure you that -we are much concerned about it, as two important rights of English -subjects are thereby infringed--to wit, a right to meet, and to obtain all -the intelligence in their power." - -Colonel Nicholas Herkimer and Edward Wall were deputed to deliver the -letter to the superintendent, for which purpose they proceeded to Cosby's -Manor, and discharged their trust. The following was Colonel Johnson's -reply--manly and direct; and with which, if sincere, certainly no fault -could be found, bating the lack of courtesy in its commencement:-- - - "_Thompson's, Cosby's Manor, June_ 5_th,_ 1775. - - "Gentlemen, - -"I have received the paper signed Chris. P. Yates, Chairman, on behalf of -the districts therein mentioned, which I am now to answer, and shall do -it briefly, in the order you have stated matters. As to the letter from -some Indians to the Oneidas, I really knew nothing of it till I heard -such a thing had been by some means obtained from an Indian messenger, -and from what I have heard of its contents, I can't see any thing material -in it, or that could justify such idle apprehensions; but I must observe -that these fears among the people were talked of long before, and were, -I fear, propagated by some malicious persons for a bad purpose. - -"As to your political sentiments, on which you enter in the next -paragraph, I have no occasion to enter on them or the merits of the cause. -I desire to enjoy liberty of conscience and the exercise of my own -judgment, and that all others should have the same privilege; but, with -regard to your saying you might have postponed the affair, if there had -been the least kind of probability that the petition of the General -Assembly would have been noticed, more than that of the delegates, I must, -as a true friend to the country, in which I have a large interest, say, -that the present dispute is viewed in different lights according to the -education and principles of the parties affected; and that, however -reasonable it may appear to a considerable number of honest men here, that -the petition of the delegates should merit attention, it is not viewed in -the same light in a country which admits of no authority that is not -constitutionally established; and I persuade myself you have that -reverence for his Majesty, that you will pay due regard to the royal -assurance given in his speech to Parliament, that whenever the American -grievances should be laid before him by their constitutional assemblies, -they should be fully attended to. I have heard that compulsory steps were -taken to induce some persons to come into your measures, and treasonable -toasts drank; but I am not willing to give too easy credit to flying -reports, and am happy to hear you disavow them. - -"I am glad to find my calling a Congress on the frontiers gives -satisfaction; this was principally my design, though I cannot sufficiently -express my surprise at those who have, either through malice or ignorance, -misconstrued my intentions, and supposed me capable of setting the Indians -on the peaceable inhabitants of this country. The interest our family has -in this country and my own, is considerable, and they have been its best -benefactors; any malicious charges, therefore, to their prejudice, are -highly injurious, and ought to be totally suppressed. - -"The office I hold is greatly for the benefit and protection of this -country, and on my frequent meetings with the Indians depends their peace -and security; I therefore cannot but be astonished to find the endeavours -made use of to obstruct me in my duties, and the weakness of some people -in withholding many things from me, which are indisputably necessary for -rendering the Indians contented; and I am willing to hope that you, -gentlemen, will duly consider this and discountenance the same. - -"You have been much misinformed as to the origin of the reports which -obliged me to fortify my house and stand on my defence. I had it, -gentlemen, from undoubted authority from Albany, and since confirmed by -letters from one of the Committee at Philadelphia, that a large body of -men were to make me prisoner. As the effect this must have on the Indians -might have been of dangerous consequences to you, (a circumstance not -thought of,) I was obliged, at great expense, to take these measures. But -the many reports of my stopping travelers were false in every particular, -and the only instance of detaining any body was in the case of two New -England men, which I explained fully to those of your body who brought -your letter, and wherein I acted strictly agreeable to law, and as a -magistrate should have done. - -"I am very sorry that such idle and injurious reports meet with any -encouragement. I rely on you, gentlemen, to exert yourselves in -discountenancing them; and I am happy in this opportunity of assuring -the people of a country I regard, that they have nothing to apprehend -from my endeavours, but that I shall always be glad to promote their true -interests. - - "I am, Gentlemen, your humble Servant, - G. Johnson." - -This reply of Colonel Johnson, together with a written report of the -proceedings of himself and colleague, and their interview with Johnson, -was transmitted to the County Committee by Mr. Wall. In his letter to the -Committee, Mr. Wall indulged in some complaints, in regard to the -reprehensible conduct of the people--probably toward Johnson and his -followers, who were looked upon with increasing distrust. But the -character of the irregularities complained of is not distinctly set forth -in Mr. Wall's communication. - -Guy Johnson did not remain long at Cosby's Manor, nor did he hold the -Indian council there which had been notified, but departed immediately -farther west. His removal from Thompson's was thus announced to the -Committee of Palatine by Mr. Wall, on the 8th of June:--"Our people are -greatly alarmed at Colonel Johnson's motions, and cannot understand his -reasons for the same. We dare say, that before now you have been [made] -acquainted that he has removed with his retinue from Mr. Thompson's to -Fort Stanwix, and there are rumors that he intends to move yet farther. -We leave you to conjecture what may be his reasons." - -These apprehensions were certainly not unreasonable. For although Colonel -Johnson's letters were plausible, and apparently frank and sincere, when -the people saw him setting his face thus to the west, and moving up -through the valley, not only with his own family, but accompanied by a -large retinue of his dependents and the great body of the Mohawk -Indians--who left their own delightful country at this time, never more -peaceably to return--it is not strange that suspicions, as to his ulterior -designs, were excited. - -This feeling was not diminished by the reception, just at this time, of -the following communication from the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, -through that of New-York:-- - - "In Provincial Congress, - _Watertown, June_ 13_th,_ 1775. - -"_To the Honourable Delegates of the Congress of the Province - of New-York:_ - -"Gentlemen, - -"Considering the exposed state of the frontiers of the Colonies, the -danger that the inhabitants of Canada may possibly have disagreeable -apprehensions from the military preparations making in several of the -Colonies, and the rumors that there are some appearances of their getting -themselves in readiness to act in a hostile way--this Congress have made -application to the Honourable Continental Congress, desiring them to take -such measures as to them shall appear proper, to quiet and conciliate -the minds of the Canadians, and to prevent such alarming apprehensions. -We also have had the disagreeable accounts of methods taken to fill the -minds of the Indian tribes adjacent to these Colonies with sentiments very -injurious to us; particularly we have been informed that Col. Guy Johnson -has taken great pains with the Six Nations, in order to bring them into -a belief that it is designed by the Colonies to fall upon them and cut -them off. We have, therefore, desired the Honourable Continental Congress -that they would, with all convenient speed, use their influence in -guarding against the evil intended by this malevolent misrepresentation; -and we desire you to join with us in such application. - - "Jos. Warren, President. -Attest, Samuel Freeman, Sec'y." - -{Transcriber's Note: Pages 78 and 79--opposite sides of the same leaf-- -appear to be missing from the scanned copy of the work at this point.} - -secure their neutrality in the contest; nor were they wholly unsuccessful, -although the majority of the Six Nations ultimately threw themselves into -the opposite scale. Disappointed in not meeting a fuller and more general -council at Guy Park in May, a conference was arranged with the Oneidas -and Tuscaroras, through the agency of their friend, the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, -which took place at the German Flats on the 28th of June. The Indians -were met by the inhabitants of that district, and also by a deputation -from Albany. The minutes of that meeting were not preserved at large -among the papers of the Tryon County Committee. The following was the -address of the inhabitants to the Indians:-- - -"Brothers: We are glad to have you here to return you thanks. We should -have been much pleased to have spoken with you at the appointed place; -that is, by your superintendent, where of late you kept your council fire; -but since his removing so far from us, we do not think it wrong or -imprudent to communicate our sentiments of peace to you here. It is at -this place, Brothers, it has often been done; and here again we renew it, -and brighten the old chain of peace and brotherly love. - -"Brothers: We cannot see the cause of your late council fire, or -superintendent going away from among us. We did him no harm, and you well -know that none of us ever did, and you may depend on it, there was no -such thing meant against him. He told our people he was going up to -Thompson's (Cosby's Manor) to hold a council fire with our brothers, the -Five Nations, there. We helped him to provisions to support you there, -and every thing we had that he wanted. But he is gone away from among us, -and told some of our people, that he would come back with company which -would not please us; which, if true, it is certain his intentions are bad, -and he may depend, that whatever force he may or can bring, we regard not. - -"Brothers: Our present meeting does not arise from any unfriendly -thoughts we entertain of you, or from any fear of ourselves. It is purely -on account of the old friendship which has so long been kept up between -us; that friendship we want to retain. It is that friendship which will -be an equal benefit to us. It is as much wanted on your side as ours. - -"Brothers: We cannot too much express our satisfaction of your conduct -toward us by your late proceedings with the superintendent at the carrying -place, for which we are also obliged to you, and do not doubt but that -your conduct will be blessed with greater benefits than any other of those -who will hurry themselves into mischief; which can never be of any other -benefit to them, but sorrow for the innocent blood shed on an occasion -wherewith they have no concern. - -"Brothers: We look to you particularly to be men of more understanding -than others, by the benefits you have received in learning; wherefore we -confide and trust more freely in you, that you can communicate to the -other tribes and nations the error they want to lead you in, and cannot -doubt but your wisdom and influence with the other nations will be -attended with that happy success, which will hereafter be a blessing to -you and your posterity. - -"Brothers: What we have said is supposed to be sufficient to convince you -that our meaning is for our joint peace and friendship; in which we hope -that we and our children may continue to the end of time." - - -The answer of the Indians to this address has not been preserved. The -result of the council, however, was, to obtain a pledge of neutrality -from the greater portion of the Indians assembled. The efforts of Mr. -Kirkland had uniformly been directed to the same humane design. - -Colonel Guy Johnson, as we have already seen, had previously left the -lower district of the Mohawk Valley. He was a man of too much discernment, -holding the opinions he did, to remain at Johnstown an inactive spectator -of events, the inevitable tendency of which could only be very soon to -rouse the whole thirteen Colonies to arms against the British power, and -he had prudently anticipated the battle of Bunker Hill in his departure. -But his movements had thus far been pacific, or rather not openly -belligerent; and it is probable that an excited and jealous people may -not have treated him, during his hegira, with all their wonted respect. -Indeed, the complaint of Mr. Wall, of the objectionable conduct of the -people, has already been noted at a previous page. But it is not stated -in what respect they had been offending. Some light, however, may perhaps -be thrown upon the subject, by the following notes of a council between -the inhabitants of the Upper, or Kingsland district, and the Oneida -Indians; from which it will be seen that the inhabitants had cut off the -supplies provided by Colonel Johnson for his journey: [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] These notes are quite imperfectly written, by a very incompetent - scribe. The author has endeavoured to arrive at the true import, - preserving as much of the language as possible. - - - Kingsland District. _At a council held upon desire of the Oneidas, July_ - 1_st,_ 1775, _the following speeches were delivered:_ - - To the Oneidas. - -"Brothers: The reason of stopping the provisions from Mr. Thompson to -Colonel Johnson, is, that we suppose him to be our enemy; and for all that -he gets as much from Niagara as he wants; and we believe he is only -getting intelligence, from this place, how matters run. We have done for -him and his retinue what was in our power for his supply. We believe he -should have held his council fire at Mr. Thompson's, or, furthest, at Fort -Stanwix. But you have heard, Brothers, that he would bring a force along -with him which we would not like. That was the reason that we stopped his -provisions. But on your request, as you think it was not well done, we -will hear your sentiments about it. Not being laid to your or our charge, -we shall then let pass all that is brought to him." - - Answer of the Oneidas. - -"Brothers: It is Sunday to-day, and the Lord gave six days for work and -the seventh for rest. But since occasion happens, we give you our positive -answer. - -"Brothers: We have consulted about stopping the provisions at Mr. -Thompson's, and we don't think it proper to do it. If it should have been -for his own use, we should not have mentioned it; but we know that he -calls up the Five Nations, and may be they will suffer by it. So, -therefore, let him have it. All that we have said we can be answerable -for, but this act we cannot. - -"Brothers: If we should assent to these things, we are jointly brothers; -we should be left alone, and may be both would be disappointed. We are -obliged to have a care over our brothers of the Five Nations, as well as -for you, so that we may get no blame afterward for it. Then we don't know -what Colonel Johnson's design is. Let us first have proof, and as soon as -we have found out something, we shall assemble together and consider of it. - -"Brothers: We ought to do as we want to have done to us by others; and it -is better to suffer than to do amiss. - -"Brothers: As long as we are brothers, don't let us then suffer in -provisions, if they are to be got, (without your loss.) While we belong -to the Five Nations, we shall help one another as much as does lie in our -power, so that nobody is wronged by it. - -"Brothers: You did leave this to us, though you consented not to leave us -to bear this burden quite alone upon our own shoulders. If you can find -a fault in our speech, you may speak about it." - - Rejoinder. - -"Brothers: As we have heard your speech, and well considered it, and as -we find that our other brothers may suffer by it, we are resolved that all -the flour and other provision which is really brought for Colonel Johnson, -may be sent thither without being molested. But considering that it may -not be employed for the use proposed, we desire the favour of you to -acquaint us of the fact, that we may take the necessary measures for our -own welfare. - -"Brothers: We are greatly obliged for your brotherly love showed to us, -and that you have told us, out of the bottom of your heart, your sense of -this matter. We confess it is an evidence of sincere friendship, which we -hope will ever be maintained between us." - -Making a very brief sojourn at Fort Stanwix, Guy Johnson hastened as far -west as Ontario, there to hold a grand council with the Indians, remote -from the white settlements; and where, as he alleged, their action might -be independent and unembarrassed by the interference of the Colonists. It -was at Ontario that he received the letter from the Provincial Congress -of New-York, already adverted to as having been written at the -solicitation of the Congress of Massachusetts. He replied to it on the -8th of July, in a letter glowing with loyalty, and complaining bitterly -of the malcontents, and those in opposition to regular governments; who, -as the reader will observe, he again repeated, were exciting the Indians -against him. The letter is inserted entire:-- - - "Guy Johnson to Peter Van Brugh Livingston. - _Ontario, July the_ 8_th,_ 1775. - -"Sir, - -"Though I received your letter from the Provincial Congress several days -ago, I had not a good opportunity to answer it till now. I suppose, -however, this will reach you safe, notwithstanding all the rest of my -correspondence is interrupted, by ignorant impertinents. - -"As to the endeavour you speak of, to reconcile the unhappy differences -between the Parent State and these Colonies, be assured I ardently wish -to see them; as yet, I am sorry to say, I have not been able to discover -any attempt of that kind, but that of the assembly, the only true legal -representatives of the people; and as to the individuals who you say -officiously interrupt (in my quarter) the mode and measures you think -necessary for these salutary purposes, I am really a stranger to them. -If you mean myself, you must have been grossly imposed on. I once, indeed, -went, with reluctance, at the request of several of the principal -inhabitants, to one of the people's meetings, which I found had been -called by an itinerant New England leather-dresser, and conducted by -others, if possible, more contemptible. I had, therefore, little -inclination to revisit such men or attend to their absurdities. And, -although I did not incline to think that you, Gentlemen, had formed any -designs against me, yet it is most certain that such designs were formed. -Of this I received a clear account by express, from a friend near Albany, -which was soon corroborated by letters from other quarters, particularly -one from a gentleman of the Committee at Philadelphia, a captain in your -levies, who was pretty circumstantial; and since, I have had the like -from many others. I have, likewise, found that mean instruments were -officiously employed to disturb the minds of the Indians, to interrupt -the ordinary discharge of my duties, and prevent their receiving messages -they had long since expected from me. To enter into a minute detail of -all the falsehoods propagated and all the obstructions I met with, though -it could not fail astonishing any gentlemen disposed to discountenance -them, would far exceed the limits of a letter or the time I have to spare, -as I am now finishing my Congress, entirely to my satisfaction, with 1340 -warriors, who came hither to the only place where they could transact -business or receive favours without interruption; and who are much -dissatisfied at finding that the goods which I was necessitated to send -for to Montreal, were obliged to be ordered back by the merchant, to -prevent his being insulted, or his property invaded by the mistaken -populace. That their ammunition was stopped at Albany--the persons on this -communication employed in purchasing provisions for the Congress insulted, -and all my letters, as well as even some trifling articles for the use of -my own table, stopped. And this moment the Mayor of Albany assured me -that he was the other day roused out of his bed, at a certain Mr. -Thompson's above the German Flats, by one Herkimer and fifteen others, -who pursued him to search for any thing he might have for me. You may be -assured, Sir, that this is far from being agreeable to the Indians--that -it might have produced very disagreeable consequences long since, had not -compassion for a deluded people taken place of every other consideration; -and that the impotent endeavours of a missionary (who has forfeited his -honour, pledged to me,) with part of one of their tribes, is a -circumstance that, however trifling, increases their resentment. - -"I should be much obliged by your promises of discountenancing any -attempts against myself, &c. did they not appear to be made on conditions -of compliance with Continental or Provincial Congresses, or even -Committees formed or to be formed, many of whose Resolves may neither -consist with my conscience, duty, or loyalty. I trust I shall always -manifest more humanity, than to promote the destruction of the innocent -inhabitants of a Colony to which I have been always warmly attached, a -declaration that must appear perfectly suitable to the character of a man -of honour and principle, who can, on no account, neglect those duties that -are consistent therewith, however they may differ from sentiments now -adopted in so many parts of America. - -"I sincerely wish a speedy termination to the present troubles, and I am, - Sir, - Your most humble Servant, - G. Johnson. - -"P. V. B. Livingston, Esq. - -"I shall have occasion to meet the Indians of my department in different -quarters this season." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This letter was copied by the author from the original, in the State - Department, Albany. - - -Colonel Johnson was accompanied in his departure by Joseph Brant, or -Thayendanegea, his secretary, and by Colonel John Butler and his son -Walter. By the preceding letter, the reader will have seen that they -succeeded in convening a very large council at Ontario. The greater -portion of the Indians attending, however, were probably Cayugas and -Senecas. These were now far the most numerous of the Six Nations, although -the Mohawks yet stood in rank at the head of the confederacy. Formerly -the last-mentioned tribe had been the most numerous and powerful of the -Cantons; but at an early day after the planting of the Colony of New-York, -the French had succeeded in seducing a large section of the Mohawks to -return to Canada, whence they originally came, after breaking the -vassalage in which they had been held by the Algonquins. Their proximity -to the whites, moreover, had been attended by the effect, invariable and -seemingly inevitable, in regard to their race, of diminishing their -numbers. Added to all which, their warlike character, and their daring -ferocity, exposing them to more frequent perils than were encountered by -their associated Cantons, had contributed still farther to this unequal -diminution. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Among the manuscripts of Sir William Johnson, I have found a census - of the Northern and Western Indians, from the Hudson river to the great - Lakes and the Mississippi, taken in 1763. The Mohawk warriors were then - only 160; the Oneidas, 250; Tuscaroras, 140; Onondagas, 150; Cayugas, - 200; Senecas, 1050. Total, 1950. According to the calculation of a - British agent, several of the tribes must have increased between the - close of the French war and the beginning of the American Revolution, as - it was computed that, during the latter contest, the English had in - service 300 Mohawks, 150 Oneidas, 200 Tuscaroras, 300 Onondagas, 230 - Cayugas, and 400 Senecas.--_Author._ - - -It is not known that any record of this council was preserved, although -the speeches interchanged were doubtless written, since that was the -universal practice in the conduct of Indian intercourse. But no doubt -exists as to the fact, that the superintendent succeeded in still farther -alienating the affections of the great majority of the Indians from the -Americans, if they did not immediately join the ranks of the invaders. -Nor, when all the circumstances of their case and position are -dispassionately considered, is it surprising that their inclinations were -favorable to the Crown. On the contrary, the wonder is that Colonel -Johnson did not succeed in carrying with him the Oneidas and Tuscaroras -also; and he probably would have done so, but for the salutary though -indirect influence of Mr. Kirkland, and their noble chief, the sagacious -Schenandoah--always the warm and unwavering friend of the Colonists. With -regard to these Indians, it must be considered that they had then been in -alliance with Great Britain during a period of more than one hundred -years. In all their wars with their implacable enemies the Algonquins, -acting in alliance with the French, the Six Nations had been assisted by -the English, or fighting side by side with them. For a long series of -years Sir William Johnson had been their counselor and friend. His family -was to a certain extent allied with the head canton of the confederacy, -and he was consulted by them in all affairs of business or of high -emergency, as an oracle. They had drawn their supplies through him and his -agents, and it was natural that, upon his decease, their affection for -him should be transferred to his successor in office, who was also his -son-in-law. Miss Molly, moreover, was a woman of vigorous understanding -and of able management. And, as we have already seen, she and Colonel Guy -himself, were sustained by the powerful aid of Thayendanegea, who united -the advantages of education with the native sagacity of his race. Added -to all which, the cause was considered, if not desperate, at least of -doubtful issue; while the unenlightened Indians had been taught to hear -the name of the king with great reverence, and to believe him -all-powerful. They considered the officers of the Crown their best -friends; and it was but natural that they should hold on upon the great -chain which they had so long laboured to keep bright between them. - -It has already been remarked, that, thus far, Colonel Guy Johnson had -committed no act of actual hostility. While this council was holding in -Ontario, however, the whole valley of the Mohawk was filled with alarm, by -reports that he was preparing an expedition to return upon them, and lay -the country waste by fire and sword. On the 11th of July, Colonel Herkimer -wrote from Canajoharie to the Palatine Committee, that he had received -credible intelligence that morning, that Guy Johnson was ready to march -back upon them with a body of eight or nine hundred Indians, and that the -attack would be commenced from the woods below the Little Falls, on the -northern side of the river. He therefore proposed sending to Albany -immediately for a corresponding number of men. An urgent letter was -forthwith despatched by the Committee to Schenectady and Albany, for the -amount of assistance mentioned, "to prevent these barbarous enterprises," -and to enable them "to resist their inhuman enemies with good -success--that they might not be slaughtered, like innocent and defenceless -sheep before ravaging wolves." - -From the positive character of the intelligence, and the mysterious -movements of Guy Johnson and his followers, the inhabitants had good -cause of alarm; more especially as Sir John Johnson [FN-1] remained at the -Hall in Johnstown, having at his beck a large body of loyalists, making -his castle (for the Hall was now fortified,) their head quarters,--who, -in the event of such a movement by his brother-in-law from the west, -would doubtless be prepared to join the Indians in the enterprise, and -between them both, be able to whelm the settlements in destruction at a -single blow. Every possible preparation was therefore made for their -defence, but the alarm proved to be without foundation; and after Guy -Johnson had completed his business at Ontario, he returned to Oswego, -where he very soon afterward convened another council and held a treaty, -at which he succeeded in still farther estranging the Indians from the -Colonies. The particulars of this council have never transpired in -writing; but some interesting references to it will occur in an Indian -speech a few pages onward. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Sir John Johnson held a commission as Brigadier-general of - militia. - - [FN-2] The following passage from Ramsay's History of the Revolution, - seems to refer to this Indian convocation at Oswego. There was no other - meeting during that year, to which this notice of Ramsay could refer. - "Colonel Johnson had repeated conferences with the Indians, and - endeavoured to influence them to take up the hatchet, but they steadily - refused. In order to gain their co-operation, he invited them to a feast - on a Bostonian, and to drink his blood. This, in the Indian style, meant - no more than to partake of a roasted ox and a pipe of wine at a public - entertainment, which was given on design to influence them to co-operate - with the British troops. The Colonial patriots affected to understand it - in its literal sense. It furnished, in their mode of explication, a - convenient handle for operating on the passions of the people." - - -From Oswego, Guy Johnson crossed into Canada, and thence descended the -St. Lawrence to Montreal, accompanied by a large number of the chiefs and -warriors of the Six Nations, who were invited to an interview with Sir -Guy Carleton and Sir Frederick Haldimand--both those distinguished -officers being in that city at the time--and were induced by them to -embark in the cause of the King. - -It has often been asserted, especially by British historians, that Sir -Guy Carleton was opposed to the employment of the Indians in the contest, -from principles of humanity. Such, however, was not the fact. Brant -repeatedly asserted in afterlife, in speeches delivered by him, copies -of which are yet extant, that on their first arrival in Montreal, General -Carleton proposed to them to enter the service. In a speech delivered by -the Chief in the year 1803, recapitulating the history of the services of -the Mohawks in that war, the following passages occur, touching the point -now under discussion:--"We were living at the former residence of Guy -Johnson, when the news arrived that war had commenced between the king's -people and the Americans. We took but little notice of this first report; -but in a few days we heard that five hundred Americans were coming to -seize our superintendent. Such news as this alarmed us, and we immediately -consulted together as to what measures were necessary to be taken. We at -once reflected upon the covenant of our forefathers as allies to the King, -and said, 'It will not do for us to break it, let what will become of us.' -Indeed, it is a long time since the Governor (Sir Guy Carleton) said to -us: 'I exhort you to continue your adherence to the King, and not to break -the solemn agreement made by your forefathers; for your own welfare is -intimately connected with your continuing the allies of his Majesty.' -He also said a great deal more to the same purport; and on this our minds -were the more firmly fixed, for we acknowledged that it would certainly -be the best in the end, for our families and ourselves to remain under -the King's protection, whatever difficulties we might have to contend -with. . . . A council was next convened at Montreal, in July, 1775, at -which the Seven Nations, (or Caughnawagas,) were present, as well as -ourselves the Six Nations. On this occasion General Haldimand told us -what had befallen the King's subjects, and said, now is the time for you -to help the King. The war has commenced. Assist the King now, and you will -find it to your advantage. Go now and fight for your possessions, and -whatever you lose of your property during the war, the King will make up -to you when peace returns. This is the substance of what General Haldimand -said. The Caughnawaga Indians then joined themselves to us. We immediately -commenced in good earnest, and did our utmost during the war." - -The speech of Brant, from which the preceding extract is taken, was -written in the Mohawk language, and never, by him, rendered into English. -It is an important document, developing a new fact in regard to the -conduct of Sir Guy Carleton, and has accordingly been translated for the -present work. Strict historical accuracy is often of slow attainment; but, -after all deductions from the merits of General Carleton, afterward Lord -Dorchester, enough that is truly excellent and great will remain to leave -him a reputation of which most public men might well be proud. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - - - Meeting of the second Continental Congress--Measures of - defence--Declaration--National fast--Organization of an Indian - department--Address to the Six Nations--Council called at - Albany--Preliminary consultation at German Flats--Speeches of the - Oneidas and others--Adjourn to Albany--Brief interview with the - commissioners--Conference and interchange of speeches with the - Albanians--Proceedings of the grand council--Speeches of the - commissioners--Replies of the Indians--Conclusion of the grand - council--Resumption of the conference with the Albanians--Speech of - the Albany Committee--Reply of the Indians--Disclosures of Guy Johnson's - proceedings at Oswego--Close of the proceedings--Epidemic among the - Indians--Small benefit resulting from the council--Proceedings in Tryon - County resumed--Doubtful position of New-York--Symptoms of disaffection - to the cause of the people--Sir John Johnson--Sheriff White deposed by - the people--The royal authorities superseded by appointments from the - people--Affray at Johnstown--First gun fired at Sampson Sammons--White - recommissioned by Tryon--His flight--Labors of the Committee--Opposition - of the Tories--Designs of Sir John Johnson and Sir Guy Carleton--Letter - and deputation to Sir John--Prisoners for political offences sent to - gaol--Letter from Provincial Congress--Mohawks commence fighting at St. - Johns--Speech of the Canajoharies in explanation--Indians apply for - release of prisoners--Review of the progress of the Revolution in other - parts of the Colonies--Proceedings of Parliament--Burning of - Falmouth--Descent upon Canada--Ethan Allen taken--Arnold's - expedition--Siege of Quebec--Fall of Montgomery--Caughnawaga and - Delaware Indians. - -The second Continental Congress, composed of delegates, assembled at -Philadelphia on the 10th of May. Hostilities having actually commenced, -and it being well understood that large reinforcements of the British -army were on their way from England, no time was lost in preparing for -the public defence. Protesting that they "wished for a restoration of the -harmony formerly subsisting between the mother country and the Colonies," -they resolved again to present "a humble and dutiful petition to his -Majesty;" prepared addresses to the people of Great Britain; to those of -Canada; and to the assembly of Jamaica; voted for the immediate equipment -of 20,000 men; voted to raise three millions on bills of credit for the -prosecution of the war; and, on the nomination of John Adams, commissioned -George Washington, of Virginia, as Commander-in-Chief. On the 4th of July -Congress denounced the two acts of Parliament of the preceding session, -restraining the trade and commerce of the Colonies, as "unconstitutional, -oppressive, and cruel;" and on the 6th they agreed to a manifesto, -"setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking up arms." After -a spirited but temperate preamble, presenting a historical view of the -origin, and progress, and conduct of the Colonies, and of the measures -of the British government since the peace of 1763; and after an eloquent -recapitulation of the grievances which had produced the collision, and -proclaiming their confidence of obtaining foreign aid if necessary, and -of ultimate success; disavowing, moreover, any intention to dissolve the -connexion between the parent country and the Colonies; the declaration -proceeded--"We most solemnly, before God and the world, DECLARE, that, -exerting the utmost energy of those powers which our beneficent Creator -hath bestowed upon us, the arms we have been compelled by our enemies to -assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and -perseverance, employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with -one mind resolved to die FREE-MEN rather than live SLAVES." They protested -that they would lay down their arms when hostilities should cease on the -part of the aggressors, and not before. Reposing their confidence in the -mercy of the Impartial Judge and Ruler of the Universe, and imploring -his goodness to protect and carry them through the conflict, they -appointed the 20th of July to be observed as a day of public humiliation, -fasting, and prayer with that view. It was generally observed, and was -the first national fast ever proclaimed in the New World. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Holmes's Annals. - - -But amidst all the arduous duties demanding the attention of Congress, -the importance of keeping a watchful eye upon the Indians was universally -conceded. The position of the Six Nations, as well as their power to do -mischief, could not but strike the observation of all. They had served as -an useful barrier between the English settlements and the French in -Canada, in former wars, and were often actively engaged as auxiliaries. -Their position, and their utility, would be now precisely the same between -the Americans and the English in Canada. It was therefore deemed of the -first consequence, if possible, to prevent them from taking sides with -the English--not, however, with a view to their employment in arms by -ourselves; since, notwithstanding the disposition manifested by the -Congress of Massachusetts to employ the Indians, and the actual engagement -of the Stockbridge Indians as auxiliaries, it was, nevertheless, the -anxious desire of the Congress to keep them in a position of neutrality -as between England and the Colonies, and at peace among themselves, and -with all. For the purpose of closer observation and more efficient action -in respect to the Indian relations of the country, therefore, an Indian -Department, with three sub-divisions, Northern, Middle, and Southern, was -established on the 12th of July, and Commissioners were appointed for -each--"with power to treat with the Indians in their respective -departments, to preserve peace and friendship, and to prevent their taking -any part in the present commotions." The Commissioners of the Northern -Department were, Major General Philip Schuyler, Major Joseph Hawley, Mr. -Turbot Francis, Mr. Oliver Wolcott, and Mr. Volkert P. Douw. The form of -an address to the several tribes of Indians, in all the departments, was -agreed upon, to be altered as occasion might require for local adaptation. -This address was framed after the manner of Indian speeches, and contained -a summary history of the Colonies, and of the rise and progress of the -difficulties between them and the parent country. In the course of the -address, the Indians were informed of the nature and objects of the -contest then begun, and were strongly advised to the preservation of -neutrality. The Congress said--"We desire you will hear and receive what -we have now told you, and that you will open a good ear, and listen to -what we are now going to say. This is a family quarrel between us and Old -England. You Indians are not concerned in it. We do not wish you to take -up the hatchet against the King's troops. We desire you to remain at -home, and not join on either side, but keep the hatchet buried deep. In -the name and behalf of all our people, we ask and desire you to love peace -and maintain it, and to love and sympathise with us in our troubles; that -the path may be kept open with all our people and yours, to pass and -repass without molestation." In conclusion, the Congress said--"Let us -both be cautious in our behaviour toward each other at this critical -state of affairs. This island now trembles: the wind whistles from almost -every quarter . . . let us fortify our minds, and shut our ears against -false rumors . . . let us be cautious what we receive for truth, unless -spoken by wise and good men. If any thing disagreeable should ever fall -out between us, the Twelve United Colonies, and you, the Six Nations, to -wound our peace, let us immediately seek measures for healing the breach. -From the present situation of our affairs, we judge it wise and expedient -to kindle up a small council fire at Albany, where we may hear each -other's voice, and disclose our minds more fully to one another." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The address to the Indians is long and will be found in the - Appendix. - - -Such were a few of the points only of the address, which was an honest -and earnest attempt to prevent the savages from taking any part in the -contest whatever. No time was lost by the Commissioners of the Northern -department, in the adoption of measures pursuant to its wise spirit and -policy. For this purpose a treaty was appointed to be held with the Six -Nations at Albany, in the month of August, and the tribes were all invited -to attend. Previous to the day of meeting, two of the Commissioners, Mr. -Douw and Colonel Francis, met a number of the chiefs and warriors in a -preliminary council at the German Flats, which was not well attended. -This conference was holden on the 15th and 16th days of August. Colonel -Francis opened the council by stating the objects for which the twelve -United Colonies had invited the proposed general meeting at Albany, which -they now solicited all the Six Nations and their allies to attend. They -added--When "we meet you, our brethren of the Six Nations, and your -allies, at Albany, we will rekindle the council fire which our ancestors -and yours formerly kindled up at that place, and there sit down and -converse together upon the present situation of the twelve United -Colonies, and disclose to you their minds thereon. We have important -matters to communicate to you, our brethren of the Six Nations, and your -allies, which cannot be disclosed until the council fire be kindled up at -Albany, and we are in full assembly." Observing that the council was -thinly attended. Colonel Francis urged them in his speech to send a -general invitation to all the Six Nations to appear at Albany; and he -proposed that they should also send belts of invitation to the -Caughnawagas in the neighborhood of Montreal, together with the Indians -of the Seven Nations on the St. Lawrence. Colonel Francis concluded his -"talk" as follows:-- - -"Brothers: As many mischievous and evil-disposed persons may attempt to -raise up in your minds sentiments that are unfriendly to your brethren of -the twelve United Colonies, we beg you will shut your ears and fortify -your minds against any such evil and false reports; and if any such liars -and deceivers should appear among you, and endeavour to poison your minds, -be assured they are as much your enemies as the enemies of your brethren -of the twelve United Colonies together, and which is now going to be made -stronger at Albany. - - "_A Belt._" - -To this _Kanaghquaesa,_ an Oneida sachem, replied:-- - -"Brothers: You have now opened your minds. We have heard your voices. -Your speeches are far from being contemptible. But as the day is far -spent, we defer a reply until to-morrow, as we are weary from having sat -long in council. We think it time for a little drink; and you must -remember that the twelve United Colonies are a great body." - -The council having adjourned over to the 16th, _Tiahogwando,_ an Oneida -sachem, made the following reply to the speech of the Commissioners:-- - -"Brother Solihoany, [FN] and our Albany Brothers, attend! We are now -assembled at the German Flats, at which place you kindled up a council -fire, and yesterday called us together, and acquainted us from whence you -came, and by whose authority--namely, by that of the twelve United -Colonies--and you opened your business to us." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The name bestowed upon Colonel Francis by the Indians. - - -"Brothers: Now attend. Through the mercy of God we are brought to this -day, and the Six Nations are now in full assembly at this place, where -we smoke a pipe in friendship and love. We are glad to hear your voices. -You are come to invite us down to Albany, to a council fire of peace. - -"Brothers: We thank you for this invitation. It meets with our entire -approbation. Here we are, of every tribe in the Six Nations. It shall be -done as you have said. - -"Brothers: You have desired that all our confederates should receive this -invitation. This cannot be done short of one year, as we extend very far, -and could not possibly call the extremities of our confederacy to this -intended meeting. But possess your minds in peace. When this Congress is -over, and the council fire is raked up, we shall acquaint all our allies -with what has passed. This is the answer of all the Six Nations who are -now here represented from every tribe. - -"Brothers, attend! Yesterday you said you were sensible our confederacy -extended to Caughnawaga, and you desired our assistance to forward this -your belt of invitation to the Caughnawagas and the seven tribes in that -quarter. - -"Brothers: Possess your minds in peace. We, the Six Nations, are put to -difficulty to grant this request. We are much embarrassed, for this -reason. The man is now there who will vex your minds, and never consent -to their coming down, and will draw hard upon their minds another way. [FN] -He is of your own blood." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Guy Johnson was doubtless the man referred to. - - -"Brothers: Possess your minds in peace. We, of the Six Nations, have the -minds of the Caughnawagas and the seven tribes in that quarter. At our -central council-house, when this took place, they addressed us of the -Six Nations in the following manner:--'You are better capable of -maintaining peace than we are; therefore we deliver up our minds to you.' -For these reasons we advise you to reconsider your petition to us, seeing -we are so embarrassed we cannot grant it. Perhaps you will say to us, -when your intended council fire shall be over, 'Brothers, do you of the -Six Nations acquaint all your confederates and allies of what has passed -at this council-fire of peace;' and this we shall do with great care and -exactness. Now, Brothers, you see how we are embarrassed, and therefore -give you this advice. - - "_Belt returned._" - -To this Colonel Francis made answer:-- - -"Brethren of the Six Nations: It gives us a great deal of uneasiness to -find that you cannot at present convey this belt to our friends in Canada. -We have heard your reasons, and are sorry to find that one of our blood -is already there, endeavouring to draw their minds from us when we mean -nothing but peace towards them. As there are a great many Englishmen in -Canada, we know not who you mean. We shall therefore be glad to have the -particular man pointed out." - -To this request, the Mohawk sachem. Little Abraham, replied: - -"Brothers: We take it for granted that you all know the very man we mean. -We said he was of your blood. We see no necessity of pointing him out -more explicitly." - -The times being critical, and the people of the valley being exceedingly -suspicious of the movements of the Indians, the latter were not altogether -without apprehension that some evil might befall them in their course to -Albany. Tiahogwando therefore addressed the council upon that point as -follows:-- - -"Brother Solihoany, and our Albany Brother: We take it for granted you -have called us to a council of peace and entire friendship; and you have -taken us by the hand. As there are men of different minds, and some of -them may be ill disposed, we desire you will admonish your own people that -they offer us no abuse in the way down to your council-fire of peace. If -this caution should be neglected, some misfortune might happen; as all -people do not meet so much like brothers as formerly, on account of the -present situation of affairs. It would be unhappy if our council-fire -should be crushed by any mischief-makers. We have given you this caution, -that while we are marching along in peace and quietness, we might not be -alarmed by a blow struck in our rear. We therefore desire you would begin, -even at this council-lire, to publish your admonitions to unwise and -ungovernable people. By this belt we declare to you, our Brothers, that -the road is open for passing and repassing, and free from all -embarrassments, through the Six Nations, as it has been for a long time. -Therefore we desire that we may have the same open road down to your -intended council-fire at Albany." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] As Mr. Kirkland was in attendance upon this council, the Indian - speeches were doubtless interpreted by him. - - -Colonel Francis replied:-- - -"Brethren of the Six Nations: By this belt you desire that we may clear -the road to Albany, that none of our people may injure you. The road shall -be as clear for you to go to Albany, as it is for us to go to the country -of the Six Nations. The twelve United Colonies have given us great power -over the white people. We will appoint white men, who speak your language -and love your nations, to see you safe down to Albany, and to provide -provisions for you on the way. We shall set out for Albany to-morrow -morning, to prepare matters for kindling up the great council-fire there." - -The Board of Commissioners for the Northern Department met at Albany, on -the 23d of August, (with the exception of Major Hawley, who had declined -his appointment in consequence of ill health,) and made the necessary -arrangements for holding the treaty. An invitation was given to the civil -authorities of Albany, to pay the sachems and warriors a complimentary -visit in company with the Commissioners, which was accepted. A committee -of the principal gentlemen of Albany was likewise appointed, to join in -the complimentary visit on the 24th. On reaching the quarters of the -chiefs, they were addressed as follows:-- - -"Brethren of the Six Nations:--We, the deputies appointed by the twelve -United Colonies, the descendants of Quedar, and the gentlemen of the city -of Albany, congratulate you on your arrival here. They are glad to see -you well, and thank the Great God that he suffers us to meet." - -In the course of this interview, the sachems intimated a desire to have -a consultation with the municipal officers of the city of Albany before -they met the commissioners in formal council. It appears that there had -been some diplomatic passages between the Oneida Indians and the -Albanians, and an interchange of messengers; and the chiefs were now -desirous of having a conference with them. The commissioners, anxious to -humor the Indians, assented to the request; and the Albanians appointed -a committee, consisting of Walter Livingston, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, -and Samuel Stringer, to make the arrangements. The interview took place -the same evening, when _Seaghnagerat,_ an Oneida chief, opened the -proceedings with a speech of very unusual length for an Indian. He -commenced by an expression of his gratification that, on opening the ashes -to rekindle the old council-fire, they had found some of the sparks -remaining. He next referred to the proceedings of a previous consultation -at the German Flats, touching the conduct of Guy Johnson in removing -their missionaries, and other matters. The meeting referred to seems to -have been a partial council, to which the Albanians had sent a deputation, -the object of which was, by the exhibition of some ancient belts, to -remind the Indians of a former covenant of peace with Quedar, and to -dissuade them from engaging in the existing quarrel. What had been said -by the Albany deputies, at the conference referred to, but of which no -record seems to have been preserved, was now repeated in substance by the -Oneida chief, after the Indian manner of conducting their councils. He -then proceeded to reply _seriatim;_ from which circumstance it is probable -that the former council-fire had been raked up, before its proceedings -were brought to a close. The reply now made was decidedly and strongly -pacific. The chief admitted that "evil birds" had been busy in circulating -unpleasant rumors, and that efforts had been made to make them swerve -from their neutrality by Guy Johnson or his agents--at least, such was -the inference from the speech; but he over and over again protested the -determination of the Six Nations to avoid interfering with the -controversy, and only exhorted the Colonists to keep the path into their -country open, so that they could pass and repass without molestation. In -regard to the removal of their missionary, the chiefs said Guy Johnson -had done it pursuant to "a belt" [FN] received from Governor Gage. He -expressed the greatest respect for Mr. Kirkland; but at the same time, -under the circumstances of the case, suggested whether it would not on -the whole be better for Mr. K. to leave them for the present, until the -storm should be over and gone. - - * * * * * - - [FN] An order. - - -The speech having been ended, the Albanian Committee thanked them for it, -and promised a reply after the grand council with the Commissioners of -the Twelve Colonies should be terminated. - -That council commenced its sittings on the day following--August 25th. -The Oneida speaker of the preceding evening opened the council very -appropriately, after which the Commissioners, before proceeding formally -to business, proposed that they should all sit down and smoke the pipe -of peace together. The suggestion was acceded to, and the calumet passed -round. This ceremony having been ended, the Commissioners opened their -mission by a very appropriate and effective speech, reminding the Indians -of some ancient covenants of friendship with the Colonists, and repeating -to them a portion of the speech of _Cannassateego,_ an old and popular -sachem of the Six Nations, whose name and character were held in great -reverence by them, delivered thirty years before at a great council held -in Lancaster. [FN] The exhortation was, to union among themselves, and -peace and friendship with the Colonists. - - * * * * * - - [FN] A brother of Cannassateego was present on this occasion, and well - remembered his words. - - -The council was then adjourned to the 26th, when, the Commissioners -presented the address from the Congress, of which particular mention has -been made on a preceding page. The deliberations of Indian councils are -slow procedures. Their language is composed of long and intricate -compounds, and the necessity of deliberate and thorough interpretations, -so that the matter spoken and explained be fastened upon the memories of -the Indians, who possess not the advantage of written language, renders -the process tedious. The entire sittings of two days were therefore -required for the delivery and interpretation, by Mr. Kirkland, of the -Congressional "talk" with which the Commissioners were charged. At the -close, one of the chiefs declared that the address contained "nothing -but what was pleasant and good." But, as the matters proposed were of high -importance, they requested the next day for separate deliberation among -themselves, promising on the succeeding day, August 27th, to make their -reply. It was not, however, until the 31st of August that the Indians -were ready to make known the results of their own secret councils. Their -answer was delivered by _Little Abraham,_ the Mohawk sachem of the Lower -Castle. It was an able speech, thoroughly pacific. But there was one -declaration which it is difficult to reconcile with the admitted veracity -of the Indians, since it was inconsistent with the well-known course of -Guy Johnson, and the covenant which had then already been made by Brant -and his followers, with Sir Guy Carleton and General Haldimand at -Montreal. We allude to the declaration of Little Abraham, that Johnson -had advised them to assume and preserve a neutral position at the recent -Oswego council. The proceedings of Brant and Guy Johnson at Montreal had -not then probably transpired in the Mohawk Valley. Still Guy Johnson must -have dissembled, or spoken with a "forked tongue," to those Indians whom -he supposed friendly to the Colonies, or so great a mistake could not have -been made by Little Abraham. - -In the course of their speech, the chiefs expressed a strong attachment -for Sir John Johnson as the son of their old friend, Sir William, who -was born among them, and of Dutch extraction by his mother. [FN] They -desired that whatever might be the cause of the war. Sir John might be -left unmolested. The same request was also interposed in behalf of their -missionary, the Rev. Mr. Stewart, who, they said, had been sent to them -by the King; and also because he never "meddled with civil affairs," but -was intent only on "instructing them in the way to heaven." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The mother of Sir John was a German lady, but in the Mohawk Valley - the Germans are usually called Dutch to this day. - - -In the conclusion of his speech, Abraham took occasion to refer to some -domestic matters between themselves and the people of Albany. He charged -them with having taken two pieces of land from the Mohawks, without paying -therefor so much even as a pipe. These lands the Indians desired the -Twelve Colonies to restore, and put them into peaceable possession again. -"If you refuse to do this," said he, "we shall look upon the prospect -as bad; for if you conquer, you will take us by the arm and pull us all -off." In thus saying, he spoke with the spirit of prophecy! - -When little Abraham had ended, _Tiahogwando,_ an Oneida, made a short -speech on the subject of the then pending bloody and bitter controversy -between Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respecting the territory of Wyoming, -of which a full account will follow in its proper place. The Indians -avowed that the land had been conveyed by them to Penn, as a free -gift--the Great Spirit not allowing them to sell that country. In the -course of their speeches, the chiefs requested that the Indian trade might -be re-opened with them, both at Albany and Schenectady, and that somebody -might be appointed to guard the tree of peace at Albany, and keep the -council fire burning. - -On the 1st of September the Commissioners made their reply, conciliatory -in its character, and acceding to the principal requests of the Indians. -They also informed the chiefs that they had appointed General Schuyler -and Mr. Douw to keep the fire burning. Thus ended the council with the -agents of the Colonies. The "unfinished business" with the Albanians was -resumed on the next day--September 2d--for which purpose a council was -formed in the Presbyterian church. The Commissioners of the United -Colonies were likewise in attendance. After the preliminaries of form had -been gone through with, the Indians were addressed at length by the Albany -Committee. In the course of their speech, they adverted particularly to -the council at Oswego and the proceedings of Guy Johnson at that place, -respecting which, they said, they had received no certain advices, and -of which they wished to be fully and explicitly informed. In regard to -the land question interposed by the Indians, the Committee said they -presumed reference was had to the lands at Ticonderoga. That was a -question between the Indians and the corporation of Albany; whereas they -were a committee from the people, and could not entertain the question. -They reminded the Indians, however, that the question had been agitated -before, and settled by the Colonial Assembly. They also gave them to -understand that the Indians were not the party having cause of complaint -in that matter. - -The reply of the Indians was delivered by Little Abraham. Waiving the land -question, he proceeded to answer the questions put to them concerning the -Oswego council. "We look upon it," said he, "that God will punish us -should we conceal any thing from you." The following passages are quoted -from the reply of Abraham:-- - -"Brothers: The transactions of that treaty were very public. The Shawanese -were there, and some from Detroit. Mr. Johnson told us that the fire -kindled there was a fire of peace; that all the white people were the -King's subjects, and that it seemed they were intoxicated. He said the -white people were all got drunk, and that God's judgment hung over them; -but he did not know on which side it would fall. Mr. Johnson further told -us, that the present council fire was kindled on account of the present -dispute, and desired us not to interfere, as they were brothers; and -begged us to sit still and maintain peace. This is what Colonel Johnson -told us at that council-fire. He also said he had his eye on Mr. Kirkland; -that he was gone to Philadelphia, and along the sea-coast; that he was -become a great soldier and a leader. 'Is this your minister?' says he; -'do you think your minister minds your souls? No. By the time he comes to -Philadelphia, he will be a great warrior, and when he returns, he will be -the chief of all the Five Nations.' - -"Brothers: There were present five people of Detroit, five from -Caughnawaga, and two of the Shawanese. Colonel Johnson told them that, by -the time he returned from Canada, they should have all their men there, -and he would then kindle a council-fire; and he would also desire them -not to take any part in this dispute, as it was a quarrel between -brothers. He also told them that he was going to the Governor of Canada, -who was of a different opinion from him, but would talk with him. And he -further said that he would tell the Caughnawaga Indians the same that he -told us, and for that purpose desired that two of each nation might go -along and hear it. He likewise desired us to consider which way we would -have our trade--whether up this river or from Canada. He at the same time -assured us that we should not suffer from want of goods, as we were not -concerned, nor had any hand, in the present dispute. He also said -something about the council-fires. He said there were two fires which -you should keep your eyes upon; and if they call you down to Albany, do -not you go; for they will deceive you, and tell you a great many fine -stories. We are very glad that your language and Colonel Johnson's so -well agrees." - -This report of the proceedings of Guy Johnson at Oswego was certainly -unexpected, and entirely at variance with the tenor of his conduct -previous to his departure from the Mohawk Valley, and during his progress -to the west. It is barely possible that he had not fully made up his mind -as to the course he might ultimately pursue, and that his purpose was not -definitively determined upon, until after his meeting with Carleton and -Haldimand at Montreal. And it is abundantly certain that his notions of -Indian neutrality, even had he entertained them, were very speedily -abandoned. - -With the delivery of Abraham's last-mentioned speech, however, the council -was closed; and although Schuyler and Douw had been appointed to keep the -council fire burning, yet the ashes were soon raked up--never to be opened -again at Albany, for that was the last grand Indian council ever held in -that city. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] As mentioned in the Introduction to the present volume, the - interesting proceedings of which a mere outline has been given in the - text, have never before been published complete. Their importance--their - intrinsic interest--and the fact that it was the last grand council of - the confederacy ever holden in Albany, had induced the author originally - to arrange the whole in the text. But their great length, it was thought, - would too seriously obstruct the narrative. Hence they have been - transferred to the Appendix. It was the first design of the author to - abridge the speeches, but an attempt soon proved that their force and - spirit would be lost in the process. See Appendix. - - -The result was highly satisfactory to the Commissioners, and apparently -so to the Indians, who had been well provided for during the three weeks -occupied at the German Flats and Albany. On their departure, moreover, -they were handsomely supplied with presents, and they took their leave -with manifestations of great good-will. - -Most unfortunately, however, soon after their return from Albany, an -epidemic disorder appeared among them, in the form of a highly malignant -fever. It was a disease which they had never seen, and by it great numbers -were swept away. The Schoharie canton of the Mohawks, in particular, -suffered very severely. Indeed, they were almost exterminated.[FN-1] The -small number who survived, imbibed the impression that the Great Spirit -had sent the pestilence upon them in anger for not having taken sides -with the King. They, therefore, followed their brethren from the Mohawk -Valley, who had escaped to Canada with Guy Johnson. In the subsequent -invasions of the Tryon County settlements, these Schoharie Indians, who -thus deserted by an impulse of superstition, were among the most forward -and cruel.[FN-2] It should also be borne in mind, that, after all, the -council comprised but an inadequate and partial representation of the -Six Nations, with the exception of the Oneidas and the lower clan of the -Mohawks. The great body of the Mohawk warriors, headed by Thayendanegea, -had left the country; and the most influential of the Onondagas, Cayugas, -and Senecas, had also accompanied Brant and Guy Johnson to Montreal; and -events, at no very distant day, proved that the Albany treaty had been -held to very little purpose. It is not consistent with the nature or -habits of Indians to remain inactive in the midst of war. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of John M. Brown, on the early history of Schoharie. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - -Still, for the time being, those proceedings were not without benefit to -the cause of the country. The people of Tryon County were relieved, by -the stipulations of peace and neutrality, from apprehensions of immediate -danger from without; and the Committee of Safety was consequently enabled -to direct their attention, not only to the more efficient organization of -the settlements for defence, but to the civil government of the county. - -But, notwithstanding the fine spirit manifested thus far by a majority -of the people in the interior, and that too under all the disadvantages -we have been contemplating--notwithstanding the decisive tone of the -language used in denouncing the oppressions of the Crown,--it was not -yet exactly certain that the Colony of New-York would range itself against -the royal authority. Governor Tryon, who was popular in the Colony, had -recently been recalled from North Carolina, and again appointed Governor -of New-York; and he was exerting his utmost powers to detach her from the -cause of the Union--seconded by the Asia, man of war, then lying in the -harbour, and commanding the city of New-York by her guns. The captain -of the Asia had threatened to destroy the town should General Lee, who -was then approaching with an army from the east, be allowed to enter it; -and such were the prevalence of terror and the power of intrigue, that -disaffection to the cause of the Union began to exhibit itself openly in -the Provincial Congress. Indeed, avowals of a design to place themselves -under the royal standard were unequivocally uttered. These untoward -appearances were rendered the more threatening by the discovery of a -secret correspondence, from which it was ascertained that the parent -government was preparing to send a fleet into the Hudson, and to occupy -both New-York and Albany with its armies. [FN] Of these designs Sir John -Johnson was probably well aware, and the hope of their accomplishment -may have induced him to linger behind, watching the signs of the times, -after the departure of his brother-in-law and _his_ army of followers. Sir -John had also a numerous tenantry, who were mostly loyalists; and the -Scotch colonists, settled in large numbers in Johnstown and its -neighbourhood, of whom mention has formerly been made, being loyalists -likewise, constituted for him a respectable force upon which he could -rely in a case of emergency. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Marshall's Life of Washington. - - -The Dutch and German population of the valley, however, were chiefly -Whigs; as also, by this time, were a decided majority of the entire white -population, not only of the Mohawk Valley, but of Schoharie, Cherry -Valley, and the other settlements in the southern part of that -widely-extended county. The general Committee executed their functions -with equal diligence and vigour. The inhabitants were enrolled and -organized into militia; the Committee deposed the sheriff, Alexander -White,[FN-1] and caused Colonel John Frey to be appointed in his place; -and, in one word, they took upon themselves both the civil and military -jurisdiction of the large section of country, over which they had -provisionally assumed the government. White had rendered himself -particularly odious to the Whigs from the first. Under some trifling -pretext, he had arrested a Whig by the name of John Fonda, and committed -him to prison. His friends, to the number of fifty men, under the conduct -of Sampson Sammons, went to the jail at night and released him by force. -From the prison they proceeded to the lodgings of the sheriff, and -demanded his surrender. White looked out from the second story window, -and probably recognizing the leader of the crowd, inquired--"Is that you, -Sammons?" "Yes," was the prompt reply; upon which White discharged a -pistol at the sturdy Whig, but happily without injury. The ball whizzed -past his head, and struck in the sill of the door. This was the first shot -fired in the war of the Revolution west of the Hudson. It was immediately -returned by the discharge of some forty or fifty muskets at the sheriff, -but the only effect was a slight wound in the breast--just sufficient to -draw blood. The doors of the house were broken, and White would have been -taken, but at that moment a gun was fired at the hall by Sir John. This -was known to be a signal for his retainers and Scotch partisans to rally -in arms; and as they would muster a force of five hundred men in a very -short time, the Whigs thought it most prudent to disperse. They collected -again at Caughnawaga, however, and sent a deputation to Sir John, -demanding that White should be given up to them.[FN-2] This demand, of -course, was not complied with. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The first liberty pole erected in the Mohawk Valley was at the - German Flats, and White, with a band of loyalists, had cut down the - emblem of rebellion. - - [FN-2] MS. narrative of Jacob Sammons. - - -After his dismissal, as already mentioned, by an act of the people "in -their sovereign capacity," White was re-commissioned by Governor Tryon; -but the County Committee would not suffer him to re-enter upon the duties -of the office. On the contrary, so high was the popular indignation -against him, that he was obliged to fly--setting his face toward Canada, -accompanied by a white man named Peter Bone, and two or three Indians. -He was pursued to Jessup's landing on the Hudson River, where the house -in which he lodged was surrounded, and the fugitive sheriff taken -prisoner. From thence he was taken to Albany and imprisoned. [FN] Shortly -afterward he was released on his parole, and left the country. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Narrative of Jacob Sammons. - - -The exigencies of the times required prompt and vigorous action; and the -Committee seems to have been composed of exactly the right description -of men. They arrested suspicious persons, tried them, fined some, -imprisoned more, and executed others. Their duties also involved the -preservation of the peace in a critical period, among a mixed population -of border-men, ever more or less disposed to impatience under legal -restraint, and of course requiring the controlling power of a strong arm. -And yet these high duties were generally discharged with great -satisfaction to the public--the loyalists excepted, of course--and their -resolutions and decrees were submitted to by their constituents with -alacrity. Their influence was likewise successfully exerted in winning -friends to the popular cause, by deciding the wavering and confirming the -irresolute. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Campbell's Annals. - - -Added to these multifarious duties, was the necessity of keeping a -vigilant watch over the motions of Sir John Johnson, whose position and -conduct were alike equivocal, and the numerous loyalists by whom he was -surrounded. By these people every possible obstacle was thrown in the way -of the Committee, and no method of annoying and embarrassing them left -untried. They laboured to destroy the confidence of the people in the -Committee; called public meetings themselves, and chose -counter-committees; now attempted to cover the Whig Committees with -ridicule, and now again charged them with illegal and tyrannical -conduct.[FN-1] The consequence was mutual exasperation--sometimes between -near neighbours; and the reciprocal engendering of hostile feelings -between friends, who ranged themselves under opposing banners. These -incipient neighbourhood quarrels occasioned, in the progress of the -contest that ensued, some of the most bitter and bloody-personal conflicts -that ever marked the annals of a civil war. Several members of the -Committee subsequently acted a distinguished part in the field; many of -them sacrificed their estates; and some of them fell. Among them, -Christopher P. Yates, the first Chairman, accompanied General Montgomery -as a volunteer to Ticonderoga and Canada, and afterward raised and -commanded a corps of rangers.[FN-2] The fate of Nicholas Herkimer is well -known, though his death will be invested with new and additional interest -in the progress of this narrative.[FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Idem. - - [FN-2] Campbell's Annals. - - [FN-3] The following extract is from a letter of the State Committee of - Safety, under date of December, 1775, signed by John McKesson, Clerk of - the Provincial Congress:--"I was directed by this Congress to assure you - of the high esteem and respect they have for your vigilant, - noble-spirited County Committee." The following was from General Schuyler - in the summer of 1776:--"The propriety of your conduct, and your generous - exertions in the cause of your country, entitle you to the thanks of - every one of its friends; please to accept of mine most sincerely." - _Campbell's Annals._ - - -In regard to Sir John, matters were now fast approaching to a crisis. On -the 7th of September the Committee wrote to the Provincial Congress in -New-York, denouncing his conduct and that of his associates--particularly -the Highlanders, who, to the number of two hundred, were said to be -gathered about him, and by whom the Whigs "were daily scandalized, -provoked, and threatened." They added--"We have great suspicions, and are -almost assured, that Sir John has a continual correspondence with Colonel -Guy Johnson and his party." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] It was afterward ascertained that such a correspondence was carried - on through the Indians, who conveyed letters in the heads of their - tomahawks and in the ornaments worn about their persons. The Indians also - brought powder across from Canada.--_Campbell's Annals._ - - -No sooner had the Congress of The Twelve United Colonies agreed to the -Declaration, or manifesto, mentioned in the beginning of the present -chapter, proclaiming to the world the causes, and the necessity of their -appeal to arms, than it was felt, on all hands, even by the timid and -hesitating, that England and the Colonies now stood, not in the relation -of parent and children, but in the attitude of two nations legally at war. -Hence the patriots of Tryon County began to look more closely, and with -greater assurance, to the deportment of Sir John, of whose designs, as -has been seen, they had from the first entertained strong suspicions. -The movements of Sir Guy Carleton, moreover, Governor-general of Canada, -who had been commissioned to muster and arm all persons within that -province, and to wage war by land and sea against "all enemies, pirates, -or rebels, either in or out of the province," to "take them and put them -to death, or preserve them alive, at his discretion," were now creating -great uneasiness on the northern frontier, from which quarter they were -apprehending a formidable invasion. The management of the northern -department having been committed to Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, who -were now directing a force upon Montreal and Quebec, the Tryon County -Committee determined to probe the intentions of Sir John Johnson at once -and to the bottom. For this purpose, on the 26th of October, they -addressed him the following letter:-- - - "_Tryon County Committee Chamber,_ - _Oct._ 26, 1775. - - "Honorable Sir, - -"As we find particular reason to be convinced of your opinion in the -questions hereafter expressed, we require you, that you'll please to -oblige us with your sentiments thereupon in a few lines by our messengers, -the bearers hereof, Messrs. Ebenezer Cox, James McMaster, and John James -Klock, members of our Committee. - -"We want to know whether you will allow that the inhabitants of Johnstown -and Kingsborough may form themselves into companies, according to the -regulations of our Continental Congress, for the defence of our country's -cause; and whether your Honor would be ready himself to give his personal -assistance to the same purpose. - -"Also, whether you pretend a prerogative to our County court-house and -gaol, and would hinder or interrupt the Committee, to make use of the same -public houses, to our want and service in the common cause? - -"We don't doubt you will comply with our reasonable requests, and thereby -oblige, - Honorable Sir, - Your obedient and humble Servants. - By order of the Committee, - Nicholas Herkimer, - Chairman. - - "_To the - Honorable Sir John Johnson, - Johnson Hall._" - -The deputation named in the letter waited upon Sir John in person, to -receive his answer--the substance of which they reported to the Committee -verbally as follows, viz:-- - -"1. By perusing our letter, Sir John replied that he thinks our requests -very unreasonable, as he never had denied the use either of the -court-house or gaol to any body, nor would yet deny it, for the use which -these houses have been built for; but he looks upon it that the -court-house and gaol are his property till he is paid 700 pounds--the -amount of which being out of his pocket for the building of the same. - -"2. In regard of embodying his tenants into companies, he never did forbid -them, neither should do it, as they may use their pleasure; but we might -save ourselves the trouble, he being sure that they would not. - -"3. Concerning himself, he said, that before he would sign any -association, or would lift his hand up against his King, he would rather -suffer that his head shall be cut off. - -"Further he replied, that if we should make any unlawful use of the gaol, -he would oppose it, and also he mentions, that there have many unfair -means been used for increasing the association and uniting the people; -for he was informed by credible gentlemen in New-York that they were -obliged to unite, otherwise they could not live there; and that he was -informed by good authority, that likewise two thirds of the Canajoharie -and German Flats people have been forced to sign the articles; and in -his opinion the Boston people are open rebels, and the other Colonies -have joined them." - -Immediately on receiving this report, the Committee determined to bring -the question of the occupancy of the gaol to an issue. They therefore -directed that two of their prisoners, named Lewis Clement and Peter -Bowen, [FN] who had been sentenced to certain periods of confinement for -political offences, should be forthwith conveyed to the prison, under a -guard commanded by Captain Jacob Seeber, with instructions, that should -the gaoler refuse to receive them into close confinement for the time -specified, or should they be opposed by Sir John, then Captain Seeber was -to bring them to the house of "our voted and elected new high sheriff, -John Frey, Esq. who shall immediately inform thereof our chairman for -further directions." - - * * * * * - - [FN] A subsequent document induces the belief that these prisoners were - Indians, though it is not so distinctly stated. - - -Sir John did not allow the Committee to take possession of the gaol, and -they were obliged to fit up a private house as a temporary prison; while -some of their prisoners were sent to Albany, and others as far as Hartford -for safe keeping. [FN] The Committee apprised the Provincial Congress of -their proceedings in this matter, from which body they received the -following communication in reply:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] Campbell's Annals. - - -"_Dec._ 9_th._ The Congress have this day entered into the consideration -of your letter of the 25th of October, and are of opinion that your -application to Sir John Johnson, requesting an answer from him whether he -would allow his tenants to form themselves into companies, and associate -with their brethren of your County, according to the resolves of the -Continental Congress, for the defence of our liberties, was improper with -respect to him, and too condescending on your part, as it was a matter -that came properly within your province; and to which we doubt not but -you are competent, as you have a line of conduct prescribed to you by -Congress. With respect to your second question, whether he would take -any active part in the controversy at present existing between Great -Britain and her Colonies, we conceive it to be very proper, and thank you -for information on that head. - -"As to the third question, we conceive that he has no claim nor title to -the court-house and gaol in the County, as we are credibly told that his -father, Sir William Johnson, did in his lifetime convey the same to two -gentlemen in trust for the use of your County. However, as an attempt to -use the same for the purpose of confining persons inimical to our country -may be productive of bad consequences, we beg leave to recommend to you, -to procure some other place which may answer the end of a gaol. And give -you our advice not to molest Sir John as long as he shall continue -inactive, and not impede the measures necessary to be carried into -execution from being completed. - -"We are extremely sorry that Mr. White has, by his imprudent conduct, -rendered himself justly offensive to you. The best advice we can give you -in this unpleasant affair is, that if you are of opinion that his -continuing in his office will be dangerous to your liberties, then that -you permit the office to be exercised by his deputies. And that you draw -up a petition, get as many persons of your County to sign it as possible, -and present it to the Governor of the Colony, setting forth that it is -very disagreeable to the people in general that he should execute that -office, and praying that he may be displaced, and his place supplied by -a person who would be acceptable to the people of your County. - - "We are respectfully, - Gentlemen, - Your most obedient - humble Servants, - By order, - Nathl. Woodhull, Pres. - - "_To Nicholas Herkimer, Esq. - Chairman, and the - Committee of Tryon County._" - -The first act of positive hostility on the part of the Indians, during -this bitter and bloody contest, was committed in the Autumn of the present -year. General Schuyler having been obliged temporarily to leave the -northern army in consequence of ill health, the command devolved upon -General Montgomery, who had advanced a second time upon St. Johns and -captured the fortress--Sir Guy Carleton having been repulsed by Colonel -Warner at Longueil, in his attempt to cross the St. Lawrence and advance -to its succor. It appears that, either in the first or second attack upon -St. Johns, or in both, the Americans had been opposed by some of the -Mohawk Indians--those, doubtless, who had accompanied Guy Johnson to -Canada. Hence, on the 27th of October, the Tryon County Committee -"unanimously resolved, that a letter should be sent to the sachems of the -Canajoharie Castle, in regard to the return and present abiding of some -Indians in their Castle from Canada, who have acted inimically against us, -and fought against our united forces near the fort St. John, not to give -shelter to such real enemies among them." - -No copy of the letter written pursuant to this resolution has been -preserved. It is noted among the papers of the Committee, however, that -the sachems and warriors of Canajoharie Castle appeared before them in -person, and made the following answer to their epistle of remonstrance:-- - -"Brothers: We are thankful to you that you opened to us your hearts, and -we comprehend to be all true what you wrote to us. We live together, -Gentlemen, and we shall do our endeavour to answer you upon all the -contents of your letter, as much as we can remember thereof. - -"Brothers: We have not yet forgotten our agreement made in Albany. It is -not such a long time ago, we can remember it yet. Although we have not -put it in writing, it is yet in our memory. We can remember very well that -there have been twelve Governors with whom we agreed, and we made a level -road to the Six Nations, to Boston, and to Philadelphia. - -"Brothers: We have, as well as the Senecas and others of the Six Nations, -been very glad to make that road, where we went and shall go. It is all -peace and very good. The Nations have been very glad for the making of -that good road, and it is all peaceable. But we are afraid you make the -first disturbance on the sea-side--because you are a fighting already. -They have made that good road, but they will not hope that we should spill -blood upon it. You said in your letter that you cannot keep your young -people back, but we think you are masters of them, and could order them. -Some of our young people are now in Canada, and perhaps they are killed; -but if so be, our hearts will not be sore about it. - -"There are some young people, among them here, whom we could persuade to -stay and not to meddle themselves with the fighting of the white people; -but some went yet away, and we are glad to see them back again, because -they have been debauched to go away. - -"Brothers: The Six Nations are now speaking about that good road, and are -glad; but if they shall perhaps pass that road and see some blood spilled -upon it, then they would be surprised. - -"Brothers: We have made a very strong agreement of friendship together, -and we beg you will not break it for sake of some wrong done by some, who -have been debauched. You will drop it, we hope, for the present." - -The Committee replied to them in substance, that if those of their young -men who had first spilt the blood of their white brethren, had come back -repenting of their conduct, they should first have gone to the Committee, -and manifested their sorrow to them. Far from doing so, however, one of -them, named William Johnson, had, on the contrary, boasted of his hostile -proceedings, and spoken boldly against the cause of the Americans. - -On the 30th of October, at the request of some of the chiefs of the Mohawk -Castle, John Marbatt was deputed to hold a conference with them, in -reference to the imprisonment of Clement and Bowen. Marbatt says, in his -letter to General Herkimer, Chairman of the Committee:-- - -"The heads of the Mohawk Castle met me at Abraham Quackenbush's, and made -a speech to me. They said we were all brothers, and all brought up -together, and hoped that we might remain so. They said they were very -sorry for their two brothers, Lewis Clement and Peter Bowen, and desired -that they might be discharged. It was so hard for them to see their -brethren in confinement that they could not rest. Whereon I told them -there was a law; and if any of our brothers transgressed the law, they -must expect to be punished by the law. I told them that any one that -behaved [well] should not be disturbed at all. But they begged that as -they had transacted this, [offended] before the law took effect, they -might be discharged; and if ever they transgressed again, they had nothing -to say against punishing them. They told me that they wanted to go a -hunting, and could not go from home contented until this matter was -settled. They desired me to give them an answer against next Saturday. -Gentlemen, I hope you will settle this matter for peace's sake. Your -compliance will much oblige your friend and humble servant," &c. - -The speech from the Canajoharie Indians, just recited, if closely -scrutinised, might appear somewhat equivocal. Still, it was not -belligerent; and, when taken in connexion with the preceding letter, the -presumption is reasonable, that the Mohawks remaining about their ancient -castles, had not yet determined to swerve from their engagement of -neutrality. - -Such was the progress of the Revolution, in the County of Tryon, down to -the close of 1775. A rapid glance at contemporaneous events not already -noted, occurring elsewhere, will close the history of the year. The battle -of Bunker Hill had aroused all New England to arms; and by the time of -General Washington's arrival to assume the command, during the first week -in July, the British forces were so effectually shut up in Boston, as to -be obliged to send out small vessels to a distance for supplies. To cut -up this species of coast-wise commerce, the Colonies of Massachusetts, -Rhode Island, and Connecticut each fitted out two small cruisers, before -Congress had made a suggestion respecting a naval armament. The first -avowal of offensive hostility against the mother country, was contained -in the act of the Massachusetts Congress for fitting out a naval armament; -and among the first fruits was the capture, by Captain Manly of -Marblehead, of a large British ordnance brig, laden with several elegant -brass pieces of artillery, a large supply of small arms, tools and -utensils of all warlike descriptions, &c. Three days afterward Captain -Manly captured three more British ships laden with military stores. South -Carolina was at the same time making vigorous preparations for war, but -had not exceeding 3,000 lbs of gunpowder within the province. By fitting -out a fast sailing vessel, however, they were enabled to intercept a -supply vessel off St. Augustine, and obtain a large and timely addition -to their stores--15,000 pounds of gunpowder alone. Meantime the affairs -of the Colonies continued to form the leading and most exciting topic of -debate in the British Parliament. Lord North, who, it is now known, acted -throughout this great struggle more in obedience to the positive -requisitions of the King, than in accordance with his own private wishes, -insisted upon the strongest measures of compulsion. General Conway, -Colonel Lutterell, Mr. James Grenville, the Duke of Grafton, and Lord -Lyttleton, spoke in favor of concession to the Colonies, and argued in -favor of repealing every enactment respecting the matters in dispute with -the Colonies, subsequent to the year 1763. The ministers contended that -they might as well acknowledge the independence of the Colonies at once. -Mr. Burke, during this season, made his great speech on American affairs, -and introduced his conciliatory bill, proposing "a renunciation of the -exercise of taxation, without at all interfering with the question of -right. It preserved the power of levying duties, for the regulation of -commerce; but the money so raised was to be at the disposal of the several -general assemblies. The tea duty was to be repealed, and a general amnesty -granted." This proposition, though regarded with more favor than the -others, was rejected; and the Administration was sustained in the policy -of sending a large sea and land force against the Colonies, accompanied -with offers of mercy upon a proper submission.[FN-1] The Continental -Congress, however, still continued its efforts to prevent a final -separation; and another address to the King was adopted, beseeching the -interposition of his royal authority to afford relief from their -afflicting fears and jealousies, and restore harmony by the adoption of -such measures as would effect a permanent reconciliation. This petition, -signed by John Hancock, was presented in Parliament on the 7th of -December, and gave rise to several motions for a pacification--all of -which were rejected.[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Holmes's Annals, Par. Register. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - -The military operations of the Autumn were chiefly confined to the -expedition against Canada. Lord Dunmore, it is true, had given several -additional impulses to the Revolutionary spirit in Virginia, by the manner -of his opposition; and the enemy had still farther exasperated the people -of New England by burning the town of Falmouth, in the north-eastern part -of Massachusetts. Having timely notice, the people fled from the town, -which was furiously bombarded, and 139 dwelling-houses and 278 warehouses -were burnt. The invasion of Canada, by Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, -has already been incidentally mentioned. General Schuyler had issued a -suitable proclamation to the inhabitants of Canada, on entering that -territory; but he was obliged by ill health to relinquish the command to -General Montgomery. St. John's surrendered on the 3d of November; but -while the siege was pending. Colonel Ethan Allen, with thirty-eight of -his Green Mountain boys, was captured, and sent to England in irons. [FN] -Allen deserved his fate, however, for his rashness and disobedience of -orders. Still, he was very near capturing Montreal with the small party -he had led in advance, as was subsequently admitted by one of the British -officers. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Idem. - - -The fort at Chamblee fell into the hands of Montgomery, together with a -large quantity of military stores, which were of great use; among them -were three tons of powder. Montreal was next taken by the -Provincials--General Carleton escaping in a boat with muffled oars to -Three Rivers, from whence he hastened to Quebec. Montgomery, with his -little army, was swift to follow him thither; where his arrival had been -anticipated by Colonel Arnold, with upward of 700 New England infantry -and riflemen, with whom he had performed the incredible service of -traversing the unexplored forest, from the Kennebec to the mouth of the -Chaudiere. Uniting the forces of Arnold with his own, Montgomery laid -siege to Quebec on the 1st of December. His artillery, however, was too -light to make any impression upon its walls, and it was at length -determined, if possible, to carry the town by a combined assault from -two directions--one division to be led by Montgomery and the other by -Arnold. The enterprise was undertaken on the 31st of December, and the -year closed by the repulse of both divisions and the fall of Montgomery. - -The success which had marked the American arms in the early part of the -Canadian campaign, made a strong impression upon the Caughnawaga Indians. -The Canadians, generally, were exceedingly averse to engaging in the -unnatural contest, [FN-1] and were strongly inclined to favor the cause -of the Colonies; and, notwithstanding the descent of Brant and the Mohawks -to Montreal, and the solicitations of Governor Carleton, the Caughnawagas -sent a deputation to General Washington, at Cambridge, as early as the -month of August, avowing their readiness to assist the Americans in the -event of an expedition into Canada. [FN-2] This assurance was fulfilled. -In a letter from Sir Guy Carleton to General Gage, written in August, -which was intercepted, the Canadian Governor said--"Many of the Indians -have gone over to them (the Americans), and large numbers of the Canadians -are with them. . . . I had hopes of holding out for this year, though I -seem abandoned by all the world, had the savages remained firm. I cannot -blame these poor people for securing themselves, as they see multitudes -of the enemy at hand, and no succour from any part, though it is now four -months since their operations against us first began." [FN-3] The -subsequent reverses of the Americans, however, changed the masters of -those Indians, and they were ere long found warring in the ranks of the -Crown. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of Washington to the president of Congress, Aug. 4th, 1775. - - [FN-2] Letter of Washington to Gen. Schuyler. - - [FN-3] Sparks. - -But all the Indians did not join the British standard. Notwithstanding -that the Delawares had been engaged in the Cresap war, the year before, -they refused the solicitations of the British emissaries and the Senecas -to take up the hatchet with them in this contest. A meeting of Indians -was held in Pittsburgh, to deliberate upon the question, at which a select -deputation of the Senecas attended. Captain _White Eyes,_ a sensible and -spirited warrior of the Lenape, boldly declared that he would not embark -in a war, to destroy a people born on the same soil with himself. The -Americans, he said, were his friends and brothers, and no nation should -dictate to him or his tribe the course they should pursue. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Heckewelder. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - - - Lord Dunmore--Glance at the South--Suspicious conduct of Sir John - Johnson--Conduct of the Tories in Tryon County--Gen. Schuyler directed - by Congress to march into that County and disarm the Tories--Preliminary - mission to the Lower Mohawks--Message to them--Their displeasure and - reply--March of Schuyler--Meets the Indians at Schenectady--Interview - and speeches--Advance of Schuyler--Letter to Sir John - Johnson--Interview--Negotiations of capitulation--Terms - proposed--Schuyler advances to Caughnawaga--Joined by Tryon County - Militia--Farther correspondence with Sir John--Interview with the Indian - mediators--Terms of surrender adjusted--Schuyler marches to - Johnstown--Sir John, his household, and the Highlanders, - disarmed--Troops scour the country to bring in the - loyalists--Disappointment as to the supposed Tory _Depot_ of warlike - munitions--Return of Schuyler to Albany--Resolution of - Congress--Additional trouble with Sir John--Preparations for his - seizure--Expedition of Col. Dayton--Flight of the Baronet and his - partisans to Canada--Their sufferings--And subsequent conduct--How the - violation of his parole was considered. - -The dawn of the New Year was lighted up by the conflagration of Norfolk, -by order of Lord Dunmore, the royal Governor of Virginia. His Lordship -had previously retired with his adherents to the fleet; and this act -of Vandalism was directed by way of retaliating upon the Whigs of that -borough, for having refused supplies to the Liverpool man of war. The -people themselves destroyed the buildings nearest the water, in order -to deprive the ships even of those sources of supply. After cruising for -a time on the coast of Virginia, and being every where repulsed--some -of his ships having been driven on shore, and their crews captured and -imprisoned by the Colonists--his Lordship was obliged to destroy those -of his vessels which were not sea-worthy, and seek refuge himself in -Florida and the West Indies. Another incident adverse to the royal arms, -was the defeat, by the Provincials under General Moore, of General -McDonald, (commissioned by Governor Martin,) in his attempts to bring -North Carolina to obedience. The battle resulting in this defeat was -gallantly fought at Moore's Creek Bridge, by Colonels Caswell and -Lillington, commanding about 1000 minute men and militia. A large -quantity of arms fell into the hands of the Provincials; and the defeat, -equally unexpected and decisive, greatly depressed the spirits of the -loyalists in that quarter. - -Resuming the history of the Mohawk Valley; although the Autumn of the -preceding year had passed quietly away in that region, yet no small degree -of uneasiness was created, early in the winter, by the suspicious conduct -of Sir John Johnson; heightened, as will appear in the sequel, by false -representations sent forth by a man who, in the end, proved to be an -impostor. Such were the spirit of the times moreover, and the jealousies -mutually entertained, that it is more than probable the measures of Sir -John were concerted in consequence of apprehensions honestly indulged, -and in all likelihood awakened by the same or a kindred imposture. At -all events Sir John was actively engaged in defensive preparations, with -a view, as it was believed, of throwing up fortifications around the -baronial hall. His adherents, as we have seen, were numerous, particularly -among the Scotch Highlanders, by several hundreds of whom he was -surrounded; and reports became rife, that, in addition to these, the -works he was erecting were to be garrisoned by three hundred Indians, to -be let loose upon the settlements as opportunities might occur. - -It was undoubtedly true that the Tories of that region were preparing -actively to espouse the royal cause, and enlistments for the King's -service, it is very likely, were secretly making. Information to this -effect was laid before Congress in December. It was also declared, by -a man named Connell, that a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition, -and other warlike articles, had been collected and concealed by the Tories -at Johnstown, to be used when the proper moment for action arrived. The -facts disclosed by Connell were supported by his deposition; whereupon -a resolution was adopted by Congress, directing General Schuyler to be -informed of these circumstances, and requesting him to adopt the most -speedy and effectual measures for securing the said arms and military -stores; for disarming the loyalists, apprehending their leaders, and -taking such measures in general as might be judged necessary to ensure -the tranquility of the frontier. [FN] This resolution was received by -General Schuyler at Albany early in January, and no time was lost in -concerting measures for its execution. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The sum of _forty dollars_ was appropriated by Congress for this - object; and the Special Committee having the subject in charge, were - directed to count the gold and silver in the treasury, and forward the - same to General Schuyler under a guard!--_Vide Jour. Con._ - - -General Schuyler having at that time no troops at his disposal, was under -the necessity of communicating with the sub-committee of safety of Albany -County, for which purpose, in order that a knowledge of the business with -which he was charged might not transpire, he previously administered to -them the oath of secrecy. They were at first embarrassed in devising a -pretext for the preparations it was necessary to make for the expedition; -but the opportune arrival of a letter and an affidavit, (probably from -Connell,) from Tryon County, containing accounts exactly suited to the -emergency, afforded ample reasons for a call upon the militia. General -Schuyler at first supposed that a force of three hundred men, with the -assistance they would be certain to receive from the Whigs of Tryon -County, would be amply sufficient. It was determined, however, in order -to produce a deeper effect upon the loyalists against whom they were -proceeding, to march with a force of seven hundred men. - -Nevertheless, in order to preserve the good-will of the Indians of the -Lower Mohawk Castle, [FN] and guard against taking them by surprise or -giving them unnecessary alarm, Mr. Bleecker, the Indian interpreter, -residing at Albany, was despatched to the Castle on the 15th, charged -with a belt and the following message to the Indians:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Mohawks of the Lower Castle, with Little Abraham, had not been - drawn away by Thayendanegea and Guy Johnson. - - -"Brothers: I am sent by the Commissioners of the United Colonies, to -acquaint you that the brethren of Albany have received information that -several persons in and about Johnstown are busy in enlisting men to cut -our throats, and are making other hostile preparations to assist in -enslaving this country, and to prevent and stop up the road of -communication to the Westward. Your Albany Brothers, on this alarming -occasion, have collected their warriors, and are now sending them up the -river in order to inquire into the truth of the report, and act thereupon -as they may judge needful. - -"Brothers: Be not alarmed at these preparations; nothing is intended -against you; our own safety and liberty impel us to this measure; you can -rest perfectly satisfied that we will invariably pursue our friendly -disposition towards you, and expect that you will, agreeable to the -promises you made us at Albany, take no part in the present struggle. - -"Brothers: We promised you last Summer that Sir John and his family should -not be molested while he took no measures against us. We are yet of that -mind; and if he has acted as an honest man, he need not fear any danger. - -"Brothers: Lest the preparations and march into your country should alarm -the Six Nations, we desire that you will send some of your young men with -this speech to the end of the House of the Six Nations, that no uneasiness -may take place in their minds." - -The Indians were by no means pleased with the proposed invasion of the -Valley; anticipating, probably, an injurious effect upon their own people, -and perhaps injury to Sir John, to whom they were sincerely attached. -After due deliberation, Mr. Bleecker was sent back with a belt containing -the following reply to the Commissioners, or, in other words, to General -Schuyler:-- - -"Brothers: This belt we present to the Commissioners of the twelve United -Colonies and our Brothers of Albany, and desire them that the troops that -were coming up should not come up so speedily; that perhaps a mode might -be pointed out to have it settled in an easier manner; that perhaps, in -case the troops came up, it might be a means to stop up the road, and -perhaps create an uneasiness in their minds, as they and Sir John were, -as it were, one blood; and that the General should do all in his power -to have it settled without the troops going up; that he was a wise man, -and should set his thoughts a thinking to have it settled, by appointing -three or four persons to treat with Sir John about it; that they would -retain the belt sent by the Commissioners till such time as they heard -from the Commissioners, and in case the troops did not come, then they -would send the belt forward to the other nations; but if they came up, -then they would keep the same in their hands; that three of their nation -should immediately go to Sir John, and desire him to remain silent and be -at peace; and that in case there were any in Johnstown that were Tories, -they would settle them, and make them remain peaceable. That all the -uneasiness in the minds of Sir John, and the others in Johnstown, -originates from accounts that they receive from people in Albany; that -they daily have accounts from thence that the New England people are -coming up to destroy Sir John and his possessions." - -Accompanying this message, the Squaws also took the subject in hand, and -charged the interpreter with a belt with the following message on their -own behalf:-- - -"Brothers, the Commissioners of the United Colonies and the people of -Albany: This belt we present you, and hereby renew the covenant that was -made last summer; and we beg that no disturbance shall be made up here, -and that the said covenant may not thereby be broken; that in case the -troops were to come up, it might create great uneasiness, as they and -Sir John were of one blood; and that in case Sir John was disturbed, it -might touch their blood, and we beg some other mode may be pointed out -whereby this uneasiness may be settled." - -General Schuyler, however, did not wait for the return of his messenger -from the Indians, but proceeded to Schenectady on the 16th, at the head -of a strong division of militia, and accompanied by General Ten Broeck, -Colonel Varick, and several other officers. The militia turned out with -great alacrity, notwithstanding the severity of the weather and the -badness of the roads. On the evening of his arrival at Schenectady, -General Schuyler was met by a deputation of the Mohawks, headed by Little -Abraham, who, in a very haughty tone, [FN] addressed him as follows:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] General Schuyler's official report, from which document the whole - narrative of this expedition is drawn. This document, it is believed, - has never yet been published entire, and has only recently been - discovered at Washington, by Peter Force, Esq. who obligingly favored - the author with the use of it. - - -"We intended to have gone down to Albany in order to speak to you; but -thank God that he has given us an opportunity to meet you here, as we -have some matters to communicate to you." - -To which General Schuyler replied with corresponding brevity:-- - -"I am very glad to see you here, and I shall be glad to hear what the -Brothers have to say, as my ears are always open to them." - -Whereupon Abraham proceeded to address the General and his associates as -follows:-- - -"Brothers: You lately sent to our place four men, who arrived to us last -Sunday morning. [FN] They told us they were sent up to us by you to inform -us of those military preparations which were making down in this quarter. -By them you let us know that you thought it not prudent to send armed men -amongst us without previously notifying us. Likewise, Brothers, your -messengers informed us of the reasons of your coming in this manner. You -informed us that you had heard that there were a number of men embodied -at Sir John's, about Johnstown. You told us likewise, that as soon as -they had completed their body, they intended to destroy the settlements -up and down the river. You informed us that you were coming up to inquire -into the truth of the report, and who it was that gave out commissions, -and what were their designs. At the same time you assured us that no harm -was intended against us, the Six Nations, as we had last summer publicly -engaged that we would take no part against you in your dispute with the -great King over the Great Water." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Mohawk chief seems here to refer to an embassy to their castle - a few days previous to that performed by Mr. Bleecker, not mentioned - by General Schuyler. Or, perhaps, a wrong date was given to the message - transmitted by the interpreter. - - -"Brothers: You told us that you would come to search into the truth of -the report, and you assured us also that you would not be the first -aggressor, and that it should be our own fault if any blood was spilt. -You told us that you would acquaint the Lower Castle first of the design, -that they should send up to the Upper Castle, and they to the Oneida, -and they to Onondaga, and so through the whole Six Nations. - -"Brothers: We thanked your messengers for the speech delivered to us, and -we would consider of it for some time to return them an answer -accordingly. Brothers, a small number of us who take care of the news met -in council on this occasion. We thanked your messengers for informing -us first of your designs. We said we knew the agreement which was entered -into with the whole twelve United Colonies. At that meeting you remember -it was agreed to remove all obstacles out of the way of the path of peace, -to keep it so that we might pass and repass without being annoyed. - -"Brothers: you told us that you came to inquire into the truth of the -report, which might be done by 4 or 6 without any danger in making the -inquiry. We proposed your sending up six persons to inquire into the -truth of this matter, as it would be a shame to interrupt them, as no -person would be so mean to give them any obstruction. As for sending your -belt forward, we thought to retain it until we had heard whether our -proposal had been accepted or no. And we desire that you would consider -of this matter, and keep your troops at home, and let us know your mind; -and if, after considering of our proposals, you do not agree to them, -that you will then let us know what you intend to do. They likewise sent -word to you that when they had heard from you, whether you accepted of -our proposals, we would then do as you desire in sending up the news. - -"Brothers: We expected an answer to our proposals; but none arrived until -we were informed by a woman who returned from Albany, that those -preparations were actually making, and that troops were actually marching -in the country. We then, Brothers, took the matter into consideration, -and determined it was best for a party to meet you, and you see us this -day, Brothers, arrived. We come, Brothers, to beg of you that you take -good care and prudence of what you are going about. We beg of you, -Brothers, to remember the engagement which was made with the twelve -United Colonies at our interview last summer, as we then engaged to open -the path of peace, and to keep it undefiled from blood. At the same time -something of a different nature made its appearance. You assured us, -Brothers, that if any were found in our neighborhood inimical to us, you -would treat them as enemies. The Six Nations then supposed that the son -of Sir William was pointed at by that expression. We then desired -particularly that he might not be injured, as it was not in his power to -injure the cause; and that therefore he might not be molested. The Six -Nations then said they would not concern themselves with your operations -in other parts, but particularly desired that this path might be free -from blood. And now, Brothers, we repeat it again; we beg of you to take -good care and not to spill any blood in this path, and the more -especially, Brothers, as it is but of this day that the Six Nations had -so agreeable an interview with the Colonies, and our chiefs are now -hunting in the woods, and not dreaming that there is any prospect that -this path is or will be defiled with blood. - -"We informed you, Brothers, that we had heard of a woman, that you were -advancing, and that you had cannon. We then took it into consideration. -We thought it strange that cannon should be brought into the country, -as the twelve United Colonies had so lately opened the path of peace. -As you will remember that this path was opened last Spring, and the Six -Nations agreed to keep it open. We then thought what could influence -the twelve United Colonies to open this path, and from the present -appearance it is as if with a design that the cannon should pass free -from all obstruction. - -"Brothers, attend! It was your request, and a matter agreed upon by the -twelve United Colonies, that we should mind nothing but peace; therefore, -Brothers, as we mean to observe that agreement, we have expressed -ourselves as above, and as Brothers we mind nothing but peace. We look -upon ourselves as mediators between the two parties; therefore, Brothers, -as your messengers declared that you would not be the aggressors, we -informed Sir John of this, and earnestly begged of him not to be the -aggressor, or the means of spilling blood; and at the same time assured -him, that if we found that he should be the aggressor, we would not pay -any farther attention to him; and likewise told him, that if our Brothers -of the United Colonies were the aggressors, we should treat them in the -same manner. This is what we told Sir John, as we look upon ourselves to -be the mediators between both parties, and, as we have said before, -desired him not to be the aggressor. To which Sir John replied, that we -knew his disposition very well, and that he had no mind to be the -aggressor. He assured us that he would not be the aggressor, but if the -people came up to take away his life, he would do as well as he could, -as the law of nature justified every person to stand in his own defence. - -"According to the news we have heard, it is as though Sir John would shut -up the path of peace in that quarter; but it is impossible he should do -it, as he had but a mere handful of friends; but, Brothers, if this -company, who now are passing by, should go up, and any thing bad should -happen, we shall look on you as shutting up the path. - -"It has been represented to you, Brothers, that it seems that Sir John -is making military preparations, and that he is making a fort round his -house; but, Brothers, as we live so near him, we should certainly know -it if any thing of that nature should be done, especially as we go there -so frequently on account of our father, the minister, who sometimes -performs divine service at that place. We have never seen any hostile -preparations made there; there is no cannon, or any thing of that kind, -and all things remain in the same situation it was in the lifetime of -Sir William. - -"Brothers: We would not conceal anything from you. It would not be right -to use deceit, neither do we mean to do it. The minds of our counselors -are very much grieved; and aggrieved at that part of the disposition -of those whom we may call our warriors; there are some among us of -different minds, as there are among you, Brothers. Our counselors, -remembering the covenant we last Summer made with our Brethren, the -Twelve Colonies, have all along strongly urged our warriors to peace, -and have checked them when a contrary disposition appeared. Our minds -are very much aggrieved to find any of our warriors of different -sentiment. We have hitherto been able to restrain them, and hope still -to be able to do it, for matters are not now carried to extremity; but -if they are, our warriors will not be restrained, because they will think -themselves deceived if this military force comes into the country. - -"We have declared to you, Brothers, that we would not deceive, and that -we mean to declare our minds to you openly and freely. We, the sachems, -have all along inculcated to the warriors sentiments of peace, and they -have hitherto been obedient to us, though there have been frequent -rumours that they should be disturbed; yet we have hitherto been able to -calm their minds. But now, Brothers, so large a party coming, alarms the -minds of our warriors. They are determined, Brothers, to go and be present -at your interview with Sir John, and determined to see and hear every -thing that should be there transacted; and if it shall then appear that -this party shall push matters to extremes, we then cannot be accountable -for any thing that may happen. But as for us, Brothers, the counselors -are fully determined ever to persevere in the path of peace. - -"Brothers, attend! Though I have finished what I had purposed to say, yet -I will add one thing more. When the news of your approach arrived at our -town, it caused great confusion; some were ready to take to their arms, -observing that those reports respecting the unfriendly disposition of the -Colonies were now verified. I begged of them, Brothers, to possess their -minds in peace for a few days. I told them that I myself would go to -Albany, and inquire into the truth of the matter; I was so conscious of -my own innocency, that no hostile appearance could deter me, however -formidable. I therefore desired them to sit still until my return, which -might be in two days if I went to Albany. This, Brothers, is the present -situation of our people. They are waiting to see what news I bring." - -"Brothers: When I made this request to the warriors that they should sit -still till my return, they told me that they would, which they are now -in expectation of, and will do nothing till I get back. But, Brothers, -after my return I will repeat to them the speech you will now make to me, -and if any of our people should still persist to be present at your -interview with Sir John, we hope, Brethren, you will not think hard of -us as counselors, as it is not in our power to rule them as we please. -_If they should go, and any thing evil should happen, we beg to know, -Brothers, what treatment we may expect who remain at home in peace._ - -"Brothers: This is all we have to say. This is the business which has -brought us down, and we now expect an answer to carry home to our people." - -To which General Schuyler delivered the following answer: - -"Brothers of the Mohawk Nation: We, the Commissioners appointed by the -Congress, and your Brothers of Albany and Schenectady, have paid great -attention to the speech you have delivered us. We now desire you to open -your ears, and attentively listen to what we have to say in answer. - -"Brothers: It pleased us to hear you declare that you would speak your -minds freely. We assure you that we shall do the same, and hide nothing -from you of what is in our thoughts. - -"Brothers: We were in hopes that the message which we sent you by Mr. -Bleecker would have eased your minds, and have convinced you that no -hostile intentions existed against you or any other Indians; for if they -had, we would not have sent you that message, neither would we have -supplied you with powder, as we did last Summer and again the other day. - -"Brothers: We are extremely sorry that you have not complied with our -request, to send the speech which we sent you by Mr. Bleecker, to the -Six Nations in the manner which we required. - -"Brothers: You told us that five or six men would have been sufficient to -go to Johnstown and inquire what was transacting there, and that these -people would be in no danger, as it would be a shame to interrupt them. -We acknowledge, Brothers, that it would have been a shame if we had sent -them and they had been interrupted; but we have full proofs that many -people in Johnstown, and the neighbourhood thereof, have for a -considerable time past made preparations to carry into execution the -wicked designs of the King's evil counselors. - -"Brothers: It is very true that last Summer the United Colonies promised -that the path to the Indian country should be kept open. They again -repeat that promise; and although it is by the special order of Congress -that this body of troops are now marching up, yet it is not to shut the -path, but to keep it open, and to prevent the people in and about -Johnstown from cutting off the communication between us and our brethren -of the Six Nations, and our other brethren living up the river. - -"Brothers: Although we have before observed that the people living in -and about Johnstown are making hostile preparations against us, yet we -will not shed a drop of their blood unless they refuse to come to an -agreement by which we may be safe, or unless they oppose us with arms. -We do not mean that any of our warriors should set their foot on any of -the lands you possess, or that of the Six Nations, unless our enemies -should take shelter there; for those we are resolved to follow wherever -they go. We again repeat, that we have no quarrel with you, and we do -expect that you will not interfere in this family contest, but stand by -as indifferent spectators, agreeable to the engagement of the Six Nations -made to us last Summer at their own request. - -"Brothers: We assured you last Summer, that as we had no quarrel with any -Indians, we would not touch a hair of their heads; yet when our warriors -were at St. Johns, they were attacked by Indians. Two of your tribe, and -some others, were killed. You have never blamed us for it, because you -well knew that our lives are dear to us; we have a right to kill any man -who attempts to kill us. You ought, therefore, not to be surprised if we -take every precaution to prevent being destroyed by the friends of the -King's evil counselors. - -"Brothers: In a little time we may be called upon to go and fight against -our enemies to the eastward, who are employed by the King's evil -counselors; and can you think it prudent that we should leave a set of -people who are our enemies, in any part of the country, in such a -situation as to be able to destroy our wives and children, and burn our -houses in our absence? Would you leave your wives and children in such -a situation? The wisdom by which you have conducted your affairs convinced -us that you would not; and yet so cautious are we that no blood may be -shed, that we shall send a letter to Sir John, inviting him to meet us -on the road between this place and his house, which if he does, we make -no doubt but every thing will be settled in an amicable manner; and that -he may be under no apprehensions, we do now assure you that if we do not -come to an agreement, he will be permitted safely to return to his own -house. - -"Brothers: We thank you that you have concealed nothing from us, and we -assure you that we scorn deceit as much as you do; and therefore we shall -now speak our minds freely on what you have said respecting the conduct -which your warriors mean to hold. We have no objection, nay, we wish that -you and they should be present, to hear what we shall propose to Sir John -and the people in and about Johnstown who are our enemies; but we beg -of you to tell your warriors, that although we have no quarrel with them, -yet if we should be under the disagreeable necessity of fighting with our -enemies, and your warriors should join them and fight against us, that we -will do as we did at St. Johns, repel force by force. - -"Brothers: You have asked us, if your warriors should go and if any thing -evil should happen, what treatment you may expect who remain at home -in peace? - -"Brothers: In the treaty held at Albany last Summer, you and your warriors -were present, and you and they jointly promised to remain neuter and not -to interfere in this quarrel. Should your warriors, therefore, now take -up arms against us, we must consider it as a breach of the treaty so far -as it respects the lower Mohawk Castle; of which breach we shall complain -to our Brethren, the other nations, and at the same time lay the matter -before our great council at Philadelphia, whose determination thereupon -will be our future guide. - -"Brothers: We are surprised that the least doubt should remain on your -minds with respect to our friendly intentions towards you, after the many -instances we have given you of our love and friendship; but we must impute -it to the wicked insinuations of our mutual enemies, who wish for nothing -so much as to see the ancient covenant which has so long subsisted between -us broken. - -"Brothers: You have observed that you would pay no regard to that party -that should be the first aggressor. We cannot be the aggressors; for if -our enemies in and about Johnstown had had no evil intentions against us, -we should never have even come thus far with an army. Whoever takes up -arms against another, although he has not yet struck, must be considered -as the aggressor, and not he who tries to prevent the blow. - -"Brothers: We have now freely and fully disclosed to you our minds. We -hope you will remember what we have said, and repeat it to your Brothers, -counselors, and warriors; and, lest you should not be able to recollect -every part of this speech, you may have your Brothers Ka-ragh-qua-dirhon, -and Ti-ze-de-ron-de-ron, [Deane and Bleecker,] interpreters, to attend you -if it be agreeable to you. - -"Brothers: Your women have sent us a belt. We beg you to assure them of -our regard, and to entreat them to prevent your warriors from doing any -thing that would have the least tendency to incur our resentment, or -interrupt that harmony which we wish may subsist to the end of time." - -To this the Indians made the following brief reply:-- - -"Brother Schuyler the Great Man, attend! We have this evening heard what -you have to say, and we are glad of it, and thank you for it. - -"Every thing that has been said to us. Brother, has been perfectly -agreeable to us. - -"I shall not attempt, Brother, to make a particular reply to every thing -that has been said to us. Indeed, it would not be proper at this time. - -"We are very glad, Brother, that you have determined to write to Sir John, -requesting an interview with him in hopes of an amicable agreement. - -"Brother: You mention that it would be agreeable to you that the warriors -and counselors, or sachems, should attend. - -"Brother: We, the sachems, will attend, though we should do it at the risk -of our lives. - -"Brother: We should be glad if you would inform us of the time and place -of your interview with Sir John. You likewise told us, that if it was -agreeable to us, that your interpreters should attend to recapitulate the -speech you have made, which likewise is agreeable to us; and we desire -that they may go with us, for by that means all mistakes may be prevented. - -"Brother: You may depend on it that we will use our utmost influence with -our warriors to calm their minds. You may depend on it, likewise, that our -sisters will use their utmost influence for the same purpose." - -General Schuyler assured them again of his pacific intentions, and that -nothing unpleasant should happen to them. He also informed them, that -if they desired to attend the expedition to Johnstown, or to be present -at the intended interview with Sir John, as mediators, they should be -protected in that character. With this understanding they took their -departure the same night. A letter, of which the following is a copy, -was at the same time despatched to Sir John Johnson:-- - - "General Schuyler to Sir John Johnson. - Schenectady, _Jan._ 16, 1776. - - "Sir, - -"Information having been received that designs of the most dangerous -tendency to the rights, liberties, property, and even lives of those of -his Majesty's faithful subjects in America who are opposed to the -unconstitutional measures of his ministry, have been formed in a part of -the County of Tryon, I am ordered to march a body of men into that County, -to carry into execution certain resolutions of my superiors, and to -contravene those dangerous designs. - -"Influenced, Sir, by motives of humanity, I wish to comply with my orders -in a manner the most peaceable, that no blood may be shed. I therefore -request that you will please to meet me to-morrow, at any place on my -way to Johnstown, to which I propose then to march. For which purpose I -do hereby give you my word of honour, that you, and such persons as you -may choose should attend you, shall pass safe and unmolested to the place -where you may meet me, and from thence back to the place of your abode. - -"Rutgers Bleecker and Henry Glen, Esqrs. are the bearers hereof, gentlemen -who are entitled to your best attention, which I dare say they will -experience, and by whom I expect you will favour me with an answer to -this letter. - -"You will please to assure Lady Johnson, that whatever may be the result -of what is now in agitation, she may rest perfectly satisfied that no -indignity will be offered her. - - "I am, Sir, - Your humble Servant, - Ph. Schuyler. - - "_To - Sir John Johnson, Baronet._" - -General Schuyler resumed his march on the morning of the 17th--his forces -constantly increasing, until before nightfall they numbered upward of -three thousand. Having proceeded about sixteen miles from Schenectady, -the expedition was met by Sir John, attended by several of his leading -friends among the Scotchmen, and two or three others. The result of the -interview was the proffer, by General Schuyler, of the following terms -to Sir John and his retainers:-- - -"Terms offered by the Honourable Philip Schuyler, Esq., Major-general in -the army of the thirteen United Colonies, and commanding in the New-York -department, to Sir John Johnson, Baronet, and all such other persons in -the County of Tryon as have evinced their intentions of supporting his -Majesty's ministry, to carry into execution the unconstitutional measures -of which the Americans so justly complain, and to prevent which they have -been driven to the dreadful necessity of having recourse to arms. - -"First: That Sir John Johnson shall, upon his word of honour, immediately -deliver up all cannon, arms, and other military stores, of what kind -soever, which may be in his own possession, or which he has caused to be -delivered into the possession of any persons whatsoever, either directly -or indirectly, or that to his knowledge may be concealed in any part of -the said County. That he shall distinguish all such military stores of -what kind soever as belong to the Crown, or were furnished with the design -of arming the Indians or the inhabitants of Tryon County, from those which -may be private property, in order that a proper inventory may be taken of -the last articles, that the same may be restored, or the value of them -refunded, when this unhappy contest shall be over. - -"Secondly: General Schuyler, out of personal respect for Sir John, and -from a regard to his rank, consents that Sir John shall retain for his -own use a complete set of armor, and as much powder as may be sufficient -for his domestic purposes. - -"Thirdly: That Sir John Johnson shall remain upon his parole of honour -in any part of Tryon County which he may choose, to the eastward of the -district of ---- unless it should appear necessary to the Honourable the -Continental Congress to remove him to some other part of this, or any -other Colony; in which case he is immediately to comply with such orders -as they may think proper to give for that purpose. - -"Fourthly: That the Scotch inhabitants of the said County shall, without -any kind of exception, immediately deliver up all arms in their -possession, of what kind soever they may be; and that they shall each -solemnly promise that they will not at any time hereafter, during the -continuance of this unhappy contest, take up arms without the permission -of the Continental Congress, or of their general officers;--and for -the more faithful performance of this article, the General insists that -they shall immediately deliver up to him six hostages of his own -nomination. - -"Fifthly: That such of the other inhabitants of Tryon County as have -avowed themselves averse to the measures of the United Colonies, shall -also deliver up their arms, of what kind soever they may be, and enter -into the like engagement as is stipulated in the preceding article, both -with respect to their future conduct and the number of hostages. - -"Sixthly: That all blankets, strouds, and other Indian articles belonging -to the Crown, and intended as presents to the Indians, shall be delivered -up to a commissary appointed by General Schuyler, in the presence of three -or more of the Mohawk chiefs, in order that the same may be dispensed -amongst the Indians, for the purpose of cementing the ancient friendship -between them and their brethren of the United Colonies, for which sole -purpose they ought to have been furnished. - -"Seventhly: If Sir John Johnson, and the people referred to in the -aforegoing articles, shall justly abide by, and perform what is thereby -required of them, the General, in behalf of the Continental Congress, -doth promise and engage, that neither Sir John Johnson nor any of those -people shall be molested by any of the other inhabitants of the said -County, or by any of the inhabitants of the thirteen United Colonies; but -that, on the contrary, they will be protected in the quiet and peaceable -enjoyment of their property;--the sole intent of this treaty being to -prevent the horrid effects of a civil and intestine war betwixt those who -ought to be brethren. That all the arms which shall be delivered up in -consequence of the preceding articles shall be valued by sworn appraisers. -That if the Continental Congress should have occasion for them, they may -be taken. If not, they will be delivered to the respective proprietors -when this unhappy contest shall be at an end." - -In the course of the interview. Sir John assured General Schuyler that -the Indians would support him, and that numbers of them were already at -Johnson Hall for that purpose. He was assured, in return, that though -averse to the shedding of blood, if the proffered terms were not acceded -to, force would be opposed to force without distinction of persons, and -that the consequences of resistance would be of the most serious -description. In conclusion, Sir John begged until the evening of the -following day to consider of the propositions, which request was granted, -and the Baronet took his leave. - -In about an hour after his departure, Abraham, and another of the Mohawks, -made their appearance at General Schuyler's quarters. On being informed -of what Sir John had said respecting the Indians being in arms at the Hall -for his defence, Abraham pronounced the story untrue, and repeated his -assurances that the Mohawks would interfere in no other way than as -mediators. The General replied that he hoped they would not, but he at -the same time assured them with emphasis, that if they should do so, -he should not hesitate a moment in destroying every one who opposed him -in arms. - -On the following day, (the 18th,) General Schuyler moved forward to -Canghnawaga, four miles from Johnstown, where he was joined by Colonel -Herkimer and the Tryon County militia. At about 6 o'clock in the afternoon -Sir John's answer to the terms proposed to him was received, as follows:-- - -"Terms proposed by Sir John Johnson, Baronet, and the people of -Kingsborough and the adjacent neighborhood, to the Honorable Philip -Schuyler, Esq. Major General in the army of the thirteen United Colonies, -and commanding in the New-York Department. - -"_First:_ That Sir John Johnson and the rest of the gentlemen expect that -all such arms of every kind as are their own property may remain in their -possession; all the other arms shall be delivered up to such person or -persons as may be appointed for that purpose; as to military stores -belonging to the Crown, Sir John has not any. - -"_Secondly:_ Answered in the first. - -"_Thirdly:_ Sir John expects that he will not be confined to any certain -County, but be at liberty to go where he pleases. - -"_Fourthly:_ The Scotch inhabitants will deliver up their arms of what -kind soever they may be, and they will each solemnly promise that they -will not at any time hereafter, during the continuance of this unhappy -contest, take up arms without the permission of the Continental Congress -or of their general officers. Hostages they are not in a capacity to -give--no one man having command over another, or power sufficient to -deliver such. Therefore this part of the article to be passed over, or -the whole included--women and children to be required, being a requisition -so inhuman as we hope the General will dispense with. - -"_Fifthly:_ Answered in the fourth, - -"_Sixthly_: Sir John has not any blankets, strouds, or other presents, -intended for the Indians. - -"_Seventhly_: If the above proposals are agreed to and signed by the -General, Sir John and the people referred to will rely on the assurances -of protection given by the General. - - "[Signed] John Johnson, - Allan McDonell. - - "_To the Hon._ Philip Schuyler, _Major-general_" - -This answer was in all respects unsatisfactory, as will appear by the -annexed letter from General Schuyler in reply:-- - - "General Schuyler to Sir John Johnson, Baronet. - Caughnawaga, Jan. 18th, 8 o'clock, P. M., 1776. - - "Gentlemen, - -"Messrs. Adams and McDonell have delivered me your answer to my proposals -of yesterday's date. The least attention to the articles I offered, when -compared with yours, must convince you that you omitted replies to several -of them, and consequently that what you have sent me is very imperfect, -and also unsatisfactory. I waive pointing out some of the inconsistencies -in your proposals, as the whole are exceptionable excepting the last. - -"I must therefore obey my orders, and again repeat, that, in the execution -of them, I shall strictly abide by the laws of humanity; at the same time -assuring you, that if the least resistance is made, I will not answer for -the consequences, which may be of a nature the most dreadful. - -"If Lady Johnson is at Johnson Hall, I wish she would retire, (and -therefore enclose a passport,) as I shall march my troops to that place -without delay. - -"You may, however, still have time to reconsider the matter, and for that -purpose I give you until 12 o'clock this night--after which I shall -receive no proposals; and I have sent you Mr. Robert Yates, Mr. Glen, -and Mr. Duer, to receive the ultimate proposals you have to make. This -condescension I make from no other motive than to prevent the effusion -of blood, so far as it can be effected without risking the safety of the -County, or being guilty of a breach of the positive orders I have received -from the Honorable Continental Congress. - - "I am, Gentlemen, - With due respect, - Your humble Servant, - Ph. Schuyler. - - "_To Sir John Johnson and Mr. Allan McDonell._" - -Immediately after the preceding letter had been despatched to the Hall, -the sachems of the Lower Castle, with all their warriors and several from -the Upper Castle, called upon General Schuyler, having come to his -quarters directly from the residence of the Baronet. They informed the -General that Sir John had related to them the substance of the terms of -surrender that had been proposed. Sir John, they said, had declared to -them that all he desired was protection for his family and friends from -insult and the outrages of riotous people, and protested that he had no -unfriendly intentions against the country. The Indians therefore begged -the General to accept the terms as offered by Sir John. The General told -the chiefs that he could not accept of those terms, and pointed out the -objections. He likewise informed them of the tenor of the letter he had -just transmitted to the Hall. The Indians were apparently contented with -those reasons and with the course adopted, but begged that, should the -answer of Sir John be still unsatisfactory, the General would give him -until 4 o'clock in the morning, that they might have time to go and "shake -his head," as they expressed it, "and bring him to his senses." They -likewise begged it as an additional favor, that General Schuyler would -not remove Sir John out of the country. They apologized for the threats -of their own warriors, alleging that it was attributable to the -circumstance of their not being present at the treaty of Albany; and again -repeated the assurance that they would never take arms against the -Colonies. In reply. General Schuyler complimented the Indians for their -pacific intentions, and informed them that he should accede to their -request, although the conduct of Sir John had been so censurable that he -should be justified in holding him a close prisoner. His reasons for -granting the request, the General told them, were two-fold:--first, -to show the love and affection of the Americans for the Indians, and to -convince them that they could obtain, by asking as a favor, that which -they could not obtain by demanding as a right. Secondly, that by leaving -Sir John amongst them, they might, by their example and advice, induce -him to alter his conduct. - -The extension of the time until 4 o'clock was unnecessary however, the -following answer from Sir John having been received at 12 o'clock, at -midnight:-- - -"Answers to the terms proposed by the Honorable Philip Schuyler, Esq. -Major-general in the army of the thirteen United Colonies, and commanding -in the New-York Department, to Sir John Johnson, Baronet, the inhabitants -of Kingsborough, and the neighborhood adjacent. - -"First and second articles agreed to, except a few favorite family arms. - -"Third: Sir John Johnson having given his parole of honor not to take up -arms against America, and conceiving the design of this military operation -to be with no other view than that of removing the jealousies of which -his countrymen are unhappily and unjustly inspired with against him, can -by no means think of submitting to this article in its full latitude, -though, for the sake of preserving peace and removing any suspicions of -undue influence, he consents not to go to the westward of the German -Flats and Kingsland Districts. To every other part of the continent to -the southward of this County, he expects the privilege of going. - -"Fourthly: Agreed to, excepting that part of the article which respects -the giving hostages. After the Scotch inhabitants have surrendered arms, -the General may take any six prisoners from amongst them as he chooses, -without resistance. They expect, however, that the prisoners so taken, -will be maintained agreeable to their respective ranks, and that they may -have the privilege of going to any part of the province of New Jersey or -Pennsylvania, which the General, or the Continental Congress may appoint. -They likewise expect, from the General's humanity, that provision will be -made for the maintenance of the prisoner's wives and children, agreeable -to their respective situations in life. Yet, for the sake of promoting the -harmony of the country, they will not break off this treaty merely on that -account, provided the General thinks he cannot exert a discretionary power -in this matter; in which case they rely upon the General's influence with -the Continental Congress, which they cannot persuade themselves will be -inattentive to the voice of humanity, or to the feelings of parents who -may be torn from their families. Those to whose lot it may fall to be -taken prisoners, it is expected will be allowed a few days to settle their -business, and, if gentlemen, to wear their side arms. - -"Fifth: Neither Sir John Johnson nor the Scotch gentlemen, can make any -engagement for any other persons than those over whom they may have -influence. Neither can they possibly know the names of all such persons -who have shown themselves averse to the measures of the United Colonies. -They give their word and honor, that, so far as depends on them, the -inhabitants shall give up their arms, and enter into the like engagement -with the Scotch inhabitants. The General has it more in his power to -discover those who are obnoxious, and to make as many as he pleases -prisoners. Neither shall they adopt the quarrel of any such persons as -their own. - -"Sixth: Sir John gives his word of honor that he has no blankets, strouds, -or other presents, belonging to the Crown, intended for the Indians; and -therefore this requisition cannot be complied with. - -"Seventh: If the above proposals are agreed to, and signed by the General, -Sir John and the people referred to will rely on the assurances of -protection given by the General. But as it will be impossible for the arms -to be collected till Saturday next at twelve o'clock, all the men referred -to in the above articles will be then paraded in Johnstown, and ground -their arms in the presence of such troops as the General may appoint. - - "[Signed.] John Johnson, - Allan McDonell. - - "_Johnson Hall, January_ 18_th,_ 1776." - -The Indians were yet present at the quarters of General Schuyler when this -despatch was received from Sir John, and, on being informed that matters -were likely to terminate amicably, they retired with warm expressions of -gratification. The following letter was thereupon despatched to the Hall:-- - - "General Schuyler to Sir John Johnson. - Caughnawaga, January 19, 1776. - -"General Schuyler's feelings as a gentleman induce him to consent that -Sir John Johnson may retain the few favorite family arms--he making a -list of them. - -"The General will also consent that Sir John Johnson may go as far to the -westward as the German Flats and Kingsland Districts in this County, and -to every other part of this Colony to the Southward and Eastward of said -Districts, provided he does not go into any seaport town. The General, -however, believes, that if Sir John's private business should require his -going to any of the other ancient English Colonies, he will be permitted -the indulgence by applying to Congress for leave. - -"The General will take six of the Scotch inhabitants prisoners, since they -prefer it to going as hostages. It has been the invariable rule of -Congress, and that of all its officers, to treat prisoners with the -greatest humanity, and to pay all due deference to rank. He cannot -ascertain the places to which Congress may please to send them. For the -present they will go to Reading or Lancaster in Pennsylvania. Nor can he -make any promises with respect to the maintenance of the women and -children. His humanity will certainly induce him to recommend to Congress -an attention to what has been requested on that head. General Schuyler -expects that all the Scotch inhabitants, of whatsoever rank, who are not -confined to their beds by illness, will attend with their arms, and -deliver them on Saturday at 12 o'clock. If this condition be not -faithfully performed, he will consider himself as disengaged from any -engagements entered into with them. - -"General Schuyler never refused a gentleman his side-arms. - -"The prisoners that may be taken must be removed to Albany immediately, -where the General will permit them to remain a reasonable time to settle -their family affairs. - -"If the terms General Schuyler has offered on the 17th inst. are accepted -with the above qualifications, fair copies will be made out and signed by -the parties, one of which will be delivered to Sir John and Mr. McDonell, -signed by the General. To prevent a waste of time, the General wishes Sir -John and Mr. McDonell immediately to send an answer. - - "He remains, with due respect, - Sir John's and Mr. McDonell's humble Servant, - Ph. Schuyler." - -These terms were acceded to by Sir John, and on the same day General -Schuyler marched to Johnstown--having previously detailed several -detachments of his troops to scour the country, and bring in the -disaffected not comprehended in the arrangements with the Baronet. On the -same afternoon Sir John delivered up the arms and ammunition in his -possession the quantity of both being much smaller than was expected. -On Saturday, the 20th, General Schuyler paraded his troops at 12 o'clock -at noon, to receive the surrender of the Highlanders, who, to the number -of between two and three hundred, marched to the front and grounded their -arms. These having been secured, the Scotchmen were dismissed with an -exhortation to remain peaceable, and with an assurance of protection if -they did so. - -The General's attention was next directed to the discovery and capture of -the secret _depot_ of arms and ammunition, of which information had been -given by Connell. Two of the persons named in his affidavit were taken, -but they denied, most unequivocally, all knowledge upon the subject. -Connell was then produced to confront them; but they still persisted -in maintaining their innocence, and denounced him as a perjured villain. -Connell was then sent with a number of officers to point out the spot, -where, as he alleged, the arms were concealed. He conducted them to a pond -of water, containing a small island, or mound, in the middle, within -which he declared the arms were buried. The snow and ice were forthwith -removed, and the mound dug down. Connell had particularly described the -manner in which the arms had been deposited under ground; but it was soon -discovered that the earth had not recently been disturbed, if ever; and -in the end it was ascertained, to the satisfaction of all, that the fellow -was a base impostor. General Schuyler returned to Caughnawaga that evening. -On the two following days upward of a hundred Tories were brought in from -different parts of the country. Colonel Herkimer was left in charge to -complete the disarming of the disaffected and receive the hostages, and -the General, with his miscellaneous army, marched back to Albany. In his -letters to Congress, and also to General Washington, he spoke of the -anxiety and trouble he had experienced in preventing so large a body of -men, collected on the sudden, without discipline, and withal greatly -exasperated, from running into excesses. In these efforts, however, he -succeeded much better than, under the circumstances, was reasonably to -have been anticipated. Before his return, Mr. Dean, the Indian -interpreter, was despatched by the General with a belt and a talk to the -Six Nations, which has not been preserved. Thus ended the expedition to -Johnstown. - -General Schuyler transmitted a full report of his proceedings to Congress, -by whom a special resolution was passed, thanking him for the fidelity, -prudence, and expedition with which he had performed such a meritorious -service. A second resolution was also adopted, so curiously constructed, -and containing such an ingeniously-inserted hint to the officers and -militia-men accompanying General Schuyler on this expedition, as to render -it worthy of preservation. It was in the words following:-- - -"_Resolved,_ That the cheerfulness and ready assistance of those who -accompanied General Schuyler in his march to the County of Tryon, and -their useful services in that expedition, discovered such a patriotic -spirit, that it is hoped none of them will allow their countrymen to -entertain a suspicion that any ignoble motive actuated them, by requiring -a pecuniary reward, especially when they were employed in suppressing -a mischief in their own neighborhood." - -The resolutions were enclosed to General Schuyler in a flattering letter -from President Hancock, in which, among other things, he says:--"It is -with great pleasure I inform you that the prudence, zeal, and temper, -manifested in your late expedition, met with the warmest approbation of -Congress." - -For some unexplained reason, Sir John Johnson did not observe the compact -of neutrality, nor the obligations of his parole. Or, if he kept himself -within the letter, his conduct was such as to re-awaken the suspicions of -the people, and was considered by General Schuyler a virtual violation of -the spirit of the parole he had given, to take no part against the -Colonies. In fact, the information received by General Schuyler convinced -him that Sir John was secretly instigating the Indians to hostilities, and -was thus likely to produce much mischief on the frontiers. To prevent such -a calamity, it was thought advisable by Schuyler to secure the person of -Sir John, and once more to quell the rising spirit of disaffection in the -neighborhood of Johnstown, especially among the Highlanders. For this -purpose, in the month of May following the events already narrated in the -present chapter, Colonel Dayton, with a part of his regiment then on its -way to Canada, was dispatched by General Schuyler to prosecute this -enterprise. [FN-1] There were, however, large numbers of loyalists in -Albany, with whom Sir John was then and subsequently in close -correspondence. It is therefore not surprising that he received timely -notice of these preparations for his second arrest, in anticipation of -Dayton's arrival. Such was the fact; and, hastily collecting a large -number of his tenants and others, disaffected toward the cause of the -Colonists, the Baronet was prepared for instant flight on the approach -of the Continentals. This purpose was successfully executed. Colonel -Dayton arrived at Johnstown in the evening, whereupon Sir John and his -retainers immediately took to the woods by the way of the Sacandaga. [FN-2] -Not knowing whether his royalist friends were in possession of Lake -Champlain or not, the fugitives dared not venture upon that route to -Montreal; and Sir John was accordingly obliged to strike deeper into the -forests between the head waters of the Hudson and the St. Lawrence. Having -but a brief period of preparation for their flight, the party was but -ill supplied for such a campaign. Their provisions were soon exhausted; -their feet became sore from traveling; and several of their number were -left from time to time in the wilderness, to be picked up and brought in -afterward by the Indians sent out for that purpose. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Sparks's Life and Writings of Washington Note in vol. iv. - p. 409--410. - - [FN-2] There is some reason to suppose that an expedition, led by the - Mohawk Indians, was sent from Montreal on purpose to bring Sir John away, - or rescue him from the espionage of the Americans. In one of Brant's - speeches, delivered long afterward, when rehearsing the exploits of the - Mohawks in the Revolutionary war, the following passage occurs:--"We - then went in a body to a town then in the possession of the enemy, and - rescued Sir John Johnson, bringing him fearlessly through the streets." - Brant, at the time of this rescue, as will presently be seen, was himself - in England--as also was Guy Johnson. - - -After nineteen days of severe hardship, the Baronet and his partisans -arrived at Montreal in a pitiable condition--having encountered all of -suffering that it seemed possible for man to endure. Such was the -precipitation of his departure from the parental hall, and such his -deficiency of the means of transportation, that an iron chest, containing -the most valuable of his family papers, was hastily buried in the garden. -The family Bible, containing the only record of the marriage of his father -and mother, and of course the only written evidence of his own legitimacy, -was also left behind. [FN-1] Such of the papers as were found, were -examined by Colonel Dayton, in compliance with his orders; "and Lady -Johnson was removed to Albany, where she was retained as a kind of hostage -for the peaceable conduct of her husband. She wrote to General Washington, -complaining of this detention, and asking his interference for her -release; but the Commander-in-Chief left the matter with General Schuyler -and the Albany Committee." [FN-2] Colonel Dayton was stationed several -weeks at Johnstown with his troops, and for the time being secured the -tranquility of the country. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] After the confiscation of the property of Sir John, the furniture - of the hall was sold by auction at Fort Hunter. The late Lieut. Governor - of New-York, John Taylor, purchased several articles of the furniture; - and among other things, the Bible mentioned in the text. Perceiving that - it contained the family record, which might be of great value to Sir - John, Mr. Taylor wrote a civil note to Sir John, offering its - restoration. Some time afterward, a messenger from the Baronet called - for the Bible, whose conduct was so rude as to give offence. "I have come - for Sir William's Bible," said he, "and there are the four guineas which - it cost." The Bible was delivered, and the runner was asked what message - Sir John had sent. The reply was--"Pay four guineas, and take the - book!"--_Letter of John Taylor Cooper (grandson of the Lt. Governor) to - the author._ - - [FN-2] Sparks. - - -Sir John was immediately commissioned a Colonel in the British service, -and raised a command of two battalions, composed of those who accompanied -him in his flight, and other American loyalists who subsequently followed -their example. They were called the Royal Greens. In the month of January -following, he found his way into New-York, then in possession of the -British forces. From that period he became not only one of the most -active, but one of the bitterest foes of his own countrymen of any who -were engaged in that contest--and repeatedly the scourge of his own former -neighbors. He was unquestionably a loyalist from principle, else he would -scarcely have hazarded, as he did, and ultimately lost, domains larger and -fairer than probably ever belonged to a single proprietor in America, -William Penn only excepted. But the immediate cause of his breaking his -pledge of honor is not known. Unexplained as it ever has been, the act -has always been regarded as a stain upon the Baronet's character. It was -held as such by the Provincial Congress of New-York, as will be seen by -the annexed extract from a letter addressed by that body to General -Washington immediately after his flight:--"We apprehend no doubt can -exist whether the affair of Sir John Johnson is within your immediate -cognizance. He held a commission as Brigadier-General of the militia, -and, it is said, another commission as Major-General. That he hath -shamefully broken his parole is evident, but whether it would be more -proper to have him returned or exchanged, is entirely in your Excellency's -prudence." His estates were, of course, confiscated by the Provincial -Congress of New-York, and in due time sold under the direction of the -Committee of that body having such matters in charge. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - - - History of Brant resumed--Advanced to the chieftaincy of the - Confederacy--Mode of appointing chiefs and sachems--Embarks for - England--Arrives in London--Received with marked consideration--Becomes - acquainted with James Boswell and others--Agrees to espouse the Royal - cause, and returns to America--Steals through the country to - Canada--Curious supposed letter to President Wheelock--Battle of the - Cedars--Cowardice of Major Butterfield--Outrages of the Indians--Story - of Capt. McKinstry, who was saved from the stake by Brant--Indignation - of Washington, the people, and Congress--Resolutions of - retaliation--Mutual complaints of treatment of prisoners--Murder of Gen. - Gordon--Indignation at the outrage--Indian deputation at - Philadelphia--Speech to them--Congress resolves upon the employment of - an Indian force--Schuyler opposed--Review of the incidents of the war - elsewhere--Destitution of the Army--Evacuation of Boston by the - English--Disastrous termination of the Canadian campaign--Deplorable - condition of the army--Humanity of Sir Guy Carleton--Glance at the - South--Declaration of Independence--Spirit of Tryon County--Cherry - Valley--Fortifications at Fort Stanwix--American army moves to - New-York--Arrival of the British fleet and army--Battle of - Long-Island--Washington evacuates New-York--Battle of White - Plains--Retreats across New-Jersey--Followed by Cornwallis--Defeat of - Arnold on Lake Champlain--Fall of Rhode Island--Battle of Trenton. - -The progress of events renders it necessary again to introduce the Indian -hero of the war of the Revolution more prominently upon the stage of -action. Thayendanegea had now been advanced to the situation of principal -war-chief of the confederacy [FN-1]--an officer, according to the ancient -usages of the Six Nations, uniformly taken from the Mohawks. [FN-2] How, or -in what manner. Brant arrived at that dignity, history does not inform us. -Hendrick, the last of the Mohawk chiefs who bore the royal title of King, -fell under Sir William Johnson at Lake George twenty years before. He was -succeeded by Little Abraham, whose name has frequently occurred in the -preceding pages, and who has been designated by some writers as the -brother of Hendrick. But whether such was the fact or not, no farther -mention of his name occurs in the history of the war. He was uniformly -friendly to the Colonists; and as he refused to leave the valley with -Thayendanegea and the majority of the nation who accompanied Guy Johnson -in his flight--preferring to remain with the tribe at the Lower Castle--it -is not improbable that Brant assumed the superior chieftaincy from the -force of circumstances. Sir William Johnson informs us, that the sachems -of each tribe of the Six Nations were usually chosen in a public assembly -of the chiefs and warriors, whenever a vacancy happened by death or -otherwise. They were selected from among the oldest warriors for their -sense and bravery, and approved of by all the tribe--after which they were -selected as sachems. Military services were the chief recommendations to -this rank; but in some instances a kind of inheritance in the office was -recognized. [FN-3] We have seen that Thayendanegea was descended from a -family of chiefs, and his birth may have contributed to his elevation. -His family and official connexion with the Johnsons, whose name continued -so potent with the Indians, likewise, without doubt, facilitated his -advancement. But Mr. Stewart, denying that the family of Thayendanegea was -remarkable for any preeminence in their village, represents his influence -to have been acquired by his uncommon talents and address as a counselor -and politician; by which means he subdued all opposition and jealousy, and -at length acquired such an ascendancy that, even in the hour of action and -danger, he was enabled to rule and direct his warriors as absolutely as -if he had been born their General. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] I am aware that the dignity of "Principal Chief" has been denied - to Captain Brant by several writers, and expressly by the Rev. Mr. - Stewart, who says he was not a war-chief by birth, and not so often in - command as has been supposed. It will be seen, however, toward the close - of this work, from the speech of a Seneca chief, that Thayendanegea was - the head chief of the confederacy--Mr. S. to the contrary notwithstanding. - - [FN-2] David Cusick's sketches of the Ancient History of the Six Nations. - Cusick was himself an Indian of the Tuscarora tribe. - - [FN-3] Letters of Sir William Johnson to Arthur Lee--vide London - Philosophical Transactions. - - -This inquiry, however, is of no great importance. The fact that he had -now become the chief sachem is unquestionable; and from this point of the -present history, Joseph Thayendanegea becomes one of the principal -personages engaged in its progress. He was ordinarily called by his other -name of Joseph Brant, or "Captain Brant"--the title of "Captain" being the -highest military distinction known to the Indians; and that, moreover, -being the military rank actually conferred upon him in the army of the -Crown. In much of his correspondence, when wishing to be formal and -writing to distinguished men, he was accustomed to write his name "Joseph -Brant--_Thayendanegea_;" the latter being his legitimate Indian name. - -It has been seen, in a preceding chapter, that Thayendanegea had -accompanied Guy Johnson from the Mohawk Valley, first, westwardly to -Ontario, thence back to Oswego, and thence to Montreal, where his -services, and those of his warriors, were courted by Generals Carleton -and Haldimand, and an agreement was speedily made that they were to take -up the hatchet in the cause of the King. For the prosecution of a border -warfare, the officers of the Crown could scarcely have engaged a more -valuable auxiliary. Distinguished alike for his address, his activity, and -his courage--possessing, in point of stature and symmetry of person, the -advantage of most men even among his own well-formed race--tall, erect, -and majestic, with the air and mien of one born to command,[FN-1]--having, -as it were, been a man of war from his boyhood,[FN-2]--his name was a -tower of strength among the warriors of the wilderness. Still more -extensive was his influence rendered, by the circumstance that he had been -much employed in the civil service of the Indian department, under Sir -William Johnson, by whom he was often deputed upon embassies among the -tribes of the confederacy, and to those yet more distant, upon the great -lakes and rivers of the north-west, by reason of which his knowledge of -the whole country and people was accurate and extensive. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of General P. B. Porter to the author. - - [FN-2] He was but thirteen years old when in the battle of Lake George. - - -Whether, after the compact with Sir Guy Carleton, the chief again visited -the Indian country of the Six Nations during the summer of 1775, is -unknown. Probably not; since, in the autumn of that year or early in the -following winter, he embarked on his first visit to England. What was the -precise object of this visit does not appear. It is very probable, -however, that, notwithstanding the agreement so hastily formed at -Montreal, the sagacious chieftain may have judged it prudent to pause, -before committing himself too far by overt acts of hostility against the -Colonies. The Oneidas were evidently inclining to espouse the Colonial -side of the controversy, if any; the River Indians had already ranged -themselves on the same side; Captain White-Eyes of the Delawares, had -determined upon neutrality; and the Caughnawagas, or at least some of -their leading chiefs, were in the camp with Washington. To all which may -be added the fact, that at that time the American arms were carrying every -thing before them in Canada. These circumstances were certainly enough to -make the chieftain hesitate as to the course dictated by true wisdom. His -predilections, doubtless, from the first, inclined him to espouse the -cause of the King. Nay, he maintained through life, that the ancient -covenants of his people rendered it obligatory upon him so to do. In -addition to which were the strong ties of blood, of association, and of -gratitude, by which he was bound to the family and the interests of the -Johnsons. Still, the brilliant successes with which the Americans had -opened the campaign in Canada presented another view of the case, which -was certainly entitled to grave consideration. Thus situated, the chief -may have found his position so embarrassing as to induce him to visit the -parent country, and go himself into the presence of "The Great King," as -the British monarch was styled by the Indians, before he should finally -determine whether actually to take the field or not. By making the voyage, -he would have the additional advantage of studying the resources and the -power of the parent country, and would thereby be the better able to -determine for himself whether success was likely to crown his Majesty's -arms in the end, or whether, by an over-scrupulous observance of an -ancient stipulation of alliance, he should not, with his people, be -rushing upon certain destruction. - -But whether he thus reasoned or not, it is certain that he sailed for -England toward the close of the year 1775, and reached London early in -1776, accompanied by Captain Tice, an officer of English extraction, born -in America, who had resided in the neighborhood of the Mohawk nation. - -Only a very brief account of this, his first visit to England, has been -found. [FN] It has always been said, however, that he was not only well -received, but that his society was courted by gentlemen of rank and -station--statesmen, scholars, and divines. He had little of the savage -ferocity of his people in his countenance; and when, as he ordinarily did, -he wore the European dress, there was nothing besides his color to mark -wherein he differed from other men. Upon his first arrival in the British -Capital, he was conducted to the inn called "_The Swan with two Necks._" -Other lodgings were soon provided for him, more suitable to his rank as -an Indian king; but he said the people of the inn had treated him with so -much kindness and civility, that he preferred remaining there during his -stay in London; and he accordingly did so. - - * * * * * - - [FN] London Magazine for July, 1776. - - -Although he was dressed in the European habit, he was not unprovided with -a splendid costume after the manner of his own nation, in which he -appeared at Court, and upon visits of state and ceremony. James Boswell -was at that period in his glory, and an intimacy appears to have been -contracted between him and the Mohawk chief, since the latter sat for his -picture at the request of this most interesting of egotists. He also sat, -during the same visit, to Romney, one of the most distinguished artists of -his day, for the Earl of Warwick. He was, of course, painted in his native -dress, and the picture was greatly prized. [FN] The tomahawk worn by him -in London, was a very beautiful article, polished to the highest degree; -upon which was engraved the first letter of his Christian name, with his -Mohawk appellation, thus:--"_J. Thayendanegea._" - - * * * * * - - [FN] The frontispiece of the present volume is from the last-mentioned - picture. - - {TN} {The aforementioned frontispiece is not included in this scanned - version of the book.} - - -He did not remain in England many months, but, in company with Captain -Tice, sailed on his return toward the close of March or early in -April, [FN-1] and arrived on the coast near the harbor of New-York after a -very short passage. Having fully determined to fulfill his stipulations -with General Carleton, and take up the hatchet in the cause of the Crown, -he was cautiously and privately landed somewhere in the neighborhood of -New-York, whence he performed a very hazardous journey to Canada--having, -of course, to steal his way through a hostile population, until he could -hide himself in the forests beyond Albany. He had taken the precaution, -however, in England, to provide evidence of the identity of his body in -case of disaster, or of his fall in any of the battles he anticipated, by -procuring a gold finger ring, with his name engraven thereon at -length. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The London Universal Magazine for July of 1776, states that he - embarked for America in May. But there must have been a mistake in the - date, since Brant, as will soon appear, was in the battle of the Cedars, - above Montreal, in that month. - - [FN-2] This ring he wore until his death. It was kept as a precious relic - by his widow for four years, when it was lost. Strange as it may seem, - however, during the last Summer, (1836,) the identical ring was found by - a little girl in a ploughed field near Wellington Square, while the - venerable Indian queen was on a visit to her daughter, the accomplished - lady of Colonel Kerr. The aged widow of the old chief was overjoyed at - once more possessing the memento, after it had been lost six and twenty - years. - - -What were the particular arguments addressed to the Mohawk in the British -capital, or by what process he became impressed with the idea that the -arms of the King would, in the end, be victorious in the Colonies, is not -known. It is certain, however, that whatever doubts he might have -entertained, were most effectually dispelled; since, on taking leave, it -was understood that he pledged himself heartily to embrace the Royal -cause, and promised to take the field with three thousand warriors of his -race. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] It appears that Colonel Guy Johnson must have visited England at the - same time, or nearly the same time, with Brant. Perhaps they went - together, although Johnson did not return so soon. General Washington - announced his arrival at Staten Island, from England, on the 6th of - August, 1776, in a letter written to the President of Congress on the - 8th. In Dunlap's History of the American Stage, Guy Johnson's name is - given, in 1778, as one of the managers of the old Theatre Royal, - John-street. The players were all amateurs, officers of the British army; - and the avails of their performances were appropriated for benevolent - purposes. The unfortunate Major Andre was one of the actors and the scene - painter. A drop-curtain, painted by him, was used many years after his - death. - - -It is no more than justice, however, to allow Captain Brant to speak for -himself, in regard to the principle by which he was governed in his -decision. In a letter written by him to Sir Evan Nepean, the Under -Secretary of State, when in England after the peace of 1783, he -said:--"When I joined the English in the beginning of the war, it was -purely on account of my forefathers' engagements with the King. I always -looked upon these engagements, or covenants between the King and the -Indian nations, as a sacred thing; therefore I was not to be frightened by -the threats of the rebels at that time; I assure you I had no other view -in it, and this was my real case from the beginning." - -By "threats" in this letter to the Under Secretary, Brant probably meant -no more than the efforts made by the Americans to prevent his joining the -Royal standard, and to preserve the neutrality of the Indians. In -connexion with these efforts, there is a scrap of unwritten history, -which, whether true or not, is characteristic of the shrewdness and dry -sarcastic humor of the chief. It is related, that during the early part of -the year 1775, while it was yet considered doubtful which side the Mohawks -would espouse, and when it was of course very desirable to ascertain the -views of Brant upon the subject, President Wheelock was applied to as a -medium of communication with his former pupil. The Doctor, according to -the tradition, wrote him a long epistle upon the aspect of the times, and -urged upon Brant those considerations which appeared most likely to win -him over, or rather to secure his neutrality, if not his friendship, to -the Colonists. Brant replied very ingeniously. Among other things, he -referred to his former residence with the Doctor--recalled the happy hours -he had passed under his roof--and referred especially to his prayers and -the family devotions, to which he had listened. He said he could never -forget those prayers; and one passage, in particular, was so often -repeated, that it could never be effaced from his mind. It was, among -other of his good preceptor's petitions, "that they might be able to live -as good _subjects_--to fear God, and honor the King." - -If doubt had existed among the Colonists before, as to the direction of -the channel in which ran his inclinations, there was surely none after -the perusal of this letter. But scenes of a more stirring character now -demand the attention. - -Toward the close of the memorable Canadian campaign,--so brilliantly -commenced, so successfully prosecuted for many months, and yet so -disastrously terminated,--while the shattered remains of the American -forces were retiring before the troops of Sir Guy Carleton, the former -experienced a sad disaster at "the Cedars," a point of land extending far -into the St. Lawrence, about forty miles above Montreal, which was -occupied by Colonel Bedell with three hundred and ninety Provincial troops -and two field-pieces. General Carleton directed a descent upon this post -from the British station at Oswegatchie, under the command of Captain -Forster, at the head of one company of regular troops and a body of -Indians numbering nearly six hundred. The latter were led by Thayendanegea. -On the appearance of the enemy before the American works, Colonel Bedell -repaired immediately to Montreal for assistance, leaving the Cedars in -charge of Major Butterfield. Colonel (afterward General) Arnold, who was -then in command of Montreal--not yet evacuated by the Americans--forthwith -detached Major Sherburne with one hundred men, to proceed to the Cedars, -and prepared to follow himself with a much larger force. Meantime, -however, Major Butterfield, who, it was believed, might have easily -defended the position, was intimidated by a threat from the enemy, that, -should the siege continue and any of the Indians be slain, in the event of -an eventual surrender it would be impossible for the British commander to -prevent a general massacre, and consented to a capitulation, by which the -whole garrison became prisoners of war. Major Sherburne approached on the -day following, without having received any information of the change of -circumstances until within four miles of the post, where, on the 20th of -May, he was attacked by the Indians, and after a sharp conflict compelled -to surrender at discretion. No sooner had Arnold received information of -these events, than he marched against the foe, then at Vaudreuil, at the -head of seven hundred men, with a view of chastising the enemy and -recovering the prisoners. "When preparing for an engagement, he received -a flag accompanied by Major Sherburne, giving him the most positive -assurances that if he persisted in his design, it would be entirely out -of the power of Captain Forster to prevent his savages from pursuing their -horrid customs, and disencumbering themselves of their prisoners by -putting every man to death. This massacre was already threatened, and -Major Sherburne confirmed the information. Under the influence of this -threat, Arnold desisted from his purpose, and consented to a cartel, by -which the prisoners were delivered up to him; he agreeing, among other -things, not only to deliver as many British soldiers in exchange for -them, but also that they should immediately return to their homes." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Marshall's Life of Washington. - - -This disaster, or, perhaps, more correctly speaking, the conduct of the -officers to whose cowardice it was imputed, was a source of deep -mortification to General Washington, and he gave utterance to his vexation -in several letters written soon afterward. Nor was Butterfield alone -blamed--Colonel Bedell being placed in the same category of -condemnation. [FN] The Commander-in-Chief was likewise incensed at the -conduct of Captain Forster, in resorting to deceptive and very -unjustifiable means, to procure hostages for ratifying a treaty of -exchange. - - * * * * * - - [FN] "If the accounts of Colonel Bedell's and Major Butterfield's conduct - be true, they have certainly acted a part deserving the most exemplary - notice. I hope you will take proper measures, and have good courts - appointed to bring them, and every other officer, that has been, or shall - be, guilty of misconduct, to trial; that they may be punished according - to their offences. Our misfortunes at the Cedars were occasioned, as it - is said, entirely by their base and cowardly behavior, and cannot be - ascribed to any other cause."--_Letter of Washington to General Schuyler, - June_ 10, 1776. - - -The name of Captain Brant is not mentioned in any of the books, -in connexion with these transactions at the Cedars. There is positive -evidence, however, that he was not only there, but that he exerted himself -efficiently after the surrender of Major Sherburne, to control the Indians -and prevent the massacre of the prisoners. Among these latter, was Captain -John McKinstry, [FN-1] who commanded a company on that occasion. From his -account of the battle, Major Sherburne fell into an ambuscade, and the -fighting was severe. Captain McKinstry's command was engaged sharply with -a body of Indians, before whom his troops were several times compelled to -retire. Rallying, however, with spirit, the Indians were repeatedly driven -back in turn; and the respective parties were thus successively driven by -each other, back and forth, according to the doubtful and varying fortunes -of the hour, until the Americans were overpowered by numbers, and -compelled to surrender; Captain McKinstry, being wounded, fell by the side -of a tree, and was there taken. He subsequently ascertained that he had -been marked as a victim by the Indians, who had actually made the usual -preparations for putting him to death by the torture of fire; and that he -was rescued by the personal exertions of Captain Brant, who, in connexion -with some humane English officers, made up a purse, and purchased an ox, -which the Indians roasted for their carousal instead of the gallant -prisoner. Captain McKinstry was treated with kindness while a prisoner, -and contracted an intimacy with Brant which continued until the -chieftain's death. Brant never visited the Hudson, after the Revolution, -without spending a few days with Colonel McKinstry at the Manor; [FN-2] -and at the time of his last visit, about the year 1805, in company with -his friend, who, like himself, was a member of the brotherhood, he -attended the Freemason's Lodge in the city of Hudson, where his presence -attracted great attention. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Late Colonel McKinstry, of Livingston's Manor. - - [FN-2] Letter to the author, from George McKinstry, Esq. of Claverack. - - -But to return. The conduct of Major Butterfield at the Cedars was likewise -severely denounced in Congress, and his capitulation pronounced by -resolution "a shameful surrender." Due credit was at the same time awarded -to Major Sherburne, for the bravery displayed by himself and his troops, -who only "surrendered at last on absolute necessity." Notwithstanding, -moreover, the interposition of Captain Brant to prevent a massacre, and -the rescue of Captain McKinstry, such outrages were reported to Congress -as to call forth a series of indignant resolutions upon the subject. In -the preamble to these resolutions, it was stated that, immediately after -the surrender, the prisoners were delivered over to the Indians; their -baggage plundered, their clothes taken from them, and several of their -number killed; and one of them, who had only been wounded, roasted alive. -From the circumstance that Captain McKinstry had been wounded, and -designated for the torture, though rescued, as we have already seen, by -Captain Brant, it is quite probable that Congress was misinformed as to -the actual consummation of such a purpose in the person of any prisoner. -Assuming the fact, however, the enemy's conduct was denounced in the -strongest terms--Congress asserting the right of demanding indemnification -for the wrongs inflicted upon the prisoners in their persons and property; -and in regard to the murder of prisoners by the Indians, requiring that -the authors of those murders be delivered into their hands for condign -punishment, as a condition precedent to an exchange of prisoners. In -regard to the torturing of prisoners, a resolution was also adopted, -denouncing, "as the sole means of stopping the progress of human -butchery," a retaliation of punishment, of the same kind and degree, to -be inflicted upon a like number of prisoners of the enemy, in every case -of outrage thereafter to occur. - -These resolutions were, in effect, a refusal to confirm the treaty for -the exchange of prisoners entered into by General Arnold, and were so -considered by the commanding officers in Canada. The consequence was, -the indulgence of much crimination and recrimination, on the part both -of the American and British commanders. Indeed, complaints of the cruel -treatment of the prisoners falling into their hands had been preferred -against the enemy several months before, particularly in the case of -Colonel Ethan Allen and his fellow-captives. Allen had been captured by -General Prescott, by whom, in addition to other indignities, he had been -heavily ironed, and sent like a common felon to England, Prescott was -afterward taken by the Americans and treated with considerable rigor, -in retaliation for the ill-usage of Allen. This produced a remonstrance -from General Howe, who, on being reminded of the case of Allen, disclaimed -any responsibility in regard to that transaction, inasmuch as it was an -occurrence in a district beyond the boundaries of his particular command. -The affair of the Cedars excited the strongest feelings of indignation, - not only in Congress and among the people, but in the army. "The inhuman -treatment of the whole, and murder of part, of our people, was certainly -a flagrant violation of that faith, which ought to beheld sacred by all -civilized nations, and was founded in the most savage barbarity." [FN-1] -Soon afterward the account was in part balanced, by a diabolical outrage -committed by an American scouting party in the neighborhood of St. John's. -It was the deliberate assassination, by the lieutenant at the head of the -party, of Brigadier-General Gordon of the British army. General Gordon -was riding alone, and in full uniform, from Laprairie to St. John's. The -lieutenant and his party were in ambush within the British lines, and as -the General passed, the former wantonly and barbarously shot him through -the body. Although the wound was mortal, the General rode on, and speedily -reached St. John's, where he expired. [FN-2] This painful incident aroused -as warm a burst of indignation among the British officers, as the affair -of the Cedars had done among the Americans. General Carleton availed -himself of the occurrence to issue a violent, though artful proclamation, -which was pronounced by Washington, in a letter to the President of -Congress, to be "highly unbecoming the character of a soldier and -gentleman." Although the prisoners were not exchanged, under the -arrangement made with Arnold, yet Carleton set the American captives at -liberty, on condition of their returning to their own homes, there to -remain as prisoners. Each of the prisoners was furnished with a copy of -his insidious proclamation. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, July 15, 1776. - - [FN-2] Note in vol. iv. of Sparks's Life and Correspondence of - Washington. - - -It was not supposed that any considerable numbers of the Indians of the -Six Nations participated in the battle of the Cedars, other than the -Mohawks and their kindred tribe, the Caughnawagas, or the Seven Nations -of Canada, as they chose to call themselves. Indeed, the Six Nations were -at that stage of the contest far from being unanimous in opposition to the -Colonies; and at the very time of these occurrences, a deputation from -four of the nations was at Philadelphia, on a peaceable mission to -Congress. The arrival of this deputation was announced to that assembly -on the 24th of May. On the 11th of June they were presented to the House, -preparatory to their departure, and addressed by the President as -follows:-- - -"Brothers: We hope the friendship that is between you and us will be firm, -and continue as long as the sun shall shine and the waters run, that we -and you may be as one people, and have but one heart, and be kind to one -another as brethren. - -"Brothers: The King of Great Britain, hearkening to the evil counsel of -some of his foolish young men, is angry with us, because we will not let -him take away from us our land, and all that we have, and give it to them; -and because we will not do every thing that he bids us; and hath hindered -his people from bringing goods to us, but we have made provision for -getting such a quantity of them, that we hope we shall be able to supply -your wants as formerly. - -"Brothers: We shall order all our warriors and young men not to hurt you -or any of your kindred; and we hope you will not suffer any of your young -men to join with our enemies, or to do any wrong to us, that nothing may -happen to make any quarrel between us. - -"Brothers: We desire you to accept a few necessaries, which we present -you with, as tokens of our good-will toward you." - -The presents having been delivered, the Indian deputies expressed a desire -to give a name to the President of Congress. Permission for that purpose -having been granted, a chief of the Onondagas arose, and saluted the -President by the name of Ka-ran-dua-an, or the _Great Tree_; by which name -John Hancock was afterward known among the Six Nations. - -Although it would appear upon the surface of these resolutions, that -Congress was yet persevering in the humane policy of keeping the Indians -in a state of neutrality, yet candor and truth require a different record. -Much as sound moralists had condemned the employment of this species of -force in civilized warfare, and strongly as Congress had exerted its -influence the preceding year to prevent the Indians from taking the field -in behalf of either of the combatants, that policy was abandoned. On the -25th of May, 1776, the Congress resolved "that it was highly expedient to -engage the Indians in the service of the United Colonies;" and they -empowered the Commander-in-Chief to employ, in Canada and elsewhere, a -number not exceeding two thousand, offering them "a reward of one hundred -dollars for every commissioned officer, and thirty dollars for every -private soldier of the King's troops, that they should take prisoner in -the Indian country, or on the frontiers of these Colonies." The Congress -also authorized General Washington to employ the Indians of Penobscot, -St. John's, and Nova Scotia, who had proffered their services, and were -to receive the same pay as the Continental soldiers. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Sparks's Life and Cor. of Washington, vol. iv, Appendix. [Mr. - Sparks seems to have fallen into an error as to the immediate motive of - Congress in changing its Indian policy at this time. He leaves his - readers to infer, that the measure was one of retaliation for the conduct - of the British and Indians at the Cedars. But such could not have been - the fact. The battle of the Cedars was fought on the 20th of May, and - these resolutions were passed on the 25th--before the news, in those - days, could possibly have reached Philadelphia.] - - -Whether any of those Eastern Indians were ever actually engaged in the -American service, is not known. In regard to the employment of the -Northern Indians, Washington forthwith entered into a correspondence with -General Schuyler upon the subject, and pressed him to carry the -resolutions into effect. The latter, however, was averse to the -measure--as much so as at the first. He disliked to employ such a force -under any circumstances, contending that they were too fickle and -uncertain to allow any well-founded reliance to be placed upon them at -the moment of emergency. At that particular conjuncture, especially when -our troops, broken and dispersed, were flying like fugitives from Canada, -he thought the chances of obtaining Indian auxiliaries exceedingly -slender; and as to the number prescribed, (two thousand,) the General -intimated in one of his letters to the Commander-in-Chief, that it would -have been well if Congress had condescended to inform him where so many -Indian warriors, not already in the service of the enemy, were to be -found. In short, General Schuyler's opinion was correct from the -beginning, that the Colonies could expect no essential aid from the -Indians; and whatever aid they might receive, would be sure to cost more -than it would come to. So the event proved. But, although the British -profited most by the employment of the Indians, they are not alone to -blame for using them. So far, certainly, as principle and intention are -concerned, the Americans are equitably entitled to a due share of the -censure. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Sparks. - - -In recurring to coincident events transpiring in other parts of the -country, it must be remarked, that the Commander-in-Chief was often placed -in circumstances not the most promising. On his first arrival at the camp -before Boston, the preceding year, he had found only "the materials for -a good army"--not the organized army itself. The troops were mostly -undisciplined; and having taken arms to fight for liberty, it was no easy -matter to bring them into those habits of subordination, which necessarily -render a soldier a mere machine to be moved at the will of his commander. -The first object of General Washington, therefore, was to bring the troops -into a state of discipline. But another difficulty presented itself in the -fact, that, owing to the short periods of enlistment, the times of service -of the greater portion of the army were to expire in November and -December. To which was added the embarrassing discovery, that all the -powder at his command was barely sufficient to supply nine rounds of -cartridges per man. There was, moreover, a general want of camp equipage -and clothing, and indeed of every thing necessary alike to the comfort -and the efficiency of an army. But Heaven, in its mercy, seemed to have -devolved the command upon the man of all others best calculated to meet -the emergency and overcome it. His destitution of ammunition was artfully -and effectually concealed from the enemy; and although, on the discharge -of those of his troops who would not re-enlist, at the close of December, -(1775,) he had no more than 9650 men left, he yet contrived to sustain -himself and keep the enemy beleaguered in Boston during the whole winter. -"It is not in the pages of history, perhaps," he wrote to Congress, "to -furnish a case like ours. To maintain a post within musket shot of the -enemy for six months together, without _amunition_, and at the same time -to disband one army and recruit another, within that distance of twenty -odd British regiments, is more, probably, than was ever attempted." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Holmes's Annals. - - -The Continental Congress had been induced by the influence of the -Commander-in-chief to resolve upon the raising of an army of 75,000 men, -to be enlisted for the term of three years, or during the war. It was not -until January, however, that they could be induced to offer bounties for -enlistments; and even then the ranks were not rapidly filled. At the -close of February, the whole effective force of the Americans was no more -than 14,000 men, exclusive of 6000 of the Massachusetts militia. An -assault upon Boston had been meditated in February by General Washington; -but the opinion of his principal officers, as expressed in a council of -war, being strongly against such a movement, the enterprize was -reluctantly abandoned. Wearied by inaction, the next project of the -American commander was to take possession of Dorchester Heights--a -position commanding the town of Boston, the occupation of which would -compel General Howe either to attempt its dispossession by the Americans, -or to evacuate the town. The enterprize was so well planned, as to be -executed by General Thomas with complete and brilliant success, on the -night of the 4th of March. Having diverted the attention of the enemy by -a bombardment of his lines in another direction, the movement was -unperceived. The weather being mild, the American troops were enabled to -labor with energy in throwing up defences, which, on the following -morning, struck the General of the British army with astonishment, from -their sudden appearance and their magnitude. A heavy atmosphere -contributed to magnify the height of the works, and increase the wonder -of the foe. Sir William Howe made immediate preparations to drive the -Americans from their new, and, to him, dangerous position; for which -purpose two thousand choice troops were embarked to cross over the same -evening; but a severe tempest frustrated his design. On the following -morning General Howe convened a council of war, at which it was resolved -to evacuate the town as soon as possible. This determination was carried -into execution on the 17th, by the embarkation of the whole British army, -and the sailing of the fleet--first to Halifax--but ultimately, as the -event proved, for New-York. On the same day General Washington entered -Boston in triumph, and was hailed by the universal acclaim of the people -as their deliverer. Thus was the town which first raised the standard of -rebellion, the first to rejoice at the final retreat of its oppressors. -Nor was it the fortune of the invaders ever to set foot there again. - -In the North, the operations of the Provincial army had been far less -propitious. The conquest of Canada was a favorite project with Congress, -and every possible effort within the slender means of the Colonies was -made to that end. But the fall of Montgomery had thrown a gloom over the -enterprise which was never dissipated. Colonel, now General Arnold, had -maintained himself before Quebec during the winter, and until late in the -spring, with but a handful of men--numbering, at one time, not more than -five hundred effectives. But the reinforcements were slow in arriving; -the Canadians, from a variety of causes--the principal of which, beyond -doubt, was bad treatment from an undisciplined soldiery--became less -friendly to the Americans than at first, notwithstanding the mission of -Messrs. Franklin, Chase, and Carroll, accompanied by a Catholic priest, -to conciliate them; and on the arrival of General Wooster at his quarters, -about the 1st of April, Arnold obtained leave of absence, and took the -command at Montreal. General Thomas, who had been assigned to the command -of the army in Canada, after the exploit of Gloucester Heights, arrived -before Quebec on the 1st of May, where he found an army of nineteen -hundred men, less than one thousand of whom were effective, and three -hundred of these, being entitled to their discharge, refused to perform -duty. They had but one hundred and fifty barrels of powder, and six days' -provisions. Well knowing that with the opening of the navigation. Sir -Guy Carleton's expected reinforcements would arrive, the circumstances -in which he was placed were altogether so unpromising, that General -Thomas, with the concurrence of a council of war, determined to raise the -siege on the 5th of May, and assume a more eligible position farther up -the river. It was the intention of the American commander to remove the -sick to Three Rivers; but on the 6th, before the arrangements for -retreating were all concerted, a British fleet, with reinforcements, -arrived. General Carleton immediately made a sortie at the head of one -thousand men; to oppose whom, General Thomas had not more than three -hundred available troops. No other course remained, therefore, but a -precipitate retreat for all who could get away--leaving the sick and the -military stores to the enemy. General Thomas led his little band back to -the mouth of the Sorel, where he was seized with the small-pox, and died. -Large reinforcements joined the fugitive army at that place, under General -Sullivan. Before General Carleton moved from Quebec, an expedition was -undertaken from Sorel to the Three Rivers, against General Frasier, under -the direction of General Thompson and Colonel St. Clair. It was -unsuccessful; from which time disaster followed disaster, until, owing -to the combined causes of defeat, sickness, and insubordination, the -Americans found themselves, on the 18th of June, driven entirely out of -Canada; the British army following so closely upon their heels, as -immediately to occupy the different posts as they were successively -evacuated. - -The Americans, however, still retained the control of Lake Champlain, and -occupied the fortifications upon its shores, the command of which had now -been assigned by Congress to General Gates, with great and manifest -injustice toward General Schuyler, [FN-1] Gates at first established his -head-quarters at Crown Point, but soon afterward withdrew his forces from -that post, and fell back upon Ticonderoga. This step was taken by the -advice and concurrence of a board of general officers, but contrary to the -wishes of the field officers. The Commander-in-chief was exceedingly -dissatisfied with this movement of Gates, believing that the -relinquishment of that post, in its consequences, would be equivalent to -an abandonment of Lakes George and Champlain, and all the advantages to -be derived therefrom. [FN-2] In reply to the concern that had been -expressed by Washington on the occasion. General Gates contended that -Crown Point was untenable with the forces then under his command, nor -could it be successfully defended even with the aid of the expected -reinforcements. These reinforcements, moreover, the General added, could -not be allowed to approach nearer to Crown Point than Skenesborough, -since "it would be only heaping one hospital upon another." [FN-3] The -annals of disastrous war scarce present a more deplorable picture than -that exhibited by the Americans escaping from Canada. In addition to the -small pox, the army had been afflicted by other diseases, generated by -exposure, destitution, and laxity of discipline. Fleets of boats came up -the lake, freighted with the sick and dying; and even those reported from -day to day fit for duty, presented but the appearance of a haggard -skeleton of an army. "Every thing about this army," said General Gates -in the letter already cited, "is infected with the pestilence; the -clothes, the blankets, the air, and the ground they walk upon. To put -this evil from us, a general hospital is established at Fort George, [FN-4] -where there are now between two and three thousand sick, and where every -infected person is immediately sent. But this care and caution have not -effectually destroyed the disease here; it is, notwithstanding, -continually breaking out." [FN-5] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The appointment of Gates to the command of this department, was - from the first unacceptable to the officers of New-York, nor was his own - course very conciliatory toward them. In the course of the present - Summer, it was reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Gansevoort, a brave and - deservedly popular officer, belonging to the regiment of Colonel Van - Schaick, and then in command of Fort George at the head of the lake of - that name, that the General had spoken disrespectfully of that regiment, - and also of the regiments of Colonels Wynkoop and Fisher. His letters to - Col. Gansevoort were unnecessarily harsh and pragmatical, so much so as - justly to give offence. Irritated by such treatment, Gansevoort wrote a - spirited letter to Gates, referring to several matters in which he had - been aggrieved by the letters and conversation of that officer. He - requested a Court of Inquiry, and avowed his determination, with the - leave of Gen. Schuyler, to relinquish the command of the post.--_MS. - letters of Gates and Col. Gansevoort in the author's possession._ - - [FN-2] Letter of Washington to Gen. Gates, July 19, 1776. - - [FN-3] Letter of Gen. Gates to Washington in reply, July 28. The small - pox, which had been so fatal to the troops in Canada, had now broken out - at Crown Point and Ticonderoga--the pestilence having been purposely - introduced by a villain calling himself Doctor Barker. This fact is - stated in a letter from the Adjutant-General of the Northern Department - to Colonel Gansevoort, dated from Ticonderoga, July 24. "The villain," - says the letter, "by private inoculations in the army, has caused, in - a great degree, the misery to which we are reduced by that infectious - disorder." Barker was arrested, and sent to Albany.--_MS. letter of - Colonel Trumbull to Col. Gansevoort._ - - [FN-4] At the head of Lake George. - - [FN-5] Sparks. - - -Such was the deplorable condition in which an army, so recently -victorious, had been driven back from what was in fact a conquered -country, lost entirely through mismanagement, and the want of an army upon -the basis of permanent enlistment. Added to which, was another difficulty -lying beneath the surface. Many prisoners had fallen into the hands of the -enemy at Quebec and during the subsequent retreat. Toward all these, the -conduct of Sir Guy Carleton had been most politic. They had been treated -with the greatest care and humanity, and so much of the subtle poison -of flattery, mingled with kindness, had been poured into their ears, that -their return on parole, which was presently allowed by the British -commander, was regarded with apprehension. [FN-1] On one occasion, a large -number of prisoners arriving at Crown Point from St. John's, in a vessel -provided by Sir Guy Carleton, were visited, before landing, by Colonel -John Trumbull, the Adjutant-General for the Northern Department. From the -feelings they manifested, and the tenor of their conversation, Colonel -Trumbull saw at once that it would not be prudent to allow them to land, -or hold the least intercourse with the suffering troops of the garrison. -He immediately reported the fact to the General, and advised that the said -prisoners should be sent directly forward to Skenesborough, and despatched -to their respective homes, without allowing them to mingle with the -troops at that place. The suggestion was adopted. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] "Although General Carleton had acquiesced in the harsh treatment - of Ethan Allen, yet the prisoners who fell into his hands met with usage - in every respect as good as that of the British soldiers, except in the - necessary restraints of confinement. This was declared in a letter to - Washington from Major Meigs, when he returned on his parole the Summer - following. The soldiers were confined in the Jesuits' College, and the - officers in the Seminary. The latter, after the siege was raised, had - permission to walk in a large garden adjoining their quarters. Major - Meigs left three hundred prisoners in Quebec about the middle of May. - When they were released for exchange, General Carleton supplied them with - articles of clothing, in which they were deficient. It was said, that - when some of his officers spoke to him of this act, as an unusual degree - of lenity toward prisoners of war, he replied,--'Since we have tried in - vain to make them acknowledge us as brothers, let us at least send them - away disposed to regard us as first cousins.' Having been informed that - many persons suffering from wounds and various disorders were concealed - in the woods and obscure places, fearing that if they appeared openly - they would be seized as prisoners and severely treated; he issued a - proclamation commanding the militia officers to search for such persons, - bring them to the general hospital, and procure for them all necessary - relief at the public charge. He also invited all such persons to come - forward voluntarily, and receive the assistance they needed; assuring - them, 'that as soon as their health should be restored, they should have - free liberty to return to their respective provinces.'"--_Sparks,_ - - [FN-2] Conversations of the author with the venerable Colonel Trumbull, - while these pages were under revision. - - -Nor were the difficulties enumerated, all which the officers had to -encounter. The spirit of disaffection was far more extensive than those -who are left to contemplate the scenes through which their fathers passed, -and the discouragements against which they were compelled to struggle, -have been wont to suppose. The burden of many of General Schuyler's -letters, and also the letters of other officers, during the whole of this -season, was the frequency of desertions to the ranks of the enemy. - -Glancing for a moment at the situation of affairs at the south, the gloom -of the picture is somewhat relieved. The expedition of General Clinton -and Sir Peter Parker, for the reduction of Charleston, had signally -failed. The defence of the fort bearing his own name, by Colonel Moultrie, -was one of the most gallant exploits of the whole contest, and served to -lighten the despondency that had been produced by the disasters we have -been sketching at the north. It was at this place that the celebrated -Sergeant Jasper signalized himself, when the flag-staff was shot away, by -leaping from the parapet of the fort upon the beach, seizing the flag, -and, amid the incessant firing of the fleet, mounting, and again placing -it on the rampart. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Garden's Anecdotes of the American Revolution. - - -But the grand event of the year, the transactions of which are now under -review, was the Declaration of Independence, a motion for which was -submitted in Congress by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, on the 7th of -June, and the Declaration itself solemnly adopted on the 4th of July. -This measure at once cut off all hope of reconciliation with the parent -country, and all prospect of a termination of the war, unless by the -complete triumph in arms of one party or the other. Such a declaration -was an event not originally anticipated, even if desired, by the mass of -the people; although it had unquestionably, and from the first, entered -into the calculations of the daring master spirits of the movement in -Boston. It had furthermore been greatly accelerated by the conduct of the -British government itself, during the preceding session of Parliament, -by act of which the Americans had been declared out of the Royal -protection; so widely mistaken had been the Congress of the preceding -year, which had adjourned with strong hopes that the differences between -the two countries would soon be adjusted to their mutual satisfaction. [FN] -At the same time the parent government was putting forth its utmost -energies to crush the Colonies at a blow. For this purpose, 25,000 British -troops were to be employed, in addition to 17,000 German mercenaries -_purchased_ from the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, the Duke of Brunswick, and -the Count of Hanaa. These troops, together with the Canadian recruits, -the American loyalists, and the Indians, it was intended should constitute -an invading force of 55,000 men. With such preparations in prospect -against them, it was no time for inactivity on the part of the Colonists; -and having by the Declaration thrown away the scabbard of the sword that -had been drawn fifteen months before, there was no alternative but -resistance to the end. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Marshall's Life of Washington, Vol. i, Chap. iv. - - -Recurring, for a brief space, to the history proper of the Mohawk Valley, -it may be assumed, in behalf of its patriotic population, that the new -attitude of the country was neither unexpected nor unwelcome. On the -contrary, having been among the earliest to propose a separation, the -great act of the 4th of July was nowhere more cordially received than by -the Whigs of Tryon County. Nor did they falter in their purposes of -sustaining the cause in which the country had embarked, amid all the -disasters of the early part of the season or those that followed. In -their own section of country, however, the flight of Sir John Johnson and -his retainers was the only important incident occurring during that -memorable year. Still, there was no relaxation of vigilance, or of -preparation for the worst, should the storm of war, so long muttering in -the distance, actually break upon those settlements. The frontiers were -at all times liable to the sudden irruptions of savages, and it was -necessary to keep scouting parties continually upon the alert. Cherry -Valley being the principal settlement south of the Mohawk, and lying -directly in the line of communication between the Mohawk Castles and the -Indian post at Oghkwaga, [FN-1] was particularly exposed. Early in the -present Summer, therefore, a company of rangers was organized under the -command of Captain Robert McKean. The public service requiring the -Captain and his little corps elsewhere, the inhabitants strongly -remonstrated with the Committee of Safety against the removal of that -corps, but without effect. They next addressed themselves to the -Provincial Congress of New-York, and by a forcible and eloquent appeal, -obtained another company of rangers to be stationed among them under the -command of Captain Winn. [FN-2] These papers were written with ability, -and with the energy of men in earnest. They had even then received, -through their missionaries, intimations that Sir John Johnson and Colonel -John Butler were instigating the Indians to make a descent upon them; and -already were the scattered settlers in other and newer locations coming -in to Cherry Valley for protection. Apprehending, also, sudden irruptions -of scalping parties, the aged, and such as from other causes were exempt -from military service, now organized themselves into a company for the -protection of the settlement. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] As with most other Indian names, there is difficulty respecting - the correct orthography of this place. It is spelt _Oquaga, Oghquaga,_ - and sometimes _Oneaquaga._ Brant and John Norton, however, were wont to - spell it _Oghkwaga._ I have adopted the latter method, as supported by - the best authorities.--_Author._ - - [FN-2] The names of the Cherry Valley Committee who took the lead in - these matters, were, John Moore, Samuel Clyde, Samuel Campbell, Samuel - Dunlop, James Scott, Robert Wells, James Richey, and James Moore. - - -In the course of the season General Schuyler was directed by Congress to -cause Fort Stanwix to be strengthened, and other fortifications to be -erected at proper places along the Mohawk river. Colonels Van Schaick -and Dayton had previously been stationed in Tryon County with detachments -of regular troops--the former at Johnstown and the latter at German -Flats. Upon Colonel Dayton was imposed the duty of carrying forward the -works at Fort Stanwix, for which purpose the Tryon County militia were -ordered to his assistance. The site of that military defence had early -been improved, as one of the most important inland posts of the Colonies. -It was originally built early in 1758, during the French war of 1755--61, -by General Stanwix, for the purpose of commanding the carrying-place -between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, leading into the Oneida Lake, -and thence into Lake Ontario, by the Oswego river. [FN-1] There were -several other fortifications at different points of the narrow strip of -land between the two streams already mentioned, such as Fort Bull and -Fort Newport; the former commanding the Creek, about three miles distant. -These were strong redoubts; but Fort Stanwix was comparatively a -formidable work, having its bomb-proofs, its sallyport, and a covered way -to the spring brook. Altogether these works formed an ample defence of the -key from Upper Canada to the Mohawk Valley, and were likewise of signal -service for the protection they afforded to the Indian trade. But, -although the principal fortress had been erected at the great -expense--enormous in those times--of 266,400 dollars, yet the commencement -of the war of the Revolution found the whole in ruins. Colonel Dayton -appears to have made but little progress in re-building the fort, since -it will be found that other officers had the works in charge early in the -following year, and they were far from complete when subsequently invested -by the motley forces of General St. Leger. Colonel Dayton, however, -thought proper to change its name in honor of the General commanding the -Northern department, and it was subsequently known as Fort Schuyler during -the residue of the war. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The reconstruction of this work was early pointed out, and - strongly urged upon General Schuyler, by Washington. - - [FN-2] There was another Fort Schuyler, built on the present site of - Utica during the old French war, and named thus in honor of Colonel - Schuyler, an uncle of General Philip Schuyler of the Revolution. The two - are often confounded in history, and the change in the name of Fort - Stanwix was alike unnecessary and unwise. - - -A rapid glance at the other warlike events of the season will close the -history of the year. Anticipating, on the evacuation of Boston by General -Howe, that his next point of attack would be New-York, General Lee was -detached by the Commander-in-chief with a portion of the army, to put -Long Island and the harbor of New-York in a posture of defence. Washington -followed soon afterward himself, and established his head-quarters in the -city. Having been joined by his brother, Lord Howe, as commander of the -fleet at Halifax, General, afterward Sir William Howe, with his -reinforcements, arrived off Sandy Hook--the latter on the 25th of June -and the former on the 12th of July. General Clinton arriving at about the -same time from the unsuccessful enterprise against Charleston, with -Admiral Hotham, the combined forces of the enemy now amounted to about -24,000 men, including the Hessians. - -Lord and Sir William Howe were clothed with powers, as Commissioners, to -treat with the Colonies for a reconciliation. Their pacific errand was -proclaimed before hostilities were recommenced, and promises of pardon -were proffered to all who would avail themselves of the Royal clemency, -and return to their allegiance and duty. Their proposals, however, were -considered too exceptionable, both in matter and form, to receive the -least attention. - -On the 22d of August the British army was landed upon Long Island, at -Gravesend. The American army at this time consisting of 15,000 men, under -General Sullivan, was encamped in the neighborhood of Brooklyn. The battle -of Long Island, which was severely, though ineffectually, contested by -the American forces under Sullivan and Lord Stirling, was fought on the -27th of August. In this action, the loss of the enemy was differently -reported at from 300 to 450. The loss of the Americans was far more -considerable. General Washington admitted it to be 1000, but is believed -only to have referred to the loss of the regular troops. General Howe -claimed 1097 prisoners, among whom were Generals Sullivan, Stirling, -and Woodhull. On the 30th, the Americans effected a masterly retreat -across the East river to New-York. [FN-1] The enemy made immediate -dispositions for attacking New-York; and so prompt and skillful were his -movements, that, in a council of general officers, an evacuation forthwith -was deemed the only means of saving the army. The British fleet was -divided into two squadrons, one of which entered the East and the other -the North river. Under cover of the former, Sir Henry Clinton crossed from -Long Island, and landed at Kipp's Bay, with such celerity that the -Americans fled in disorder. Indeed, the evacuation resembled rather a -flight than a retreat; all the heavy artillery, military stores, baggage, -and provisions, falling into the hands of the enemy. A large portion of -the American forces, at that time, consisted of militia, the conduct of -which was scandalous beyond endurance. They deserted, not only in small -numbers, but in companies and squadrons, whenever they could; and their -conduct in the face of the enemy, or rather when running from the faces -of the enemy, was most cowardly. So disorderly was their demeanor, and so -like poltroons did they behave when flying from Sir Henry Clinton, that -even Washington himself lost his patience, and was excited to a degree of -hot exasperation. In writing from Harlem Heights to a friend. General -Greene said that two brigades of militia ran away from about fifty men, -leaving the Commander-in-chief on the ground within eighty yards of the -enemy, so vexed with the conduct of his troops, that he sought death -rather than life. [FN-2] His attempts to stop them were fruitless. He drew -his sword, and threatened to run them through, and cocked and snapped his -pistols. [FN-3] But all his exertions were to no purpose. In a letter upon -the subject of this infamous conduct of the militia, to the President of -Congress, the Commander-in-chief declared that, were he called to give -his opinion upon oath, he should say that the militia did more injury to -the service than good. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] During the operations upon Long Island and New-York, Captain - Brant contrived to pass from Canada and join the King's forces. He was - with Governor Tryon at Flatbush. The late Mr. John Watts, a - brother-in-law of Sir John Johnson, used to speak of taking a walk with - Gov. Tryon, Colonel Asgill, and Brant, through an orchard in that - village. During their stroll, Brant plucked a crude crab-apple from a - tree, which, on tasting it, he threw away--screwing his face, and - exclaiming;--"It's as bitter as a Presbyterian!" - - [FN-2] Sparks. - - [FN-3] Gordon. - - -General Greene had strongly urged the destruction of the city by fire--a -measure afterward so effectively adopted by Count Rostopchin, Governor of -the ancient capital of Muscovy, to arrest the career of Napoleon--that -the enemy might be deprived of the advantage of establishing their -winter-quarters therein. His reasons for this measure were sound, and it -ought, doubtless, to have been adopted. Washington was believed to be of -the same opinion, especially as two thirds of the property which it was -proposed to destroy, belonged to undisguised loyalists. But Congress would -not allow the sacrifice; [FN-1] and, on the 15th of September, the city was -in full possession of the enemy--General Washington having retired with -the army to Kingsbridge. From the superiority in numbers and discipline -of the British and German troops, the Americans were unable to meet them -in the field, and the policy of evacuating and retreating was adopted. A -succession of movements, manoeuvres, and engagements, followed in -Westchester, terminating, for the moment, in the drawn battle of White -Plains on the 18th of October. [FN-2] Washington then divided his army, -and crossed into New Jersey with a portion, leaving 7500 troops at North -Castle, under General Lee. The next disaster to the American arms was the -fall of Fort Washington, on the 16th of November, after a brave defence -by Colonel Magaw, notwithstanding the refusal of a portion of his troops -to man the lines. [FN-3] That fortress was attacked with great gallantry -at four points, led by Generals Knyphausen, Matthews, Cornwallis, and Lord -Percy. The regiment of Colonel Rawlings, on that occasion, behaved with -great spirit; nor would Colonel Magaw have given up the post but for the -conduct of the disaffected. [FN-4] After the fall of Fort Washington, Lord -Cornwallis crossed into New Jersey with 6000 men, for the purpose of -attacking Fort Lee, of which General Lee was then in command. But the -means of this skillful officer were not adequate to the defence of the -post against a force of such unequal strength; the people of New Jersey -were at that time intent rather to make terms with the enemy, than to -afford efficient assistance; [FN-5] and the garrison was saved by an -evacuation. General Washington had taken post at Newark; but the fall of -Forts Washington and Lee, together with the diminution of his own strength -by the expiration of the term of service of his men, obliged him to -retreat rapidly across New Jersey to the other side of the Delaware, -followed so closely by Lord Cornwallis, that the van of the pursuers was -often engaged with the rear of the pursued. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Washington's letter to the President of Congress, and also a - letter from Gen. Greene.--Vide Sparks. - - [FN-2] The Stockbridge Indians were engaged with the Americans in this - battle. They fought bravely, and suffered severely. - - [FN-3] Letter of Washington to his brother, John Augustine Washington, - dated from Hackensack, Nov. 19, 1776. - - [FN-4] Idem. - - [FN-5] "The conduct of the Jerseys has been most infamous. Instead of - turning out to defend their country and affording aid to our army, they - are making their submissions as fast as they can. If the Jerseys had - given us any support, we might have made a stand at Hackensack, and after - that at Brunswick; but the few militia that were in arms disbanded - themselves, and left the poor remains of an army to make the best we - could of it."--_Letter of Washington to his brother, John Augustine - Washington, Nov. 18, 1776._ - -In addition to this succession of disasters, Sir Guy Carleton had appeared -upon Lake Champlain with a flotilla, superior to that of the Americans -under General Arnold, and which seemed to have been called into existence -as if by enchantment. Two naval engagements followed, on the 11th and -13th of October, contested with undaunted bravery, [FN-1] but resulting -in the defeat of Arnold, the annihilation of his flotilla, and the -possession of the Lake and Crown Point by the foe. Early in December -Rhode Island also fell into his hands. The forces of the -Commander-in-chief at the same time numbered only from two to three -thousand men; and scarcely a new recruit supplied the places of those -whose terms of service were expiring. And even those recruits that were -furnished, were so badly supplied with officers, as almost to extinguish -the hope of forming an army from which any efficient services were to be -expected. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Gen. Gates wrote to Col. Ten Eyck, from Ticonderoga, on the 13th - of October--"The engagement began on the 11th, and continues to this day. - The enemy's fleet is much superior to ours, and we maintain a running - fight. All our officers behave with the greatest spirit."--_MS. letter - in the author's possession._ - - [FN-2] "The different States, without regard to the qualifications of - an officer, quarreling about the appointments, and nominating such as - are not fit to be shoe-blacks, from the local attachments of this or - that member of Assembly."--_Letter from Washington to his brother, 19th - November, 1776._ - - -Worse than all, a spirit of disaffection was rife in the States of -New-York and New Jersey, which not only thwarted the purposes of the -Commander-in-chief, but threatened the most lamentable consequences to -the cause. Although there were many stanch Whigs in Albany and its -vicinity, there were many vigilant loyalists in that region, who -continued to keep in correspondence with the enemy during nearly the -whole contest. In the Summer of this year. General Schuyler had detected -a dangerous plot in the neighborhood of Albany, and apprehended some of -the ringleaders. During the operations of the army in the Autumn, in -New-York and its neighborhood, it was only with the utmost difficulty -that large portions of the fluctuating army could be kept in the line of -duty, while other large portions either went off in masses, or proved -unfaithful while they remained. The conduct of the militia at Fort -Washington, has been noted. General Greene wrote on the 5th of November, -that the New-York militia, under Colonel Hawkes Hay, actually refused to -do duty. They said General Howe had promised them peace, liberty, and -safety; and that was all they wanted. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Sparks--Life and Cor. of Washington. - - -These are but a few of the discouragements under which the -Commander-in-chief was laboring. To borrow his own expressive language -in the private letter to his brother cited in a preceding note, "You -can form no idea of the perplexity of my situation. No man, I believe, -ever had a greater choice of difficulties, and less means to extricate -himself from them." Nevertheless, the last sun of that year did not sink -behind so deep a cloud of gloom as had been anticipated. In the north, -General Carleton, who had occupied Crown Point after the defeat of -Arnold's flotilla, had returned to Canada without attempting any thing -farther; and before the close of the year the Commander-in-chief had the -satisfaction to announce, that instead of imitating the bad example of -others, the Continental regiments from the Eastern States had agreed to -remain six weeks beyond the term of their enlistment. [FN-1] In addition -to which were the bold return of Washington upon Trenton, and his -brilliant victory over the Hessian forces at that place, on the morning -of the 26th of December. "This well-judged and successful enterprise -revived the depressed spirits of the Colonists, and produced an immediate -and happy effect in recruiting the American army." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter from Washington to the commander at Morristown, Dec. 30. - - [FN-2] Holmes's Annals. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - - - Continuation of movements in New Jersey--Extinguishment of the - council-fire at Onondaga--Tryon County--Colonel Harper's mission to - Oghkwaga--The Harper family--Adventure at the Johnstone - settlement--Capture of Good Peter and his party--Thayendanegea crosses - from Canada to Oghkwaga--Interview with the Rev. Mr. Johnstone--Doubtful - course of Brant--Feverish situation of the people--Expedition of General - Herkimer to Unadilla--Remarkable meeting between Herkimer and - Brant--Meditated act of treachery--Wariness of the chief--Meeting - abruptly terminated--Ended in a storm--Brant draws off to Oswego--Grand - council there--The Indians generally join the Royal standard--Approach - of Brant upon Cherry Valley--How defeated--Death of Lieutenant Wormwood. - -Having secured his prisoners on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware, -General Washington established himself at Trenton. But he was not long -permitted its undisturbed possession. Collecting his forces, Cornwallis -advanced rapidly upon the capital of New Jersey, where he arrived on the -2d of January. Some skirmishing ensued toward evening, but both armies -encamped for the night without coming to a general engagement--being -separated only by Assumpinck Creek--and apparently both expecting a battle -in the morning. The force of the enemy, however, was too great to render -it safe for the American Commander-in-chief to hazard an action. By an -adroit and masterly movement, therefore, leaving his fires burning. -General Washington succeeded in getting away unperceived, and throwing -himself into the enemy's rear. The battle and victory of Princeton -followed, and the American army moved to Morristown, while Cornwallis -hastened back to New Brunswick and thence to New-York--the different -detachments of British troops, which had been scattered through New -Jersey, being at all points discomfited. - -Returning from this digression to the Indian relations of New-York, there -is one event to be noted, the character of which cannot be explained. -Among the manuscripts preserved in the family of the hero of Oriskany, -[FN-1] is a speech from the Oneida chiefs to Colonel Elmore, the officer -who, at the commencement of the present year, was in the command of Fort -Schuyler, announcing the final extinguishment of the great council-fire -of the Six Nations at Onondaga. As the central nation of the confederacy, -their general councils, time immemorial, had been holden at the Onondaga -Castle, at which, in their own figurative language, their council-fire was -ever kept burning. These councils assembled annually to discuss the -exterior relations, and all matters of national concernment. They were -composed of chiefs delegated from each member of the federative republic, -and sometimes numbered as many as eighty sachems in the assembly. [FN-2] -By what means the event had been accomplished--whether the calamity was -the result of pestilence or war--the speech of the Oneidas does not -inform us; although it announces the fall of a large number of the -Onondaga warriors, in connexion with the catastrophe. Still, the -transaction is veiled in darkness so thick as to baffle investigation. -The following is the speech:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Colonel, afterward General Herkimer. - - [FN-2] "The national council took cognizance of war and peace, of the - affairs of the tributary nations, and of their negotiations with the - French and English Colonies. All their proceedings were conducted with - great deliberation, and were distinguished for order, decorum, and - solemnity. In eloquence, in dignity, and in all the characteristics of - profound policy, they surpassed an assembly of feudal barons, and were - perhaps not far inferior to the great Amphyctionic council of - Greece."--_De Wilt Clinton._ - - - "Fort Schuyler, _Jan._ 19th, 1777. - Speech of the Oneida Chiefs to Col. Elmore. - -"Brother: We are sent here by the Oneida chiefs, in conjunction with the -Onondagas. They arrived at our village yesterday. They gave us the -melancholy news that the grand council-fire at Onondaga was extinguished. -We have lost out of their town by death ninety, among whom are three -principal sachems. We, the remaining part of the Onondagas, do now inform -our brethren that there is no longer a council-fire at the capital of the -Six Nations. However, we are determined to use our feeble endeavors to -support peace through the confederate nations. But let this be kept in -mind, that the council-fire is extinguished. It is of importance to our -well-being that this be immediately communicated to General Schuyler, and -likewise to our brothers the Mohawks. In order to effect this, we -deposit this belt with Tekeyanedonhotte, Colonel Elmore, commander at -Fort Schuyler, who is sent here by General Schuyler to transact all -matters relative to peace. We therefore request him to forward this -intelligence in the first place to General Herkimer, desiring him to -communicate it to the Mohawk Castle near to him, and then to Major Fonda, -requesting him to immediately communicate it to the Lower Castle of -Mohawks. Let the belt then be forwarded to General Schuyler, that he may -know that our council-fire is extinguished, and can no longer burn." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Transcribed by the author from the original draught, as furnished - to General Herkimer by Colonel Elmore. - - -This singular document is worthy of preservation, not only as the -authentic, but as the only account of the occurrence recorded. It contains -a mystery, however, which cannot now be solved. Still, as no belligerent -events are known to have been enacted in the Onondaga country during that -winter, the most plausible conjecture would attribute the mortality -indicated by the speech to some pestilential disorder, which might have -swept over them, as with the Schoharie Canton eighteen months before. - -In the County of Tryon, which now demands our chief attention, great -uneasiness was again awakened among the inhabitants, toward the close -of the winter, especially in the remoter settlements south of the Mohawk, -by the reported gathering of the Indians at Oghkwaga. The fact that their -numbers were increasing at that point having been satisfactorily -ascertained, Colonel John Harper, of Harpersfield, was despatched thither -by the Provincial Congress of New-York to ascertain their intentions. -Taking every necessary measure of precaution to guard against surprise, -and to be ready for any emergency, by having the officers of his militia -regiment on the _qui vive,_ Colonel Harper departed upon his mission, -accompanied only by a single white man and one Indian. He arrived on the -27th of February, and was well received by the Indians, who manifested -a perfectly friendly disposition toward himself, and also toward the -settlements. So far from exhibiting any belligerent intentions, they -expressed their sorrow for the troubles of the country, and declared their -determination to take no part in the controversy. Satisfied as to the -sincerity of their professions, although subsequent events proved that -they must have been dissembling, Colonel Harper supplied the means of -a festival, and presented them with an ox, which was roasted for the -occasion. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Annals of Tryon County. - - -Colonel John Harper was one of four brothers--William, John, Alexander, -and Joseph Harper, who, with eighteen others, planted themselves down -upon a tract of country, in 1768, which was subsequently named -Harpersfield. After his return from this mission, he was for a time in -command of one of the little forts in Schoharie. On one occasion, in -March or April of this year, he took a circuit alone from Schoharie -through the woods to Harpersfield, and thence, when returning, struck -farther to the westward, toward the head waters of the Susquehanna. While -ascending a hill, he suddenly saw a company of Indians approaching. As -they had discovered him, any attempt to fly would have been vain. They -would have shot him down. Having a great coat over his military dress, -he made no attempt to avoid a meeting, and in passing, the Colonel and -the Indians exchanged salutations. In one of the Indians he recognized -Peter, a Mohawk whom he had formerly seen at Oghkwaga. They did not -recognize him, however; but from his manner of speech supposed him to be -a loyalist, and under that impression communicated to him the fact that -their destination was to cut off "the Johnstone settlement," a small -Scotch Colony on the eastern shore of the Susquehanna, near Unadilla, -or Anaquaqua, as that place was sometimes called. Having obtained this -information, he changed his course, and hurrying back to Harpersfield, -collected fifteen resolute men, with whom he gave chase to the marauders. -In addition to their arms, the Colonel caused each man of his little band -to provide himself with two days' provisions and a rope. In the course of -the following night, in descending the valley of the Charlotte river, they -descried the fire where the Indians were encamped. Halting for a while -to refresh and prepare for the contest, the Colonel and his men now stole -upon the foe with the utmost caution. It was almost day-light, and the -Indians were in a profound slumber--their arms being stacked in the -middle of their little encampment. These were carefully removed by Harper -and his party, as a measure of precaution. The moment for action having -arrived, singling each his man, the cords were made ready, and every -Indian, ere he was well awake, found himself bound and in the grasp of -a foe. The sleeping Gulliver was not more thoroughly secured by the -vexatious net-work of the Lilliputians. But Peter and his companions -were not secured by Lilliputian ties, and they had to deal with a -different race of men. When it became light in the morning, Peter -discovered his captor. "Ugh!" he exclaimed--"Colonel Harper!--Why did -I not know you yesterday?" The gallant Colonel proceeded to Albany with -his prisoners, and surrendered them to the commanding officer of the -station. It was a bold and well-executed achievement--and all the better -that it was bloodless. - -Although, as we have seen. Colonel Harper had parted from the Indians -at Oghkwaga upon the most amicable terms, yet indications of a different -temper were soon afterward manifested by this fickle people, of which the -movement of Peter, so opportunely discovered and intercepted, was the -first outbreak. Thayendanegea, likewise, appeared among them in the course -of the Spring, having separated from Guy Johnson, between whom and himself -some difficulty had occurred. Intelligence of the chieftain's departure -from Canada, and march across the country to Oghkwaga with a large body -of warriors, was received by the Tryon County Committee early in May from -Fort Schuyler, and communicated to the Provincial Congress by its -chairman, Isaac Paris. Not a little additional uneasiness was also -occasioned at the same time by the spirit discernible among the Tories. -Many of those loyalists, who had taken their departure the preceding year -with Sir John Johnson, had, nevertheless, left their wives and children -in the remote settlements, with whom they were evidently in communication; -while scouting parties, both of Tories and Indians, were hovering on the -northern outskirts of the county. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. documents in the office of the Secretary of State, Albany. - - -The presence of the crafty chieftain at Oghkwaga did not improve the -pacific disposition of the natives, as will appear in the sequel; although -Brant himself had not thus far committed any act of hostility within the -province of New-York. The fact of his having borne a part in the battle -of the Cedars seems, moreover, not to have been known in the Mohawk -Valley, since they were yet uncertain whether it was his intention to -raise the hatchet in the contest or not. - -But these uncertainties were not of long duration. In the month of June, -1777, the chief of the Mohawks ascended the Susquehanna from Oghkwaga to -Unadilla, [FN] attended by seventy or eighty of his warriors, and requested -an interview with the Rev. Mr. Johnstone and the officers of the militia of -the neighborhood. He stated that the object of his visit was to procure -provisions, of which his people were greatly in want. And such were their -necessities, that if peaceable means would not answer, the Indians must -obtain them by force. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Tunadilla was the Indian name of this place, nor does the propriety - of the alteration appear. - - -Advantage was taken of the interview to sound the chief as to his future -intentions--whether he was for peace or for war; and his answers were far -less difficult of solution than the riddle of the Sphynx. He complained -of the ill-treatment which, as he alleged, some of the Mohawks, who had -remained behind on the flight of the majority of the nation, had received -at the hands of the Whigs. The Mohawks, he said, were as free as the air -they breathed, and were determined to remain so; and they could not brook -it that any of their brethren should be seized and imprisoned, as had -been the case at the Castle. [FN] These, he demanded, should be set at -liberty, and suffered to remove from the country. In regard to the -question of peace or war, he said the Mohawks were always warriors--that -their agreement with the King was very strong, and they were not such -villains as to break their covenant. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Probably on suspicion of maintaining correspondence with the enemy. - - -The visit continued two days, during which time the Indians were well -supplied with provisions, and on their departure permitted to take away -some live cattle and sheep. The inhabitants, however, scattered and few, -and quite remote from any considerable settlement, no longer feeling -themselves safe in their houses, sought protection in places of greater -security--principally in Cherry Valley, the place of their first location, -whence they had removed, a few years before, into the vale of the -Susquehanna. Some of the scattered settlers in the Unadilla region fled -to the German Flats, and others, probably, to the older towns upon the -Hudson. - -The Indian forces of Captain Brant continuing to increase at Oghkwaga, -and the anxiety of the people becoming greater with every report from -that quarter, General Herkimer [FN-1] determined to repair thither, and -obtain an interview. For this purpose the General dispatched a messenger -to that place, and invited the chief to meet him at Unadilla--moving -forward himself at the same time, at the head of about three hundred of -the local militia, from the regiments of Colonels Cox, Klock, and -Isenlord, well armed and provided. The precise object of the General, in -seeking this interview with Brant, remains to this day more a matter of -conjecture than of certainty. The few scattered fragments of Herkimer's -correspondence which have fallen into the hands of the writer, show that -it was no sudden movement; but, on the contrary, that General Schuyler, -Colonel Van Schaick, Colonel Harper, and others, were consulted upon the -subject. On the application of Herkimer, Colonel Van Schaick was detached -to his assistance on the 15th of June, with one hundred and fifty men, -with which force he repaired to Cherry Valley, but could proceed no -farther for want of provisions. General Schuyler was also to repair -thither in person, in the event of his presence being deemed necessary. -[FN-2] Ostensibly, the expedition was one of peace; [FN-3] but the extent -of the preparations, and the physical strength of the expedition, imparted -an equivocal character to the movement; not more so, however, than was -the conduct of Brant during the whole Spring, since his proceedings were -such as to keep the minds of the people in a state of feverish excitement -and ceaseless uncertainty. Thus, on the 10th of June, Colonel Harper wrote -urgently to General Herkimer for a supply of ammunition, in the -expectation of an immediate hostile irruption of Brant into the Valley -of the Schoharie Kill. On the 13th, the Cherry Valley Committee wrote -to the General a still more alarming letter. Brant, according to this -statement, in connexion with some of the loyalists of Unadilla, had -marked a path directly through the forest to AEsopus, by which route the -Tories of Ulster and Orange Counties were to join his forces at Oghkwaga; -at which place the chief had vaunted that shortly he would not fear the -approach of three thousand men. [FN-4] On the other hand. Major Fonda -wrote, on the 19th of June, that an embassy of chiefs and sachems of the -Cayuga and Seneca nations, having repaired to Oghkwaga to remonstrate -with Thayendanegea against farther hostilities, the latter had determined -to listen to their councils, and withdraw into the Cayuga country. In -pursuance of this policy, it was added, on what was esteemed good -authority, that the Mohawk chief had released a prisoner with his own -hands, telling the captors that they had acted wrong. [FN-5] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] In the Autumn of 1776, three Brigadier-Generals of the militia - were commissioned by the Provincial Congress of New-York, of whom Colonel - Nicholas Herkimer was one. The Herkimer family was one of the first to - settle at the German Flats, and the name is among those of the original - patentees--not _Herkimer,_ however, which is a corruption--but - _Ergemore,_ which was the true German name.--_Letter of L. Ford to the - author._ - - [FN-2] MS. letters of Colonels Van Schaick, Tupper, and others, among - Gen. Herkimer's papers. - - [FN-3] Letter of L. Ford, Esq. to the author. - - [FN-4] MS. letter from Samuel Clyde to General Herkimer. - - [FN-5] MS. letter of Major Jelles Fonda, among the Herkimer papers. - - -Such was the uncertain condition of things when the expedition under -consideration was commenced. Brant and Herkimer had been near neighbors -and personal friends, before the troubles came on, [FN] and it is possible -the General still cherished a belief that he might yet detach the dusky -warrior from the cause he had embraced, but nevertheless might not be -disinclined to relinquish. Perhaps he designed nothing more than to drive -him from his equivocal position. Perhaps, also, should opportunity be -presented, it was his intention to seize his person. But be these -suppositions as they may, it will be seen that there was at least one -moment in which he contemplated a more decisive course. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The residence of General Herkimer was a short distance below the - Little Falls of the Mohawk, near the river. His mansion, built of brick, - is yet standing. Brant's farm, on which he was residing when the - Revolutionary storm arose, was near the Upper Indian Castle, about three - miles below the house of Herkimer. The farm lies directly upon the river, - and is now very valuable. I visited the place in the Autumn of 1835. No - other memorials of its last noble possessor remained than the cellar of - his house, and the apple-trees which stood before his door. These were - vigorous, and in full bearing.--_Author._ - - -It was a full week after the arrival of General Herkimer at Unadilla -before Captain Brant made his appearance. He came to the neighborhood of -the General's encampment, accompanied by five hundred warriors. Having -halted, he dispatched a runner to General Herkimer, with a message, -desiring to be informed of the object of his visit. General Herkimer -replied that he had merely come to see and converse with his brother, -Captain Brant. The quick-witted messenger inquired if all those men -wished to talk to his chief too? However, he said to the General that he -would carry his talk back to his chief, but he charged him that he must -not cross the field upon the margin of which they were standing, and -departed. But an arrangement was soon made, through the agency of -messengers, by which a meeting was effected. The scene exhibited at this -interview, as related by those who were present at it, was novel and -imposing. The hostile parties were now encamped within the distance of -two miles from each other. About midway between their encampments, a -temporary shed was erected, sufficiently extensive to allow some two -hundred persons to be seated. By mutual stipulation their arms were to -be left in their respective encampments. [FN] Soon after the adjustment -of the preliminaries and the completion of the fixtures above mentioned, -the chief of the Mohawks himself appeared in the edge of the distant -forest, and approached the place designated, already in the occupation -of Herkimer, somewhat warily, accompanied by Captain Bull, (a Tory,) -William Johnson, (son of Sir William, by Brant's sister Mary,) a -subordinate chief of the Mohawks, an Indian woman, and also by about -forty warriors. After some little parleying, a circle was formed by -General Herkimer, into which Brant and the General entered, together with -the other Indian chief and two of Herkimer's officers. After the -interchange of a few remarks, the chieftain, keeping an eagle-eye upon -his visitor, inquired the reason of his being thus honored. General -Herkimer replied, as he had done to the _avant-courier,_ that he had come -to see him on a friendly visit. "And all these have come on a friendly -visit, too?" replied the chief "All want to see the poor Indians; it is -very kind." he added, with a sarcastic curl of the lip. General Herkimer -expressed a desire to go forward to the village, but the chief told him -he was quite near enough, and that he must not proceed any farther. - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. statement of facts collected by L. Ford, Esq. - - -The General next endeavored to enter into a conversation with the Mohawk -touching the difficulties with England, in order to ascertain his feelings -and intentions. The conference now became earnest and animated, although -the chief at first gave Herkimer evasive and oracular answers. To a -question, however, put to him directly, he finally replied:--"That the -Indians were in concert with the King, as their fathers had been; That -the King's belts were yet lodged with them, and they could not violate -their pledge; That General Herkimer and his followers had joined the -Boston people against their sovereign; That although the Boston people -were resolute, yet the King would humble them; That General Schuyler was -very smart on the Indians at the treaty of German Flats, [FN-1] but at -the same time was not able to afford the smallest article of clothing; -And finally, that the Indians had formerly made war on the white people -when they were all united; and as they were now divided, the Indians were -not frightened." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Adjourned to Albany. - - [FN-2] Annals of Tryon County. - - -Colonel Cox, who was in the suite of General Herkimer, then made a few -remarks, the substance of which was, that if such was the fixed -determination of the Indians, nothing farther need be said. But his -manner, or some of the expressions uttered by the Colonel, which have not -been preserved, gave offence to the chief. He was exceedingly irritated; -[FN-1] and by a signal to the warriors attending him at a short distance, -they ran back to their encampment, and soon afterward appeared again with -their rifles, several of which were discharged, while the shrill war-whoop -rang through the forest. Meantime, however, by explanations or otherwise, -the chief was soothed and his warriors were kept at a proper distance, -although the demand of General Herkimer for the surrender of sundry Tories -was peremptorily refused. The conference ended by an agreement between -the parties to meet again at 9 o'clock the following morning. General -Herkimer and his forces, forbidden to advance any farther, encamped as -before. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Manuscript statement of Joseph Waggoner, in the author's - possession. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - -The next morning General Herkimer called one of his most trusty men aside, -Joseph Waggoner by name, for the purpose of communicating to him, in -confidence, a matter of great importance, respecting which the most -profound secrecy was enjoined. He then informed Waggoner that he had -selected him and three others to perform a high and important duty, -requiring promptness, courage, and decision. His design, the General said, -was to take the lives of Brant and his three attendants, on the renewal -of their visit that morning. For this purpose he should rely upon Waggoner -and his three associates, on the arrival of the chief and his friends -within the circle as on the preceding day, each to select his man, and, -at a concerted signal, shoot them down upon the spot. There is something -so revolting--so rank and foul--in this project of meditated treachery, -that it is difficult to reconcile it with the known character of General -Herkimer. And yet it is given on the written authority of Waggoner -himself, whose character was equally respectable. The patriotic veteran, -in devising such a scheme, had probably reasoned himself into the belief -that the intended victims were only Indians, and that in the emergency -of the country, it would be justifiable to do evil that good might come. -It was, however, a most reprehensible scheme--scarcely less defensible -than the murder, by Catharine de Medicis, of some of the Huguenot chiefs, -who were invited to Paris under the guise of friendship, on the eve of -the Bartholomew massacre, and treacherously taken off by poison; and -equal in its purposed atrocity, though upon a smaller scale, to the -subsequent treachery of Ali Pacha of Egypt, in regard to the Mamelukes, -whom he caused to be decoyed into the strong-hold of Cairo, and -slaughtered. Indian that he was, there is no known act of perfidy -chargeable upon Brant; and he had met Herkimer on his own invitation. A -betrayal of his confidence, under those circumstances, would have brought -a stain upon the character of the Provincials, which all the waters of -the Mohawk could not have washed away. - -Fortunately, however, the design was not carried into execution. Whether -the wary chieftain entertained any suspicions of foul play, is not known. -But, certain it is, that his precaution and his bearing, when he arrived -at Herkimer's quarters, were such as to frustrate the purpose. As he -entered the circle, attended as before, he drew himself up with dignity, -and addressed General Herkimer as follows:--"I have five hundred warriors -with me, armed and ready for battle. You are in my power; but as we have -been friends and neighbors, I will not take the advantage of you." [FN-1] -Saying which, at a signal, a host of his armed warriors darted forth from -the contiguous forest, all painted and ready for the onslaught, as the -well-known war-whoop but too clearly proclaimed. The chief continued the -discourse by advising the General to go back to his own home--thanked him -for his civility in coming thus far to see him, and told him that perhaps -he might one day return the compliment. Meantime, he said, he would go -back to his village, and for the present the General might rest assured -that no hostilities should be committed by the Indians. He then requested -that the Rev. Mr. Stuart, the English missionary at Fort Hunter, might -be permitted to retire into Canada, as also the wife of Colonel Butler. -To these requests General Herkimer assented, although the latter was not -complied with. He then presented the Indians with ten or a dozen heads of -cattle, which they fell upon and slaughtered incontinently. [FN-2] Brant -himself turned proudly away, and buried himself in the forest; while -General Herkimer struck his tents, and retraced his steps to the valley -of the Mohawk. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Waggoner's manuscript. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - -Thus terminated this most singular conference. "It was early in July, -and the morning was remarkably clear and beautiful. But the echo of the -war-whoop had scarcely died away, before the heavens became black, and -a violent storm obliged each party to seek the nearest shelter. Men less -superstitious than many of the unlettered yeomen, who, leaning upon their -arms, were witnesses of the events of this day, could not fail in -after-times to look back upon the tempest, if not as an omen, at least -as an emblem of those bloody massacres with which these Indians and -their associates afterward visited the inhabitants of this unfortunate -frontier." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Annals of Tryon County. - - -This was the last conference held with the hostile Mohawks. Their chief -very soon afterward drew off his warriors from the Susquehanna, and united -them to the forces of Sir John Johnson and Colonel John Butler, who were -concentrating the Tories and refugees at Oswego. It was at about the same -period that the officers of the British Indian department had summoned -a general council of the Six Nations, to be held at that place; and it is -probable that Brant arrived at the post with his warriors for that -occasion. According to Ramsay, the invitations to this council were sent -forth by Guy Johnson, the Indians being requested to assemble "to eat the -flesh and drink the blood of a Bostonian." This language was understood -figuratively, however,--the roasting of an ox and a banquet being -intended. - -The council having assembled, [FN] the business was opened by the British -Commissioners, who informed the chiefs that their object in calling the -meeting was to engage their assistance in subduing the rebel Colonies, -the people of which had risen up against the good King their master, and -were about to rob him of a great part of his wealth and possessions. As -an inducement to enter the service, they were promised an ample reward. -The chiefs in reply, or rather those of them who were averse to joining -in the war, informed the British officers of the treaty of German Flats -and Albany, in which they had bound themselves to take no part in the -contest, and the parties to that compact repeated their determination to -abide by the treaty, and not take up the hatchet against their white -neighbors. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The only account of this great Indian council, (farther than the - mere statement that such a council was held,) which the author has been - able to discover, is that given in the life of Mary Jemison, a white - woman, who, being taken captive near Pittsburgh in 1755, when a child, - after her parents were killed, was raised by the Indians, and became in - fact one of them, in every thing but her birth and complexion. She - married an Indian, and lived to a very advanced age, and died among them. - She was present at this council; and from the fact that the truth of - other portions of her interesting narrative is sustained by other - authorities, her statement may be received as substantially correct. The - life of this remarkable woman, who died but a few years since, was - published by James D. Bemis, of Canandaigua. There will be several - occasions of referring to it hereafter. - - -The discussions were protracted, nor were the entreaties of the -Commissioners of any avail against the resolution of the Indians to -maintain their good faith, until they addressed their avarice, "by -telling them that the people of the Colonies were few in number, and -would be easily subdued; and that on account of their disobedience to the -King, they justly merited all the punishment that it was possible for -white men and Indians to inflict upon them. The King," they said, "was -rich and powerful, both in money and subjects. His rum was as plenty as -the water in Lake Ontario, and his men as numerous as the sands upon its -shore; and the Indians were assured, that if they would assist in the war, -and persevere in their friendship for the King until its close, they -should never want for goods or money," [FN] Overcome by their persevering -importunities, and by more direct and palpable appeals to their senses, -in a rich display of tawdry articles calculated to please their fancies, -the Indians proved recreant to their plighted faith to the Colonies, and -concluded a treaty of alliance with Great Britain--binding themselves to -take up the hatchet against the rebels, and continue in his Majesty's -service until they were subdued. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Life of Mary Jemison, written in 1823. - - -At the close of the treaty, each Indian was presented with a suit of -clothes, a brass kettle, [FN] a gun, a tomahawk and scalping-knife, a -quantity of ammunition, a piece of gold, and the promise of a bounty upon -every scalp they should bring in. "Thus richly clad and equipped, the -Indians returned to their respective homes, after an absence of about two -weeks, full of the fire of war, and anxious to encounter their (new-made) -enemies." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The brass kettles received at Oswego by the Senecas, (to which tribe - Mary belonged,) on the occasion mentioned in the text, were yet in use - in that nation, so late as 1823. - - -From that day Thayendanegea was the acknowledged chief of the Six Nations, -and he soon became one of the master spirits of the motley forces employed -by Great Britain in her attempts to recover the Mohawk Valley, and to -annoy the other settlements of what then constituted the North-western -frontier. Whether in the conduct of a campaign or of a scouting-party, -in the pitched battle or the foray, this crafty and dauntless chieftain -was sure to be one of the most efficient, as he was one of the bravest, -of those who were engaged. Combining with the native hardihood and -sagacity of his race the advantages of education and of civilized -life,--in acquiring which, he had lost nothing of his activity or his -power of endurance--he became the most formidable border foe with whom -the Provincials had to contend, and his name was a terror to the land. -His movements were at once so secret and so rapid, that he seemed almost -to be clothed with the power of ubiquity. - -The first of his hostile demonstrations within the Colony of New-York is -believed to have been made in the month of May preceding the interview -with General Herkimer; although from the semi-pacific intercourse -maintained with him for several weeks longer, the fact was not then -certainly known. The settlement of Cherry Valley was commenced in 1739; -and in consequence of some threatened Indian troubles, a detachment of -troops had been stationed there as early as 1763. But no military works -were erected, and the breaking out of the war of the Revolution found the -place defenceless. While Brant was collecting his warriors at Oghkwaga, -however, the inhabitants bethought themselves of the necessity of -defences. But not having the means to undertake the erection of any -formidable work, the house of Colonel Samuel Campbell was selected as the -largest, strongest, and most eligibly situated for military purposes. A -rude embankment of logs and earth was thrown up around this building, so -extended in its dimensions as likewise to include two large barns. These -buildings were all strengthened, and provided with doors and -window-shutters bullet-proof. Small block-houses were also erected within -the enclosure; and to this place, in moments of peril and alarm, the -inhabitants fled for protection. Martial law was proclaimed, and no -persons were allowed either to enter or leave the settlement without -permission. - -Toward the close of May, and soon after these precautionary measures had -been executed, Brant conceived the idea of making a descent upon the -settlement, for the purpose of either killing, or making captive, the -principal inhabitants, especially the vigilant members of the Committee. -It has been stated in a former page, that among the precautionary measures -adopted the preceding year, the exempts from military duty had organized -themselves into a volunteer company. The martial fever of course descended -from sire to son; and as the population had been considerably augmented -by the arrival of distant settlers for safety, a goodly number of boys -were collected, who formed a corps of cadets, with no better armor than -wooden swords and guns. These juvenile soldiers happened to be parading -upon the esplanade in front of Colonel Campbell's house at the very hour, -one bright sunny morning, when Brant and his party of warriors, who had -secretly arrived from Oghkwaga, were reconnoitering the post under shelter -of a tangled thicket skirting the brow of a hill about a mile distant. -His vision being somewhat obstructed by the intercepting shrubbery, the -chief mistook the lads for _bona fide_ soldiers. Observing the semblance -of a fortification before described, Captain Brant moved his party to a -convenient lurking-place near the road leading to the Mohawk river, and -there lay in ambush for the purpose of obtaining such information as -might chance to come in his way. A short distance from where the chief -lay ensconced behind a large rock, "the road wound along near the edge -of a cliff, overhanging a rocky glen of one hundred and fifty feet deep. -This chasm was shaded by evergreens, and the whole scene was shadowy and -almost dark, even at mid-day. The wildness of the place was increased -by the dashing of a mountain-torrent into the gloomy abyss, called, by -the Indians, the falls of Tekaharawa." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Annals of Tryon County. - - -It chanced, that on the morning of that day, Lieutenant Wormwood, a -promising young officer from Palatine, of an opulent family, had been -despatched to Cherry Valley, with information to the authorities that -a detachment from Colonel Klock's regiment of militia was to march to -their defence on the following day. It was toward evening that Lieut. -Wormwood started on his return to the Mohawk, accompanied by the bearer -of some despatches, named Peter Sitz. As he mounted his horse in the -village, he threw down his portmanteau, remarking that he needed not to -take it, as he should return on the next morning with his company. He -was well-mounted, and richly dressed "in a suit of ash-colored velvet, -which attracted much attention during his stay;" and many persons remained -at the door, looking at the noble bearing of the young patriot, until he -disappeared behind the crest of the hill in the direction of the -Tekaharawa. Scarcely, however, had the clattering of hoofs died away upon -their ears, before a discharge of musketry resounded from the glen--the -startling report being speedily followed by the soldier's horse, returning -at full speed, the saddle crimsoned with blood. Suspicions of the most -painful description at once flashed upon the minds of the people, and -a party was immediately despatched to investigate the circumstances. They -returned without success that night, but on the following morning the -body of Wormwood was found behind the rock heretofore described, scalped -and lifeless. It afterward appeared, that as Wormwood and Sitz approached -the rock, they were hailed, but instead of answering, they put spurs to -their horses and endeavored to pass. Being fired upon, Lieutenant Wormwood -fell wounded, as did the horse of Sitz. The Indians rushed forth from -their ambuscade, and Sitz was made prisoner; while the gallant officer -was scalped by Brant's own hand. The chief is said to have lamented the -death of this young man. They were not only acquaintances, but friends; -and he had been fired upon under the supposition that he was an officer -of the Continental army. [FN] The despatches carried by Sitz were double, -and it was fortunate that he had sufficient presence of mind to destroy -the genuine, and deliver the delusive papers to his savage captors. -Deceived thereby as to the real strength at Cherry Valley, Brant retired -without committing any farther act of hostility. Colonel Klock arrived -at Cherry Valley on the following morning, accompanied by the afflicted -father of the slaughtered officer, who was mourned and wept by all who -knew him. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Annals of Tryon County, - - -Another coincident event, forming an appropriate conclusion to the present -chapter, was the tragic death of the great Shawanese chief, _Cornstock,_ -with his gallant son, _Ellinipsico_; both of whom will be remembered as -among the brave Indian leaders at the battle of the Kanhawa, the last -action of the Cresap war, in 1774; and both of whom were now as basely -murdered by white men, as were the family of Logan. The circumstances -attending this foul transaction were these:--Cornstock, after the defeat -of his warriors at Point Pleasant, and his subsequent treaty of peace -with Lord Dunmore, had become sincerely and truly the friend of the -Colonies; and while the Indians of the Northwest, generally, were -preparing to take up arms with the English, he exerted himself to the -utmost to prevent his own nation from any participation in the contest. -But the influence of the British agents, and the example of the -surrounding Indian nations, were so powerful upon the minds of the -Shawanese, that Cornstock perceived his pacific efforts were likely to -prove futile. Thus circumstanced, he repaired to the fort which had been -erected at Point Pleasant after the battle of the Kanhawa, to lay the -matter before the officer in command--Captain Arbuckle--and take his -advice. He was accompanied on this mission by a young Delaware chief named -_Redhawk,_ who had also fought by his side in the Cresap war. Having made -a full developement of the state of Indian affairs in the North-west, and -frankly admitted that, from the causes already indicated, he should be -unable to prevent the Shawanese from taking up the hatchet in the cause -of the Crown, the commander of the fort deemed it expedient to detain the -old chief, with his Delaware companion, as hostages for the good conduct -of their people. Nor did they remain unwillingly--little anticipating the -fate that awaited them--and giving all the information respecting the -Indians and their country, that could be desired by the Americans. - -Uneasy at the protracted absence of his father, Ellinipsico, his son, -went in pursuit, and traced him to the fort, where they had an affectionate -meeting. Unfortunately, the day after the arrival of the young warrior at -Point Pleasant, two white men having crossed the Kanhawa on a hunting -expedition, were fired upon by some straggling Indians, and one of them, -whose name was Gilmore, was killed. The other escaped. No sooner was the -event of Gilmore's death known, than the cry of revenge was raised, and -a party of ruffians assembled, under the command of a Captain Hall--not -to pursue and punish the perpetrators of the murder--but to fall upon the -friendly and peaceable Indians in the fort. Arming themselves, and cocking -their rifles, they proceeded directly to the little garrison, menacing -death to any or all who should oppose their nefarious designs. Some friend -of the hostage-chiefs attempted to apprise them in advance of the -approaching danger; but the savage mob were probably too close upon the -heels of the messenger to allow of their escape. At the sound of the -clamor without, Ellinipsico is said to have been somewhat agitated. Not -so the veteran Cornstock. He had too often grappled with death on the -war-path to fear his approaches now. Perceiving the emotion of his son, -he calmly observed:--"_My son, the Great Spirit has seen fit that we -should die together, and has sent you to that end. It is his will, and let -us submit,_" The infuriated mob had now gained the apartment of the -victims; Cornstock fell, perforated with seven bullets, and died without -a struggle. The son, after the exhortation of his father, met his fate -with composure, and was shot on the seat upon which he was sitting. -Red-hawk, the young Delaware, died with less fortitude. He hid himself -away, but was discovered and slain. Another friendly Indian, in the fort -at the time, was likewise killed, and his body mangled by the barbarians -in a manner that would have disgraced savages of any other complexion. -"Thus," says an Indian Chronicler, [FN] "perished the mighty Cornstock, -sachem of the Shawanese, and king of the Northern confederacy, in 1774--a -chief remarkable for many great and good qualities. He was disposed to be -at all times the friend of white men, as he was ever the advocate of -honorable peace. But when his country's wrongs summoned him to the battle, -he became the thunderbolt of war, and made his enemies feel the weight of -his arm. His noble bearing, his generous and disinterested attachment to -the Colonies, his anxiety to preserve the frontier of Virginia from -desolation and death, all conspired to win for him the esteem and respect -of others; while the untimely and perfidious manner of his death caused -a deep and lasting feeling of regret to pervade the bosoms, even of those -who were enemies to his nation, and excited the just indignation of all -toward his inhuman murderers." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Withers's Indian Chronicles, as quoted by Drake, - - -It argues a sad deficiency of military discipline, that such a foul -transaction could have occurred at any regularly established post. The -command of Arbuckle, however, must have been small, inasmuch as he was not -only opposed to the commission of the outrage, but sallied forth, in -company with another captain, named Stuart, for the purpose of -intercepting the ruffians, and preventing the execution of their purpose. -But all remonstrance was vain. The enraged assailants, pale, and quivering -with fury, presented their rifles to the breasts of those officers, -threatening them with instant death if they stood in their way. It has -been said that Cornstock felt a presentiment of his death on the morning -of its occurrence. A council had been summoned for the consideration of -some business of importance, connected, probably, with Indian affairs, -since the old chief bore a part in the deliberations. In the course of -one of his speeches delivered on that occasion, he said, with emphasis, -to the council:--"_When I was young, every time I went to war, I thought -it likely that I might return no more; but I still lived; I am now in -your hands; you may kill me if you choose. I can die but once, and it is -alike to me whether I die now or at another time._" [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Doddridge's Indian Wars, pp. 238--240. - - -The Indian biography of our country supplies but few additional facts -concerning the life of this brave and just man. He had a son, known among -the whites as _The Wolf,_ whose name was somewhat conspicuously associated -with the earlier events of the Revolution. The Wolf, with three others, -was a hostage at Williamsburgh, Virginia, at the time of Lord Dunmore's -embarkation on board of the British fleet. After the escape of his -Lordship, he solicited and obtained an interview with The Wolf and his -associates on board of his ship; during which he explained to them the -causes of his flight, and urged them to flee also, as the only means of -escaping the fury of the revolutionists. Adopting this counsel, they took -to the woods on returning to the shore. The night following came on -excessively dark. One of The Wolf's companions separated from his fellows, -and was lost. The others soon afterward returned to Williamsburgh, where -they were well received by the inhabitants. What farther befell The Wolf, -or the house of Cornstock, is not known. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - - - British preparations for the prosecution of the war--Indications at the - North--Doubtful position and conduct of General Howe--Embarrassing to - the Americans--Intercepted correspondence--General Howe sails to the - Chesapeake--Enters Philadelphia in triumph--Burgoyne approaches from - the North--Indian policy--Sir Guy Carleton--False estimates of the - strength of Ticonderoga--Burgoyne arrives at Crown Point--Feasts the - Indians--Invests Ticonderoga--Carries the outworks--Fortifies Sugar - Hill--The fortress evacuated by St. Clair--Retreat of the - Americans--Battles near Skenesborough and at Fort Ann--Burgoyne enters - the valley of the Hudson--Schuyler, without means, retreats from Fort - Edward--Terror of the people--Cruelties of the Indians--Story of Miss - McCrea--General flight of the population--Mrs. Ann Eliza - Bleecker--Heroism of Mrs. Schuyler--Attempted assassination of General - Schuyler. - -Having failed in their efforts to extinguish the rebellion during the -preceding year, the government of the parent country-resolved to put forth -still greater energies during the present. For this purpose a powerful -force was organized in Canada, the command of which was transferred from -Sir Guy Carleton--the ablest British General, by the way, at that time or -subsequently in America--and conferred upon General Burgoyne--an officer, -also, of unquestioned merit--whose spirit of enterprise and thirst for -military glory could not be exceeded. It was the aim of this Northern -army to open a communication between Canada and New-York--thus cutting -off New-England, which the ministry justly considered the hot-bed of the -Revolution, from all communication with the Middle States; while Sir -William Howe, with an army of 16,000 men, was to withdraw from New Jersey, -and move round simultaneously to the Chesapeake, and take possession of -the Middle States; and thus, as it was hoped, compel the whole to return -to their allegiance. - -Doubts, however, for several months hung over the intentions of the enemy, -whose designs were so skilfully veiled as for a long time almost to -paralyze the exertions of the Americans. The retreat of Carleton from Lake -Champlain, the preceding Autumn, even after the lake was in his power and -Crown Point in his possession, suggested a doubt whether a serious -invasion was meditated from that quarter. On the contrary, the impression -was general that the expedition of Burgoyne was destined against Boston; -and that Sir William Howe, whose movements in New Jersey were enigmatical -to perplexity, was to co-operate in an effort to re-subjugate New England. -The British government itself, as it is believed, contributed to the -distractions of Congress and the American commander, by causing reports -to be circulated that Boston was to be the next point of attack. Arthur -Lee, being then in Bordeaux, was thus confidentially advised, and he lost -no time in communicating such supposed intention to the Secret Committee -of Congress, who in turn gave the like information to the -Commander-in-chief, and also to the Legislature of Massachusetts. The -consequence of these distractions was unfortunate for the Americans. Less -attention was paid to preparations for the defence of the North than -otherwise would have been given; while Massachusetts, apprehending that -all her strength would be required for her own defence, set about raising -troops for her own protection, at the expense of the main army, from which -its quota of recruits was withheld. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letters of Washington, during the months of May, June, and July, - 1777. - - -Before the close of June, however, the designs of the enemy in regard to -the North became obvious. A person from Canada, arrested as a spy, and -brought before General Schuyler, stated on his examination, "that the -British forces were approaching St. Johns, and were to advance through -Lake Champlain under General Burgoyne; and also that a detachment of -British troops, Canadians and Indians, was to penetrate the country by -the way of Oswego and the Valley of the Mohawk. He added many particulars, -respecting the strength and arrangements of the British army, which turned -out in the end to be nearly accurate, but of which no intelligence had -before been obtained, or by many anticipated." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Sparks--Note in Life and Cor. of Washington, vol. iv. - - -The movements of General Howe were still equivocal, even after Burgoyne -had commenced his descent upon the North--thus adding to the -embarrassments of Washington. And in order the more certainly to mislead -the American commander as to his real intentions. General Howe wrote a -feigned despatch to Burgoyne, on the subject of ascending the Hudson to -join him, the bearer of which fell purposely into the hands of the -Americans, while pretending to be on his way to Canada. Unable, therefore, -to determine whether such might not be his design, (although the -intercepted despatch was regarded with strong suspicion,) or whether, on -the other hand, it might not be the purpose of Howe to pass round to the -Chesapeake and thence strike at Philadelphia, the American General was -compelled to remain inactively watching his motions, strengthening, in -the mean time, to the utmost of his power, his positions in the -highlands--without being able to detach any large number of troops to the -assistance of General Schuyler, then commanding the Northern Department. -And even after General Howe had embarked his troops and dropped down to -Sandy Hook--having evacuated New Jersey on the 30th of June -[FN-1]--Washington was still in doubt whether it might not yet be his -intention to return with the tide, and pass up the river in the -night. [FN-2] Such, however, was no part of the plan of the British -commander. His destination, on leaving the harbor of New-York, was the -Chesapeake and Philadelphia; and the latter branch of the campaign -indicated in the opening of the present chapter, was so far successful, -that after a series of victories over the forces of General Washington, -commencing at Brandywine and ending at Germantown, General Howe took -possession of, and established himself in, the capital of Pennsylvania. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] It is a pleasing evidence of the sound religious views of - Washington, that he was a firm believer in the immediate interpositions - of Providence in directing and controlling the affairs of men. His - letters abound in passages that might be cited, showing his quickness to - discern the finger of Providence, and his readiness to make the - acknowledgment. Thus, in regard to the departure from New Jersey by - General Howe, he says:--"The evacuation of Jersey at this time seems to - be a peculiar mark of Providence, as the inhabitants have an opportunity - of securing their harvests of hay and grain, the latter of which would - in all probability have undergone the same fate with many farm-houses, - had it been ripe enough to take fire."--_Letter of Washington to Maj. - Gen. Armstrong, July_ 4, 1777. - - [FN-2] "If we were certain Gen. Burgoyne were approaching Ticonderoga - with his whole army, I should not hesitate a moment in concluding that it - is in consequence of a preconcerted plan with Gen. Howe, and that the - latter is to co-operate with him by pushing his whole force up the North - River, and aiming a stroke in the first instance and immediately at the - Highlands."--_Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, July_ 2. - Again, in several successive letters, after the embarkation of General - Howe's army from Staten Island, Washington spoke of the perplexity in - which he was kept by the shifting manoeuvres of the fleet. On the 22d - of July he wrote--"I cannot give you any certain account of General - Howe's operations. His conduct is puzzling and embarrassing beyond - measure; so are the informations which I get. At one time the ships are - standing up toward the North River; in a little while they are going up - the Sound; and in one hour after, they are going out of the - Hook."--_Letter to General Schuyler._ The fleet actually sailed for the - Capes of Virginia on the 23d of July. - - -But a far different fortune attended the arms of Burgoyne. The regular -troops of his command, English and German, amounted to above seven -thousand men, added to which were large numbers of American and Canadian -loyalists, together with many hundred Indians; a species of force, which, -it has been held by British historians, Sir Guy Carleton was reluctant to -employ, while General Burgoyne, it has been alleged, entertained no such -scruples. It has ever been claimed as a virtue on the part of Carleton, -and carried to the credit of his humanity, that, rather than employ the -Indians, he submitted to the injustice of having the command of this -expedition, properly belonging to him, conferred upon an officer who was -not entitled to lead the enterprise. It is perhaps true, from his more -intimate knowledge of the Indian character, that he had formed such an -estimate of their services as to render him somewhat less sanguine than -others as to their value. His experience could not but have taught him -the extent of their inutility in war, the capriciousness of their -character, their intractableness and inconstancy. He must have known that -their ideas of war were totally different from those of civilized nations; -by reason of which, notwithstanding their ferocity, and the incredible -examples of passive valor which they sometimes afford in cases adapted to -their own opinions, they were nevertheless utterly regardless of, and -looked with contempt upon, those belligerent usages which are considered -as honorable, generous, and fair in the modern service of civilized men. -He could not have been ignorant of the fact, that the object and design -of most of the wars in which the Indians engage, are not so much to -conquer by manly and open battle, as to murder and destroy after their -own peculiar fashion. In one word, that accomplished officer very well -knew the services of the Indians to be uncertain; their rapacity to be -insatiable; their faith at all times doubtful; and their action cruel to -barbarity. Still, as we have already shown beyond contradiction, he was -among the first to court the alliance and obtain the services of Brant -and his Mohawks, on their descent to Montreal in 1775. The commendations, -therefore, that have been bestowed upon Sir Guy Carleton upon this -subject, at the expense of Burgoyne, were as undeserved by the one as -unjust toward the other. True, the march of Burgoyne was tracked with -blood, which a high-souled officer should scorn in such manner to -shed; [FN] but the footsteps of Carleton might have been equally sanguine -had the command been entrusted to him. - - * * * * * - - [FN] It is but just to this gallant but unfortunate officer, however, to - state, that he did all in his power to restrain the excesses and - barbarities of the Indians. At the council and war-feast, which he gave - them near Crown Point, he endeavored to explain to them the laws of - civilized war; and charged them that they must only kill those opposing - them in arms; that old men, women, children, and prisoners, must be held - sacred from the knife or hatchet, even in the heat of battle. But it did - no good. - - -Never, probably, at the time, had there been an army of equal numbers -better appointed than that of Burgoyne. The train of brass artillery, in -particular, was perhaps the finest that had ever been allotted to an army -not far exceeding the present in numerical strength, and for a time -victory seemed to perch upon his ensigns. - -General Carleton, it will be remembered, had made himself master of Lake -Champlain, and the fortifications at Crown Point the Autumn before. The -first object for attack presenting itself to General Burgoyne, therefore, -was Ticonderoga--situated in the mountain gap through which the waters of -Lake George fall into Lake Champlain. This fortress was then in command -of General St. Clair, and was supposed by the Americans to be a post of -great security. The principal fortress, the ruins of which are yet -standing in frowning and rugged strength, was situated on an angle of land -which is surrounded on three sides by water filled with rocks. A great -part of the south side was covered by a deep morass; and where that -failed, in the north-west quarter, the old French lines served as a -defence. These lines had been strengthened by additional works and a -block-house. The Americans had other defences and block-houses in the -direction of Lake George, together with two new block-houses and some -other works to the right of the French lines. Still greater pains had -been taken in fortifying the high circular hill on the eastern shore of -the inlet opposite, known as Mount Independence. On the summit of this -mountain, which is table-land, the Americans had erected a star-fort, -enclosing a large square of barracks, well fortified, and supplied with -artillery. The foot of the mountain, on the west side projecting into the -water, was strongly entrenched to its edge, and the entrenchment lined -with heavy artillery. These lower works were sustained and covered by a -battery, about half-way up the side of the mountain, and were connected -by a bridge across the inlet, which had been constructed at great labor -and expense. [FN-1] These, and other works of defence, had been judged -sufficient to render the post secure. The Commander-in-chief himself, -although indeed the works had not fallen under his own inspection, had -formed a very erroneous opinion of their strength, or perhaps, to speak -more correctly, of the natural advantages of the position, and of the -defensibility of the works. [FN-2] Such, in fact, was his confidence in -the post, that the idea of its loss seems from his correspondence scarce -to have entered his mind. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] London Universal Magazine, April, 1782. - - [FN-2] "I am pleased to find, by your letter to Congress, that a strong - supply of provisions has been thrown into Ticonderoga. Since that is the - case, I see no reason for apprehending that it can possibly fall into - the hands of the enemy in a short time, even were they to bring their - whole force to a point; but if they have divided it to make the different - attacks that you mention, General St. Clair will, in all probability, - have an opportunity of acting on the defensive; and should he not be - quite successful, he may damage them so considerably, that they will not - be able to attack him in his works; to which, I dare say, he will always - secure a retreat in case of accident."--_Letter of Washington to General - Schuyler, July_ 2, 1777. - - -But in all their labors, the American engineers had overlooked the high -peak, or mountain, called Sugar Hill, situated south of the bridge, on -the point of land at the confluence of the waters of Lakes George and -Champlain. Originally it had been supposed, and taken for granted, that -the crest of Sugar Hill was not only inaccessible, but too distant to be -of any avail in covering the main fortress. This opinion was an error, to -which the attention of the officers had been called the preceding year -by Colonel John Trumbull, then Adjutant-General for the Northern -Department. When Colonel Trumbull made the suggestion, he was laughed at -by the mess; but he soon proved the greater accuracy of his own vision, -by throwing a cannon shot to the summit; and subsequently clambered up to -the top, accompanied by Colonels Wayne and Arnold. [FN] It was a criminal -neglect, on the part of the Americans, that the oversight was not at once -corrected, by the construction of a work upon that point, which would have -commanded the whole post. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Conversations of the author with Colonel John Trumbull, and also - his unpublished memoirs, to which the author has had access. - - -General Burgoyne arrived at Crown Point on the 21st of June; and after -meeting and feasting the Indians, and attempting to instruct them in the -rules and principles of civilized war, and making other necessary -preparations--not forgetting to send forth a manifesto which he supposed -would spread terror through the Northern Colonies--he advanced with great -caution to the investment of Ticonderoga, where he arrived on the 2d of -July. Most unaccountably, the Americans immediately abandoned all their -works in the direction of Lake George--setting fire to the block-houses -and saw-mills; and without sally or other interruption, permitted the -enemy, under Major General Phillips, to take possession of the very -advantageous post of Mount Hope, which, besides commanding their lines in -a dangerous degree, totally cut off their communication with Lake George. -The only excuse for such an early abandonment of this important point, -was found in the fact that General St. Clair had not force enough to man -all his defences. - -One of the first objects that attracted the attention of the British -commander, was the unoccupied point of Sugar Hill. It was forthwith -examined, and its advantages were found to be so great, that immediate -dispositions were made for its occupation. A winding road was cut to its -summit, a battery commenced, and cannon to serve it transported thither. -Under these circumstances, finding himself invested on all sides, and -batteries ready to be opened upon him not only from around, but above, -and having, moreover, not half troops enough to man his works--St. Clair -hastily convened a council of war on the 5th of July, and an evacuation -was unanimously decided upon as the only alternative for the -emergency. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] "The evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence is an event - of chagrin and surprise, not apprehended nor within the compass of my - reasoning. I know not upon what principle it was founded, and I should - suppose it still more difficult to be accounted for, if the garrison - amounted to five thousand men, in high spirits, healthy, well supplied - with provisions and ammunition, and the Eastern militia marching to their - succor, as you mentioned in your letter of the 9th to the Council of - Safety of New-York."--_Letter of Washington to General Schuyler, July_ - 15, 1777. The truth, however, is, that the actual force and condition of - St. Clair's army had been universally over-estimated--as well by the - officers at a distance as by the public. The eyes of the nation were - turned upon that post; and when the news of the retreat went abroad, the - disappointment was extreme; and the loud voice of complaint and censure, - against the unfortunate General, was reiterated from one end of the - continent to the other. But, notwithstanding the "chagrin" and - "surprise," so keenly felt by the Commander-in-chief at the loss of this - important post, his strong sense of justice interposed to shield the - unfortunate commander from condemnation unheard. He wrote to General - Schuyler on the 13th of July, that General St. Clair owed it to himself - to insist upon an opportunity of giving his reasons for evacuating - Ticonderoga, but he at the same time said--"I will not condemn, or even - pass censure upon, an officer unheard." Time, however, proved that he had - acted the part of a judicious and skillful officer; but the excitement - of the moment was so great, caused by chagrin on the one hand and alarm - on the other, that all eyes were blind, and all ears deaf, to the true - reasons of the case, and even to the palliating circumstances.--_Sparks's - Life of Gonverneur Morris._ - - -Following up such a promising advantage, the British commander pushed -forward upon the retiring army, with such a degree of vigor that the -retreat became almost a rout. The Americans, however, made a stand between -Skenesborough and Fort Anne in a well-contested battle; but after much -hard fighting, were again compelled to retreat. Another engagement ensued -at Fort Anne, with a like result; and the victorious Briton entered the -valley of the Hudson, and took possession of Fort Edward, which, weak and -unprovided, had likewise been evacuated on his approach by General -Schuyler. - -These movements by the British commander had been made with equal vigor -and celerity; and such was the confusion of the Americans in their flight, -that no advices of the disaster were forwarded by express to General -Schuyler, to prepare him for the approach of the victors. Indeed, that -officer was suffered to remain several days without intelligence from St. -Clair of any description, excepting some vague flying rumors of the -evacuation. [FN-1] During this suspense, General Schuyler wrote to the -Commander-in-chief upon the subject, who, in turn, expressed his amazement -at the mystery which seemed to hang over the affairs of the fortress. At -one moment Washington was led to believe that St. Clair and the whole -garrison had been made prisoners, and at another that the rumor of the -evacuation was wholly untrue; and that the silence, for which it baffled -conjecture to account, arose from the circumstance that the Americans -were shut up in their works. [FN-2] But this doubt did not continue long. -Notwithstanding that the advance of the enemy was repulsed at Fort Anne, -Colonel Long, who was in command of that post, immediately evacuated it, -contrary to the express orders of General Schuyler; and Schuyler himself, -at the head of only fifteen hundred men at Fort Edward, "without -provision, with little ammunition, not above five rounds to a man, having -neither balls, nor lead to make any--and the country in the deepest -consternation," [FN-3] was obliged also to fall back in the direction of -Albany. The blow was a severe one; but the Commander-in-chief possessed -a soul equal to every crisis. No undue elevation of spirit followed his -successes; neither did the clouds of adverse fortune, so frequently -darkening the prospect of the American arms, sink him into -despondency. [FN-4] Indeed, each succeeding calamity was but another test -of his moral greatness, for he rose above them all. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter from General Schuyler to General Washington, July 9, 1777. - - [FN-2] Letter from General Washington in reply. - - [FN-3] Letter of Schuyler to Washington. - - [FN-4] "This stroke is severe indeed, and has distressed us much. But, - notwithstanding things at present have a dark and gloomy aspect, I hope - a spirited opposition will check the progress of General Burgoyne's army, - and that the confidence derived from his success, will hurry him into - measures that will, in their consequences, be favorable to us. We should - never despair. Our situation has before been unpromising, and has changed - for the better; so, I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, - we must only put forth new exertions, and proportion our efforts to the - exigency of the times."--_Letterr of Washington to General Schuyler, - July_ 15, 1777. - - -Nothing, however, could exceed the terror which these events diffused -among the inhabitants, not only of Northern New-York, but of the New -England States. The consternation was, moreover, increased by the reported -murders and the cruelties of the savages--since all the efforts of General -Burgoyne to dissuade them from the perpetration of their cruel enormities -were ineffectual. Restrain them he could not; and it was admitted by the -British writers of that day, that the friends of the Royal cause, as well -as its enemies, were equally victims to their indiscriminate rage. It was -even ascertained that the British officers were deceived by their -treacherous allies, into the purchase of the scalps of their own comrades. - -Among other instances of cruelty, the well-known murder of Miss Jane -McCrea, which happened in the early part of the campaign, filled the -public mind with horror. Every circumstance of this unnatural and bloody -transaction--around which there lingers a melancholy interest to this -day--served to heighten alike its interest and its enormity. Many have -been the versions of this bloody tale. General Gates, who had at this -juncture been most unjustly directed to supersede General Schuyler in the -command of the Northern Department, assailed General Burgoyne in the -newspapers with great virulence upon the subject of these outrages. After -charging the British commander with encouraging the murder of prisoners, -and the massacre of women and children, by paying the Indians a stipulated -price for scalps, Gates, in a letter addressed to General Burgoyne, thus -spoke of the case now specially under consideration:--"Miss McCrea, a -young lady, lovely to the sight, of virtuous character and amiable -disposition, engaged to an officer of your army, was, with other women -and children, taken out of a house near Fort Edward, carried into the -woods, and there scalped and mangled in the most horrid manner. Two -parents, with their six children, were treated with the same inhumanity, -while quietly resting in their own happy and peaceful dwelling. The -miserable fate of Miss McCrea was particularly aggravated, by being -dressed to receive her promised husband; but met her murderer, employed -by you. Upward of one hundred men, women, and children, have perished by -the hands of the ruffians to whom, it is asserted, you have paid the price -of blood." - -General Burgoyne replied, and repelled with indignation the charge of -encouraging, in any respect, the outrages of the Indians. He asserted -that from the first he had refused to pay for scalps, and had so informed -the Indians at their council. The only rewards he gave them were for -prisoners brought in, and by the adoption of this course he hoped to -encourage a more humane mode of warfare on their part. In this letter -Burgoyne said:--"I would not be conscious of the acts you presume to -impute to me, for the whole continent of America, though the wealth of -worlds was in its bowels and a paradise upon its surface." [FN-1] In -regard to the hapless fate of Miss McCrea, General Burgoyne -remarked:--"Her fall wanted not the tragic display you have labored to -give it, to make it as sincerely abhorred and lamented by me as it can be -by the tenderest of her friends. The act was no premeditated barbarity. -On the contrary, two chiefs, who had brought her off for the purpose of -security, not of violence to her person, disputed which should be her -guard, and in a fit of savage passion in one, from whose hands she was -snatched, the unhappy woman became the victim. Upon the first intelligence -of this event, I obliged the Indians to deliver the murderer into my -hands; and though to have punished him by our laws, or principles of -justice, would have been perhaps unprecedented, he certainly should have -suffered an ignominious death, had I not been convinced, from my -circumstances and observations, beyond the possibility of a doubt, that -a pardon under the terms which I presented and they accepted, would be -more efficacious than an execution, to prevent similar mischiefs. The -above instance excepted, your intelligence respecting the cruelty of the -Indians, is false." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] While these pages are passing through the press, the author has - fallen upon a letter written from Montreal, and published in the - _Remembrancer_ for 1777, in which it was stated that a party of the - Indians had returned to Montreal in a high state of dissatisfaction, - because of the severity of Burgoyne's discipline toward them, and his - refusal to tolerate their mode of warfare, or pay them their accustomed - bounty for scalps. It was further stated that they waited upon Sir Guy - Carleton with their complaints--liking their old "Father" much better - than their new. - - [FN-2] Vide Marshall's Life of Washington, Vol. I, Appendix. - - -The British commander doubtless labored to make the best of his case, and -in respect to Miss McCrea, his statement was much nearer to the truth than -that of General Gates. The actual circumstances of the case, stripped of -its romance, were these:--Miss McCrea belonged to a family of loyalists, -and had engaged her hand in marriage to a young refugee named Jones, a -subordinate officer in the British service, who was advancing with -Burgoyne. Anxious to possess himself of his bride, he despatched a small -party of Indians to bring her to the British camp. Her family and friends -were strongly opposed to her going with such an escort; but her affection -overcame her prudence, and she determined upon the hazardous adventure. -She set forward with her dusky attendants on horseback. The family resided -at the village of Fort Edward, from whence they had not proceeded more -than half a mile before her conductors stopped to drink at a spring. -Meantime the impatient lover, who deserved not her embrace for confiding -her protection to such hands, instead of going himself, had despatched -a second party of Indians upon the same errand. The Indians met at the -spring; and before the march was resumed, they were attacked by a party -of the Provincials. At the close of the skirmish the body of Miss McCrea -was found among the slain--tomahawked, scalped, and tied to a pine tree, -yet standing by the side of the spring, as a monument of the bloody -transaction. The name of the young lady is inscribed on the tree, the -trunk of which is thickly scarred with the bullets it received in the -skirmish. It also bears the date 1777. "Tradition reports that the Indians -divided the scalp, and that each party carried half of it to the agonized -lover." [FN] The ascertained cause of her murder was this. The promised -reward for bringing her in safety to her betrothed, was a barrel of rum. -The chiefs of the two parties sent for her by Mr. Jones, quarreled -respecting the anticipated compensation. Each claimed it; and, in a moment -of passion, to end the controversy, one of them struck her down with his -hatchet. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Silliman's Tour from Hartford to Quebec. Vide, also, Marshall, - Gordon, and others. - - -The tale was sufficiently painful according to the simple facts of the -case, and its recital produced a thrill of horror wherever it -came--enlarged and embellished, as it was sure to be in its progress, by -every writer who could add to the eloquence of the narrative or the pathos -of its catastrophe. - -As the invader advanced, the inhabitants fled in the wildest -consternation. The horrors of war, however mitigated by the laws and -usages of civilization, are at all times sufficiently terrific; but when -to these the fierce cruelties of a cloud of savages are superadded, those -only who have been familiar with an American border warfare can form an -adequate opinion of its atrocities. Among the fugitives driven from their -peaceful abodes on the present occasion, was Mrs. Ann Eliza Bleecker, a -lady who has been somewhat celebrated as one of the early poets of our -country. She was the daughter of Mr. Brandt Schuyler of the city of -New-York, and the wife of John J. Bleecker, Esq., of New Rochelle, whose -enterprise, together with his lady's love for the wild scenery of the -forest, had induced him to exchange a residence among the busy haunts -of men for a solitary plantation in the vale of the Tomhanic--a mountain -stream flowing into the Hoosic river, about twenty miles from Albany. Mr. -Bleecker's residence lay directly in the march of Burgoyne, on whose -approach he hastened to Albany to provide accommodations for his family. -But a few hours after his departure, Mrs. Bleecker, as she sat at table -received intelligence that the enemy, with tomahawk and brand, was within -two miles of her residence. Instant flight was the only alternative. -Taking one of her children in her arms and seizing the other by the hand, -she started off on foot attended only by a young mulatto girl, and leaving -her house and all its contents a prey to the Indians. The roads were -encumbered by carriages, loaded with women and children, each intent upon -his or her own safety; so that no assistance could be obtained, and her -only recourse was to mingle in the fugitive throng, and participate in -the common panic and common distress. Having traveled about five miles -on foot, however, she succeeded in obtaining a seat for the children in -a wagon which served to facilitate her march. On the following morning she -was met by her husband, who conducted her to Albany, and from thence down -the Hudson as far as Red Hook one of her children dying by the way. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The facts of this incident in the life of Mrs. Bleeker are taken - from Kettel's biographical sketches of American poets. The memoirs of - Mrs. B. together with her poems, were published many years ago, but I - sought in vain among the libraries and the Bleekers to obtain a - copy.--_Author._ - - -Amid this scene of desolation and affright, there was yet one woman whose -proud spirit was undaunted. It was the lady of General Schuyler. The -General's country-seat was upon his estate in Saratoga, standing upon the -margin of the river. On the approach of Burgoyne, Mrs. Schuyler went up -to Saratoga, in order to remove their furniture. Her carriage was attended -by only a single armed man on horseback. When within two miles of her -house, she encountered a crowd of panic-stricken people, who recited to -her the tragic fate of Miss McCrea, and representing to her the danger of -proceeding farther in the face of the enemy, urged her to return. She had -yet to pass through a dense forest, within which even then some of the -savage troops might be lurking for prey. But to these prudential councils -she would not listen. "The General's wife," she exclaimed, "must not be -afraid!" And pushing forward, she accomplished her purpose. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] I have derived this incident, and also that respecting the General, - which follows in the text, from Mrs. James Cochran of Oswego, who was - the youngest daughter of General Schuyler.--_Author._ - - -Before the mansion was evacuated, however, the General himself had a -narrow escape from assassination by the hand of a savage, who had -insinuated himself into the house for that purpose. It was at the hour -of bed-time, in the evening, and while the General was preparing to retire -for the night, that a female servant, in coming in from the hall, saw a -gleam of light reflected from the blade of a knife, in the hand of some -person whose dark outline she discerned behind the door. The servant was -a black slave, who had sufficient presence of mind not to appear to have -made the discovery. Passing directly through the door into the apartment -where the General was yet standing near the fire-place, with an air of -unconcern she pretended to arrange such articles as were disposed upon -the mantel-piece, while in an undertone she informed her master of her -discovery, and said, aloud, "I will call the guard." The General instantly -seized his arms, while the faithful servant hurried out by another door -into a long hall, upon the floor of which lay a loose board which creaked -beneath the tread. By the noise she made in trampling rapidly upon the -board, the Indian--for such he proved--was led to suppose that the -Philistines were upon him in numbers, sprang from his concealment and -fled. He was pursued, however, by the guard and a few friendly Indians -attached to the person of General Schuyler, overtaken, and made prisoner. -Exasperated at his treachery, the friendly Indians were resolved to put -him to death, and it was with much difficulty that they were diverted -from their purpose by the General. - -The effect of the incidents we have been detailing, and other recitals of -savage cruelties, not all, as General Burgoyne represented, without -foundation, was extensive and powerful. The cry of vengeance was -universal; and a spirit was aroused which proved of speedy and great -advantage to the American arms. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - - - Expedition against the Mohawk Valley from Oswego--Despondency of the - people in Tryon County--Letter of John Jay--Arrest of several of the - disaffected--Flight of others to Canada--Schuyler's complaints of the - cowardice of the people--Great discouragements--Proclamation of General - Herkimer--Letter from Thomas Spencer--St. Leger's approach--Caution and - plan of his march--Diary of Lieut. Bird--Fort Stanwix invested--Colonel - Gansevoort takes command--Its deplorable condition--Gansevoort joined - by Willett--Story of Captain Gregg--Situation of the garrison--Arrival - of St. Leger--His proclamation--Burgoyne's affairs becoming - critical--Affair of Bennington--General Herkimer, with the Tryon County - militia, advances to the relief of Gansevoort--Battle of - Oriskany--Bloody upon both sides--Unexampled bravery of Captain - Gardenier--Major Watts--Dissatisfaction of the Indians--Sortie and - success of Colonel Willett--Death and character of General Herkimer. - -Contemporaneously with the descent of Burgoyne upon Northern New-York, -Colonel Barry St. Leger had been despatched from Montreal, by the way of -the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, to Oswego, there to form a junction -with the Indians and loyalists under Sir John Johnson and Captain Brant. -From Oswego, St. Leger was to penetrate by the way of Oneida Lake and Wood -Creek to the Mohawk river, with a view of forming a junction from that -direction with Burgoyne, on his arrival in Albany. The alarm everywhere -felt on the approach of Burgoyne from the North, was greatly increased -in Tryon County, on receiving intelligence of the contemplated invasion -by the Indians and loyalists from the West, The news of this movement was -first brought to the inhabitants by an Oneida half-breed sachem named -Thomas Spencer, who came therewith direct from Canada, whither he had gone -as a secret emissary to obtain information. Spencer stated that he had -been present at a council held at the Indian castle of Cassassenny, at -which Colonel Claus presided. [FN-1] According to Thomas's relation. -Colonel Claus strongly urged the Indians to join in the expedition into -the Mohawk Valley by the Western approach; boasting of the strength of -the army under Burgoyne, which had gone against Ticonderoga, and the -number of Indians with them, and before whom he assured them Ticonderoga -would fall. "Yes," said Colonel Claus, "Ticonderoga is mine. This is true: -you may depend on it, and not one gun shall be fired." Singularly enough, -though improbable at the time, the prediction, as we have seen, was -literally fulfilled. "The same," added the superintendent, "is true of -Fort Schuyler. I am sure that when I come before that fort, and the -commanding officer shall see me, he also will not fire a shot, but will -surrender the fort to me." The Oneida sachem farther informed the people -that Sir John Johnson and Colonel Claus were then at Oswego with their -families, with seven hundred Indians and four hundred regular troops. -There were also six hundred Tories on one of the islands above Oswegatchie -preparing to join them; and Colonel Butler was to arrive at Oswego on the -14th of July from Niagara, to hold a council with the Six Nations, to all -of whom he would offer the hatchet to join them and strike the -Americans. [FN-2] Thomas thereupon concluded his communication in the -following speech:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Colonel Daniel Claus, a brother-in-law of Sir John Johnson, had - either superseded Guy Johnson as Indian Superintendent in Canada, or - been appointed a Deputy. - - [FN-2] Referring, doubtless, to the Grand Council, of which an account is - given in chapter VIII. - - -"Brothers: Now is your time to awake, and not to sleep longer; or, on the -contrary, it shall go with Fort Schuyler as it went already with -Ticonderoga. - -"Brothers: I therefore desire you to be spirited, and to encourage one -another to march on to the assistance of Fort Schuyler. Come up, and show -yourselves as men, to defend and save your country before it is too late. -Despatch yourselves to clear the brush about the fort, and send a party -to cut trees in the Wood Creek to stop up the same. - -"Brothers: If you don't come soon, without delay, to assist this place, -we cannot stay much longer on your side; for if you leave this fort -without succor, and the enemy shall get possession thereof, we shall -suffer like you in your settlements, and shall be destroyed with you. We -are suspicious that your enemies have engaged the Indians, and endeavor -daily yet to strike and fight against you; and General Schuyler refuses -always that we shall take up arms in the country's behalf. - -"Brothers: I can assure you, that as soon as Butler's speech at Oswego -shall be over, they intend to march down the country immediately to -Albany. You may judge yourselves that if you don't try to resist, we shall -be obliged to join them or fly from our Castles, as we cannot hinder them -alone. We, the good friends of the country, are of opinion, that if more -force appears at Fort Schuyler, the enemy will not move from Oswego to -invade these frontiers. You may depend on it we are willing to help you -if you will do some efforts too." - -The counsel of the faithful Oneida was neither early enough, nor was it -seconded with sufficient promptitude on the part of the inhabitants. -Indeed, it must be confessed, that, as the storm of war rolled onward, -gathering at once from different directions, and threatening daily to -break upon them with increasing fury, many of the yeomen who had hitherto -borne themselves nobly, began to falter. A spirit of disaffection had also -been more widely diffused among the settlements than could have been -supposed from the previous patriotic conduct of the people, while treason -lurked in many places where least suspected. Upon this subject, and with -special reference to the popular feeling and conduct in Tryon County, -John Jay, then sitting in the State Convention at Kingston, addressed the -following letter to Gouverneur Morris, a member of the Council of Safety, -who was at that time with General Schuyler in the North:-- - - "John Jay to Gouverneur Morris. - "_Kingston, July_ 21_st,_ 1777. - - "Dear Morris, - -"The situation of Tryon County is both shameful and alarming. Such abject -dejection and despondency, as mark the letters we have received from -thence, disgrace human nature. God knows what to do with, or for them. -Were they alone interested in their fate, I should be for leaving their -cart in the slough till they would put their shoulders to the wheel. - -"Schuyler has his enemies here, and they use these things to his -disadvantage. Suspicions of his having been privy to the evacuation of -Ticonderoga spread wide; and twenty little circumstances, which perhaps -are false, are trumped up to give color to the conjecture. [FN] We could -wish that your letters might contain paragraphs for the public. We are -silent because we have nothing to say; and the people suspect the worst -because we say nothing. Their curiosity must be constantly gratified, or -they will be uneasy. Indeed, I do not wonder at their impatience, the late -Northern events having been such as to have occasioned alarm and -suspicion. I have not leisure to add any thing more, than that I am, very -sincerely, yours, &c. - - "John Jay." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Reference has already been made, in the text, to the injustice done - toward General Schuyler during this memorable year. There was probably no - officer in the service, the Commander-in-chief alone excepted, who was - considered by the enemy so great an obstacle to the success of their - arms. A narrow sectional prejudice existed against him in New England. - The failure of the Canadian campaign had been most wrongfully attributed - to him in 1776, and with equal injustice the fall of Ticonderoga was now - charged to his remissness by his own countrymen. The enemy were not slow - to avail themselves of these prejudices and groundless imputations, and - through the agency of the Tories, the most artful and insidious means - were employed to destroy the public confidence in his integrity and - capacity. The flame of suspicion was fanned by them until it became - general, and was openly avowed. Committees, towns, and districts, - assembled, and passed resolves expressing their distrust in him, and both - Congress and the Provincial Legislature of New-York were addressed upon - the subject. General Schuyler, than whom there was not a truer patriot, - nor a more earnest or active in the public service, was well aware of - these movements. To a Committee of the Provincial Congress, who had - formally communicated the charges to him, he returned an answer worthy - of a brave and magnanimous soldier. The character of this answer will - be understood from this single sentence:--"We must bear with the caprice, - jealousy, and envy of our misguided friends, and pity them." - - -As early as the 10th of April, Colonel Robert Van Rensselaer wrote to a -friend, that the Chairman of the County Committee had applied to him for -the assistance of his militia, to quell an insurrection of the loyalists -in Ballston; but such was the condition of his own regiment, that he was -obliged to decline the request. The spirit of disaffection had become so -prevalent among his men, that numbers of them had taken the oath of -secrecy and allegiance to Great Britain. However, he added that seventeen -of the villains had been arrested by the vigilance of the officers, and -were then in confinement; and a hope was indulged of being able to detect -the whole. [FN-1] Early in the following month the residue of the Roman -Catholic Scotch settlers in the neighborhood of Johnstown ran off to -Canada, together with some of the loyalist Germans--all headed by two -men named McDonald, who had been permitted by General Schuyler to visit -their families. The fact that the wives and families of the absconding -loyalists were holding communication with them, and administering to their -subsistence on the outskirts of the settlements, had suggested their -arrest, and removal to a place of safety, to the number of four -hundred--a measure that was approved by General Herkimer and his -officers. [FN-2] Alarming reports of various descriptions were continually -in circulation, and the inhabitants were harassed beyond measure by the -necessity of performing frequent tours of military duty--acting as scouts -and reconnoitering parties; and standing, some of them, as sentinels -around their fields, while others did the labor. No neighborhood felt -secure, and all were apprehensive that the whole country would be ravaged -by the Indians; while parties of the disaffected were continually stealing -away to augment the ranks of the enemy. Thus circumstanced, and at the -very moment when they were called upon to reinforce Fort Schuyler, the -Committees both of Palatine and Schoharie, feeling that they were not -strong enough even for self-defence, were calling upon the Council of -Safety at Albany to send additional forces for their protection. Mr. -Paris wrote repeatedly upon the subject. The Schoharie Committee, on the -17th of July, wrote very frankly, that "the late advantages gained by the -enemy had such an effect, that many who had been counted as friends of -the State were drawing back. Our situation," he added, "is -deplorable--excepting those who have sought protection from the enemy. -We are entirely open to the Indians and Tories, whom we expect every hour -to come upon us. Part of our militia are at Fort Edward; and of the few -that are here, many are unwilling to take up arms to defend themselves, -as they are unable to stand against so many enemies. Therefore if your -honors do not grant us immediate relief to the amount of about five -hundred men, we must either fall a prey to the enemy, or take protection -also." [FN-3] On the 18th of July, General Schuyler wrote to the Hon. -Pierre Van Courtlandt, from Saratoga, and again on the 21st from Fort -Edward, to the same effect. "I am exceedingly chagrined," he says, "at -the pusillanimous spirit which prevails in the County of Tryon. I -apprehend much of it is to be attributed to the infidelity of the leading -persons of that quarter. If I had one thousand regular troops, in -addition to those now above and on the march, I should venture to keep -only every third man of the militia, and would send them down. The -substance of Colonel Harper's information had been transmitted about a -month ago. In consequence whereof, I sent Colonel Van Schaick into Tryon -County with as many troops as I could collect. After the improper -agreement made by General Herkimer, [FN-4] these troops were marched back; -but as soon as I was informed of the march, I ordered them to remain in -Tryon County, where they are still, and I have sent up Colonel Wesson's -regiment to reinforce them. But if I may be allowed to judge of the temper -of General Herkimer and the Committee of Tryon County, from their letters -to me, nothing will satisfy them unless I march the whole army into that -quarter. With deference to the better judgment of the Council of Safety, -I cannot by any means think it prudent to bring on an open rupture with -the savages at the present time. The inhabitants of Tryon County are -already too much inclined to lay down their arms, and take whatever terms -the enemy may please to afford them. Half the militia from this (Tryon) -County, and the neighboring State of Massachusetts, we have been under the -necessity of dismissing; but the whole should go. I enclose you the -proceedings of a council of General officers, held at this place on the -20th instant. You will perceive that we have been driven to the necessity -of allowing some of the militia to return to their plantations. The -remainder have promised to remain three weeks longer--that is to say, -unless they choose to return sooner, which will doubtless be the case, -and for which they have many reasons." [FN-5] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] MS. documents in the Department of State, Albany. - - [FN-2] MS. documents in the Department of State, Albany--Letter of Isaac - Paris. - - [FN-3] MS. correspondence of the Provincial Congress--Secretary's office, - Albany. - - [FN-4] Probably referring to the interview between Herkimer and Brant - at Unadilla. - - [FN-5] MS. Cor. Council of Safety--Secretary's office, Albany. - - -The complaints of General Schuyler were not without just foundation, as -the reader has already seen. Indeed, both regulars and militia in Tryon -County, seemed for the moment to have lost all the high qualities of -soldiers or citizens. Of two hundred militiamen ordered to muster and join -the garrison of Fort Schuyler, only a part obeyed; while two companies of -regular troops, receiving the like orders, entered upon the service with -great reluctance, and not without urging various excuses--complaining that -service in scouting parties had unfitted them for garrison duty. [FN] Under -circumstances of such discouragement, it was a time of peculiar trial to -the officers and Committees of Safety. Tryon County had early espoused -the cause of freedom, and apparently with greater unanimity than any other -county in the State; and the extensive defection, or criminal apathy, -which we have just been contemplating, was altogether unexpected. But a -crisis was approaching, which necessity soon obliged them to meet. -Accordingly, on the 17th of July, General Herkimer issued a patriotic -proclamation to the inhabitants of the county, announcing the gathering -of the enemy at Oswego, "Christians and Savages," to the number of two -thousand strong, with the intention of invading the frontier, and calling -upon the people _en masse,_ to be ready at a moment's warning to repair -to the field, with arms and accoutrements, on the approach of the enemy. -Those in health, from 16 to 60 years of age, were designated for actual -service; while those above 60 years of age, or invalids, were directed to -arm for the defence of the women and children at whatever place they might -be gathered in for safety. Concerning the disaffected, and those who might -refuse to obey the orders, it was directed in the proclamation that they -should be arrested, their arms secured, and themselves placed under guard -to join the main body. All the members of the Committee, and all those -who, by reason of having formerly held commissions, had become exempts -from service, were invited to repair to the rendezvous, and aid in -repulsing the foe; "not doubting that the Almighty Power, upon our humble -prayers, and sincere trust in Him, will then graciously succour our arms -in battle for our just cause, and victory cannot fail on our side." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Annals of Tryon County. - - -The Oneida Indians, who were sincerely disposed to favor the cause of the -United States, but who, pursuant to the humane policy of Congress and the -advice of General Schuyler, had determined to preserve their neutrality, -beheld the approaching invasion from Oswego with no small degree of -apprehension. The course they had marked out for themselves, as they were -well aware, was viewed with displeasure by their Mohawk brethren, while -the other members of their confederacy were obviously inclined to side -with their "Uncle." [FN] Living, moreover, in the immediate neighborhood -of Fort Schuyler, where St. Leger's first blow must be struck, they were -not a little troubled in the prospect of what might happen to themselves. -The watchful Thomas Spencer, therefore, despatched the following letter -to the Committee on the 29th of July, which was received on the 30th:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] In the Six Nations, the Mohawks--the head tribe--were called - "Uncle." The Oneidas were "the elder brother," &c. - - -"At a meeting of the chiefs, they tell me that there is but four days -remaining of the time set for the king's troops to come to Fort Schuyler, -and they think it likely they will be here sooner. - -"The chiefs desire the commanding officers at Fort Schuyler not to make -a Ticonderoga of it; but they hope you will be courageous. - -"They desire General Schuyler may have this with speed, and send a good -army here; there is nothing to do at New-York; we think there is men to -be spared--we expect the road is stopped to the inhabitants by a party -through the woods; we shall be surrounded as soon as they come. This may -be our last advice, as these soldiers are part of those that are to hold -a treaty. Send this to the Committee--as soon as they receive it, let -the militia rise up and come to Fort Schuyler. - -"To-morrow we are a-going to the Three Rivers [FN] to the treaty. We -expect to meet the warriors, and when we come there and declare we are -for peace, we expect to be used with indifference and sent away." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The junction of the Oneida, Seneca, and Oswego rivers--not "Three - Rivers" in Canada. - - -"Let all the troops that come to Fort Schuyler take care on their march, -as there is a party of Indians to stop the road below the fort, about -80 or 100. We hear they are to bring their cannon up Fish Creek. We hear -there is 1000 going to meet the enemy. We advise not--the army is too -large for so few men to defend the Fort--we send a belt of 8 rows to -confirm the truth of what we say. - -"It looks likely to me the troops are near--hope all friends to liberty, -and that love their families, will not be backward, but exert themselves; -as one resolute blow would secure the friendship of the Six Nations, and -almost free this part of the country from the incursions of the -enemy." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. letter among the papers of General Gansevoort. Thomas Spencer - was a blacksmith, who had resided among the Cayugas, and was greatly - beloved by the Indians.--_Letter from General Schuyler to Colonel - Dayton--Gansevoort papers._ - - -The certainty that the invaders were thus approaching, the earnestness -of the appeals of the Committee to the patriotism of the people, the -influence of the proclamation of the German General, who was a much -better man than officer, save only in the single attribute of courage; -and, above all, the positive existence of a common danger from which -there was no escape; were circumstances, together, not without their -effect. And although the eleventh hour had arrived, yet the militia, and -all upon whom the call to arms had been made, now began to move with a -degree of alacrity and an exhibition of spirit that went far to atone -for the unpatriotic, if not craven, symptoms already noticed. - -Meantime, having completed his organization at Oswego, General St. Leger -commenced his march upon Fort Schuyler, moving by the route already -indicated, though with great circumspection. The name of this place of -rendezvous has already recurred more than once, or twice, in the -preceding pages. Its position was important, and it had been a place of -renown in the earlier wars of the Colony. The river bearing the same -name, which here pours Northwardly into Lake Ontario, is the outlet both -of the Oneida and Seneca rivers, through which, and their tributary -streams, it is connected with the chain of small lakes bearing the names -of Oneida, Cazenovia, Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca, and -Canandaigua. Its estuary, of course, forms the natural opening into the -rich district of country surrounding those lakes, which, down to the -period of the present history, contained the principal towns of four of -the Five Nations of Indians. During the wars between the French and -Five Nations, Oswego was repeatedly occupied by the armies of the former. -It was here that Count Frontenac landed, on his invasion of the Onondaga -country in 1692, at which time, or subsequently, a considerable military -work was erected on the western side of the river. During the war with -France, which was closed in America by the conquest of Canada, it was -in the occupancy of the Provincials and English. The expedition destined -to descend the St. Lawrence upon Montreal, was assembled at this point -in 1759, after the fall of Niagara, under General Shirley and Sir William -Johnson, The army was encamped here several weeks, and finally broke up -without attempting its main object--owing, as Sir William Johnson -intimates in his private diary, to a want of energy on the part of -Shirley. After the fall of Quebec and Montreal into the hands of the -English, a battalion of the 55th regiment was stationed at Oswego, under -Major Duncan, a brother of the naval hero of Camperdown. A new and far -more formidable work was constructed upon the Eastern or North-eastern -promontory, formed by the embouchure of the river into the lake. The new -position was far better chosen for a fortress than the old; and, -ultimately, before the Britons were dispossessed of it by the Americans, -it became a work of somewhat formidable strength and dimensions. The -situation is one of the most beautiful that can be imagined; and during -the two or three years in which Major Duncan was in command, by the -cultivation of a large garden, the laying out and improving of a -bowling-green, and other pleasure-grounds, it was rendered a little -paradise in the wilderness. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Mrs. Grant's delightful book--"Memoirs of an American Lady," - chapters xliv. to xlvii. inclusive. - - -All told, the army of St. Leger consisted of seventeen hundred -men--Indians included. These latter were led by Thayendanegea. The order -of their march, as beautifully drawn and colored, was subsequently taken, -with the escritoire of the commanding General, and will be found on the -subsequent page, accurately copied and engraved. The advance of the main -body, it will be seen, was formed of Indians, marching in five Indian -columns; that is, in single files, at large distances from each other, -and four hundred and sixty paces in front of the line. From these columns -of Indians, files were stretched at a distance often paces from each -other, forming a line of communication with the advanced guard of the -line, which was one hundred paces in front of the column. The right and -left flanks were covered by Indians at one hundred paces, forming -likewise lines of communication with the main body. The King's regiment -moved from the left by Indian file, while the 34th moved in the same -order from the right. The rear-guard was formed of regular troops; while -the advance guard, composed of sixty marksmen, detached from Sir John -Johnson's regiment of Royal Greens, was led by Sir John's brother-in-law, -Captain Watts. Each corps was likewise directed to have ten chosen -marksmen in different parts of its line, in case of attack, to be pushed -forward to any given point as circumstances might require. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. directions found among the captured papers of St. Leger. - - - -[Illustration: St. Leger's Order of March.] - - - -From these extraordinary precautions, it may well be inferred that -General St. Leger, who probably acted much under the advice of Sir John -Johnson and the refugee Provincials, who must have been best acquainted -with the country and the character of the enemy they were going to -encounter, was not a little apprehensive of an attack by surprise while -on his march. - -In addition to the arrangements already indicated, a detachment from the -8th regiment, with a few Indians, was sent a day or more in advance, -under the command of Lieutenant Bird. This officer pushed forward with -spirit, but was somewhat annoyed by the insubordination and independent -action of his allies. The following extracts from his private diary [FN] -will not only disclose his own embarrassments, but illustrate the -character of Indian warriors acting in concert with regular troops:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. Diary of Lt. Henry Bird, captured from Gen. St. Leger by Col. - Gansevoort. - - -"_Tuesday,_ 28_th July,_ 1777.--After going two miles, and no savages -coming up, waited two hours for them. Sixteen Senecas arriving, proceeded -to the Three Rivers [FN]--waited there two hours--seventy or eighty -Messesaugues coming up, I proposed moving forward. They had stolen two -oxen from the drove of the army, and would not advance, but stayed to -feast. I advanced without Indians seven miles farther--in all nineteen -miles. Posted four sentinels all night from a sergeant's guard of twelve -men--relieved every hour--visited every half hour. All fires put out at -9 o'clock." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The junction of the Oneida, Seneca, and Oswego rivers. - - -"_Wednesday_--Set off next morning at six, having waited for the savages -till that time, though none arrived. Ordered the boats to keep seventy -rods behind each other--half the men keeping their arms in their hands, -while the other half rowed. Ordered, on any of the boats being fired -upon, that the men should jump ashore. The rest to support them with all -expedition. Rowed all night. Encamped at Nine Mile Point. - -"_Thursday, July_ 30.--With twenty-seven Senecas and nine Messesaugues -joined Mr. Hair's party. [FN] Many savages being with us, proceeded to -Wood Creek, a march of fifteen miles. . . ." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Lieut. Hair--afterward killed. - - -"_Friday._--The savages hinted an intention to send parties to Fort -Stanwix, but to proceed in a body no farther. I called a council of the -chiefs--told them I had orders to approach near the fort--that if they -would accompany me, I should be content; but if they would not go, I -should take the white people under my command, and proceed myself. The -Messesaugues said they would go with me. The Senecas said I had promised -to be advised by their chiefs--that it was their way to proceed with -caution. I answered, that I meant only as to fighting in the bush, but -that I had communicated my intentions to them in the former camp, of -preventing them [the Americans meaning] from stopping the creek, [FN] and -investing their fort. But since I had promised to be advised by them, I -would take it so far as to wait till next morning--and would then -certainly march by daybreak. After some counseling, they seemed pleased -with what I had said, and said they would send out large scouts to -prepare the way. Accordingly eight-teen or twenty set off this evening." - - * * * * * - - [FN] General Schuyler had directed the commanding officer of Fort - Stanwix to obstruct the navigation of Wood Creek by felling trees - therein. - - -On the 2d of August, however, Bird wrote back to his General that no -savages would advance with him except Henriques, a Mohawk, and one other -of the Six Nations, an old acquaintance of his. The letter -continues:--"Those two, Sir, I hope to have the honor to present to you. -A savage, who goes by the name of Commodore Bradley, was the chief cause -of their not advancing to-day. Twelve Messesaugues came up two or three -hours after my departure. Those, with the scout of fifteen I had the -honor to mention to you in my last, are sufficient to invest Fort -Stanwix, if you favor me so far as not to order to the contrary." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. of the original letter, among the Gansevoort papers. - - -St. Leger received this letter on the same day, at Nine Mile Point, -whence he immediately despatched the following reply:-- - - "General St. Leger to Lieut. Bird. - _Nine Mile Point, Aug._ 2, 1777. - - "Sir, - -"I this instant received your letter containing the account of your -operations since you were detached, which I with great pleasure tell you -have been sensible and spirited; your resolution of investing Fort -Stanwix is perfectly right; and to enable you to do it with greater -effect, I have detached Joseph [Thayendanegea] and his corps of Indians -to reinforce you. You will observe that I will have nothing but an -investiture made; and in case the enemy, observing the discretion and -judgment with which it is made, should offer to capitulate, you are to -tell them that you are sure I am well disposed to listen to them; this is -not to take any honor out of a young soldier's hands, but by the presence -of the troops to prevent the barbarity and carnage which will ever obtain -where Indians make so superior a part of a detachment; I shall move from -hence at eleven o'clock, and be early in the afternoon at the entrance -of the creek. - - "I am, Sir, your most obt. and humble ser't. - Barry St. Leger." - - "_Lieut. Bird, 8th reg't._" [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. of the original letter, among the Gansevoort papers,--Vide, - also, Campbell's Annals. - - -The investment of the fort was made by Lieut. Bird forthwith--Brant -arriving to his assistance at the same time. But the result of the siege -that followed proved that the British commander had grievously -miscalculated the spirit of the garrison of Fort Stanwix, in his -anticipations of a speedy capitulation. Still, his prudential order, the -object of which was to prevent an unnecessary sacrifice of life at the -hands of his Indian allies, calculating, of course, upon an easy victory, -was not the less commendable on that account. - -The situation of Fort Stanwix itself--or rather Fort Schuyler, as it must -now be called--next demands attention. At the beginning of the year, as -we have already seen, the post was commanded by Colonel Elmore of the -State service. The term of that officer expiring in April, Colonel Peter -Gansevoort, also of the State troops, was designated as Colonel Elmore's -successor, by an order from General Gates, dated the 26th of that month. -Notwithstanding the labors of Colonel Drayton, in repairing the works, -the preceding year, Colonel Gansevoort found them in such a state of -dilapidation, that they were not only indefensible, but untenable. A -brisk correspondence ensued between that officer and General Schuyler -upon the subject, from which it is manifest that, to say nothing of the -miserable condition of his defences, with the prospect of an invasion -from the West before him, his situation was in other respects -sufficiently deplorable. He had but a small number of men, and many of -those were sick by reason of destitution. [FN-1] Added to all which was -the responsibility of the Indian relations confided to him by special -order of General Schuyler on the 9th of June. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letters among the Gansevoort papers. - - [FN-2] "You will keep up a friendly intercourse with the Indians, and - suffer no speeches to be made to them by any person not employed in the - Indian Department; and when you have occasion to speak to them, let your - speech be written, and a copy transmitted to me, that the Commissioners - may be informed of every transaction with those people."--_Schuyler's - letter to Colonel Gansevoort._ Colonel G. lost no time in holding a - council with such of the chiefs and warriors as yet remained friendly, - and he seems to have fully acquired their confidence. He delivered a - sensible speech on the occasion, but it contains nothing requiring - farther note. - - -Colonel Marinus Willett was soon afterward directed to join the garrison -at Fort Schuyler with his regiment, and most fortunate was the selection -of such an officer as Willett to cooperate with such another as -Gansevoort; since all the skill, and energy, and courage of both were -necessary for the situation. The work itself was originally a square -fort, with four bastions, surrounded by a ditch of considerable width -and depth, with a covert way and glacis around three of its angles; the -other being sufficiently secured by low, marshy ground. In front of the -gate there had been a drawbridge, covered by a salient angle raised in -front of it on the glacis. In the centre of the ditch a row of -perpendicular pickets had been erected, with rows of horizontal pickets -fixed around the ramparts under the embrasures. But since the conclusion -of the French war, the fort had fallen into decay; the ditch was filled -up, and the pickets had rotted and fallen down; [FN-1] nor had any -suitable progress been made in its reparation. Immediate exertions, -energetic and unremitting, were necessary to repair, or rather to renew -and reconstruct, the works, and place them in a posture of defence, -should the long anticipated invasion ensue from that quarter. A more -correct idea of the wretched condition of the post, even down to the -beginning of July, may be found from the annexed letter:--[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Willett's Narrative. - - [FN-2] MS. copy, preserved among General Gansevoort's papers. - - - "Colonel Gansevoort to General Schuyler. - _Fort Schuyler, July_ 4_th,_ 1777. - - "Sir, - -"Having taken an accurate review of the state of the garrison, I think -it is incumbent on me to inform your Excellency by express of our present -circumstances. Every possible assistance is given to Captain Marquizee, -to enable him to carry on such works as are deemed absolutely necessary -for the defence of the garrison. The soldiers are constantly at -work--even such of them as come off guard are immediately turned out to -fatigue. But I cannot conceal from your Excellency the impossibility of -attending fully to all the great objects pointed out in the orders issued -to the commanding officer on the station, without farther assistance. -Sending out sufficient parties of observation, felling the timber into -Wood Creek, clearing the road from Fort Dayton, which is so embarrassed, -in many parts, as to be impassable, and prosecuting, at the same time, -the internal business of the garrison, are objects of the greatest -importance, which should, if possible, be immediately considered. But -while no exertions compatible with the circumstances we are in, and -necessary to give your Excellency satisfaction with respect to all these -interesting matters, shall be omitted, I am very sensible it is not in -our power to get over some capital obstructions without a reinforcement. -The enclosed return, and the difficulties arising from the increasing -number of hostile Indians, will show to your Excellency the grounds of -my opinion. One hundred and fifty men would be needed speedily and -effectually to obstruct Wood Creek; an equal number will be necessary to -guard the men at work in felling and hauling of timber. Such a deduction -from our number, together with smaller deductions for scouting parties, -would scarcely leave a man in the garrison, which might therefore be -easily surprised by a contemptible party of the enemy. The number of -inimical Indians increases. On the affair of last week only two made -their appearance. Yesterday a party of at least forty, supposed to be -Butler's emissaries, attacked Ensign Sporr with sixteen privates, who -were out on fatigue, cutting turf about three quarters of a mile from -the fort. One soldier was brought in dead and inhumanly mangled; two were -brought in wounded--one of them slightly and the other mortally. Six -privates and Mr. Sporr are missing. Two parties were immediately sent -to pursue the enemy, but they returned without being able to come up with -them. This success will, no doubt, encourage them to send out a greater -number; and the intelligence they may possibly acquire, will probably -hasten the main body destined to act against us in these parts. Our -provision is greatly diminished by reason of the spoiling of the beef, -and the quantities that must be given from time to time to the Indians. -It will not hold out above six weeks. Your Excellency will perceive, in -looking over Captain Savage's return of the state of the artillery, that -some essential articles are very scarce. As a great number of the -gun-bullets do not suit the fire-locks, some bullet-moulds of different -sizes for casting others, would be of great advantage to us. Our stock -of powder is absolutely too little; a ton, in addition to what we have, -is wanted as the lowest proportion for the shot we have on hand. We will, -notwithstanding every difficulty, exert ourselves to the utmost of our -power; and if your Excellency will be pleased to order a speedy -reinforcement, with a sufficient supply of provision and ammunition to -enable us to hold out a siege, we will, I hope, by the blessing of God, -be able to give a good account of any force that will probably come -against us." - -The picture is gloomy enough; and was rendered the more so from the -mistakes of the engineer, a Frenchman, who had been employed by General -Schuyler, and whom it was ultimately found necessary to arrest and send -back to head-quarters. [FN] Colonel Willett had from the first doubted the -capacity of Marquizee, and after his dismissal the work proceeded for the -most part under his own immediate direction. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Willett's Narrative. - - -The garrison had likewise other difficulties to encounter. With the -gathering of St. Leger's motley forces at Oswego, preparatory to his -descent upon the Mohawk, the Indians, as has already been seen by -Gansevoort's letter, began to appear in scouting parties in the -circumjacent forests. The utmost caution was therefore necessary on -leaving the fort, even for a short distance. It was during this critical -period that the familiar incident of Captain Gregg and his faithful dog -occurred, of which the following brief account was given by Colonel -Gansevoort:-- - - "Col. Gansevoort to Gen. Schuyler, (Extract.) - _Fort Schuyler, June_ 26, 1777. - -"I am sorry to inform your Honor that Captain Gregg and Corporal Madison, -of my regiment, went out a gunning yesterday morning, contrary to orders. -It seems they went out just after breakfast, and at about 10 o'clock -Corporal Madison was killed and scalped. Captain Gregg was shot through -his back, tomahawked and scalped, and is still alive. He informs me that -the misfortune happened about ten o'clock in the morning. He looked at -his watch after he was scalped. He saw but two Indians. He was about one -mile and a half from the fort, and was not discovered until two o'clock -in the afternoon. I immediately sent out a party and had him brought into -the fort, just after three o'clock; also the corpse of Madison. Gregg is -perfectly in his senses, and speaks strong and hearty, notwithstanding -that his recovery is doubtful." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. of the original draught, among Col. Gansevoort's papers. - - -There was little of romance in Colonel Gansevoort, and he related the -incident with military brevity. The story, however, has often been told, -with a variety of amplifications, particularly in regard to the wounded -soldier's faithful dog, to whose affectionate sagacity he is said to have -been indebted for his discovery, if not his life. According to the -narrative of President Dwight, it appears that Gregg and his companion -had been seduced into a fatal disobedience of orders, by the clouds of -pigeons appearing in the adjoining woods. Immediately upon their fall, -the Indians rushed upon them for their scalps, which they took--giving -each a simultaneous cut upon the head with their tomahawks. The corporal -had been killed by the shot, but Captain Gregg was only wounded. [FN] -Feigning death, however, he had the presence of mind, and the fortitude, -to submit to the subsequent torture without betraying himself by a groan -or the quivering of a muscle. The Indians departing immediately, Captain -Gregg crawled to his lifeless companion, and pillowed his head upon his -body; while his faithful dog ran to a place at no great distance thence, -where two men were engaged in fishing, and by his imploring looks and -significant actions, induced them to follow him to the spot where lay his -wounded master. Hastening to the fort, the fishermen reported what they -had seen, and a party of soldiers being forthwith despatched to the -place, the bodies of the wounded and the dead were speedily brought into -the garrison, as we have seen from the Colonel's official account. -Captain Gregg was severely wounded, independently of the scalping; and -his case was for a long time critical. - - * * * * * - - [FN] It has been asserted in history, that St. Leger encouraged these - isolated murders by large bounties for scalps. Twenty dollars is said to - have been the price he paid; but his despatch to Lieut. Bird, before - cited, does not corroborate the charge of such inhumanity. That despatch - was a private document, moreover, not written for the light, or for - effect, and must therefore be received as true. It was found among Col. - Gansevoort's papers. - - -The friendly Indians, then chiefly, if not exclusively, Oneidas, though -still acting and speaking in the name of the Six Nations, presented an -address of condolence to Colonel Gansevoort on this occasion, to which -the latter made a suitable reply, which alone has been preserved, and -reads as follows:-- - -"Brother Warriors of the Six Nations: I thank you for your good talk. - -"Brothers: You tell us you are sorry for the cruel usage of Captain -Gregg, and the murder of one of our warriors; that you would have -immediately pursued the murderers, had not General Schuyler, General -Gates, and the French General, desired you not to take any part in this -war; and that you have obeyed their orders, and are resolved to do so. -I commend your good inclination and intention. - -"Brothers: You say you have sent a runner to the Six Nations, to inform -them of what has happened, and that you expect some of your chiefs will -look into the affair, and try to find out the murderers. You have done -well. I shall be glad to smoke a pipe with your chiefs, and hope they -will do as they speak. - -"Brothers: I hope the mischief has been done, not by any of our good -friends of the Oneida nation, but by the Tories, who are enemies to you -as well as to us, and who are ready to murder yourselves, your wives, and -children, if you will not be as wicked as themselves. - -"Brothers: When your chiefs shall convince me that Indians of the Six -Nations have had no hand in this wicked thing, and shall use means to -find out the murderers and bring them to justice, you may be assured that -we will strengthen the chain of friendship, and embrace you as our good -brothers. I will not suffer any of our warriors to hurt you." - -The address contained two or three additional paragraphs in reference to -other subjects. Captain Gregg recovered, and resumed his duties; and -having served to the end of the war, lived many years afterward. - -Another tragic incident occurred at nearly the same time. About noon, on -the 3d of July, the day being perfectly clear. Colonel Willet was -startled from his siesta by the report of musketry. Hastening to the -parapet of the glacis, he saw a little girl running with a basket in her -hand, while the blood was trickling down her bosom. On investigating the -facts, it appeared that the girl, with two others, was picking berries, -not two hundred yards from the fort, when they were fired upon by a party -of Indians, and two of the number killed. Happily, she who only was left -to tell the tale, was but slightly wounded. One of the girls killed, was -the daughter of an invalid, who had served many years in the British -artillery. He was entitled to a situation in Chelsea Hospital, but had -preferred rather to remain in the cultivation of a small piece of ground -at Fort Stanwix, than again to cross the ocean. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Willett's Narrative. - - -By the middle of July, the Indians hovering about the fort became so -numerous, and so bold, as to occasion great annoyance. Large parties of -soldiers could only venture abroad on the most pressing emergencies; and -even one of these was attacked, several of its numbers killed and -wounded, and the officer in command taken prisoner. The force of the -garrison, at this time, consisted of about five hundred and fifty -men--ill-supplied, as we have already seen, both with provisions and -munitions of war. Fortunately, however, on the 2d of August, the very -day of the investiture of the fort by the advance of St. Leger's army -under Thayendanegea and Bird, Lieutenant Colonel Mellon, of Colonel -Weston's regiment, arrived with two hundred men, and two batteaux of -provisions and military stores. Not a moment was lost in conveying these -opportune supplies into the fort. Delay would, indeed, have been -dangerous; for at the instant the last loads arrived at the fort, the -enemy appeared on the skirt of the forest, so near to the boats, that -the captain who commanded them became their prisoner. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Willett's Narrative. - - -The command of Colonel Gansevoort now consisted of seven hundred and -fifty men, all told; and upon examination it was ascertained that they -had provisions for six weeks--with fixed ammunition enough for the small -arms. But for the cannon they were lamentably deficient--having barely -enough for nine rounds per diem during the period specified. A besieging -army was before the fort, and its garrison was without a flag! But as -necessity is the mother of invention, they were not long thus destitute. -Stripes of white were cut from ammunition shirts; blue from a camblet -cloak captured from the enemy; while the red was supplied from such odds -and ends of clothes of that hue as were at hand. [FN] And, thus furnished, -commenced the celebrated defence of Fort Schuyler. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Idem. - - -Such was the condition of Fort Schuyler at the commencement of the -memorable siege of 1777--an event, with its attending circumstances, -forming an important feature in the Northern border warfare of the -Revolution, Colonel St. Leger [FN-1] himself arrived before the fort on -the 3d of August, with his whole force--a motley collection of British -regulars, Hessian auxiliaries, New-York loyalists, usually denominated -"Johnson's Greens," together with numbers of the Canadians, and the -Indians under Thayendanegea. Sir John Johnson, and Colonels Claus and -Butler, [FN-2] were also engaged with him in the expedition. A flag was -sent into the fort on the morning of that day, with a copy of a rather -pompous proclamation from St. Leger, which, it was probably supposed, -from its vaunting threats and lavish promises, might produce a strong -impression upon the garrison. "The forces intrusted to my command are -designed to act in concert, and upon a common principle, with the -numerous armies and fleets which already display, in every quarter of -America, the power, the justice, and, when properly sought, the mercy -of the King." So commenced the proclamation. After denouncing "the -unnatural rebellion" as having already been made the "foundation for the -completest system of tyranny that ever God in his displeasure suffered -for a time to be exercised over a froward and stubborn generation," and -charging that "arbitrary imprisonment, confiscation of property, -persecution and torture, unprecedented in the inquisitions of the Roman -church, were among the palpable enormities that verified the -affirmation"--and after denouncing "the profanation of religion," and -other "shocking proceedings" of the civil authorities and committees in -rebellion, the proclamation proceeded--"animated by these considerations; -at the head of troops in the full powers of health, discipline, and -valor; determined to strike where necessary, and anxious to spare when -possible, I, by these presents, invite and exhort all persons in all -places where the progress of this army may point, and by the blessing of -God I will extend it far, to maintain such a conduct as may justify me -in protecting their lands, habitations, and families." The object of his -address was to hold forth security, and not depredation; he offered -employment to those who would join his standard; security to the infirm -and industrious; and payment in coin for all the supplies the people -would bring to his camp. In conclusion, he said--"If, notwithstanding -these endeavors, and sincere inclinations to effect them, the frenzy of -hostility should remain, I trust I shall stand acquitted in the eyes of -God and men, in denouncing and executing the vengeance of the State -against the willful outcasts. The messengers of justice and of wrath -await them in the field; and devastation, famine, and every concomitant -horror that a reluctant, but indispensable prosecution of military duty -must occasion, will bar the way to their return." [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] It is difficult, from the books, to determine what was at that - time the precise rank of St. Leger. He has usually been called a - Brigadier General. By some contemporary writers he was called Colonel - St. Leger. But in General Burgoyne's despatches to Lord George Germaine, - of August 20, 1777, he is repeatedly denominated Lieutenant-Colonel St. - Leger. He is also called Colonel St. Leger by Bissett. But he, - nevertheless, signed his name as a Brigadier-General in a letter to - Col. Gansevoort, on the 9th of August. - - [FN-2] At the breaking out of the war, John Butler was - Lieutenant-Colonel of a regiment of the Tryon County militia, of which - Guy Johnson was the Colonel and Jelles Fonda the Major. Sir John had - been commissioned a General after the decease of his father. - - [FN-3] For the proclamation, entire, see Appendix No. III. It is a copy, - or nearly so, of the proclamation almost simultaneously issued by - General Burgoyne, announcing his approach from Lake Champlain. - - -This manifesto, however, produced no effect, then or afterward. The siege -had been anticipated, and the brave garrison, officers and men, had -counted the cost and determined to defend the fortress to the last. -Accordingly, hostilities commenced actively on the morning of the -following day. The Indians, concealing themselves behind clumps of -shrubbery and stumps of trees, annoyed the men who were employed in -raising the parapets not a little with their rifles. Several were -wounded; and it was found necessary immediately to station sharpshooters -at suitable points, to watch opportunities, and fire in return. The 5th -was spent in much the same manner, with the addition of the throwing of -a few shells by the enemy--several of which fell within the fort, and -some in the barracks. "On the evening of this day, soon after it was -dark, the Indians, who were at least one thousand in number, spread -themselves through the woods, completely encircling the fort, and -commenced a terrible yelling, which was continued at intervals the -greater part of the night." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Willett's Narrative. - - -Having thus commenced his operations, Colonel St. Leger found means of -conveying the intelligence to General Burgoyne--not for a moment -anticipating the distressing circumstances in which the Northern -Commander-in-chief already found himself involved, though but mid-way -in the career of victory. Harassed incessantly by the foes he had -vanquished; unable to obtain supplies, except by sending back for them -to Fort George, in which service his troops were already greatly -fatigued; not one third of his horses arrived from Canada; the roads -excessively bad, and rendered all but impassable by a deluge of rain; -with only four days of provisions on hand; the vaunting General, who had -boasted in the British capital that, with ten thousand men, he could -march through the whole rebel country at pleasure, already found himself -in an unenviable situation. But on learning the advance of General St. -Leger, he instantly and justly considered that a rapid movement forward, -at this critical juncture, would be of the utmost importance. If the -retreating Americans should proceed up the Mohawk with a view of -relieving Fort Schuyler, in the event of St. Leger's success against that -place they would place themselves between two fires; or perhaps Burgoyne -supposed that were such a movement to be made on the part of the -Americans, he might yet throw his army between them and Albany, and thus -compel them either to stand a general engagement or to strike off to the -right, and by recrossing the Hudson higher up, secure a retreat into New -England. If, on the other hand, the Americans should abandon Fort -Schuyler to its fate, and themselves fall back upon Albany, he argued -that the Mohawk country would of course be entirely laid open to him; -his junction with St. Leger established, and the combined army be at -liberty to select its future line of operation. [FN] But his supplies were -inadequate to such an extensive operation, and his army was too weak to -allow him to keep up such a chain of posts as would enable him to bring -them up daily from the _depot_ at Lake George. With a view, therefore, -of obtaining immediate relief, and of opening a new source of supply, -especially of cattle, from the upper settlements of New England, the -expedition to Bennington, the place of deposite of provisions for the -Provincial forces, was planned, and committed to a detachment of the -Hessian troops, under Colonel Baum, for execution. The signal failure -of this expedition was calculated still farther both to embarrass and -depress the invaders; while the brilliant success of the militia under -General Starke on that occasion, proving, as it had done, that neither -English nor German troops were invincible, revived the drooping spirits -of the disheartened; re-inspired the people with confidence of ultimate -success; and was the source of universal exultation. - - * * * * * - - [FN] London Universal Magazine. - - -The progress of events brings us back to the lower Valley of the Mohawk. -No sooner was the advance of St. Leger upon Fort Schuyler known to the -Committee and officers of Tryon County, than General Herkimer, in -conformity with the proclamation heretofore cited, summoned the militia -of his command to the field, for the purpose of marching to the succor -of the garrison. Notwithstanding the despondency that had prevailed in -the early part of the Summer, the call was nobly responded to, not only -by the militia, but by the gentlemen of the County, and most of the -members of the Committee, who entered the field either as officers or -private volunteers. The fears so generally and so recently indulged -seemed all to have vanished with the arrival of the invader, and the -General soon found himself at the head of between eight hundred and a -thousand men, all eager for action and impatient of delay. Their place -of rendezvous was at Fort Dayton, (German Flats,) in the upper section -of the Mohawk Valley--and the most beautiful. The regiments were those -of Colonels Klock, Visscher, Cox, and one or two others, augmented by -volunteers and volunteer officers, who were pushing forward as though -determined at all hazards to redeem the character of the county. Indeed, -their proceedings were by far too impetuous, since they hurried forward -in their march without order or precaution, without adequate flanking -parties, and without reconnoitering the ground over which they were to -pass. They moved from Fort Dayton on the 4th, and on the 5th reached the -neighborhood of Oriskany, [FN-1] where they encamped. From this point an -express [FN-2] was sent forward by General Herkimer to apprise Colonel -Gansevoort of his approach, and to concert measures of co-operation. The -arrival of the express at the fort was to be announced by three -successive discharges of cannon, the report of which, it was supposed, -would be distinctly heard at Oriskany--only eight miles distant. Delays, -however, intervened, so that the messengers did not reach the fort until -ten or eleven o'clock on the following morning; previous to which the -camp of the enemy being uncommonly silent, a portion of their troops had -been observed by the garrison to be moving along the edge of the woods -down the river, in the direction of the Oriskany Creek. [FN-3] The -concerted signals were immediately fired; [FN-4] and as the proposition -of Herkimer was to force a passage to the fort, arrangements were -immediately made by Colonel Gansevoort to effect a diversion of the -enemy's attention, by making a sally from the fort upon the hostile -camp, for which purpose two hundred men were detailed, consisting one -half of Gansevoort's, and one half of the Massachusetts troops, and one -field-piece--an iron three pounder. The execution of the enterprise was -entrusted to Colonel Willett. [FN-5] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Probably the site of Whitestown. One of the MS. narratives in - the author's possession says they crossed the river at old Fort Schuyler - (now Utica.) - - [FN-2] Adam Hehner accompanied by two other men. - - [FN-3] Letter of Colonel Willett to Governor Trumbull of Connecticut. - - [FN-4] MS. of Captain Henry Seeber, in the author's possession. See, - also, Willett's Narrative. - - [FN-5] Willett's letter to Governor Trumbull. The officers serving in - this detachment were Captain Van Benschoten and Lieutenant Stockwell, - who led the advance guard; Captains Allen, (of Massachusetts,) Bleecker, - Johnson, and Swartwout; Lieutenants Diefendorf, Conyne, Bogardus, - McClenner, and Ball; Ensigns Chase, Bailey, Lewis, Denniston, Magee, - and Arnent. The rear-guard was commanded by Major Badlam. - - -It appears that on the morning of that day, which was the 6th of August, -General Herkimer had misgivings as to the propriety of advancing any -farther without first receiving reinforcements. His officers, however, -were eager to press forward. A consultation was held, in which some of -the officers manifested much impatience at any delay, while the General -still urged them to remain where they were until reinforcements could -come up, or at least until the signal of a sortie should be received from -the fort. High words ensued, during which Colonels Cox and Paris, and -many others, denounced their commander to his face as a Tory and coward. -The brave old man calmly replied that he considered himself placed over -them as a father, and that it was not his wish to lead them into any -difficulty from which he could not extricate them. Burning, as they now -seemed, to meet the enemy, he told them roundly that they would run at -his first appearance. [FN-1] But his remonstrances were unavailing. Their -clamor increased, and their reproaches were repeated, until, stung by -imputations of cowardice and a want of fidelity to the cause, [FN-2] and -somewhat irritated withal, the General immediately gave the order--"March -on!" [FN-3] The words were no sooner heard than the troops gave a shout, -and moved, or rather rushed forward. They marched in files of two deep, -preceded by an advanced guard and keeping flanks upon each side. [FN-4] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Travels of President Dwight, vol. iii. p. 192. - - [FN-2] MS. statement of George Walter, in possession of the author; also - of Henry Seeber. - - [FN-3] Statement of Adam Miller, in possession of the author. - - [FN-4] It has been charged by most writers that even these ordinary - precautions were not observed. Miller and Walter, however, both assert - the fact. - - -Having, by 10 o'clock, proceeded rapidly forward to the distance of only -two or three miles, [FN-1] the guards, both front and flanks, were -suddenly shot down, the forest rang with the war-whoops of a savage foe, -and in an instant the greater part of the division found itself in the -midst of a formidable ambuscade. Colonel St. Leger, it appeared, having -heard of the advance of General Herkimer, in order to prevent an attack -in his intrenchments, had detached a division of Sir John Johnson's -regiment of Greens, under Sir John's brother-in-law, Major Watts, Colonel -Butler with his Rangers, and Joseph Brant with a strong body of Indians, -to intercept his approach. [FN-2] With true Indian sagacity, Thayendanegea -had selected a position admirably fitted for his purpose, which was, to -draw the Americans, whom he well knew to be approaching in no very good -military array, into an ambuscade. The locality favored his design. There -was a deep ravine crossing the path which Herkimer with his undisciplined -array was traversing, "sweeping toward the East in a semi-circular form, -and bearing a Northern and Southern direction. The bottom of this ravine -was marshy, and the road crossed it by means of a causeway. The ground, -thus partly enclosed by the ravine, was elevated and level. The ambuscade -was laid upon the high ground west of the ravine." [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The battle ground is about two miles west of Oriskany, and six - from Whitesborough. - - [FN-2] In every account of this battle which has fallen under the - author's observation, excepting that of Colonel Willett, Sir John - Johnson is made the British commander at this battle. He was not in it - at all, as will appear a few pages forward. Even the cautious and - inquisitive President Dwight falls into the error, and carries it - through his whole account. - - [FN-3] Campbell's Annals. - - -The enemy had disposed himself adroitly, in a circle, leaving only a -narrow segment open for the admission of the ill-starred Provincials on -their approach. The stratagem was successful. Unconscious of the presence -of the foe, Herkimer, with his whole army excepting the rear-guard, -composed of Colonel Visscher's regiment, found himself encompassed at -the first fire--the enemy closing up the gap at the instant of making -himself known. By thus early completing the circle, the baggage and -ammunition wagons, which had just descended into the ravine, were cut -off and separated from the main body, as also was the regiment of Colonel -Visscher, yet on the Eastern side of the ravine; which, as their general -had predicted, instantly and ingloriously fled, leaving their companions -to their fate. They were pursued, however, by a portion of the Indians, -and suffered more severely, probably, than they would have done, had they -stood by their fellows in the hour of need, either to conquer or to fall. - -Being thrown into irretrievable disorder by the suddenness of the -surprise and the destructiveness of the fire, which was close and brisk -from every side, the division was for a time threatened with -annihilation. At every opportunity the savages, concealed behind the -trunks of trees, darted forward with knife and tomahawk to ensure the -destruction of those who fell; and many and fierce were the conflicts -that ensued hand to hand. The veteran Herkimer fell, wounded, in the -early part of the action--a musket ball having passed through and killed -his horse, and shattered his own leg just below the knee. [FN-1] The -General was placed upon his saddle, however, against the trunk of a tree -for his support, and thus continued to order the battle. Colonel Cox, -and Captains Davis and Van Sluyck, were severally killed near the -commencement of the engagement; and the slaughter of their broken ranks, -from the rifles of the Tories and the spears and tomahawks of the -Indians, was dreadful. But even in this deplorable situation the wounded -General, his men dropping like leaves around him, and the forest -resounding with the horrid yells of the savages, ringing high and wild -over the din of battle, behaved with the most perfect firmness and -composure. The action had lasted about forty-five minutes in great -disorder, before the Provincials formed themselves into circles in order -to repel the attacks of the enemy, who were concentrating, and closing -in upon them from all sides. [FN-2] From this moment the resistance of -the Provincials was more effective, and the enemy attempted to charge -with the bayonet. The firing ceased for a time, excepting the scattering -discharges of musquetry from the Indians; and as the bayonets crossed, -the contest became a death struggle, hand to hand and foot to foot. -Never, however, did brave men stand a charge with more dauntless courage, -and the enemy for the moment seemed to recoil--just at the instant when -the work of death was arrested by a heavy shower of rain, which suddenly -broke upon the combatants with great fury. The storm raged for upward of -an hour, during which time the enemy sought such shelter as might be -found among the trees at a respectful distance; for they had already -suffered severely, notwithstanding the advantages in their favor. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Walton's MS. account. - - [FN-2] The first movement of this kind was made by Jacob Seeber, without - orders, according to the narrative of Henry Seeber. - - -During this suspension of the battle, both parties had time to look -about, and make such new dispositions as they pleased for attack and -defence, on renewing the murderous conflict. The Provincials, under the -direction of their General, were so fortunate as to take possession of -an advantageous piece of ground, upon which his men formed themselves -into a circle, and as the shower broke away, awaited the movements of -the enemy. In the early part of the battle, the Indians, whenever they -saw a gun fired by a militia-man from behind a tree, rushed upon and -tomahawked him before he could re-load. In order to counteract this mode -of warfare, two men were stationed behind a single tree, one only to fire -at a time--the other reserving his fire until the Indians ran up as -before. [FN-1] The fight was presently renewed, and by the new -arrangement, and the cool execution done by the fire of the militia -forming the main circle, the Indians were made to suffer severely; so -much so, that they began to give way, when Major Watts [FN-2] came up -with a reinforcement, consisting of another detachment of Johnson's -Greens. [FN-3] These men were mostly loyalists, who had fled from Tryon -County, now returned in arms against their former neighbors. As no -quarrels are so bitter as those of families, so no wars are so cruel and -passionate as those called civil. Many of the Provincials and Greens were -known to each other; and as they advanced so near as to afford -opportunities of mutual recognition, the contest became, if possible, -more of a death struggle than before. Mutual resentments, and feelings -of hate and revenge, raged in their bosoms. The Provincials fired upon -them as they advanced, and then springing like chafed tigers from their -covers, attacked them with their bayonets and the butts of their muskets, -or both parties in closer contact throttled each other and drew their -knives; stabbing, and sometimes literally dying in one another's embrace. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Campbell's Annals. - - [FN-2] Brother of the late venerable John Watts, of New-York. - - [FN-3] Campbell. The enemy, as on the march from Oswego, had posted a - line of sentinels at short distances from each other, extending from - St. Leger's intrenchments to the scene of action; so that communications - could be interchanged rapidly, and at pleasure. - - -At length a firing was heard in the distance from the fort, a sound as -welcome to the Provincials as it was astounding to the enemy. Availing -themselves of the hint, however, a _ruse-de-guerre_ was attempted by -Colonel Butler, which had well-nigh proved fatal. It was the sending, -suddenly, from the direction of the fort, a detachment of the Greens -disguised as American troops, in the expectation that they might be -received as a timely reinforcement from the garrison. Lieutenant Jacob -Sammons was the first to descry their approach, in the direction of a -body of men commanded by Captain Jacob Gardenier--an officer who, during -that memorable day, performed prodigies of valor. Perceiving that their -hats were American, Sammons informed Captain Gardenier that succors from -the fort were coming up. The quick eye of the Captain detected the ruse, -and he replied--"Not so; they are enemies; don't you see their green -coats!" [FN-1] They continued to advance until hailed by Gardenier, at -which moment one of his own soldiers, observing an acquaintance, and -supposing him a friend, ran to meet him, and presented his hand. It was -grasped, but with no friendly gripe, as the credulous fellow was dragged -into the opposing line, and informed that he was a prisoner. He did not -yield without a struggle; during which Gardenier, watching the action and -the result, sprang forward, and with a blow from his spear leveled the -captor to the dust and liberated his man. [FN-2] Others of the foe -instantly set upon him, of whom he slew the second and wounded a third. -Three of the disguised Greens now sprang upon him, and one of his spurs -becoming entangled in their clothes, he was thrown to the ground. Still -contending, however, with almost super-human strength, both of his thighs -were transfixed to the earth by the bayonets of two of his assailants, -while the third presented a bayonet to his breast, as if to thrust him -through. Seizing this bayonet with his left hand, by a sudden wrench he -brought its owner down upon himself, where he held him as a shield -against the arms of the others, until one of his own men, Adam -Miller, [FN-3] observing the struggle, flew to his rescue. As the -assailants turned upon their new adversary, Gardenier rose upon his seat; -and although his hand was severely lacerated by grasping the bayonet -which had been drawn through it, he seized his spear lying by his side, -and quick as lightning planted it to the barb in the side of the -assailant with whom he had been clenched. The man fell and -expired--proving to be Lieutenant McDonald, one of the loyalist officers -from Tryon County. All this transpired in far less time than is -necessarily occupied by the relation. While engaged in the struggle, some -of his own men called out to Gardenier--"for God's sake, Captain, you are -killing your own men." He replied--"they are not our men--they are the -enemy--fire away!" A deadly fire from the Provincials ensued, during -which about thirty of the Greens fell slain, and many Indian warriors. -The parties once more rushed upon each other with bayonet and spear, -grappling and fighting with terrible fury; while the shattering of shafts -and the clashing of steel mingled with every dread sound of war and death, -and the savage yells, more hideous than all, presented a scene which can -be more easily imagined than described. [FN-4] The unparalleled fortitude -and bravery of Captain Gardenier infused fresh spirits into his men, some -of whom enacted wonders of valor likewise. It happened during the _melee,_ -in which the contending parties were mingled in great confusion, that -three of Johnson's Greens rushed within the circle of the Provincials, -and attempted to make prisoner of a Captain Dillenback. This officer had -declared he would never be taken alive, and he was not. One of his three -assailants seized his gun, but he suddenly wrenched it from him, and -felled him with the butt. He shot the second dead, and thrust the third -through with his bayonet. [FN-5] But in the moment of his triumph at an -exploit of which even the mighty Hector, or either of the sons of Zeruiah -might have been proud, a ball laid this brave man low in the dust. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Manuscript narrative of William Gardenier, in the possession of - the author. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - [FN-3] The same whose private narrative has already been cited. - - [FN-4] MS. of William Gardenier. It was in reference to these individual - deeds of prowess, that the eloquent Gouveneur Morris thus spoke in his - address before the New-York Historical Society:--"Let me recall, - gentlemen, to your recollection, that bloody field in which Herkimer - fell. There was found the Indian and the white man born on the banks of - the Mohawk, their left hand clenched in each other's hair, the right - grasping in a gripe of death, the knife plunged in each other's bosom; - thus they lay frowning." - - [FN-5] George Walter relates this incident, in his narrative, in the - possession of the author. Walter was himself a witness of the fact, - while lying wounded with two balls, by the side of General Herkimer. - - -Such a conflict as this could not be continued long; and the Indians, -perceiving with what ardor the Provincials maintained the fight, and -finding their own numbers sadly diminished, now raised the retreating cry -of _"Oonah!"_ and fled in every direction, under the shouts and hurrahs -of the surviving Provincials and, a shower of bullets. Finding, moreover, -from the firing at the fort, that, their presence was necessary elsewhere, -the Greens and Rangers now retreated precipitately, leaving the victorious -militia of Tryon County masters of the field. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] It is an extraordinary fact, that every historian who has written - of the battle of Oriskany, has recorded it as a defeat of the - Provincials, from Marshall and Ramsay down, to say nothing of the British - chroniclers. Such was also the author's impression until he undertook the - present investigation. Captain Brant himself, in conversation with Samuel - Woodruff, Esq. admitted that they were the victors; and all the written - statements which the author has been able to procure from the survivors - of that battle, bear the same testimony. - - -Thus ended one of the severest, and, for the numbers engaged, one of the -most bloody battles of the Revolutionary war. Though victorious, the loss -of the Provincials was very heavy; and Tryon County long had reason to -mourn that day. Colonel Paris was taken prisoner by the enemy, and -afterward murdered by the Indians. Several other prisoners were also -killed by the savages, after they had been brought into Colonel Butler's -quarters; and, as it was said, by the Colonel's own tacit consent, if not -permission in terms. But the general character of that officer forbids the -imputation. [FN-1] Major John Frey, of Colonel Klock's regiment, was -likewise wounded and taken; and to show the more than savage fury burning -in the bosoms of the men brought into conflict on this occasion, the -disgraceful fact may be added, that his own brother, who was in the -British service, attempted to take his life after he had arrived in -Butler's camp. The Major saw his brother approaching in a menacing manner, -and called out--"Brother, do not kill me! Do you not know me?" But the -infuriated brother rushed forward, and the Major was only saved by the -interposition of others. [FN-2] The whole number of the Provincial militia -killed was two hundred, exclusive of wounded and lost as prisoners. Such, -at least, was the American report. The British statements claimed that -four hundred of the Americans were killed, and two hundred taken -prisoners. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The late Doctor Moses Younglove, of Hudson, Columbia County, was - the surgeon of General Herkimer's brigade. He was taken prisoner in this - battle by a sergeant of Sir John Johnson's regiment. After his release he - made a deposition setting forth many grievous barbarities committed, both - by the Indians and Tories, upon the prisoners who fell into their hands - that day. They were cruelly tortured, several of them murdered; and, as - the Doctor had reason to believe, some of them were subsequently taken to - an island in Lake Ontario, and eaten. This is scarcely to be believed. - See Deposition of Dr. Younglove, Appendix No. IV. - - [FN-2] MS. statement of Jacob Timmerman, in the author's possession. - - [FN-3] "On the 5th I learned, from discovering parties on the Mohawk - river, that a body of one thousand militia were on their march to raise - the siege. On the confirmation of this news, I moved a large body of - Indians, with some troops, the same night, to lay in ambuscade for them - on their march. They fell into it. The completest victory was obtained. - Above four hundred lay dead on the field, amongst the number of whom were - almost all the principal movers of rebellion in that country."--_Letter - of Colonel St. Leger lo General Burgoyne, Aug,_ 11, 1777. - - -Retaining possession of the field, the survivors immediately set -themselves at work in constructing rude litters, upon which to bear off -the wounded. Between forty and fifty of these, among whom was the -commanding General, were removed in this manner. The brave old man, -notwithstanding the imprudence of the morning--imprudence in allowing a -premature movement at the dictation of his subordinates--had nobly -vindicated his character for courage during the day. Though wounded, as we -have seen, in the onset, he had borne himself during the six hours of -conflict, under the most trying circumstances, with a degree of fortitude -and composure worthy of all admiration. Nor was his example without effect -in sustaining his troops amid the perils by which they were environed. At -one time during the battle, while sitting upon his saddle raised upon a -little hillock, being advised to select a less exposed situation, he -replied--"I will face the enemy." Thus, "surrounded by a few men, he -continued to issue his orders with firmness. In this situation, and in the -heat of the onslaught, he deliberately took his tinder-box from his -pocket, lit his pipe, and smoked with great composure." [FN-1] At the -moment the soldiers were placing him on the litter, while adjusting the -blankets to the poles, three Indians approached, and were instantly shot -down by the unerring rifles of three of the militia. These were the last -shots fired in that battle. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Campbell. An officer, who was in the general staff at the battle - of Leipzig, has related to the author a very similar incident in the - conduct of old Blucher. He was not wounded; but he sat upon a hillock, - issuing his orders and smoking his pipe, while the cannon balls were - ploughing up the earth about him. - - [FN-2] Narrative of Jacob Sammons, MS. The officers of the Tryon County - militia killed or wounded in this battle were as follows:--In Colonel - Frederick Visscher's regiment, Captains John Davis and Samuel Pettingill, - killed; Major Blauvelt and Lieut. Groat taken prisoners and never heard - of afterward; Captain Jacob Gardenier and Lieut. Samuel Gardenier - wounded. In Colonel Jacob Klock's regiment, Major John Eisenlord, and - Major Van Sluyck, and Captain Andrew Dillenback, killed; Captains - Christopher Fox and John Breadbeg, wounded; Brigade Major John Frey, - wounded and taken prisoner. In Colonel Peter Bellinger's regiment, Major - Enos Klepsattle, Captain Frederick Helmer, and Lieut. Petrie, were - killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Bellinger and Henry Walradt were - taken prisoners. In Colonel Ebenezer Cox's regiment, Colonel Cox and - Lieut. Col. Hunt were killed; Captains Henry Diefendorf, and Robert - Crouse, and Jacob Bowman, killed. Captain Jacob Seeber and Lieut. - William Seeber mortally wounded. The surgeon, Moses Younglove, was taken - prisoner. Among the volunteers not belonging to the militia, who were - killed, were Isaac Paris, (then a member of the Legislature,) Samuel - Billington, John Dygert, and Jacob Snell, members of the Committee of - Safety. There was likewise a Captain Graves who fell, but to which - regiment he belonged the author has not ascertained. - - -The loss of the enemy in this engagement was equally, if not more severe, -than that of the Americans. The Greens and Rangers of Sir John Johnson and -Colonel Butler must have suffered badly, although no returns were given in -the contemporaneous accounts. Major Watts was severely wounded and left on -the field, as was supposed, among the slain. His death was reported by -Colonel Willett, in his letter to Governor Trumbull, and by other -authorities. But such was not the fact. Reviving from faintness produced -by loss of blood, some hours after the action, he succeeded in crawling to -a brook, where, by slaking his thirst, he was preserved from speedy death, -and in the course of two or three days was found by some Indian scouts, -and brought into St. Leger's camp. [FN-1] But the Indians were the most -roughly handled, they having lost nearly one hundred warriors, several of -whom were sachems in great favor. Frederick Sammons, who had been detached -upon a distant scout previous to the battle, returning some days -afterward, crossed the battle-field, where, he says--"I beheld the most -shocking sight I had ever witnessed. The Indians and white men were -mingled with one another, just as they had been left when death had first -completed his work. Many bodies had also been torn to pieces by wild -beasts." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] This statement respecting Major Watts was derived from the late - Mr. John Watts, of New-York, his brother. As mentioned in the text, St. - Leger, in his official report, did not state the number of his own killed - and wounded. Colonel Butler, however, wrote to Sir Guy Carleton--"Of the - New-Yorkers, Captain McDonald was killed, Captain Watts dangerously - wounded, and one subaltern. Of the Rangers, Captains Wilson and Hare - killed, and one private wounded. The Indians suffered much, having - thirty-three killed and twenty-nine wounded; the Senecas lost seventeen, - among whom were several of their chief warriors, and had sixteen wounded. - During the whole action the Indians showed the greatest zeal for his - Majesty's cause; and had they not been a little too precipitate, scarcely - a rebel of the party would have escaped. Most of the leading rebels are - cut off in the action, so that any farther attempts from that quarter - are not to be expected. Captain Watts, of the Royal New-Yorkers, whose - many amiable qualities deserved a better fate, lay wounded in three - places upon the field two days before he was found."--_Parliamentary - Register._ - - [FN-2] MS. narrative of Frederick Sammons, in the author's possession. - - -It has been affirmed that the Indians were persuaded to join in this -battle only with great difficulty, and not until they had been induced to -sacrifice their reason to their appetites. It was very manifest that -during the action many of them were intoxicated. The consequence was, that -they suffered more severely than ever before. [FN-1] According to the -narrative of Mary Jemison, the Indians, (at least the Senecas,) were -deceived into the campaign. "They were sent for to see the British whip -the rebels. They were told that they were not wanted to fight, but merely -to sit down, smoke their pipes, and look on. The Senecas went to a man; -but, contrary to their expectation, instead of smoking and looking on, -they were obliged to fight for their lives; and in the end of the battle -were completely beaten, with a great loss of killed and wounded." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Journal of General Lincoln. - - [FN-2] Life of Mary Jemison. - - -The whole Indian force was led by Thayendanegea in person--"the great -Captain of the Six Nations," as he was then called--and as the Cayugas had -now likewise joined the Mohawks in alliance with the arms of England--the -Onondagas adopting a doubtful policy, but always, in fact, acting against -the Provincials--he must have had a large force in the field. Of the -Senecas alone thirty-six were killed and a great number wounded. Captain -Brant was accustomed, long years afterward, to speak of the sufferings of -his "poor Mohawks" in that battle. Indeed, the severity with which they -were handled on that occasion, rendered them morose and intractable during -the remainder of the campaign; and the unhappy prisoners were the first to -minister with their blood to their resentment. [FN] "Our town," says Mary -Jemison, "exhibited a scene of real sorrow and distress when our warriors -returned and recounted their misfortunes, and stated the real loss they -had sustained in the engagement. The mourning was excessive, and was -expressed by the most doleful yells, shrieks, and howlings, and by -inimitable gesticulations." - - * * * * * - - [FN] In Mr. Samuel Woodruff's memoranda of his conversations with Brant, - referred to in the introduction, it is noted as the admission of the - latter, that "he and his Mohawks were compelled to flee in a dispersed - condition through the woods, all suffering from fatigue and hunger before - they arrived at a place of safety. Their retreat began at nightfall. They - were pursued by a body of Oneidas, who fought with General Herkimer. The - night was dark and lowery. Exhausted by the labors of the day, and - fearful he might be overtaken by the pursuing Oneidas, Brant ascended a - branching tree, and planting himself in the crotch of it, waited somewhat - impatiently for daylight." There is evidently somewhat of error in this - statement. The field of battle was not more than five miles from St. - Leger's entrenchments, and the battle was ended at 2 o'clock P. M. Judge - W. probably confounded this battle with another--perhaps that of the - Chemung. - - -It was unfortunate that General Herkimer formed his line of march with so -little judgment that, when attacked, his men were in no situation to -support each other; and more unfortunate still, that he marched at all, -so long before he could expect to hear the concerted signal for the -diversion to be made in his favor by the sortie of Colonel Willett. The -heavy rainstorm, moreover, which caused a suspension of the battle, had -likewise the effect of delaying the sally for nearly an hour. It was made, -however, as soon as it was practicable, and was not only completely -successful, but was conducted with such ability and spirit by the gallant -officer to whom it was confided, as to win for him the applause of the foe -himself. [FN-1] In addition to the two hundred men detailed for this -service, under Colonel Willett's command, as before stated, fifty more -were added to guard the light iron three pounder already mentioned. With -these troops, and this his only piece of mounted ordnance, Colonel Willett -lost not a moment, after the cessation of the rain, in making the sally. -The enemy's sentinels being directly in sight of the fort, the most rapid -movements were necessary. The sentinels were driven in, and his advanced -guard attacked, before he had time to form his troops. Sir John Johnson, -whose regiment was not more than two hundred yards distant from the -advanced guard, it being very warm, was in his tent, divested of his coat -at the moment, and had not time to put it on before his camp was assailed. -Such, moreover, were the celerity of Willett's movement and the -impetuosity of the attack, that Sir John could not bring his troops into -order, and their only resource was in flight. The Indian encampment was -next to that of Sir John, and in turn was carried with equal rapidity. The -larger portion of the Indians, and a detachment from the regiment of Sir -John, were, at the very moment of this unexpected assault upon their -quarters, engaged in the battle of Oriskany. Those who were left behind -now betook themselves,--Sir John and his men to the river,--and the -Indians to their natural shelter, the woods--the troops of Colonel Willett -firing briskly upon them in their flight. The amount of spoil found in the -enemy's camp was so great, that Willett was obliged to send hastily to the -fort for wagons to convey it away. Seven of these vehicles were three -times loaded and discharged in the fort, while the brave little Provincial -band held possession of the encampments. Among the spoils thus captured, -consisting of camp equipage, clothing, blankets, stores, &c. were five -British standards, the baggage of Sir John Johnson, with all his papers, -the baggage of a number of other officers, with memoranda, journals, and -orderly books, containing all the information desirable on the part of the -besieged. [FN-2] While Colonel Willett was returning to the fort, Colonel -St. Leger, who was on the opposite side of the river, attempted a movement -to intercept him. Willett's position, however, enabled him to form his -troops so as to give the enemy a full fire in front, while at the same -time he was enfiladed by the fire of a small field-piece. The distance was -not more than sixty yards between them; and although St. Leger was not -backward in returning the fire, his aim was nevertheless so wild as to be -entirely without effect. The assailants returned into the fortress in -triumph, without having lost a man--the British flags were hoisted on the -flag-staff under the American--and the men, ascending the parapets, gave -three as hearty cheers as were ever shouted by the same number of voices. -Among the prisoners brought off by the victors, was Lieutenant Singleton, -of Sir John Johnson's regiment. Several Indians were found dead in their -camp, and others were killed in crossing the river. The loss to the enemy, -particularly in stores and baggage, was great; while the affair itself was -of still more importance, from the new spirit of patriotic enthusiasm with -which it inspired the little garrison. [FN-3] For this chivalrous exploit -Congress passed a resolution of thanks, and directed the Commissary -General of military stores to procure an elegant sword, and present the -same to Colonel Willett in the name of the United States. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] London Universal Magazine, 1782. - - [FN-2] "Among other things taken from the enemy, were several bundles - of papers, and a parcel of letters belonging to our garrison, which they - had taken from our militia, but not yet opened. Here I found one letter - for myself; there were likewise papers belonging to Sir John Johnson, - and several others of the enemy's officers, with letters to and from - General St. Leger, the commander. These letters have been of some - service to us."--_Colonel Willett's letter to Governor Trumbull._ - - [FN-3] In this account of the sortie, the author has adopted almost the - very language of the brave Colonel himself, in his Narrative. As he led - the affair, and was of course the best qualified to describe it, the - author could do no better than take his own words. In tracing the - progress of the siege, it will be often necessary to draw from the same - indisputable source. - - -General Herkimer did not long survive the battle. He was conveyed to his -own house [FN-1] near the Mohawk river, a few miles below the Little Falls; -where his leg, which had been shattered five or six inches below the knee, -was amputated about ten days after the battle, by a young French surgeon -in the army of General Arnold, and contrary to the advice of the General's -own medical adviser, the late Doctor Petrie. But the operation was -unskillfully performed, [FN-2] and it was found impossible by his -attendants to stanch the blood. Colonel Willett called to see the General -soon after the operation. He was sitting up in his bed, with a pipe in his -mouth, smoking, and talking in excellent spirits. He died the night -following that visit. His friend, Colonel John Roff, was present at the -amputation, and affirmed that he bore the operation with uncommon -fortitude. He was likewise with him at the time of his death. The blood -continuing to flow--there being no physician in immediate attendance--and -being himself satisfied that the time of his departure was nigh, the -veteran directed the Holy Bible to be brought to him. He then opened it -and read, in the presence of those who surrounded his bed, with all the -composure which it was possible for any man to exhibit, the thirty-eighth -psalm--applying it to his own situation. [FN-3] He soon afterward expired; -and it may well be questioned whether the annals of man furnish a more -striking example of Christian heroism--calm, deliberate, and firm in the -hour of death--than is presented in this remarkable instance. Of the early -history of General Herkimer but little is known. It has been already -stated that his family was one of the first of the Germans who planted -themselves in the Mohawk Valley. And the massive stone mansion, yet -standing at German Flats, bespeaks its early opulence. He was an -uneducated man--with, if possible, less skill in letters, even than -General Putnam, which is saying much. But he was, nevertheless, a man of -strong and vigorous understanding--destitute of some of the essential -requisites of generalship, but of the most cool and dauntless courage. -These traits were all strikingly disclosed in the brief and bloody -expedition to Oriskany. But he must have been well acquainted with that -most important of all books--The Bible. Nor could the most learned -biblical scholar, lay or clerical, have selected a portion of the Sacred -Scriptures more exactly appropriate to the situation of the dying soldier, -than that to which he himself spontaneously turned. If Socrates died like -a philosopher, and Rousseau like an unbelieving sentimentalist. General -Herkimer died like a Christian Hero. Congress passed a resolution -requesting the Governor and Council of New-York to erect a monument, at -the expense of the United States, to the memory of this brave man, of the -value of five hundred dollars. This resolution was transmitted to the -Governor of New-York, George Clinton, in a letter from which the following -passage is quoted:--"Every mark of distinction shown to the memory of -such illustrious men as offer up their lives for the liberty and happiness -of their country, reflects real honor on those who pay the tribute; and -by holding up to others the prospect of fame and immortality, will animate -them to tread in the same path." Governor Clinton thus wrote to the -Committee of Tryon County on the occasion:--"Enclosed you have a letter -and resolves of Congress, for erecting a monument to the memory of your -late gallant General. While with you I lament the cause, I am impressed -with a due sense of the great and justly merited honor the Continent has, -in this instance, paid to the memory of that brave man." Such were the -feelings of respect for the services and memory of the deceased -entertained by the great men of that day. Sixty years have since rolled -away, and the journal of Congress is the only monument, and the -resolution itself the only inscription, which as yet testify the gratitude -of the republic to General Nicholas Herkimer. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Yet standing, 1837. - - [FN-2] Col. Roff's statement--MS. in possession of the author. - - [FN-3] Statement of Colonel Roff, in possession of the author. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - - - Siege of Fort Schuyler continued--Forced letter from prisoners to Col. - Gansevoort--St. Leger summons the garrison to surrender--Refusal of - Gansevoort--Appeal of Sir John Johnson to the people of Tryon - County--Secret expedition of Colonel Willett and Major - Stockwell--Schuyler orders Arnold to the relief of Gansevoort--Willett - proceeds to Albany--Arrest of Walter Butler, and others, at German - Flats--Tried and convicted as a spy--Reprieved--Sent to - Albany--Escapes--Arnold's proclamation--Advance of the - besiegers--Uneasiness of the garrison--Sudden flight of St. Leger and - his forces--Stratagem of Arnold--Story of Hon-Yost Schuyler--Merriment - and mischief of the Indians--Arrival of Arnold at the Fort--The spoils - of victory--Public estimation of Gansevoort's services--Address to his - soldiers--His promotion--Address of his officers. - -Though in fact defeated at Oriskany, the enemy claimed, as we have seen, -a victory. In one sense, it is true, the achievement was theirs. They had -prevented the advance of the Americans to the succor of the fort; and on -their retreat the Americans were unable to pursue. Still the field was -won, and retained by them. [FN-1] Availing himself of his questionable -success, however, and well knowing that days must probably elapse before -the garrison could become apprised of the whole circumstances of the -engagement and its issue, St. Leger lost no time in endeavoring, by false -representations, to press the besieged to a capitulation. On the same -night of the battle, therefore, at 9 o'clock, Colonel Bellinger and Major -Frey, being in St. Leger's camp as prisoners, were compelled to address -a note to Colonel Gansevoort, greatly exaggerating the disasters of the -day, and strongly urging a surrender. In this letter they spoke of the -defeat at Oriskany, of the impossibility of receiving any farther succor -from below--of the formidable force of St. Leger, together with his train -of artillery--announced the probable fact that Burgoyne and his army were -then before Albany, and stated that longer resistance would only result -in "inevitable ruin and destruction." [FN-2] The letter was transmitted to -Colonel Gansevoort by St. Leger's Adjutant-general, Colonel Butler, who, -in delivering it, made a verbal demand of surrender. Colonel Gansevoort -replied that he would give no answer to a verbal summons, unless delivered -by Colonel St. Leger himself, but at the mouth of his cannon. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] It was alleged, in some of the contemporaneous accounts, that the - forces engaged with Herkimer were ordered back in consequence of the - sortie of Willett. That circumstance, however, does not alter the - essential facts of the case. The victory was the same. - - [FN-2] See Appendix, No. V. for a copy of this letter, written while - under duress. - - -On the following day a white flag approached the garrison, with a request -that Colonel Butler, and two other officers, might be admitted into the -fort as bearers of a message to the commanding officer. Permission being -granted, those officers were conducted blind-folded into the fort, and -received by Colonel Gansevoort in his dining-room. The windows of the room -were shut, and candles lighted; a table was also spread, upon which were -placed some slight refreshments. Colonels Willett and Mellen were present -at the interview, together with as many of the American officers as could -be accommodated in the quarters of their commander. After the officers -were seated and the wine had been passed around, Major Ancrom, one of the -messengers, addressed Colonel Gansevoort in substance as follows:-- - -"I am directed by Colonel St. Leger, the officer commanding the army now -investing this garrison, to inform the commandant that the Colonel has, -with much difficulty, prevailed on the Indians to agree, that if the -garrison, without farther resistance, shall be delivered up, with the -public stores belonging to it, to the investing army, the officers and -soldiers shall have all their baggage and private property secured to -them. And in order that the garrison may have a sufficient pledge to this -effect, Colonel Butler accompanies me to assure them, that not a hair of -the head of any one of them shall be hurt." (Here turning to Colonel -Butler, he said, "That, I think, was the expression they made use of, was -it not?"--to which the Colonel answered, "Yes.") "I am likewise directed -to remind the commandant, that the defeat of General Herkimer must deprive -the garrison of all hopes of relief, especially as General Burgoyne is now -in Albany; so that, sooner or later, the fort must fall into our hands. -Colonel St. Leger, from an earnest desire to prevent farther bloodshed, -hopes these terms will not be refused; as in this case it will be out of -his power to make them again. It was with great difficulty the Indians -consented to the present arrangement, as it will deprive them of that -plunder which they always calculate upon on similar occasions. Should, -then, the present terms be rejected, it will be out of the power of the -Colonel to restrain the Indians, who are very numerous and much -exasperated, not only from plundering the property, but destroying the -lives, probably, of the greater part of the garrison. Indeed, the Indians -are so exceedingly provoked and mortified by the losses they have -sustained in the late actions, having had several of their favorite chiefs -killed, that they threaten--and the Colonel, if the present arrangements -should not be entered into, will not be able to prevent them from -executing their threats--to march down the country, and destroy the -settlement, with its inhabitants. In this case, not only men, but women -and children, will experience the sad effects of their vengeance. These -considerations, it is ardently hoped, will produce a proper effect, and -induce the commandant, by complying with the terms now offered, to save -himself from future regret, when it will be too late." - -This singular oration was of course delivered extemporaneously, as also -was the following reply by Colonel Willett, with the approbation of -Colonel Gansevoort:-- - -"Do I understand you, Sir? I think you say, that you come from a British -colonel, who is commander of the army that invests this fort; and by your -uniform, you appear to be an officer in the British service. You have -made a long speech on the occasion of your visit, which, stripped of all -its superfluities, amounts to this--that you come from a British colonel, -to the commandant of this garrison, to tell him, that if he does not -deliver up the garrison into the hands of your Colonel, he will send his -Indians to murder our women and children. You will please to reflect, sir, -that their blood will be on your head, not on ours. We are doing our duty; -this garrison is committed to our charge, and we will take care of it. -After you get out of it, you may turn round and look at its outside, but -never expect to come in again, unless you come a prisoner. I consider the -message you have brought, a degrading one for a British officer to send, -and by no means reputable for a British officer to carry. For my own part, -I declare, before I would consent to deliver this garrison to such a -murdering set as your array, by your own account, consists of, I would -suffer my body to be filled with splinters, and set on fire, as you know -has at times been practised, by such hordes of women and children killers -as belong to your army." - -Colonel Willett observes in his narrative, whence these facts are drawn, -that in the delivery he looked the British major full in the face; and -that he spoke with emphasis is not doubted. The sentiments contained in -this reply were received with universal applause by the Provincial -officers, who, far from being intimidated by the threats of the -messengers, were at once impressed with the idea that such pressing -efforts to induce a capitulation could only be the effect of doubt, on the -part of the enemy himself, of his ability either to sustain the siege or -carry the works by assault. Before the interview was closed, Major Ancrom -requested that an English surgeon who was with him might be permitted to -visit the British wounded in the garrison, which request was granted. -Major Ancrom also proposed an armistice for three days, which was -likewise agreed to by Colonel Gansevoort--the more readily, probably, -because of his scanty supply of ammunition. - -On the 9th of August, Colonel Gansevoort having refused to recognize any -verbal messages from the British commander, Colonel St. Leger transmitted -the substance of Major Ancrom's speech in the form of a letter--protesting -that no indignity was intended by the delivery of such a message--a -message that had been insisted upon categorically by the Indians--and -formally renewing the summons of a surrender--adding, that the Indians -were becoming exceedingly impatient, and if the proposition should be -rejected, the refusal would be attended with very fatal consequences, not -only to the garrison, but to the whole country of the Mohawk river. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Appendix, No. VI. - - -The reply of Colonel Gansevoort was written with soldierly brevity, in -the following words:-- - - "Col. Gansevoort to Col. St. Leger. - _Fort Schuyler, Aug_. 9_th,_ 1777. - - "Sir, - -"Your letter of this day's date I have received, in answer to which I say, -that it is my determined resolution, with the forces under my command, to -defend this fort to the last extremity, in behalf of the United American -States, who have placed me here to defend it against all their enemies. - - "I have the honor to be, Sir, - Your most ob't. humble serv't., - Peter Gansevoort, - _Col. commanding Fort Schuyler._ - -"_Gen. Barry St. Leger._" [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Copied, by the author, from the original draft, found among the - Gansevoort papers. - - -Failing in these attempts to induce a surrender, the besiegers, four days -afterward, had recourse to another expedient. It was the issuing of an -appeal to the inhabitants of Tryon County, signed by Sir John Johnson, -Colonel Claus, and Colonel John Butler, similar in its tenor to the verbal -and written messages of St. Leger to Colonel Gansevoort. The appeal -commenced with strong protestations of a desire for the restoration of -peace, with a promise of pardon, and oblivion for the past, -notwithstanding the many and great injuries the signers had received, upon -a proper submission by the people. They, too, were threatened with the -ravages of a victorious army, and the resentment of the Indians for the -losses they had sustained at Oriskany, in the event of rejecting this -appeal. In regard to the garrison of Fort Schuyler, its longer resistance -was pronounced "mulish obstinacy," and the people of the Mohawk Valley -were urged to send up a deputation of their principal men, to oblige the -garrison to do at once what they must be forced to do soon--surrender. If -they did not surrender, the threat was again repeated that every soul -would be put to death by the Indians. [FN] Messengers were despatched with -this document into Tryon County, but to no good purpose; while, as will -soon appear, some of those messengers were involved in serious difficulty -by their errand. - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Appendix, No. VII. I have found this document only in _The - Remembrancer_ for 1777, page 451. - - -But if Colonel Willett's success in the brilliant execution of the sortie -on the 6th, entitled him, as it unquestionably did, to the commendations -he received, a still more perilous enterprise, undertaken by him a few -days afterward, was thought, alike by friends and foes, to entitle him to -still greater applause. The artillery of the besiegers was not -sufficiently heavy to make any impression upon the works, and there was -every probability that the garrison might hold out until succors should -be obtained, could their situation be made known. Colonel Willett was not -only well acquainted, but exceedingly popular, in Tryon County; and it was -supposed that, should he show himself personally among the militia of that -district, notwithstanding the extent of their suffering in the late -expedition, he might yet rally a force sufficient to raise the siege. The -bold project was therefore conceived by him of passing by night, in -company with another officer, through the enemy's works, and, regardless -of the danger from the prowling savages, making his way through some -forty or fifty miles of sunken morasses and pathless woods, in order to -raise the County and bring relief. [FN-1] Selecting Major Stockwell for -his companion. Colonel Willett undertook the expedition on the 10th, and -left the fort at ten o'clock that night, each armed with nothing but a -spear, and provided only with a small supply of crackers and cheese, a -small canteen of spirits, and in all other respects unincumbered, even by -a blanket. Having escaped from the sally-port, they crept upon their -hands and knees along the edge of a morass to the river, which they -crossed by crawling over upon a log, and succeeded in getting off -unperceived by the sentinels of the enemy, although passing very near to -them. Their first advance was into a deep-tangled forest in which, -enveloped in thick darkness, they lost their direction, and found it -impossible to proceed. While in this state of uncertainty, the barking of -a dog added little to their comfort, inasmuch as it apprized them that -they were not far from a new Indian encampment, formed subsequent to the -sortie a few days before. They were therefore compelled to stand perfectly -still for several hours, and until the morning star appeared to guide -their way. Striking first in a Northern direction for several miles, and -then Eastwardly, they traced a zig-zag course, occasionally adopting the -Indian method of concealing their trail by walking in the channels of -streams, and by stepping on stones along the river's edge. In this way -they traveled the whole of the ensuing day without making a single halt. -On the approach of night they dared not to strike a light, but lay down -to sleep, interlocked in each other's arms. Pursuing their journey on the -12th, their little stock of provisions being exhausted, they fed upon -raspberries and blackberries, of which they found an abundance in an -opening occasioned by a windfall. Thus refreshed, they pushed forward with -renewed vigor and at an accelerated pace, and arrived at Fort Dayton at -three o'clock in the afternoon. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] British Universal Magazine. - - [FN-2] "So successful was Colonel Willett in all his movements, that the - Indians, believing him to be possessed of supernatural power, gave to - him the name of the Devil."--_Campbell._ - - -The Colonel and his friend received a hearty welcome from Colonel Weston, -whose regiment was then in charge of Fort Dayton, and from whom he -obtained the agreeable intelligence that, on learning the news of General -Herkimer's disaster. General Schuyler had ordered Generals Arnold and -Larned, with the Massachusetts brigade, to march to the relief of Colonel -Gansevoort. Colonel Willett thereupon took horse immediately for Albany -to meet General Arnold, who was to command the expedition; and in four -days afterward accompanied Arnold back to Fort Dayton, where the troops -were assembling. The first New-York regiment had been added to the brigade -of General Larned, who was yet in the rear, bringing up the heavy baggage -and stores. - -During Willett's brief absence to Albany, an incident occurred in the -neighborhood of Fort Dayton, showing that if he had been active in his -attempts to bring succors to the fort, the enemy, on the other hand, had -not been idle. About two miles above Fort Dayton resided a Mr. Shoemaker, -a disaffected gentleman, who had been in his Majesty's commission of the -peace. Having heard of a clandestine meeting of Tories at the house of -that gentleman, Colonel Weston despatched a detachment of troops thither, -which came upon the assemblage by surprise, and took them all prisoners. -Among them was Lieutenant Walter N. Butler, from St. Leger's army, who, -with fourteen white soldiers and the same number of Indians, [FN-1] had -visited the German Flats secretly, with the appeal of Sir John Johnson, -Claus, and the elder Butler, referred to in a preceding page, for the -purpose of persuading the timid and disaffected inhabitants to abandon -the Provincial cause, and enroll themselves with the King's army before -Fort Schuyler. Butler was in the midst of his harangue to the meeting at -the moment of the unwelcome surprise. General Arnold ordered a -court-martial, and caused him to be tried as a spy. [FN-2] Of this -tribunal Colonel Willett officiated as Judge Advocate. The Lieutenant was -convicted, and received sentence of death; but at the intercession of a -number of officers, who had known him while a student at law in Albany, -his life was spared by a reprieve. He was, however, removed to Albany and -closely imprisoned until the Spring of the following year. When General -the Marquis de Lafayette assumed the command of the Northern department, -the friends of the Butler family, in consequence, as it was alleged, of -his ill-health, interceded for a mitigated form of imprisonment. He was -then removed to a private house and kept under guard, but shortly -afterward effected his escape--owing, it was reported, to treachery--and -was subsequently distinguished as one of the severest scourges of the -beautiful valley which had given him birth. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The Remembrancer for 1777, page 395. - - [FN-2] The Remembrancer states that Butler came "on a truce to the - inhabitants of the County." But if he did bear a flag, it could be no - protection for such a mission--as it was not. - - -The address of Johnson, Claus, and Butler, having been thus introduced -among the people of the County, Arnold issued a proclamation from Fort -Dayton for the purpose of counteracting its influence. It was couched in -severe language in regard to St. Leger and his heterogeneous -army--denounced those of the people who might be seduced by his arts to -enroll themselves under the banner of the king--but promised pardon to -all, whether Americans, Savages, Germans, or Britons, who might return to -their duty to the States. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Appendix, No. VIII. - - -Meantime Colonel St. Leger was pushing his operations before the fort with -considerable vigor. Every effort to intimidate the garrison having failed, -and the commander exhibiting an unsubmitting spirit, St. Leger "commenced -approaching by sap, and had formed two parallels, the second of which -brought him near the edge of the glacis; but the fire of musketry from the -covert way rendered his farther progress very difficult." [FN] The fire -of his ordnance producing no effect, his only means of annoying the -garrison was by throwing shells; but these proved of so little consequence -as to afford a discouraging prospect of success. Having advanced, however, -within one hundred and fifty yards, it is not to be denied that some -uneasiness began to be manifested within the garrison. Ignorant of the -fate of Colonel Willett and Major Stockwell, and entirely cut off from -all communication from without, their provisions daily exhausting, and -having no certain prospect of relief, some of the officers commenced -speaking in whispers of the expediency of saving the garrison from a -re-enactment of the Fort William Henry tragedy, by acceding to St. Leger's -proffered terms of capitulation. Not so the commander. After weighing well -the circumstances of the case, he came to the deliberate resolve, in the -event of obtaining no succor from without, when his provisions were about -exhausted, to make a sally at night, and cut his way through the -encampment of the besiegers, or perish in the attempt. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Willett's Narrative. - - -Fortunately, the necessity of executing the bold determination did not -arrive. The siege had continued until the 22d of August, when, suddenly, -without any cause within the knowledge of the garrison, the besiegers -broke up their encampment, and retired in such haste and confusion as to -leave their tents, together with a great part of their artillery, camp -equipage, and baggage behind. What was the motive for this unexpected -flight of a vaunting and all but victorious foe, was a problem they were -unable to solve within the garrison, although their joy was not, on that -account, the less at their deliverance. It subsequently appeared that the -panic which produced this welcome and unexpected change in the situation -of the garrison, was caused by a _ruse-de-guerre,_ practised upon the -forces of St. Leger by General Arnold, who had been waiting at Fort Dayton -several days for the arrival of reinforcements and supplies. [FN-1] But, -having heard that St. Leger had made his approaches to within a short -distance of the fort, Arnold, on the 22d of August, determined at all -events to push forward and hazard a battle, rather than see the garrison -fall a sacrifice. [FN-2] With this view, on the morning of the 23d, he -resumed his march for Fort Schuyler, and had proceeded ten miles of the -distance from Fort Dayton when he was met by an express from Colonel -Gansevoort, with the gratifying intelligence that the siege had been -raised. The cause of this sudden movement was yet as great a mystery to - the Colonel and his garrison, as was the flight of the host of Ben-hadad -from before Samaria to the king of Israel, when the Syrian monarch heard -the supernatural sound of chariots, and the noise of horses, in the days -of Elisha the prophet. Arnold was, of course, less in the dark. The -circumstances were these:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] "I wrote you, the 21st instant, from German Flats, that from the - best intelligence I could procure of the enemy's strength, it was much - superior to ours; at the same time I inclosed you a copy of the - resolutions of a council of war, and requested you to send me a - reinforcement of one thousand light troops."--_Letter of Arnold to - General Gates, Aug,_ 23, 1777.--"I have been retarded by the badness of - the roads, waiting for some baggage and ammunition, and for the militia, - who did not turn out with that spirit which I expected. They are now - joining me in great numbers. A few days will relieve you."--_MS. letter - from Arnold to Colonel Gansevoort, Aug,_ 22, 1777. - - [FN-2] Letter above cited from Arnold to General Gates. Vide - Remembrancer, 1777, page 444. - - -Among the party of Tories and Indians captured at Shoemaker's under -Lieutenant Butler, was a singular being named Hon-Yost Schuyler. His place -of residence was near the Little Falls, where his mother and a brother -named Nicholas, were then residing. Hon-Yost Schuyler was one of the -coarsest and most ignorant men in the valley, appearing scarce half -removed from idiocy; and yet there was no small share of shrewdness in his -character. Living upon the extreme border of civilization, his -associations had been more with the Indians than the whites; and -tradition avers that they regarded him with that mysterious reverence and -awe with which they are inspired by fools and lunatics. Thus situated and -thus constituted, Hon-Yost had partially attached himself to the Royalist -cause, though probably, like the Cow-boys of West Chester, he really cared -little which party he served or plundered; and had he been the captor of -the unfortunate Andre, would have balanced probabilities as to the best -way of turning the prize to account. Be these things, however, as they -may, Hon-Yost was captured, with Walter Butler, and, like him, was tried -for his life, adjudged guilty, and condemned to death. His mother and -brother, hearing of his situation, hastened to Fort Dayton, and implored -General Arnold to spare his life. The old woman strongly resembled the -gypsy in her character, and the eloquence and pathos with which she -pleaded for the life of her son, were long remembered in the unwritten -history of the Mohawk Valley. Arnold was for a time inexorable, and the -woman became almost frantic with grief and passion on account of her -wayward son. Nicholas, likewise, exerted himself to the utmost in behalf -of his brother. At length General Arnold proposed terms upon which his -life should be spared. The conditions were, that Hon-Yost should hasten to -Fort Schuyler, and so alarm the camp of St. Leger as to induce him to -raise the siege and fly. The convict-traitor gladly accepted the -proposition, and his mother offered herself as a hostage for the faithful -performance of his commission. Arnold, however, declined receiving the -woman as a hostage, preferring and insisting that Nicholas should be -retained for that purpose. To this the latter readily assented, declaring -that he was perfectly willing to pledge his life that Hon-Yost would -fulfill his engagements to the utmost. Nicholas was, therefore, placed in -confinement, while Hon-Yost departed for the camp of Colonel St. -Leger--having made an arrangement with one of the Oneida Indians, friendly -to the Americans, to aid him in the enterprise. Before his departure -several shots were fired through Schuyler's clothes, that he might appear -to have had a narrow escape; and the Oneida Indian, by taking a circuitous -route to Fort Schuyler, was to fall into the enemy's camp from another -direction, and aid Hon-Yost in creating the panic desired. The emissary -first presented himself among the Indians, who were in a very suitable -state of mind to be wrought upon by exactly such a personage. They had -been moody and dissatisfied ever since the battle of Oriskany--neither the -success nor the plunder promised them had been won, and they had -previously received some vague and indefinite intelligence respecting the -approach of Arnold. They had likewise just been holding a pow-wow, or were -actually convened in one, for the purpose of consulting the Manitto -touching the dubious enterprise in which they were engaged, when Hon-Yost -arrived. Knowing their character well, he communicated his intelligence to -them in the most mysterious and imposing manner. Pointing to his riddled -garments, he proved to them how narrow had been his escape from the -approaching army of the rebels. When asked the number of the troops that -Arnold was leading against them, he shook his head mysteriously, and -pointed upward to the leaves of the trees. The reports spread rapidly -through the camps, and reaching the ears of the commander, Hon-Yost was -sent for to the tent of St. Leger himself. Here he was interrogated, and -gave information that General Arnold, with two thousand men, was so near -that he would be upon them within twenty-four hours. He gave St. Leger a -pitiable narrative of his captivity, trial, and condemnation to the -gallows. It was while on his way to execution, as he alleged, that, -finding himself not very closely guarded, he took an opportunity to effect -his escape--thinking, at the worst, that he could only die, and it would -be as well to be shot as hanged. A shower of bullets had indeed been let -fly at him, but fortunately had only wounded his clothes, as the General -might see. [FN-1] Meantime the Oneida messenger arrived with a belt, and -confirmed to the Indians all that Schuyler had said; adding, that the -Americans had no desire to injure the Indians, and were intent only upon -attacking the British troops and rangers. While making his way to the camp -of the besiegers, the ingenious Oneida had fallen in with some two or -three straggling Indians of his acquaintance, to whom he communicated his -business, and whose assistance in furthering the design he engaged. These -sagacious fellows dropped into the Indian camp at different points, and -threw out alarming suggestions--shaking their heads mysteriously, and -insinuating that a bird had brought them intelligence of great -moment. [FN-2] They spoke of warriors in great numbers advancing rapidly -upon them, and used every indirect method of infusing a panic into the -minds of the listeners who gathered around them. The Indians presently -began to give signs of decamping, and St. Leger assayed in vain to -reassure them. He convened a council of their chiefs, hoping that by the -influence of Sir John Johnson, and Colonels Claus and Butler, he should -still be able to retain them. Other reports, of a yet more terrifying -tendency, getting afloat, not only among the Indians but in the other -camp, the former declared that "the pow-wow said they must go;" and a -portion of them took their departure before the council broke up. The -result was a general and precipitate flight. It has been stated, that in -the commencement of the retreat the Indians made themselves merry at the -expense of their white allies, by raising a shout that the Americans were -upon them, and then laughing at the groundless terror thus created. [FN-3] -According to the account derived by Gordon from the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, an -altercation took place between Colonel St. Leger and Sir John Johnson, the -former reproaching the latter with the defection of the Indians, while the -Baronet charged his commander with but an indifferent prosecution of the -siege. It was in the gray of twilight, when a couple of sachems, standing -upon a little eminence not far in the rear, and overhearing the -interchange of sharp words between them, put an end to the unpleasant -colloquy by raising the shout--"_they are coming!--they are coming!"_ -Both St. Leger and Sir John recommenced their retreat with all possible -expedition upon hearing such an alarm. Their troops were equally nimble -of foot on the occasion, throwing away their knapsacks and arms, and -disencumbering themselves of every hindrance to the quick-step; while the -Indians, enjoying the panic and confusion, repeated the joke by the way -until they arrived at the Oneida Lake. It is believed, however, that it -was not the Americans alone of whom St. Leger began to stand in fear, -being quite as apprehensive of danger from his own dusky allies as he was -of the approaching army of Arnold. There is British authority for stating -that the Indians actually plundered several of the boats belonging to -their own army; robbing the officers of whatsoever they liked. Within a -few miles of the camp, they first stripped off the arms, and afterward -murdered, with their own bayonets, all those British, German, and -American soldiers who were separated from the main body. [FN-4] Thus were -the threats of savage vengeance sent by Colonel St. Leger to the garrison, -in some degree wreaked upon his own army. Hon-Yost Schuyler accompanied -the flying host to the estuary of Wood Creek, where he deserted, threading -his way back to Fort Schuyler the same evening--imparting to Colonel -Gansevoort his first information of the advance of Arnold. [FN-5] From -Fort Schuyler, Hon-Yost proceeded back to the German Flats. On presenting -himself at Fort Dayton, his brother was discharged, to the inexpressible -joy of his mother and their relatives. But he proved a Tory in grain, and -embraced the first opportunity subsequently presented, which was in -October, of running away to the enemy, with several of his neighbors, and -attaching himself to the forces of Sir John Johnson. [FN-6] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Remembrancer, for 1777--p. 447-448. - - [FN-2] Travels of President Dwight, vol. iii. p. 195-197. - - [FN-3] Travels of President Dwight, vol. iii. p. 195-197. - - [FN-4] British Universal Magazine. Indeed, St. Leger's report of this - disastrous retreat, addressed to General Burgoyne from Oswego, on the - 27th of August, corresponds very closely with the American accounts - whence the present narrative has been drawn. He states that the Indians - fell treacherously upon their friends, and became more formidable than - the enemy they had to expect. He leaves no room, however, to suppose that - there was any difficulty between Sir John Johnson and himself--calling - him "his gallant coadjutor," &c. and commending his exertions to induce - the Indians again to meet the enemy, as also those of Colonels Claus and - Butler. - - [FN-5] Letter of Colonel Gansevoort to General Arnold. - - [FN-6] After the close of the contest, Hon-Yost returned to the Mohawk - Valley, and resided there until his death--which event occurred about - twenty years since. - - -Immediately on the receipt of Colonel Gansevoort's despatch announcing St. -Leger's retreat. General Arnold pushed forward a detachment of nine -hundred men, with directions, if possible, to overtake the fugitives, and -render their flight still more disastrous. On the day following, Arnold -himself arrived at the fort, where he was received with a salute of -artillery and the cheers of the brave garrison. He, of course, found that -Gansevoort had anticipated his design of harassing the rear of the flying -enemy, and had brought in several prisoners, together with large -quantities of spoil. [FN-1] So great was their panic, and such the -precipitancy of their flight, that they left their tents standing, their -provisions, artillery, ammunition, their entire camp equipage, and large -quantities of other articles enhancing the value of the booty. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of Arnold to General Gates, Aug. 24, 1777. - - [FN-2] Among other articles was the escritoire of St. Leger himself, - containing his private papers, several of which have been used by the - author in writing this and the preceding chapters. - - -Thus ended the siege of Fort Schuyler, or Fort Stanwix, as the public have -always preferred calling it. St. Leger hastened with his scattered forces -back to Oswego, and thence to Montreal. From that post he proceeded to -Lake Champlain, passing up the same to Ticonderoga, for the purpose of -joining the army of Burgoyne. Finding that the enemy had evacuated the -country between the fort and Lake Ontario, and that the post could be in -no immediate danger from that direction, Colonel Gansevoort took the -opportunity of visiting his friends at Albany, and at the seat of the -State government, then just organised at Kingston. His reception was most -cordial, as appears not only from contemporaneous accounts, but from the -following modest address to his fellow-soldiers of the garrison, on his -return to resume his command:-- - -"I should be wanting in justice to you, if I did not give some testimony -of your good conduct during the time you have been in this garrison, and -especially while we were besieged by the enemy. Believe me, that I am -impressed with a proper sense of the behavior by which you have done -essential service to your country, and acquired immortal honor to -yourselves. Nothing can equal the pleasure I have experienced since my -absence, in hearing and receiving the public approbation of our country -for our services, which is, and must be, to every soldier, a full and -ample compensation for the same. Permit me to congratulate you upon the -success of the American arms, both to the Southward and Northward. Every -day terminates with victory to America; and I make not the least doubt, -but in this campaign we shall effectually establish the Independence of -the United States, and thereby secure to ourselves the rights and -liberties for which we have so nobly stood forth." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Copied by the author from the original manuscript. It was filed away - among the Colonel's papers, with the following inscription:--"A laconic - address to my fellow officers and soldiers after our success at Fort - Stanwix." - - -As an evidence of the value placed upon the services of the Colonel in the -defence of Fort Schuyler, he was shortly afterward promoted in the State -line to the rank of Brigadier General, while his gallantry was farther -rewarded by a Colonel's commission from Congress in the army of the United -States. [FN-1] On leaving his regiment, its officers presented him with an -affectionate letter of congratulation on his promotion, mingled with an -expression of their regret at the loss to the regiment of "so worthy a -patron." To which the Colonel returned an appropriate letter of -thanks. [FN-2] The people of Tryon County were of course rejoiced, that -the blow, directed, as the enemy supposed, with unerring certainty against -them, had been averted. They had suffered severely in the campaign; but -there were enough of her sons yet left to swell the ranks of General -Gates not a little; and they pressed ardently to join his standard, -although circumstances did not then require them long to remain in the -field. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] There seems to have been something peculiar and special in this - commission. In a letter which Colonel Gansevoort wrote jointly to William - Duer and Gouverneur Morris, a copy of which is preserved among his - papers, he observes:--"Congress have done me the honor of appointing me - Colonel Commandant of Fort Schuyler. I should esteem it as a favor if - you would inform me whether I am to receive any pay for that commission, - other than as Colonel of the third regiment of New-Yorkers; and if not, - I should be glad if you would endeavor to get something allowed me, as - my present pay will not reimburse my table liquors, which you may well - conceive to be something considerable as commanding officer. I am not - solicitous to make money by my commission; but I could wish not to sink - by it, as I am obliged to do now. The commission which Congress has sent - me as _commandant of Fort Schuyler,_ subjects me as much to the command -of my superior officers, as any former one. If that was the intention of - Congress, the appointment is nugatory. If not, I wish Congress to alter - the commission." - - [FN-2] The following is a copy of the address referred to in the - text:--"Honored Sir: From a just sense of that conduct which has hitherto - been so conspicuously shown to advance the third New-York regiment to - honor and public notice, we congratulate you that those characteristics - which so eminently point out the gentleman and soldier, have by your - personal bravery been deservedly noticed by our bleeding country. - Although we rejoice at your promotion, yet we cannot but regret the loss - of so worthy a patron. That the prosperity which has crowned your conduct - with victory may still be continued, is the sincere wish and prayer of, - honored Sir, your most obedient and very humble servants." It was signed - by twenty-six officers. Colonel Gansevoort replied as - follows:--"Gentlemen: Your polite address on my promotion merits my - sincerest thanks. Gratitude, I hope, shall never be wanting in me to the - third N. Y. regiment, who have, by their firmness and discipline, been - the chief authors of my promotion. Therefore, Gentlemen, please to accept - my warmest wishes for the prosperity of the corps, that all their - virtuous endeavors in the defence of their bleeding country may be - crowned with honor and success, which will always be the earnest prayer - of, Gentlemen, your most obliged, humble servant." - - -In October following, when Sir Henry Clinton was ascending the Hudson for -the purpose either of succoring, or of co-operating with, Burgoyne, -Colonel Gansevoort was ordered to Albany by General Gates, to take command -of the large force then concentrating at that place. Happily, as will -appear in the succeeding chapters, there was no occasion to test his -prowess in his new and temporary command. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - - - Recurrence to the invasion of Burgoyne--General Schuyler again superseded - by Gates--Causes of this injustice--Battle of Stillwater--Both armies - entrench--Battle and victory of Behmus's Heights--Funeral of General - Frazer--Retreat of Burgoyne--Difficulties increasing upon him--His - capitulation--Meeting of Burgoyne and Gates--Deportment of Gates toward - Gen. Washington--Noble conduct of General Schuyler. - -The temporary pacification of the Western part of the State, resulting -from the events of which we have just closed the narrative, affords an -opportunity for recurring to the invasion of Burgoyne, who was left in -the mid career of victory, checked, it is true, by unexpected and -increasing difficulties, until brought to a stand by the serious affair -of Bennington, heretofore incidentally disposed of. On shifting the scene, -however, from the head waters of the Mohawk to the upper districts of the -Hudson, General Gates is again found in command of the Northern -Department--General Schuyler, to whose wise measures and indefatigable -exertions the country was mainly indebted for arresting the progress of -Burgoyne, and during whose command the victory of Bennington had been won -by General Stark--having been most unjustly superseded by express -resolution of Congress. There had, during the present year, been a very -unwise, unworthy, and capricious interference, on the part of Congress, -with the command of this department. On the 25th of March, without a -reason assigned, General Gates had superseded General Schuyler, his -superior officer, by order of Congress; and on the 22d of May, without -any expressed motive, General Schuyler was restored to the command of -that department. [FN-1] Again, on the 1st of August, it was resolved by -Congress that General Schuyler should repair to head-quarters, while the -Commander-in-chief was, by the same resolution, directed to order such -general officer as he should think proper, to assume the command in -Schuyler's place. The day after the passage of that resolution, General -Washington received a letter from the New England delegation in Congress, -suggesting the name of General Gates, as the officer who would be most -likely to restore harmony, order, and discipline, and to relieve our -affairs in that quarter. [FN-2] We have, in a former chapter, referred to -the prejudices existing against General Schuyler, and the causes of them. -These had now become so strong, and the Eastern States, in particular, -were so hostile to his longer continuance in the command, that even his -friends acquiesced in the expediency, though not in the justice, of his -removal. [FN-3] General Schuyler himself, however, felt acutely the -discredit of being recalled at the most critical and interesting period -of the campaign; when the labor and activity of making preparations to -repair the disasters of it had been expended by him; and when an -opportunity was offered, as he observed, for that resistance and -retaliation which might bring glory upon our arms. [FN-4] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Memoirs of General Wilkinson, vol. i. p. 163. - - [FN-2] Sparks's Life and Cor. of Washington, vol. v. p. 14. The original - of this letter to Washington is in the hand-writing of Samuel Adams, and - is signed by the following names, in the order in which they here stand, - viz: John Adams, Nathaniel Folsom, Samuel Adams, Henry Marchant, - Elbridge Gerry, Eliphalet Dyer, William Williams. - - [FN-3] Marshall. - - [FN-4] Address of Chancellor Kent before the New-York Historical Society, - Dec. 1828. The calumnies directed against St. Clair and Schuyler, in - regard to the fall of Ticonderoga, were so gross as to exceed belief in - their propagation. These officers were denounced as traitors to the - country, acting in concert with the enemy, and the ignorant and credulous - were led to believe that they had received an immense treasure in silver - balls, fired by Burgoyne into St. Clair's camp, and by his order picked - up, and transmitted to Schuyler at Fort George. Wilkinson, who was - Gates's Adjutant General, avers that respectable people questioned him - with much gravity as to the fact! These slanders were, for factious - purposes, countenanced by respectable men, and the consequence was, - general defection and desertion, in the early part of the Summer, so - that, at one time, the Northern army was reduced to less than three - thousand, and the militia to less than thirteen hundred--and these - subject to no effectual restraint. - - -The Commander-in-chief paid no heed to the advisory epistle from the New -England delegates, but in a respectful letter to the President of -Congress, declined the honor of making the selection. [FN] Had he not thus -excused himself, it is not presumption to intimate, that, influenced by -the peculiar attitude which Gates had even then begun to assume, and -acting, as Washington ever did, under the stern behests of conscience, he -would have made a different selection from that proposed to him by the -Eastern representatives, and which ultimately prevailed. - - * * * * * - - [FN] "At the same time that I express my thanks for the high mark of - confidence which Congress has been pleased to repose in me by their - resolve, authorising me to send an officer to command the Northern army, - I should wish to be excused from making the appointment. For this, many - reasons might be mentioned, which, I am persuaded, will occur to Congress - on reflection. The Northern department in a great measure has been - considered as separate, and more peculiarly under their direction; and - the officers commanding there always under their nomination. I have never - interfered farther than merely to advise, and to give such aids as were - within my power, on the requisitions of those officers. The present - situation of that department is delicate and critical, and the choice of - an officer to the command may involve very interesting and important - consequences."--_Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, - Aug._ 3, 1777. - - -General Gates, however, did not join the Northern army until the 19th of -August; and as the time was not specified within which he was required to -report himself at head-quarters, General Schuyler was allowed to remain -at the North, with the approbation both of Congress and the -Commander-in-chief, until after the campaign had been closed by the -surrender of the British commander and his army. Nor were his exertions -the less active, or his counsels the less freely proffered, in the cause -of his country, because of the injustice by which his pride had been -wounded. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] "The zeal, patriotism, perseverance, and salutary arrangements of - General Schuyler, had roused the spirit of the country, and vanquished - the prejudices excited against him by artifice, intrigue, and - detraction."--_Wilkinson's Memoirs._ - - -After the evacuation of Fort Edward, [FN-1] as mentioned in a former -chapter, General Schuyler fell down the river to Stillwater, on the 3d of -August, and began to entrench his camp there on the 4th. Burgoyne's -ill-conceived expedition to Bennington, under Colonel Baum, deprived him -of one-sixth of his effective force on the 16th. It was not until near a -month afterward, during which period the American army had been greatly -strengthened at Stillwater, that Burgoyne was again prepared to advance. -Having at length, by dint of almost incredible labor, brought up from Fort -George a supply of provisions for thirty days, and thrown a bridge of -boats over the Hudson, the British commander with his army crossed on the -13th and 14th of September, and encamped on the heights and plains of -Saratoga. On the night of the 17th, Burgoyne encamped within four miles -of the American army; and about noon on the 19th, advanced in full force -against it--the latter having, in the mean time, advanced toward the enemy -three miles above Stillwater. Burgoyne commanded his right wing in person, -covered by General Frazer and Colonel Breyman, with the grenadiers and -light-infantry, who were posted along some high grounds on the right. The -front and flanks were covered by Indians, Provincials, and Canadians. The -enemy's left wing and artillery were commanded by Generals Phillips and -Riedesel, who proceeded along the great road. Colonel Morgan, who was -detached to observe their motions, and to harass them as they advanced, -soon fell in with their pickets in advance of their right wing, attacked -them sharply and drove them in. A strong corps was immediately detached -by the enemy against Morgan, who, after a brisk engagement, was in turn -compelled to give way. A regiment being ordered to the assistance of -Morgan, whose riflemen had been sadly scattered by the vigor of the -attack, the battle was renewed at about one o'clock, and was maintained -with spirit, though with occasional pauses, for three hours--the -commanders on both sides supporting and reinforcing their respective -parties. By four o'clock the battle became general, Arnold, with nine -Continental regiments and Morgan's corps, having completely engaged the -whole right wing of the enemy. [FN-2] The contest, accidentally commenced, -in the first instance, now assumed the most obstinate and determined -character. It was maintained four hours longer--the soldiers being often -engaged hand to hand. The approach of night terminated the battle--the -Americans retreating to their encampment, but not from other necessity -than the darkness. The enemy were provided with artillery, but the ground -occupied by the Americans would not allow the use of field-pieces. The -fluctuations of the battle were frequent during the day, and although the -British artillery fell into the hands of the Americans at every alternate -charge, the latter could neither turn them upon the enemy nor bring them -off. "The wood prevented the last, and the want of a match the first, as -the lint-stock was invariably carried away, and the rapidity of the -transitions did not allow the Americans time to provide one." [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] It was during a skirmish before Fort Edward, when the Americans - were flying from a party of thirty or forty Indians, that the late - General Matthew Clarkson, of New-York--then Major Clarkson and aid to - General Arnold--was wounded by a ball which passed through the muscular - integuments of the throat. The wound was supposed to be fatal at the - time, but he soon recovered. - - [FN-2] Holmes, who follows Stedman. General Wilkinson denies that Arnold - shared much in this battle. He says:--"Not a single general officer was - on the field of battle on the 19th, until evening, when General Lamed - was ordered out. About the same time Generals Gates and Arnold were in - front of the centre of the camp, listening to the peal of small arms, - when Colonel Morgan Lewis, deputy quartermaster General, returned from - the field, and being questioned by the General, he reported the - undecisive progress of the action--at which Arnold exclaimed, '_by G-- - I will put an end to it,_' and clapping spurs to his horse, galloped off - at full speed. Colonel Lewis immediately observed to General Gates, 'You - had better order him back, the action is going well, and he may by some - rash act do mischief.' I was instantly despatched, overtook, and remanded - Arnold to camp."--_Memoirs, vol. i, Chap. vi._ - - [FN-3] Memoirs of General Wilkinson, vol. i. chapter vi. - - -General Wilkinson, at that time Adjutant General, who was himself in the -battle, and whose account of it is the best that has been written, -sustains the remark made above, that the engagement was perfectly -accidental; neither of the opposing Generals meditating an attack at that -time, and yet, by a mutual misconception of each other's purposes, they -were kept the whole day acting upon the defensive; confining themselves -to the ground occupied at first by accident, "and neither attempting a -single manoeuvre during one of the longest, warmest, and most obstinate -battles fought in America. General Gates believed that his antagonist -intended to attack him, and circumstances seemed to justify the like -conclusion on the part of Burgoyne; and, as the thickness and depth of an -intervening wood concealed the position and movements of either army from -its adversary, sound caution obliged the respective commanders to guard -every assailable point. Had either of the Generals been properly apprised -of the dispositions of his antagonist, a serious blow might have been -struck either on the left of the American army, or on the enemy's right;" -but although the combatants changed ground a dozen times in the course of -the day, the contest was terminated by the darkness, on the spot where it -began. [FN-1] Few actions have been more remarkable than this, both for -vigor of attack and obstinacy of resistance. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Idem. - - [FN-2] Stedman. The loss on the part of the Americans, in killed and - wounded, was between three and four hundred. Among the former were - Colonels Colburn and Adams, and several other valuable officers. The - loss of the British was from six hundred to a thousand, killed, wounded, - and taken. - - -Both armies remained in the same positions until the beginning of -October--each entrenching itself within lines and redoubts, which, in the -most eligible positions, were strengthened with batteries. The engineer -having the direction of the American works at Behmus's Heights, was the -celebrated Polish patriot, Thaddeus Kosciusko, who had also served in the -same capacity at Ticonderoga. - -The action of the 19th of September had again essentially diminished the -strength of Burgoyne, added to which were the great and increasing -difficulties of obtaining supplies, and the perpetual annoyances to which -he was subjected by the American scouts, and still larger detachments, -who were attacking his pickets, hanging upon his flanks, and cutting off -his foraging parties. By the 4th of October his supplies were so far -reduced that the soldiers were placed upon short allowance, and his -position was in other respects becoming so critical, that, hearing nothing -from Sir Henry Clinton, for whose cooperation from New-York he had been -waiting since the battle of the 19th, the idea of advancing was -relinquished, and instead thereof, discussions were held respecting the -practicability of a retreat. This could only be done by first dislodging -the Americans, whose forces, disciplined and undisciplined, now far -out-numbered his own, from their posts on the heights. On the 4th of -October, Burgoyne sent for Generals Phillips, Riedesel, and Frazer, to -consult with them on the best measures to be taken. His project was to -attack and attempt to turn the left wing of the Americans at once; but -the other Generals judged that it would be dangerous to leave their stores -under so feeble a protection as eight hundred men, according to the -proposition of their commander. A second consultation was held on the 5th, -at which General Riedesel positively declared that the situation of the -army had become so critical, that they must either attack and force the -entrenchments of Gates, and thus bring about a favorable change of -affairs, or recross the Hudson, and retreat upon Fort George. Fraser -approved of the latter suggestion, and Phillips declined giving an -opinion. General Burgoyne, to whom the idea of retreating was most -unwelcome, declared that he would make, on the 7th, a reconnaissance as -near as possible to the left wing of the Americans, with a view of -ascertaining whether it could be attacked with any prospect of success. -He would afterward either attack the army of Gates, or retreat by the -route in the rear of Battenkill. This was his final determination, and -dispositions were made accordingly. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Memoirs of Madame the Baroness de Riedesel. - - -Early in the afternoon of the 7th, General Burgoyne drew out fifteen -hundred men for the purpose of making his proposed reconnaissance, which -he headed himself, attended by Generals Phillips, Riedesel, and Frazer. -They advanced in three columns toward the left wing of the American -positions, entered a wheat-field, displayed into line, and then began -cutting up the wheat for forage. The movement having been seasonably -discovered, the centre advanced guard of the Americans beat to arms; the -alarm was repeated throughout the line, and the troops repaired to the -alarm posts. Colonel Wilkinson being at head-quarters at the moment, was -despatched to ascertain the cause of the alarm. He proceeded to within -sixty or seventy rods of the enemy, ascertained their position, and -returned; informing General Gates that they were foraging; attempting also -to reconnoiter the American left, and likewise, in his opinion, offering -battle. After a brief consultation. Gates said he would indulge them; and -Colonel Morgan, whose rifle corps was formed in front of the centre, was -directed "to begin the game." [FN-1] At his own suggestion, however, Morgan -was allowed to gain the enemy's right by a circuitous course, while Poor's -brigade should attack his left. [FN-2] The movement was admirably -executed; the New-York and New Hampshire troops attacked the enemy's front -and left wing with great impetuosity; while, true to his purpose, Morgan, -just at the critical moment, poured down like a torrent from the hill, and -attacked the enemy's right in front and flank. The attack was soon -extended along the whole front of the enemy with great determination. -Major Ackland, at the head of the grenadiers, sustained the attack of -Poor with great firmness. [FN-3] But on his right the light infantry, in -attempting to change front, being pressed with ardor by Colonel Dearborn, -were forced to retire under a close fire, and in great disorder. They were -re-formed by the Earl of Balcarras behind a fence in the rear of their -first position; but, being again attacked with great audacity in front -and flanks by superior numbers, resistance became vain, and the whole -line, commanded by Burgoyne in person, gave way, and made a precipitate -and disorderly retreat to his camp, [FN-4] The right of Burgoyne had given -way first, the retreat of which was covered by the light infantry and a -part of the 24th regiment. The left wing in its retreat would inevitably -have been cut to pieces, but for the intervention of the same troops, -performing in its behalf the same service that, a few moments before, -they had done for the right. This retreat took place in exactly fifty-two -minutes after the first shot was fired--the enemy leaving two twelve and -six six pounders on the field, with the loss of more than four hundred -officers and men, killed, wounded, and captured, and among them the flower -of his officers, viz: General Frazer, Major Ackland,[FN-5] Sir Francis -Cook, and many others. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] General Burgoyne afterward stated to Wilkinson, in conversation, - that his purpose on that day was only to reconnoiter and obtain forage, - and that in half an hour, had his motives not been penetrated by - Wilkinson and he not been attacked, he should have finished his - observations and returned to his camp. - - [FN-2] Wilkinson's Memoirs. - - [FN-3] Holmes. - - [FN-4] Memoirs of General Wilkinson. - - [FN-5] Idem. General Wilkinson gives an interesting incident respecting - Major Ackland. While pursuing the flying enemy, passing over killed and - wounded, he heard a voice exclaim--"Protect me, sir, against this boy!" - Turning his head, he saw a lad, thirteen or fourteen years of age, - deliberately aiming at a wounded officer, lying in the angle of a - worm-fence. The purpose of the boy was arrested--the officer proved to - be the brave Ackland who had commanded the grenadiers, and was wounded - in both legs. He was immediately sent to head-quarters. The story of - Major Ackland has been rendered familiar to all, even before escaping - the nursery, by the interesting narrative of Lady Harriet, his wife, who - was with the army, and who, two days after the battle, came to the - American camp, under a flag, to join her husband. The incident, from the - embellishments it received, was touching and romantic. When divested of - its poetry, however, and reduced to the plain matter of fact, according - to the statement of the late General Dearborn, which he authorized - Wilkinson to publish in his memoirs, the affair was not so very - extraordinary that it might not have been enacted by any other pretty - woman under the same circumstances, who loved her husband. Major Ackland - had already been sent down to Albany, when Lady Harriet arrived at the - camp of General Gates. She was treated with all possible courtesy, and - permitted to follow and join him. Major Ackland was a gallant officer - and a generous foe. While in New-York, on his parole, he did all in his - power to favor the treatment of distinguished American prisoners. After - his return to England, he sacrificed his life in defence of American - honor. Having procured a regiment, at a dinner of military men, the - courage of the Americans was questioned. He repelled the imputation with - decision. High words ensued, in the course of which Ackland gave the lie - direct to a subordinate officer named Lloyd. A meeting was the - consequence, in which he was shot through the head. Lady Harriet lost - her senses, and continued deranged two years; after which she married a - gentleman named Brudenell, who had accompanied her from the camp of - Burgoyne, at Saratoga, to that of Gates, in search of her wounded - husband. - - -The British troops had scarcely entered their lines, when the Americans, -led by General Arnold, pressed forward, and, under a tremendous fire of -grape-shot and musketry, assaulted their works throughout their whole -extent from right to left. Toward the close of the day, the enemy's -intrenchments were forced by the left of the Americans, led by Arnold in -person, who, with a few of his men, actually entered the works; but his -horse being killed, and the General himself badly wounded in the leg, -they were forced to retire, and the approach of darkness induced them to -desist from the attack. [FN-1] Meantime, on the left of Arnold's -detachment, the Massachusetts troops, under Colonel Brooks, had been still -more successful--having turned the enemy's right, and carried by storm -the works occupied by the German reserve. Colonel Breyman, their -commander, was killed; and his corps, reduced to two hundred men, and -hotly pressed on all sides, was obliged to give way. This advantage was -retained by the Americans; and darkness put an end to an action equally -brilliant and important to the Continental arms. Great numbers of the -enemy were killed, and two hundred prisoners taken. The loss of the -Americans was inconsiderable. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Subsequent to the battle of the 19th September, and previous to - that now under review, Arnold had had some difficulty with Gates. A sharp - correspondence en sued, in the course of which the former demanded - permission to join the Commander-in-chief in Pennsylvania. The - consequence was, that Arnold found himself without any command on the - 7th. He was exceedingly chafed at his position; but, orders or no orders, - he could not be kept from the field. His conduct was very strange, and - he has been charged by Wilkinson and others with intoxication that day. - Be it so or not, before the action was over, he was in the hottest of it, - and exercising command. He expressed himself foolishly and presumptuously - in front of the German division; and it was without orders that he - collected a few desperate followers, with whom he entered the enemy's - intrenchment, where he received his wound. - - [FN-2] Holmes. - - -On the morning of the 8th, before daybreak, the enemy left his position -and defiled into the plain where his provisions were; but was obliged to -halt until the evening, because his hospital could not be sooner -removed. [FN-1] The Americans immediately moved forward, and took -possession of the abandoned camp. Burgoyne having condensed his force upon -some heights which were strong by nature, and covered in front by a ravine -running parallel with the entrenchment of his late camp, a random fire of -artillery and small arms was kept up through the day--particularly on the -part of the enemy's sharpshooters and Provincials, who were stationed in -coverts of the ravine, which rendered their fire annoying to every person -crossing their line of vision. [FN-2] It was by a shot from one of these -lurking parties, that General Lincoln, late in the day, received a severe -wound in the leg while riding near the line. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Memoirs of the Baroness de Riedesel. Of this lady. General - Wilkinson says--"I have more than once seen her charming blue eyes - bedewed with tears at the recital of her sufferings. With two infant - children she accompanied her husband, Major General the Baron de - Riedesel from Germany to England, from England to Canada, and from the - last place to the termination of General Burgoync's campaign, in which - she suffered more than the horrors of the grave in their most frightful - aspect." Her Memoirs were published in Berlin in 1800. They are full of - interest. Some of the distressing scenes which attended the close of - Burgoyne's campaign are so graphically told by the Baroness, and afford - such striking illustrations of the horrors of war, that the author has - ventured to transfer a few pages to the Appendix of the present volume. - See Appendix, No. IX. - - [FN-2] Memoirs of General Wilkinson. - - -The gallant Frazer, who had been mortally wounded the day before, died at -8 o'clock on the morning of the 8th. On the evening of his fall, when it -was rendered certain that he could not recover, he sent for General -Burgoyne, and requested that he might be buried at 6 o'clock the following -evening, on the crest of a hill upon which a breastwork had been -constructed. It was a subject of complaint against Burgoyne, that in order -to comply with this request, he delayed his retreat, and thus contributed -to the misfortunes of his army. Be that as it may, the dying soldier's -request was observed to the letter. At the hour appointed the body was -borne to the hill that had been indicated, attended by the Generals and -their retinues; the funeral service was read by the Chaplain; and the -corpse interred, while the balls of the American cannon were flying around -and above the assembled mourners. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Baroness Riedesel, from whose spirited Memoirs the circumstances - of this funeral are drawn, states that General Gates protested afterward - that had he known what was going on, he would have stopped the fire - immediately. It must have been a solemn spectacle, and General Burgoyne - himself described it with his usual eloquence and felicity of - expression:--"The incessant cannonade during the solemnity; the steady - attitude and unaltered voice with which the chaplain officiated, though - frequently covered with dust, which the shot threw up on all sides of - him; the mute but expressive mixture of sensibility and indignation upon - every countenance; these objects will remain to the last of life upon the - mind of every man who was present. The growing duskiness added to the - scenery, and the whole marked a character of that juncture, that would - make one of the finest subjects for the pencil of a master that the - field ever exhibited. To the canvass, and to the faithful page of a more - important historian, gallant friend! I consign thy memory. There may thy - talents, thy manly virtues, their progress and their period, find due - distinction; and long may they survive, long after the frail record of - my pen shall be forgotten!"--_State of the Expedition from Canada, &c. - &c._ p. 169. - - -It was evident from the movements in the enemy's camp, that he was -preparing to retreat; but the American troops, having in the delirium of -joy consequent upon their victory, neglected to draw and eat their -rations--being withal not a little fatigued with the two days' exertions, -fell back to their camp, which had been left standing in the morning. -Retreat was, indeed, the only alternative remaining to the British -commander, since it was now quite certain that he could not cut his way -through the American army, and his supplies were reduced to a short -allowance for five days. He accordingly commenced his retreat that night, -but lingered by the way; so that on the 10th he was yet near Saratoga, -where he took up a position. During this retreat he ordered the -farm-houses to be burnt by the way, among which was the elegant mansion -of General Schuyler, with its mills and out-buildings. This conduct on -the part of the British commander was viewed as alike disreputable and -unnecessary. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] "The cruelties which mark the retreat of your army, in burning the - gentlemen's and farmers' houses as it passed along, are almost, among - civilized nations, without precedent; they should not endeavor to ruin - those they could not conquer; their conduct betrays more of the - vindictive malice of the monk than the generosity of a soldier."--_Letter - of Gates to Burgoyne, Oct._ 12, 1777. - - -Well knowing that a farther retreat, with a view, if possible, of reaching -his _depot_ at Fort George, and escaping through the lakes, was now the -only movement to which Burgoyne could have recourse to save the shattered -remains of his army, Gates lost no time in throwing several strong -detachments of troops into his rear. A division of fourteen hundred was -stationed on the heights opposite the ford at Saratoga; two thousand in -his rear, to prevent his retreat upon Fort Edward; and fifteen hundred at -a ford yet higher up. Apprehensive that he should be entirely penned up, -Burgoyne sent forward a corps of artificers to repair the bridges; but -these, though strongly guarded, were driven precipitately back. His -thoughts were next directed to the opening of a passage by the way of -Fort Edward; but the Americans had already re-possessed themselves of -that work, and were well provided with artillery. Thus environed with -difficulties, which were increasing; every hour, his effective force -reduced to less than three thousand five hundred men,--the American army -increasing every moment, and now forming an almost entire circle around -him,--harassed at all points, especially by the sharp-shooters who hovered -about him,--Burgoyne was driven to the necessity of entering into a -convention with General Gates, which was done by the unanimous consent of -a general council of his officers. The preliminaries were soon adjusted; -and on the 17th of October, the royal army surrendered prisoners of war. -At the opening of the campaign, the army of Burgoyne numbered nine -thousand two hundred and thirteen men. The number that laid down their -arms, was five thousand seven hundred and fifty-two. His Indian allies -had all, or nearly all, abandoned him several days before. - -On the same day that the articles of capitulation were carried into -effect, Burgoyne, with his general officers, was received in the quarters -of General Gates, and entertained by him at dinner. They were received -with the utmost courtesy, and with the consideration due to brave but -unfortunate men. The conversation was unrestrained, affable, and -free. [FN-1] Indeed, the conduct of Gates throughout, after the terms of -the surrender had been adjusted, was marked with equal delicacy and -magnanimity, as Burgoyne himself admitted in a letter to the Earl of -Derby. In that letter, the captive General particularly mentioned one -circumstance which, he said, exceeded all he had ever seen or read of on -a like occasion. It was the fact, that when the British soldiers had -marched out of their camp to the place where they were to pile their arms, -_not a man of the American troops was to be seen_--General Gates having -ordered his whole army out of sight, that not one of them should be a -spectator of the humiliation of the British troops, nor offer the smallest -insult to the vanquished. This was a refinement of delicacy, and of -military generosity and politeness, reflecting the highest credit upon -the conqueror; and was spoken of by the officers of Burgoyne in the -strongest terms of approbation. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Memoirs of the Baroness de Riedesel. The first meeting of - Burgoyne with Gates is thus described by Wilkinson:--"General Gates, - advised of Burgoyne's approach, met him at the head of his camp--Burgoyne - in a rich royal uniform, and Gates in a plain blue frock; when they had - approached nearly within sword's length, they reined up and halted. I - then named the gentlemen, and General Burgoyne, raising his hat most - gracefully, said--'The fortune of war. General Gates, has made me your - prisoner;' to which the conqueror, returning a courtly salute, promptly - replied--'I shall always be ready to bear testimony that it has not been - through any fault of your Excellency.'" - - [FN-2] Remembrancer of 1777, pages 482, 83. A letter published in that - repository of the events of the American Revolution, at the same time, - stated that "some few of the New England men desired to have Burgoyne in - their hands for half an hour. Being asked for what purpose, they said - they would do him no manner of harm; they would only tar and feather him, - and make him stand on the head of one of his own empty beef-barrels, and - read his own proclamation."--481, 82. If made at all, the suggestion - must have been merely the sportive sally of a wag. - - -It was, perhaps, no fault of General Gates, that he had been placed in -command at the North just at the auspicious moment when the discomfiture -of Burgoyne was no longer problematical. He was ordered by Congress to -the station, and performed his duty well. But it is no less true that the -laurels won by him ought to have been harvested by Schuyler. General -(then Colonel) Wilkinson, who was not only an active officer in that -campaign, but a member of Gates's own military family, has placed this -question in its true aspect. He maintains that not only had the army of -Burgoyne been essentially disabled by the loss of a heavy detachment, -artillery and baggage, and by the defeat of the Hessians at Bennington, -before the arrival of Gates, but that the repulse of St. Leger at Fort -Schuyler had deranged his plans, while safety had been restored to the -western frontier, and the panic thereby caused to subside. He likewise -maintains that after the reverses at the North, no wise in justice -attributable to him, and before the arrival of Gates, the zeal, -patriotism, and salutary arrangements of General Schuyler had vanquished -the prejudices excited against him; that by the defeat of Baum and St. -Leger, Schuyler had been enabled to concentrate and oppose his whole -Continental force against the main body of the enemy; and that by him, -also before the arrival of Gates, the friends of the Revolution had been -re-animated and excited to manly resistance, while the adherents of the -royal cause were intimidated, and had shrunk into silence and inactivity. -From these premises, which are indisputable, it is no more than a fair -deduction to say, "that the same force which enabled Gates to subdue the -British army, would have produced a similar effect under the orders of -General Schuyler; since the operations of the campaign did not involve a -single instance of professional skill, and the triumph of the American -arms was accomplished by the physical force and valor of the troops, -under the protection and direction of the god of battles." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Wilkinson's Memoirs, vol. i. chap. v. - - -Flushed with his fortuitous success, or rather with the success attending -his fortuitous position, Gates did not wear his honors with any remarkable -meekness. On the contrary, his bearing even toward the Commander-in-chief -was far from respectful. He did not even write to Washington on the -occasion, until after a considerable time had elapsed. In the first -instance Wilkinson was sent as the bearer of despatches to Congress, but -did not reach the seat of that body until fifteen days after the articles -of capitulation had been signed; and three days more were occupied in -arranging his papers before they were presented. [FN-1] The first mention -which Washington makes of the defeat of Burgoyne, is contained in a -letter written to his brother on the 18th of October--the news having -been communicated to him by Governor Clinton. He spoke of the event again -on the 19th, in a letter addressed to General Putnam. On the 25th, in a -letter addressed to that officer, he acknowledges the receipt of a copy -of the articles of capitulation _from him_--adding, that that was the first -authentic intelligence he had received of the affair, and that he had -begun to grow uneasy, and almost to suspect that the previous accounts -were premature. And it was not until the 2d of November that Gates deigned -to communicate to the Commander-in-chief a word upon the subject, and -then only incidentally, as though it were a matter of secondary -importance. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Sparks. "It was on this occasion that one of the members made a - motion in Congress, that they should compliment Colonel Wilkinson with - the gift of a pair of spurs." - - [FN-2] Idem. All that Gates said upon the subject in the letter referred - to, was comprised in these few words:--"Congress having been requested - immediately to transmit copies of all my despatches to them, I am - confident your Excellency has long ago received all the good news from - this quarter." Two days before this, in a letter directed to Gates, - Washington had administered one of those mild and dignified rebukes so - very like himself. In this letter, written in reference to a special - mission of Colonel Hamilton to the North, the Commander-in-chief - said:--"By this opportunity I do myself the pleasure to congratulate you - on the signal success of the army under your command, in compelling - General Burgoyne and his whole force to surrender themselves prisoners - of war." . . . "At the same time I cannot but regret that a matter of - such magnitude, and so interesting to our general operations, should - have reached me by report only, or through the channel of letters not - bearing that authenticity which the importance of it required, and which - it would have received by a line under your signature, stating the - simple facts."--_Lettrs of Washington, vol. v. pages_ 104, 112, 113, - 124, 125. - - -General Schuyler was in the camp with Gates at the time of the surrender, -though without any personal command; and when Burgoyne, with his general -officers, arrived in Albany, they were the guests of Schuyler, by whom -they wore treated with great hospitality. The Baroness de Riedesel speaks -with great feeling of the kindness she received from General Schuyler on -her first arrival in the camp of General Gates, and afterward at the hands -of Mrs. Schuyler and her daughters in Albany. The urbanity of his manners, -and the chivalric magnanimity of his character, smarting as he was under -the extent and severity of his pecuniary losses, are attested by General -Burgoyne himself, in his speech in 1778, in the British House of Commons. -He there declared that, by his orders, "a very good dwelling-house, -exceeding large store-houses, great saw mills, and other out-buildings, -to the value altogether perhaps of 10,000 pounds sterling," belonging to -General Schuyler, at Saratoga, were destroyed by fire a few days before -the surrender. He said farther, that one of the first persons he saw, -after the convention was signed, was General Schuyler; and when expressing -to him his regret at the event which had happened to his property, General -Schuyler desired him "to think no more of it, and that the occasion -justified it, according to the principles and rules of war. He did more," -said Burgoyne; "he sent an aid-de-camp [FN-1] to conduct me to Albany, in -order, as he expressed it, to procure better quarters than a stranger -might be able to find. That gentleman conducted me to a very elegant -house, and, to my great surprise, presented me to Mrs. Schuyler and her -family. In that house I remained during my whole stay in Albany, with a -table of more than twenty covers for me and my friends, and every other -possible demonstration of hospitality." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The late Colonel Richard Varick, then the military secretary of - Gen. Schuyler. - - [FN-2] Parliamentary History, vol. xix. p. 1182--as quoted by Chancellor - Kent in his address before the New-York Historical Society. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - - - Sir Henry Clinton's attempt to co-operate with Burgoyne--Storming of - Forts Clinton and Montgomery--Burning of AEsopus--Review of military - operations elsewhere--Expedition to Peekskill--Of Gov. Tryon to - Danbury--Progress of Sir William Howe in Pennsylvania--Battle of - Brandywine--Massacre of the Paoli--Battle of Germantown--Death of Count - Donop--Murder of Captain Deitz and family at Berne--John Taylor--Lady - Johnson ordered to leave Albany--Exasperation of Sir John--Attempts to - abduct Mr. Taylor--An Indian and white man bribed to assassinate General - Schuyler--Fresh alarms in Tryon County--Address of Congress to the Six - Nations--The appeal produces no effect--Articles of confederation--Close - of the year. - -Simultaneously with the events rapidly sketched in the preceding chapter, -an expedition from New-York to the North was undertaken by Sir Henry -Clinton, to which an incidental reference has already been made. The -obvious intention of Sir Henry was to relieve General Burgoyne; [FN] but -it was undertaken at too late a period to render him any assistance; a -fact admitted by Sir Henry himself, who excused the delay by stating that -he could not attempt it sooner without leaving the defences of New-York -too feebly guarded. This expedition consisted of about three thousand men, -convoyed by a fleet under Commodore Hotham, who proceeded up the Hudson -river early in October, and was destined, in the first instance, against -Forts Montgomery and Clinton, near the Southern boundary of the highlands. -These fortresses had been constructed chiefly for the purpose of -preventing the ships of the enemy from ascending the river, and were not -defensible in the rear. They were commanded by Governor Clinton, with the -assistance of General James Clinton, his brother. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter from Washington to General Putnam, Oct. 19, 1777. - - -The troops of the enemy were landed at Stoney Point, twelve miles below -the forts. A small advanced party of the Americans was met and attacked -at about 10 o'clock in the morning of the 6th of October, when within two -and a half miles of the fort. This party was of course driven in, having -returned the enemy's fire. [FN-1] When arrived within a mile of the forts, -Sir Henry divided his troops into two columns; the one, consisting of nine -hundred men under Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, was destined for the attack -on Fort Montgomery; the other, under the immediate command of Sir Henry -Clinton, was to storm the stronger post of Fort Clinton. [FN-2] -Ascertaining that the enemy were advancing to the west side of the -mountain, to attack his rear, Governor Clinton ordered a detachment of -upward of one hundred men, under Col. Lamb, together with a brass -field-piece and fifty men more, to take a strong position in advance. They -were soon sharply engaged, and another detachment of an equal number was -sent to their assistance. They kept their field-piece sharply playing upon -the enemy's advancing column, and were only compelled to give way by the -point of the bayonet--spiking their field-piece before they relinquished -it. In this preliminary encounter the loss of Sir Henry was severe. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter from Governor Clinton to the Committee of Safety, Oct. 7, - 1777. - - [FN-2] Holmes. - - -Pressing rapidly onward, both forts were in a few minutes attacked with -vigor upon all sides. The fire was incessant during the afternoon until -about five o'clock, when a flag approaching, Lieutenant Colonel -Livingston was ordered to receive it. The officer was the bearer of a -peremptory summons to surrender, as he alleged, to prevent the effusion -of blood. Nor would he treat, unless upon the basis of a surrender of the -garrison as prisoners of war, in which case he was authorised to assure -them of good usage. The proposition being rejected "with scorn," [FN-1] -in about ten minutes the attack was renewed, and kept up until after dark, -when the enemy forced the American lines and redoubts at both forts, and -the garrisons, determined not to surrender, undertook to fight their way -out. The last attack of the enemy was desperate; but the Americans, -militia as well as regulars, resisted with great spirit, and, favored by -the darkness, many of them escaped. Governor Clinton himself escaped by -leaping a precipice in the dark, and jumping into a boat, in which he was -conveyed away. His brother was wounded and taken prisoner. Of the British -forces, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell and Count Grabouski, a Polish -nobleman, engaged as a volunteer under Sir Henry, were slain. The loss of -the Americans, killed, wounded, and missing, was stated at two hundred -and fifty. The British loss was stated at two hundred, but was believed -to have been much more than that of the Americans. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of Governor Clinton to the Council of Safety, from which - the facts of this affair are chiefly drawn. - - [FN-2] "I believe, from the bravery of the garrison of Fort Montgomery, - Sir Henry Clinton purchased victory at no inconsiderable expense. General - Campbell was certainly killed. This they mention in their own official - account, but call him Lieutenant Colonel of the fifty-second regiment. - He was a General on the American establishment, so declared in one of - the orderly books which fell into our hands."--_Letter of Washington to - General Putnam._ [Sparks corrects the Commander-in-chief upon this - point--believing that General Campbell was another person, who was at - Staten Island at the time in question.] - - -On the 7th, a summons to surrender, signed jointly by Sir Henry Clinton -and Commodore Hotham, was sent to Fort Constitution; [FN-1] but the flag -was fired upon, and returned. To avenge the insult, an attack was -immediately determined upon, but on arriving at the fort on the following -day, there was no enemy to assault--an evacuation having taken place, so -precipitate as to leave considerable booty to the conqueror. [FN-2] Sir -Henry Clinton proceeded no farther, but a strong detachment of his army, -under General Vaughan, pursued the enterprise, with Commodore Hotham, as -far north as AEsopus, [FN-3] destroying several vessels by the way. At -AEsopus Creek there were two small batteries and an armed galley, -mounting, however, in all, but six or seven guns. These were easily -silenced. General Vaughan then effected a landing, marched to the town, -and laid it in ashes. Large quantities of stores had been accumulated at -this place, which were of course destroyed. Disappointed, however, by the -disastrous termination of the campaign of Burgoyne, Sir Henry Clinton -made an expeditious return to the city. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Situated at West Point. - - [FN-2] Letter of Commodore Hotham to Sir William Howe. "The whole number - of cannon taken in the three forts amount to sixty-seven, with a large - quantity of provisions, ammunition, and stores of all kinds." - - [FN-3] The ancient Dutch name of Kingston, the present shire town of the - County of Ulster, N. Y. It was a large and wealthy inland town, built - almost entirely of stone, upon a rich and beautiful plain about three - miles from the river. The naked walls of many of the houses destroyed - by General Vaughan, were standing, unrepaired, until within five or six - years. - - -But the war was this year fruitful in military events in other parts of -the confederation, some of the principal of which may appropriately be -passed in review at this stage of the present chapter. In the month of -March, after the return of the British troops from their bootless -expedition through the Jerseys, to New-York, Colonel Bird was detached -against Peekskill, with five hundred men, for the purpose of destroying -the American stores deposited at that place. General McDougall, -commanding a small guard at the _depot,_ on the approach of a force which -he had not the power to resist, set fire to the stores and retreated. A -similar expedition, for the same object, was directed against Danbury -toward the close of April, consisting of two thousand men under the -conduct of Major General Tryon. Landing at Compo Creek, between Norwalk -and Fairfield, the march of Governor Tryon to the point of his destination -was almost unopposed. A large quantity of provisions--beef, pork, and -flour--had been collected by the Americans at that place, which were -guarded only by about one hundred militia and Continental troops. Not -being able to oppose the enemy, Colonel Huntington retired to a -neighboring height, and awaited reinforcements. The town of Danbury and -the stores were burnt on the 26th of April. [FN] During the afternoon and -the following night Generals Wooster, Arnold, and Silliman collected such -militia forces as they could, for the purpose of harassing the retreat of -the enemy the next morning. With three hundred men, Wooster gallantly -attacked his rear at 11 o'clock on the 27th, while Arnold, with five -hundred more, awaited his arrival at Ridgeway. Wooster fell, mortally -wounded, and his troops were obliged to give way. At Ridgeway, Arnold -skirmished with the enemy for about an hour, but could not make a stand, -or prevent them from remaining at that place over night. On the 28th, -the march of the enemy was resumed, as also was the skirmishing by General -Arnold, which was continued until 5 o'clock in the afternoon; when, as -they approached their ships, the Americans charged with intrepidity, but -were repulsed and broken. Embarking immediately, Governor Tryon returned -to New-York, with a loss of one hundred and seventy men. The loss of the -Americans was one hundred. These predatory excursions were retaliated by -the Americans under Colonel Meigs, who made a brilliant expedition against -Sag Harbor, where the enemy had collected a quantity of stores. The guard -was talfen by surprise--the place carried by the bayonet--the stores -destroyed, including twelve transport vessels--and Colonel Meigs -re-crossed the Sound to Guilford without the loss of a man. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The property destroyed consisted of eighteen houses; eight hundred - barrels of pork and beef; eight hundred barrels of flour; two thousand - bushels of grain, and seventeen hundred tents. - - -After the return of the British forces from New Jersey, Sir William Howe -suffered them to remain upon Staten Island until near midsummer, when, as -the reader has seen in a previous chapter, he embarked with sixteen -thousand men, and sailed for the Chesapeake Bay. On the 24th of August -he landed at Elkton, whence, after being joined by Generals Grant and -Knyphausen, he directed his march upon Philadelphia. Anticipating the -design of the British commander, Washington threw himself, with his whole -disposable force, between Sir William and Philadelphia, for the purpose -of intercepting and bringing him to a general engagement. The disastrous -battle of Brandywine was fought on the 11th of September. The loss of the -Americans was three hundred killed and six hundred wounded and taken -prisoners. That of the enemy was about one hundred killed and four hundred -wounded. While General Washington with the main army retreated across the -Schuylkill, General Wayne was left at the Paoli with fifteen hundred men, -for the purpose of gaining and harassing the enemy's rear. But, -notwithstanding the wonted vigilance of this officer, he was surprised in -the course of the night, and routed, by General Gray, who had been -detached for that purpose with two regiments of the enemy's line and a -body of light troops. General Wayne had attempted to conceal himself upon -an elevated piece of woodland, having an opening of a few acres upon -which his troops bivouacked for the night, in perfect security, as was -supposed. The approach of the enemy was so cautious as to take the -Americans completely by surprise. Guided by the light of their fires, the -enemy succeeded in cutting off their outposts and pickets without noise, -and then rushed upon the sleeping camp without firing a gun, and depending -alone upon the bayonet. Three hundred were slain, many of whom were -transfixed with bayonets as they lay sleeping in their tents. But, though -surprised. General Wayne was cool and self-possessed; and, as the enemy -himself acknowledged, "by his prudent dispositions" in the moment of -alarm, succeeded in bringing off the remainder of his troops. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Some twenty years ago, the citizen soldiers of the neighborhood of - the Paoli piously collected the remains of such of the brave men who - were slain on that occasion as could be found, and interred them on the - field of the massacre. A small mound was raised over them, which is - walled in, and surrounded by a plain marble monument--a square block, - with an urn at the top, bearing inscriptions upon each of the sides, in - the following words:-- - - First: "Sacred to the memory of the patriots, who, on this spot, fell a - sacrifice to British barbarity, during the struggle for American - Independence, during the night of the 20th of September, 1777." - - Second: "Here repose the remains of fifty-three American soldiers, who - were the victims of cold-blooded cruelty in the well-known massacre of - the Paoli, while under the command of Gen. Anthony Wayne, an officer, - whose military conduct, bravery, and humanity, were equally conspicuous - throughout the Revolutionary war." - - Third: "The atrocious massacre, which this stone commemorates, was - perpetrated by British troops under the immediate command of Maj. Gen. - Gray." - - Fourth: "This memorial in honor of Revolutionary patriotism, was erected - September 20, 1817, by the Republican Artillerists of Chester County, - aided by the contributions of their fellow-citizens." - - An annual military parade is held upon this interesting field. The - name--_The Paoli_--is derived from a celebrated tavern, at two miles - distance, on the Great Lancaster Road, which was established - contemporaneously with the Corsican struggle for independence, and named - in honor of the unfortunate chieftain of that enterprise. It bears the - same name still.--_Journal of a Visit to the field of Brandywine, by - the author._ - - -General Washington had taken post on the Eastern bank of the Schuylkill, -about sixteen miles from Germantown. General Howe marched upon Germantown -with his main army, where he arrived on the 26th of September. On the -27th Lord Cornwallis took possession of Philadelphia without resistance. -On the 4th of October, the battle of Germantown was fought, in which it -was claimed by the enemy that the Americans were defeated, although it -was, in fact, a drawn battle. This action was produced by an attempt of -the Commander-in-chief to effect something by way of surprise. Having -ascertained the situation of the enemy, the Americans marched all night, -and arrived at Germantown at daylight. The enemy was attacked upon two -quarters, in both of which the Americans were successful. Indeed, the -enemy, as it was afterward ascertained, were thrown into such a state of -tumult and disorder, and so panic-stricken, that a retreat to Chester had -been resolved upon. But the morning was so excessively dark and foggy, -that neither the advantages gained by the Americans, nor the confusion -of the enemy, could be perceived. This circumstance, by concealing from -the Americans the true situation of the enemy, obliged the -Commander-in-chief to act with more caution and less expedition than he -could have wished; and, what was still more unfortunate, it served to keep -the different divisions of the Americans in ignorance of each other's -movements, and prevent their acting in concert. It also occasioned them -to mistake one another for the enemy. In this situation, it was considered -unsafe to push too far through a strong village, while enveloped in a haze -so thick as to border upon positive darkness. The consequence was a -retreat, by the Americans at the very instant when victory was declaring -in their favor. The action lasted two hours, and the fighting was -severe--the loss of the Americans being about one hundred men, killed, -wounded, and missing. Among the slain was the brave General Nash, of North -Carolina. Severe, however, as the action was, the enemy were rendered -nothing better by the event; while the result was regarded by Washington -"as rather unfortunate than injurious." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This brief account of the battle of Germantown is drawn from - Washington's letters to the President of Congress, his brother, and - Governor Trumbull. General Washington attributed the successes of Sir - William Howe in Pennsylvania, and his own consequent disasters, to the - apathy and disaffection of the people of that State. In one of his - letters upon the subject, he says:--"The Northern army, before the - surrender of General Burgoyne, was reinforced by upward of twelve hundred - militia, who shut the only door by which Burgoyne could retreat, and cut - off all his supplies. How different our case! The disaffection of a great - part of the inhabitants of this State, the languor of others, and the - internal distraction of the whole, have been among the great and - insuperable difficulties which I have met with, and have contributed not - a little to my embarrassments this campaign."--_Letter of Washington to - Landon Carter, Oct._ 27, 1777. Many other letters from the - Commander-in-chief, written during the winter and spring of 1778, - complain of the conduct of the people of Pennsylvania, in supplying the - enemy in Philadelphia with provisions--particularly from Bucks County. - In a letter to Maj. General Armstrong, of that State, dated at Valley - Forge, March 27th, he says:--"The situation of matters in this State is - melancholy and alarming. We have daily proof that a majority of the - people in this quarter are only restrained from supplying the enemy with - horses and every kind of necessary, through fear of punishment; and, - although I have made a number of severe examples, I cannot put a stop to - the intercourse." - - -But all the advantages thus gained by the enemy, had been more than -counterbalanced by the reverses of St. Leger, and the nearly simultaneous -capture of Burgoyne and his well-appointed army at the North. Another -circumstance, gratifying to the friends of the American arms, was the -repulse of Count Donop, at Red Bank. The Count, a brave and experienced -officer, fell, mortally wounded; and about 400 of his troops were -killed. [FN] The laurels won by Colonel Christopher Greene, the American -commander, on that occasion, were not the less creditably worn because -of the necessity which compelled him subsequently to abandon the post, -on the approach of Cornwallis with a greatly superior force. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Count Donop died of his wounds three days after the action, at a - house near the fort. A short time before his death, he said to Monsieur - Duplessis, a French officer who constantly attended him in his illness, - "It is finishing a noble career early. I die the victim of my ambition, - and of the avarice of my sovereign."--_Travels of the Marquis - Chastellux._ - - -But neither the fall of Burgoyne, nor the flight of St. Leger, relieved -the border settlements beyond Albany from their apprehensions. Though in -less danger of a sweeping invasion, yet the scouts and scalping parties -of the Tories and Indians were continually hovering upon their outskirts; -and so crafty were the foe, and so stealthy their movements, that no -neighborhood, not even the most populous villages, felt themselves secure -from those sudden and bloody irruptions which mark the annals of Indian -warfare. Very soon after the capture of Burgoyne, there was an occurrence -in the neighborhood of Albany, of a highly painful description. Previous -to the commencement of the war, a militia company had been organized in -the town of Berne, comprising eighty-five men, commanded by Captain Ball. -On the breaking out of hostilities, the Captain, with sixty-three of his -men, went over to the enemy. Thus deserted by their leader, the command -of the residue of the company devolved upon the ensign, Peter Deitz. -These all embraced the cause of the country, and for the safety of their -settlement threw up a little picketed fort, at a place now called the -Beaver Dam. Deitz was soon afterward commissioned a captain, and his -brother, William Deitz, his lieutenant. On the approach of Burgoyne they -marched to Saratoga, and joined the army of Gates. Here the Captain was -killed by the accidental discharge of the gun of one of his own men. -William Deitz immediately succeeded to the vacancy; and rendered such -good service in the campaign as specially to incur the vengeance of the -Tories and Indians. Availing themselves of an early opportunity to glut -their hate, a party of them stole into the settlement of Berne, where they -surprised and made prisoner of the Captain in his own house. They next -brought him forth into the court, bound him to the gate-post, and then -successively brought out his father and mother, his wife and children, and -deliberately murdered them all before his eyes! The Captain was himself -carried a prisoner to Niagara, where he ultimately fell a sacrifice to -their cruelty. [FN-1] An instance of more cool and fiend-like barbarity -does not occur in the annals of this extraordinary contest. It was only -equaled by the conduct of the Tories afterward at Wyoming, and transcended -by the refinement of cruelty practised by a French officer, during one of -the earlier wars of the Indians, upon an unhappy prisoner among the remote -tribe of the Dionondadies, as related by La Potherie. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Albany Monthly Magazine, conducted by the late Horatio G. - Spafford, 1815. - - [FN-2] Vide Colden's Canada, and Smith's History of New-York. - - -Other incidents occurred at Albany and in its neighborhood, at about the -same period, which are deemed worthy of note. At the time of Sir John -Johnson's flight from Johnstown, his lady had remained behind, and was -removed immediately, or soon afterward, to Albany. It was in this year -that Mr. John Taylor, [FN] after having performed several important -confidential services under the direction of General Schuyler, was -appointed a member of the Albany Council of Safety. He was a man of great -shrewdness and sagacity, deliberate in the formation of his purposes, and -resolute in their execution when matured. The Whigs of Albany were greatly -annoyed during the whole contest by the loyalists resident among them; -many of whom, it was discovered from time to time, must have been in -correspondence with the enemy. The duties of the Council of Safety were -consequently the more arduous, requiring sleepless vigilance and unwearied -activity; together with firmness and energy in some cases, and great -delicacy in others. A watchful though general surveillance was necessarily -enforced over the community at large, while an eye of closer scrutiny was -kept upon the character and conduct of great numbers of individuals -composing that community. Mr. Taylor was in every respect equal to the -station, and was singularly fortunate both in detecting and defeating the -evil machinations of the adherents of the Crown. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The gentleman here referred to was much in the civil service, and - occasionally as a volunteer in the military, during the war of the - Revolution, and was almost constantly in public life, afterward in the - councils of the State, until within a few years of his death. He was - nine years Lieutenant-Governor, and for a time the acting Governor of - the State; to which station he was first chosen in 1813. His life was - rather useful than brilliant; but he was a sound patriot, and died the - death of a Christian in 1829--aged 87. - - -Among his early discoveries was the important circumstance that Lady -Johnson was in active and frequent correspondence with her husband, and -that the facilities derived from confidential agents and her powerful -connexions, enabled her to keep the enemy on either side--in New-York and -Canada--correctly advised, not only of the movements and designs of each -other; but likewise of the situation of American affairs. Under these -circumstances Mr. Taylor proposed a resolution to the Council, directing -her removal forthwith from that part of the country. The proposition was -received with disfavor, and encountered much opposition in the Council. -Some of the members seemed to lack the firmness necessary to adopt such -a resolution, anticipating the resentment and probable vengeance of the -Baronet, on hearing that his lady had been treated with any thing -bordering upon harshness; while others, probably, thought the precaution -either would be useless, or that it was scarce worth while thus to wage -war upon a woman. Convinced, however, of the danger of her longer presence -in that section of the country, Mr. Taylor urged her removal so -strenuously as at length to prevail; taking upon himself the execution of -the order. - -Sir John, greatly exasperated at the measure, availed himself of a flag -to admonish the mover of the resolution, that should the chances of war -throw that gentleman into his possession, he should be instantly delivered -over to the fury of the savages. The reply of the Councilor was -characteristic of the man:--"If Mr. Taylor should be so fortunate as to -have Sir John Johnson in his power, he should most assuredly be treated -as a gentleman." Several attempts were subsequently made by the enemy, -probably under the direction of Sir John, to make a captive of that -gentleman. It being his custom to ride frequently on horseback for -exercise, and often on the road leading toward Schenectady, in company, -generally, with his intimate friend through life, Major Popham, who was -then in the military family of General James Clinton, a small scout of -Indians, under the direction of Captain Brant, was on one occasion planted -in ambush upon that road, at a point where it was supposed he would be -sure to pass. Providentially, however, and for reasons never explained, -and perhaps not known to themselves, on the morning referred to the -friends shortened their ride, and wheeled about without passing the -ambuscade, though approaching it within striking distance. One of the -Indians, afterward taken prisoner, stated that Mr. Taylor might easily -have been shot, but that their orders were to take him alive. - -Another, and a yet bolder scheme was subsequently adopted to effect the -capture of the sagacious Committee-man, for which purpose a party of the -enemy were actually introduced not only into the city of Albany, but into -the loft of Mr. Taylor's own stable, standing in the rear of his house -and upon the margin of the river. In order, moreover, to facilitate their -flight with the intended captive, a canoe had been procured and moored at -the water's edge. Their design was to enter the house in the night, and -seize and bear him silently away. One of the servants happening to step -into the yard after the family had retired to rest, the lurking foes -thought the time for a rush had arrived. But in their preparations to -spring forward they alarmed the servant too soon, and he was enabled to -get back into the house, bolt the door, and give timely warning. The -insidious purpose was of course frustrated. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The facts in this statement respecting Lady Johnson and Mr. Taylor, - have been derived from an extended biographical sketch of the latter, - written by his surviving friend, the venerable Major William Popham, and - also from a letter addressed to the author by General John T. Cooper. - - -Nor were these the only hostile attempts directed, at about the same -period, against individuals at Albany; General Schuyler was again selected -for a victim even of assassination. Smarting under their disappointment -in the overthrow of Burgoyne, to which discomfiture the energy and efforts -of Schuyler had so essentially contributed, a conspiracy was formed either -to capture or destroy him. For this purpose the Tories corrupted a white -man, who had been patronised by the General, and who was even then in his -employment, to do the foul deed, and also one of the friendly Indians, -whose clan had for years been in the habit of hunting upon his premises -in Saratoga, during the fishing season at Fish Creek, which ran through -his farm, and in which immense quantities of fish were then taken. [FN-1] -To effect their object, the two assassins took their station under a -covert, in a valley about half a mile from the General's premises, and -by which they had previously ascertained he was shortly to pass. They -soon descried his approach on horseback. As he advanced, they took -deliberate aim; when, with a sudden movement, the Indian struck up his -associate's gun with the exclamation--"_I cannot kill him; I have eaten -his bread too often!_" [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The herring fishery was considerable at Fish Creek at the period - referred to. The Indians took them in large quantities--dried and pounded - them into powder which they mixed with corn-meal, and packed away in - boxes made of bark, for future consumption. - - [FN-2] Facts communicated to the author by Mrs. James Cochran of Oswego. - - -Early in the Autumn, the inhabitants of Unadilla and the contiguous -settlements in that direction, were again imploring the commander of Fort -Schuyler for a detachment of troops to protect them from another -expedition, which, the Oneidas had informed them, Colonels Johnson and -Butler were getting on foot at Oswego. The project, according to the news -obtained from the Oneidas, contemplated a simultaneous descent of the -Tories and Indians upon five different points, comprehending all the -principal settlements west of Schenectady. These unpleasant tidings were -in some degree confirmed, by the discovery of a large scouting party of -the enemy on the Sacondaga, at the north of Johnstown. - -The alarm was increased, toward the close of October, by the arrival of -an express at the Canajoharie Castle, announcing that within a few days -Sir John Johnson would return to Oswego, with six hundred regular troops -and a large body of Indians. It was stated that Sir John had succeeded -in raising twenty-two Indian nations in arms against the Colonists. They -were about sending a belt to the Oneidas, and in the event of their -refusal to take up the hatchet with their brethren in behalf of the King, -they were themselves to be attacked as the first measure of the invasion. -These facts were immediately communicated to General Schuyler by a letter -dated October 25th, announcing also the flight, to the ranks of Sir John -Johnson, of Hon-Yost Schuyler, and twelve or fourteen of his neighbors at -Fall Hill and in that vicinity, as heretofore stated. The letter contained -a strong appeal for an additional force to defend the valley--with an -assurance, that in the event of receiving no farther means of security, -the greater part of the inhabitants had become so discouraged that they -would probably lay down their arms; [FN] in other words, throw themselves -upon the protection of the King. - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. letter to General Schuyler--Secretary's office, Albany. - - -But, after all the alarm, nothing very serious resulted from these -threatening indications during the residue of the year 1777. Still the -Congress was unwilling that the year should close without making one more -effort to win back the Six Nations from the British service, at least to -a state of neutrality, if nothing more. With this view, on the 3d of -December the following address to the Indians of those Nations was -reported by the Committee on Indian affairs, and adopted. It is inserted -at length in this order, on account of its eloquence, and its surpassing -excellence among the documents connected with the Indian diplomacy of the -republic:-- - - "Address of the Congress to the Six Nations. - -"Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors: The great council of the United States -call now for your attention. Open your ears that you may hear, and your -hearts that you may understand. - -"When the people on the other side of the great water, without any cause, -sought our destruction, and sent over their ships and their warriors to -fight against us, and to take away our possessions, you might reasonably -have expected us to ask for your assistance. If we are enslaved, you -cannot be free. For our strength is greater than yours. If they would not -spare their own brothers of the same flesh and blood, would they spare -you? If they burn our houses and ravage our lands, could yours be secure? - -"But, Brothers, we acted on very different principles. Far from desiring -you to hazard your lives in our quarrel, we advised you to remain still -in ease and at peace. We even entreated you to remain neuter; and under -the shade of your trees and by the side of your streams, to smoke your -pipe in safety and contentment. Though pressed by our enemies, and when -their ships obstructed our supplies of arms and powder and clothing, we -were not unmindful of your wants. Of what was necessary for our own use, -we cheerfully spared you a part. More we should have done, had it been -in our power. - -"Brothers, Cayugas, Senecas, Tuscaroras, and Mohawks: Open your ears and -hear our complaints. Why have you listened to the voice of our enemies? -Why have you suffered Sir John Johnson and Butler to mislead you? Why have -you assisted General St. Leger and his warriors from the other side of -the great water, by giving them a free passage through your country to -annoy us; which both you and we solemnly promised should not be defiled -with blood? Why have you suffered so many of your nations to join them in -their cruel purpose? Is this a suitable return for our love and kindness, -or did you suspect that we were too weak or too cowardly to defend our -country, and join our enemies that you might come in for a share of the -plunder? What has been gained by this unprovoked treachery? What but shame -and disgrace! Your foolish warriors and their new allies have been -defeated and driven back in every quarter; and many of them justly paid -the price of their rashness with their lives. Sorry are we to find that -our ancient chain of union, heretofore so strong and bright, should be -broken by such poor and weak instruments as Sir John Johnson and Butler, -who dare not show their faces among their countrymen; and by St. Leger, -a stranger whom you never knew! What has become of the spirit, the wisdom, -and the justice of your nations? Is it possible that you should barter -away your ancient glory, and break through the most solemn treaties, for -a few blankets or a little rum or powder? That trifles such as these -should prove any temptation to you to cut down the strong tree of -friendship, by our common ancestors planted in the deep bowels of the -earth at Onondaga, your central council-fire? That tree which has been -watered and nourished by their children until the branches had almost -reached the skies! As well might we have expected that the mole should -overturn the vast mountains of the Allegheny, or that the birds of the -air should drink up the waters of Ontario! - -"Brothers, Cayugas, Senecas, Onondagas, and Mohawks: Look into your -hearts, and be attentive. Much are you to blame, and greatly have you -wronged us. Be wise in time. Be sorry and mend your faults. The great -council, though the blood of our friends, who fell by your tomahawks at -the German Flats, cries aloud against you, will yet be patient. We do not -desire to destroy you. Long have we been at peace; and it is still our -wish to bury the hatchet, and wipe away the blood which some of you have -so unjustly shed. Till time should be no more, we wish to smoke with you -the calumet of friendship around your central fire at Onondaga. But, -Brothers, mark well what we now tell you. Let it sink deep as the bottom -of the sea, and never be forgotten by you or your children. If ever again -you take up the hatchet to strike us--if you join our enemies in battle -or council--if you give them intelligence, or encourage or permit them to -pass through your country to molest or hurt any of our people--we shall -look on you as our enemies, and treat you as the worst of enemies, who, -under a cloak of friendship, cover your bad designs, and like the -concealed adder, only wait for an opportunity to wound us when we are -most unprepared. - -"Brothers: Believe us who never deceive. If, after all our good counsel -and all our care to prevent it, we must take up the hatchet, the blood to -be shed will lie heavy on your heads. The hand of the thirteen United -States is not short. It will reach to the farthest extent of the country -of the Six Nations; and while we have right on our side, the good Spirit, -whom we serve, will enable us to punish you, and put it out of your power -to do us farther mischief. - -"Brothers, Oneidas and Tuscaroras: Hearken to what we have to say to you -in particular. It rejoices our hearts that we have no reason to reproach -you in common with the rest of the Six Nations. We have experienced your -love, strong as the oak, and your fidelity, unchangeable as truth. You -have kept fast hold of the ancient covenant chain, and preserved it free -from rust and decay, and bright as silver. Like brave men, for glory you -despised danger; you stood forth in the cause of your friends, and -ventured your lives in our battles. While the sun and moon continue to -give light to the world, we shall love and respect you. As our trusty -friends, we shall protect you, and shall at all times consider your -welfare as our own. - -"Brothers of the Six Nations: Open your ears and listen attentively. It -is long ago that we explained to you our quarrel with the people on the -other side of the great water. Remember that our cause is just; you and -your forefathers have long seen us allied to those people in friendship. -By our labor and industry they flourished like the trees of the forest, -and became exceedingly rich and proud. At length nothing would satisfy -them, unless, like slaves, we would give them the power over our whole -substance. Because we would not yield to such shameful bondage, they took -up the hatchet. You have seen them covering our coasts with their ships, -and a part of our country with their warriors; but you have not seen us -dismayed; on the contrary, you know that we have stood firm like rocks, -and fought like men who deserved to be free. You know that we have -defeated St. Leger, and conquered Burgoyne and all their warriors. Our -chief men and our warriors are now fighting against the rest of our -enemies, and we trust that the Great Spirit will soon put them in our -power, or enable us to drive them all far beyond the great waters. - -"Brothers: Believe us that they feel their own weakness, and that they -are unable to subdue the thirteen United States. Else why have they not -left our Indian brethren in peace, as they first promised and we wished -to have done? Why have they endeavored, by cunning speeches, by falsehood -and misrepresentations, by strong drink and presents, to embitter the -minds and darken the understandings of all our Indian friends on this -great continent, from the North to the South, and to engage them to take -up the hatchet against us without any provocation? The Cherokees, like -some of you, were prevailed upon to strike our people. We carried the war -into their country, and fought them. They saw their error, they repented, -and we forgave them. The United States are kind and merciful, and wish -for peace with all the world. We have, therefore, renewed our ancient -covenant chain with their nation. - -"Brothers: The Shawanese and Delawares give us daily proofs of their good -disposition and their attachment to us, and are ready to assist us against -all our enemies. The Chickasaws are among the number of our faithful -friends. And the Choctaws, though remote from us, have refused to listen -to the persuasions of our enemies, rejected all their offers of -corruption, and continue peaceable. The Creeks are also our steady -friends. Oboylaco, their great chief, and the rest of their sachems and -warriors, as the strongest mark of their sincere friendship, have -presented the great council with an eagle's tail and rattle trap. They -have desired that these tokens might be shown to the Six Nations and their -allies, to convince them that the Creeks are at peace with the United -States. We have therefore directed our commissioners to deliver them into -your hands. Let them be seen by all the nations in your alliance, and -preserved in your central council house at Onondaga. - -"Brothers, Sachems and Warriors of the Six Nations: Hearken to our -counsel. Let us who are born on the same great continent, love one -another. Our interest is the same, and we ought to be one people, always -ready to assist and serve each other. What are the people who belong to -the other side of the great waters to either of us? They never come here -for our sakes, but to gratify their own pride and avarice. Their business -now is to kill and destroy our inhabitants, to lay waste our houses and -farms. The day, we trust, will soon arrive, when we shall be rid of them -forever. Now is the time to hasten and secure this happy event. Let us -then, from this moment, join hand and heart in the defence of our common -country. Let us rise as one man, and drive away our cruel oppressors. -Henceforward let none be able to separate us. If any of our people injure -you, acquaint us of it and you may depend upon full satisfaction. If any -of yours hurt us, be you ready to repair the wrong or punish the -aggressor. Above all, shut your ears against liars and deceivers, who, -like false meteors, strive to lead you astray, and to set us at variance. -Believe no evil of us till you have taken pains to discover the truth. Our -council-fire always burns clear and bright in Pennsylvania. Our -commissioners and agents are near your country. We shall not be blinded -by false reports or false appearances. - -"Brothers: What may be farther necessary at this time for our common good -you will learn from our commissioners, who sit round our council-fire at -Albany. Hear what they say, and treasure it up in your hearts. Farewell." - -This appeal produced no effect. It was one of the misfortunes incident to -the poverty of the country at that crisis, that Congress was unable to -conciliate the friendship of the Indians, by such a liberal dispensation -of presents as they had been in the habit of receiving from the -superintendents of the crown, and as they were yet enabled to receive -from the British government at or by the way of Montreal. Thayendanegea, -early in the preceding year, had taunted General Herkimer, at Unadilla, -with the poverty of the Continental government, which, he said, was not -able to give the Indians a blanket. The fact was but too true; and the -officers of the crown were not slow in availing themselves of it, not -only by appeals to their cupidity, but by a more lavish bestowment of -presents than ever. Thus Guy Johnson, in one of his speeches to the Six -Nations at the West, put the significant questions to them: "Are they," -(the rebels, as he probably called them) "able to give you any thing more -than a piece of bread and a glass of rum? Are you willing to go with them, -and suffer them to make horses and oxen of you, to put you to the -wheelbarrows, and to bring us all into slavery?" While, therefore, the -Americans were unable to furnish the Indians with those necessaries of -life, for a supply of which they had become accustomed to rely upon the -white man, they found an abundance of stores at Montreal, wide open at -their approach. And under these circumstances, with the single exceptions -of the Oneidas, and the feeble band of the Tuscaroras, all the efforts of -Congress to conciliate their friendship, or even to persuade them to -neutrality, proved unavailing. - -Thus ended the military operations of the year 1777. At the close of the -Pennsylvania campaign, the British army went into winter quarters in -Philadelphia, and the American at Valley Forge. On the 15th day of -November, what are now called the _old_ "Articles of Confederation and -Perpetual Union," between the thirteen Colonies, were adopted by Congress; -and on the 22d of the same month, it was resolved that all proposals for -a treaty between the United States and Great Britain, inconsistent with -the independence of the former, should be rejected. It was likewise -farther resolved, that no conference should be held with any commissioners -on the part of Great Britain, unless, as a measure preliminary, the fleets -and armies of that power were withdrawn. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - - - Treaty of alliance with France--Policy of France--Incidents of the - Winter--Projected expedition against St. Johns--Lafayette appointed to - the command of the North--Failure of the enterprise for lack of - means--Disappointment and chagrin of Lafayette--Unpleasant indications - respecting the Western Indians--Indian council at Johnstown--Attended - by Lafayette--Its proceedings--And result--Reward offered for Major - Carleton--Letter of Lafayette--He retires from the Northern - Department--Return of the loyalists for their families--Unopposed--Their - aggressions--Prisoners carried into Canada--Their fate--Re-appearance - of Brant at Oghkwaga and Unadilla--Anecdote of Brant--Comparative - cruelty of the Tories and Indians--Murder of a family--Exposed situation - of the people--Captain McKean--Sends a challenge to Brant--Burning of - Springfield--First battle in Schoharie. - -The opening of the year 1778 was marked by an event that diffused -universal joy among the people. It had been rightly judged by American -statesmen, that, smarting under the loss which France had experienced by -the war ending in 1763, of her broad North American possessions, the -government of that country would be nothing loath to aid in the infliction -of a like dismemberment of territory upon Great Britain. With a view, -therefore, of cultivating friendly relations with France, and deriving -assistance from her if possible, Commissioners had been despatched to the -Court of Versailles, in 1776, with the plan of a treaty of amity and -commerce to be submitted to that government. Still, more than a year had -elapsed, during which the Commissioners [FN-1] had been exerting -themselves to the utmost, to obtain a recognition of the Independence of -the United States without success. It was evident that France looked upon -the revolt of the American Colonies with secret satisfaction; but she had -been so much weakened by the former contest, that time was needed for -repose and recovery of her strength. Hence, from the arrival of the -Commissioners in the French capital, in December 1776, to the close of -1777, they had been living upon "hope deferred." It is true that the -Americans received great assistance from the French, in supplies of arms -and ammunition; and although not openly allowed, yet means were found by -the American privateers, secretly to dispose of their prizes in French -ports. Still, the government was lavish in its professions of friendship -for England, even though confidentially giving the Americans strong -assurances of sympathy and ultimate assistance. The untoward result of -Burgoyne's campaign, intelligence of which was received in Paris early in -December, was the opportune means of ending this vacillating policy on the -part of the Court of Versailles. The feelings of the French people toward -England could no longer be disguised; since the news occasioned as much -general joy as though the victory had been achieved by their own arms. -[FN-2] The consequence was, that, on the 6th of February, the French -government entered into treaties of amity, commerce, and alliance, with -the United States, on principles of the most perfect reciprocity and -equality. The French cabinet clearly foresaw that this measure would soon -produce a war between themselves and England, and acted in the expectation -of such a consequence. Indeed, M. Girard, one of the French Secretaries -of State, in his conferences with the American Commissioners, had the -frankness to avow that they were not acting wholly for the sake of the -United States, but because they thought the moment a favorable one for -humbling their haughty rival, by aiding in the dismemberment of her -empire. Hence the King had not only determined to acknowledge the -Independence of the United States, but to support it--without the -expectation of compensation. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The Commissioners were, Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur - Lee. Mr. Jefferson had been originally designated as one of the - Commissioners; but, declining the appointment, Mr. Lee was selected in - his stead. - - [FN-2] Letter of the Commissioners. - - [FN-3] Marshall. - - -The news of the treaty with France was not received in the United States -until late in the Spring. [FN-1] Meantime other circumstances occurred -during the Winter, in the Northern part of New-York, deserving of note in -the present narrative. First among these, was the notable project of -General Gates for a second descent, in mid-winter, upon Canada. In -November following the defeat of Burgoyne, on the reorganization of the -Board of War, Gates, in the first flush of his popularity, was placed at -its head as president. He had not been long at Yorktown, [FN-2] where -Congress was then in session, before he conceived the project of directing -an irruption into Canada across the ice upon Lake Champlain, for the -purpose of destroying the stores and shipping of the enemy at St. Johns; -and, possibly, of striking a sudden blow upon Montreal. It was -subsequently but too well ascertained that the condition of the Northern -army, with which Gates certainly ought to have been acquainted, was by no -means such as to warrant the undertaking of any offensive enterprise. -Still the victorious commander of the North had the address to obtain a -vote of Congress directing the expedition, [FN-3] the conduct of which was -entrusted to the Marquis de Lafayette. This gallant young nobleman had -been burning with a desire to distinguish himself in a separate command, -and this project opened to him the prospect of realizing the object -dearest to his heart. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The event was commemorated in the American camp, on the 7th of - May, in a style corresponding with its importance--a general order for - the celebration having been issued by the Commander-in-chief. It began - as follows:--"It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the Universe to - defend the cause of the United American States, and finally to raise us - up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish our - liberty and independency upon a lasting foundation; it becomes us to get - apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the divine goodness, and - celebrating the important event, which we owe to his divine - interposition." The pageant was strictly military, and is described by - the letters of that day as exceedingly brilliant. The joy manifested was - unfeigned and unspeakable. The Commander-in-chief dined in public with - all the officers of his army. "When his Excellency took his leave, there - was a universal clap, with loud huzzas, which continued until he had - proceeded a quarter of a mile, during which time there were a thousand - hats tossed in the air. His Excellency turned round with his retinue, - and huzzaed several times."--_Letter of an officer._ - - [FN-2] York, in Pennsylvania. - - [FN-3] Journals of Congress, vol. iv. p. 48. - - -But, neither in the inception nor in the maturing of the enterprise, had -the Commander-in-chief been consulted; and the first knowledge he -possessed of the project was derived from a letter from General Gates, - inclosing another to the Marquis, informing him of his appointment to -the command. [FN] The disrespect to the Commander-in-chief, to whom the -youthful soldier was bound by the strongest ties of friendship and -respect, was so manifest, that the Marquis at first hesitated in -accepting the command. Nor was his reluctance lessened by the suspicious -circumstance that General Conway, the base instrument of the Gates -faction in the conspiracy against Washington, had been assigned as his -second in command. Soaring above all selfish considerations, however, -Washington advised the Marquis to accept the trust confided to him by -Congress. Lafayette, therefore, repaired from the camp at Valley Forge to -York town, to be more particularly advised as to the object and the -details of the enterprise. The plan of organizing a light but efficient -force, to make a sudden dash upon St. Johns, and destroy the flotilla -which gave the enemy the command of Lake Champlain, and to inflict such -farther injury as might be effected in a rapid campaign, was fully -unfolded to him. Ample supplies of men and means were promised by Gates; -and, after securing the services of the Baron de Kalb to the -expedition--an officer older in rank than Conway, who would necessarily -be his second in command--the Marquis accepted the appointment. - - * * * * * - - [FN] "I am much obliged by your polite request of my opinion and advice - on the expedition to Canada and other occasions. In the present instance, - as I neither know the extent of the objects in view, nor the means to be - employed to effect them, it is not in my power to pass any judgment upon - the subject. I can only sincerely wish that success may attend it both - as it may advance the public good, and on account of the personal honor - of the Marquis de Lafayette, for whom I have a very particular esteem - and regard."--[_Letter of Washington to Gates, Jan._ 27, 1778.] "I shall - say no more of the Canada expedition, than that it is at an end. I never - was made acquainted with a single circumstance relating to it."--_Letter - of Washington to General Armstrong, of Pennsylvania._ - - -Full of high hopes, a brilliant enterprise before him, and panting for an -opportunity to signalize himself in a separate command, the Marquis -pushed forward to Albany, amid all the rigors of winter, to enter at once -upon the service, and apparently with as much confidence as though he had -achieved the exploit. Sad, however, was his disappointment at the posture -of affairs on his arrival at Albany. Conway, who had arrived there three -days before him, at once assured him that the expedition was quite -impossible. Such, likewise, was the opinion of Generals Schuyler, Lincoln, -and Arnold, the latter two of whom were detained at Albany by the -unhealed wounds received upon the fields of Saratoga. Indeed, he was not -long in ascertaining, from the quarter-master, commissary, and -clothier-generals, that there was a lamentable deficiency of almost every -necessary of which he had been led to expect an abundant supply. The -number of troops was altogether inadequate. Three thousand effective men -were believed to be the smallest force that would suffice, and that number -was promised. But scarcely twelve hundred could be mustered fit for duty, -and the greater part of these were too naked even for a Summer -campaign. [FN-1] Their pay was greatly in arrear; and officers and men were -alike indisposed to the service. [FN-2] Originally it had been intended to -confide the proposed expedition to General Stark, whose prowess at the -battle of Bennington had rendered him exceedingly popular with the -people; and it was supposed that he could at once bring into the field a -sufficient number of his mountaineers to strike the blow with -success. [FN-3] Stark was invited to Albany, and James Duane was sent -thither from Congress to confer with him upon the subject. But the -inducement offered by Congress being in the form of a bounty, contingent -only upon success, was thought not sufficient; and when a representation -of the circumstances was made by Mr. Duane to that body, the scheme was -changed and enlarged, at the suggestion of General Gates, according to -the plan which the Marquis was to execute. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of Lafayette to General Washington, dated Albany, Feb. - 13, 1778. - - [FN-2] On the 19th of February James Duane wrote to Governor Clinton - respecting the impracticability of the enterprise, since the Marquis - could find neither the troops nor the preparations. In the course of his - letter, Mr. Duane said of the Marquis:--"His zeal for this country, of - which he has given marks even to enthusiasm, and his ardent desire of - glory, lead him to wish the expedition practicable; but he is too - considerate to pursue it rashly, or without probable grounds of a - successful issue. I must mention to your Excellency a circumstance which - shows the liberality of his disposition. He determined, on his entering - into Canada, to supply his army through his own private bills on France - to the amount of five or six thousand guineas, and to present that sum - to Congress as a proof of his love to America and the rights of human - nature." - - [FN-3] "I was to find General Stark with a large body, and indeed - General Gates told me '_General Stark will have burned the fleet before - your arrival._' Well, the first letter I receive in Albany is from - General Stark, who wishes to know 'what number of men, from where, for - what time, and for what rendezvous, I desire him to raise.'"--_Letter - from Lafayette to Washington._ - - -Having attentively examined the situation of affairs, and the means -within his control, and consulted with the several able captains at -Albany, the young soldier saw with inexpressible chagrin that the -obstacles were insuperable. In the language of another, amounting to a -bitter satire, whether thus intended or not--"the Generals only were got -in readiness;" [FN-1] and the gallant Marquis was compelled to relinquish -the enterprise, without even the poor privilege of making an attempt. He -certainly had great reason, not only for vexation, but disgust--advised, -as he had been, to announce to his court the degree of confidence reposed -in him by Congress, in thus confiding to him a separate command of such -importance--not, of course, suspecting, for a moment, that General Gates -could have been so ignorant of the actual situation of the department -from which he had been so recently transferred. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Marshall. - - [FN-2] The history of this abortive project has been drawn chiefly from - a long MS. letter from James Duane to Governor Clinton, in the author's - possession. On his way to Albany, the Marquis visited Mr. Duane, and was - accompanied by him thither. - - -The Marquis wrote to his greatest and best friend, the Commander-in-chief, -upon the subject of what he called his "distressing and ridiculous -situation," in the bitterness of his spirit. "I am sent," said he, "with -a great noise, at the head of an army, to do great things. The whole -continent, France, and, what is the worst, the British army, will be in -expectation. How far they will be deceived, how far we shall be ridiculed, -you may judge by the candid account you have got of the state of our -affairs." It is quite evident, from the tenor of the letter we are -quoting, that the Marquis suspected that he had been purposely detached -from the company of Washington with some sinister design:--"There are -things, I dare say, in which I am deceived. A certain Colonel is not here -for nothing." . . . "I am sure a cloud is drawn before my eyes. However, -there are points I cannot be deceived in." . . . "They have sent me more -than twenty French officers. I do not know what to do with them. I am at -a loss to know how to act, and indeed I do not know for what I am here -myself." And again, toward the close of the letter, he says:--"I fancy the -actual scheme is, to have me out of this part of the continent, and -General Conway as chief under the immediate direction of General Gates. -How they will bring it about I do not know, but be certain something of -that kind will appear. You are nearer than myself, and every honest man -in Congress is your friend; therefore you may foresee and prevent the -evil a hundred times better than I can." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter from Lafayette to Washington, dated Albany, Feb. 23, - 1778.--Vide Sparks, Cor. of Washington, vol. v, Appendix. - - -The true position of affairs at Albany having been made known to Congress, -it was resolved to instruct the Marquis to suspend the expedition, and at -the same time to assure him "that Congress entertained a high sense of -his prudence, activity, and zeal; and that they were fully persuaded -nothing would have been wanting on his own part, or on the part of the -officers who accompanied him, to give the expedition the utmost possible -effect." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Secret Journal, March 2d, cited by Sparks. - - -But, to return to the Indian affairs of the Mohawk Valley. Early in the -year, various unpleasant symptoms were perceptible, indicating the design -of a renewed and more extensive Indian war than had been anticipated at -any previous moment. Information was received from the remote West, of a -general disposition among the nations in the region of the great lakes, -and the upper Mississippi, to join the Mohawks, Cayugas, Onondagas, and -Senecas, against the United States. The master-spirit of those threatened -movements was Joseph Brant, whose winter-quarters were at the central and -convenient point of Niagara. Nor were Sir John Johnson and his associates, -Claus and Butler, inactive; while the British commander at Detroit, -Colonel Hamilton, was at the same time exercising a powerful influence -over the surrounding nations of the forest. On the opening of the year, -therefore, great fears were entertained for the security of the frontiers -from the Mohawk to the Ohio. Still, with the Six Nations, Congress -resolved to make yet another effort of conciliation--to secure their -neutrality, if nothing farther. Accordingly, on the 2d of February, -resolutions were passed, directing a council to be held with these -nations at Johnstown, in the County of Tryon. General Schuyler and -Volkert P. Douw were appointed commissioners for that purpose, and -Governor Clinton was requested to designate a special commissioner to be -present on the occasion. In pursuance of this solicitation, James Duane -was appointed for that duty. The resolutions of Congress instructed the -commissioners "to speak to the Indians in language becoming the -representatives of free, sovereign, and independent States, and in such -a tone as would convince them that they felt themselves to be so." [FN] -It was left to the discretion of the commissioners to determine whether -it would be prudent to insist upon their taking up arms in behalf of the -States, or whether to content themselves with efforts to secure their -neutrality. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Journals of Cong. vol. iv. page 63. - - -The directions were, that the council should be holden between the 15th -and 20th of February; but so slow or reluctant were the Indians in -assembling, that the proceedings were not commenced until the 9th of -March. Whether General Schuyler attended, is not known. The Marquis de -Lafayette, who was then temporarily in command of the Northern Department, -accompanied Mr. Duane to Johnstown, and was present at the council. More -than seven hundred Indians were collected at the treaty, consisting of -Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Onondagas, a few Mohawks, and three or four Cayugas; -but not a single Seneca, which was by far the most powerful nation. On -the contrary, they had the boldness to send a message, affecting great -surprise, "that while our tomahawks were sticking in their heads, their -wounds bleeding, and their eyes streaming with tears for the loss of -their friends at German Flats, [FN] the commissioners should think of -inviting them to a treaty!" - - * * * * * - - [FN] Oriskany, meaning. The quotation is from a manuscript letter of - James Duane. - - -The proceedings were opened by an address from Congress, framed in -accordance with the spirit of the resolutions already cited, asserting -the power of the United States, and their magnanimous conduct toward the -Six Nations--and charging them distinctly with the ingratitude, cruelty, -and treachery, with which their pacific advances had been requited, and -for which reparation was demanded. From this charge of treachery, the -Oneidas and Tuscaroras were not only honorably excepted, but, on the -contrary, were applauded for their firmness and integrity, and assured of -friendship and protection. - -An Onondaga chief spoke in behalf of the guilty tribes. He exculpated -himself and his brother sachems, casting the blame on the young and -head-strong warriors, who, he said, would not listen to prudent -councils--illustrating their own internal difficulties by those -occasionally existing among the people of the States, which it was at -times found impossible to repress. He also spoke of the difficulty they -were obliged to encounter, in withstanding the influence of Butler and -others in the service of the Crown, acquired by bribery and other kindred -artifices. - -An Oneida chief answered for his own nation and the Tuscaroras, with a -spirit and dignity which would not have disgraced a Roman senator. He -pathetically lamented the degeneracy of the unfriendly tribes; predicted -their final destruction; and declared the fixed and unalterable resolution -of the tribes which he represented, at every hazard, to hold fast the -covenant chain with the United States, and be buried with them in the -same grave, or with them to enjoy the fruits of victory and peace. He -fully evinced the sincerity of these professions, by desiring that the -United States would erect a fortress in their country, and station a small -garrison within it for their defence. A promise to this effect having been -given, the Oneida concluded with a solemn assurance, that the two nations -for whom he spoke would at all times be ready to cooperate with the United -States against all their enemies. - -In a private interview afterward, the Oneidas warned the Commissioners -against trusting to the Onondagas, whom they considered as enemies to the -United States, notwithstanding their seeming contrition for the past. The -Oneidas declared that they had not the least doubt that the Onondagas, -Cayugas, and Senecas would renew their hostilities early in the Spring; -that Colonel Butler would again be in possession of Oswego, which he would -more strongly fortify; and for these events they entreated the -Commissioners to be prepared. - -In their reply to the Indians, the Commissioners again applauded the -Oneidas and Tuscaroras for their fidelity and courage. The other nations, -they said, were not sufficiently represented to warrant the holding of a -treaty with them. But they, nevertheless, directed that another council -for those tribes should be held in Onondaga, at some subsequent day, at -which the demand of the United States of satisfaction for past wrongs -should be publicly made, and an explicit answer exacted. They were -admonished that the cause of the United States was just; that the hand of -the United States could reach the remotest corner of the country of the -Senecas; and that they trusted that the Good Spirit whom they served, -would enable them to punish all their enemies, and put it out of their -power to do them farther injury. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Unpublished letter of James Duane to Governor Clinton, giving a - report of his mission, in the author's possession. - - -The inhabitants of Tryon County, many of whom were spectators at the -council, were highly gratified with the proceedings; and it was supposed -that the moral effect would be good, not only in regard to the Oneidas, -but also upon the Onondagas--those tribes being closely connected by -intermarriages; but the Commissioners left the council under the full -persuasion that from the Senecas, Cayugas, and the greater part of the -Mohawks, nothing but revenge for their lost friends and tarnished glory -at Oriskany and Fort Schuyler was to be anticipated; more especially since -the enemy was so plentifully supplied with the means of corruption, while -it was not in the power of the United States so much as to furnish their -best friends with the necessaries of life, even in the course of -trade. [FN-1] Still, in order, as far as possible, to regain some of their -lost ascendancy over the Indians, by means of traffic, the Commissioners -of that department were shortly afterward authorized by Congress to open -a trading establishment at Fort Schuyler. But the inadequacy of the -provision must be evident from the fact, that the slender exchequer of -the government allowed an appropriation of no greater sum for that -important object, than ten thousand dollars. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Unpublished letter of James Duane to Governor Clinton, heretofore - cited. - - [FN-2] Journals of Congress, vol. iv. p. 256. - - -While at Johnstown during this visit, the Marquis de Lafayette was waited -upon by Colonel Campbell and others, for the purpose of calling his -attention to the exposed situation of Cherry Valley. The consequence was -an order for the erection of a fort at that place. An engineer was -detailed upon that duty, and detachments of troops ordered both to that -place and Schoharie. Three slight fortifications had been built in the -valley of the Schoharie-kill during the preceding year, called the Upper, -Middle, and Lower Forts. These works were merely circumvallations of earth -and wood, thrown up around some strong dwelling-houses constructed of -stone, within which the women and children were placed in moments of -peculiar danger. The church was the citadel of the Lower Fort, and all -were manned by small companies of soldiers, having each a single brass -field-piece. The Marquis likewise directed the erection of a fort in the -Oneida country, pursuant to the request of the Indians of that nation. - -It was but too evident, from the reports borne upon every western breeze, -that all these measures of precaution in that direction were necessary. -To the Johnsons and their adherents the recovery of the Valley of the -Mohawk was an object of the first importance; and they watched every -opportunity of moving in that quarter, which promised even a possible -chance of success. Even while the Marquis was present with the Indian -Commissioners at Johnstown, no less a personage than a British Colonel, -a nephew of Sir Guy Carleton, and bearing the same honorable name, was -well understood to be lurking in that vicinity as a spy. Every effort was -made for his arrest; and, as an inducement to the militia and Indians to -be on the alert, the Marquis offered a reward of fifty guineas from his -own purse, as will appear by the annexed letter to Col. Gansevoort:-- - - "The Marquis de Lafayette to Col. Gansevoort. - _Johnstown, the_ 9_th March,_ 1778. - - "Sir, - -"As the taking of Colonel Carleton is of the greatest importance, I wish -you would use every exertion in your power to have him apprehended. I -have desired Colonel Livingston, who knows him, to let you have any -intelligence he can give, and join to them those I have got by one other -spy, about the dress and figure of Carleton. You may send as many parties -as you please, and every where you'll think proper, and do every -convenient thing for discovering him. I dare say he knows we are after -him, and has nothing in view but to escape, which I beg you to prevent by -all means. You may promise, in my name, _fifty guineas hard money,_ -besides every money they can find about Carleton, to any party of soldiers -or Indians who will bring him alive. As every one knows now what we send -for, there is no inconvenience to scatter in the country which reward is -promised, in order to stimulate the Indians. - - "I have the honor to be. Sir, - Your most obedient servant, - The Mqs. de Lafayette. - - "_Col. Gansevoort, Com't. Fort Schuyler._" [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This letter has been copied from the original, among the Gansevoort - papers. - - -The condition contained in this letter, that, to entitle the captor to the -promised reward, Carleton must be brought in alive, comports with the -well-known humanity, through life, of the illustrious friend of human -liberty who wrote it. But the search was fruitless, Carleton was an active -and efficient partisan officer, and was never taken. The Marquis retained -the command at the North only until the middle of April, when he was -ordered to head-quarters, and Gates again assumed the command of the -department. - -In the month of June, the loyalists who had fled to Canada with Sir John -Johnson, to the number of one hundred and upward, performed an exploit -equally bold and remarkable, which naturally suggests the inquiry, where -were the Whigs of Tryon County at that time; and in what were they -engaged? The incident to which reference is had, was the return of those -selfsame loyalists for their families, whom they were permitted to collect -together, and with whom they were suffered to depart into the country, -and the active service of the enemy. Nor was this all. Not only was no -opposition made to their proceedings, but on their way they actually -committed acts of flagrant hostility, destroyed property, and took several -prisoners. Having completed their arrangements, they moved northward from -Fort Hunter, through Fonda's Bush--making four prisoners on their way -thither, [FN-1] and at Fonda's Bush five others. [FN-2] From this place -they proceeded across the great marsh to Sir William Johnson's fish-house, -on the Sacondaga, capturing a man named Martin, and another named Harris, -on the way, and at the fish-house taking a brave fellow named Solomon -Woodworth and four others. [FN-3] They burnt the house and outbuildings of -Godfrey Shew at this place, and departed with their prisoners, leaving -the women and children houseless. Embarking on the Sacondaga in light -canoes, previously moored at that place for the purpose, they descended -twenty-five miles to the Hudson, and thence, by the way of Lakes George -and Champlain, proceeded to St. Johns in safety. The day after his -capture, Woodworth succeeded in making his escape. At St. Johns, John -Shew and four others were given up to the Indians, by whom they were taken -to their village in Canada. They were neither considered nor treated -exactly as prisoners of war; and Shew, with three of his companions, soon -afterward escaped and returned home. [FN-4] From St. Johns, the loyal -party proceeded down the St. Lawrence to Quebec, where the residue of the -prisoners were kept in close confinement about four months. Some of the -number died, and the remainder were sent to Halifax, and thence exchanged -by the way of Boston. This movement of the Tories back in a body to their -deserted homes, and its success, form one of the most extraordinary -incidents, though in itself comparatively unimportant, which transpired -during the wars of the Mohawk country. [FN-5] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Mr. Cough and his son, and Mr. Marinas and his son. - - [FN-2] John Putnam, Jr., Mr. Salisbury, Mr. Rice, Mr. Joseph Scott, and - Mr. Bowman. - - [FN-3] Godfrey Shew, and his three sons, John, Stephen, and Jacob. - - [FN-4] In the Autumn of 1780 young Shew was again captured by a scouting - party of Indians and Tories, in the woods in the neighborhood of - Ballston, and at the instigation of one of the latter, named John Parker, - was immediately murdered. Parker was himself soon afterward taken as a - spy by Captain Bernett of the militia--carried to Albany, tried, - convicted, and executed. - - [FN-5] The facts respecting this expedition have been collected and - furnished to the author by John J. Shew, of Northampton, N. Y. - - -With the opening of the season for active operations--though he was -himself never inactive--Thayendanegea had again returned to his former -haunts on the Susquehanna--Oghkwaga and Unadilla. He soon proved himself -an active and dreaded partisan. No matter for the difficulties or the -distance, wherever a blow could be struck to any advantage, Joseph Brant -was sure to be there. Frequent, moreover, were the instances in which -individuals, and even whole families in the outskirts of the settlements, -disappeared, without any knowledge on the part of those who were left, -that an enemy had been near them. "The smoking ruins of their dwellings, -the charred bones of the dead, and the slaughtered carcasses of the -domestic animals, were the only testimonials of the cause of the -catastrophe, until the return of a captive, or the disclosures of some -prisoner taken from the foe, furnished more definite information." [FN] -But there is no good evidence that Brant was himself a participator in -secret murders, or attacks upon isolated individuals or families; and -there is much reason to believe that the bad feelings of many of the -loyalists induced them to perpetrate greater enormities themselves, and -prompt the parties of Indians whom they often led, to commit greater -barbarities than the savages would have done had they been left to -themselves. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Campbell's Annals. - - -In support of the foregoing opinion of Captain Brant, the following -incident, occurring in the Summer of the present year, may be adduced. -A lad in Schoharie County, named William McKown, while engaged in raking -hay alone in a meadow, happening to turn round, perceived an Indian very -near him. Startled at his perilous situation, he raised his rake for -defence, but his fears were instantly dissipated by the savage, who -said--"Do not be afraid, young man; I shall not hurt you." He then -inquired of the youth for the residence of a loyalist named Foster. The -lad gave him the proper direction, and inquired of the Indian whether he -knew Mr. Foster? "I am partially acquainted with him," was the reply, -"having once seen him at the Half-way Creek." [FN-1] The Indian then -inquired the lad's name, and having been informed, he added--"You are a -son of Captain McKown who lives in the north-east part of the town, I -suppose; I know your father very well; he lives neighbor to Captain -McKean; I know McKean very well, and a very fine fellow he is, too." -Emboldened by the familiar discourse of the Indian, the lad ventured to -ask his name in turn. Hesitating for a moment, his rather unwelcome -visitor replied:--"My name is Brant!" "What! Captain Brant?" eagerly -demanded the youth. "No; I am a cousin of his," was the rejoinder; but -accompanied by a smile and a look that plainly disclosed the transparent -deception. It was none other than the terrible Thayendanegea -himself. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Bowman's Creek, halfway between Cherry Valley and the Mohawk - River. - - [FN-2] Annals of Tryon County. - - -On the other hand, the following tragic circumstance, given on the same -indisputable authority, sustains the assertion that the Tories were -oftentimes more cruel than their savage associates. While a party of -hostiles were prowling about the borders of Schoharie, the Indians killed -and scalped a mother, and a large family of children. "They had just -completed the work of death, when some loyalists of the party came up, -and discovered an infant breathing sweetly in its cradle. An Indian -warrior, noted for his barbarity, approached the cradle with his uplifted -hatchet. The babe looked up in his face, and smiled; the feelings of -nature triumphed over the ferocity of the savage; the hatchet fell with -his arm, and he was about stooping down to take the innocent in his arms, -when one of the loyalists, cursing him for his humanity, thrust it through -with his bayonet, and, thus transfixed, held it up struggling in the -agonies of death, as he exclaimed--'_this, too, is a rebel!_'" - -To guard against these painful transactions, nothing short of the most -exemplary watchfulness would suffice. Not only their habitations, but -those who labored in the fields, were guarded, being themselves armed at -their ploughs, like the laborers of the prophet in rebuilding the walls -of Jerusalem. Nor was this vigilance confined to any particular location. -The inhabitants around the whole border, from Saratoga, north of -Johnstown, and west to the German Flats, thence south stretching down to -Unadilla, and thence eastwardly crossing the Susquehanna, along the -Charlotte river to Harpersfield, and thence back to Albany--were -necessarily an armed yeomanry, watching for themselves, and standing -sentinels for each other in turn; harassed daily by conflicting rumors; -now admonished of the approach of the foe in the night by the glaring -flames of a neighbor's house; or compelled suddenly to escape from his -approach, at a time and in a direction the least expected. Such was the -tenure of human existence around the confines of this whole district of -country, from the Spring of 1777 to the end of the contest in 1782. - -The first movement of Brant himself, this season, (1778,) was upon the -settlement of Springfield, a small town at the head of Otsego Lake, lying -directly west of Cherry Valley, about ten miles. Those of the men who did -not fly, were taken prisoners. The chieftain then burnt the entire -settlement, with the exception of a single house, into which he collected -all the women and children, and left them uninjured. - -It was reported in the month of June, that Brant, whose forces were -increasing at Unadilla, was fortifying that post; and Captain McKean was -despatched with a small patrol in that direction, by the people of Cherry -Valley, to make observations. Arriving at a house about twenty-five miles -from that place, McKean was informed that Brant had been there with fifty -men, that day, and would probably return in the evening. McKean was at -first disposed to take possession of the house, and attempt its -defence--his force consisting of but five men, exclusive of himself. But, -ultimately forming a more prudent resolution, he withdrew "his forces" -before nightfall, and returned home without having reconnoitered the -chieftain's position at Unadilla. In the course of his journey, he wrote -a letter to Brant, upbraiding him for the predatory system of warfare in -which he was engaged, and challenging him either to single combat, or to -meet him with an equal number of men and have a pitched battle--"adding, -that if he would come to Cherry Valley, they would change him from a -_Brant_ to a _goose._" This chivalrous missive was fastened to a stick, -and placed in an Indian path. No modern post-office could have transmitted -the letter with greater speed or safety. The "contents" were "noted" by -Brant in a letter addressed to Mr. Parcifer Carr, a loyalist living some -fifteen or twenty miles north, upon the Unadilla settlement, to whom the -chief wrote for provisions. He also solicited Mr. Carr to allow two or -three of his men to join him, and likewise to send him a few guns, with -some ammunition--adding, "I mean now to fight the cruel rebels as well as -I can." In a postscript, he intimated that the people of Cherry Valley, -though very bold in words, would find themselves mistaken in calling him -a "goose." Whether the challenge of Captain McKean, and the pun upon the -chieftain's name, had any influence upon his subsequent conduct in that -section of the country, is not known. - -On the 2d of July a smart engagement took place, on the upper branch of -the Cobleskill, between a party of regular troops and Schoharie militia -under Captain Christian Brown, and a large body of Indians. There were -twenty-two militiamen and thirty regulars, the latter under charge of a -lieutenant whose name has not been preserved. The Indians, by their own -account, were four hundred and fifty strong. They were victorious--the -Americans retreating with a loss of fourteen killed, eight wounded, and -two missing. The Indians burnt several houses, killed and destroyed all -the horses and cattle which they could not drive away, and took -considerable plunder besides. They remained in the woods adjoining the -battleground one day and two nights, dressing the wounded, and packing up -their booty, with which they retired unmolested. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The only account of this battle which the author has been able to - discover, is contained in John M. Brown's pamphlet history of Schoharie. - He states it to have taken place on the day preceding the massacre of - Wyoming, but dates it in 1776, instead of 1778, which was doubtless the - true date. - - -Thenceforward, until the close of the war, the settlements of Schoharie -were perpetually harassed by the strolling bands of the enemy, until at -length they were entirely laid waste by a formidable invasion. The -principal of these settlements was the vale of the Schoharie-kill--doubly -inviting from the beauty of its scenery and the fertility of its -soil--which was even then thickly inhabited. But, although frequently -doomed to suffer from the savage tomahawk, justice nevertheless demands -the admission, that the first blood was drawn in that valley, and the -first act of barbarity committed, by the white man, upon the body of an -Indian sachem. - -The circumstances leading to the outrage were these: At an early stage of -the contest, the officers of the Crown made a very strenuous effort to -control the popular feeling, and preserve the loyalty of the people of -Schoharie. For this purpose, not only the regular militia of the -settlements, but all the male population capable of bearing arms, were -required to meet the King's Commissioners at the house of Captain George -Mann, a loyalist of great wealth and influence, to take the oath of -allegiance. They assembled in arms, and were kept on parade, day after -day, as they slowly gathered at the place of rendezvous in obedience to -the requisition. Those who were loyalists at heart readily took the oath; -but great reluctance was manifested on the part of those whose -predilections ran with the Whigs. These, however, were threatened with the -pains and penalties of arrest, confiscation, and death, in case of -refusal; so that for the most part they complied with the demand of the -Commissioners, and took the oath of fidelity to the Crown. Immediately on -taking the oath, the hat of the subject was decorated with a piece of -scarlet cloth; while some of those most strongly desirous of manifesting -their loyalty, wore scarlet caps. Prominent among the latter class, were -Ludwig Snyder, of the Duanesburg settlement, [FN] and a Mohawk sachem named -Peter Nickus, who gave offence to the Whigs by brandishing his tomahawk -and occasionally sounding the war-whoop. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Snyder afterward abjured the Loyal cause, and discharged his duty - faithfully as a Whig. - - -But there were a few bold spirits upon whom, neither the threats of his -Majesty's officers, nor the menaces of the Indians in their company, had -any effect. They refused peremptorily to take the oath. Chief among these -were Nicholas Sternberg and William Deitz, who left the parade on the -evening of the first or second day, and returned to their homes--bitterly -denounced as rebels and traitors by the Royalists, and threatened with a -visit of Tories and Indians during the night. To avoid an arrest, -Sternberg took to the woods at evening, leaving his family in great -anxiety, although the slaves, of whom he possessed a large number, -volunteered to defend their mistress and the children. But there was no -pursuit, and the recusants both returned to the parade on the following -day--determined, of course, to render all proper obedience to the laws yet -in force, but equally determined not to take the oath of allegiance; -although Mrs. Sternberg besought her husband, with tears, not to jeopard -his own safety, and the lives of his family, by longer refusal. Nay, she -went farther; and appealing to the Bible, the good woman showed him the -passage in which all men are enjoined "to fear God and honor the King." -But it was with Sternberg as with the Puritans, He believed that -"opposition to tyrants was obedience to God," as implicitly as did the -regicides who engraved that immortal sentiment upon the New Haven rock; -and he was inflexible in his purpose. - -Fortunately, however, in the course of the day affairs took quite a -different turn. It was at about the middle of the afternoon that Captain -Mann mustered those who had taken the oath and received the red badge. -They numbered one hundred and upward, and were paraded before the -Captain's own house to perform their martial exercise, when their -attention was arrested by the sound of steeds trampling in the distance. -A moment longer, and a cloud of horsemen came galloping along the highway -from the direction of Albany, with drawn swords flashing brightly in the -sun. These unexpected visitors proved to be Captain Woodbake, and two -hundred cavalry, the object of whose approach was to disperse the Royal -gathering and proclaim the government of the republic. Their arrival was -exceedingly inopportune for Captain Mann, who was cut short in the midst -of a loyal oration, in which he was commending his citizen-soldiers for -their loyalty, and threatening those who refused the badge of their -sovereign, with vengeance, swift and inevitable. As the cavalry -approached, Captain Mann took to his heels and fled; while his loyal -followers, many of whom had assumed the before-mentioned insignia, and -signed the royal muster-roll on compulsion, either followed his example -or threw away their red caps, and tore off the scarlet patches from their -hats, with the utmost possible expedition. Orders were immediately issued -by Captain Woodbake that Mann should be taken and brought to him--alive, -if possible, but if not--not. Numbers started in pursuit, while those who -remained upon the ground were collected into line, and a proclamation was -read to them by Captain Woodbake, declaring the Royal authority at an -end--pronouncing the acts of the King's Commissioners null and void--and -absolving the people from the oath of allegiance just taken, upon the -ground that, by the laws neither of God nor man, are oaths binding which -have been taken upon compulsion. Commending those who had refused to take -the oath for their patriotism, he informed them that a Committee of Safety -must be appointed, who would temporarily be invested with the civil and -military authority of the district, and until, by elections and otherwise, -the government could be organized in a more regular manner. Nicholas -Sternberg and William Deitz were thereupon nominated by Woodbake to serve -as said Committee, and invested orally with all necessary power for the -government of the district; and the people were enjoined to obedience. - -The affairs of the government having thus been settled, all hands were -ordered in pursuit of Captain Mann, and sentinels were posted at different -points of observation. Among these was Mr. Sternberg's eldest son Lambert, -who was stationed by the side of a wheat-stack, sheltered by a roof of -thatch upon four posts. [FN] The orders were strict, that if Mann would not -surrender, he must be shot. Toward evening, on the approach of a -thunder-gust, young Sternberg, who was a lad of only sixteen years, -climbed to the top of the wheat-stack for shelter, where, to his great -surprise, he stumbled upon the loyal captain. The youth informed him at -once that he must surrender or be shot. The Captain implored for -mercy--declaring that he dared not to surrender himself to Woodbake, -because his life would be taken. The youth repeated that his orders were -explicit, and he must surrender or be shot. But Mann had lived a neighbor -to his father--had ever been kind to him--and his heart failed at the -thought of taking his life. He then proposed to the Captain to fire his -musket by way of alarm, that others might come and take him. But this was -objected to by Mann with equal earnestness. It now thundered and lightened -fearfully, while the rain descended in torrents. Watching his opportunity, -therefore, and availing himself of the conflict of the elements, and that, -also, which was working in the bosom of his young neighbor so suddenly -placed in hostile array against him, Mann contrived to spring from his -hiding-place, and by sliding down upon one of the barrack-posts, effected -his escape into a corn-field and thence into the woods. The stripling -soldier fired, as in duty bound, but doubtless rejoiced that the shot was -without effect. - - * * * * * - - [FN] These structures in new countries, where barns are not large enough - to shelter the produce, are called barracks. - - -On the next day, information having been received that a body of Indians -were lurking in the neighborhood of Middleburg, a few miles farther up -the valley, Captain Woodbake proceeded thither with his squadron of horse. -The only Indian seen was the before-mentioned sachem, Peter Nickus, who -was discovered in a thicket of hazel bushes, and immediately brought to -the ground by a shot that broke his thigh. Several pistols were -simultaneously snapped at him, but without effect; the troops then -dismounted, and running upon the wounded Indian, inhumanly hacked him to -pieces with their swords. Peter Nickus was therefore the first victim of -the Revolution in the Valley of the Schoharie-kill, nor does it appear -that he had himself been guilty of any act of positive hostility. - -All search for Captain Mann was for the time fruitless. He succeeded in -escaping to the mountains, where he remained fifteen days; but at length -was induced to surrender through the intervention of friends, on condition -that he should receive no personal injury. He was thereupon taken to -Albany, and kept in confinement to the end of the war. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The property of Captain Mann was not confiscated, and he was - suffered to return and repossess himself of his estate, where he lived - and died a faithful citizen of the republic. All the families named in - this narrative were of great respectability, and their descendants are - still in that section of country. The author has derived the facts of - the four last preceding pages from a written narrative by the son of - Nicholas Sternberg. It was thrown out of its proper chronological order, - because not received until after this chapter was in the hands of the - printer. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - - - The story of Wyoming--Glance at its history--Bloody battle between the - Shawanese and Delawares--Count Zinzendorf--Conflicting Indian claims - and titles--Rival land companies of Connecticut and Pennsylvania--Murder - of Tadeusund--The first Connecticut Colony destroyed by the - Indians--Controversy respecting their titles--Rival Colonies planted in - Wyoming--The civil wars of Wyoming--Bold adventure of Captain - Ogden--Fierce passions of the people--The Connecticut settlers - prevail--Growth of the settlements--Annexed to Connecticut--Breaking - out of the Revolution--The inhabitants, stimulated by previous hatred, - take sides--Arrest of suspected persons in January--Sent to - Hartford--Evil consequences--The enemy appear upon the outskirts of the - settlements in the Spring--Invasion by Colonel John Butler and the - Indians--Colonel Zebulon Butler prepares to oppose them--Two of the - forts taken--Colonel Z. Butler marches to encounter the enemy--Battle - of Wyoming--The Americans defeated--The flight and massacre--Fort - Wyoming besieged--Timidity of the garrison--Zebulon Butler's authority - not sustained--He escapes from the fort--Colonel Denniston forced to - capitulate--Destruction of the Valley--Barbarities of the Tories--Brant - not in the expedition--Catharine Montour--Flight of the - fugitives--Expedition of Colonel Hartley up the Susquehanna--Colonel - Zebulon Butler repossesses himself of Wyoming, and rebuilds the - fort--Indian skirmishes--Close of the History of Wyoming. - -The melancholy story of Wyoming stands next in chronological order. It -does not, indeed, appertain directly to the history of the Mohawk Valley; -but it is nevertheless connected intimately with that history, while it -has ever been regarded as one of the most prominent events in the border -history of the Revolutionary contest. Its importance, moreover, as a -section of the _Indian_ portion of that contest, is such as to warrant the -episode, if such it must be called. Many were the battles during that -struggle, of far greater importance than the affair of Wyoming, both in -regard to their magnitude and their results; and many were the scenes -characterised by equal if not greater atrocity. But from a variety of -circumstances, as well antecedent as subsequent to the battle, it has -happened that no event connected with the aboriginal wars of our country -stands out in bolder relief than that. Sixty years have elapsed since the -tragedy of Wyoming was enacted; the actors themselves are no more; and yet -the very mention of the event sends a chill current to every youthful -heart, while the theatre of the action itself has been rendered classic -as well as consecrated, by the undying numbers of one of the most gifted -bards of the age. So long as English poetry exists, will the imaginary -tale of Gertrude of Wyoming be read, admired, and wept; and thousands, in -every generation to come, will receive the beautiful fiction for truth, -while the details of fact by the faithful historian, rejecting the -exaggerations of Ramsay and Gordon, and their associate writers of the -revolutionary era, together with compilers more modern, who have taken no -pains to inquire for the truth, may be regarded as too common-place and -unimportant for attention. - -Wyoming is the name of a beautiful section of the vale of the Susquehanna, -situated in the north-eastern part of the State of Pennsylvania. It is -twenty-five miles in length, by about three in breadth, lying deep between -two parallel ranges of mountains, crested with oak and pine. The scenery -around is wild and picturesque, while the valley itself might be chosen -for another paradise. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Wyoming is a corruption of the name given to the place by the - Delaware Indians, who called it _Maughwauwame._ The word is a compound; - _Maughwau_ meaning large or extensive, and _wame_ plains or meadows; so - that the name may be translated "_The Large Plains._" In the language of - the Six Nations, Wyoming was called _Sgahontowano,_ or _"The Large - Flats._" _'Gahonto_ meaning, in their language, a large piece of ground - without trees.--_Chapman's History of Wyoming._ - - -The possession of this valley has not been an object of the white man's -ambition or cupidity alone. It has been the subject of controversy, and -the fierce battle-ground of various Indian tribes, within the white man's -time, but before his possession; and from the remains of fortifications -discovered there, so ancient that the largest oaks and pines have struck -root upon the ramparts and in the entrenchments, it must once have been -the seat of power, and perhaps of a splendid court, thronged by chivalry, -and taste, and beauty--of a race of men far different from the Indians, -known to us since the discovery of Columbus. It was here that the -benevolent Count Zinzendorf pitched his tent, on commencing his Christian -labors among the Shawanese, and where he was saved from assassination by -the providential intervention of a poisonous reptile. Originally it lay -within the territory of the Lenni Lenape, or Delaware Indians; but it was -claimed by the Six Nations by right of conquest. In 1742 a grand council -of the chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations and Delawares was held in -Philadelphia, in consequence of difficulties touching the title to certain -lands lying within the forks of the Delaware, which the proprietaries of -Pennsylvania alleged that William Penn had purchased of the Delawares, -but which the Delawares yet retained in possession, while at the same time -the Six Nations claimed the ownership. The Governor of Pennsylvania having -explained the state of the case to the council, reminded the chiefs of -the Six Nations that, inasmuch as they had always required the government -of Pennsylvania to remove such whites as intruded upon their lands, so -now the government expected the Six Nations to remove the Indians from -the lands which it had purchased. [FN] Old Cannassateego was the master -spirit of the Iroquois delegation on this occasion; and, after due -consideration, he pronounced the decision of his associate chiefs. He -rebuked the Delawares in the sharpest terms for their dishonesty and -duplicity, in first selling land which did not belong to them, and even -then retaining possession of it themselves. He taunted them for their -degraded condition, as having been conquered and made women of by his -people, and after an indignant philippic, ordered them to leave the -disputed territory, and remove to Wyoming or Shamokin. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Chapman's History of Wyoming. - - -The commands of the Six Nations were neither to be question[ed] nor -disregarded, by the surrounding Indian nations, at that stage of their -history, and the clan of the Delawares occupying the land in dispute, -forthwith removed to Wyoming, then in the partial occupancy of a clan of -the Shawanese. But the latter were friendly to the Six Nations at that -time, and were suffered to retain possession of the west side of the -river, while the Delawares planted themselves down upon the east, and -built their town of Maughwauwame--the original of Wyoming. - -But the close proximity of the two clans or parts of nations, was no -addition to their happiness. Mutual jealousies were entertained; and no -long period of time elapsed before their animosities were sharpened into -actual hostilities upon the smallest provocation. At length there was -cause for more substantial war. On the breaking out of hostilities between -the French and American Colonies, in what is now called the old French -war, the Shawanese espoused the side of the French, while the Six Nations -and Delawares adhered to the English. Still the two Indian communities in -Wyoming did not actually take up arms in _that_ contest, until the -occurrence of an incident which, it is believed, may be set down for the -smallest cause of war as yet recorded in history. It happened one day, -while the Delaware warriors were upon the chase among the mountains, that -their women and children were gathering fruit along the margin of the -river below their town. While thus engaged, a party of the Shawanese women -and children paddled their canoes across the river and joined them. In the -course of the morning a Shawanese child caught a large grasshopper--the -species, probably, having parti-colored wings--and a quarrel arose among -the children for the possession of the insect. In this quarrel the mothers -soon began to participate, and an Amazonian battle was the consequence. -The Delaware squaws contended that the Shawanese had no right to trespass -upon their side of the river; and after several had been killed upon both -sides, the latter, who were the weaker party, were driven to the canoes, -and their own homes. - -Upon the return of the warriors of the respective tribes, both prepared -to avenge the wrongs of their wives and children. The Shawanese were the -invaders; but they were met at the river's brink by the Delawares, nothing -averse to the combat, who obstinately opposed their landing from their -canoes. Great numbers were killed, chiefly of the Shawanese, before they -gained the shore. Succeeding in this however, a battle, furious and -bloody, was fought about a mile below the Delaware town, in which several -hundreds were killed on both sides. The Shawanese, whose forces had been -greatly weakened at the landing, were at length overpowered, and obliged -to escape as best they could, with the loss of half their number. The -consequence of this defeat was the immediate evacuation of the valley, -which they left, to join the greater body of their nation on the Ohio. [FN] -To the Delawares, who had been oppressed and denationalized by the -Iroquois or Six Nations, the victory was of great -importance--re-establishing, as it did, their character as brave warriors, -although it was not until many years afterward that the sentence of being -considered women was revoked by their former conquerors. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Chapman's History of Wyoming. - - -Still, at the time when Count Zinzendorf commenced the mission of the -United Brethren in that valley, the jurisdiction was conceded to belong -to the Six Nations; and a formal permission was given to the count by the -latter, to preach the Gospel among them. He was met by a numerous embassy -of their chiefs, from whom he received a speech of welcome, which at once -laid the foundation of a good understanding between them. [FN] But, -notwithstanding this admitted superiority of the Iroquois in the time of -Sir William Johnson, the rival and conflicting Indian claims of title were -the cause of rival negotiations between the white land-speculators and -both nations of Indians, which in the end were the cause of many and very -sore evils, as will presently appear. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Heckewelder. The incident of the serpent, referred to in a preceding - page, was as follows:--Jealous of the Count's intentions in coming among - them, some of the Indians had resolved upon his death. "Zinzendorf was - alone in his tent, seated upon a bundle of weeds composing his bed, and - engaged in writing, when the assassins approached to execute their bloody - commission. It was night, and the cool air of September had rendered a - fire necessary to his comfort. A blanket curtain was the only guard to - the entrance of his tent. The heat of his fire had drawn forth a large - rattlesnake from the contiguous brake; and the reptile, to enjoy the - genial warmth, had crawled slowly into the tent, and passed over one of - the holy man's legs unperceived. Without, all was still and quiet, except - the distant sound of the river at the rapids a mile below. At this - moment the Indians softly approached the door of his tent, and gently - removing the curtain, contemplated the venerable man, too deeply engaged - in the subject of his thoughts to observe either their approach or the - serpent which lay extended before him. At a sight like this, even the - heart of the savages shrank from the idea of committing the barbarous - act, and they hastily returned to their lodge, and informed their - companions that the _Great Spirit_ protected the stranger, for they had - found him with no door but a blanket, and had seen a large rattlesnake - crawl over his legs without attempting to injure him." This circumstance - wrought as great a change as did the incident of the viper, after the - shipwreck, in the fortunes of Paul. The Count soon acquired the - confidence of the Indians; and the occurrence probably contributed - essentially toward inducing many of them subsequently to embrace the - Christian religion.--_Chapman's His. Wyoming._ - - -The first movement toward the planting of a white colony in the Wyoming -Valley was made by Connecticut in 1753. It was justly held that this -section of country belonged originally to the grant of James I., in 1620, -to the old Plymouth Company. The Earl of Warwick and his associates having -purchased the right of the Plymouth Company to the territory of -Connecticut and the lands beyond New Jersey, west, "from sea to sea," -within certain limits, Connecticut claimed under that grant. But no sooner -was a company formed to plant a colony in Wyoming--called the _Susquehanna -Company_--than Pennsylvania preferred a claim to the same territory, under -a grant from Charles II. to William Penn, in 1681, covering the whole -claim of Connecticut; and a rival association, called the _Delaware -Company,_ was organised in like manner to settle it. The strife of each, -at first, was to circumvent the other in purchasing the Indian title. At -this time it was conceded that the aboriginal proprietaries were the Six -Nations; and, though beset on all sides, old King Hendrick refused for a -time to dispose of the territory to either party. Ultimately, however, -the Six Nations sold to the Susquehanna Company; and in 1755 the -Connecticut Colony was commenced. But by reason of the French and Indian -wars, their settlers were compelled to return to Connecticut, and the -obstacles became so numerous, that it was not until 1762 that they were -enabled to obtain a foothold. - -The Pennsylvanians immediately prepared to oppose the settlers from -Connecticut. A case was made up and transmitted to England, on which Mr. -Pratt, the Attorney General, (afterward Lord Camden,) gave an opinion in -favor of the successors of Penn. Connecticut likewise sent over a case, -and on her part obtained a like favorable opinion from eminent counsel. -In this position of the controversy, a catastrophe befell the infant -settlement, which put an end to the enterprise for several years. Thus -far the relations between the Colonists and the Indians had been of the -most pacific character. The old Delaware chief Tadeuskund, who had -embraced the Christian religion, was, with his people, their friend. But -he had given offence to some of the Six Nations in 1758, a party of whom -came among the Delawares, under the guise of friendship, in April, 1763, -and murdered the venerable chief by setting fire to his dwelling, in -which he was consumed. [FN] The murder was charged by the Indians upon the -adventurers from Connecticut. But the emigrants, unconscious that a storm -was rising against them, remained in fancied security. They had given no -offence; and in order to allay any suspicions that might otherwise be -awakened among the Indians, they had even neglected to provide themselves -with weapons for self-protection. The consequence was the sudden -destruction of their settlement by a party of Delaware Indians, on the -15th of October. The descent was made upon the town while the men were at -work in the fields. About twenty persons were killed, and several were -taken prisoners. Those who could, men, women, and children, fled to the -woods and the mountains, from whence they were compelled to behold the -sad spectacle of their dwellings in flames, and the Indians making off -with the remains of their little property. Their flight through a -trackless forest to the Delaware, unprovided with food, and unprotected -by suitable clothing against the searching weather of Autumn, was painful -to a degree. But even then their journey was not ended, as they had yet -to proceed back to Connecticut, destitute, and on foot. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Tadeuskund was a Delaware chief of note. Previous to the year 1750, - he was known among the English by the name of _Honest John._ He was - baptized by the Moravians, but was wavering and inconstant. He was too - fond of the war-path to become a consistent follower of the pacific - Moravians. When he saw opportunities of signalizing himself as a warrior, - therefore, he left his faith, to re-embrace it as might suit his policy. - He inclined to the French in the war; but assisted in concluding a peace - among several Indian nations in 1758, which gave umbrage to the Six - Nations. - - -In 1668 the Delaware Company took advantage of a treaty holden at Fort -Stanwix, and purchased of the same Six Nations, who had sold to the -Connecticut Company, the same territory of Wyoming. The Pennsylvanians -entered upon immediate possession; and when, on the opening of the ensuing -Spring, the Connecticut Colonists returned with recruits, they found -others in the occupancy of the lands, with a block-house erected, and -armed for defence, under the direction of Amos Ogden and Charles Stewart, -to whom a lease of a section of land in the heart of the valley had been -granted by John Penn, for the express purpose of ousting the Connecticut -claimants. Here was a new and unexpected state of things. Some of the -leading men of the Connecticut Colony were decoyed into the block-house, -arrested, and sent off to a distant prison. But recruits coming on from -Connecticut, they in turn built works of defence, and proceeded with their -colonial labors. - -In the Summer of 1769, the Governor of Pennsylvania made preparations to -dispossess the intruders, as they considered the Connecticut people, by -force; and a detachment of armed men, to the number of two hundred, was -sent into the territory. The Colonists prepared for a siege; but one of -their leaders having been taken prisoner, and sent to gaol in -Philadelphia, after a show of resistance, and having no weapons of defence -but small arms, they capitulated, and agreed to leave the territory, with -the exception of seventeen families, who were to remain and secure the -crops. But no sooner had the Colonists departed, than the Pennsylvanians, -led by Ogden, plundered the whole colony, destroying their fields of -grain, killing their cattle, and laying the whole settlement in ruin; so -that the seventeen families were compelled to fly from starvation. - -In the month of February, 1770, the Connecticut Colonists rallied, and -marched upon Wyoming, under a man named Lazarus Stewart. They took Ogden's -house and his piece of artillery, during his absence. But on his return -he collected his friends, and hostilities ensued between the two parties, -which were prosecuted with varying success for several weeks. During this -time, an engagement occurred, in which several were killed and wounded on -both sides. Ogden's house, which had been fortified, was besieged, and -finally taken--after several days' cannonading, and the destruction of -one of his blockhouses, containing his supplies, by fire. In the terms of -capitulation the Connecticut party allowed Ogden to leave six men in -charge of his remaining property. But the conduct of Ogden the preceding -year had not been forgotten, and the _lex talionis_ was rigidly and -speedily executed. - -In September following, a force of one hundred and fifty men was sent -against the Connecticut settlers, under the command of Captain Ogden, as -he was now called. He took the settlement entirely by surprise, while the -laborers were in the fields at work, and the women and children in the -fort. Many of the men, nevertheless, reached the fort, and prepared to -defend it; but it was carried by assault in the night--the women and -children were barbarously trampled under foot--and the whole settlement -plundered and destroyed the following day, with more than Indian rapacity. -The Colonists were made prisoners, and sent off to distant gaols. Thus was -the settlement again broken up. But the triumph of Ogden was brief. In -December the fort was again surprised and carried by Captain Stewart, at -the head of some Lancastrians united with the late Colonists. A few of -the men fled naked to the woods; but the greater portion, together with -the women and children, residing for security in houses built within the -ramparts, were taken prisoners. Those, having been deprived of their -property, were driven from the valley. - -The parties to these controversies, which could not but engender all the -bitterest passions in the nature of man--rendering what might have been -a second Eden, a theatre of strife, discord, and "hell-born -hate,"--fought, of course, as they pretended, under the jurisdiction of -the respective States to which they assumed to belong. The civil -authorities of Pennsylvania frequently interposed; and after the burning -of Ogden's block-house, attempts were made to arrest several of the -Connecticut party for arson. Stewart was apprehended, but was soon -afterward rescued. - -After the capture of the fort in December, the Supreme Court of -Pennsylvania once more issued a writ for his arrest, and the sheriff was -sent with the posse at his heels; but the garrison would not admit him. -The fort was fired upon by the posse, under the direction of the sheriff, -and in returning the fire, one of the Ogdens (Nathan) was killed. The -sheriff thereupon drew off his forces for the night. But it was no sooner -dark, than Stewart and forty of his men withdrew from the fortress, -leaving a garrison of only twelve persons, who capitulated on the -following morning. Three hundred pounds reward was offered by the Governor -of Pennsylvania for the arrest of Stewart. The fort was left in charge of -Amos Ogden, who induced most of his former associates to return with him. - -In July following, this important post was again doomed to change hands. -The Colony was invaded by Captain Zebulon Butler, with upward of seventy -men. These being joined by Stewart and his party, they immediately took -possession of the lands, while Ogden with his people, to the number of -eighty-two, retired into the new fort of Wyoming, which they had just -built, and prepared for resistance. The contest was now assuming greater -importance than ever. Butler and Stewart at once invested the fortress, -and recruits arriving from Connecticut, they were enabled to throw up -redoubts, and open entrenchments for a regular siege. This new fort was -planted directly upon the bank of the river. Perceiving himself thus -completely shut in, Ogden formed the bold enterprise of leaving his -garrison in the night, and floating down the river, past the works and -the sentinels of the enemy, in order to repair to Philadelphia for -succors. For the purpose of better securing his escape, by means of -a cord he caused a bundle to be floated along in the river following him, -which, being the most perceptible object, would naturally attract the -attention and receive the fire of the enemy, if discovered. The _ruse de -guerre_ was completely successful. The deceptive object did attract the -attention of the besiegers and received their fire; although Ogden himself -was in immediate peril, since his hat and clothes were riddled with -bullets. He nevertheless escaped to Philadelphia, and is entitled to the -credit of performing one of the boldest and most difficult individual -exploits on record. - -In consequence of these tidings, the government ordered a force of one -hundred men to be sent to the relief of Fort Wyoming, commanded by Colonel -Asher Clayton. These were to be separated into two divisions, and marched -to the fort from different directions. Captain Dick, with one division, -proceeded toward the fort with pack-horses of provisions for one hundred -men. When in its neighborhood, however, he was ambuscaded by the troops -of Butler and Stewart, and thrown into confusion by the fire. Twenty-two -of the party succeeded in getting into the fort, and the remainder, with -four pack-horses of provisions, fell into the hands of Butler. The siege -continued, and was prosecuted with great vigor until the 14th of August, -when, his supplies being exhausted, Colonel Clayton, the assailant, -capitulated--stipulating that his troops, together with Ogden and his -party, should withdraw from Wyoming. Ogden was wounded during the siege, -and a second shot killed another officer, named William Ridyard, upon whom -the former was leaning, being faint from loss of blood. - -The president of the Pennsylvania proprietaries complained of the conduct -of the Connecticut people in these hostilities, and Governor Trumbull -disclaimed any connexion with the affairs of Wyoming on the part of the -State over which he presided. But as the Connecticut people continued to -pour reinforcements into the settlement, the Pennsylvanians withdrew their -forces, and for a season made no farther attempts upon the territory. - -The settlers now claimed the protection of Connecticut, the government -of which attempted a mediation between the people of Wyoming and the -government of Pennsylvania--but without success. Meantime the people of the -Colony proceeded to organize a government, and to exercise almost all the -attributes of sovereignty. The general laws of Connecticut were declared -to be in force; but for their local legislation, they organized a pure -democracy--the people of all their towns and settlements meeting in a -body, as in Athens of old, and making their laws for themselves. The -legislature of Connecticut extended its broad aegis over them, framed a -new county called Westmoreland, and attached it to the county of -Litchfield in the parent State. Zebulon Butler and Nathan Denniston were -appointed justices of the peace, and the people sent one representative -to the Legislature of Connecticut. The governments of Connecticut and -Pennsylvania kept up a war of proclamations and edicts upon the subject, -while the settlement advanced in population and extent with unexampled -rapidity. - -Thus matters proceeded until the year 1775, when, just after hostilities -had been commenced between the Colonies and the British troops at -Lexington, the old feuds between the settlers of the rival companies -suddenly broke forth again. A new settlement of the one was attacked by -the militia of the other, one man was killed, several were wounded, and -others made prisoners, and carried off to a distant jail. Other outrages -were committed elsewhere, and of course all the angry passions--all the -bitter feelings of hatred and revenge between the rival parties claiming -the soil and the jurisdiction--broke out afresh. The settlements of each -had become extended during the five years of peace, which of course had -multiplied the parties to the contest; so that, as the men of Wyoming -flew to arms, a more formidable civil war than ever was in prospect, at -the moment when every arm should have been nerved in the common cause of -the whole country. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] At this time the settlements consisted of eight townships, viz: - Lackawana, Exeter, Kingston, Wilkesbarre, Plymouth, Nanticoke, - Huntington, and Salem; each containing five miles square. The six - townships were pretty full of inhabitants; the two upper ones had - comparatively few, thinly scattered.--_Almon's Remembrancer, for_ 1778. - - -Congress being now in session, interposed its authority by way of -mediatorial resolutions. But to no purpose. The interposition was -repeated, and again disregarded. In the meantime the Pennsylvanians -brought seven hundred men into the field, who were marched against Wyoming -under the direction of Colonel Plunkett. But in ascending the west bank -of the Susquehanna, on coming to a narrow defile, naturally defended by a -rocky buttress, their march was suddenly arrested by a volley of musketry. -An instant afterward the invaders discerned that the rocky parapets were -covered with men bristling in arms--prepared for a Tyrolese defence of -tumbling rocks down upon the foe, should their firearms prove insufficient -to repel him. Taken thus suddenly and effectively by surprise, Plunkett -retreated with his forces behind a point of rocks, for consultation. He -next attempted to cross the river, and resume his march on the other side. -But here, too, the people of Wyoming had been too quick for him. The -invaders were so hotly received by a detachment in ambuscade on the other -side, that they were constrained to retreat, nor did they attempt to rally -again. - -Thus terminated the last military demonstration of the Provincial -government of Pennsylvania against the valley of Wyoming. Never, however, -had a civil war raged with more cordial hatred between the parties--not -even during the bloody conflicts between the Guelphs and the -Ghibellines--than was felt between the adherents of the respective land -companies, in the collisions just passed under review. Most unfortunate -was it, therefore, that the quarrel broke out afresh at the precise moment -when the services of all were alike wanted for the common -defence--especially on a border exposed to the daily irruptions of the -Indians. - -Nor was this the only evil. There being a wide difference of opinion -between the people in almost every section of the country, on the great -question at issue between the parent country and the Colonies, it was -natural to anticipate that such of these contending parties as adhered to -the Royalist cause, would cherish a twofold enmity toward those -republicans who had been previously in arms against them. These feelings -of hostility were of course mutual; and as many of the adherents of the -Delaware Company, and perhaps some from both factions, early escaped to -the enemy, and enrolled themselves under the banners of Sir John Johnson -and Colonel John Butler, there can be no difficulty in accounting for the -peculiar ferocity which marked the conduct of such of the refugees as -returned in arms against their former belligerent neighbors. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This sketch of the preliminary history of Wyoming, rapid as it is, - has nevertheless occasioned a longer digression than was intended; but - it has seemed necessary to the deduction of something like a just - hypothesis, by which to judge of the peculiar features of the battle of - Wyoming and the massacre that followed. - - -The population of the Wyoming settlements, at the commencement of the war, -numbered five thousand souls. Three companies of regular troops were -enlisted among them for the service of the United States. Their militia, -regularly enrolled, amounted to eleven hundred men capable of bearing -arms, and of this force three hundred entered the army; [FN] so prolific -was their soil, and so industrious were the people, that they were enabled -to furnish large supplies of provisions for the army. Three thousand -bushels of grain were sent thence to the army in the Spring of the -present year. The same plan of watchfulness against the scouts and -scalping parties of the enemy was adopted as in other frontier -settlements, and the utmost vigilance was observed; while regular -garrison duty was, in successive turns, performed by the citizen soldiers -in the several fortifications which defended their valley. - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Chapman's History of Wyoming--also Memorial to the Connecticut - Legislature. - - -Some faint demonstrations were made by straggling parties of Tories and -Indians, who prowled about the settlements during the Summer of the -preceding year, while St. Leger was besieging Fort Schuyler; but after a -few skirmishes with the inhabitants they dispersed, and the latter -remained undisturbed during the rest of the year. Still, an impression -that some of the Tories, who had been in arms against them, or who had -been instrumental in bringing the Indians upon them, were yet lurking in -the vicinity, and bent upon mischief, left the people not altogether at -ease; and in the month of January, 1778, twenty-seven suspected -inhabitants were arrested. Nine of these were discharged on examination, -for want of sufficient evidence to warrant their detention; while the -remaining eighteen were sent to Hartford, in Connecticut, and imprisoned. -The nine who were first discharged, immediately fled to the enemy, and -were followed thither by such of their suspected associates as were -subsequently set at liberty in Connecticut. It was but natural that these -proceedings still more embittered the feelings of these Loyalists against -the Whigs, and the effect was soon perceptible in the behavior of the -Tories and Indians occasionally patrolling their borders. - -For a time, however, the apprehensions thus excited were allayed by -several pacific messages from the Indian nations deeper in the interior, -who sent parties of runners with assurances of a desire for peace. But -these assurances were deceptive. Instead of being messengers of peace, it -was ascertained in March, from one of them while in a state of -intoxication, that their business was to amuse the people and allay their -fears while preparations were making to attack them. This Indian, with his -associate warriors, was immediately arrested and placed in confinement, -while the women of the party were sent back with a flag. The alarm was -likewise given to the scattered and remote settlers, some of them living -thirty miles up the river, who thereupon immediately sought for greater -security in the more populous towns. During the months of April and May, -the settlements began to be more considerably annoyed by larger parties -of Tories and Indians, who hung upon their borders, and made frequent -incursions among them for purposes of plunder--robbing the people, as -opportunity afforded, of live stock, grain, and other articles of -provisions. Waxing yet more audacious in June, several murders were -committed. Six of these victims were a mother and her five children, who -were doubtless killed under a misapprehension as to her character, since -the woman was the wife of one of the Tories who had been arrested in -January. The houses and plantations of the slain were of course plundered -of every thing of value which the marauders could carry away. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Almon's Remembrancer, 1778--Second Part. - - -Toward the close of June, the British officers in command at Niagara -determined to strike a blow upon these settlements; for which purpose -about three hundred white men, consisting in part of regular troops, but -principally of refugee Loyalists, under the command of Colonel John -Butler, together with about five hundred Indians, marched in that -direction. Arriving at Tioga Point, Butler and the Indian leaders [FN-1] -procured floats and rafts, upon which they embarked their forces, and, -descending the Susquehanna, landed at a place called the Three Islands, -whence they marched about twenty miles, and crossing a wilderness, entered -the valley of Wyoming through a gap of the mountain near its northern -extremity. [FN-2] They took possession of two small forts, without -opposition, on the 2d of July--the first of which was called the Exeter -fort. It was said the garrison consisted chiefly of Tories, who -treacherously surrendered it to the enemy. The other was the fort of -Lackawana, where the enemy encountered some resistance. But it was soon -carried, a magistrate named Jenkins being killed, together with his -family, and several others, mostly women and children, made prisoners. -One of these forts was burnt. [FN-3] In the other, the proper name of -which was Fort Wintermoot, Colonel John Butler established his -head-quarters. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] It is difficult to ascertain with certainty from what tribes or - nations these Indians were drawn. It will be seen by a note a few pages - onward, that there is reason to suppose they were from Detroit, and were - led by an officer of the British service. Certainly they had no chiefs - of any considerable note among them. - - [FN-2] Marshall's Life of Washington. - - [FN-3] The Remembrancer. - - -The inhabitants, on receiving intelligence of the approach of the -invaders, assembled within a fortification four miles below, called Fort -Forty, from the circumstance of its having been occupied by forty men, at -some period of the antecedent troubles of the Colony. Colonel Zebulon -Butler, whose name has occurred several times in the preceding summary of -the history of Wyoming, was in command of about sixty regular troops, and -he now made every exertion to muster the militia of the settlements. But -in his official despatch he complained, that as the women and children -had fled to the several forts, of which there were seven within the -distance of ten miles along the valley, the men, too many of them, would -remain behind to take care of _them._ Still, he succeeded in collecting -about three hundred of the militia, and commenced his march to meet the -enemy on the 1st of July, in connexion with the regular troops before -mentioned, commanded by Captain Hewett. On their first advance, they fell -in with a scout of Indians, of whom they killed two. These savages had -just murdered nine men engaged at work in a corn-field. [FN-1] Not being -supplied with provisions, Colonel Zebulon Butler [FN-2] was obliged to -fall back upon Fort Forty, while his militia procured supplies. They -mustered again on the 3d, and a council of war was convened. Messengers -having been despatched to the head-quarters of General Washington for -assistance, immediately after the enemy's movements were known at Wyoming, -Colonel Z. Butler was desirous of waiting for reinforcements. But his -officers and men were impatient for a trial of strength. [FN-3] The -messengers had already been gone so long, that it was supposed they had -been cut off, and consequently that General Washington was ignorant of -their situation. In that case no reinforcements could reach them in -season to save their valley from being ravaged; and as the enemy's forces -were daily increasing, it was held to be the part of wisdom to attack him -at once. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Colonel Z. Butler's letter. - - [FN-2] It is necessary to repeat the Christian names of both the Butlers, - to avoid confusion--that being the surname of both the opposing - commanders. - - [FN-3] Marshall. - - -While the question was under debate, five officers arrived from the -Continental army, who, on hearing the tidings of the meditated invasion, -had thrown up their commissions and hastened home to protect their -families. They had heard nothing of the messengers, and intimated that -there was no prospect of speedy assistance. [FN] The discussions were -animated; but the apprehension, that in the event of longer delay the -enemy would become too powerful for them, and thus be enabled to sweep -through their valley and destroy their harvest, was so strong, and the -militia were so sanguine of being able to meet and vanquish the enemy, -that Colonel Butler yielded, and set forward at the head of nearly four -hundred men. Colonel Denniston, his former associate in the commission of -the peace, being his second in command. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Chapman. - - -It was intended to make a quick movement, and take the enemy by surprise. -Having approached within two miles of Fort Wintermoot, [FN-1] a small -reconnoitering party was sent forward for observation. They ascertained -that the enemy were carousing in their huts in perfect security; but on -their return they were so unfortunate as to fall in with an Indian scout, -who immediately fired and gave the alarm. [FN-2] The Provincials pushed -rapidly forward; but the British and Indians were prepared to receive -them--"their line being formed a small distance in front of their camp, -in a plain thinly covered with pine, shrub-oaks, and undergrowth, and -extending from the river to a marsh, at the foot of the mountain." [FN-3] -On coming in view of the enemy, the Americans, who had previously marched -in a single column, instantly displayed into a line of equal extent, and -attacked from right to left at the same time. [FN-4] The right of the -Americans was commanded by Colonel Zebulon Butler, opposed to Colonel -John Butler commanding the enemy's left. Colonel Dennison commanded the -left of the Americans, and was opposed by Indians forming the enemy's -right. [FN-5] The battle commenced at about forty rods distance, without -much execution at the onset, as the brush-wood interposed obstacles to -the sight. The militia stood the fire well for a short time, and as they -pressed forward, there was some giving way on the enemy's right. -Unluckily, just at this moment the appalling war-whoop of the Indians -rang in the rear of the American left--the Indian leader having conducted -a large party of his warriors through the marsh, and succeeded in turning -Dennison's flank. A heavy and destructive fire was simultaneously poured -into the American ranks; and amidst the confusion, Colonel Dennison -directed his men to "_fall back,_" to avoid being surrounded, and to gain -time to bring his men into order again. This direction was mistaken for -an order to "retreat," whereupon the whole line broke, and every effort -of their officers to restore order was unavailing. At this stage of the -battle, and while thus engaged, the American officers mostly fell. The -flight was general. The Indians, throwing away their rifles, rushed -forward with their tomahawks, making dreadful havoc--answering the cries -for mercy with the hatchet--and adding to the universal consternation -those terrific yells which invest savage warfare with tenfold horror. So -alert was the foe in this bloody pursuit, that less than sixty of the -Americans escaped either the rifle or the tomahawk. Of the militia -officers, there fell one lieutenant-colonel, one major, and ten captains, -six lieutenants, and two ensigns. Colonel Durkee, and Captains Hewett -and Ransom were likewise killed. Some of the fugitives escaped by swimming -the river, and others by flying to the mountains. As the news of the -defeat spread down the valley, the greater part of the women and children, -and those who had remained behind to protect them, likewise ran to the -woods and the mountains; while those who could not escape thus, sought -refuge in Fort Wyoming. The Indians, apparently wearied with pursuit and -slaughter, desisted, and betook themselves to secure the spoils of the -vanquished. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The fort was thus called after the proprietor of the land whereon - it was built, and the adjacent territory--a distinguished Tory named - Wintermoot. He was active in bringing destruction upon the valley, and, - after doing all the mischief he could to the settlement, removed to - Canada. During the war with England in 1812-15--while the British were - investing Fort Erie, a son of old Mr. Wintermoot, a lieutenant in the - enemy's service, was killed by a volunteer from the neighborhood of - Wyoming. Young Wintermoot was reconnoitering one of the American pickets, - when he was shot down by the said volunteer, who was engaged in the same - service against a picket of the enemy. The volunteer returned into the - fort, bringing in the arms and commission of the officer he had slain as - a trophy. - - [FN-2] Chapman. - - [FN-3] Marshall. - - [FN-4] Col. Z. Butler's letter. - - [FN-5] Chapman. - - -On the morning of the 4th, the day after the battle, Colonel John Butler, -with the combined British and Indian forces, appeared before Fort Wyoming, -and demanded its surrender. The inhabitants, both within and without the -fort, did not, on that emergency, sustain a character for courage becoming -men of spirit in adversity. They were so intimidated as to give up without -fighting; great numbers ran off; and those who remained, all but betrayed -Colonel Zebulon Butler, their commander. [FN-1] The British Colonel Butler -sent several flags, requiring an unconditional surrender of his opposing -namesake and the few Continental troops yet remaining, but offering to -spare the inhabitants their property and effects. But with the American -Colonel the victor would not treat on any terms; and the people thereupon -compelled Colonel Dennison to comply with conditions which his commander -had refused. [FN-2] The consequence was, that Colonel Zebulon Butler -contrived to escape from the fort with the remains of Captain Hewett's -company of regulars, [FN-3] and Colonel Dennison entered into articles of -capitulation. By these it was stipulated that the settlers should be -disarmed and their garrison demolished; that all the prisoners and public -stores should be given up; that the property of "the people called -Tories" should be made good, and they be permitted to remain peaceably -upon their farms. In behalf of the settlers it was stipulated that their -lives and property should be preserved, and that they should be left in -the unmolested occupancy of their farms. [FN-4] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Colonel Z. Butler's letter. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - [FN-3] Idem. - - [FN-4] Chapman's History. - - -Unhappily, however, the British commander either could not or would not -enforce the terms of the capitulation, which were to a great extent -disregarded as well by the Tories as Indians. Instead of finding -protection, the valley was again laid waste--the houses and improvements -were destroyed by fire, and the country plundered. Families were broken -up and dispersed, men and their wives separated, mothers torn from their -children, and some of them carried into captivity, while far the greater -number fled to the mountains, and wandered through the wilderness to the -older settlements. Some died of their wounds, others from want and -fatigue, while others still were lost in the wilderness, or were heard of -no more. Several perished in a great swamp in the neighborhood, which from -that circumstance acquired the name of "_The Shades of Death,_" and retains -it to this day. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Chapman's History. - - -These were painful scenes. But it does not appear that any thing like a -massacre followed the capitulation. [FN-1] Nor, in the events of the -preceding day, is there good evidence of the perpetration of any specific -acts of cruelty, other than such as are usual in the general rout of a -battle-field--save only the unexampled atrocities of the Tories, -thirsting, probably, for revenge in regard to other questions than that -of allegiance to the King. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] It will be seen, a few pages forward, by a letter from Walter - Butler, writing on behalf of his father, Col. John Butler, that a solemn - denial is made of any massacre whatever, save the killing of men in arms - in the open field. This letter, in vindication of the refugee Butlers, - would have been introduced here, but for its connexion with the affair - of Cherry Valley. - - [FN-2] Indeed, for cold-blooded cruelty, which may be called murder - outright, there was nothing at Wyoming, with the single exception of the - fratricide soon to be related, at all comparable to the massacre of the - Mexicans at San Jacinto by the _soi-disant_ Texan heroes under Houston. - - -There seems, from the first, to have been an uncommonly large proportion -of loyalists in the Wyoming settlements, whose notions of legal restraint, -from the previous collisions of the inhabitants, were of course -latitudinarian; nor were their antecedent asperities softened by the -attempts of the Whigs to keep them within proper control, after -hostilities had commenced. The greater number of these, as we have already -seen, together with those who were arrested, had joined themselves to the -enemy. But these were not all the defections. After the arrival of the -enemy upon the confines of the settlement, and before the battle, a -considerable number of the inhabitants joined his ranks, and exhibited -instances of the most savage barbarity against their former neighbors and -friends. [FN-1] Nor has it ever been denied, in regard to the battle of -Wyoming, that none were more ferocious and cruel--more destitute of the -unstrained quality of mercy, than those same loyalists or Tories. An -example of the spirit by which they were actuated is found in the -following occurrence, which, on account of its Cain-like barbarity, is -worthy of repetition. Not far from the battleground was an island in the -Susquehanna, called Monockonock, to which several of the fugitive -militia-men fled for security throwing away their arms, and swimming the -river. Here they concealed themselves as they could among the brush-wood. -Their place of retreat being discovered, several Tories followed them; -and, though obliged to swim, yet so intent were they upon the work of -death, that they succeeded in taking their guns with them. Arriving upon -the island, they deliberately wiped their gun-locks, recharged their -pieces, and commenced searching for the fugitives. Two of these were -concealed in sight of each other, but one of them escaped. But it was -nevertheless his lot to behold a scene painful enough to make the most -hardened offender weep, and "blush to own himself a man." One of the -pursuers came upon his companion in partial concealment, who proved to be -his own brother. His salutation was--"So, it is you, is it?" The unarmed -and defenceless man, thus observed, came forward, and fell upon his knees -before his brother, begging for mercy--promising to live with him, and -serve him for ever, if he would but spare his life. "All this is mighty -fine," replied the unrelenting traitor, "but you are a d--d -rebel!"--saying which, he deliberately leveled his rifle, and shot him -dead upon the spot. [FN-2] In a domestic war marked by such atrocity, even -among those claiming to be civilized, it becomes us to pause before we -brand the untutored savage, who fights according to the usages of his own -people, with _all_ that is revolting and cruel. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Chapman. - - [FN-2] Chapman's Hist. of Wyoming. - - [FN-3] Doctor Thatcher, in his Military Journal, records still greater - barbarities as having been perpetrated on this bloody occasion. He - says--"One of the prisoners a Captain Badlock, was committed to torture, - by having his body stuck full of splinters of pine knots, and a fire of - dry wood made around him, when his two companions, Captains Ransom and - Durkee, where thrown into the same fire, and held down with pitchforks - till consumed. One Partial Terry, the son of a man of respectable - character, having joined the Indian party, several times sent his father - word that he hoped _to wash his hands in his heart's blood._ The monster - _with his own hands murdered his father, mother, brothers, and sisters, - stripped off their scalps, and cut off his father's head!!_ Thomas Terry - _with his own hands butchered his own mother, his father-in-law, his - sisters and their infant children, and exterminated the whole family!!_" - Upon which the worthy Doctor remarks--"It is only in the infernal regions - that we can look for a parallel instance of unnatural wickedness." It is - doubtful whether so great an atrocity was ever committed even there. - Certainly no such were perpetrated at Wyoming. Dr. Thatcher also states, - that when Col. Z. Butler sent a flag to propose terms of capitulation, - the reply of Col. John Butler was in two words--"_The Hatchet._" He also - remarks, in regard to the moral and social condition of Wyoming, that but - for the dissensions produced by the war of the Revolution, "the - inhabitants of this secluded spot might have lived in the enjoyment of - all the happiness which results from harmony and the purest natural - affection." Witness the ten years of civil wars sketched in the preceding - pages. It was also reported that a man named Thomas Hill with his own - hands killed his own mother, his father-in-law, his sisters and their - families! And such is history! These monstrous exaggerations were the - reports of the battle first published at Poughkeepsie on the 20th of - July, as derived from the lips of the terrified fugitives who were - wending their way back to Connecticut, - - -There is still another important correction to be made, in reference to -every written history of this battle extant, not even excepting the last -revised edition of the Life of Washington by Chief Justice Marshall. This -correction regards the name, and the just fame, of Joseph Brant, whose -character has been blackened with all the infamy, both real and imaginary, -connected with this bloody expedition. Whether Captain Brant was at any -time in company with this expedition, is doubtful; but it is certain, in -the face of every historical authority, British and American, that so far -from being engaged in the battle, he was many miles distant at the time -of its occurrence. Such has been the uniform testimony of the British -officers engaged in that expedition, and such was always the word of -Thayendanegea himself. It will, moreover, be seen, toward the close of the -present work, that after the publication of Campbell's "Gertrude of -Wyoming," in which poem the Mohawk chieftain was denounced as "the Monster -Brant," his son repaired to England, and in a correspondence with the -poet, successfully vindicated his father's memory from the calumny. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Since the present chapter was written, and while the work was under - revision, the author has received a letter from Mr. Samuel C. Frey, of - Upper Canada, a son of the late Philip R. Frey, Esq. a loyalist of Tryon - County, who was an ensign in H. B. M.'s Eighth Regiment, and who, with - his regiment, was engaged in the campaign and battle of Wyoming. Philip - R. Frey, the ensign spoken of, died at Palatine, Montgomery (formerly - Tryon) County, in 1823. It was his uniform testimony that Brant was not - at Wyoming. Mr. Frey writes to the author, that there were no chiefs of - notoriety with the Indians on that expedition, and that the Indians - themselves were led from Detroit, by Captain Bird of the Eighth Regiment. - Bird had been engaged in a love affair at Detroit, but, being very ugly, - besides having a harelip, was unsuccessful. The affair getting wind, his - fellow-officers made themselves merry at his expense, and in order to - steep his griefs in forgetfulness, he obtained permission to lead an - expedition somewhere against the American frontier. Joining the Indians - placed under him, and a detachment of his regiment, to Butler's rangers, - they concerted the descent upon Wyoming. Ensign Frey stated that he was - ill-natured during the whole march, and acted with fool-hardiness at the - battle. He farther stated, according to the letter of his son, that the - American Colonel challenged them to a fair field-fight, which challenge - was accepted. "The next morning, at about 9 o'clock, the Americans poured - out of the fort about three hundred and forty in number--the Indians fell - back over a hill--the troops on both sides drew up in battle array and - soon commenced; after a few rounds fired, the American Colonel ordered - his drum-major to beat a charge, the drum-major mistook the order and - beat a retreat, the Americans became disordered immediately, and ran - helter-skelter; the moment the Indians saw them running, they poured - down upon them from their hiding places, so that no more than about forty - survived out of three hundred and forty." Rarely, indeed, does it happen - that history is more at fault in regard to facts than in the case of - Wyoming. The remark may be applied to nearly every writer who has - attempted to narrate the events connected with the invasion of Colonel - John Butler. Ramsay, and Gordon, and Marshall--nay, the British - historians themselves--have written gross exaggerations. Marshall, - however, in his revised edition, has made corrections, and explained how - and by whom he was led into error. My excellent friend, Charles Miner, - Esq. long a resident of Wyoming, a gentleman of letters and great - accuracy, furnished the biographer of Washington with a true narrative - of the transactions, which he made the basis of the summary account - contained in his revised edition. Other writers, of greater or less note, - have gravely recorded the same fictions, adding, it is to be feared, - enormities not even conveyed to them by tradition. The grossest of these - exaggerations are contained in Thatcher's Military Journal and Drake's - Book of the Indians. The account of the marching out of a large body of - Americans from one of the forts, to hold a parley, by agreement, and - then being drawn into an ambuscade and all put to death, is false; the - account of seventy Continental soldiers being butchered, after having - surrendered, is also totally untrue. No regular troops surrendered, and - all escaped who survived the battle of the 3d. Equally untrue was the - story of the burning of houses, barracks, and forts, filled with women - and children. - - -It is related in the unwritten history of this battle, that the celebrated -Catharine Montour was present, with her two sons; and that she ranged the -field of blood like a chafed tigress, stimulating the warriors of her -adopted race to the onslaught, even in the hottest of the fight. But from -the antecedent character of that remarkable woman, the story can hardly be -credited. She was a native of Canada, a half-breed, her father having been -one of the early French governors--probably Count Frontenac, as he must -have been in the government of that country at about the time of her -birth. During the wars between the Six Nations and the French and Hurons, -Catharine, when about ten years of age, was made a captive, taken into the -Seneca country, adopted and reared as one of their own children. When -arrived at a suitable age, she was married to one of the distinguished -chiefs of her tribe, who signalized himself in the wars of the Six Nations -against the Catawbas, then a great nation living south-westward of -Virginia. She had several children by this chieftain, who fell in battle -about the year 1730, after which she did not again marry. She is said to -have been a handsome woman when young, genteel, and of polite address, -notwithstanding her Indian associations. It was frequently her lot to -accompany the chiefs of the Six Nations to Philadelphia, and other places -in Pennsylvania, where treaties were holden; and from her character and -manners she was greatly caressed by the American ladies--particularly in -Philadelphia, where she was invited by the ladies of the best circles, -and entertained at their houses. Her residence was at the head of the -Seneca Lake. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Catharinestown--so named from her. This account of Catharine Montour - is chiefly drawn from Witham Marshe's Journal of a treaty with the Six - Nations, held at Lancaster in 1744--Vide Mass. Hist. Coll. In 1758 Sir - William Johnson had an Indian interpreter in his service, known as - "Captain Montour." One of Catharine's sons was called "Captain," and was - probably the same. Tradition, at Seneca Lake, holds that Catharine - Montour was killed by Sullivan's men in 1779. But it will hereafter be - seen that such was not the fact. - - -Some of the flying fugitives from Wyoming had not proceeded many miles -from their desolate homes, before they met a detachment of Continental -troops on their way to assist the Colony. It was now too late. But the -detachment, nevertheless, remained at Stroudsburg three or four weeks, by -which time Colonel Zebulon Butler had collected a force consisting of -straggling settlers and others, with whom, and the regular troops just -mentioned, he returned, and repossessed himself of Wyoming--the enemy -having retired shortly after the battle--Colonel John Butler to Niagara, -and the Indians to their homes; while Thayendanegea moved as he had -occasion, from his old haunts higher up the Susquehanna, at Oghkwaga and -Unadilla. - -Immediately on the reception of the disastrous tidings from Wyoming at the -Continental head-quarters, Colonel Hartley's regiment was ordered thither, -with instructions from Congress to remain on that frontier until the -crops were secured and the enemy should have retreated. He was joined by -several militia companies, and, among other officers, by Colonel Dennison, -who, in the capitulation of Wyoming, had stipulated not again to serve -against the King's troops. He accompanied Colonel Hartley in an expedition -against some of the Indian towns up the Susquehanna, in the direction of -Oghkwaga, several of which were destroyed. A few prisoners were also -taken. It appearing, however, that the enemy were gathering in too much -force for him to remain long within their territory, Colonel Hartley was -constrained to retreat. An attack was made upon his rear, but the -assailants were repulsed. Colonel Dennison doubtless felt himself -warranted in breaking the stipulations of Fort Wyoming, by the fact that -those stipulations were not strictly observed by the Tories and Indians. -But the enemy made no such allowance; and this expedition, or rather the -conduct of Colonel Dennison, was subsequently used as a pretext for some -of the incidents connected with the attack upon Cherry Valley. - -Colonel Zebulon Butler built another fort at Wyoming, which he continued -to occupy until the next year, when the command of that region devolved -upon General Sullivan. In the mean time the outskirts of the settlements -were frequently harassed by straggling parties of Tories and Indians, who -occasionally committed an assassination or carried off a few prisoners. -The Americans, in turn, despatched every Indian who fell in their way. In -March following, the fort was surrounded by a force of two hundred and -fifty Indians, and Tories disguised as such. They attacked the fortress, -but fled on the discharge of a single piece of artillery--burning whatever -buildings had either been re-erected or left standing at the former -invasion. The garrison was too weak to allow of a pursuit. A few weeks -afterward, as a company of Continental troops were approaching the fort, -under the command of Major Powell, they were fired upon by a party of -Indians in ambush, while passing along a single track through a difficult -swamp. In this attack, Captain Davis, Lieutenant Jones, and four privates, -were killed. The detachment formed for action with all possible despatch; -but the Indians fled after two or three discharges. Nor did they re-appear -afterward, in that immediate neighborhood, in any subsequent stage of the -revolutionary contest, although other sections of the Pennsylvania -frontier, farther south and west, suffered occasionally from their -depredations, particularly in the following year, while Sullivan was -preparing to advance into the Seneca country. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Thus ends the revolutionary history of Wyoming. But from what has - been given in the preceding pages, touching the history of this valley - and its feuds before the Revolution, the reader may possibly feel some - desire to learn the subsequent progress of the long-pending land quarrel. - After the Indians had been chastised, the settlers returned, and the - valley and its precincts once more began to flourish. Pennsylvania again - interposed her claims; and a Commission was appointed by Congress, which - met in New Jersey, to hear the case and decide the question. It was - unanimously decided in favor of Pennsylvania. The people held that this - decision was one of jurisdiction merely, and with this understanding - cheerfully acquiesced in it. But fresh troubles arose. A company of - Continental troops was stationed there in 1783, to keep the peace, and - this only made matters worse--the soldiers became licentious and - overbearing, and the people were exceedingly annoyed thereat. In the - Spring of 1784, by a succession of ice-dams which accumulated in the - river, the valley was overflowed, and the inhabitants were compelled to - fly to the mountains for safety. When the ice gave way, the floods swept - off every thing--leaving the whole valley a scene of greater desolation - than ever. Presently afterward the old troubles broke out afresh. The - inhabitants refused to obey their new masters. The Connecticut settlers - flew to arms--the Pennsylvanians sent troops thither--the Connecticut - settlers laid siege to the fort--there were riots and skirmishings, and - some killed and wounded. The Connecticut people were taken prisoners by - treachery, and sent off to prison. They escaped. Reinforcements of troops - were sent by Pennsylvania--there was more blood shed. Various attempts - were made to settle the difficulties. Commissioners were appointed upon - the subject, one of whom was Timothy Pickering. He was forcibly seized, - and carried into captivity. His story has been written by himself, and - is full of interest. These difficulties continued, with feelings of the - bitterest contention, ten years, before matters were compromised between - the parties, so that they settled down in peace. It is now a rich and - flourishing county, and may be called the Paradise of Pennsylvania. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - - - Evacuation of Philadelphia by Sir Henry Clinton--Followed through New - Jersey by Washington--Battle of Monmouth--Conduct and arrest of General - Lee--Retreat of the enemy--Arrival of the French fleet--Combined attack - of the Americans and French upon the British army of Rhode - Island--British fleet escapes from Count D'Estaing--Battle of Rhode - Island--Failure of the expedition--Projected campaigns against the - Indians--Captains Pipe and White-Eyes--McKee and Girty--General McIntosh - ordered against the Sandusky towns--Irruption of Brant into - Cobleskill--Of McDonald into the Schoharie settlements--Pusillanimity - of Colonel Vrooman--Bravery of Colonel Harper--His expedition to - Albany--Captivity of Mr. Sawyer--Slays six Indians and escapes--Colonel - William Butler sent to Schoharie--Morgan's rifle corps--Daring - adventures of Murphy and Elerson--Death of Service, a noted - Tory--Murphy's subsequent adventures--Affairs at Fort Schuyler--Alarming - number of desertions--Destruction of Andros-town by the - Indians--Conflagration of the German Flats--Expedition of Colonel - William Butler from Schoharie to Unadilla and Oghkwaga. - -No sooner had Great Britain been apprized of the alliance between France -and her revolted Colonies, than it was determined to evacuate -Philadelphia, and concentrate the Royal army at New-York. Accordingly, on -the 18th of June the British troops crossed the Delaware into New Jersey, -and commenced their march for New-York, ascending the east bank of the -river to Allentown, and thence taking the lower road leading through -Monmouth to Sandy Hook, General Washington, anticipating this movement, -had previously detached a division of the army under General Maxwell, to -impede the enemy's march. It was known that General Gates was approaching -with the army from the North, and the enemy's motions were no sooner -ascertained, than General Wayne was despatched, with one thousand chosen -men, to strengthen the lines. The Marquis de Lafayette was directed to -take command of the whole force thus sent in advance, while Washington -himself moved rapidly forward with the main army. It was his design to -bring on a general, and, if possible, a decisive engagement. The result -of his movements for that object was the battle of Monmouth, fought on -the 28th of June. The dispositions for this engagement were admirably -arranged on the night of the 27th, the position of the enemy being such -as to afford the best advantages for an attack upon his rear the moment -he should get in motion. Such being the intentions of the -Commander-in-chief, they were communicated to General Lee, who was ordered -to make his dispositions accordingly, and to keep his troops lying upon -their arms to be in readiness at the shortest notice. At five in the -morning of the 28th, the front of the enemy was observed to be in motion, -and orders were instantly despatched to General Lee to move on and attack, -"unless there should be very powerful reasons to the contrary." Lee was -also advised that Washington was himself advancing to support him. After -marching about five miles, "to the great surprise and mortification" of -the Commander-in-chief, he met the whole advanced corps retreating, by the -orders of Lee, "without having made any opposition, except one fire given -by a party under Colonel Butler, on their being charged by the enemy's -cavalry, who were repulsed." [FN-1] Lee was sharply rebuked, and placed in -arrest. Hurrying to the rear of the retreating corps, which the -Commander-in-chief found closely pressed by the enemy, he arrested their -flight, re-formed them, and with the aid of some well-served pieces of -artillery, at once checked the enemy's advance, and gained time for making -such dispositions as the unexpected emergency required. The battle soon -became general, and was obstinately contested at various points through -the whole day, until dark; Sir Henry Clinton and General Washington -heading their respective armies in person. By the misconduct of Lee, -however, and an error of General Scott in the morning, advantages had been -lost which entirely disconcerted the views of the Commander-in-chief, and -deprived the American arms of a victory which was all but certain. Still, -the fortunes of the day were so far recovered, that, from being the -pursued, "the Americans drove the enemy back over the ground they had -followed, and recovered the field of battle, and possessed themselves of -their dead. But as they retreated behind a morass very difficult to pass, -and had both flanks secured with thick woods, it was found impracticable -for the Americans, fainting with fatigue, heat, and want of water, to do -any thing more that night." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, July 1, 1778. - - [FN-2] Letter of Washington to his brother, John Augustine Washington, - July 4, 1778. - - -Both armies encamped in the field, and lay upon their arms; Washington -himself sleeping in his cloak under a tree in the midst of his soldiers. -His intention was to renew and end the battle on the following morning, -not doubting as to the issue. Indeed, the result of that day's fight was -justly considered a victory by the American officers, and but for the -conduct of Lee in the morning, it would almost beyond question have been -decisive. [FN-1] But the purpose of the Commander-in-chief to renew the -engagement was frustrated by a silent midnight retreat of the enemy--so -silent, indeed, that his departure was not known until the morning. [FN-2] -A variety of circumstances concurred to render a pursuit by the Americans -unadvisable; among the principal of which were, the extreme heat of the -weather, the fatigue of the army from its march through a deep sandy -country, almost entirely destitute of water, and the distance the enemy -had gained by his midnight march. A pursuit, it was believed, would answer -no valuable purpose, and would certainly be fatal to numbers of the men, -several of whom had perished of heat on the preceding day. [FN-3] The -American commander thereupon drew off his army to the Hudson, crossed -over, and once more established his head-quarters at White Plains. -Meantime Sir Henry Clinton proceeded to Sandy Hook, and thence passed his -troops over to New-York. The loss of the Americans in this battle was -eight officers and sixty-one privates killed, and one hundred and sixty -wounded. That of the enemy was three hundred and sixty-eight in killed, -wounded, and missing, and about one hundred taken prisoners. One thousand -of their men deserted on their march. Both parties claimed the victory, -which was in fact won by neither. The advantages, in the earlier part of -the day, were in favor of the British; in the after-part, of the -Americans. The stealthy retreat of the former, moreover, covered by the -darkness, left no doubt as to which army was best prepared to renew the -conflict with the return of daylight. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] In a letter to General Gansevoort from Colonel Willett, who was - on a visit to head-quarters at the time of the battle of Monmouth, the - Colonel says:--"I have had the pleasure of seeing the American army, - under the great General Washington, triumph over the haughty British in - the battle of Monmouth. The action was grand, and ended - gloriously."--_MS. letter of Col. Willett._ - - [FN-2] In his despatches to his government, Sir Henry Clinton stated - that he took the advantage of the moonlight in his retreat; when, in - reality, he did not begin the retreat until some hours after the moon - had set. In the course of a correspondence in the following Spring, - between Governor William Livingston and Sir Henry, the Governor taunted - him upon this subject of his moonlight retreat. That correspondence was - sharp upon both sides. Governor Livingston wrote to Sir Henry that he - had received indisputable evidence, that a British General had offered - a large sum of money to an inhabitant of New Jersey to assassinate him, - (Governor L.) Sir Henry repelled the imputation in strong - terms--declaring that were he "capable of harboring such an infamous - idea as that of assassination, he would not blacken himself with so foul - a crime to obtain so trifling an end." Clinton was evidently irritated, - and from the coarseness of his language, gave Governor Livingston the - decided advantage in his rejoinder, which was equally dignified and - severe.--_Vide Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vi. pp._ 279, 281. - - [FN-3] Letter of Washington to the President of Congress. - - -The French fleet, under the Count D'Estaing, consisting of twelve ships -of the line and six frigates, having on board four thousand troops, -arrived on the coast of Virginia about the 1st of July. The design of the -French commander was to engage the British squadron in the Chesapeake. -But unfortunately, the latter had sailed for New-York a few days before. -Thither the Count followed the British admiral, but the bar of the -New-York harbor would not allow the entrance of his heavy ships. An attack -upon New-York thus proving to be impracticable, by the advice of General -Washington it was determined to make an attempt upon Rhode Island, then -occupied by six thousand British troops commanded by Major General Sir -Robert Pigott. General Sullivan, with an army of ten thousand men, was -lying in the neighborhood of Providence, Count D'Estaing arrived off -Newport on the 25th of July, and arrangements were soon adjusted between -General Sullivan and himself for a combined attack upon the town of -Newport by land and sea. The assault was to be made on the 9th of August, -for which purpose Sullivan moved down to Tiverton, where he was joined by -General Greene, and the ships of war entered the channel. But the militia -not having joined the regular troops so promptly as was expected, General -Sullivan judged it necessary to postpone the attack for a day or two. -Meantime Lord Howe appeared off the harbor with the British fleet, and -the Count D'Estaing immediately put to sea to engage him. The French fleet -having the weather gage, the British admiral weighed anchor and put to -sea, followed by the Count. A storm separated the fleets, so that no -engagement took place; and on his return to port on the 19th, Count -D'Estaing found it necessary to repair to Boston to refit. During the -absence of the Count, however, while in chase of Lord Howe, General -Sullivan had crossed over to the island, and on the 15th laid siege to -the town of Newport. But when the French admiral departed for Boston, the -militia, disappointed and disheartened at being thus abandoned by their -allies, left the service in such numbers, that Sullivan was compelled to -raise the siege and retire. He was pursued to the distance of a mile north -of Quaker Hill, where, on the 29th of August, was fought the battle of -Rhode Island. It was a sharp and obstinate engagement of half an hour, at -the end of which the enemy gave way and retreated. The loss of the -Americans was two hundred and eleven. That of the enemy two hundred and -sixty. [FN] Ascertaining, soon afterward, that strong reinforcements were -coming from New-York to the aid of General Pigott, a resolution was -immediately adopted by Sullivan to evacuate the island. This determination -was executed on the night of the 30th--most luckily, as the event proved; -for on the very next day Sir Henry Clinton arrived at Newport with four -thousand troops, which reinforcement would doubtless have enabled the -enemy to cut off the retreat of the Americans. - - * * * * * - - [FN] One of the most brilliant affairs during this expedition was - performed by Colonel John Trumbull, who was acting as a volunteer under - Sullivan at the time--as will be seen by the Colonel's memoirs when - published. - - -In September, after the return of the British troops to New-York, strong -divisions moved northward on each side of the Hudson river. By a -detachment of one of these, under General Gray, a regiment of American -cavalry, commanded by Colonel Baylor, was surprised while asleep at -Tappan, and almost entirely cut off. The enemy rushed upon the sleeping -troopers, numbering one hundred and four privates with their bayonets. -The loss, killed, wounded, and taken, was sixty-four. This exploit was -very similar to that of the Paoli, under the same General, the preceding -year. - -In consequence of the hostile spirit very generally and extensively -manifested by the Indians--the great western tribes becoming more and -more restive--early in June, immediately preceding the affair of Wyoming, -Congress had determined upon a more enlarged and decisive campaign against -them. This had, indeed, become the more necessary from the belligerent -indications among the Delawares and Shawanese, inhabiting the territory -now forming the State of Ohio. At the commencement of the war -_Koquethagaeehlon,_ the Delaware chief usually known as Captain -_White-Eyes,_ a firm friend of the Colonies, had succeeded in preventing -his people from taking up the hatchet against them, in opposition to the -views of his rival chief, Captain _Pipe._ But in the Spring of the present -year, the policy of the latter had well nigh prevailed, through the -revengeful machinations of three celebrated loyalists, named _McKee, -Elliot,_ and _Simon Girty,_ who had been confined at Pittsburgh as Tories; -but who, effecting their escape, traversed the Indian country to Detroit, -proclaiming, as they went, that the Americans had resolved upon their -destruction, and that their only chance of safety was to espouse the -cause of the Crown, and fight. Availing himself of the excitement created -by those fugitives, [FN-1] Captain Pipe assembled a large number of his -warriors, and proclaimed "every one an enemy to his country who should -endeavor to persuade them against fighting the Americans, and declared -that all such ought surely to be put to death." But White-Eyes was by no -means inactive in his efforts to preserve peace. Collecting the people of -his tribe, he addressed them with great earnestness and pathos. Observing -that some of his warriors were preparing to take up the hatchet, he -admonished them strongly against such a course, which, in the end, could -only bring upon them sure destruction. Still, if they believed he was -wrong--if they were disposed to place more confidence in the tales of -those whom he knew to be fugitives, than to himself, they should not go -out without him. "But he would not go out with them like the bear-hunter, -who sets the dogs on the animal to be beaten about with his paws while he -keeps at a safe distance. No! He would lead them on, place himself in -their front, and be the first who should fall. They only had to determine -what they meant to do. As for his own mind, it was fully made up not to -survive his nation. And he would not spend the remainder of a miserable -life, in bewailing the total destruction of a brave people who deserved -a better fate." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The names of these men will be of frequent recurrence in the - subsequent volume of this work, in connexion with the Indian wars of - 1789--1794. - - [FN-2] Drake's Book of the Indians. - - -The counsel of White-Eyes, supported by a conciliatory message, which was -received just in good time, from the Americans, prevailed for the moment, -and the Delawares came to the unanimous determination to follow his -advice, and his alone. Availing himself of the hour of success, -White-Eyes forthwith despatched the following energetic letter to the -Shawanese of the Scioto, who had also been visited by McKee, Elliot, and -Girty. - -"Grand-children, ye Shawanese: Some days ago a flock of birds, that had -come on from the East, lit at Goschochking, imposing a song of theirs -upon us, which song had nigh proved our ruin. Should these birds, which, -on leaving us, took their flight toward Scioto, endeavor to impose a song -on you likewise, do not listen to them, for they lie." - -But the hostile action of these people was only suspended for a short -time, and it became necessary for more extended and efficient operations -against nearly the whole race. [FN-1] In the project of Congress already -adverted to, it was intended that one expedition should move upon Detroit, -while General Gates was instructed by resolution to co-operate with that -expedition by carrying the war into the Seneca country, and also to -dispossess the enemy of Oswego, should he be found in the occupancy of -that post. It appears, that at the very moment of the invasion of Wyoming, -there was a delegation of Seneca chiefs at Philadelphia; but having taken -their departure without communicating with the government, a resolution -was passed by Congress, immediately upon the receipt of Colonel Z. -Butler's despatches, instructing the Board of War to send after the -chiefs, and ascertain from them in what character, and for what purposes, -they had made the said visit; and also to inquire whether the Seneca -warriors had not been engaged in hostilities against the United States. -On the 16th of July information was received that the chiefs refused to -return, and instructions to General Schuyler were proposed, directing him -to intercept and detain them at Albany. The motion was negatived; but on -the 25th of July, Congress having ascertained that the Senecas were -actually engaged in the invasion of Wyoming, "aided by Tories and other -banditti from the frontiers of New-York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania," -it was resolved that the expedition against the hostiles of the Six -Nations should be forwarded with all possible despatch. In the mean time, -however, from the expensiveness of the undertaking, the expedition against -Detroit was reluctantly abandoned; but in lieu thereof, General McIntosh, -commanding the Western department, was ordered to proceed from Pittsburgh -against those of the Indian towns the destruction of which, in his -opinion, would tend most effectually to intimidate and chastise them. -[FN-2] McIntosh had been stationed at Pittsburgh early in the Spring, and -with a small party of regulars and militia, had descended the Ohio about -thirty miles, and erected a fort, which was called by his own name, at -Beavertown. It was a small work, built of strong stockades, and furnished -with bastions mounting one six pounder each. The situation was well -chosen, as a point affording the best facilities for intercepting the war -parties of the western Indians, in their frequent hostile incursions the -present year. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Indeed, the Shawanese had not been remarkably quiet antecedent to - the visitation of McKee, Elliot, and Girty, since they had for several - years been engaged in a system of predatory warfare against the - celebrated Colonel Daniel Boon and his adventurous companions, almost - from the day they made their appearance upon the banks of the Ohio, with - their families, in 1773, when the settlement of the present Slate of - Kentucky was commenced. Boon had been engaged with Lord Dunmore in his - war against the Shawanese in 1774. In the following year he was attacked - in Boonsborough, his principal settlement; and through the entire years - of 1776 and 1777, hostilities were actively prosecuted by the savages - against the advancing Colonists. In one of the earlier battles Boon had - lost a son. A second son fell afterward, and his daughter was taken a - captive, but bravely rescued by the chivalrous father. In April, 1777, - the Indians so divided their forces as to fall upon all the infant - settlements at once, and their little forts only saved the people from - destruction. On the 15th of April, Boonsborough was attacked by one - hundred Indians, at which time the inhabitants suffered severely. On the - 19th, Colonel Logan's fort was attacked by a force of two hundred - Indians, but they were repulsed by the garrison, consisting of only - thirteen men--two of whom were killed. Reinforcements arriving from - Virginia, the skirmishes became almost daily. In February of the present - year, (1778) Boonsborough was again attacked, and the gallant Colonel - himself taken prisoner. He was taken first to Chilicothe, and thence to - Detroit, where he was treated with humanity by Colonel Hamilton, the - Governor, who offered the Indians 100 pounds if they would surrender him - into his hands, that he might liberate him on his parole. But having - imbibed a strong affection for their most subtle and successful enemy, - the Indians declined the offer. Taking him back to Chilicothe, the - Colonel was duly adopted into one of the Shawanese families as a son, - to whom his new parents became strongly attached. He soon acquired their - confidence to such an extent, that they allowed him to wander off, and - hunt by himself. Ascertaining, however, that they were meditating another - descent upon Boonsborough, he absconded, and, eluding pursuit, reached - his home on the 20th of June. - - [FN-2] Journals of Congress, vol. iv. pages, 343, 398, 415, 427. - - -This expedition was doubtless judged the more important from the -increasing audacity of the Indians on the Ohio border of Virginia, now -forming the State of Kentucky. In August, Colonel Boon had led a small -band of nineteen men against one of the Indian towns on the Scioto, -before reaching which he fell in with and dispersed a party of forty -Indians then on their way to Boonsborough. The Colonel found the town at -Point Creek deserted; and learned that their whole force had gone against -his own settlement, to the defence of which he was consequently compelled -to hasten back. Fortunately he anticipated their arrival by a few hours, -and was enabled to prepare his little garrison for defence. On the 8th of -August the Indians, to the number of about four hundred and fifty, -arrived before the fort, led, in addition to their own chiefs, by Captain -Duquesne, and eleven other Canadian Frenchmen, The garrison was formally -summoned to surrender, which summons was peremptorily refused. A treaty -was then proposed by the besiegers, and acceded to; the Indians requiring -that nine men should be sent out to them as negotiators. But this movement -proved to be an artifice, by means of which they hoped to gain access to -the fort. An attempt to grapple with and carry off the nine negotiators, -though happily unsuccessful, disclosed their treacherous design. The -besiegers then attempted a regular approach from the river's brink by -mining; but finding that the garrison had discovered their purpose, and -were engaged in countermining them, the siege was abandoned on the 20th -of August. The loss of the enemy was thirty-seven killed and a much larger -number wounded. The loss of the garrison was only two men killed and four -wounded. - -But, as we have seen, the expedition of General McIntosh, as authorized by -the vote of Congress recently cited, was specially destined against the -Sandusky towns. It was commanded by the General himself, and consisted of -one thousand men; but such were the delays in getting it on foot, that -the officers, on arriving at Tuscarawa, judged it imprudent to proceed -farther at such an advanced season of the year. They therefore halted at -that place, and built Fort Laurens, in which McIntosh left a garrison of -one hundred and fifty men under the command of Colonel John Gibson, and -returned himself to Fort Pitt for the winter. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Doddridge's Indian Wars. - - -Connected with these distant Indian operations, of the Summer of 1778, -was one equally distinguished by the boldness of its conception and the -brilliancy of its execution. The increasing hostility of the remote tribes -upon the waters of the Mississippi and its tributaries, had induced a -belief that a powerful influence must have been exerted upon their minds -by the settlements planted long before at Kaskaskias, and in the country -of the upper Mississippi, by the French, in connexion with Canada. For -the purpose of striking at once at the root of the evil, an expedition -was organized early in the season, the object of which was to invade and -take possession of those settlements. The command was entrusted to Colonel -George Rogers Clarke, of Virginia, a bold and experienced border officer, -and his whole force, destined to penetrate twelve hundred miles through -a wilderness, which was in fact the enemy's country, did not exceed two -hundred men. The rendezvous of this little army was at the great Kanhawa, -where they were attacked by a superior Indian force before their -embarkation. But finding they were not able to make any impression upon -the fort, the assailants drew off, having killed but one man and wounded -one or two more. Descending to the falls of the Ohio, a small fort was -erected at that place, in which a garrison was left of ten or twelve -families. Arriving within about sixty miles of the mouth of the Ohio, the -troops were landed, and, with only four days' provisions, marched for the -Illinois. They reached the precincts of Kaskaskias at midnight on the -sixth day, having marched two days without food, and determined forthwith, -and unanimously, to take the town or die in the attempt. The town was -strongly fortified, and contained about two hundred and fifty well-built -houses; but the approach of the invaders was unknown; the people and the -garrison were alike slumbering in security; and both town and fort were -taken--the latter being carried by surprise, although the defences were -sufficiently strong to resist a thousand men. The commanding officer, -Philip Rocheblave, was made prisoner; and among his papers, falling into -the hands of Colonel Clarke, were the instructions which he had from time -to time received from the British Governors of Quebec, Detroit, and -Michilimackinack, urging him to stimulate the Indians to war by the -proffer of large bounties for scalps. Rocheblave was sent a prisoner to -Williamsburgh in Virginia, and with him were sent the papers taken from -his portfolio. - -On the day after the fall of Kaskaskias, Captain Joseph Bowman, at the -head of thirty mounted men, was sent to attack three other towns upon the -Mississippi, the first of which, called Parraderuski, distant fifteen -miles from Kaskaskias, was surprised, and taken without opposition--the -inhabitants at once assenting to the terms of the conqueror. The next town -was St. Philips, distant nine miles farther up. The force of Captain -Bowman was so small, that he wisely determined to make a descent upon St. -Philips in the night, that his strength, or rather his weakness, might be -concealed. The precaution ensured success; and the inhabitants, with whom -the whole negotiation was conducted in the night, acceded to the terms -prescribed. From St. Philips, Captain Bowman directed his course upon the -yet more considerable town of Cauhow, distant between forty and fifty -miles. This town contained about one hundred families, and was also -approached secretly, and entered in the night. Captain Bowman, with his -troop, rode directly to the quarters of the commander, and demanded the -surrender of himself and the whole town, which was immediately complied -with. Taking possession of a large stone house, well fortified, the "bold -dragoon" immediately established his quarters therein, and awaited the -morning's dawn, which would disclose to the people the diminutive force -to which they had surrendered. Enraged at the discovery, one of the enemy -threatened to bring a body of one hundred and fifty Indians against the -little American squadron, and cut them off. But he was secured, and in -the course of ten days upward of three hundred of the inhabitants became -so reconciled to their change of masters, as to take the oath of -allegiance to the United States. Leaving a small guard at Cauhow, Captain -Bowman returned to Kaskaskias. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The facts connected with this expedition of Colonel Clarke, are - drawn from a letter of Captain Bowman to Colonel John Hite of Virginia. - See Almon's American Remembrancer, vol. vi. pp. 82, 83. The settlements - thus taken were immediately erected by Virginia into a county, called - Illinois. - - -But the enemy on the New-York frontiers were by no means inactive. In -addition to the severe affair in the Cobleskill settlement, in which -Captain Christian Brown was the leader of the American militia and a small -band of regulars, as noted in the last preceding chapter but one, a large -band of Indians and Tories, under the conduct of Brant and Barent Frey, -broke into the same district at the close of May, and inflicted no small -degree of damage by the destruction of both life and property. They were -met by Captain Patrick, belonging to Colonel Alden's regiment, and a -handful of troops, who were entirely cut to pieces. Captain Patrick fell -early in the engagement. His lieutenant, a corporal, and nineteen men, -were also killed. The command then devolved upon a sergeant, who fought -bravely, as all had done. But they were surrounded by a force greatly -superior in numbers, and but four men, exclusive of the sergeant, -escaped--all wounded. The bodies of Patrick and his lieutenant were -shockingly mutilated. A portion of the settlement was burnt, and the -settlement of Turlock, in the same vicinity, was also ravaged. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The only account of this affair which the author has discovered, - was found accidentally among the papers of General Gansevoort, after the - fourteenth chapter had been printed. It is contained in a letter from - Colonel Richard Varick to Colonel Gansevoort, dated Schenectady, June 3, - 1778, which states that the invasion took place on the preceding - Saturday. Had this letter been sooner discovered, the incident would - have been inserted in more exact chronological order--since the affair - in which Captain Brown was the American commander, occurred, as related - in the fourteenth chapter, from Brown's narrative, more than a month - afterward. - - -Nor was this all. In the course of the Summer, and probably at about the -time of Colonel Hartley's expedition into the country above Wyoming, one -of the McDonalds, who had fled from Johnstown, a loyalist officer, -distinguished for his activity, made a sudden irruption into the Schoharie -settlements, at the head of about three hundred Tories and Indians, -burning houses, and killing and making prisoners such of the inhabitants -as came in his way, and were not able to make their escape. The little -fortress of Schoharie was occupied by a small garrison, commanded by -Colonel Vrooman--one of that class of men who, though officers, are -certain never to be called soldiers. They saw the ravages of the -enemy--the conflagrations by night rendering visible the acts of outrage -committed by day--but from their own weakness dared not to venture forth, -or make a show of opposition. The brave Colonel Harper was in the fort -with Vrooman, and was little satisfied with the course of that officer. -Leaving the fort, therefore, himself, he succeeded in making his way -through the enemy, mounted his horse, and started express for Albany. His -movement was discovered, and several Tories and Indians were despatched -in pursuit. They overtook him in the night at an inn at Fox's Creek, after -he had retired to bed. Hearing the noise below, the Colonel sprang up in -full panoply, and as they broke open the door which he had locked, he -presented his arms with such earnestness, that they recoiled. Standing -upon the watch until the dawn of morning, he again succeeded in getting -to horse, and rode off. One of the Indians followed him almost to -Albany--the Colonel being obliged frequently to turn upon his dusky -pursuer, who as often took to his heels as his pursuit was discovered. -Having communicated the situation of affairs in the Schoharie valley to -Colonel Gansevoort, a squadron of cavalry was forthwith detached to their -assistance. The detachment rode all night, and early on the following -morning, to the great joy of the terrified inhabitants who remained, the -tramp of hoofs announced the approach of succors. The spirited -light-horse-men had no sooner sounded a charge and made a dash upon the -besiegers, led on by Harper, than the troops sallied out from the fort, -and a precipitate retreat of the enemy was the consequence. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Rev. Mr. Fenn, of Harpersfield. - - -The people of Schoharie had suffered severely from the scouts and scalping -parties of the enemy during the Summer; but their bravery in individual -contests had amply avenged their wrongs. On one occasion a party of seven -Indians made prisoner of a Mr. Sawyer, whom they bound, and marched off -into the wilderness. Having proceeded eight or ten miles, they laid -themselves down to sleep for the night. But their prisoner had been less -effectually secured than they supposed. In the course of the night he -succeeded in disengaging his hands, and cautiously taking a hatchet from -the girdle of one of the Indians, he despatched six of them in rapid -succession, and wounded the seventh, who made his escape. Having thus -relieved himself of his keepers, Sawyer returned home in safety, and at -his leisure. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Campbell's Annals. - - -Soon after the battle of Monmouth, Lieutenant Colonel William Butler, -with one of the Pennsylvania regiments and a detachment of Morgan's -riflemen, was ordered to the North, and stationed at Schoharie. Butler -was a brave and experienced officer, especially qualified for the service -upon which he was appointed. [FN] His arrival in Schoharie had a salutary -effect, by discouraging the disaffected, and by the presence of a stronger -force than had yet been among them, establishing the confidence and -reviving the spirits of the people. Several of his scouting parties also -returned with good success. Attached to the rifle corps, under Captain -Long, were several bold spirits, who signalized themselves so greatly in -the partisan warfare in which they were engaged, that many of their -exploits are freshly remembered among the inhabitants of Schoharie to -this day. Of this number were David Elerson, and a Virginian named Murphy. -The first expedition of Captain Long was directed to the valley of the -Charlotte river--one of the upper tributaries of the Susquehanna, flowing -from the mountains south of Schoharie. The object was to arrest and bring -to the fort a conspicuous Tory living upon that stream, named Service. -His house being a point of rendezvous and supply for the Tory and Indian -scouts, it was desirable that it should be broken up. While on his way -to the place of destination, it was the good fortune of Captain Long to -intercept a company of Tories, enlisted for the King's service, in the -neighborhood of Catskill, by a Captain Smith, who were then on their way -to join Sir John Johnson at Niagara. Smith was killed by the simultaneous -shots of Elerson and his Captain--they being a few rods in advance at the -moment when the Tory leader emerged at the head of his men from a thicket. -His followers fled in every direction. They had intended to lodge that -night with Service; but that unfortunate man had guests of quite another -character. While unapprised of danger, his house was surrounded by the -troops of Long, when in an instant Murphy and Elerson rushed in, and made -him a prisoner. Having been informed that he must accompany them to -Schoharie, on leaving his house he seized an axe standing by the door, -which he poised, and directed for a blow at the head of Murphy. The -latter was too quick-sighted to receive it; but as he sprang aside to -avoid the descending weapon, Service fell dead from the rifle of Elerson. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Washington to General Stark. - - -After his term of enlistment had expired. Murphy remained in Schoharie, -and made war on his own account. He was as remarkable for his fleetness, -as for his courage and great precision in firing. He used a -double-barreled rifle; and the fact of his frequently firing twice in -succession, without stopping to load, and always bringing down his man, -rendered him a terror to the Indians. Not knowing the peculiar -construction of his rifle, they were impressed with the belief that it was -a charmed weapon, and supposed he could continue firing as long and as -often as he pleased without loading at all. He fought the savages after -their own fashion--was more than their equal in stratagem or with his -heels--and the greater the apparent danger he was encountering, the -greater was his delight. When he had opportunity, he took pattern of the -Indians in scalping those who fell by his unerring aim; and it was said -that he killed forty of their warriors with his own hands. - -Colonel Gansevoort yet remained in the command of Fort Schuyler, and was -continued there during nearly the whole year, although, wearied by -inaction, Willett, and others of his officers, made a strong and formal -effort to be relieved, that their regiment might have an opportunity to -distinguish themselves in the field with the main army. At Fort Schuyler -they could have little else to do than observe the motions of the enemy -on the lakes and the St. Lawrence, and to watch, and occasionally cut off, -a hostile party when venturing too near the garrison. But from the -correspondence of the officers, it would appear that the troops of the -garrison must have been the severest sufferers from this petty mode of -warfare, since the enemy seemed ever to be hovering in the precincts, -ready to bring down or carry into captivity such straggling soldiers as -ventured beyond musket-shot from the fort. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] As an example of these individual murders, the following passage is - copied from a MS. letter from Major Robert Cochran to Colonel Gansevoort, - dated Sept. 8, 1778. During the occasional absences of Colonel - Gansevoort, Major Cochran was in command of the post:--"This morning, - Benjamin Acker, of Captain De Witt's company, who was out in the meadow, - was killed and scalped by a party of Indians, who were seen and fired at - by the sentinel near Brodack's house. I heard the firing in my room, and - ran to the officer of the guard to know what was the matter. I was - informed that a party of Indians had fired upon one of our men who had - gone to catch a horse, and that he had either been killed or taken - prisoner. I ordered Captain Bleecker to go out immediately, with the - guard just parading, to see if he could find him dead or alive. They - found Acker lying dead. He was scalped, and a weapon about two feet and - a half long, like this,"--[here Major Cochran gave a drawing of the - instrument--a war club, with a blade like the spear of a lance inserted - in the side, near the upper end of it,]--"lying near him. This lance-head - had been stuck several times in his body. It is supposed to have been - left behind on purpose, as there were several marks on it, denoting the - number of persons killed and scalps taken by the means of it."--[Captain - Bleecker mentioned in the foregoing extract, is the venerable Leonard - Bleecker, yet living at Sing Sing. He was a very active and efficient - officer at Fort Schuyler for a long time.] - - -Early in July, Lieutenant McClellan, an active and efficient officer, was -sent with a small party to destroy the buildings and public works at -Oswego, which it was ascertained were not at that moment in the occupation -of the enemy. The object of the expedition was accomplished and the -buildings where burnt to the ground, together with a quantity of -ammunition, provisions, and other public stores. It seems unaccountable -that this post should have been left thus wholly unprotected; the only -occupants found by the American party being a woman and her children, and -a lad fourteen years old. The woman and her family, together with her -furniture and a suitable supply of provisions, were placed in an -out-building, and left without farther molestation. The boy was brought -off as a prisoner, and furnished some important information touching the -movements of the enemy between their island rendezvous in the St. -Lawrence, and Niagara. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. draft of a letter from Colonel Gansevoort to General Stark, - July 10, 1778. - - -But Colonel Gansevoort had some serious troubles to encounter within the -garrison, and some painful duties to execute. Notwithstanding the high -character which the forces constituting the garrison had acquired, and -the sound patriotism of his officers, the spirit of disaffection appeared -among them in the Spring, and the early part of the Summer, to an alarming -extent. Distant as was the post of Fort Schuyler from New-York, Sir Henry -Clinton had succeeded in the introduction of an emissary within the fort, -in the character of a recruit. His name was Samuel Geake. He was an -American soldier, and had been corrupted while a prisoner in New-York, -whence he was sent forth, in company with Major Hammell, also an American -prisoner, whose virtue yielded to the all-subduing power of gold. [FN-1] -Geake accompanied Hammell to Poughkeepsie, where, in furtherance of his -iniquitous designs, he enlisted in Captain Abraham Swartwout's company, -[FN-2] and was transferred to Fort Schuyler, to join Colonel Gansevoort's -regiment; into which place, for specific objects, he was instructed to -insinuate himself by an aide-de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton. After Hammell's -arrest, Colonel Varick wrote to Gansevoort, putting him on his guard as -to the character of Geake. A sergeant named Kartele was employed by -Colonel Gansevoort to ingratiate himself in Geake's confidence, and, if -possible, ascertain his true character, and penetrate his designs. The -commission was successfully executed by the sergeant, and the whole -circumstances of Hammell's employment by the enemy, and his own, were -elicited. Geake was thereupon arrested, but not until he had made great -progress in his designs, and was on the eve of desertion, for the purpose -of joining the British army in Philadelphia. He was tried by a -court-martial made a full confession, and, with his confederates, was -sentenced to death. [FN-3] The sentence was not carried into execution -against Geake, not only because the constitution of the court was -irregular, but because of the desire of the Commander-in-chief to spare -him as a witness against Hammell, as will presently appear. The following -documents will complete this section of the proceedings at Fort -Schuyler:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Hammell was Brigade-major to General James Clinton, and had been - taken by Sir Henry Clinton at the storming of Fort Montgomery. According - to Geake's confession, Hammell was employed in the commissary of - prisoners' department, by the British officers in New-York, before he - was sent out upon his mission of treason. General James Clinton, by the - way, was not taken at Fort Montgomery, as stated in the text account of - that affair. Though wounded, he escaped; although his-brother, the - Governor, supposed him to be a prisoner, when he wrote his official - account to the Committee of Safety. - - [FN-2] Captain Swartwout was with Gansevoort at the siege of Fort - Schuyler, and gave his cloth cloak to form the blue stripes of the flag - spoken of in the account of the siege, as being made up for the occasion. - - [FN-3] These facts have been gathered from the proceedings of the - court-martial, preserved among General Gansevoort's papers. The president - of the court was Captain Greece, who had been shot, tomahawked, and - scalped, the year before. According to Geake's confession, Hammell was - promised a Colonelcy of a new Irish regiment to be raised from deserters - from the American army, and such others as they could enlist. Geake was - to receive a commission as lieutenant. His mission to Fort Schuyler was - to acquire accurate knowledge of its strength and the extent of its - supplies--to induce as many of the garrison to desert as possible--and - to spike the cannon on their departure. - - - "Colonel Gansevoort to General Washington. - _Fort Schuyler, August 13, 1778._ - - "Sir, - -"I have the unhappiness to inform your Excellency that desertion has -lately been very frequent from this garrison. Since the 26th of last -March we have had three sergeants, two corporals, and twenty privates -desert from this battalion, besides one bombardier, one gunner, and one -other from the artillery. Before the date above mentioned, several -soldiers had been tried by a general Court Martial at this garrison for -desertion, but never received the punishment due their crimes. The -sentences of these different courts martial were carefully sent to the -commanding General of this Department, [FN] but no returns have been ever -received. Some time in June last, Colonel Varick informed me that a -recruit, who had just joined our battalion, was suspected of being a -confederate with Major Hammell. I ordered his conduct to be narrowly -inspected. He was detected in the fact of corrupting and enticing the -soldiers to desert. Upon being apprehended, he confessed that he came -upon such designs, and was sent by an aid-de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton as -a spy--to endeavor to enlist what Irishmen he could from the American -army. There was every appearance of his being a spy. He was immediately -tried by a general court martial--the sentence was directly sent down for -approbation, but no answer has been received, and the man still lies -confined in irons." - - * * * * * - - [FN] General Stark was then in command at Albany. - - -"Finding the spirit of desertion to increase, and the men in general to -be exceeding uneasy,--probably arising from their being so long stationed -on this frontier post. They have been frequently heard in their private -conversations to say that they would sooner die than stay here the ensuing -winter. My officers, as well as myself, were convinced, that unless some -example was made, we should not be able to check this growing evil. A -party of five men deserted on the 10th of August. They were taken by the -Tuscarora Indians, on their way to Canada, fifty miles from this fort. -They were brought in on the 13th. A general court martial was convened on -the 15th. They were sentenced to die. The officers in a body desired -their immediate execution, as the only way effectually to stop the -increasing spirit of desertion. - -"While these men were under sentence of death, a party returned from the -German Flats, who had been to drive cattle to this garrison. They had -lost six men by desertion, who were pursued, but without effect. This, -together with the above reasons, and being apprehensive of some design of -the enemy, and hearing a report which they had carefully spread among the -savages, of having upward of seventy men enlisted in this garrison, who -would rise upon their appearance, convinced me of the necessity of a rigid -example, and resolved me to take the advice of my officers by ordering the -prisoners to be executed. They were accordingly shot at the head of the -regiment on the 17th. [FN] In doing of which, although I could not find -that the articles of war gave me the fullest authority, yet, as commanding -officer of a frontier post, far distant from the Commander in-chief, and -having a separate commission from Congress as commandant of this post, I -considered myself fully empowered in a case of such great necessity. I -hope your Excellency will be convinced of this necessity, and approve of -the justness of the execution. Inclosed your Excellency has a copy of the -proceedings of the court martial. I am, &c." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Notwithstanding this severe example, it is noted in the private - diary of Adjutant Hutton, of Colonel Gansevoort's regiment, that on the - same day on which these five men were tried and sentenced to death, six - others deserted; and two others deserted five days after their - execution.--_Vide Gansevoort's papers._ - - - "General Washington to Colonel Gansevoort. - _Head-Quarters, White Plains,_ - 29th _August,_ 1778. - - "Sir. - -"I have just received your favor of the 13th instant. Inclosed is a copy -of a letter sent you some time ago respecting the court martial you -transmitted. - -"The spirit of desertion which possessed your soldiers, was certainly -very alarming, and required a serious check. I hope the intention of the -example you have made will be fully answered; and although the proceeding -was not strictly in the prescribed form, yet the necessity of the case -may justify the measure. - -"I have spoken to Lieut. Colonel Willett on the application of the -officers of the garrison. It is impossible to comply at present with their -request, things are so circumstanced--but I shall take steps to relieve -it before winter. [FN-1] - - "I am, sir, your obedient, humble serv't. - Geo. Washington. - - "_Col. Gansevoort._" [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] In November following, Gansevoort's command was relieved by - Colonel Guise Van Schaick, whose regiment was assigned to that post. - - [FN-2] These letters have been copied by the author from the originals. - The enclosure mentioned in the above letter from General Washington reads - as follows:-- - - [Copy.] - _"Head-Quarters, White Plains, - August_ 13, 1778. - - "Sir, - - "I have received the proceedings of a court-martial held by your order, - respecting Samuel Geake. As neither the articles of war, nor any resolves - of Congress, authorise the constituting of general courts-martial by any - other than the Commander-in-chief, the commanding officer of a separate - department, or a general officer commanding in a particular State, I - should have been under the necessity of ordering a second trial, and - appointing a court for the purpose, if it had been judged expedient to - bring Geake to punishment. But as his confession contains information - very pointedly against Major Hammell, which concurs with other accounts - I have received, I think it of more importance to the public to save - Geake, as a witness against Hammell, than to make an example of him. You - will therefore keep him in such a kind of confinement as will effectually - prevent his escape, till matters are ripe for the prosecution of Major - Hammell, and at the same time will be as little rigorous as the nature - of the case will admit. He need, however know nothing of my intention. I - am, &c. - - "Geo. Washington. - - "_Col. Gansevoort._" - - -The position of Fort Schuyler was of the first importance, as the key to -the western entrance of the Mohawk country; but it was nevertheless too -remote from the upper German settlements of the valley, to afford them -protection from sudden irruptions of the enemy avoiding that fortress in -their approach. The consequence was that the work of destruction was -actively prosecuted among the settlements referred to, during the Summer -of this year. The first blow was struck upon a small and rather secluded -hamlet, called Andrus-town, situated about six miles south-east of the -German Flats, [FN-1] on the 18th of July, by a small party of Indians led -by Brant in person. This settlement consisted of seven families, planted -upon a lot of one thousand acres. [FN-2] They were in affluent -circumstances for borderers, and the object of the invasion was plunder. -The settlement was utterly destroyed--every thing of value that could be -removed, was carried away--the houses and other buildings were reduced to -ashes--an aged man named Bell, with his son and two others, was -killed--one other inhabitant perished in the flames of his own house--and -the remainder of the little colony were carried into captivity. Advices -of this catastrophe had no sooner reached the Flats, than a party of -resolute Whigs determined to pursue the marauders, among whom was John -Frank, one of the Committee of Safety. [FN-3] Arriving at the scene of -desolation, they hastily buried the dead, and continued their march, -accompanied by six or seven friendly Indians, to the Little Lakes, [FN-4] -where, also, was a small white colony known as "Young's Settlement," from -the name of its founder. Here it was discovered that the enemy was so far -in advance, that the chase was relinquished. But as Young, the head man -of the settlement, was a Tory, as also was his next neighbor, a man named -Collyer, the exasperated Whigs avenged, to a small extent, the destruction -of Andrus-town, by plundering and burning their habitations. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] In the North part of the present town of Warren. - - [FN-2] The names of the proprietors were Bell, Frank, Oosterhoudt, Crim, - Staring, Lepper, and Hoyer. - - [FN-3] John Frank, Esq. yet a resident of German Flats, very old, but - with mental faculties unimpaired. The author has known him these - twenty-five years, and in September, 1837, paid him a visit. Most of the - information respecting the events now immediately under consideration, - is derived from him. - - [FN-4] Two small lakes in the South-east part of the town of Warren, - discharging their waters into Otsego Lake. - - -But the most considerable event of the season in that vicinity, was the -entire destruction of the comparatively extensive and populous settlement -of the German Flats. This settlement, originally called Burnetsfield, from -the circumstance that the patent had been granted by Governor Burnet, -extended over the richest and most beautiful section of the Mohawk Valley, -comprehending the broad alluvial lands directly beyond the junction of -the West Canada creek and the river, and including about ten miles of the -valley from east to west. Midway of the settlement, on the south side of -the river, yet stands the ancient stone church, the westernmost of the -line of those structures built under the auspices of Sir William Johnson. -A short distance east of the church stood the large and massive-built -stone mansion of the Herkimer family, which, like the church itself, was -used as a fort. [FN-1] Hence it was called Fort Herkimer. On the north -side of the river, upon a gravelly plain, elevated some ten or fifteen -feet above the surrounding Flats, stood Fort Dayton. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] It was at this place that the first Liberty Pole in the valley was - reared, in the Spring of 1775. The sheriff of Tryon County, White, with - whose subsequent history the reader is already acquainted, came up to - the Flats with a large body of militia from Johnstown, and cut it down. - White had been a captain in the French war. - - [FN-2] The present site of the village of Herkimer, in the town of the - same name, and one of the most beautiful localities in America. The name - of German Flats was designed for this town, which would have been the - most appropriate, as Herkimer would have been for the town on the south - side of the river, now called German Flats, where the Flats are far less - extensive, and where the Herkimer family resided. The mistake was made - by the legislature when the towns were named. This explanation, together - with the geographical description in the text, is necessary to prevent - confusion in regard to the localities of Forts Dayton and Herkimer, in - the record of subsequent events. - - -At the time of which we are writing, the settlement on the south side of -the river numbered thirty-four dwelling-houses, and there were about an -equal number upon the north side, together with as many barns and other -out-buildings, and several mills. The population, for the number of -houses, was numerous. The lands, rich by nature, and well cultivated, had -that year brought forth by handfuls; so that the barns were amply stored -with their products. - -It was at the close of August, or early in the month of September, that -this fine district was laid waste by the Indians under the direction of -Brant. Most providentially, however, the invasion was attended with the -loss of but two lives--one man being killed outright, and another, named -McGinnis, perished in the flames. The particulars of this hostile -irruption were these:--Entertaining some suspicions of Brant, who was at -Unadilla, a scout of four men had been despatched into that vicinity for -observation. Three of these men were killed at the Edmeston settlement. -The fourth, John Helmer, succeeded in making his escape, and returned to -the Flats at half an hour before sundown, just in time to announce that -Brant, with a large body of Indians, was advancing, and would, in a few -hours, be upon them. All was, of course, terror and alarm through the -settlement; and the inhabitants--men, women, and children--were gathered -into Forts Dayton and Herkimer for security. In flying to those defences, -they gathered up the most valuable of their stuff, and by means of boats -and canoes upon the river, succeeded, in the course of the evening, in -collecting a large portion of their best articles of furniture. But they -had no time to look after their flocks and herds. - -Early in the evening Brant arrived at the edge of the settlement, but as -the night came on excessively dark and rainy, he halted with his forces -in a ravine, near the house of his Tory friend Shoemaker, where the -younger Butler and his party were captured the preceding year. Here the -chieftain lay with his warriors until the storm broke away toward -morning--unconscious that his approach had been notified to the people by -the scout in season to enable them to escape the blow of his uplifted arm. -Before the dawn he was on foot, and his warriors were sweeping through -the settlement; so that the torch might be almost simultaneously applied -to every building it contained. Just as the day was breaking in the east, -the fires were kindled, and the whole section of the valley was speedily -illuminated by the flames of houses and barns, and all things else -combustible. The spectacle, to the people in the forts, was one of -melancholy grandeur. Every family saw the flames and smoke of its own -domicile ascending to the skies, and every farmer the whole product of -his labor for the season dissolving into ashes. - -Having no fire-arms larger than their rifles, the Indians avoided even a -demonstration against the forts, notwithstanding their chagrin that -neither scalps nor prisoners were to grace their triumph. But as the light -of day advanced, their warriors were seen singly, or in small groups, -scouring the fields, and driving away all the horses, sheep, and black -cattle that could be found. Nothing upon which they could lay their hands -was left; and the settlement, which, but the day before, for ten miles had -smiled in plenty and in beauty, was now houseless and destitute. [FN-1] -Happily, however, of human life there was no greater sacrifice than has -already been mentioned. After the Indians had decamped with their booty, -a force of between three and four hundred militia-men collected, and went -in pursuit--following as far as Edmeston's plantation on the Unadilla -river, where the bodies of the three scouts were found and buried. But no -other results attended this expedition. [FN-2] A party of the Oneida -Indians was more successful. They penetrated into one of the Unadilla -settlements, burnt several houses, retook some of the cattle driven from -the German Flats, and brought off a number of prisoners. The results of -this little expedition were communicated to Major Cochran, then in command -at Fort Schuyler, on or about the 25th of September, by a deputation of -about one hundred of the Oneida and Tuscarora warriors, in the following -speech:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The Remembrancer states that there were 63 dwelling-houses, 57 - barns, 3 grist-mills, and two saw-mills burnt, with most of the furniture - and grain kept therein; and 235 horses, 229 horned-cattle, 269 sheep, - and 93 oxen, taken and carried away. Judge Frank informed the author that - he was upon guard on the morning of the conflagration, standing upon the - corner of the fort (Herkimer,) which afforded him the best view of the - scene when the flames broke forth. He also saw the dusky swarms of - savages rush down the hill-slopes into the meadows after the cattle, as - soon as it was sufficiently light to discern objects with tolerable - distinctness. The whole scene, he says, was picturesque and sublime. - - [FN-2] "Captain Gilbert Tice came from Niagara a few days before Brant - set out with his party to destroy the German Flats. He had 33 Indians - with him, mostly Mohawks. Brant's whole party at the German Flats was - 300 Tories, and 152 Indians. There were no regular troops amongst - them."--_MS. letter of Major Cochran to Colonel Gansevoort, Sept._ 28, - 1778. - - -"Brothers: We have now taken the hatchet and burnt Unadilla, [FN] and a - place called the Butternuts. We have brought five prisoners from each - of those places. Our warriors were particular that no hurt should be done - to women and children. We left four old men behind, who were no more able - to go to war. We have re-taken William Dygert, who was taken about nine - weeks ago by Brant on Fall Hill. We now deliver him to you, so that he - may return to his friends. Last year we took up the hatchet at - Stillwater, and we will now continue it in our hands. The Grasshopper, - one of the Oneida chiefs, took to himself one of the prisoners to live - with him in his own family, and has adopted him as a son." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Indians must have meant one of the upper settlements on the - Unadilla, somewhere between the Butternuts and the "Forks," about - twenty-five miles north of the embouchure of that river into the - Susquehanna. The principal town of the Indians was at the mouth of the - river, and was destroyed two or three weeks afterward by Colonel Butler, - as will presently appear. - - -"Brothers: We deliver you six prisoners, with whom you are to act as you -please. - -"Brothers: You had a man scalped here some time ago. We Oneidas and -Tuscaroras have now taken revenge, and have brought you some slaves. We -do not take scalps. We hope you are now convinced of our friendship to -you and your great cause. The warriors detain two of the prisoners till -tomorrow morning. The Canasaragas have one in their possession. They will -bring him to-morrow or the next day." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. report of Major Cochran to Colonel Gansevoort. - - -The Oneidas, with very few exceptions, were ever faithful to the cause of -the Whigs, and sometimes fought with great personal bravery. The Oriskany -clan of that nation joined General Herkimer on the morning of his -disastrous battle, under their chiefs Cornelius and Colonel Honyerry, and -sustained themselves valiantly in that murderous conflict. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This fact was derived from Judge Frank, after the chapter containing - the account of the battle of Oriskany was written, Honyerry, or Hansjune - Tewahongrahkon, as his name stands in the archives of the war department, - was commissioned a captain by the Board of War in 1779. - - -But the acquisitions of booty by the Indians at the German Flats were more -than counterbalanced, a few days afterward, by their losses in their own -chief towns, Unadilla and Oghkwaga, which were invaded, and in turn laid -waste, by Colonel William Butler, with the 4th Pennsylvania regiment, a -detachment of Colonel Morgan's rifle-men, then recently stationed at -Schoharie, as we have already seen, and a corps of twenty rangers. Having -marched from Schoharie to the head waters of the Delaware, and descended -that stream two days' march, Colonel Butler struck off thence to the -Susquehanna, upon which he emerged in the neighborhood of Unadilla. He -approached the settlement with great caution; but the enemy had left the -place several days before. Two of the white settlers, Tories, were made -prisoners, however, one of whom was compelled to guide the forces of -Butler to Oghkwaga, which service he performed. The town was taken -possession of without interruption, the Indians having fled the day -before in the greatest confusion--leaving behind a large quantity of corn, -their dogs, some cattle, and a great part of their household goods. The -march of Butler's troops had been fatiguing, and the vegetables and -poultry, which they found here in great abundance, enabled them to fare -sumptuously during their stay. The town was uncommonly well built for an -Indian settlement, there being a considerable number of good farm-houses -on either side of the river. These were all destroyed, together with the -Indian castle three miles farther down the river, as also large quantities -of provisions, intended for their winter's supply. They saw nothing of the -enemy, and lost only one man at that place, who was shot by an Indian -straggler lurking in ambush. Returning to Unadilla, that settlement, upon -both sides of the river, was burnt, as also a grist-mill and saw-mill--the -only ones in the Susquehanna valley. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Colonel William Butler to General Stark. - - -But although, so far as fighting was concerned, it was an easy campaign, -still the difficulties encountered by the expedition were very great, and -such as could not have been undergone but by men "possessing a large share -of hardiness, both of body and mind. They were obliged to carry their -provisions on their backs; and, thus loaded, frequently to ford creeks -and rivers. After the toils of hard marches, they were obliged to camp -down during wet and chilly nights without covering, or even the means of -keeping their arms dry." [FN] They completed their work in sixteen days, -and returned to Schoharie. But the Indians were not slow in taking their -revenge for this destruction of their towns. An Indian's vengeance -slumbers no longer than until an opportunity is afforded for sating it, -as will appear in the ensuing chapter. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Ramsay. - - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - - - Walter N. Butler--His flight from Albany, bent on revenge--The Great - Tree--Hostile indications among the Senecas and Cayugas--Premonitions - of an attack by Butler and Brant upon Cherry Valley--Discredited by - Colonel Alden--Scouts sent out and captured--Surprise of the - town--Massacre and burning--Death of Colonel Alden--Families of Mr. - Wells, Mr. Dunlop, and others--Brutality of the Tories--Family of Mr. - Mitchell--The monster Newberry--Departure of the enemy with their - captives--A night of gloom--Women and children sent back--Letter of - Butler to Gen. Schuyler--Murder of Mrs. Campbell's mother--Vindication - of Brant--Interesting incident--Brant's opinion of Capt. McKean--Colonel - John Butler laments the conduct of his son--Letter of General James - Clinton to Walter Butler--Letter of Butler in reply--Molly - Brant--Particulars of Mrs. Campbell's captivity--Feast of thanksgiving - for their victory--The great feast of the White Dogs--Return of Walter - Butler from Quebec--Colonel Butler negotiates with the Indians for Mrs. - Campbell--She goes to Niagara--Catharine Montour and her sons--Mrs. - Campbell finds her children--Descends the St. Lawrence to - Montreal--Meets Mrs. Butler--Arrives at Albany, and is joined by her - husband--Grand campaign projected--Jacob Helmer and others sent - privately to Johnstown for the iron chest of Sir John--Execution of - Helmer--Arrival of British Commissioners--Not received--Exchange of - Ministers with France--Incidents of the war elsewhere for the year. - -The arrest of Walter N. Butler, at the German Flats, in the Summer of -1777; his trial, and condemnation to death; his reprieve; as also his -subsequent imprisonment in Albany, and his escape; are facts with which -the reader has already been made acquainted. Although his execution would -have been perfectly justifiable under the _code militaire,_ taken, as he -had been, within the American lines, in the very act of inviting the -people to treason; yet the respectability of his family, and the -associations he had himself formed in Albany, where he had been educated -to the profession of the law, were the causes, through the interposition -of those who had been his personal friends before the war, of saving his -life. Still, the reprieve granted by General Arnold was followed by -rigorous confinement in the jail at Albany until the Spring of the present -year; when, being either sick in reality, or feigning to be so, through -the clemency of General Lafayette his quarters were changed to a private -house, where he was guarded by a single sentinel. It appears that the -family with whom he lodged were Tories at heart; and having succeeded in -making the sentinel drunk, through their assistance Butler was enabled to -effect his escape. A horse having been provided for him, he succeeded in -joining his father at Niagara soon after the affair at Wyoming. His temper -was severe and irascible; but he was nevertheless not without his good -qualities, and was a young man of fair promise--"a pretty able young -lawyer," to use an expression from the lips of one who knew him well. [FN] -It is believed, however, that he took mortal offence at his treatment -while in Albany, and re-entered the service of the Crown, burning with -resentment and thirsting for revenge. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The venerable John Frank of German Flats. Butler studied law with - the late Francis Sylvester. - - -This recapitulation, in part, of a portion of the younger Butler's -history, is deemed essential in connexion with the events to be recorded -in the present chapter. - -There was with General Washington, during most of the Summer, a Seneca -chief, called _The Great Tree,_ who, on leaving the head-quarters of the -Commander-in-chief, professed the strongest friendship for the American -cause, and his first object, after his return to his own people, was to -inspire them with his own friendly sentiments. While passing through the -Oneida nation on his way home, he professed the strongest confidence in -his ability to keep his own tribe bound in the chain of friendship, and -pledged himself, in the event of his failure, to come down with his -friends and adherents, and join the Oneidas. Early in October, Mr. Dean, -the Indian interpreter and agent in the Oneida territory, wrote to Major -Cochran, then in command of Fort Schuyler, that, not hearing from The -Great Tree as soon as they expected, they had despatched messengers to -the Seneca country, who had returned with unfavorable intelligence. It -was stated, that on his arrival in his own country The Great Tree found -his tribe all in arms. The warriors had been collected from the remotest -of their lodges, and were then thronging the two principal towns, -Kanadaseago and Jennesee. Having heard that the Americans were preparing -an expedition against their country, they had flown to arms; and The Great -Tree was himself determined to chastise the enemy who should dare to -penetrate his country. The Oneida messengers were farther told that all -the Indians west of their own tribe, including, of course, the Onondagas, -together with the Indian settlements on the Susquehanna and its branches, -were to join them. They were to rendezvous somewhere on the Tioga, and -make a descent either upon the Pennsylvania or New Jersey frontier. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Major Cochran to Col. Gansevoort, October 10, 1778. - - -The Mohawk chief, Thayendanegea, does not appear to have been among the -Senecas at this time; and it is believed that the fermentation had been -wrought by Butler, after his return to Niagara. Be that as it may, he -obtained the command of a detachment of his father's rangers, with -permission to employ the forces of Captain Brant. Though late in the -season, young Walter determined to undertake an expedition into Tryon -County, and avenge his imprisonment. [FN] It has been asserted, that while -on his way from Niagara with his rangers, Butler met Brant returning from -the Susquehanna country to his old winter-quarters at Niagara, and that -the proud Mohawk was not a little displeased at the idea of being assigned -to a subordinate station under a man whom he cordially disliked. However, -the difficulty was adjusted, and the sachem was prevailed upon to turn -back upon the white settlements, with five hundred of his warriors. The -united force comprised seven hundred men. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Campbell's Annals. - - -The point selected by the enemy was Cherry Valley--a settlement as -remarkable for the respectability of its inhabitants, as its location was -for its beauty. Unlike the generality of border settlements, the people -were intelligent, and exemplary for their morals. So scrupulous were they -in regard to observing the precepts of Christianity, that their Committee -of Safety declined sitting with the Tryon County Committee on the Sabbath -day--unless in the event of such alarming circumstances as would -necessarily "super-exceed the duties to be performed in attending the -public worship of God;"--which, they said, did not then appear to be the -case. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter to Tryon County Committee, signed by John Moore, Samuel - Clyde, and Samuel Campbell, dated June 9, 1775. - - -It has already been stated, that in consequence of their exposed -situation, the Marquis de Lafayette had directed the erection of a -fortification at that place early the preceding Spring. Colonel Gansevoort -at once solicited the command of the post, with the regiment which had so -greatly distinguished itself the preceding year in the defence of Fort -Schuyler. But it was given to Colonel Ichabod Alden, at the head of an -eastern regiment, unfortunately but little accustomed to Indian warfare. - -On the 8th of November, Colonel Alden received a despatch from Fort -Schuyler by express, advising him that his post was to be attacked by the -Tories and Indians. The intelligence had been conveyed to Fort Schuyler -by an Oneida Indian, reporting that he received it from one of the -Onondagas, who had been present at a great meeting of the Indians and -Tories at Tioga, at which the determination was formed. In consequence of -the lateness of the season, the inhabitants, not anticipating any farther -hostilities before Spring, had removed their effects from the -fortification, where, during the Summer, they had been deposited for -safety, back to their own dwellings. On the receipt of this intelligence, -they requested permission to remove once more into the fort, or at least -to be allowed again to deposite their most valuable property within its -walls. But Colonel Alden, discrediting the intelligence as an idle Indian -rumor, denied their solicitations, assuring the people that he would use -all diligence against surprise, and by means of vigilant scouts, be at -all times prepared to warn them of approaching danger. Accordingly scouts -were despatched in various directions on the 9th. The party proceeding -down the Susquehanna, as it were in the very face of the enemy, very -wisely kindled a fire in the evening, by the side of which they laid -themselves down to sleep. The result might have been foreseen. They were -all prisoners when they awoke! - -Extorting all necessary information from the prisoners so opportunely -taken, the enemy moved forward on the 10th--Butler with his rangers, and -Thayendanegea with his Indians--encamping for the night on the top of a -hill, thickly covered with evergreens, about a mile south-west of the -fort and village of Cherry Valley. The snow fell several inches during -the night--the storm turning to rain in the morning, with a thick and -cloudy atmosphere. The officers of the garrison were accustomed to lodge -about among the families near the fort; and from the assurances of Colonel -Alden, the apprehensions of the people were so much allayed, that they -were reposing in perfect security. Colonel Alden himself, with Stacia, -his lieutenant-colonel, lodged with Mr. Robert Wells, a gentleman of great -respectability, recently a judge of the county, who was, moreover, an -intimate friend of Colonel John Butler, as he had also been of Sir William -Johnson. [FN-1] Having ascertained the localities in which the officers -lodged, the enemy approached the unsuspecting village in the greatest -security, veiled by the haze which hung in the atmosphere. An alarm was, -however, given, before the enemy had actually arrived in the village, by -the firing of an Indian upon a settler from the outskirts, who was riding -thither on horseback. He was wounded, but nevertheless pushed forward, -and gave instant information to the vigilant Colonel. Strange as it may -seem, this officer still disbelieved the approach of an enemy in -force--supposing the shot to have proceeded from a straggler. But he was -soon convinced of his error; for even before the guards could be called -in, the Indians were upon them. Unfortunately, probably, for the -inhabitants, the rangers had halted just before entering the village to -examine their arms, the rain having damaged their powder. During this -pause, the Indians sprang forward; and the Senecas, being at that period -the most ferocious of the Six Nations, were in the van. The house of Mr. -Wells was instantly surrounded by the warriors of that tribe, and several -Tories of no less ferocity, who rushed in and massacred the whole family, -consisting at that time of himself, his mother, his wife, his brother and -sister, John and Jane, three of his sons, Samuel, Robert, and William, -and his daughter Eleanor. The only survivor of the family was John, who -was then at school in Schenectady. His father had taken his family to that -place for safety some months before, but his fears having subsided, they -had just removed back to their home. [FN-2] Colonel Alden, having escaped -from the house, was pursued some distance down a hill by an Indian, who -repeatedly demanded of him to surrender. This, however, he refused to do, -turning upon his pursuer repeatedly, and snapping his pistol, but without -effect. The Indian ultimately hurled his tomahawk with unerring direction -at his head, and rushing forward, tore his scalp from him in the same -instant. Thus, in the very outset of the battle, fell the commander, who, -had he been as prudent as he was brave, might have averted the tragic -scenes of that hapless day. Lieutenant-colonel Stacia was made prisoner; -and the American guards, stationed at the house of Mr. Wells, were all -either killed or taken. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Robert Wells was the father of the late distinguished counselor, - John Wells, of New-York. - - [FN-2] Notice of John Wells by William Johnson, Esq. concluding vol. of - Johnson's Reports. - - -The destruction of the family of Mr. Wells was marked by circumstances of -peculiar barbarity. It was boasted by one of the Tories, that he had -killed Mr. Wells while engaged in prayer--certainly a happy moment for a -soul to wing its flight to another state of existence; but what the degree -of hardihood that could boast of compassing the death of an unarmed man -at such a moment! His sister Jane was distinguished alike for her beauty, -her accomplishments, and her virtues. As the savages rushed into the -house, she fled to a pile of wood on the premises, and endeavored to -conceal herself. She was pursued and arrested by an Indian, who, with -perfect composure, wiped and sheathed his dripping knife, and took his -tomahawk from his girdle. At this instant a Tory, who had formerly been -a domestic in the family, sprang forward and interposed in her -behalf--claiming her as a sister. The maiden, too, who understood somewhat -of the Indian language, implored for mercy. But in vain. With one hand -the Indian pushed the Tory from him, and with the other planted his -hatchet deep into her temple! - -The fort was repeatedly assaulted during the day, and at times with -spirit; but Indians are not the right description of troops for such -service, and being received by a brisk fire of grape and musketry from -the garrison, they avoided the fort, and directed their attention chiefly -to plundering and laying waste the village, having sated themselves in -the onset with blood. In this work of destruction they were unmolested, -since, numbering more than twice as many as the garrison, a sortie was -felt to be unwarrantable. - -Among the families which suffered from the tomahawks of the Indians and -Tories--for the latter, as at Wyoming, were not to be outdone by their -uncivilized allies--were those of the Rev. Samuel Dunlop, and a Mr. -Mitchell. Mrs. Dunlop was killed outright, and thus shared the fate of -Mrs. Wells, who was her daughter. Mr. Dunlop and another daughter would -likewise have been murdered but for the interposition of Little Aaron, a -chief of the Oghkwaga branch of the Mohawks, who led the old gentleman, -tottering beneath the weight of years, to the door, and stood beside him -for his protection. The Indians attempted to plunder him of some of his -attire, but the sachem compelled them to relinquish that portion of their -spoil. The venerable servant of God, shocked by the events of that day -beyond the strength of his nerves, died within a year afterward. - -The case of Mr. Mitchell was still more painful. He was in the field at -work when he beheld the Indians approaching; and being already cut off -from his house, his only course was to betake himself to the woods. On -returning to his home, after the enemy had retired, he found his house on -fire, and within its plundered walls the murdered bodies of his wife and -three of his children. The fourth, a little girl of ten or twelve years -of age, had been left for dead. But signs of life appearing, the parent, -having extinguished the fire, which had not yet made much progress, -brought his little mangled daughter forth to the door, and while bending -over her, discovered a straggling party of the enemy approaching. He had -but just time to conceal himself, before a Tory sergeant, named Newberry, -rushed forward, and by a blow of his hatchet extinguished what little -growing hope of life had been left, by a darker though less savage enemy -than himself. It is some consolation, while recording this deed of blood, -to be able to anticipate the course of events, so far as to announce that -this brutal fellow paid the forfeit of his life on the gallows, by order -of General James Clinton, at Canajoharie, in the summer of the following -year. On the next day Mr. Mitchell removed his dead to the fort with his -own arms, and the soldiers assisted in their interment. Several other -families were cut off--the whole number of the inhabitants slain being -thirty-two, mostly women and children. In addition to these, sixteen -soldiers were killed. Some of the inhabitants escaped, but the greater -proportion were taken prisoners. Among the former were Mrs. Clyde, the -wife of Colonel Clyde, who was absent, and her family. She succeeded in -reaching the woods with her children, excepting her eldest daughter, whom -she could not find at the moment; and although the savages were frequently -prowling around her, she yet lay secure in her concealment until the next -day. The eldest daughter, likewise, had made a successful flight, and -returned in safety. Colonel Campbell was also absent; but hastening home -on hearing the alarm, he arrived only in time to behold the destruction -of his property by the conflagration of the village, and to ascertain that -his wife and children had been carried into captivity. [FN] The torch was -applied indiscriminately to every dwelling-house, and, in fact, to every -building in the village. The barns, being filled with the combustible -products of husbandry, served to render the conflagration more fierce and -terrific; especially to the fugitive inhabitants who had escaped to the -woods for shelter, and whose sufferings were aggravated by the -consciousness that their retreating footsteps were lighted by the flames -of their own households. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Colonel Campbell was the grandfather of the author of the Annals of - Tryon County, so frequently referred to in the present volume, to whom - the author is almost exclusively indebted for the facts respecting the - invasion of Cherry Valley. The author of the Annals being himself a - native of that place, was not only familiar with its history from his - cradle, but has taken great pains to collect the facts. There is indeed - no other reliable authority. Ramsay is equally brief and unsatisfactory; - while Macauley's wretched jumble of every thing, called, for what reason - cannot be divined, a History of New-York, contains the most foul - misrepresentations. The massacre was bad enough, in all conscience; but - when it is stated that, "not content with killing the inhabitants, they - ripped open and quartered the women, and then suspended their mangled - limbs on the trees--that the helpless infants were taken from their - mothers' breasts, and their brains knocked out against the posts,"--and - when these statements are compared with the real facts of the case, we - may well tremble for the truth of history. The simple incident which - gave rise to this shocking tale of mutilating the bodies of the dying - and dead, was this. One of the Tories had lived as a domestic with the - Rev. Mr. Dunlop. He had run away in consequence of ill-treatment, as was - alleged, on the part of Mrs. D. After she was slain, it is said he cut - off her hand. But even this story is of doubtful authenticity. - - -The prisoners taken numbered between thirty and forty. They were marched, -on the evening of the massacre, down the valley about two miles south of -the fort, where the enemy encamped for the night. Large fires were kindled -round about the camp, into the centre of which the prisoners, of all ages -and sexes, were promiscuously huddled, and there compelled to pass the -hours till morning--many of them half naked, shivering from the inclemency -of the weather, with no shelter but the frowning heavens, and no bed but -the cold ground. It was a dismal night for the hapless group--rendered, -if possible, still more painful by the savage yells of exultation, the -wild, half-frantic revelry, and other manifestations of joy on the part -of the victors, at the success of their bloody enterprise. In the course -of the night a division of the spoil was made among the Indians, and on -the following morning the march was resumed; although parties of the -Indians returned to prowl among the ruins of the village or hang upon its -outskirts, during the greater part of the day, and until reinforcements -of militia from the Mohawk Valley began to arrive, when they dispersed. - -The retiring enemy had not proceeded far on their way, before the -prisoners, with few exceptions, experienced a change in their -circumstances, as happy as it was unexpected. They had been separated, -for the convenience of traveling, into small groups, in charge of -different parties of the enemy. On coming to a halt, they were collected -together, and informed that it had been determined to release all the -women and children, excepting Mrs. Campbell and her four children, and -Mrs. Moore and her children. These it was resolved to detain in captivity -as a punishment to their husbands, for the activity they had displayed in -the border wars. With these exceptions, the women and their little ones -were immediately sent back, bearing the following letter from the -commander of the rangers, addressed to General Schuyler. As a key to the -letter, and perhaps, also, to the motives of Captain Butler in this act -of humanity, it should here be remarked, that on the flight of his father -and himself to Canada, his mother and the younger children had been left -behind. Mrs. Butler and her children were detained by the Committee of -Safety, and permission to follow the husband and son to Canada had been -refused, as has been stated in a former chapter:-- - - "Captain Butler to General Schuyler. - _Cherry Valley, Nov._ 12, 1778. - - "Sir, - -"I am induced by humanity to permit the persons whose names I send -herewith, to return, lest the inclemency of the season, and their naked -and helpless situation, might prove fatal to them, and expect that you -will release an equal number of our people in your hands, amongst whom I -expect you will permit Mrs. Butler and family to come to Canada; but if -you insist upon it, I do engage to send you, moreover, an equal number -of prisoners of yours, taken either by the Rangers or Indians, and will -leave it to you to name the persons. I have done every thing in my power -to restrain the fury of the Indians from hurting women and children, or -killing the prisoners who fell into our hands, and would have more -effectually prevented them, but that they were much incensed by the late -destruction of their village of Anguaga [FN-1] by your people. I shall -always continue to act in that manner. I look upon it beneath the -character of a soldier to wage war with women and children. I am sure -you are conscious that Colonel Butler or myself have no desire that your -women or children should be hurt. But, be assured, that if you persevere -in detaining my father's family with you, that we shall no longer take -the same pains to restrain the Indians from prisoners, women and children, -that we have heretofore done. - - "I am, your humble servant, - Walter N. Butler, - _Capt. Com. of the Rangers._ - - "General Schuyler." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] One of the old names of Unadilla. - - [FN-2] This letter was recently found among the papers of General James - Clinton. - - -Having thus, in a great measure, disencumbered themselves of their -prisoners, the enemy proceeded on their journey by their usual route at -that period, down the Susquehanna to its confluence with the Tioga, -thence up that river into the Seneca country, and thence to Niagara. Mrs. -Cannon, an aged lady, and the mother of Mrs. Campbell, was likewise held -in captivity; but being unfitted for traveling by reason of her years, -the Indian having both in charge despatched the mother with his hatchet, -by the side of the daughter, on the second day of their march. Mrs. -Campbell was driven along by the uplifted hatchet, having a child in her -arms eighteen months old, with barbarous rapidity, until the next day, -when she was favored with a more humane master. In the course of the -march a straggling party of the Indians massacred an English family named -Buxton, residing on the Butternut Creek, and reduced their buildings to -ashes. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] There is some reason to doubt whether this murder of the Buxtons - was not the work of the Oneidas, during their excursion to Unadilla - and the Butternuts. - - -Thus terminated the expedition of Walter N. Butler and Joseph Brant to -Cherry Valley. Nothing could exhibit an aspect of more entire desolation -than did the site of that village on the following day, when the militia -from the Mohawk arrived, too late to afford assistance. "The cocks crowed -from the tops of the forest trees, and the dogs howled through the fields -and woods." The inhabitants who escaped the massacre, and those who -returned from captivity, abandoned the settlement, until the return of -peace should enable them to plant themselves down once more in safety; -and in the succeeding Summer the garrison was withdrawn and the post -abandoned. - -Next to the destruction of Wyoming, that of Cherry Valley stands out in -history as having been the most conspicuous for its atrocity. And as in -the case of Wyoming, both in history and popular tradition, Joseph Brant -has been held up as the foul fiend of the barbarians, and of all others -deserving the deepest execration. Even the learned and estimable -counselor, who so long reported the adjudicated law of the State of -New-York, [FN-1] in the tribute to the memory of the late John Wells, with -which he closed the last volume of his juridical labors, has fallen into -the same popular error; and applies the second stanza in the striking -passage of "Gertrude of Wyoming," which called forth the younger Brant -in vindication of his father's memory, to the case of his departed and -eminent friend. [FN-2] It was indeed most true as applied to the melancholy -case of Mr. Wells, of whose kindred "nor man, nor child, nor thing of -living birth," had been left by the Indians. But it may be fearlessly -asserted that it was not true as coupled with the name of Joseph Brant. -It has already been seen that Brant was not the commander of this -expedition; and if he had been, it is not certain that he could have -compelled a different result. But it is certain that his conduct on that -fatal day was neither barbarous nor ungenerous. On the contrary, he did -all in his power to prevent the shedding of innocent blood; and had it not -been for a circumstance beyond his control, it is more than probable that -the distinguished counselor referred to, would not have been left "alone -of all his race." Captain Brant asserted, and there is no reason to -question his veracity, that on the morning of the attack, he left the -main body of the Indians, and endeavored to anticipate their arrival at -the house of Mr. Wells, for the purpose of affording protection to the -family. On his way it was necessary to cross a ploughed field, the -yielding of the earth in which, beneath his tread, so retarded his -progress, that he arrived too late. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] William Johnson, Esq. long reporter of the Supreme Court, the - Court of Errors, and the Court of Chancery of this State. - - [FN-2] The passage referred to--as unjust as it is poetical--will be - found near the close of the second volume of the present work, in the - sketch of the life of the younger Brant. - - -But this is not all. On entering one of the dwellings, he found a woman -employed in household matters. "Are you thus engaged," inquired the chief, -"while all your neighbors are murdered around you?" The woman replied that -they were in favor of the King. "That plea will not avail you today," -replied the warrior. "They have murdered Mr. Wells's family, who were as -dear to me as my own." "But," continued the woman, "there is one Joseph -Brant: if he is with the Indians, he will save us." "I am Joseph Brant!" -was the quick response; "but I have not the command, and I know not that -I can save you; but I will do what is in my power." At the moment of -uttering these words, he observed the Senecas approaching. "Get into bed -quick," he commanded her, "and feign yourself sick." The woman obeyed, -and when the Indians came up, he put them off with that pretext. Instantly -as they departed, he rallied a few of his Mohawks by a shrill signal, and -directed them to paint his mark upon the woman and her children. "You are -now probably safe," he remarked--and departed. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] It is an Indian practice thus to mark, their captives, and the known - mark of a tribe or chief is a protection from danger at other hands. - - -Another instance, from the same authority, [FN] will serve farther to -illustrate the conduct and bearing of this distinguished Indian leader -on that occasion: After the battle was over, he inquired of one of the -captives for Captain McKean, who had retired to the Mohawk Valley with -his family. "He sent me a challenge once," said the chief; "I have now -come to accept it. He is a fine soldier thus to retreat!" It was said in -reply: "Captain McKean would not turn his back upon an enemy where there -was a probability of success." "I know it," rejoined Brant; "he is a brave -man and I would have given more to take him than any other man in Cherry -Valley; but I would not have hurt a hair of his head." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Campbell's Annals. - - -These were generous sentiments, worthy of a generous soldier. Indeed, the -whole conduct of the Mohawk chief on that melancholy day was anything -rather than characteristic of the "monster" Brant has been represented to -be. Of the conduct of the leader of the expedition, Captain Walter N. -Butler, a less charitable judgment must be formed--not so much perhaps on -account of the atrocities committed--because these, too, may have been -beyond his control, or suddenly perpetrated without his knowledge--but -because the expedition was entirely one of his own undertaking. It was -said that Colonel John Butler was grieved at the conduct of his son at -this place; remarking, on one occasion, in regard to the murder of Mr. -Wells and family--"I would have gone miles on my hands and knees to save -that family, and why my son did not do it, God only knows." It has also -been asserted that the Colonel accused Brant of having incited the Indians -secretly to commit the excesses in question, in order to bring odium upon -his son, under whose command, as the reader has already been informed, he -had been placed, strongly in opposition to his own wishes. But the Mohawk -repelled the charge, and appealed to his former conduct, particularly in -the case of Springfield, as a vindication of his character from the -imputation of wanton cruelty. On the other hand, it has been laid to the -charge of Butler, that when, on the night preceding the massacre, some of -his rangers desired secretly to apprise their friends in the village of -the storm which was to burst upon them in the morning, he peremptorily -denied the request--apprehending that if a few were ever so cautiously -admonished of the approaching danger, the tidings would be bruited and -the whole village escape. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Campbell's Annals. - - -These things may, or they may not, be true. But in either case the -loyalist Butlers, father and son, should be justly dealt by, although they -have not been as yet. At least the world has never heard what they might -possibly have said in their own defence--nay, what they did say--in regard -to the affairs of Wyoming and Cherry Valley; and candor requires the -admission, that the narratives of those events which have descended to -us, were written too soon after their occurrence to warrant a belief in -the entire impartiality of the writers. But as truth constitutes the great -excellence of history, and as a just opinion can rarely be formed upon -testimony altogether _exparte_ after fifty-eight years of silence, it may -be allowed to the Butlers, though dead, to speak a word for themselves. -The elder Butler lived at Niagara many years after the close of the -contest; and, though employed in the British Indian Department, his -conduct was such, both in public and private life, as to command the -respect of those who knew him. - -The letter of Captain Butler to General Schuyler, written the day after -the affair at Cherry Valley, was delivered by the gentleman who, of all -others, felt the greatest interest in facilitating the arrangement -proposed--Colonel Campbell himself. It was not answered by General -Schuyler, for the reason that he was not then in command of the district; -and for the still farther reason that, from the circumstances of the case, -it took a different direction. On the 1st of January, however, the -following letter upon the subject was addressed to Captain Butler by -Brigadier-General James Clinton:-- - - "General Clinton to Captain Butler. - _Albany, January_ 1st, 1779. - - "Sir, - -"A letter, dated the 12th of November last, signed by you, and directed to -General Schuyler, and which was delivered by John Campbell, is come to -hand. As its contents related to persons who were citizens of the State, -with which the military do not interfere, the letter was not delivered to -Brigadier-General Hand, who commanded in this department, but transmitted -to his Excellency Governor Clinton, that his pleasure might be known on -its contents. He has authorized me to make the exchange you request. I am -at a loss to know not only where to direct to you, but also in what part -of the country the unhappy prisoners taken from this State have been -carried. I therefore send the bearers, A. B. and C. D. with a flag, to -carry this letter to any place where they may learn you are, or any other -officer who can accomplish the exchange in your absence. Should the -prisoners be in any of the Indian villages, and in a condition to be -moved, you will please to send them to the nearest of our settlements; -or, if you do not choose to do that, I will send proper persons to meet -and receive them at any place you may appoint. I am not informed if Mrs. -Butler, her family, and such others as will be given in exchange for those -you have in captivity, and those you have suffered to return as mentioned -in your letter, would choose to move at this inclement season. If they do, -they shall be sent. If not, they may remain until Spring; and then they -may either go to Oswego or Canada, at their option. Should the prisoners -taken at Cherry Valley, or any others belonging to the State of New-York, -be at Niagara, it will be impossible for them to re-turn until Spring; -and then I request that they may be sent to Oswego or Fort Schuyler, and -that you will send notice of your determination, that provision may be -made accordingly. Do not flatter yourself, sir, that your father's family -have been detained on account of any consequence they were supposed to be -of, or that it is determined they should be exchanged in consideration of -the threat contained in your letter. I should hope, for the sake of human -nature and the honor of civilized nations, that the British officers had -exerted themselves in restraining the barbarity of the savages. But it is -difficult even for the most disinterested mind to believe it, as numerous -instances of barbarity have been perpetrated where savages were not -present--or, if they were, the British force was not sufficient to -restrain them, had there been a real desire so to do. The enormous murders -committed at Wyoming and Cherry Valley would clearly have justified a -retaliation; and that your mother did not fall a sacrifice to the -resentment of the survivors of those families who were so barbarously -massacred, is owing to the humane principles which the conduct of their -enemies evinces a belief that they are utterly strangers to. The flag -will carry their arms with them, that they may furnish themselves with -provisions, should what they set out with be expended before they reach -any places where they can be supplied. As Captain Butler may be absent, I -enclose a copy of this letter to General Schuyler. - - "I am, &c, - James Clinton, - - "To Captain Walter Butler, or any officer in the British service to whom - this may be handed." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This letter has been copied from the original draft, among the - papers of General Clinton. - - -This letter reached its destination in due season, and called forth the -following reply from Captain Butler, written in behalf of his father and -himself:-- - - "Captain Butler to General Clinton. - _Niagara,_ 18th _Feb._ 1779. - - "Sir, - -"I have received a letter dated the 1st January last, signed by you, in -answer to mine of the 12th November. - -"Its contents I communicated to Lieutenant Colonel Bolton, the commanding -officer of this garrison, &c. by whom I am directed to acquaint you, that -he had no objection that an exchange of prisoners, as mentioned in your -letter, should take place; but not being fully empowered by his -Excellency--General Haldimand [FN]--to order the same immediately to be -put in execution, has thought proper I should go down to the -Commander-in-chief for his direction in the matter." - - * * * * * - - [FN] General Sir Frederick Haldimand had previous to this time superseded - Sir Guy Carleton in the command of the Canadas. - - -"In the mean time, Colonel Butler, as he ever has done on every other -occasion, will make every effort in his power to have all the prisoners, -as well those belonging to your troops, as the women and children, in -captivity among the different Indian nations, collected and sent in to -this post to be forwarded to Crown Point, should the exchange take place -by the way of Canada, or to Oswego, if settled there. In either case -Colonel Bolton desires me to inform you that the prisoners shall receive -from him what assistance their wants may require, which prisoners have at -all times received at this post. - -"The disagreeable situation of your people in the Indian villages, as well -as ours amongst you, will induce me to make all the expedition in my power -to Canada, (Quebec,) in order that the exchange may be settled as soon as -possible. For the good of both, I make no doubt that his Excellency -General Haldimand will acquiesce in the proper exchange. The season of -the year renders it impossible that it should take place before the 10th -or 15th May next. However, I shall write you, by the way of Crown Point, -General Haldimand's determination, and when and where the exchange will -be most agreeable to him to be made, I could wish Mrs. Butler and her -family, including Mrs. Scheehan and son, and Mrs. Wall, were permitted to -go to Canada in the Spring, even should the exchange be fixed at Ontario. - -"It is not our present business, sir, to enter into an altercation, or to -reflect on the conduct of either the British or the Continental forces, -or on that of each other; but since you have charged (on report, I must -suppose) the British officers in general with inhumanity, and Colonel -Butler and myself in particular; in justice to them, and in vindication -of his and my own honor and character, I am under the disagreeable -necessity to declare the charge unjust and void of truth, and which can -only tend to deceive the world, though a favorite cry of the Congress on -every occasion, whether in truth or not. - -"We deny any _cruelties_ to have been committed _at Wyoming,_ either by -whites or Indians; so far to the contrary, that not a man, woman, or -child was hurt after the capitulation, or a woman or child before it, and -none taken into captivity. Though, should you call it _inhumanity_ the -killing _men in arms in the field_, we in that case plead guilty. The -inhabitants killed at Cherry Valley does not lay at my door--my conscience -acquits. If any are guilty (as accessories) it's yourselves; at least the -conduct of some of your officers. First, Colonel Hartley, of your forces, -sent to the Indians the enclosed, being a copy of his letter charging -them with crimes they never committed, and threatening them and their -villages with fire and sword and no quarters. The burning of one of their -villages, then inhabited only by a few families--your friends--who -imagined they might remain in peace and friendship with you, till assured -a few hours before the arrival of your troops that they should not even -receive quarters, took to the woods; and, to complete the matter, Colonel -Denniston and his people appearing again in arms with Colonel Hartley, -after a solemn capitulation and engagement not to bear arms during the -war, and Colonel Denniston not performing a promise to release a number -of soldiers belonging to Colonel Butler's corps of rangers, then prisoners -among you, were the reasons assigned by the Indians to me, after the -destruction of Cherry Valley, for their not acting in the same manner as -at Wyoming. They added, that being charged by their enemies with what -they never had done, and threatened by them, they had determined to -convince you it was not fear which had prevented them from committing the -one, and that they did not want spirit to put your threats against them -in force against yourselves. - -"The prisoners sent back by me, or any now in our or the Indians' hands, -must declare I did every thing in my power to prevent the Indians killing -the prisoners, or taking women and children captive, or in any wise -injuring them. Colonel Stacey and several other officers of yours, when -exchanged, will acquit me; and must further declare, that they have -received every assistance, before and since their arrival at this post, -that could be got to relieve their wants. I must, however, beg leave, by -the bye, to observe, that I experienced no humanity, or even common -justice, during my imprisonment among you. - -"I enclose you a list of officers and privates whom I should be glad were -exchanged likewise. The list of the families we expect for those as well -sent back as others in our hands, you have likewise enclosed. - -"Colonel Stacey, and several officers and others, your people, are at this -post, and have leave to write. - - "I am, - Your very humble serv't., - Walter N. Butler, - _Captain corps of Rangers._ - - "Brigadier Gen. Clinton, - of the Continental forces." - -This is a straight-forward, manly letter; and when the impartial reader -is weighing the testimony in regard to the transactions of which it -speaks, it certainly deserves consideration. It is, moreover, believed to -be the first time that the accused have been permitted to relate their -own side of the case. There were, no doubt, bloody outrages -committed--probably upon both sides--because in such a contest, waged by -borderers, many of whom, as has been seen, were previously burning with -indignation against each other, it is hardly to be expected that -individual combatants would always contend hand to hand with all the -courtesy which characterised gallant knights in the days of chivalry. In -justice to Colonel John Butler, moreover, it must be admitted that his -conduct toward his prisoners at Niagara, and among the Indians in that -country, was uniformly characterised by humanity. One proof of this -disposition was afforded in the case of Colonel Stacia, whose destruction -had, for some reason or other, been determined upon by Molly Brant, the -Indian wife of Sir William Johnson; who, in her widowhood, had been taken -from Johnstown to Niagara. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] "Molly Brant had, for some cause, a deadly hostility to Colonel - Stacia. Resorting to the Indian method of dreaming, she informed Colonel - Butler that she had dreamed that she had the Yankee's head, and that she - and the Indians were kicking it about the fort. Colonel Butler ordered - a small keg of rum to be painted and given to her. This, for a short - time, appeased her; but she dreamed a second time that she had the - Yankee's head, with his hat on, and that she and the Indians were - kicking it about the fort for a football. Colonel Butler ordered another - keg of rum to be given to her, and then told her decidedly that Colonel - Stacia should not be given up to the Indians. Apart from this - circumstance, I know nothing disreputable to Molly Brant. On the - contrary, she appears to have had just views of her duties. She was - careful of the education of her children, some of whom were respectably - married."--_Campbells Annals._--It may be added, that her descendants - from Sir William Johnson compose some of the most respectable and - intelligent families of Upper Canada at this day. The traditions of the - Mohawk Valley state, that the acquaintance of Sir William with Molly had - a rather wild and romantic commencement. The story runs, that she was a - very sprightly and very beautiful Indian girl of about sixteen when he - first saw her. It was at a regimental militia muster, where Molly was - one of a multitude of spectators. One of the field-officers coming near - her upon a prancing steed, by way of banter she asked permission to mount - behind him. Not supposing she could perform the exploit, he said she - might. At the word she leaped upon the crupper with the agility of a - gazelle. The horse sprang off at full speed, and, clinging to the - officer, her blanket flying, and her dark tresses streaming in the wind, - she flew about the parade-ground swift as an arrow, to the infinite - merriment of the collected multitude. The Baronet, who was a witness of - the spectacle, admiring the spirit of the young squaw, and becoming - enamoured of her person, took her home as his wife. - - -The few prisoners from Cherry Valley were marched, by the route already -indicated, to the Seneca country, Mrs. Campbell was carried to the Seneca -castle at Kanadaseago, where she was presented to a family to fill a place -made vacant by the death of one of its members. Her children, the infant -included, were separated from her, and distributed among different Indian -families. Being skillful with her needle, and rendering herself useful to -those with whom she lived, she was treated with indulgence. No restraints -were imposed upon her, and she was even gratified in her desire to pay a -due regard to the Sabbath, of which institution they were ignorant. Among -other little civilities, perceiving that she wore caps, an Indian -presented her one, which was cut and spotted with blood. On a closer -scrutiny, her feelings were shocked by the discovery, from the mark, that -it had belonged to the lovely companion of her youth, the hapless Jane -Wells! - -After returning from a successful expedition, a dance of _Thanksgiving_ is -performed by the Iroquois, which partakes of the character of a religious -ceremony; [FN-1] and Mrs. Campbell had the opportunity, soon after her -arrival at Kanadaseago, of witnessing the festival in honor of their -recent victory, of which she herself was one of the trophies. A grand -council was convoked for this purpose, and preparations were made for the -observance of the festival, upon a scale corresponding with the importance -of the achievements they were to celebrate. The arrangements having been -completed, the warriors came forth to the centre of the village, where -the great fire had been kindled, horribly disfigured by black and red -paint, and commenced their savage rites by singing of their own exploits, -and those of their ancestors,--by degrees working themselves up into a -tempest of passion; whooping, yelling, and uttering every hideous cry; -brandishing their knives and war-clubs, and throwing themselves into the -most menacing attitudes, in a manner terrific to the unpractised beholder. -There was no prisoner put to the torture, or attired with the raven -death-cap on this occasion; [FN-2] but the prisoners were paraded, and the -scalps borne in procession, as would have been the standards taken in -civilized warfare in the celebration of a triumph. For every scalp, and -for every prisoner taken, the _scalp-yell,_ or, as it is sometimes called, -the _death-halloo,_ was raised in all its mingled tones of triumph and -terror. [FN-3] The scalp-yell is the most terrific note which an Indian -can raise, and from the numbers that had fallen during this expedition, -it was often repeated. The white dog for the sacrifice was then killed; -the offerings collected were thrown into the fire; whereupon the dog was -laid upon the pile and thoroughly roasted. The flesh was then eaten, and -the wild festival closed. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Heckewelder. - - [FN-2] The Indians do not often put their prisoners to the torture, or - even to death--seldom, unless when they have sustained great losses, or - when some of their warriors have been murdered. The torture is then - resorted to, to glut their vengeance.--_Heckewelder._ - - [FN-3] Idem. - - -From an account of the ceremonies at one of the festivals, of which Mrs. -Campbell was a spectator during her captivity, she must have been present -at the great annual feast of thanksgiving and remission of sin, which is -held by the Senecas and other tribes of the confederacy. This is their -greatest national and most solemn sacrifice. It is invariably held at the -time of the old moon in January, and is celebrated with great parade; the -ceremonies being conducted with the utmost order, harmony, and decorum, -under the direction of a large committee appointed for that purpose. - -The festivities continued nine days, on the first of which two white dogs, -without spot or blemish, if such could be found, were strangled and hung -up before the door of the council-house, at the height of twenty feet. -Not a drop of blood was allowed to be shed in compassing their death, as -the victims would thereby be rendered unfit for the sacrifice. After the -animals were killed, and before their suspension, their faces were painted -red, as also the edges of their ears and other parts of their bodies. -They were then fantastically decorated with ribbons and feathers, -rendering them as beautiful, in the eye of an Indian, as possible. Their -fancy dress being completed, the dogs were hung up, and the ceremonies of -the frolic commenced. In the course of the first day every lodge in the -town was visited by the committee, each member being provided with a -shovel, with which he removed the ashes and coals from every hearth, and -scattered them to the winds. In this manner the fire of every lodge was -extinguished, to be re-kindled only by striking virgin sparks from the -flint. The discharge of a gun at every lodge announced that the work of -purification, even of fire itself, had been performed; and with this -ceremony ended the labors of the first day. - -The ceremonies of the second day were opened with a dance by the -committee, after which, dressed in bear-skins, the members visited every -lodge, with baskets to take up alms--receiving whatever was bestowed, but -particularly tobacco, and other articles used for incense in the -sacrifice. Two or three days were occupied in receiving these grateful -donations, during which time the people at the council-house were engaged -in dances and other recreations. On the fifth day masks were added to the -bear-skin dresses of the masters of the festival, some ludicrous and -others frightful, in which they ran about the village, smearing themselves -with dirt, and bedaubing all such as refused to add to the contents of -their baskets of incense. While thus engaged, the collectors were supposed -to receive into their own bodies all the sins of their tribe, however -numerous or heinous, committed within the preceding year. - -On the ninth day of the feast, by some magical process, the sins of the -nation thus collected were transfused from the several members of the -Committee into one of their number. The dogs were then taken down, and -the whole weight of the nation's iniquity, by another magical process, -was transfused into their lifeless carcasses. The bodies of the dogs were -next laid upon an altar of wood, to which fire was applied, and the whole -consumed--the masters of the sacrifice throwing the tobacco and other -odoriferous articles into the flames, the incense ascending from which -was supposed to be acceptable to the Great Spirit. The sacrifice ended, -the people all partook of a bountiful feast, the chief article of which -was succotash. Then followed the war and peace dances, and the smoking of -the calumet. Thus refreshed, and relieved from the burden of sin--at -peace with the Great Spirit, and with each other--the warriors with their -families returned, each to his own house, prepared to enter upon the -business and the duties of another year; the chiefs, during the festival, -having carefully reviewed the past, and adjusted their policy for the -future. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The reminiscences of Mrs. Campbell scarcely allowed her to give the - particulars of this great festival _in extenso,_ although she seems, - from the Annals of her grandson, to have retained a remembrance of the - leading points of the ceremonies. The author has supplied the - deficiencies of her account from the life of Mrs. Jemison. The sacrifice - of dogs is, we believe, universal among the North American Indians. How - long the practice has prevailed cannot well be known. Cotton Mather - affirms, "that the Indians, in their wars with us, finding a sore - inconvenience by our _dogs,_ sacrificed a _dog_ to the _devil;_ after - which no _English_ dog would bark at an _Indian_ for divers months - ensuing." _Magnalia,_ iii. 192. What interpreter the devil had on these - occasions, does not appear. That he did not understand the Indian tongue, - is manifest from the same writer:--"Once finding that the _Daemons,_ in - a possessed young woman, understood the _Latin, Greek,_ and _Hebrew_ - tongues, my curiosity induced me to make trial of this _Indian_ language, - and the _Daemons_ did seem as if they did not understand it."--_Sands._ - - -Captain Butler having returned from his visit to General Haldimand, with -permission for the proposed exchange of prisoners, the Colonel, his -father, proceeded to the Seneca castle to negotiate for the release of -Mrs. Campbell. The family by whom she had been adopted were very reluctant -to part with her; but, after the holding of a council, the strong appeals -of Colonel Butler, who was anxious for the release of his own wife and -family, prevailed. Mrs. Campbell, however, had been pledged to a Genesee -family, whither she was shortly to be removed; and as her liberation could -not be completed without the consent of that family, Guyanguahta, the aged -king of the Senecas, who had become her zealous friend, made the journey -to the Genesee on her behalf. He was successful, and Mrs. Campbell was -removed to Niagara. The aged king, being too old to go out upon the -war-path, had borne no part in the pending hostilities. He seemed little -disposed to evil, and on parting with the fair captive bade her an -affectionate farewell in the words following:--"You are about to return -to your home and friends," said the venerable sachem. "I rejoice. You -live a great way off, and many journeys from here. I am an old man, and -do not know that I shall live to the end of the war. If I do, I will come -and see you." [FN] Mrs. Campbell reached Niagara in June, 1779. While -residing there, among others she had an opportunity of seeing the -celebrated Catharine Montour, whose name occurs in the preceding pages -in connexion with the battle of Wyoming. One of her two sons, who had -signalized themselves at Wyoming, was also in the affair at Cherry Valley; -and it was he who made prisoner of Mr. Cannon, the father of Mrs. -Campbell, after he had been wounded by a musket ball. Being a Whig of -consideration, and also a member of the Committee of Safety, it was -determined to retain Mr. Cannon in captivity, for the purpose of -exchanging him for some one of their own men of like consequence. But his -age and his wound rendered him an inconvenient prisoner, and Kate Montour -was in a rage with her son for not having killed him outright. Yet, -notwithstanding this exhibition of a savage temper, she was treated with -marked consideration by the British officers. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Campbell's Annals. - - -It was not until June of the following year that Mrs. Campbell was sent -from Niagara to Montreal, on her way home. While residing at the former -post, the Indians having been driven into the fort, she was enabled to -recover three of her children. On her arrival at Montreal, she met with -Mrs. Butler and her family, who had been previously released. Here, also, -and in charge of that lady, Mrs. Campbell found her fourth child, a little -son who had been torn from her in the Cherry Valley massacre. He was -dressed in the green uniform of Butler's rangers; but had forgotten the -English language--speaking nothing but Indian. From Montreal Mrs. Campbell -was sent to Albany by the way of Lake Champlain, [FN] where she was shortly -afterward joined by her husband, who had been stationed at Fort Schuyler -most of the time during her captivity. - - * * * * * - - [FN] On her way from Montreal, a variety of circumstances and incidents - intervened to harass Mrs. Campbell and the prisoners returning in her - company, and to retard their progress. She had been detained four months - at Montreal, and these additional delays were exceedingly vexatious. - Before their departure from Crown Point, a rumor had reached the American - shores of the lake, from Ticonderoga to Skenesborough, that another - expedition was about to be undertaken from Canada against New-York, and - the inhabitants had become not a little alarmed at the prospect. It - happened that the men in the batteaux containing the prisoners, were - clad in blanket coats, and some of the women wore red cloaks. A scout - had discovered them on the lake, and taking them for a party of Indians - and Tories, gave the alarm, and before their arrival, more than a - thousand men had collected, under Col. Ethan Allen. While stopping at a - small fortress, eight miles from Castleton, it was announced that a flag - was approaching. It was supposed to be sent to demand the surrender of - the fortress. Col. Herrick, of the militia, struck his sword upon the - ground with such force that he broke it in pieces, saying it should not - be surrendered. Col. Allen told the prisoners that they should not again - fall into the hands of the enemy, and immediately mounting them upon - horseback, sent them off toward Albany, with an escort of a hundred men. - This flag was sent for the following reason:--It had been rumored that - the inhabitants in that section had said that if they were not protected - from the incursions of the Indians and Tories, they would seek protection - elsewhere. It is perhaps needless to add that this flag was sent to offer - them the protection of Great Britain--a proposition which was of course - refused.--_Campbell's Annals._ - - -The destruction of Cherry Valley closed the warlike operations of both -nations, in the North, for that year. A formidable campaign had indeed -been projected early in the season, as has been already stated, not only -against the hostiles of the Six Nations, but likewise against the nations -more remote, for whom Detroit was the common centre. But the larger half -of this enterprise had been abandoned after the irruption into Wyoming, -and the next project contemplated the invasion of the Seneca country by -way of the Tioga and Chemung rivers. In October this branch of the project -was likewise deferred, at the suggestion of Generals Gates and Schuyler. - -Meantime, notwithstanding that these enterprises had successively fallen -to the ground for want of "the sinews of war," Congress had been -projecting another stupendous campaign, comprehending a simultaneous -attack upon the whole northern range of British possessions, from Cape -Breton and Newfoundland to Detroit. The French fleet was to co-operate by -attacking the islands and territories at the estuary of the St. Lawrence; -while the Americans were to send an army to Detroit, another to Niagara, -a third to Oswego, and a fourth against Montreal by the way of St. -Francis. It is needless to add, that although Congress had arranged all -the details, the moment the plan was laid before the Commander-in-chief, -who had not previously been consulted in the premises, it was necessarily -laid aside. In the first place, the nation had not the means; and in the -second, Congress, in arranging matters for this splendid undertaking, had -forgotten that they were to leave Sir Henry Clinton, and all the British -forces in New-York, and at the South, computed at the least at seventeen -thousand men, behind! Thus closed the Northern campaigns of 1778. The -British, Tories and Indians went into winter-quarters, and the frontier -inhabitants disposed of themselves as best they could. - -Much has been said in the traditions of Tryon County, and somewhat, also, -in the courts of law, in cases involving titles to real estate formerly -in the family of Sir William Johnson, respecting the burial of an iron -chest, by his son Sir John, previous to his flight to Canada, containing -the most valuable of his own and his father's papers. Late in the Autumn -of the present year, General Haldimand, at the request of Sir John, sent -a party of between forty and fifty men privately to Johnstown, to dig up -and carry the chest away. The expedition was successful; but the chest -not being sufficiently tight to prevent the influence of dampness from -the earth, the papers had become mouldy, rotten, and illegible, when taken -up. The information respecting this expedition was derived, in the Spring -following, from a man named Helmer, who composed one of the party, and -assisted in disinterring the chest. Helmer had fled to Canada with Sir -John. While retiring from Johnstown with the chest, he injured his ankle; -and by reason of his lameness, went back to his father's house, where he -remained concealed until Spring, when he was arrested. He was tried as -a spy by a court-martial, at Johnstown, April 15,1779, and sentenced to -death--chiefly on his own admissions to the court. A considerable number -of rather summary executions, by the Whigs of Tryon County, took place in -the course of the contest. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This information, in regard to the recovery of the iron chest, is - derived from the minutes of the court-martial, among the papers of Gen. - Clinton. The MS. narrative of Jacob Sammons, in the author's possession, - states that the chest was dug up during a night in May, 1778, by Lieut. - Crawford, at the head of forty men sent from Canada for that purpose. - Sammons then held a lease of the Johnson farm from the committee of - sequestrations. The chest had been buried beneath one of the garden - walks. Sammons discovered it in the morning, with the fragments of papers - scattered around it. But as he wrote his narrative long afterward, the - probability is that the date given on the trial of Helmer is the true - one. - - -The leading military events occurring in other parts of the country, -during the year 1778, have already been incidentally adverted to, with -the exception of those that transpired at the South. In the month of June, -the Earl of Carlisle, Governor Johnstone, and William Eden, Esq. who, in -conjunction with General and Lord Howe, had been appointed Commissioners -to make another attempt to treat with the Colonies, arrived, and sent -their instructions to Congress. A letter from the President was despatched -in reply, rebuking the Commissioners for the language indulged by them -in regard to the King of France, our ally, and again peremptorily refusing -to entertain a negotiation, except upon the basis of independent States. -On the 6th of August, M. Gerard was publicly received as Minister -Plenipotentiary of the King of France--to the great joy of the American -people; and on the 14th of September, Dr. Benjamin Franklin was appointed -Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Versailles. - -In the course of the Summer, two incursions of British regulars and -American refugees had been made from Florida into Georgia. Both -expeditions met with such disheartening obstacles, as to induce their -retreat without accomplishing more than the destruction of the church, -dwelling-houses, and rice-fields of Midway. In return for these -visitations. General Robert Howe led an expedition of about two thousand -men, mostly militia, into Florida. He captured the British posts on the -St. Mary's river, and was proceeding successfully, when his march was -arrested by sickness, so fatal to his army as to compel a relinquishment -of the enterprise. Toward the close of the year, the British -Commander-in-chief determined to strike a signal blow against the South. -For this purpose an expedition of two thousand men, under the command of -Colonel Campbell, an officer of courage and ability, embarked at New-York -on the 27th of November, destined against Savannah. After a passage of -three weeks, Colonel Campbell landed near the mouth of Savannah river. -General Howe, to whom the defence of Georgia had been confided, had but -six hundred regular troops and a few hundred militia to oppose the -invaders. This officer had taken a position between the landing and the -town, where a battle was fought on the 29th of December. He was -out-numbered, out-generaled, and beaten, with a loss of one hundred -killed. The town and fort of Savannah, thirty-eight officers, four hundred -and fifteen privates, twenty-three mortars, together with the shipping in -the river, and a large quantity of ammunition and provisions, fell into -the hands of the conquerors. It was an easy victory to the enemy, whose -loss was but seven killed and nineteen wounded. - -From these glimpses of the events of the year 1778, occurring elsewhere -than in the Indian country, it seems, after the battle of Monmouth, to -have been a season of comparative inactivity on both sides. Still, having -repossessed themselves of the strong pass of the Highlands immediately -after the return of Sir Henry Clinton and Commodore Hotham to New-York, -toward the close of the preceding year, no lack of industry was exhibited -on the part of the Americans in strengthening and multiplying its -defences, from which neither force nor treachery ever again dislodged -them. The prosecution of those works had been originally entrusted to -General Putnam; but the advanced age of that patriotic officer had -rendered him less active than formerly, and he had become unpopular in -New-York--mainly from an impression that a more energetic commander, -stationed, as he was, with an army at Fishkill, and apprised of the -approach of Sir Henry Clinton, would have saved Forts Clinton and -Montgomery. By directions from the Commander-in-chief, therefore, the -Connecticut veteran had been transferred back to his own State, upon a -different service. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - - - Indian siege of Fort Laurens--Successful stratagems--Flight of the - pack-horses--The fort abandoned--Projected enterprise from Detroit--Gov. - Hamilton captured at St. Vincent by Col. Clarke--Projects of - Brant--Uneasiness in the West of New-York--Deliberations of the Oneidas - and Onondagas--Brant's projects defeated--Treachery of the - Onondagas--Colonel Van Schaick marches to lay waste their - towns--Instructions of General Clinton--Passage of Wood Creek and Oneida - Lake--Advance upon the Indian towns--Their destruction--Return of the - expedition to Fort Schuyler--Mission of the Oneidas to Fort Schuyler in - behalf of the Onondagas--Speech of Good Peter--Reply of Colonel Van - Schaick--Irruption of Tories and Indians into the lower Mohawk - country--Stone Arabia--Defence of his house by Captain Richer--The - Indians in Schoharie--General Clinton traverses the Mohawk - valley--McClellan's expedition to Oswegatchie--Unsuccessful--Irruption - of the Onondagas into Cobleskill--Defeat of the Americans--The - settlement destroyed--Murders in the neighborhood of Fort - Pitt--Irruptions of Tories into Warwarsing--Invasion of Minisink--Battle - near the Delaware--Massacre of the Orange County militia--Battle with - the Shawanese. - -The erection of an advanced post, called Fort Laurens, on the Tuscarawa, -by General McIntosh, who was directed to advance upon the Indian towns -of Sandusky, has been mentioned in a preceding chapter. Colonel Gibson, -who had been left in command of the fort, with a garrison of one hundred -and fifty men, soon found his position rather uncomfortable, by reason of -the swarms of Indians hovering about the precincts, who soon became so -numerous as completely to invest the little fortress. The first hostile -demonstration of the forest warriors was executed with equal cunning and -success. The horses of the garrison were allowed to forage for themselves -upon the herbage, among the dried prairie-grass immediately in the -vicinity of the fort--wearing bells, that they might be the more easily -found if straying too far. It happened one morning in January, that the -horses had all disappeared, but the bells were heard, seemingly at no -great distance. They had, in truth, been stolen by the Indians, and -conveyed away. The bells, however, were taken off, and used for another -purpose. Availing themselves of the tall prairie-grass, the Indians formed -an ambuscade, at the farthest extremity of which they caused the bells to -jingle as a decoy. The artifice was successful. A party of sixteen men -was sent in pursuit of the straggling steeds, who fell into the snare. -Fourteen were killed upon the spot, and the remaining two taken prisoners, -one of whom returned at the close of the war, and of the other nothing -was ever heard. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Rev. Mr. Doddridge, whose little work is the authority for all - the facts relative to Fort Laurens, states that Captain, afterward - General Briggs, of Virginia, being the officer of the day, was - exceedingly desirous of heading the party sent to bring in the horses, - but was refused permission by Colonel Gibson, who remarked, that when he - had occasion to send out a captain's command, he should be thankful for - his services, but until then, he must be content to discharge his duties - within the fort. "On what trifling circumstances," adds the good - minister, "do life and death sometimes depend!" - - -Toward evening of the same day, the whole force of the Indians, painted, -and in the full costume of war, presented themselves in full view of the -garrison, by marching in single files, though at a respectful distance, -across the prairie. Their number, according to a count from one of the -bastions, was eight hundred and forty-seven--altogether too great to be -encountered in the field by so small a garrison. After this display of -their strength, the Indians took a position upon an elevated piece of -ground at no great distance from the fort, though on the opposite side of -the river. In this situation they remained several weeks, in a state -rather of armed neutrality than of active hostility. Some of them would -frequently approach the fort sufficiently near to hold conversations with -those upon the walls. They uniformly professed a desire for peace, but -protested against the encroachments of the white people upon their -lands--more especially was the erection of a fort so far within the -territory claimed by them as exclusively their own, a cause of -complaint--nay, of admitted exasperation. There was with the Americans -in the fort, an aged friendly Indian named John Thompson, who seemed to -be in equal favor with both parties, visiting the Indian encampment at -pleasure, and coming and going as he chose. They informed Thompson that -they deplored the continuance of hostilities, and finally sent word by -him to Colonel Gibson, that they were desirous of peace, and if he would -present them with a barrel of flour, they would send in their proposals -the next day. The flour was sent, but the Indians, instead of fulfilling -their part of the stipulation, withdrew, and entirely disappeared. They -had, indeed, continued the siege as long as they could obtain subsistence, -and raised it only because of the lack of supplies. Still, as the -beleaguerment was begun in stratagem, so was it ended. Colonel Gibson's -provisions were also running short, and as he supposed the Indians had -entirely gone off, he directed Colonel Clark, of the Pennsylvania line, -with a detachment of fifteen men, to escort the invalids of the garrison, -amounting to ten or a dozen men, back to Fort McIntosh. But the Indians -had left a strong party of observation lurking in the neighborhood of the -fort; and the escort had proceeded only two miles before it was fallen -upon, and the whole number killed with the exception of four--one of whom, -a captain, escaped back to the fort. The bodies of the slain were interred -by the garrison, on the same day, with the honors of war. A party was -likewise sent out to collect the remains of the fourteen who had first -fallen by the ambuscade, and bury them; which service was performed. It -was found, however, that the wolves had mostly devoured their flesh, and -by setting traps upon the new-made grave, some of those ravenous beasts -were caught and shot on the following morning. - -The situation of the garrison was now becoming deplorable. For two weeks -the men had been reduced to half a pound of sour flour, and a like -quantity of offensive meat, per diem; and for a week longer they were -compelled to subsist only upon raw hides, and such roots as they could -find in the circumjacent woods and prairies, when General McIntosh most -opportunely arrived to their relief, with supplies, and a reinforcement -of seven hundred men. But still they came near being immediately reduced -to short allowance again, by an untoward accident causing the loss of a -great portion of their fresh supplies. These supplies were transported -through the wilderness upon pack-horses. The garrison, overjoyed at the -arrival of succors, on their approach to within about a hundred yards of -the fort manned the parapets and fired a salute of musketry. But the -horses must have been young in the service. Afrightened at the detonation -of the guns, they began to rear and plunge, and broke from their guides. -The example was contagious, and in a moment more, the whole cavalcade of -pack-horses were bounding into the woods at full gallop, dashing their -burdens to the ground, and scattering them over many a rood in all -directions--the greater portion of which could never be recovered. But -there was yet enough of provisions saved to cause the mingling of evil -with the good. Very incautiously, the officers dealt out two days' rations -per man, the whole of which was devoured by the famishing soldiers, to -the imminent hazard of the lives of all, and resulting in the severe -sickness of many. Leaving the fort again, General McIntosh assigned the -command to Major Vernon, who remained upon the station several months. He, -in turn, was left to endure the horrors of famine, until longer to endure -was death; whereupon the fort was evacuated and the position -abandoned--its occupation and maintenance, at the cost of great fatigue -and suffering, and the expense of many lives, having been of not the least -service to the country. - -Originally it had been the purpose of General McIntosh to penetrate -through the wilderness to Lake Erie, and thence make a descent upon -Detroit; and by a letter from the Commander-in-chief to a Committee of -Congress appointed to confer with him upon military subjects, it seems to -have been his opinion that McIntosh had made the best dispositions for -the enterprise which the circumstances of the case allowed. But he was -disappointed in his expectations of men, provisions, and stores. This -seems to have been one of those undertakings by order of Congress, without -consultation with the Commander-in-chief, which had previously annoyed -him not a little. Still, it received his approbation, the more readily -because its design was in coincidence with his own views on the subject -of Indian warfare--his uniform opinion being, that the cheapest and most -effectual method of opposing them, was to carry the war into their own -country. By their incursions into the frontier settlements, so long as -the Americans were content to act on the defensive, the Indians had little -to lose and every thing to gain; whereas the direct reverse would be the -consequence of an offensive war against them. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Washington to the Committee of Congress, Jan. 12,1779. - - -But, notwithstanding the untoward result of General McIntosh's expedition, -the Indian branch of the service opened auspiciously the present year -elsewhere, and first in a region yet deeper in the west than Fort Laurens. -Colonel Hamilton, the British Lieutenant-Governor of Detroit--a rough, -bad-tempered, and cruel officer, who had signalised himself by the -exertion of a malignant influence over the Indians--and had provoked them -to take up the hatchet against the Americans by every possible -means--instigating them to deeds of blood by large rewards--had projected -a powerful Indian expedition against the Virginia frontier, to be executed -early in the Spring. [FN-1] With this design, at the close of the -preceding Autumn, Hamilton left Detroit, and took post at St. Vincents, on -the Wabash, in order to act earlier and more efficiently immediately -after the breaking up of Winter. But his purpose was most happily defeated -by a blow from a direction which he did not anticipate. Colonel Clarke, -who was yet with a small force in command of Kaskaskias, having learned, -in February, that Hamilton had weakened himself by despatching many of his -Indians in different directions to annoy the frontiers of the States, -formed the bold resolution of attacking him in his quarters. After a -difficult movement by land and water, at the head of one hundred and -thirty men, Clarke suddenly arrived before St. Vincents. The town at once -submitted; and on the following day, Colonel Hamilton and the garrison -surrendered themselves prisoners of war. It was the good fortune of -Colonel Clarke also to intercept and capture a valuable convoy of -provisions and stores, coming to St. Vincents from Detroit. Hamilton was -transferred to Virginia, where the Council of the Commonwealth instituted -an inquiry into the inhuman conduct imputed to him, and his confinement -in irons, on a diet of bread and water, was recommended. [FN-2] The plans -of the enemy were not a little disconcerted by this small, though -brilliant affair; and peace with several of the Indian tribes in that -direction was the immediate consequence. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Should any one doubt the propriety of speaking thus harshly in - history of this Colonel Hamilton, let him read the "Narrative of the - capture and treatment of John Dodge, by the British at Detroit," - published in Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vi. pp. 73-81. - - [FN-2] Ramsay. - - -In the mean time, and before this disaster befell the Detroit expedition, -some bold winter emprise was projected by Joseph Brant, which--in -consequence, probably, of the capture of Hamilton--miscarried, or rather -was not attempted to be put in execution. It does not appear what the -measure was upon which Brant was meditating; but on the 1st of January, -Colonel Van Dyck, then in command of Fort Schuyler, wrote to General -Clinton, "that the Oneidas had just received information that the enemy -seemed determined to strike some capital blow during the winter." In -addition to an application from the Quiquoga Indians to join them in the -expedition, Colonel Van Dyck stated that "one of the principal Oneida -warriors had received a private letter from Joseph Brant, inviting him to -join the Six Nations with his adherents, that he might avoid the danger -to which his tribe was exposed." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Papers of General James Clinton. - - -There is reason to suppose that a part of Brant's project was to strike a -blow upon the Oneidas themselves, unless they could be seduced from their -neutrality--amounting, as it did, almost to an alliance with the United -States. [FN] But this faithful tribe were neither to be coaxed nor driven -from the stand they had maintained since the beginning of the controversy. -On the 16th and 17th of January, the Oneidas and Tuscaroras held a -council, to deliberate upon the invitations of the Quiquogas and Captain -Brant, the result of which they communicated to Colonel Van Dyck on the -following day. They informed that efficient officer, that after giving -permission to any of their tribe, who desired to join the enemy, to -withdraw, there was a unanimous resolution of the council "to stand by -each other in defence of their lives and liberty, against any enemy that -might be disposed to attack them;" and to the late message of the -Quiquogas, they unanimously agreed to return the following answer, viz: -"That as they had ever behaved themselves in a quiet, and peaceable manner -toward the confederacy, they could not conceive that their conduct could -be considered reprehensible by them. They likewise put them in mind of -their long and unwearied efforts to prevent the Six Nations involving -themselves in the calamities of war, and that they had exerted themselves -so far as by their influence to relieve, from close confinement, some of -their people whom the fortune of war had put into the hands of their -enemies. But that they now utterly despaired of ever being able to effect -a reconciliation between the Confederacy and the United States; and that -the only hope they had of them was, that some of them would, in time, -abandon the cause thus imprudently espoused; that they would never violate -their alliance with the American States; and though they would not be the -aggressors, or wantonly provoke any tribe to war, yet that they should -henceforth be on their guard against any enemy whatever." - - * * * * * - - [FN] On the 9th of April, 1779, Congress passed a resolution granting the - commission of Captain to four of the Oneida and Tuscarora Indians, and - eight commissions of Lieutenants. Subsequently, the then principal Oneida - chief, Louis Atayataroughta, was commissioned a Lieutenant-colonel. - Louis, or "Colonel Louis" as he was afterward called, was the - representative of three races, being part Indian, part Negro, and part - white man. A few other commissions were issued to those Indians in the - course of the war. The greater number served faithfully. Some were - killed, and three of the lieutenants deserted to the enemy, and exchanged - their commissions for the same rank in the British service. - - -Seven of the principal Onondaga chiefs, who had hitherto been considered -as neutrals, being at the time in Oneida, on their way to Fort Schuyler, -it was determined to call them in to the council, and acquaint them with -the above resolution. It was accordingly done by the transmission of a -large black belt of wampum. The Onondagas replied, "That they were very -glad to hear the resolution which their children, the Oneidas and -Tuscaroras, had made. They observed, that as the Oneidas, who were the -head of the confederacy, had committed the council-fire and tree of peace -to their care, with a charge to guard them against the approach of any -thing which might injure either, or tend to interrupt the harmony of the -confederacy, they had therefore invariably pursued the path of peace; and -though they had been desired by the opposite party of their tribe to -extinguish the council-fire, yet they had refused, nor could they -consistently do it while the Oneidas retained any hopes of accommodating -matters in the Six Nations. But as the heads of the confederacy had -declared themselves so fully upon that subject, they had now let go their -hold of peace, extinguished the council-fire, and sunk the tree into the -earth; and were determined to join their children, the Oneidas and -Tuscaroras, to oppose any invader." - -The Onondagas farther engaged, upon their return home, to effect a final -separation in their tribe, and insist that every one should declare for -one side or the other. The conduct of most of the Onondagas had been from -the first equivocal--often openly hostile. But those present at this -council manifested a better feeling, and joined in the request of the -Oneidas for troops to aid in their protection. The Oneidas, on this -occasion, placed great confidence in the professions of their Onondaga -brethren, and were in high spirits at the result of the council. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] General Clinton's correspondence--MS. letter of Colonel Van Dyck. - - -There was other evidence, not only of the intention of Thayendanegea to -make a powerful Indian descent upon the Mohawk during this winter, but of -the supposed fidelity of these Onondagas to the United Sates. About the -middle of February, General Clinton, having through various channels and -by several expresses, received information at Albany of such a design, -marched to Schenectady with Colonel Van Schaick's regiment, ordering the -latter as far up the Mohawk as Caughnawaga, there to await the event. On -the 26th of February, Captain Copp, of Fort Van Dyck, [FN-1] wrote to -Captain Graham, then in charge of Fort Schuyler, announcing that two of -the Oneida messengers, of distinguished (Indian) families, had just -returned from Niagara, where they had obtained positive evidence of -Brant's purpose. The Mohawk chief had received expresses, announcing that -the Shawanese and Delawares were to strike a simultaneous blow upon the -frontier of Virginia; [FN-2] and Brant himself was to lead the main -expedition direct to the Mohawk, while another diversion was to be created -by sending a smaller force round by the Unadilla, to fall upon the -settlements of Schoharie. In regard to the fidelity of the Onondagas, it -was stated by the Oneida chiefs that fourteen of that nation had been -despatched to Niagara, by the chiefs of the tribe, to persuade their -brethren, who had taken up the hatchet with the Mohawks, to return. But -these fourteen messengers had not been permitted to come back themselves, -and the Onondagas were apprehensive that they and all their people at -Niagara had been made prisoners. The uneasiness in Tryon County was -greatly increased under these circumstances. Major Jelles Fonda wrote to -General Clinton, stating that there were yet three hundred Tory families -in the northern part of that settlement, affording aid and comfort to the -hostile refugees, who kept up a continual intercourse with them, across -through the woods, or by lake Champlain, to Canada. For greater security, -therefore, he urged permission to build a strong block-house, and station -fifty rangers within it, on the Sacondaga river, directly north of -Johnstown. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] In the Oneida or Onondaga country. - - [FN-2] The project of Colonel Hamilton, frustrated by his capture. - - -Captain Brant, however, either abandoned or deferred the threatened -invasion, probably for the reason already indicated--the capture of -Colonel Hamilton. The winter consequently passed away without any serious -disturbance in that region. But, notwithstanding all the fair professions -of the Onondagas, their treachery had become alike so manifest and so -injurious, as to render it expedient, immediately on the opening of the -Spring, to make them a signal example to the rest of their red brethren. -Accordingly, early in April an expedition was detailed upon this service -by General Clinton, with the approbation of the Commander-in-chief, -consisting of detachments from the regiments of Colonels Van Schaick and -Gansevoort, to the number of five hundred men, under the conduct of the -former. The troops were moved as expeditiously as possible to Fort -Schuyler, and thirty batteaux were simultaneously ordered thither to -transport them down Wood Creek, and through the Oneida Lake to Three -Rivers. Colonel Van Schaick's instructions were very full and explicit -upon every point. The design was to proceed as rapidly and cautiously as -possible, in order to take the Indians by surprise; for which purpose, on -the morning of the departure of the expedition, it was to be announced -that its destination was against Oswego. Colonel Van Schaick was directed -to burn and utterly destroy the village and castle of the Onondagas, -together with all their cattle and effects; but he was strictly enjoined -to make as many prisoners as possible, and put none to death who could be -taken alive. The following passage occurs in the instructions of General -Clinton on this occasion, which is worthy of preservation:--"Bad as the -savages are, they never violate the chastity of any women, their -prisoners. Although I have very little apprehension that any of the -soldiers will so far forget their character as to attempt such a crime on -the Indian women who may fall into their hands, yet it will be well to -take measures to prevent such a stain upon our army." [FN] This injunction -speaks volumes in praise of the soldier who wrote it. Colonel Van Schaick -was farther enjoined to dissuade any of our Indian allies from -accompanying him; and Lieutenant-Colonel Willett and Major Cochran were -detailed to serve in the expedition. - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. instructions of General Clinton. - - -The orders to Colonel Van Schaick were issued on the 9th of April, and so -rapidly were the necessary arrangements expedited, that every thing was -in readiness for the departure from Fort Schuyler on the 18th. During the -evening of that day, the batteaux, with the necessary stores, were -silently removed across the carrying-place to Wood Creek, and all things -there placed in order. The troops were early in motion on the morning of -the 19th, and a thick mist contributed essentially in covering the -movement, had there been any spies lurking about to make observation. The -number of men embarked, including officers, was five hundred and -fifty-eight. Their progress to the Oneida Lake was considerably impeded, -by reason of trees which had fallen across the creek; so that much of the -first day's journey was performed by the troops on foot. The passage of -the Oneida Lake was effected as expeditiously as possible; and although -they encountered a strong and excessively disagreeable head-wind, they -nevertheless reached the Onondaga Landing, opposite to old Fort -Brewington, with the whole flotilla, by three o'clock in the afternoon of -the 20th. Leaving a suitable guard with the boats, the little army pushed -immediately forward, and, despite the obstacles in traversing a -deep-tangled forest, the soil resembling a morass, they marched nine miles -without halting. The night was dark, wet, and cold; but knowing well the -wariness of the enemy and the celerity of their movements, and how -frequently they were prepared to strike when least expected, the troops -were necessarily precluded from kindling fires, and obliged to sleep on -their arms. The march was resumed very early on the morning of the 21st, -and in order to save time, they were obliged to ford an arm of the -Onondaga Lake, about two hundred yards wide and four feet in depth. -Arriving at the estuary of Onondaga Creek, at the head of the lake, -Captain Graham, commanding the advance guard, captured one of the warriors -of the tribe; and although they were now within two or three miles of the -village and castle, this was the first Indian seen, or who was apprised -of the approach of the expedition. Captain Graham was now directed again -to advance with all possible rapidity and caution, for the purpose of -surrounding the lower castle, while the residue of the main force was -divided into small detachments, and hurried forward for the purpose of -falling upon the other towns, in such rapid succession as, if possible, -to take all the villages by surprise. This chain of villages extended -through the valley of the Onondaga Creek for the distance of ten miles. -The tribe had once been among the most powerful of the Aganuschioni, or -confederated people of the Five Nations. Situated in the centre of the -confederacy, to the Onondagas, time immemorial, had been committed the -keeping of the great council-fire. This fire had been extinguished in -1692 by Count Frontenac, who then came against it at the head of a -powerful expedition from Montreal, and utterly destroyed the village. It -had again been put out in the Spring of 1777, and was now doomed to a -third extinction, equally summary and complete with the former. But -although the expedition of Colonel Van Schaick had been thus far, and was -throughout, admirably conducted, yet the surprise was not as complete as -had been intended. While Captain Graham's company was securing a few -prisoners taken in the outskirts of the village, near the principal -castle, means were found by the wily adversary to give the alarm in -advance. The tidings, of course, flew from village to village with greater -rapidity than the several detachments of troops could equal, and the -Indians scattered off to the woods in all directions. But such was the -precipitancy of their flight, that they carried nothing with them--not -even their arms. Still, thirty-three of their number were taken prisoners, -and twelve killed. Three villages, consisting of about fifty houses, were -burnt to the ground; and a large quantity of provisions, consisting -chiefly of beans and corn, destroyed. Nearly one hundred muskets were -taken among the booty, and several rifles, together with a considerable -quantity of ammunition. Their swivel at the council-house was rendered -useless, and their cattle and horses were destroyed. The work of -destruction having been completed, the detachment immediately commenced -its return to Fort Schuyler. It was fired upon in the afternoon by a small -party of Indians in the woods, but without injury, while one of the enemy -fell by the return fire. On Saturday, the 24th, the troops were all back -again at Fort Schuyler, having performed a journey, going and returning, -of one hundred and eighty miles, and effected their object without the -loss of a single man. [FN] In the letter enclosing his official report to -General Clinton, Colonel Van Schaick spoke in the highest terms of the -good conduct of the officers and soldiers engaged in this expedition; and -bestowed the warmest encomiums upon Colonel Willett and Major Cochran, for -the efficient assistance received from them. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Colonel Van Schaick's report--papers of General Clinton. - - -At this distance of time, from the very imperfect data afforded by written -history, this expedition against the Onondagas appears like a harsh, if -not an unnecessary measure. But, notwithstanding the professions of this -nation, those in the direction of public affairs at that period -unquestionably felt its chastisement to be a work of stern necessity. -General Schuyler had written that unless some exemplary blow should be -inflicted upon the hostiles of the Six Nations, Schenectady would shortly -become the boundary of the American settlements in that direction. The -enterprise had, moreover, the sanction of the Commander-in-chief; while -nothing could be more humane, in regard to a warlike expedition, than the -instructions of General Clinton. But no small degree of uneasiness was -nevertheless felt by the Oneidas, at the swift destruction which had thus -overtaken the principal town of their next-door neighbors; and it was not -long after the return of Colonel Van Schaick to Fort Schuyler, before he -was visited by a formal delegation from that nation. At the head of the -embassage was Skenandoah, an important sachem of the tribe, accompanied by -Good Peter, the orator, and Mr. Deane, the interpreter. The object of this -mission was an inquiry into the causes of the movement against the -Onondagas, with whom, as has been previously remarked, the Oneidas were -closely connected by intermarriages. Having been introduced, Good Peter -spoke as follows:-- - -"Brother: You see before you some of your friends, the Oneidas; they come -to see you. - -"The engagements that have been entered into between us and our brothers, -the Americans, are well known to you. - -"We were much surprised, a few days ago, by the news which a warrior -brought to our Castle with a war-shout, informing us that our friends, the -Onondagas, were destroyed. - -"We were desirous to see you on this occasion, as they think you might -have been mistaken in destroying that part of the tribe. - -"We suppose you cannot answer us upon this subject, as the matter was -agreed upon below. But perhaps you may know something of this matter. - -"When we heard of this account, we sent back word to our friends remaining -among them, telling them not to be pale-hearted because some of them were -destroyed, but to keep up with their former engagements. - -"We sent off some of our people to Canasaraga, to invite them to come to -our village; but they returned an answer that they had sent some of their -own runners to Onondaga, to learn the particulars, and they waited for -their return. - -"Our people brought for answer, that they were much obliged to their -children, the Oneidas, for attending to them in their distresses, and they -would be glad if they would speak smoothly to their brethren, the -Americans, to know whether all this was done by design, or by mistake. - -"If it was a mistake, say they, we hope to see our brethren the -prisoners--if by design, we still will keep our engagements with you, and -not join the King's party. But if our brethren, the Americans, mean to -destroy us also, we will not fly--we will wait here and receive our death. - -"Brother: This was the answer of the Onondagas. As for us, the Oneidas and -Tuscaroras, you know our sentiments. We have supposed we know yours. - -"The Commissioners promised us that when they found any thing wrong, they -would tell us and make it right. - -"Brother: If we have done anything wrong, we shall now be glad if you -would now tell us so." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Sexagenary, a collection of revolutionary papers connected with - the border wars, edited by S. De Witt Bloodgood, Esq. - - -At the end of each sentence, the attending sachems uttered the usual -sound of approbation, and having concluded, Good Peter resumed his seat. -The address was that of a diplomatist; and it was supposed probable that -the Onondagas were themselves at the bottom of the embassy, with a view of -obtaining information by which to regulate their future conduct. Equally -adroit was the reply of Colonel Van Schaick, given in the following -terms:-- - -"I am glad to see my friends, the Oneidas and Tuscaroras. I perfectly -remember the engagements the Five Nations entered into four years ago, -and that they promised to preserve a strict and honorable neutrality -during the present war, which was all we asked them to do for us. - -"But I likewise know that all of them, except our brethren the Oneidas -and Tuscaroras, broke their engagements, and flung away the chain of -friendship. But the Onondagas have been great murderers; we have found the -scalps of our brothers at their Castle. - -"They were cut off, not by mistake, but by design--I was ordered to do -it--and it is done. - -"As for the other matters of which you speak, I recommend a deputation to -the Commissioners at Albany. I am not appointed to treat with you on those -subjects. - -"I am a warrior. My duty is to obey the orders which they send me." - -No farther explanations appear to have been interchanged; and the Oneidas -were perhaps the more readily pacified, inasmuch as they were really -friendly to the Americans, while at the same time they must have been -acquainted with the conduct of the Onondagas, which had justly incurred -the chastisement. Scalping parties were always hovering about the -unprotected borders, especially in the neighborhood of Fort Schuyler; and -the Indians of none of the tribes were more frequently discovered -belonging to these parties, than of that nation. - -It is, perhaps, a coincidence worth noting, that on the very day on which -Colonel Van Schaick departed from Fort Schuyler for Onondaga, the lower -section of the Mohawk Valley was thrown into alarm by the sudden -appearance of an Indian force simultaneously on both sides of the river, -in the vicinity of Palatine. On the South side a party rushed down upon -the settlement, took three prisoners, together with several horses, and -drove the inhabitants into Fort Plank. At the very same hour another -division of the savages made a descent upon the back part of Stone-Arabia, -where, in the onset, they burnt two houses and murdered one man. The next -house in their course belonged to Captain Richer. The occupants were -Richer, his wife, and two sons, and an old man. The Captain and his two -boys being armed, on the near approach of the Indians gave them a warm -reception. A sharp action ensued. The old man, being unarmed, was killed; -as also was one of the brave boys, a lad seventeen years of age. Captain -Richer was severely wounded and his arm was broken; his other son was also -wounded in the elbow, and his wife in one of her legs. And yet, -notwithstanding that the whole garrison was either killed or wounded, the -Indians retreated on the loss of two of their number. - -On the same day a party of Senecas appeared in Schoharie, made prisoners -of Mr. Lawyer and Mr. Cowley, and plundered their houses. The panic was -again general; the people flying to the forts for safety, and the -Committee of Palatine writing immediately to General Clinton, at Albany, -for assistance. The General was an officer of great activity, and so -rapidly did he move in cases of alarm, that he traversed the Mohawk -Valley with Colonel Gansevoort's regiment and the Schenectady militia, -and was back at Albany again on the 28th. The Indians who appeared on the -south side were from the West--those on the north side were Mohawks from -Canada. General Clinton, in his despatches to the Governor, his brother, -expressed an opinion, that but for his timely movement on that occasion, -the enemy would have driven the settlements all in upon Schenectady. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. letter of Jacob R. Cork and Peter Wagner to General Clinton, - and General Clinton's letter to the Governor. - - -On the 30th of April, Lieutenants McClellan and Hardenburgh returned to -Fort Schuyler from an unsuccessful expedition at the head of a body of -Indians, against the small British garrison at Oswegatchie. It was their -intention to take the fort by surprise; but, falling in prematurely with -some straggling Indians, several shots were imprudently exchanged, by -reason of which their approach became known to the garrison. They then -attempted by stratagem to draw the enemy from the fort, and partly -succeeded, but could not induce them to venture far enough from their -works to cut them off; and on approaching the fort themselves, the -assailants were so warmly received by cannister and grape, as to be -compelled to retreat without unnecessary delay. The only service -performed was to send a Caughnawaga Indian into Canada with a letter, in -French, by "a French General," probably the Marquis de Lafayette, -addressed to the Canadians, and written in the preceding Autumn. [FN-1] -This expedition was despatched from Fort Schuyler on the day before -Colonel Van Schaick moved upon Onondaga; and from a letter addressed by -General Clinton, six weeks afterward, to General Sullivan, there is reason -to believe one object was to get clear of the Oneida Indians then in the -fort, until Colonel Van Schaick should have proceeded so far upon his -expedition, that they or their people would not be able to give the -Onondagas notice of his approach. All the Indians still remaining in Fort -Schuyler on the 18th, were detained expressly for that object of -precaution. General Clinton conceded their usefulness as scouts and spies -upon the British forces; but, he observed, "their attachment to one -another is too strong to admit of their being of any service when employed -against their fellows." [FN-2] This testimony is certainly not -discreditable to the Indian character as such. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] McClellan's letter to General Clinton. - - [FN-2] Letter of Gen. Clinton to Gen. Sullivan. - - -But if, as has been seen, the Oneidas were disposed to send a deputation -to make pacific inquiries at Fort Schuyler, in regard to Colonel Van -Schaick's attack upon their neighbors, the descendants of Garanguli and -Sadakenaghtie [FN-1] were not themselves willing to pass the matter over -thus lightly. Fired with indignation at the destruction of their villages -and castle, and the putting out of the great council-fire which they had -so long kept burning at their national altar, they resolved upon summary -vengeance. To this end, three hundred of their warriors were speedily upon -the war-path, bending their steps to the valley of the Schoharie-kill. The -settlement of Cobleskill, [FN-2] which had suffered so severely the -preceding year, situated about ten miles west of the Schoharie-kill, and -yet comprising nineteen German families, was the first object of attack. -But they were prevented from taking the place by surprise, in consequence -of two of their number straggling a considerable distance in advance of -the main body, who were discovered by a scout of two of the Cobleskill -militia. One of the Indians was shot, and the other fled; and the scouts -hastened home to give the alarm. Intelligence of the enemy's approach was -immediately despatched to Schoharie, with a request for assistance. A -captain of the Continental army was thereupon sent to Cobleskill with a -detachment of regular troops. On the following morning a party of Indians -sallied out of the woods, and after approaching the settlement, suddenly -returned. They were pursued by a small detachment of troops to the edge -of the forest, where their reception was so sharp as to compel a retreat. -The Captain himself immediately marched to the scene of action with the -whole of his little band, together with fifteen volunteers of the militia. -The Indians receded before the whites for a time, and continued the -deception by showing themselves at first in small numbers on the skirt of -the forest, until they had accomplished the identical purpose they had in -view. The Captain and his men pursued, without any knowledge of the -disparity of numbers they had to encounter, until the Indians had drawn -them sufficiently within their toils to make a stand. Their numbers now -multiplied rapidly, and the battle became animated. The Captain fell -wounded, and was soon afterward killed. His men, panic-stricken, instantly -fled; but in the twinkling of an eye, a cloud of several hundred savages, -until then in concealment, rose upon all sides of them, pouring in a -deadly shower of rifle balls, and making the forest ring with their -appalling yells. The inhabitants of the settlement, on perceiving the -disaster which had befallen the troops, fled in the direction of Schoharie -with a portion of the fugitive soldiers. Their flight was facilitated, or -rather they were prevented from being overtaken, by seven of the Captain's -brave fellows, who took possession of a deserted house and made a resolute -defence. From the windows of their castle they fired briskly upon the -Indians, and bringing them to a pause, detained them until the inhabitants -had made good their flight to Schoharie. Unable to drive the soldiers -from the house, the Indians at length applied the brand, and the brave -fellows were burnt to death within its walls. The whole settlement was -then plundered and burnt by the Indians. But they did not proceed farther -toward Schoharie. The loss of the whites was twenty-two killed and two -taken prisoners. The bodies of the slain were found the next day, sadly -mutilated; and in the hand of one of them the Indians had placed a roll -of Continental bills--a severe satire upon the description of money for -which the soldiers were serving. The great fact, however, that it was the -cause, and not the pay, which kept the Americans in the field, could -scarcely be appreciated by the forest warriors. They were led in this -battle by a Tory, who was subsequently killed by the celebrated -Murphy. [FN-3] Their loss was severe, but to what extent was not known. -Thus was amply avenged the destruction of Onondaga. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Two illustrious Onondaga warriors and orators of the preceding - century. Vide Colden's Canada. - - [FN-2] Usually thus written; but the old inhabitants say it should be - Cobuskill.--_Spafford._ - - [FN-3] Campbell's Annals. The authority of Mr. Campbell for most if not - all his information respecting the operations of the enemy in the - Schoharie country, was the late Rev. Mr. Fenn, of Harpersfield--a - gentleman most intimately acquainted with the early history of that - region. Still, there is clearly a mistake in assigning, as has been done, - Captain Patrick as the American leader against the Onondagas on this - occasion, since that officer fell in the same neighborhood more than a - year before, as stated in a letter written at the time by Colonel Varick. - [See chap. xvi. text, and also a note.] Who led the Americans on this - last occasion, the author has not ascertained. But the accounts just - referred to, that it was Captain Patrick, are certainly - incorrect--unless, indeed, there wore two Patricks, both captains, and - both killed in the same neighborhood. - - -During the month of April, the inhabitants of Monongalia, on the -north-western Virginia border and the western part of Pennsylvania, in the -vicinity of Fort Pitt, had been severely harassed by the Indians. On the -9th of that month, a party of four men, despatched from Fort Pitt, were -all killed and scalped at the distance of fifteen miles from the fort. On -the 13th, a man named David Morgan, of Monongalia, discovered two Indians -creeping upon several children at work in a field. He gave the alarm to -the latter, and then shot one of the Indians dead. The other rushed upon -Morgan, and grappled, with him. A severe contest ensued for the possession -of the Indian's knife, which Morgan ultimately obtained; the Indian, by -grasping the blade, having his hand severely lacerated. Morgan stabbed the -Indian, and ran for the fort, while the Indian took to the woods. A party -set off immediately in pursuit, and soon overtook the savage, sitting -against a tree. He begged for mercy, and was at first taken as a prisoner; -but during the march back to the fort, he became rather surly, whereupon -his captors killed and scalped him--taking, also, the scalp from the -warrior who had been first shot by Morgan. On the following day another -Indian scout was discovered, one of whom was killed and scalped. Two days -afterward the Indians killed and scalped David Maxwell and his wife. -Several families were carried into captivity. Among the prisoners was one -resolute woman, who killed one of her guards, wounded another, and -effected her escape. [FN] These individual murders were the more cruel, -inasmuch as they could have no effect upon the result of the pending -contest. The snatching away of prisoners by these petty expeditions was a -different affair; and often served a twofold purpose--enabling the enemy -frequently to extort information, and, by a silent operation, continually -increasing the number of prisoners in their hands for exchange. But, -whether murdered outright or carried into captivity, the trials of the -inhabitants upon a frontier, thus hourly exposed to dangers of the most -appalling description, can scarcely be appreciated by those who have not -been placed in similar peril. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Almon's Remembrancer--letter from Fort Pitt. - - -The frontier towns of the County of Ulster were likewise not a little -annoyed, in the early part of May, by a detachment of thirty or forty of -Butler's rangers, who, from their knowledge of the country, were supposed -to have fled to the royal standard from that neighborhood. On the 4th of -May, four dwelling-houses and five barns were burnt by them in -Fantine-kill. Six of the inhabitants were murdered, besides three or four -more who were supposed to be burnt in their houses. Colonel Philip Van -Courtlandt, stationed at that time with one of the New-York regiments at -Warwasing, went in pursuit of the traitors; but although he twice came in -sight of them upon the crest of a mountain, they were too dexterous in -threading the forests to allow him to overtake them; and the Colonel had -scarcely turned back from the pursuit, before they fell upon the town of -Woodstock, in the neighborhood of Kingston, where they burnt several -houses and committed other depredations. They made a few prisoners, some -of whom were carried away; while others were compelled, by the up-raised -hatchet, to take an oath not to serve in arms against the King. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Idem--Article from Warwasing, published first in Poughkeepsie. - - -In order to preserve, unbroken, a narrative of the principal Indian -campaign of the present year, it is necessary somewhat to anticipate the -progress of events, by recording in this place the particulars of the -celebrated invasion of Minisink, and the bloody battle that immediately -ensued near the Delaware. [FN-1] The brave Count Pulaski, with his -battalion of cavalry, had been stationed at Minisink during the preceding -winter; but in the month of February he was ordered to South Carolina, to -join the army of General Lincoln. [FN-2] Left thus wholly unprotected, -save by its own people, Captain Brant determined to make a descent upon -it, for the purpose of taking both plunder and prisoners. Accordingly, on -the 20th of July, or rather during the night of the 19th, the crafty -Mohawk stole upon the slumbering town, at the head of sixty Indians and -twenty-seven Tory warriors, disguised as Indians--which was a very common -practice with the loyalists when acting with the savages. Such was the -silence of their approach, that several houses were already in flames when -the inhabitants awoke to their situation. Thus surprised, and wholly -unprepared, all who could escape fled in consternation, leaving the -invaders to riot upon the spoil. Ten houses and twelve barns were burnt, -together with a small stockade fort and two mills. Several persons were -killed, and others taken prisoners. The farms of the settlement were laid -waste, the cattle driven away, and all the booty carried off which the -invaders could remove. Having thus succeeded in his immediate object. -Brant lost no time in leading his party back to the main body of his -warriors, whom he had left at Grassy Brook. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Minisink, for an inland American town, is very ancient. It is - situated about ten miles west of Goshen, in the County of Orange, (N. Y.) - on the Navisink river, and among what are called the Shawangunk - Mountains. It is bordered on the south-west by both the States of New - Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Wallkill also rises in this town. Its - history, previous to the war of the Revolution, is full of interest. A - severe battle was fought with the Indians in Minisink, July 22, 1669, - the bloody horrors of which yet live in the traditions of that - neighborhood. - - [FN-2] Letter of Washington. - - -No sooner had the fugitives from Minisink arrived at Goshen with the -intelligence, than Dr. Tusten, the Colonel of the local militia, issued -orders to the officers of his command to meet him at Minisink on the -following day, with as many volunteers as they could raise. The order was -promptly obeyed, and a body of one hundred and forty-nine men met their -colonel at the designated rendezvous, at the time appointed--including -many of the principal gentlemen of the county. A council of war was held, -to determine upon the expediency of a pursuit. Colonel Tusten was himself -opposed to the proposition, with so feeble a command, and with the -certainty, if they overtook the enemy, of being obliged to encounter an -officer combining, with his acknowledged prowess, so much of subtlety as -characterized the movements of the Mohawk chief. His force, moreover, was -believed to be greatly superior to their's in numbers, and to include many -Tories as well acquainted with the country as themselves. The Colonel, -therefore, preferred waiting for the reinforcements which would be sure -soon to arrive, the more especially as the volunteers already with him -were but ill provided with arms and ammunition. Others, however, were for -immediate pursuit. They affected to hold the Indians in contempt, insisted -that they would not fight, and maintained that a re-capture of the plunder -they had taken would be an easy achievement. Town-meeting counsels, in the -conduct of war, are not usually the wisest, as will appear in the sequel. -The majority of Tusten's command were evidently determined to pursue the -enemy; but their deliberations were cut short by Major Meeker, who mounted -his horse, flourished his sword, and vauntingly called out--"Let the -brave men follow me, the cowards may stay behind!" It may readily be -supposed that such an appeal to an excited multitude would decide the -question, as it did. The line of march was immediately taken up, and after -proceeding seventeen miles the same evening, they encamped for the night. -On the morning of the 22d they were joined by a small reinforcement under -Colonel Hathorn, of the Warwick regiment, who, as the senior of Colonel -Tusten, took the command. When they had advanced a few miles, to Halfway -Brook, they came upon the Indian encampment of the preceding night, and -another council was held there. Colonels Hathorn, Tusten, and others, -whose valor was governed by prudence, were opposed to advancing farther, -as the number of Indian fires, and the extent of ground they had occupied, -removed all doubt as to the superiority of their numbers. A scene similar -to that which had broken up the former council was acted at this place, -and with the same result. The voice of prudence was compelled to yield to -that of bravado. - -Captain Tyler, who had some knowledge of the woods, was sent forward at -the head of a small scouting party, to follow the trail of the Indians, -and to ascertain, if possible, their movements; since it was evident that -they could not be far in advance. The Captain had proceeded but a short -distance before he fell from the fire of an unseen enemy. This -circumstance occasioned considerable alarm; but the volunteers, -nevertheless, pressed eagerly forward, and it was not long before they -emerged upon the hills of the Delaware, in full view of that river, upon -the eastern bank of which, at the distance of three-fourths of a mile, -the Indians were seen deliberately marching in the direction of a -fording-place near the mouth of the Lackawaxen. This discovery was made -at about 9 o'clock in the morning. The intention of Brant to cross at the -fording-place was evident; and it was afterward ascertained that his booty -had already been sent thither in advance. - -The determination was immediately formed by Colonel Hathorn, to intercept -the enemy at the fording-place, for which purpose instant dispositions -were made. But, owing to intervening woods and hills, the opposing bodies -soon lost sight of each other, and an adroit movement on the part of Brant -gave him an advantage which it was impossible for the Americans to regain. -Anticipating the design of Hathorn, the moment the Americans were out of -sight Brant wheeled to the right, and by threading a ravine across which -Hathorn had passed, threw himself into his rear, by which means he was -enabled deliberately to select his ground for a battle and form an -ambuscade. Disappointed in not finding the enemy, the Americans were -brought to a stand, when the enemy disclosed himself partially, in a -quarter altogether unexpected. According to the American account, the -first shot was fired upon an Indian, who was known, and who was mounted -upon a horse stolen at Minisink. The Indian fell, and the firing soon -became general--the enemy contriving, in the early part of the engagement, -to cut off from the main body of Hathorn's troops a detachment comprising -one third of his whole number. The conflict was long and obstinate. The -number of the enemy being several times greater than that of the Goshen -militia, the latter were surrounded, and ultimately hemmed within the -circumference of an acre of ground. Being short of ammunition, Hathorn's -orders, in imitation of those of Putnam at Bunker Hill, were strict that -no man should fire until very sure that his powder would not be -lost. [FN-1] The battle commenced about 11 o'clock in the morning, and was -maintained until the going down of the sun; both parties fighting after -the Indian fashion, every man for himself, and the whole keeping up an -irregular fire from behind rocks and trees as best they could. About -sunset the ammunition of the militia was expended, and the survivors -attempted to retreat, but many of them were cut down. Doctor Tusten was -engaged behind a cliff of rocks in dressing the wounded when the retreat -commenced. There were seventeen disabled men under his care at the moment, -whose cries for protection and mercy were of the most moving description. -The Indians fell upon them, however, and they all, together with the -Doctor, perished under the tomahawk. Among the slain were many of the -first citizens of Goshen; and of the whole number that went forth, only -about thirty returned to tell the melancholy story. [FN-2] Several of the -fugitives were shot while attempting to escape by swimming the Delaware. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Putnam's order was--"Don't fire, boys, till you see the white of - their eyes." - - [FN-2] Among the slain were Jones, Little, Duncan, Wisner, Vail, - Townsend, and Knapp. In 1822 the people of Orange County collected the - bones, which until then had been left to bleach on the battle-field, and - caused them to be buried. The funeral procession numbered twelve thousand - people, among whom was Major Poppino, one of the survivors of the - battle--then nearly one hundred years old. The author has to some extent - drawn upon the discourse of the Rev. Dr. Wilson, delivered on that - occasion, in writing this account of the battle. - - -Brant has been severely censured for the cruelties perpetrated, or alleged -to have been perpetrated, in this battle. He always maintained that he had -been unjustly blamed, and that his conduct had been the subject of unjust -reproach. He stated that, having ascertained that the Goshen militia were -in pursuit of him, determined to give him battle, he of course prepared -himself for their reception. Still, having obtained the supplies he -needed, his own object was accomplished. He also stated, that on the near -approach of the Americans, he rose, and presenting himself openly and -fairly to their view, addressed himself to their commanding officer, and -demanded their surrender--promising at the same time to treat them kindly -as prisoners of war. He assured them, frankly, that his force in ambush -was sufficient to overpower and destroy them; that then, before any blood -had been shed, he could control his warriors; but should the battle -commence, he could not answer for the consequences. But, he said, while he -was thus parleying with them, he was fired upon, and narrowly escaped -being shot down--the ball piercing the outer fold of his belt. Immediately -upon receiving the shot, he retired, and secreted himself among his -warriors. The militia, emboldened by his disappearance, seeing no other -enemy, and disbelieving what he had told them, rushed forward heedlessly -until they were completely within his power. In crossing a creek they had -broken their order, and before they could form again on the other side, -Brant gave the well-known signal of the war-whoop. Quick as the -lightning's flash, his dark cloud of warriors were upon their feet. Having -fired once, they sprang forward, tomahawk in hand. The conflict was fierce -and bloody. Few escaped, and several of the prisoners were killed. There -was one who during the battle saved himself by means which Brant said were -dishonorable. By some process or other, though not a Freemason, he had -acquired a knowledge of the master mason's grand hailing signal of -distress; and having been informed that Brant was a member of the -brotherhood, he gave the mystic sign. Faithful to his pledge, the -chieftain interposed and saved his life. Discovering the imposture -afterward, he was very indignant. Still, he spared his life, and the -prisoner ultimately returned to his friends after a long captivity. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This version of the battle, as given by Brant, has been derived by - the author from the notes of conversations with the old chief, by Samuel - Woodruff, Esq. heretofore cited. The prisoner referred to as having been - saved by the erroneous supposition of Brant that he was a Freemason, was - the late Major Wood of Orange County. The Rev. Doctor Wilson gives the - following account of this incident:--"Major Wood of Orange County, - (N. Y.) was made a prisoner at the battle of Minisink, because Brant, - from an accidental sign, mistook him for a Freemason. On the evening - after the battle, when the 'monster' was about to tie him, he - remonstrated, said he was a gentleman, and promised not to escape. He was - not tied, but laid between two Indians; and told, that should he attempt - to escape he should be tomahawked. The blanket on which he lay took fire - in the night, and he dared not move, lest the tomahawk might sink into - his head, until the fire reached his feet, when he kicked it out. It was - Brant's blanket. Brant treated him very harshly ever after; and when - Major Wood asked him the reason, he replied, 'D--n you, you burnt my - blanket.' Major Wood was, for many years after the peace, a resident of - Orange County, and one of its most respectable citizens." Dr. Wilson - supposes that the Masonic signal was made by mere accident. It may have - been so; but the author has been told otherwise, and that one of the - first acts of his life, after his return, was to become a Freemason. - This he considered himself in honor bound to do. He also stated that he - had always felt mortified at the deception he had practised, and that - nothing could have been more withering than the scorn with which Brant - ever looked upon him afterward. - - -There was another occurrence of deep and thrilling interest connected with -this battle, the particulars of which were related in after-years by Brant -himself, while on a visit to the city of New-York. [FN-1] Among those who -were grievously wounded was Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Wisner, a gentleman -of great respectability, a magistrate, serving among the Goshen -volunteers. In surveying the battle-field, the situation of Wisner -arrested the attention of the Indian commander, who examined his -condition. The chief saw that he was wounded past hope of recovery, but -he was, nevertheless, in the full possession of his faculties, and was -even able to converse. Believing his case to be altogether beyond the -power of medical and surgical skill, and having no means of carrying him -away. Brant reflected a moment upon his own course of duty. He was -disposed to save his life if he could, and yet felt that it was -impossible. To leave him thus helpless and alone upon the field, in the -possession of his senses to a degree enabling him to appreciate all the -horrors of his situation, would be the height of cruelty. Added to which -was the moral certainty, that the wolves abounding in the forest, guided -by the scent of blood, would soon be gorging themselves alike upon the -wounded and the dead. The thought, therefore, that Wisner might be torn -in pieces while yet alive, seemed to him even more than savage cruelty. -Under these distressing circumstances and considerations, the chief argued -with himself that true humanity required a speedy termination of his -sufferings. Having formed this conclusion, the next point was to compass -his death without inflicting additional torture upon his feelings. With -this view he engaged Wisner in conversation, and while diverting his -attention, struck him dead in an instant, and unperceived, with his -hatchet. It was but a savage exhibition of humanity; but there was -benevolence in the intention, however strangely reasoned; and the motive -of the final blow is to be applauded, notwithstanding the shudder caused -by its contemplation. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Conversations of Brant with General Morgan Lewis, related by the - latter to the author. - - [FN-2] The British account of this battle, published in New-York on the - 18th of August, 1779, as received from "a person just arrived from Joseph - Brant and his brethren," stated that Brant had with him only sixty - Indians and twenty white men. Among the principal inhabitants killed, the - same account gave the following return: "Colonel Benjamin Tustan, Jr., - Captain Samuel Jones, Captain John Little, Captain John Wood, Captain - Duncan, Captain Benjamin Vail, Captain Reat Tyler, Adjutant Nathaniel - Frink, Lieutenant Benjamin Dunning, Lieutenant Samuel Knapp, Lieutenant - John Wood, Lieutenant Abraham Shepherd, Justice Gabriel Weisner, Justice - Gilbert Vail, Justice Roger Townsend, Justice William Barker, - Commissioner James Knapp, Commissioner James Mashier. Wounded, Major - Hans Decker, Major Samuel Meeker, of the Minisink militia. Out of one - hundred and forty-nine that went out, thirty returned--missing one - hundred and nineteen."--_Vide Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vi. p._ 276. - - -From Minisink, by a rapid movement, Brant fell upon a settlement on the -south side of the Mohawk, where, on the 2d of August, he made a few -prisoners--the name of one of whom was House. This man, with his -companions, was carried back into the woods, and left in charge of the -Indians, while Brant, with four of his warriors, went off upon some secret -enterprise. On the fourth day after his absence, he returned, attended by -his four warriors, but on horseback himself, having been wounded in the -foot by a musket shot. The wound, however, was not like that of Achilles, -in the heel, but by a buck-shot in the ball of the great toe--and -therefore in a place less equivocal for a soldier's honor. They then -commenced their march in the direction of Tioga; but as House became too -lame by walking to continue the journey on foot, the Indians proposed -killing him. To this Brant objected; and having been acquainted with House -before the war, he released him on condition of his taking an oath of -neutrality, which was written by the chief in the Indian language. House -signed the oath, and Brant witnessed it. He was then released, and being -somewhere in the vicinity of Otsego Lake, where General Clinton was then -making preparations for his celebrated descent of the Susquehanna, House -came into Clinton's camp on the 8th of August--the day previous to his -embarkation. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. letter of General James Clinton to Governor Clinton, his - brother. - - -Contemporaneously with these occurrences, and while, as will subsequently -appear, the attention of the American officers was directed to more -important movements, the Indians and Tories once more broke in upon the -Pennsylvania border, in Northampton, Lyconia, and the neighborhood of -Sunbury. In a succession of petty affairs between the 1st and 21st of -July, several neighborhoods were destroyed and mills burnt. On the 17th, -all the principal houses in the township of Munsey were burnt. Two persons -were killed on that day, and four had been killed a few days previous, -besides several taken prisoners. On the 20th, three men were killed by a -small party hovering about Freeland's Fort, situated on the West branch -of the Susquehanna, seventeen miles from Sunbury. On the 28th, five days -after the affair of Minisink, this little defence, which was garrisoned -by only thirty men, and about fifty women and children who had sought -refuge within its walls, was invested by one of the McDonalds, at the head -of two hundred Indians, and one hundred troops calling themselves -regulars. But, although wearing the British uniform, it was believed that -they were American loyalists. The enemy met with less resistance during -this irruption than would have been the case, but for the circumstance -that the greater part of the men had been drafted for the boat service of -General Sullivan, who was then at Wyoming, preparing to enter the Seneca -country. Fort Freeland was too weak of itself, and too weakly garrisoned, -to hold out long against such a disparity of force. Captain Hawkins Boone, -a brave officer, stationed with thirty men at a distance of some miles, -marched to the relief of the fort immediately on hearing of the -investment. The garrison had surrendered before his arrival. Boone -nevertheless gave battle to the enemy; but, overpowered by numbers, he was -slain, together with eighteen of his men, whose scalps were carried as -trophies into the fort. Two other officers. Captains Dougherty and -Hamilton, were also killed. By the terms of capitulation, McDonald -stipulated to spare the women and children, and allow them to depart. The -fort, and the houses in its vicinity, were then burnt. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Almon's Remembrancer--article from Philadelphia. - - -Meantime the Shawanese were continuing their depredations upon the Ohio -border of Virginia, with results certainly not unfavorable to the former. -Colonel Boon being absent in North Carolina, Colonel Bowman led an -expedition of one hundred and sixty men, in July, against the Shawanese -of Old Chilicothe. Although Bowman fell upon the Indians suddenly, and -without knowledge on their part of his approach, they nevertheless fought -him bravely for several hours, and compelled him to retreat. Falling back -thirty miles, Bowman made a stand, and was shortly overtaken by the -Indians with augmented numbers. Another engagement ensued, which, during -the first two hours, promised no advantage to the forces of Bowman. -Colonel Harrod then proposed to mount a number of men upon horses and make -a cavalry charge. The suggestion was adopted, and the expedient succeeded. -The Indians fought with remarkable fury, but were, nevertheless, broken, -and compelled to fly in all directions. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone. - - -With these incidents closes the present volume. The second will open with -a narrative of the most formidable Indian campaign undertaken during the -contest for American Independence. - - * * * * * - - NOTE. - -It is desirable that the present note should be read in connection with -the sixth chapter of this volume, containing the account of General -Schuyler's expedition to Johnstown in February, 1776, for the purpose of -disarming the Tories of Tryon County, and of arresting Sir John Johnson. -The immediate causes of that expedition, aside from the information of a -wretch named Connell, do not appear with sufficient distinctness to divest -the proceedings of General Schuyler of a character almost of harshness. -But while the author has entertained little, if any, doubt, that Congress -had good and sufficient reasons for directing the expedition, and Schuyler -for his energetic execution of his orders, the reasons for the urgency of -the movement have never transpired. Since the preceding sheets were from -the press, however, the author has received copies of certain documents -from the archives of the British Government, which reflect all the light -upon the subject that can be desired. After the perusal of these papers, -the propriety of the measure, if it ever has been, can no longer be -questioned:-- - - "Governor Tryon to Lord George Germaine. - - "_On board H. B. M. Ship, Dutchess of Gordon, - New-York Harbor,_ 3d _Jan._ 1776. - - "My Lord, - -"The gentleman who delivered me the enclosed letter from Sir John Johnson, -assured me that by Government's complying with its contents, Sir John -could muster five hundred Indians to support the cause of government, and -that these, with a body of regulars, might retake the forts. If Sir John -had the title of Superintendent of Indian Affairs, it would give the -greatest weight to his Majesty's Indian affairs--the Indians having the -greatest affection for the son of their late benefactor. I wish your -Lordship may think as favorably of Sir John's proposals as I do," &c. &c. - - [Enclosure in the above.] - - "Sir John Johnson to Governor Tryon. - -"Sir--I hope the occasion and intention of this letter may plead my -excuse for the liberty I take, in introducing to your Excellency the -bearer hereof, Captain Allan McDonnell, who will inform you of many -particulars which cannot at this time be safely communicated in writing. -The distracted and convulsed state that this unhappy county is now worked -up to, and the situation that I am in here, together with the many -obligations our family owe to the best of sovereigns, induce me to fall -upon a plan that may, I hope, be of service to the country, the propriety -of which I entirely submit to your Excellency's better judgment, -depending on that friendship which you have been pleased to honor me with, -for your advice on, and representation to His Majesty, of what I propose. -Having consulted with all my friends in this quarter, among whom are many -old and good officers, I have come to the resolution of forming a -battalion, and have named all the officers, most of whom have a good deal -of interest in their respective neighborhoods, and have seen a great -number of men ready to complete the plan. We must, however, not think of -stirring, until support and supplies of many necessaries to enable us to -carry our design into execution are received--all which Mr. McDonnell will -inform your Excellency of I make not the least doubt of the success of -this plan, should we be supported in time. As to news, I must beg leave -to refer you to Mr. McDonnell, who will inform you of every thing that -has been done in Canada, that has come to our knowledge. As I find by the -papers you are soon to sail for England, I despair of having the pleasure -to pay my respects to you, but most sincerely wish you an agreeable -voyage, and a happy sight of your family and friends. - - "I am, your Excellency's - Most obedient, humble servant, - John Johnson." - -It was beyond doubt the organization and other preparations indicated in -the preceding letter, some knowledge of which must have transpired, that -induced Congress to direct the expedition into Tryon County, referred to -above, which was so vigorously executed by General Schuyler, as narrated -in the sixth chapter of the present volume. And the same Allan McDonnell, -who, with Sir John Johnson, was one of the negotiators with General -Schuyler on that occasion, was the secret emissary sent by Sir John, one -month before, to negotiate with Governor Tryon. Thus the whole matter in -respect to that expedition is explained. - - - - - - APPENDIX. - - - - - APPENDIX. - - * * * * * - - No. I. - - - - [Reference from the Introduction.] - -[The following is the article referred to in the text. It is extracted -from Almon's American Remembrancer, (a work purporting to be an authentic -collection of facts, published in London during the Revolutionary War,) -for the year 1782, Vol. 14, page 185. It was long supposed to be -authentic, but has since been ascertained to be a publication from the pen -of Doctor Franklin, written for political purposes.] - - _Extract of a letter from Captain Gerrisk, of the New-England militia, - dated Albany, March_ 7_th,_ 1782. - -The peltry taken in the expedition will, as you see, amount to a good deal -of money. The possession of this booty at first gave us pleasure; but we -were struck with horror to find among the packages eight large ones, -containing scalps of our unhappy folks taken in the three last years by -the Seneca Indians, from the inhabitants of the frontiers of New-York, -New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and sent by them as a present to -Col. Haldiman, Governor of Canada, in order to be by him transmitted to -England. They were accompanied by the following curious letter to that -gentleman:-- - - "_Tioga, January_ 3_d,_ 1782. - - "May it please your Excellency, - -"At the request of the Seneca chiefs, I send herewith to your Excellency, -under the care of James Boyd, eight packs of scalps, cured, dried, hooped, -and painted with all the Indian triumphal marks, of which the following -is invoice and explanation. - - "No. 1. Containing 43 scalps of Congress soldiers, killed in different - skirmishes; these are stretched on black hoops, four inch diameter; - the inside of the skin painted red, with a small black spot to note - their being killed with bullets. Also 62 of farmers, killed in their - houses; the hoops red; the skin painted brown, and marked with a hoe; - a black circle all round to denote their being surprised in the night; - and a black hatchet in the middle, signifying their being killed with - that weapon. - - "No. 2. Containing 98 of farmers, killed in their houses; hoops red; - figure of a hoe, to mark their profession; great white circle and sun, - to show they were surprised in the day-time; _a little red foot,_ to - show they stood upon their defence, and died fighting for their lives - and families. - - "No. 3. Containing 97 of farmers; hoops green, to show they were killed - in their fields; a large white circle with a little round mark on it - for the sun, to show that it was in the daytime; black bullet mark on - some--hatchet on others. - - "No 4. Containing 102 of farmers, mixed of the several marks above; only - 18 marked with a little yellow flame, to denote their being of - prisoners burnt alive, after being scalped, their nails pulled out by - the roots, and other torments; one of these latter supposed to be of a - rebel clergyman, his band being fixed to the hoop of his scalp. Most - of the farmers appear by the hair to have been young or middle aged - men; their being but 67 very gray heads among them all; which makes - the service more essential. - - "No. 5. Containing 88 scalps of women; hair long, braided in the Indian - fashion, to show they were mothers; hoops blue; skin yellow ground, - with little red tadpoles, to represent, by way of triumph, the tears - of grief occasioned to their relations; a black scalping-knife or - hatchet at the bottom, to mark their being killed with those - instruments; 17 others, hair very gray; black hoops; plain brown - colour, no mark but the short club or cassetete, to show they were - knocked down dead, or had their brains beat out. - - "No. 6. Containing 193 boys' scalps, of various ages; small green hoops; - whitish ground on the skin, with red tears in the middle, and black - bullet marks, knife, hatchet, or club, as their deaths happened. - - "No. 7. 211 girls scalped, big and little; small yellow hoops; white - ground; tears, hatchet, club, scalping-knife, &c. - - "No. 8. This package is a mixture of all the varieties above-mentioned, - to the number of 122; with a box of birch bark, containing 29 little - infants' scalps of various sizes; small white hoops; white ground. - -"With these packs the Chiefs send to your Excellency the following speech, -delivered by Coneiogatchie, in council, interpreted by the elder Moore, -the trader, and taken down by me in writing. - -"'_Father!_--We send you herewith many scalps, that you may see that we are -not idle friends. A blue belt. - -"'_Father!_--We wish you to send these scalps over the water to the Great -King, that he may regard them and be refreshed; and that he may see our -faithfulness in destroying his enemies, and be convinced that his presents -have not been made to ungrateful people. A blue and white belt with red -tassels. - -"'_Father!_--Attend to what I am now going to say; it is a matter of much -weight. The great King's enemies are many, and they grow fast in number. -They were formerly like young panthers; they could neither bite nor -scratch; we could play with them safely; we feared nothing they could do -to us. But now their bodies are become big as the elk, and strong as the -buffalo, they have also got great and sharp claws. They have driven us out -of our country by taking part in your quarrel. We expect the great King -will give us another country, that our children may live after us, and be -his friends and children as we are.--Say this for us to the great King. -To enforce it, we give this belt. A great white belt with blue tassels. - -"'_Father!_--We have only to say further, that your traders exact more than -ever for their goods; and our hunting is lessened by the war, so that we -have fewer skins to give for them. This ruins us. Think of some remedy. -We are poor, and you have plenty of every thing. We know you will send us -powder and guns, and knives, and hatchets; but we also want shirts and -blankets. A little white belt.' - -"I do not doubt but that your Excellency will think it proper to give some -further encouragement to those honest people. The high prices they -complain of, are the necessary effect of the war. Whatever presents may be -sent for them through my hands shall be distributed with prudence and -fidelity. I have the honour of being - - "Your Excellency's most obedient, - And most humble servant, - JAMES CRAUFURD," - - - - - No. II. - - - - [Reference from Page 104.] - -Account of the treaty held at Albany, in August 1775, with the Six -Nations, by the Commissioners of the Twelve United Colonies, met at -General Congress at Philadelphia. - -The Commissioners on the part of the Colonies, were Major General Philip -Schuyler, Major Joseph Hawley, Mr. Turbot Francis, Mr. Oliver Wolcott, -and Mr. Volkert P. Douw. After the adjournment from German Flats, and the -arrival of the Indians at Albany, as stated in the text, the following -proceedings were had. - -At a meeting of the Commissioners for transacting Indian affairs in the -northern department, held at Albany on Wednesday, the 23d August, 1775. -Present: - - Gen. Schuyler, Col. Francis, Mr. Douw. - -Resolved, unanimously, that the Indians of the Six Nations be invited to -receive our congratulations on their safe arrival here; that it be at five -o'clock this afternoon; that the committee of the city of Albany and the -principal gentlemen of the place be requested to accompany the -Commissioners; and that the following letters be wrote for that purpose -to the chairman of the committee. - - _Albany,_ 22_d August,_ 1775. - -Gentlemen.--Your generous exertions to support the American cause against -the nefarious schemes of a wicked and profligate ministry, the propriety -with which you have conducted those Indian affairs that have become the -subject of your consideration, a consciousness that without your aid, and -that of gentlemen of the town conversant in those matters, the important -business of the ensuing conference cannot be so properly conducted as our -zeal for the service makes us wish, are so many motives which point out -to us the necessity of calling on you and those gentlemen for your aid -and advice; which we entreat you will give us without reserve; and be -assured that it will be attended to with all that deference that is due -to your respectable body and to their good judgment. We propose to pay a -visit this afternoon at five o'clock to the Indians. We beg the favor of -the committee to honor us with their company, as so respectable a body -will greatly add to the complimentary visit we mean to pay them. We shall -go from Cartwright's, and shall take it as a favor if the gentlemen of the -town, who are not of the committee, would be pleased to go with us. - -We are, gentlemen, with great respect, - - Your most humble servants, - P. Schuyler, - Volkert P. Douw, - Turbot Francis. - -To which the committee returned the following answer:-- - -Gentlemen,--Your polite invitation for us to join in paying a -complimentary visit to the Indians this afternoon at five o'clock, we -accept of, and shall for that purpose attend at Cartwright's at the hour -appointed. - - We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants. - By order of the committee, - Abraham Yates, Jr. _Chairman._ - -The sachems and warriors of the Six Nations being assembled, the -Commissioners, attended by the committee and principal gentlemen of the -city of Albany, met them, and addressed them as follows:-- - -Brethren op the Six Nations,--We, the deputies appointed by the Twelve -United Colonies, the decendants of Quedar, [FN] and the gentlemen of the -city of Albany, congratulate you on your arrival here. They are glad to -see you well, and thank the great God that he suffers us to meet. - - * * * * * - - [FN] "Quedar," the name which the Indians had given Governor - Stuyvesant--being probably, the result of their effort to pronounce the - name "Peter." - - - * * * * * - - -At a meeting of the Commissioners for transacting Indian affairs for the -northern department held at the city of Albany, on Tuesday, 25th of -August, 1775. Present: - - Gen. Schuyler, Col. Wolcott, Col. Francis, Mr. Douw. - -The following message was sent to the committee of the city of Albany:-- - - _Albany,_ 25_th August,_ 1775. - -Gentlemen,--The Commissioners of Indian affairs are to open the treaty -with the Six Nations this morning, about eleven, at the Dutch church. They -request the favor of your attendance, and that of the principal gentlemen -of the town, and would wish, previous to the meeting, to be honored with -your company at Cartwright's. - -To Abraham Yates, Jr. Esq. Chairman of the committee of Albany. - -The chairman and committee attended agreeable to invitation. - -In the course of their interview with the Commissioners this day, the -Indians stated that they had some business to transact with the people of -Albany, with whom they were desirous of having an interview before -proceeding with the main object for which the Council had been convened. -They therefore requested a day for that purpose. The request was -granted--a meeting of the citizens of Albany was held immediately, at -which Walter Livingston, Jeremiah Van Renselaer, and Dr. Samuel Stringer -were appointed a committee to hold the preliminary council with the -Indians. The interview took place on the same evening, when Seaghnagerat, -an Oneida sachem, opened the proceedings by the following speech:-- - -"Brothers of Albany:--We beg you will acquaint us when your body is -complete. - -"Brothers of Albany:--The day is now come that we have arrived in -consequence of your invitation. When you saw four of the Oneida Nations, -you said you was glad to see them at your Council Chamber. We are now here -in consequence thereof. You told us you would be glad to see us -again--that you rejoiced to see them, and that you would open the ashes, -and rekindle the old council-fire at Albany. We are glad to see that some -of the sparks of that old council-fire yet remain. We rejoice, even to -excess, to find it so. - -"Brothers attend!--I have one addition to make to what passed between four -of the Oneida Nation and you, when last at your Council Chamber. When you -found from our conference with your brothers at the German Flats, that our -sentiments of public affairs so much coincided with yours, you farther -told us that all the governments of America on the sea-coasts were anxious -to know whether we were disposed to peace, and that you, the Twelve United -Colonies, were resolved to support your civil constitution and liberties, -and you rejoiced to find that we all so firmly resolved to maintain peace. - -"Brothers of Albany:--You farther observed. In the intercourse you had -with four of the Oneida Nation, that you greatly rejoiced at the -conference you had at the German Flats. You farther said that you was -surprised about a letter Guy Johnson had received from the chief warrior, -General Gage, about removing the ministers from among us. That you -rejoiced that the Indians were instructed in the Christian religion, and -that the ministers that were among us might continue. - -"Brothers of Albany, attend!--We have something further yet to relate of -your speech. You desired, at the intercourse you had with the four -messengers, that we should acquaint the Six Nations with your speech, and -that thereafter three or four of each Nation should come down. You farther -said that you would have been glad to have attended at the council-fire -at Guy Johnson's to hear what he should say to the Indians, and see if his -sentiments and yours should coincide. But you then soon heard that he had -removed from there to Fort Stanwix, from there to Oswego; that you -despaired of hearing any thing from him, and therefore desired us that we -would let you know what was done at that fire. - -"Brothers, attend!--You made another proposal at the intercourse you had -with four of our Nation, which was this:--that you had heard that there -was to be a council of the whole of our Nation at the German Flats, you -desired our people that they would let you know what passed between us -and them. Our delegates, in our names, then told you that it would be more -agreeable that two or more of your members should attend, and hear -themselves what passed there. This, brethren, is the substance of what -passed between you and the four of the Oneida Nation. - -"Brothers of Albany, attend!--We now, upon this day, going through with -what passed between some of your members and us, when the conference ended -at German Flats. You said--Brothers, let us both endeavor to keep peace, -that we may continue to enjoy its blessings. We desire not that you should -trouble yourselves in the least with these disputes between us and those -over the great waters; only exert yourselves in maintaining the covenant -that was made between your and our forefathers, at this place of our -council-fire. Your delegates told us at the German Flats, that, although -you should be drove back from the sea-coast by your enemies, yet you would -not ask our aid. - -"Brothers of Albany, farther attend!--Two things more you delivered at the -German Flats. The first was this;--That we, the Oneida Nation, should give -a kind ear to your speech; you then produced two ancient belts of -wampum,--one of twenty rows, which was the old covenant between the whole -Oneida Nation and _Quedar-Gorah;_ another that was given by the Six -Nations, by the Indian called _Kayinguaraghtoh,_ of the Seneca Nation; you -also said that these belts should again be produced for the inspection of -the whole Six Nations at the intended council-fire to be re-kindled at -Albany. - -"Brothers of Albany:--We have now finished the principal subjects that -passed between you and us, the Oneida Nation; and we, all of us, the Six -Nations, are here now present, to hear what has passed, and to prevent any -false reports that may be propagated by news carriers. - -"Brothers of Albany, now attend!--You, also, the commissioners who are -here present, lend your ears and hear our voice. You, our brothers of -Albany, have desired the sentiments of the Six Nations. We, the Six -Nations and our allies, which extend to Detroit, Ohio, and Caughnawaga, -upon our first hearing the bad news that circulated along the eastern -shore of this island, assembled and resolved upon a union amongst us, -Indians, and to maintain peace; and we rejoice that nothing more has been -asked of us. There is nothing different in our minds than what we have now -told. We shall not take notice of any hostile propositions that may be -made to us, for we bear an equal proportion of love to you and the others -over the great waters in the present dispute; and we shall remain at -peace and smoke our pipes; and the Six Nations will always keep the path -open, and we call God to witness to the truth of what we now say, and it -proceeds from our hearts. - - "[_A belt of eight rows._] - -"Brothers of Albany, now attend, and incline your ears to what we have now -to say:-- - -"We, the Six Nations, have heard the voice of a bird called Tskleleli, a -news carrier, that came among us. It has told us that the path at the -western communication, by Fort Stanwix, would be shut up, either by the -one party or the other. Brothers, let it not be; and let the communication -be open for passing and repassing, and let not our country be stained with -blood, and be always compassionate to the old women, and let the young -ones grow up and enjoy the blessings of peace. Brothers, let not that -passage be shut up by you, but confine yourselves to the dispute to the -eastward; for this western communication lays near our council-fire, and -the consequence might be fatal. Indeed, Brothers, your language and Col. -Guy Johnson's coincides, in some things, with one another; and the party -that applies to us to shut up that passage we will look upon as deceivers -and transgressors; and we despise a double-dealer from our hearts, and -whom we look upon God Almighty will hereafter punish as such. And we hope -that when you give your answer, you will speak from the integrity of your -hearts, as we now have done. - - "[_A belt of fifteen rows._] - -"Brothers of Albany, attend!--The Five Nations just now said they would -open their minds in full to you,--they would tell you every thing they -brought with them. This Belt respects the letter Guy Johnson received from -General Gage, concerning the removal of the ministers from among us. Our -father, the minister who stands here, we love, [FN] we love him -exceedingly. Perhaps, in a little time, he may be wrested from us, carried -off like a prisoner. Our hearts tremble for him--we tremble greatly. He -has been threatened; and should he be taken, it might overthrow the whole -Five Nations. Our brothers, the white people, would, perhaps, say that the -Oneida Nation had delivered up their minister, and that the Six Nations -did not regard their missionaries. But, truly, we regard our father, the -minister, and missionaries; therefore, we propose to your consideration, -whether it be not wise that the missionaries retire for a little while; -particularly our father, the minister, Mr. Kirkland, should reside a short -space with his family, as we hope this quarrel cannot subsist long, -because you are brothers, both of one nation and blood, and we hope it -will soon be settled; and when a reconciliation takes place, let our -missionaries immediately return to us; this, however, we refer to your -consideration, and leave at your pleasure. Now, Brethren, we have -unburthened our minds, and opened our bosoms, and delivered what we had -to say." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Rev. Mr. Kirkland. - - -To which the Albanian Committee made the following reply: - -"Brothers of the Six Nations!--We thank you for your speech. The -Commissioners appointed by the Twelve United Colonies, and with our -consent, will first transact business with you; after they have done, we -will answer your speech." - -At a treaty began and held with the Indians of the Six United Nations at -the city of Albany, on Friday, the 25th of August, 1775--Present-- - -Gen. Schuyler, Col. Oliver Wolcott, Col. Turbot Francis, Volkert P. Douw, -Commissioners; the Chairman and Committee, and principal inhabitants of -the city of Albany. The proceedings were opened by the Oneida sachem, -Seaghnagerat, by the following speech:-- - -"Brothers:--We acquainted you yesterday evening, that we should first -speak to our brethren, the Committee of Albany. We have done so, and have -opened our whole minds to them. - -"Brothers:--When we met two of your body at the German Flats, they -presented these strings to us, and invited us to come down to Albany, and -kindle up a great council-fire of peace, under the auspices of the Twelve -United Colonies. Now, as these strings have never been changed, we return -them to you again, and desire that the great council-fire of peace may be -kindled up. - -"Brothers:--You desired us to shut our ears, and fortify our minds against -any evil reports that we might hear on our way down, and to pay no regard -to what any liars and ill-disposed persons might say to us, as they would -only mean to sow dissension between us and our brothers of the Twelve -United Colonies. - -"Brothers:--Our minds are proof against the attempts of such wicked -persons. Now, Brothers, let us give you a little advice on our parts. -There are liars and mischief-makers among the Indians, as well as amongst -the white people. Therefore pay no regard to this or that that any single -Indian may say, but attend to what you may hear from the mouth of our -great council; for that will be the truth, and the sense of all the Six -United Nations." - -The Commissioners then replied in the following words:-- - -"Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors of the Six Nations!--We return thanks to -the Great God that has suffered us to meet together this day, in love, -peace, and friendship. In token of which we will now sit down and smoke -the pipe of peace together." - -[Here the great calumet was lighted up, and went round; after which the -Commissioners proceeded:--] - -"Brothers:--We, the deputies appointed by and in the name of the Twelve -United Colonies, assisted by the descendants of your ancient friend -Quedar, and your Albany brethren, embrace this opportunity to rekindle the -ancient council-fire, which formerly burnt as bright as the sun in this -place, and to heap on it so much fuel that it may never be extinguished; -and also to renew the ancient covenant chain with you, which you know has -always been kept bright and clean, without any stain or rust; and which -by this belt we now strengthen, that for ever hereafter you and we may -have but one heart, one head, one eye, and one hand. - - "[_A belt._] - -"Brethren:--Our business with you, besides kindling the ancient -council-fire, and renewing the covenant and brightening up every link of -the chain, is, in the first place, to inform you of the advice that was -given, about thirty years ago, by your wise forefathers, in a great -council which they held at Lancaster in Pennsylvania, when Cannassateego -spoke to us in these very words. [FN] 'Brethren, we, the Six Nations, -heartily recommend unison and a good agreement between you, our brethren. -Never disagree, but preserve a strict friendship for one another; and -thereby you, as well as we, will become the stronger. Our wise forefathers -established unison and amity between the Five Nations. This has made us -formidable; this has given us great weight and authority with our -neighboring nations. We are a powerful confederacy; and if you observe the -same methods our wise forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh -strength and power. Therefore, whatever befalls you, never fall out with -one another.' These were the words of Cannassateego." - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Colden's History of the Five Nations, and Massachusetts - Historical Collection, for an account of the treaty referred to--1744. - - -"Brothers:--Our forefathers rejoiced to hear Cannassateego speak these -words. They sunk deep into their hearts. The advice was good. It was kind. -They said to one another, 'The Six nations are a wise people. Let us -hearken to them, and take their counsel, and teach our children to follow -it. Our old men have done so.' They have frequently taken a single arrow, -and said--'Children, see how easy it is broken.' Then they have taken and -tied twelve arrows together with a strong string, and our strongest men -could not break them. 'See,' said they, 'this is what the Six Nations -mean. Divided, a single man may destroy you. United, you are a match for -the whole world.' We thank the Great God that we are all united; that we -have a strong confederacy, composed of twelve provinces. [FN] These -provinces have lighted a great council-fire at Philadelphia, and have sent -sixty-five counselors to speak and act in the name of the whole, and -consult for the common good of the people, and of you, our brethren of the -Six Nations, and your allies; the talk of this great council we shall -deliver to you to-morrow." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Which were enumerated. - - -The Council having resumed business on the 26th, the proceedings were -opened by the Commissioners in the following manner:-- - -"Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors!--Let this string open your ears to hear, -and incline your hearts to accept, the talk of the Twelve United Colonies, -which they have sent to you by their deputies. They speak as follows:-- - -"'Brothers Sachems, and Warriors:--We, the delegates from the Twelve -United Provinces, viz.. New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, -Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three lower counties of -Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North -Carolina and South Carolina, now sitting in general congress at -Philadelphia, send this talk to you, our brothers. We are sixty-five in -number, chosen and appointed by the people throughout all these provinces -and colonies, to meet and sit together in one great council, to consult -together for the common good of the land, and speak and act for them. - -"'Brothers:--In our consultation we have judged it proper and necessary -to send you this talk, as we are upon the same island, that you may be -informed of the reasons of this great council, the situation of our civil -constitution, and our disposition toward you, our Indian brothers of the -Six Nations, and their allies. - - "[_Three strings, or a small belt._] - -"'Brothers and Friends, now attend!--When our fathers crossed the great -waters and came over to this land, the King of England gave them a talk; -assuring them that they and their children should be his children, and -that if they would leave their native country and make settlements, and -live here, and buy and sell, and trade with their brethren beyond the -water, they should still keep hold of the same covenant chain and enjoy -peace. And it was covenanted that the fields, houses, goods, and -possessions, which our fathers should acquire, should remain to them as -their own, and be their children's for ever, and at their sole disposal. - -"'Trusting that this covenant should never be broken, our fathers came a -great distance beyond the water, laid out their money here, built houses, -cleared fields, raised crops, and through their own labor and industry -grew tall and strong. - -"'They have bought, sold, and traded with England, according to agreement; -sending to them such things as they wanted, and taking in exchange such -things as are wanted here. The King of England and his people kept the -way open for more than one hundred years, and by our trade became richer, -and by a union with us, greater and stronger than the other kings and -people who live beyond the water. - -"'All this time they lived in great friendship with us, and we with them; -for we are brothers--one blood. - -"'Whenever they were struck, we instantly felt as though the blow had been -given to us--their enemies were our enemies. - -"'Whenever they went to war, we sent our men to stand by their side and -fight for them, and our money to help them and make them strong. That we -have done this, Brothers, you have been all witnesses to in the last war. -You know we assisted them in taking Niagara, Cataroqui, Ticonderoga, Crown -Point, and Canada; and lastly, when they had no more enemies upon this -island, we went to fight, and helped them to take many large islands that -lay in the hot countries, where they got more than thirty cart-loads of -silver. They thanked us for our love, and sent us good tokens, and renewed -their promise to be our people for ever; and when the war was over, they -said, children, we thank you that you have helped to make us great. We -know that it has cost you a great deal of money; and therefore, children, -we give you a present, that you may maintain your warriors. - -"'Brothers and Friends, open a kind ear.--We will now tell you of the -quarrel betwixt the counselors of King George and the habitants and -colonies of America. - -"'Many of his counselors are proud and wicked men. They persuade the King -to break the covenant chain, and not to send us any more good talks. A -considerable number have prevailed upon him to enter into a new covenant -against us, and have torn asunder and cast behind their backs the good -old covenant which their ancestors and ours entered into and took strong -hold of. - -"'They now tell us, they will slip their hands into our pocket without -asking, as though it were their own; and at their pleasure they will take -from us our charters or written civil constitution, which we love as our -lives; also our plantations, our houses, and goods, whenever they please, -without asking our leave. That our vessels may go to _this_ island in the -sea, but to _this_ or _that_ particular island we shall not trade any more. -And, in case of our non-compliance with these new orders, they shut up -our harbors. - -"'Brothers:--This is our present situation--thus have many of the King's -counselors and servants dealt with us. If we submit, or comply with their -demands, you can easily perceive to what a state we will be reduced. If -our people labor on the field, they will not know who shall enjoy the -crop; if they hunt in the woods, it will be uncertain who shall taste of -the meat or have the skins; if they build houses, they will not know -whether they may sit round the fire with their wives and children; they -cannot be sure whether they shall be permitted to eat, drink, and wear -the fruits of their own labor and industry. - -"'Brothers and Friends of the Six Nations, attend!--We upon this island -have often spoke and intreated the King, and his servants the counselors, -that peace and harmony might still continue between us; that we cannot -part with, or lose our hold of, the old covenant chain, which united our -fathers and theirs; that we want to brighten this chain, and keep the way -open as our fathers did; that we want to live with them as brothers; -labor, trade, travel abroad, eat and drink in peace. We have often asked -them to love us, and live in such friendship with us as their fathers did -with ours. - -"'We told them again, that we judged we were exceedingly injured, that -they might as well kill us as take away our property and the necessaries -of life. We have asked why they treat us thus? What has become of our -repeated addresses and supplications to them? Who hath shut the ears of -the King to the cries of his children in America? No soft answer--no -pleasant voice from beyond the waters has yet sounded in our ears. - -"'Brothers,--Thus stands the matter betwixt Old England and America. You, -Indians, know how things are proportioned in a family between the father -and the son--England we regard as the father, this island may be compared -as the son. - -"'The father has a numerous family, both at home and upon this island; he -appoints a great number of servants to assist him in the government of his -family; in process of time, some of his servants grow proud and -ill-natured--they were displeased to see the boy so alert, and walk on so -nimbly with his pack; they tell the father, and advise him to enlarge this -child's pack--they prevail; the pack is increased, the child takes it up -again; as he thought it might be the father's pleasure, speaks but few -words, those very small, for he was loath to offend the father. Those -proud and wicked servants, finding they had prevailed, laughed to see the -boy sweat and stagger under his increased load. By and by they apply to -the father to double the boy's pack, because they heard him complain; and -without any reason said they, he is a cross child, correct him if he -complains any more. The boy intreats the father, and addresses the great -servants in a decent manner that the pack might be lightened; he could not -go any farther; humbly asks if the old fathers, in any of their records, -had described such a pack for the child; after all the tears and -intreaties of the child, the pack is redoubled; the child stands a little -while staggering under the weight, ready to fall every moment; however, he -intreats the father once more, though so faint he could only lisp out his -last humble supplication--waits awhile--no voice returns. The child -concludes the father could not hear--those proud servants had intercepted -his supplications or stopped the ears of the father. He therefore gives -one struggle and throws off the pack, and says he cannot take it up again, -such a weight will crush him down and kill him, and he can but die if he -refuses. - -"'Upon this, those servants are very wroth, and tell the father many false -things respecting the child; they bring a great cudgel to the father, -asking him to take it in his hand and strike the child. - -"'This may serve to illustrate the present condition of the King's -American subjects or children. - -"'Amidst these oppressions, we now and then heard a mollifying and -reviving voice from some of the King's wise counselors, who are our -friends and feel our distresses; when they heard our complaints and our -cries, they applied to the King; they also told those wicked servants that -this child in America was not a cross boy; it had sufficient reason for -crying; and if the cause of its complaint was neglected, it would soon -assume the voice of a man, plead for justice like a man, defend its -rights, and support the old covenant chain of their fathers. - -"'Brothers, listen!--Notwithstanding all our intreaties, we have but -little hope the King will send us any more good talks by reason of his -evil counselors; they have persuaded him to send an army of soldiers, and -many ships of war, to rob and destroy us. They have shut up many of our -harbors, seized and taken into possession many of our vessels; the -soldiers have struck the blow, killed some of our people; the blood now -runs of the American children; they have also burned our houses and towns, -and taken much of our goods. - - "[_A black belt._] - -"'Brothers!--We are now necessitated to rise, and forced to fight, or give -up our civil constitution, and run away and leave our farms and houses -behind us. This must not be. Since the King's wicked counselors will not -open their ears, and consider our just complaints and the cause of our -weeping, and have given the blow, we are determined to drive away the -King's soldiers, and to kill and destroy all those wicked men we find in -arms against the peace of the Twelve United Colonies upon this island. We -think our cause is just; therefore we hope God will be on our side. We do -not take up the hatchet and struggle for honor and conquest, but to -maintain our civil constitution and religious privileges, the very same -for which our forefathers left their native land and came to this country. - - "[_A black belt._] - -"'Brothers and Friends!--We desire you will hear and receive what we have -now told you, and that you will open a good ear and listen to what we are -now going to say. This is a family quarrel between us and Old England. -You, Indians, are not concerned in it. We don't wish you to take up the -hatchet against the King's troops. We desire you to remain at home, and -not join either side; but keep the hatchet buried deep. In the name and -behalf of all our people, we ask and desire you to love peace and maintain -it, and love and sympathize with us in our troubles; that the path may be -kept open with all our people and yours, to pass and re-pass without -molestation. - -"'Brothers!--We live on the same ground with you. The same island is our -common birthplace. We desire to sit down under the same tree of peace with -you; let us water its roots and cherish its growth, till the large leaves -and nourishing branches shall extend to the setting sun, and reach the -skies. - -"'Brothers, observe well!--What is it we have asked of you? Nothing but -peace, notwithstanding our present disturbed situation; and if application -should be made to you by any of the King's unwise and wicked ministers to -join on their side, we only advise you to deliberate with great caution, -and in your wisdom look forward to the consequences of a compliance. For -if the King's troops take away our property, and destroy us who are of the -same blood with themselves, what can you, who are Indians, expect from -them afterwards? - - "[_A white belt._] - -"'Brothers of the Six Nations!--When we perceived this island began to -shake and tremble along the Eastern shore, and the sun darkened by a black -cloud which arose from beyond the great water, we kindled up a great -council-fire at Philadelphia; and we sat around it until it burnt clear, -and so high that it illuminated this whole island. We renewed our hold -upon the old covenant chain, which united and strengthened our ancestors, -and which was near slipping out of our hands before we had kindled this -great council-fire at Philadelphia. We have now taken fast hold, nor will -we let it go without a mighty struggle, even unto death. - -"'Brothers:--We are now Twelve Colonies, united as one man. We have but -one heart and one hand. Brothers, this is our Union Belt. By this belt, -we, the Twelve United Colonies, renew the old covenant chain by which our -forefathers, in their great wisdom, thought proper to bind us and you, -our brothers of the Six Nations, together, when they first landed at this -place; and if any of the links of this great chain should have received -any rust, we now brighten it, and make it shine like silver. As God has -put it into our hearts to love the Six Nations and their allies, we now -make the chain of friendship so strong, that nothing but an evil spirit -can or will attempt to break it. But we hope, through the favor and mercy -of the Good Spirit, that it will remain strong and bright while the sun -shines and the water runs. - - "[_Delivered the Union belt._] - -"'Brothers:--It is necessary, in order for the preservation of friendship -between us and our brothers of the Six Nations, and their allies, that a -free and mutual intercourse be kept up betwixt us. Therefore the Twelve -United Colonies, by this belt, remove every difficulty that may lie in the -great road that runs through the middle of our country; and we will also -clear up and open all the small roads that lead into the great one. We -will take out every thorn, briar, and stone, so that when any of our -brothers of the Six Nations, or their allies, have an inclination to see -and talk with any of their brethren of the Twelve United Colonies, they -may pass safely without being scratched or bruised. Brothers, the road is -now open for our brethren of the Six Nations and their allies, and they -may now pass and repass as safely and freely as the Twelve United Colonies -themselves; and we are further determined, by the assistance of God, to -keep our roads open and free for the Six Nations and their allies, as long -as this earth remains. - - "[_Path belt._] - -"'Brothers!--We have said we wish you Indians may continue in peace with -one another, and with us the white people. Let us be cautious in our -behavior toward each other at this critical state of affairs. This island -now trembles, the wind whistles from almost every quarter; let us fortify -our minds, and shut our ears against false rumors; let us be cautious what -we receive for truth, unless spoken by wise and good men. If any thing -disagreeable should ever fall out between us the Twelve United Colonies, -and you the Six Nations, to wound our peace, let us immediately seek -measures for healing the breach. From the present situation of our -affairs, we judge it wise and expedient to kindle up a small council-fire -at Albany, where we may hear each other's voice, and disclose our minds -more fully to one another. - - "[_A small belt._] - -"'Therefore we say. Brothers, take care--hold fast to your covenant chain. -You know our disposition towards you, the Six Nations of Indians, and your -allies. Let this our good talk remain at Onondaga, your central council -house. We depend upon you to send and acquaint your allies to the -northward, the seven tribes on the river St. Lawrence, that you have this -talk of ours at the great council-fire of the Six Nations. And when you -return, we invite your great men to come and converse farther with us at -Albany, where we intend to re-kindle the council-fire, which your and our -ancestors sat around in great friendship. _Brothers and friends!_ - - "'We greet you all, - FAREWELL.'" - [_The large belt of intelligence and declaration._] - -Such was the talk transmitted to the Six Nations by the Commissioners from -Congress. The process of communication to the Indians, through -interpreters, is very slow. Every thing must be performed with great -deliberation, and the Indian language is composed of such lengthened -compounds, that the labor of delivering and translating a speech is -exceedingly tedious. The delivery of this talk from Congress occupied the -business hours of two days. At the close, Kanaghquaesa, one of the Chiefs, -replied:-- - -"Brothers,--We have sat round, and smoked our pipes at this our ancient -place of kindling up our council-fires. We have heard all you have said, -and have heard nothing but what is pleasant and good. As you have -communicated matters of great importance to us, we will sit down to-morrow -and deliberate coolly upon them; and the day following will give you -answers to every thing you have laid before us." - -Having convened again on the 31st of August, Little Abraham, the Mohawk -Sachem, spoke, in answer to the Commissioners, as follows:-- - -"Brothers, Great Men deputed by the Twelve United Colonies, attend!--We -are this day called to meet you in council, in order to reply to what you -said to us. We hope we need not recapitulate the whole of your discourse. -We shall only touch upon each head. At our last conference in this house, -we promised to return you our answer the day but one following. We did not -do it, and we mean to make you an apology. We hope you have taken no -offence. We were not prepared by that time, and that was our reason. -Brothers, you informed us that there was a great council of sixty-five -members convened at Philadelphia, and that you were appointed by them to -deliver a talk to the Six Nations. It seems you, our brothers, having a -desire to rekindle a council-fire, took to your assistance the descendants -of Quedar, and have kindled up a council-fire that shall never be -extinguished. To which the Six Nations reply: This you have done by order -of the great Council at Philadelphia. We are glad to hear the news. It -rejoices our hearts, and it gives exceeding joy through all the Six -Nations. - -"Brothers,--As you desired your belts might not be returned, but be -deposited at our central Council House, we shall only make use of them to -refresh our memories, and speak upon them as we go on with our answers. -Brothers, we shall not recite every particular, as we before mentioned. -You observed, when these commotions first began, a council of sixty-five -members convened together at Philadelphia; and you put us in mind of what -Cannassateego formerly said at Lancaster respecting the necessity of a -union among you. An old sachem, a brother of Cannassateego, is here -present, and remembers the words of his brother. You illustrated the -necessity and use of a union by one and twelve arrows. You said your -grandfathers had inculcated this doctrine into their children. You said, -that as the tree of peace was formerly planted at this place, you desired -that the Six Nations might come down, and sit under it, and water its -roots, till the branches should flourish and reach to heaven. This the -Six Nations say shall be done. Brothers, we need only remind you of a few -of the things you said to us, as you have them all written down. You -informed us, that by an ancient covenant with the King of England, you -were to enjoy the same privileges with the people on the other side of the -great waters, that for a long time you did enjoy the same privileges, by -which means you and your brethren over the water both became a great -people; that lately, by advice of evil counselors, you are much oppressed, -and had heavier packs put upon you than you could bear; that you have -frequently applied to be eased of your burthen, but could obtain no -redress; that finding this the case, you had thrown off the packs. The -Six Nations thank you for acquainting them with your grievances, and the -methods taken to obtain redress. You likewise informed them of what -resolutions you had formed in consequence of these matters. - -"Brothers,--After stating your grievances, and telling us you had not been -able to obtain redress, you desired us to take no part, but bury the -hatchet. You told us it was a family quarrel; and therefore said, 'You -Indians, sit still, and mind nothing but peace.' Our great man, Col. -Johnson, did the same thing at Oswego; he desired us to sit still -likewise. You likewise desired us, that if application should be made to -us by any of the King's officers, we would not join them. Now, therefore -attend, and apply your ears closely. We have fully considered this matter. -The resolutions of the Six Nations are not to be broken or altered. When -they resolve, the matter is fixed. This, then, is the determination of the -Six Nations, not to take any part; but as it is a family affair, to sit -still and see you fight it out. We beg you will receive this as -infallible, it being our full resolution; for we bear as much affection -for the King of England's subjects on the other side the water, as we do -for you, born upon this island. One thing more we request, which is, that -you represent this in a true light to the delegates from all the Colonies, -and not vary; and that you observe the same regard for truth when you -write to the King about these matters for we have ears, and shall hear, -if you represent any thing in a wrong point of light. We likewise desire -you would inform our brothers at Boston of our determination. - -"Brothers,--It is a long time since we came to this resolution. It is the -result of mature deliberation. It was our declaration to Col. Johnson. We -told him we should take no part in the quarrel, and hoped neither side -would desire it. Whoever applies first, we shall think in the wrong. The -resolutions of the Six Nations are not to be broken. Of the truth of this -you have a late instance. You know what the Shawanese have lately been -engaged in. They applied to us for assistance, but we refused them. [FN] -Our love for you has induced us not to meddle. If we loved you less, we -should have been less resolute." - - * * * * * - - [FN] In the affair of Col. Cresap and Logan, and the Indian war that - followed, the _Mohawks_ were not engaged. The Cayugas and Senecas were. - - -"Brothers,--You likewise informed us, that when you perceived this island -began to tremble, and black clouds to arise beyond the great water, you -kindled up a great fire at Philadelphia, a fire which shone bright and -clear to your utmost settlements; that you sat round that fire, -deliberating what measures to pursue for the common good; that while -sitting round it you recollected an ancient covenant made between your -fathers and ours when they first crossed the great water and settled here, -which covenant they first likened to a chain of iron. But when they -considered that iron would rust, they made a silver chain, which they were -always to rub and keep bright, and clear of spots. This they made so -strong, that an evil spirit could not break it. This friendship-chain you -have now renewed. This covenant is to continue to future generations. We -are glad you have thought proper to renew this covenant, and the whole -Six Nations now thank you. This covenant-belt you desire us to deposit at -our central council-house, that future generations may call to mind the -covenant now made between us. You may depend we shall send and inform all -our neighboring council-fires of the matters now transacted. We close, -with the whole Six Nations repeating their thanks that you have renewed -the covenant made between their forefathers and yours. - -"Brothers, attend!--As you had renewed the ancient covenant, you thought -proper to open the path, and have a free communication with this place. -As the fire had for some time been put out, the path had got stopped up. -You removed all obstructions out of the great roads and paths, all stones -and briars; so that if any of us chose to travel the road, we should -neither meet with any obstruction, or hurt ourselves. Brothers, we thank -you for opening the road. You likewise informed us you were determined to -drive away, destroy, and kill all who appeared in arms against the peace -of the Twelve United Colonies. Brothers, attend. We beg of you to take -care of what you do. You have just now made a good path; do not so soon -defile it with blood. There are many round us. Caghnawagas, who are -friends to the king. Our path of peace reaches quite there. We beg all -that distance may not be defiled with blood. As for your quarrels to the -Eastward, along the sea-coasts, do as you please. But it would hurt us to -see those brought up in our own bosoms ill-used. In particular, we would -mention the son of Sir William Johnson. He is born among us, and is of -Dutch extraction by his mother. He minds his own affairs, and does not -intermeddle in public disputes. We would likewise mention our father, the -minister, who resides among the Mohawks, and was sent them by the King. -He does not meddle in civil affairs, but instructs them in the way to -heaven. He absolutely refuses to attend to any political matters, and -says they do not belong to him. They beg he may continue in peace among -them. The Mohawks are frequently alarmed with reports that their minister -is to be torn away from them. It would occasion great disturbance was he -to be taken away. The King sent him to them, and they would look upon it -as taking away one of their own body. Therefore they again request that -he may continue to live in peace among them. [FN]" - - * * * * * - - [FN] This Missionary was the Rev. Mr. Stewart, who afterward removed to - Upper Canada. - - -"Brothers,--After having informed us of the situation of affairs, and -having finished your business, you advised us to shut our ears against -false reports, and that we should not attend to flying stories, but to -what wise and good men should say; for which reason you had kindled up a -council-fire at this place, that we might always converse together, and -know the truth of things. Your brothers of the Six Nations say, 'Let it -be so; it shall be as you desire.' They thank you for this advice, and -desire you would use the same precautions; that you would shut your ears -to flying stories, but keep your eye upon the chief council, such as you -see now convened. The Six Nations desire you would always inform them -fully of what respects them. We have, for this purpose, opened our ears -and purified our minds, that we may always hear and receive what you have -to say with good and clean minds; and whenever we receive any important -intelligence, we shall always bring it to this council-fire. - -"Brothers:--You delivered us this pipe; on one side the tree of peace, on -the other a council-fire; we Indians sitting on one side of the fire, and -the representatives of the twelve United Colonies upon the other. You have -desired that this pipe may be left at our central council-house, and that -the tree of peace may be planted, and that the branches may be so high as -to be visible to all our allies. Brothers, we thank you, and shall take -care to deposit this where you desire, and when we meet to deliberate upon -business, shall always use this as our council-pipe. - -"Brothers, attend!--In the course of your speech you observed, we of the -Six Nations were a wise people, and saw a great way before us; and you -asked us, if you upon this island were conquered, what would become of -the Indians? You say you are uncertain of holding your possessions, and -that you do not know who may enjoy the product of your labor. Now, -therefore, Brothers, attend; you particularly, our Brothers of Albany; we -address ourselves particularly to you. Our Brothers of Albany have taken -two pieces of land from us without any reward, not so much as a single -pipe. We therefore desire you will restore them, and put us into peaceable -possession again. If you refuse to do this, we shall look upon the -prospect as bad; for if you conquer, you will take us by the arm, and pull -us all off. Now, therefore, as the twelve United Colonies have renewed -this covenant of peace, we beg that there may be no obstruction upon your -part, but that you would restore our lands to us; for which, as we said -before, you never paid us even a single pipe. - -"Brothers:--You have now finished your business, and we have made short -replies. You have kindled up a council-fire of peace, and have planted a -tree of peace, according to ancient custom. We find that you have omitted -one thing, which is this:--According to our ancient custom, whenever a -council-fire was kindled up, and a tree of peace planted, there was some -person appointed to watch it. Now, as there is no person appointed to -watch this tree, we of the Six Nations take it upon us to appoint one. Let -it be the descendant of our ancient friend, Quedar. He has to consider -whether he will take the charge of it, and communicate to us whatever may -respect it. He that watches this council-fire is to be provided with a -wing, that he may brush off all insects that come near it, and keep it -clear. That is the custom at our central council-house. We have one -appointed for that purpose. - -"Brothers:--As you have this day renewed the ancient covenant of -friendship, and have again brightened the ancient chain, renew likewise -another ancient custom respecting the regulation of trade. Let us have a -trade at this place, and likewise at Schenectady, as it was in former -times when we had hold of the old covenant. For then, Brothers, if our -people came down with only a few musquash skins, we went home with glad -hearts. Brothers, let it be so again. Let the twelve United Colonies take -this into consideration. - - "[_A belt of ten rows of wampum._]" - -Abraham, the Mohawk, having concluded, _Tiahogwando,_ an Oneida sachem, -succeeded him as follows:-- - -"Brothers:--This is all the Six Nations have to say at present. They would -just mention one thing more before they break up. The Six Nations look -upon this as a very good time to speak their minds, as here are the -representatives of the twelve United Colonies. The dispute between the -people of New-England and Penn seems to us to become a serious affair, and -therefore the Six Nations take upon them to speak their minds freely, as -they address the inhabitants of the whole continent. [FN] Many years ago, -at a council held in Pennsylvania, when Cannassateego, that has been -before mentioned, was present, Penn desired the Six Nations would sell -him that piece of land known by the name of Scanandanani, or Susquehannah. -The Indians of the Six Nations refused to sell it, saying, the great God -would not permit them. Therefore they made him a present of that land, -known by the name of Scanandanani. Penn received it, and made them -valuable presents. After this, Colonel Lydius, a gentleman employed by the -people of Boston, treated with some of the Indians to get that land from -them. But he never kindled up a council-fire upon the occasion. He spoke -to them whenever he met them; never with more than ten. From these he -pretended to make a purchase of that tract. Gov. Penn, also, at the great -treaty at Fort Stanwix, in the year 1768, desired that the land might be -his, and distributed among the Six Nations, Shawanese and Caughnawagas, -ten thousand dollars, for which they gave him a writing. This is an affair -with which all the Six Nations are acquainted, and any one would lie who -said they knew nothing about it. We have taken an opportunity to speak of -this matter now, as the mind of the whole continent is now here. . . ." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Referring to the long and bitter controversy between Connecticut - and Pennsylvania respecting the territory of Wyoming, of which more - hereafter. - - -At this point the proceedings were adjourned over to the next day, being -the 1st of September, when the Commissioners made the following reply:-- - -"Brothers of the Six Nations, attend!--We yesterday heard with pleasure -your answer to the twelve United Colonies, and we return thanks to the -great Governor of the universe that he has inclined your hearts to approve -and accept the brotherly love offered to you by the twelve United -Colonies. It makes us happy to hear so wise and brave a people as our -brothers of the Six Nations are, publicly declare their unalterable -resolution to maintain and support peace and friendship with the twelve -United Colonies. This, Brothers, you have said, and we sincerely believe -you. Brothers, we requested of you Indians of the Six Nations not to -interfere in our quarrels. We are not in the least doubtful of success, -as our cause is just. We will live or die like men. We can raise an army -of three hundred thousand fighting men, who are brave, and are determined -not to part with their civil and religious privileges. Therefore we now -repeat to you, Brothers of the Six Nations, take great care of the strong -friendship you have now made with the twelve United Colonies. Let that be -your care, and that only. Peace is what we wish to establish. - -"Brothers of the Six Nations:--You yesterday told us, that as the roads -in your country were opened for you and your brothers of the twelve United -Colonies to pass and repass, you desired at the same time that we would -not stain the road with blood. Brothers, be assured we have no intention -at present to spill blood in your country, and we hope it never may -happen; and it never can, provided those wicked men, who are come so far -from home in order to disturb the peace of the twelve United Colonies, do -not appear in your country. But as we are determined to be free or die, -we must pursue them until we drive them from off this island, or until -they confirm our ancient privileges. Therefore, Brothers, rest assured, -whatever may happen between us and our enemies, we never will injure or -disturb the peace of the Six Nations, but preserve invariable the -friendship that is now established, even unto death. - -"Brothers:--You also desired yesterday that some of your friends of our -blood should remain in peace, and particularly the missionary at Fort -Hunter, who did not concern himself with the affairs of this world, but -was earnestly engaged in conducting you to happiness, and instructing you -in the reverence due to the great God who governs the universe. Brothers, -such a man we love, and we are desirous of his remaining quiet and happy -with you. We are also desirous that all the other missionaries, that have -been engaged in the same good cause, may safely continue among you, and -instruct you in the Gospel, which will be the means of your happiness in -this world and the one to come. - -"Brothers:--As we always looked upon you, Brothers of the Six Nations, to -be a wise and capable people in conducting business of every kind, we were -a little surprised to hear you say that no one was appointed by the twelve -United Colonies to attend and watch the fire that they have kindled up at -this place; when we have repeatedly told you that they had appointed five -persons, whose business it was to attend and preserve it bright and clear, -and that two of those five live in this town, who would take particular -care, and who had full authority from the twelve United Colonies, to keep -the flame bright and clear. Brothers, for fear you should not have -understood us fully, we again acquaint you that the twelve United Colonies -have authorized General Schuyler and Mr. Douw, both of this town, to keep -the fire burning, that it may illuminate the whole country of the Six -Nations, who may always see the way down to it, and sit in peace around -it. - -"Brothers:--You yesterday desired that the trade may be opened at this -place and at Schenectady. We also wish it, and it will be done; so that -you may trade as you formerly did, and be able to return home with your -goods to your entire satisfaction. - -"Brothers:--You yesterday mentioned some matters concerning land claimed -by the people of Albany, and also the land in dispute between Connecticut -and Gov. Penn. We now inform you that we are not authorized to transact -any business of that kind at present, but will represent the matter at the -Grand Congress at Philadelphia. - -"Brothers:--We have now finished, and let you know the present that we -have from the twelve United Colonies is preparing for you, and when it is -ready we will acquaint you. Wagons shall be provided for you whenever you -are ready to set off for Schenectady." - -Thus ended the business of the Commissioners with the Indians, more -amicably, to all appearance, than could reasonably have been anticipated, -when all the circumstances preceding and attending the negotiations are -taken into consideration. There was, however, the "unfinished business" -between the Indians and the municipality of Albany yet to be completed. -For this purpose a council was arranged for the day following, September -2d, and the Commissioners, on the part of the United Colonies, were again -invited to attend. The council was held in the Presbyterian meeting-house. -The preliminaries of form having been adjusted, the Committee of the Common -Council and citizens of Albany, delivered the following reply to the speech -of the Oneida sachem, on the 25th of August:-- - -"Brothers of the Six Nations:--We suppose it will not be insisted upon to -repeat the whole of your speech, as we conceive it unnecessary, and -therefore shall only take notice of the material parts. - -"Brothers:--You said that you was glad to see us at this place on the -25th August, in consequence of our invitation; and that you was glad to -see that some sparks of the old council-fire yet remained, and that you -rejoiced, even to excess, to find it so. - -"Brothers:--We thank you for your kind congratulations and salutations at -meeting us here, and rejoice in the opportunity you have given us at this -time, of meeting one another in friendship and peace, to talk of old times -and renew our ancient treaty. - -"Brothers:--We are happy to find that you so readily accepted our request -to come and see us, and that you have had so much patience, and behaved -so orderly during your short stay among us. - -"Brothers:--At the conference of our deputies with you at the German -Flats, they showed you some old belts of wampum, which you expressed a -desire to see. Here are those belts, and we hope even Time will not wear -them out. This is the Belt given by the Oneida Nation, and is the old -covenant between the whole Oneida Nation and _Gorah Quedar._ This is the -belt that was given by the Indian _Kayinguaraghtoh_ in behalf of the Six -Nations. - -"Brothers attend:--In your speech, you farther observed that you had long -since taken a resolution to take no active part in the present contest for -liberty. We do not offer to censure you for your conduct; but admire your -wisdom, praise your pacific disposition, and hope you will have fortitude -to maintain and persevere in it. - - "[_A belt._] - -"Brothers:--You further said that the road to the westward, you heard by -the bird, was to be stopped up; this matter is beyond our limits. The -commissioners of the twelve United Colonies having spoken to you at large -about the roads, that they shall be left open, we entirely agree with -them in this; and therefore shall add nothing on this point, and return -the belt. - -"Brothers:--You said further, and delivered us this belt; that you was -anxious about and concerned for your minister, Mr. Kirkland; and asked our -advice about his remaining among you, who we do not see you should be -deprived of without your consent, any more than the Mohawk tribe should -be deprived of their missionary. We highly approve of your concern for the -ministers of the Gospel, and your attachment for the pure precepts and -doctrine of Christianity. But if your minister is removed, we should fear -the consequence. It would certainly give occasion of jealousy to your -Brethren, the white people, that you Indians were not well disposed. -Therefore it is our ardent wish that they may all remain among you, as -your teachers and instructors in virtue, piety, and true religion; and we -hope you may benefit and profit by their instruction. - - "[_A belt._] - -"Brothers:--Before any commissioners were appointed by the twelve United -Colonies--from the disagreeable condition of our country, and the ancient -friendship and alliance subsisting between us, commenced in the days of -your ancestors and our forefathers, we took upon us, as the -representatives of the people of the city and county of Albany, to give -you an invitation to pay us a friendly visit, that we might have an -opportunity of seeing you here, at the place where the first fire was -kindled, that we might rake up the old ashes, and not suffer it to be -extinguished, but renew the old covenant chain, and make it shine with -brighter lustre. - -"Brothers:--We are happy to find from your speech, that you still retain -that affection for us which a well-founded friendship will naturally -produce, and which we hope, from our conduct toward you, is not unmerited; -and we rejoice to find that you feel for our distresses, and lament the -unnatural quarrel of brethren, which you express so warmly by a desire of -an amicable settlement. - -"Brothers:--Time will not permit us, at present, to mention to you, how, -and on what occasion, the first covenant was made between you and our -forefathers. They had never deserted you, but kept their covenants and -agreements with you, nor do we mean to act otherwise on our part. - -"Brothers:--This covenant, afterwards improved upon, was confirmed between -you and us in the year 1665, one year after this country went over to the -crown of England. Since this, you have from time to time admitted into -your chain, the Tuscaroras, and most, if not all, the twelve United -Colonies. - -"Brothers:--There are five gentlemen commissioners, appointed by the -twelve United Colonies, at the grand council in Philadelphia; and the -management of public affairs in the Indian department now belongs to them. -These gentlemen have informed you of the nature of the dispute between -Great Britain and this country; and testified their desire of keeping up -the council fire between us. - -"Brothers:--We know it is customary, at the renewal of any covenants -between us, that a present should follow; we now make it known to you, -that the goods you will receive of the commissioners of the twelve United -Colonies are partly ours; we pay our proportionable part toward them, so -that what you receive of them is from us also. We are the same. There is -no distinction. - -"Brothers:--If our memory do not fail us, we think that when we invited -two or three of each of our brethren of the Six Nations to come down here, -we also desired that you would acquaint us of what had passed in the -congress held at Oswego (which as yet we know nothing of.) You say, -indeed, you are glad we are peaceably inclined as well as Col. Johnson; -but you have told us nothing else of what had passed there, which we had -expected, and do wish that our brothers conceal nothing from us, -especially as you called God to witness for the truth of what you said. - -"Brothers of the Six Nations, and you, the Mohawks in particular:--We -apprehend the bird Tsklelele has been busy again. He seems to be a -mischievous bird, and ought not to be nourished or entertained. In your -answer to the commissioners you addressed yourselves to the inhabitants -of Albany, complaining that they had taken from you two pieces of land -without giving you the value of a pipe of tobacco for them; and that you -desired they would restore you to the peaceable possession of them, and -that the commissioners would look into this matter and afford you relief. -The land you speak of we suppose to be Ticonderoga. - -"Brothers:--This is a matter foreign to the business we met upon, (and we -are not authorised nor qualified to enter upon the subject, it is a -business that belongs to the corporation of Albany) yet as we may be -considered the representatives of the people at large, our entire silence -may be construed into guilt of the heavy charge fixed upon us. For your -satisfaction as well as of the audience, we will endeavor to show by a -few remarks that the accusation is groundless. The lands alluded to are -granted by the charter of Albany. We never heard that any of your nation -have been dispossessed or driven off those lands; but you hitherto have -and still enjoy those lands without the least interruption. - -"Brothers:--As we observed before, the matter cannot properly come before -us, but belongs to another body; and therefore the application to us is -improper. However, give us leave to say, that, instead of complaining, we -think the Mohawks, if they considered their own interest and that of their -posterity, and would be candid, must acknowledge the truth of the fact, -and rejoice at this day, that they have had such faithful guardians and -trustees, for if it had not been so, who would have enjoyed those lands -now? There have been complaints concerning this matter before, and -inquiries into it before proper tribunals; and for your information, and -that of the curious, we refer to the proceedings of the House of Assembly -of this Colony, and also to the minutes taken on a conference between the -corporation of this city and yourselves, at which Sir William Johnson was -present, and therefore return you the belt." - -After consultation, the Indians returned the following answer by -_Abraham,_ chief of the Mohawks:-- - -"Brothers of Albany:--We return you thanks for your speech, and that you -have informed us that the twelve United Colonies by their commissioners, -have opened all the roads; and we now take it for granted that the -communications at Fort Stanwix are not to be shut up, and that the New -England people never will do it. This, Brethren, has been the occasion of -some anxiety in the minds of the Six Nations. - -"Brothers of the Six Nations, attend; _You also the people of Albany, and -you the twelve United Colonies by your commissioners:_--Last spring Col. -Johnson informed us that the New England people were near him to take him -prisoner. Upon which we, like people intoxicated, took up our guns and -ran to assist him, as he was our superintendent. But, Brethren, as it -happened in the manner before mentioned, we hope you will look upon it in -that light. We, the Six Nations, have now made and renewed our ancient -covenants. The proceedings just now mentioned have brought me down. I have -made a proper acknowledgment to the Six Nations, and now do the same to -you, and I hope you will raise me up again. The news I was just speaking -of, came not from a bird, but from your own people. - -"Brothers of Albany, farther attend:--I shall only make a short reply to -your speech relating to the lands. Many agreeable things are therein. You -farther say, that you never heard that any of us were driven from those -lands. There is one thing which is not so agreeable. It is the Tskleleli. -You, Brothers, know how that matter is, and in case I was to answer that -part of your speech, it might perhaps draw us into an argument;--and as -you are not, as you say, the proper body to which we ought to have -applied, and as you have referred us to former proceedings, we shall -close. - -"Brothers of Albany:--We the Six Nations now tell you, that it is at your -pleasure to call on us, and we will inform you of what passed in the -congress at Oswego." - -Taking the hint that the Indians would say nothing except in due form, the -chairman of the committee immediately said:-- - -"Brothers of the Six Nations:--We are now ready to hear it, and should be -glad you would inform us." - -The Mohawk chief then proceeded:-- - -"Brothers of Albany:--You sent for us to inform you of what passed at -Oswego;--but you have not, since we have been down, desired it. We have -been always ready; and as you have now asked us, we will now tell you, -and think it our duty, as we look upon it that God will punish us should -we conceal any thing from you. - -"Brothers:--The transactions of that treaty were very public. The -Shawanese were there, and some from Detroit. Mr. Johnson told us, that the -fire kindled there was a fire of peace, that all the white people were the -king's subjects, and that it seemed they were intoxicated. Mr. Johnson -also told us, that the white people were all got drunk, and that God's -judgment hung over them, but did not know on which side it would fall. Mr. -Johnson farther told us, that the council-fire was kindled on account of -the present dispute, and desired us not to interfere, as they were -Brothers, and begged us to sit still and maintain peace. This is what -Colonel Johnson told us at that council-fire. He also said he had his eye -on Mr. Kirkland; that he was gone to Philadelphia and along the sea-coast; -that he was become a great soldier and a leader. Is this your minister? -says he. Do you think your minister minds your souls? No, by the time he -comes to Philadelphia, he will be a great warrior, and when he returns he -will be the chief of all the Five Nations. - -"Brothers:--There were present five people of Detroit, five from -Caughnawaga, and two of the Shawanese. Col. Johnson told them, that by the -time he returned from Canada, they should have all their men there, and he -would then kindle a council-fire; and he would also desire them not to -take any part in this dispute, as it was a quarrel between brothers. Mr. -Johnson also told them that this council-fire was kindled upon peace, and -that it seemed, by reason of the white people's intoxication, that God's -judgment hung over them. He also told us that he was going to the Governor -of Canada, who was of a different opinion from him, but would talk with -him; and he farther said that he would tell the Caughnawaga Indians the -same he told us, and for that purpose desired that two of each nation -might go along, and hear it. He likewise desired us to consider which way -we would have our trade, whether up this river, or from Canada. He at the -same time assured us, that we should not suffer for want of goods, as we -were not concerned, nor had any hand in the present dispute. He also -mentioned something about the council-fires. He said there are two fires -which you shall keep your eyes upon, and if they call you down to Albany, -do not you go, for they will deceive you, and tell you a great many fine -stories. We are very glad that your language and Col. Johnson's so well -agrees." - -Thus ended this grand council with the Six Nations, and the last council -ever held at Albany, with the great aboriginal confederacy which has been -denominated the Roman Republic of the Indian world. - - * * * * * - - - - - No. III. - - - - [Reference from Page 231.] - - - By Barry St. Leger, Esq., - -Commander-in-chief of a chosen body of troops from the grand army, as well -as an extensive corps of Indian allies from all the nations, &c., &c. - -The forces entrusted to my command are designed to act in concert, and -upon a common principle, with the numerous armies and fleets which already -display, in every quarter of America, the power, justice, and, when -properly sought, the mercy of the King. - -The cause in which the British arms are thus exerted, applies to the most -affecting interest of the human heart, and the military servants of the -Crown, at first called forth for the sole purpose of restoring the rights -of the constitution, now combine with love of their country and duty to -their sovereign, the other extensive incitements which spring from a due -sense of the general privileges of mankind. To the eyes and ears of the -temperate part of the public, and to the breast of suffering thousands in -the provinces, be the melancholy appeal, whether the present unnatural -rebellion has not been made a foundation for the completest system of -tyranny that ever God in his displeasure suffered for a time to be -exercised over a froward and stubborn generation. Arbitrary imprisonment, -confiscation of property, persecution and torture unprecedented in the -inquisitions of the Romish Church, are among the palpable enormities that -verify the affirmative. These are inflicted by Assemblies and Committees, -who dare to profess themselves friends to liberty, upon the most quiet -subjects, without distinction of age or sex, for the sole crime, often -for the sole suspicion, of having adhered in principle to the government -under which they were born, and to which by every tie, divine and human, -they owe allegiance. To consummate these shocking proceedings, the -profanation of religion is added to the most profligate prostitution of -common reason; the consciences of men are set at nought; and multitudes -are compelled, not only to bear arms, but also to swear subjection to an -usurpation they abhor. - -Animated by these considerations; at the head of troops in the full powers -of health, discipline and valor, determined to strike when necessary, and -anxious to spare when possible; I by these presents invite and exhort all -persons, in all places where the progress of this army may point, and by -the blessing of God I will extend it far, to maintain such a conduct as -may justify me in protecting their lands, habitations, and families. The -intention of this address is to hold forth security, not depredation, to -the country. - -To those whom spirit and principle may induce to partake the glorious task -of redeeming their countrymen from dungeons, and reestablishing the -blessings of legal government, I offer encouragement and employment; and -upon the first intelligence of their associations, I will find means to -assist their undertakings. The domestic, the industrious, the infirm, and -even the timid inhabitants, I am desirous to protect, provided they remain -quietly at their houses; that they do not suffer their cattle to be -removed, nor their corn or forage to be secreted or destroyed; that they -do not break up their bridges or roads; nor by any other acts, directly or -indirectly, endeavor to obstruct the operations of the king's troops, or -supply or assist those of the enemy. - -Every species of provision brought to my camp will be paid for at an -equitable rate and in solid coin. If, notwithstanding these endeavors and -sincere inclinations to effect them, the frenzy of hostility should -remain, I trust I shall stand acquitted in the eyes of God and man, in -denouncing and executing the vengeance of the State against the willful -outcasts. The messengers of justice and of wrath await them in the field, -and devastation, famine, and every concomitant horror that a reluctant but -indispensable prosecution of military duty must occasion, will bar the way -to their return. - - Barry St. Leger. - - By order of the Commander-in-chief, - Will. Osb. Hamilton, Secretary. - - - - - No. IV. - - - - [Reference from Page 241.] - - -The fury and cruelty of the Indians and Tories at and immediately after -the battle of Oriskany, is strongly set forth in the following affidavit, -the original of which is now in the office of the Secretary of State, -Albany. Dr. Younglove died about fifteen years since in the city of -Hudson. He was known to the author as a respectable man, though of strong -feelings and prejudices. Any statement of this kind, from a man of his -temperament, would be likely to receive a strong coloring, without, -however, any designed misstatement of facts. - -"Moses Younglove, Surgeon of General Herkimer's brigade of militia, -deposeth and saith, that being in the battle of said militia above -Oriskany on the 6th of August last, toward the close of said battle he -surrendered himself a prisoner to a savage, who immediately gave him up to -a sergeant of Sir John Johnson's regiment; soon after which, a Lieutenant -in the Indian department came up in company with several other Tories, -when said Mr. Grinnis by name, drew his tomahawk at this deponent, and -with a deal of persuasion was hardly prevailed on to spare his life. He -then plundered him of his watch, buckles, spurs, &c.; and other Tories -following his example, stripped him almost naked with a great many -threats, while they were stripping and massacring prisoners on every side. -That this deponent, on being brought before Mr. Butler, Sen., who demanded -of him what he was fighting for; to which this deponent answered, he -fought for the liberty that God and Nature gave him, and to defend himself -and dearest connexions from the massacre of savages. To which Butler -replied, 'you are a damned impudent rebel;' and so saying, immediately -turned to the savages, encouraging them to kill him, and if they did not, -the deponent and the other prisoners should be hanged on a gallows then -preparing. That several prisoners were then taken forward toward the -enemy's head-quarters with frequent scenes of horror and massacre, in -which Tories were active as well as savages; and in particular one Davis, -formerly known in Tryon County on the Mohawk river. That Lieut. Singleton, -of Sir John Johnson's regiment, being wounded, entreated the savages to -kill the prisoners, which they accordingly did, as nigh as this deponent -can judge, about six or seven." - -"That Isaac Paris, Esq., was also taken the same road, without receiving -from them any remarkable insult except stripping, until some Tories came -up, who kicked and abused him; after which the savages, thinking him a -notable offender, murdered him barbarously. That those of the prisoners -who were delivered up to the provost guards, were kept without victuals -for many days, and had neither clothes, blankets, shelter, nor fire; while -the guards were ordered not to use any violence in protecting the -prisoners from the savages, who came every day in large companies with -knives, feeling of the prisoners, to know who were fattest. That they -dragged one of the prisoners out of the guard with the most lamentable -cries; tortured him for a long time; and this deponent was informed, by -both Tories and Indians, that they ate him, as appears they did another -on an island in Lake Ontario, by bones found there nearly picked, just -after they had crossed the lake with the prisoners. That the prisoners who -were not delivered up, were murdered in considerable numbers from day to -day round the camp, some of them so nigh that their shrieks were heard. -That Capt. Martin, of the batteaux-men, was delivered to the Indians at -Oswego, on pretence of his having kept back some useful intelligence. That -this deponent during his imprisonment, and his fellows, were kept almost -starved for provisions; and what they drew, were of the worst kind, such -as spoiled flour, biscuit full of maggots, and mouldy, and no soap -allowed, or other method of keeping clean; and were insulted, struck, &c. -without mercy by the guards, without any provocation given. That this -deponent was informed by several sergeants orderly on Gen. St. Leger, that -twenty dollars were offered in general orders for every American scalp. - - "MOSES YOUNGLOVE. - - "JOHN BARCLAY, - _Chairman of Albany Committee._" - - * * * * * - - - - - - No. V. - - - - [Reference from Page 249.] - - -The following is a copy of the letter addressed to Colonel Gansevoort, -while under duress in the camp of General St. Leger, by Colonel Bellinger -and Major Frey:-- - - "9 _o'clock P. M.--Camp before Fort Stanwix,_ - 6_th August,_ 1777. - - "Sir, - -"It is with concern we are to acquaint you that this was the fatal day in -which the succors, which were intended for your relief, have been attacked -and defeated, with great loss of numbers killed, wounded, and taken -prisoners. Our regard for your safety and lives, and our sincere advice -to you is, if you will avoid inevitable ruin and destruction, to surrender -the fort you pretend to defend against a formidable body of troops and a -good train of artillery, which we are witnesses of; when, at the same -time, you have no farther support or relief to expect. We are sorry to -inform you that most of the principal officers are killed; to wit--Gen. -Herkimer, Colonels Cox, Seeber, Isaac Paris, Captain Graves, and many -others too tedious to mention. The British army from Canada being now -perhaps before Albany, the possession of which place of course includes -the conquest of the Mohawk river and this fort." - -The following endorsement is on the back of this letter. "Gen. St. Leger, -on the day of the date of this letter, made a verbal summons of the fort -by his Adjutant General and Colonel Butler, and who then handed this -letter; when Colonel Gansevoort refused any answer to a verbal summons, -unless made by General St. Leger himself, but at the mouth of his cannon." - - * * * * * - - {FN} [In regard to the battle of Oriskany, to which the preceding note - refers, the author has received an interesting anecdote from Mr. John S. - Quackenboss, of Montgomery county, which would have formed a page in the - chapter containing an account of that battle had it come to hand in - season. The father of the author's correspondent, Abraham D. Quackenboss, - resided in the Mohawk country on the south side of the river, at the - breaking out of the war. Living as it were among the Indians, bespoke - their language as well as he did his own. Among them he had a friend, - named Bronkahorse--who, though an Indian, had been his playmate, and they - had served in the French war together under Sir William Johnson. When the - revolutionary troubles came on, Bronkahorse called upon Quackenboss, and - endeavored to persuade him to espouse the cause of the King--assuring him - that their Great Father could never be conquered. Quackenboss refused, - and they parted--the Indian, however, assuring him that they were parting - as friends, although, since they had fought in one war together, he had - hoped they might do so in the other. Mr. Q. saw no more of his friend - until the battle of Oriskany. During the thickest of the fight, he heard - his name called, in the well-known voice of Bronkahorse, from behind a - large tree near by. He was himself sheltered by a tree; but in looking - out for the warrior, he saw his Indian friend. The latter now importuned - Quackenboss to surrender, assuring him of kind treatment and protection, - but also assuring him that unless he did so, he would inevitably be - killed. Quackenboss refused, and the Indian thereupon attempted to kill - him. For a moment they watched each other, each endeavoring to obtain - the first and best chance of a shot. The Indian at length fired, and his - ball struck the tree, but had nearly been fatal. Springing from his - covert upon the Indian, Quackenboss then fired, and his friend - Bronkahorse fell dead on the spot. It was the belief of Mr. Quackenboss - that the loss of the enemy during that battle equaled that of Herkimer's - command. The latter suffered the most severely in the early part of the - engagement--the enemy in the latter part] - - - - - No. VI. - - - - [Reference from Page 252.] - - - "_Camp before Fort Stanwix, August_ 9, 1777 - - "Sir, - -"Agreeable to your wishes, I have the honor to give you on paper, the -message of yesterday, though I cannot conceive, explicit and humane as it -was, how it could admit of more than one construction. After the defeat -of the reinforcement and the fate of all your principal leaders, in which, -naturally, you built your hopes; and having the strongest reason from -verbal intelligence, and the matter contained in the letters which fell -into my hands, and knowing thoroughly the situation of General Burgoyne's -army, to be confident you are without resource--in my fears and tenderness -for your personal safety from the hands of Indians enraged for the loss of -some of their principal and most favourite leaders--I called to council -the chiefs of all the nations; and after having used every method that -humanity could suggest to soften their minds, and lead them patiently to -bear their own losses by reflecting on the irretrievable misfortune of -their enemies, I at last labored the point my humanity wished for; which -the chiefs assured me of the next morning, after a consultation with each -nation, that evening, at their fire-places. Their answer, in its fullest -extent, they insisted should be carried by Col. Butler, which he has given -in the most categorical manner. You are well acquainted that Indians never -send messages without accompanying them with menaces on non-compliance, -that a civilized enemy would never think of doing; you may rest assured, -therefore, that no insult was meant to be offered to your situation, by -the king's servants, in the message they peremptorily demanded to be -carried by Col. Butler. - -"I am now to repeat what has been told you by my Adjutant General; 'That -provided you will deliver up your garrison, with every thing as it stood -at the moment the first message was sent, your people shall be treated -with every attention that a humane and generous enemy can give.' - - "I have the honor to be, Sir, - Your most obedient, humble Servant, - Barry St. Leger, - "_Brig. Gen. of his Majesty's forces._ - -"P. S.--I expect an immediate answer, as the Indians are extremely -impatient; and if this proposal is rejected, I am afraid it will be -attended with very fatal consequences, not only to you and your garrison, -but the whole country down the Mohawk river--such consequences as will be -very repugnant to my sentiments of humanity, but after this entirely out -of my power to prevent. - - "Barry St. Leger. - - "Col. Gansevoort, _commanding Fort Stanwix._" - - * * * * * - - - - - - No. VII. - - - - [Reference from Page 253.] - - - "_Camp before Fort Stanwix. August_ 13, 1777. - - "_To the Inhabitants of Tryon County._ - -"Notwithstanding the many and great injuries we have received in person -and property at your hands, and being at the head of victorious troops, -we most ardently wish to have peace restored to this once happy country; -to obtain which, we are willing and desirous, upon a proper submission on -your parts, to bury in oblivion all that is past, and hope that you are, -or will be, convinced in the end that we were your friends and good -advisers, and not such wicked, designing men, as those who led you into -error, and almost total ruin. You have, no doubt, great reason to dread -the resentment of the Indians, on account of the loss they sustained in -the late action, and the mulish obstinacy of your troops in this garrison, -who have no resource but in themselves; for which reasons the Indians -declare, that if they do not surrender the garrison without further -opposition, they will put every soul to death,--not only the garrison, but -the whole country,--without any regard to age, sex, or friends; for which -reason it is become your indispensable duty, as you must answer the -consequences, to send a deputation of your principal people, to oblige -them immediately to what, in a very little time, they must be forced,--the -surrender of the garrison; in which case we will engage, on the faith of -Christians, to protect you from the violence of the Indians. - -"Surrounded as you are by victorious armies, one half (if not the greater -part) of the inhabitants friends to government, without any resource, -surely you cannot hesitate a moment to accept the terms proposed to you -by friends and well-wishers to the country. - - "John Johnson, } - D. W. Claus, } Superintendents. - John Butler, }" - - * * * * * - - - - - No. VIII. - - - - [Reference from Page 256.] - - - "_By the Hon._ Benedict Arnold, _Esq. Major-general and Commander-in-chief - of the army of the United States of America on the Mohawk River._ - -"Whereas a certain Barry St. Leger, a Brigadier-general in the service of -George of Great Britain, at the head of a banditti of robbers, murderers, -and traitors, composed of savages of America, and more savage Britons, -(among whom is the noted Sir John Johnson, John Butler, and Daniel Glaus,) -have lately appeared in the frontiers of this State, and have threatened -ruin and destruction to all the inhabitants of the United States. They -have also, by artifice and misrepresentation, induced many of the ignorant -and unwary subjects of these States to forfeit their allegiance to the -same, and join with them in their atrocious crimes, and parties of -treachery and parricide. - -"Humanity to those poor deluded wretches, who are hastening blindfold to -destruction, induces me to offer them, and all others concerned, (whether -Savages, Germans, Americans, or Britons,) PARDON, provided they do, within -ten days from the date hereof, come in and lay down their arms, sue for -protection, and swear allegiance to the United States of America. - -"But if, still blind to their own interest and safety, they obstinately -persist in their wicked courses, determined to draw on themselves the just -vengeance of heaven and of this exasperated country, they must expect no -mercy from either. - - "B. Arnold, M. G. - - "_Given under my hand, Head-quarters, German Flats,_ 20_th - August,_ 1777." - - * * * * * - - - - - No. IX - - - - [Reference from Page 274.] - - - _Extracts from Mad. de Riedesel's account of her Residence in America._ - -When the army broke up, on the 11th of September, 1777, I was at first -told that I must remain behind; but on my repeated entreaties, and as -other ladies had been permitted to follow the army, the same indulgence -was extended to me. We advanced by short journeys, and went through many -toils; yet I would have purchased at any price the privilege thus granted -to me of seeing daily my husband. I had sent back my baggage, and only -kept a small bundle of summer dresses. In the beginning, all went well; -we thought that there was little doubt of our being successful, and of -reaching "the promised land;" and when, on the passage across the Hudson, -general Burgoyne exclaimed, "Britons never retrograde," our spirits rose -mightily. I observed, however, with surprise, that the wives of the -officers were beforehand informed of all the military plans; and I was so -much the more struck with it, as I remembered with how much secrecy all -dispositions were made in the armies of Duke Ferdinand during the -seven-years' war. [FN] Thus the Americans anticipated our movements, and -expected us wherever we arrived; and this of course injured our affairs. -On the 19th of September, an action took place, which ended to our -advantage; but we were, in consequence, obliged to halt at a place called -Freeman's Farm. I witnessed the whole action, and knowing that my husband -was among the combatants, I was full of anxiety and care, and trembled at -every shot--and nothing escaped my ear. I saw a great number of wounded, -and, what was still worse, three of them were brought into the house where -I was. One of them was a Major Harnage, whose wife was with us; the -second, a lieutenant, whose wife was of our acquaintance; and the third, -a young English officer called Young. The Major occupied, with his wife, -a room close by to that where I was. He had received a shot through his -body, and suffered exquisite pains. A few days after our arrival, I heard -groans in another room, and was told that the young officer, whom I have -just mentioned, was lying there, and that his recovery was very doubtful. -I took much interest in him, as a family of his name had shown me great -kindness during my stay in England. He expressed a great desire to see his -benefactress, for so he called me. I went into his room, and found him on -a thin bed of straw, for he had lost his whole baggage. He was eighteen -or nineteen years old, an only son, and the nephew of the same Mr. Young -I had known in England. He lamented for his parents' sake, but said -nothing of his sufferings. He had lost much blood, and the surgeon advised -him to submit to the amputation of his wounded leg; but he would not -consent to it, though the limb had become gangrenous. I sent him pillows -and blankets, and my maids gave him their mattress. I took more and more -care of him, and visited him daily; for which he thanked me a thousand -times. At last the amputation took place; but it was too late, and he died -a few days afterwards. My room being close to his, and the walls very -thin, I heard his last moans. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Lieutenant Auburey made a similar remark when the army was yet in - Canada: "We have more dangerous enemies at home than any we have to - encounter abroad; for all the transactions that are to take place, are - publicly known long before they are officially given out in orders; and - I make no doubt but you will be as much surprised as the General - (Burgoyne) was, when I tell you that the whole operations of the ensuing - campaign were canvassed for several days before he arrived, who, no - doubt, supposed, that in giving out his orders, he was communicating an - entire secret."--[Montreal, May 20th, 1777. Vol. i, p. 203.] - - Great secrecy, observes the same writer, was, on the contrary, observed - in the American army. - - -I occupied a tolerably good house, and had a large room. The door and the -wainscot were of cedar, a sort of wood which is found in abundance here; -insects are driven away by the smell of it when it is burned, and it is -often used for that purpose; but some people believe that the smoke of it -is injurious to the nerves, and principally to females in certain -situations. - -For our farther march, I had caused a calash to be made for me, in which -I could take, not only my children, but also my two female attendants; and -thus I followed the army in the midst of the troops, who were in great -spirits, and sang and longed for victory. We marched through endless -forests, and a beautiful district, though deserted by the inhabitants, who -ran away at our approach to reinforce General Gates's army. They are -naturally soldiers and excellent marksmen, and the idea of fighting for -their country and their liberty increased their innate courage. My husband -was encamped with the rest of the army; being myself an hour's ride -behind the army, I went every morning to pay him a visit in the camp, and -sometimes I dined there with him, but generally he took his dinner in my -quarters. There were daily skirmishes with the enemy, generally of little -importance. But my husband could never sleep without his clothes. The -weather having already grown rougher, Colonel Williams of the artillery -thought our mutual visits were rather too fatiguing for us, and proposed -to have a house built for me with a chimney, which should not cost more -than five or six guineas, and which I could uninterruptedly inhabit. I -accepted of his offer; and the building, which was to be about twenty feet -square, was begun. Such a dwelling is called a block-house, for which logs -nearly of equal diameter are put together; and if the interstices are -filled up with clay, it is not only very solid, but very warm. I was to -take possession of it on the next day; and I rejoiced in it the more, as -the nights were damp and cold, and it being close to the camp, my husband -would be able to be with me. But all at once, on the 7th of October, he -marched away with the whole staff, and then our misfortunes began. While -breakfasting with my husband, I heard that something was under -contemplation. General Fraser, and, I believe, Generals Burgoyne and -Phillips, were to dine with me on that day. I remarked much movement in -the camp. My husband told me that it was a mere reconnaissance; and as -this was frequent, I was not much alarmed at it. On my way homeward I met -a number of Indians, armed with guns, and clad in their war dresses. -Having asked them where they were going, they replied, "War, war;" by -which they meant that they were about to fight. This made me very uneasy, -and I had scarcely got home before I heard reports of guns; and soon the -fire became brisker, till at last the noise grew dreadful, upon which I -was more dead than alive. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon, instead of -guests whom I had expected to dine with me, I saw one of them, poor -General Fraser, brought upon a hand-barrow, mortally wounded. The table, -which was already prepared for dinner, was immediately removed, and a bed -placed in its stead for the General. I sat, terrified and trembling, in a -corner. The noise grew more alarming, and I was in a continual tremor -while thinking that my husband might soon also be brought in, wounded like -General Fraser. That poor General said to the surgeon, "tell me the truth; -is there no hope?" His wound was exactly like that of Major Harnage; the -ball had passed through his body, but, unhappily for the General, he had -that morning eaten a full breakfast, by which the stomach was distended, -and the ball, as the surgeon remarked, passed directly through it. I heard -often, amidst his groans, such words as these, "_O bad ambition! poor -General Burgoyne! poor Mistress Fraser._" Prayers were read, after which he -desired that General Burgoyne should be requested to have him buried the -next day, at six o'clock in the evening, on a hill where a breast-work had -been constructed. I knew not what to do; the entrance and all the rooms -were full of sick, in consequence of the dysentery which prevailed in the -camp. At length, toward evening, my husband came; and from that moment my -affliction was much soothed, and I breathed thanks to God. He dined with -me and the aids-de-camp in great haste, in an open space in the rear of -the house. We poor females had been told that our troops had been -victorious; but I well saw, by the melancholy countenance of my husband, -that it was quite the contrary. On going away, he took me aside to tell -me every thing went badly, and that I should prepare myself to depart, but -without saying any thing to any body. Under the pretense of removing the -next day to my new lodgings, I ordered the baggage to be packed up. Lady -Ackland's tent was near ours. She slept there, and spent the day in the -camp. On a sudden she received news that her husband was mortally wounded -and taken prisoner. She was much distressed; we endeavored to persuade her -that the wound was not so dangerous, but advised her to ask permission to -join her husband, to take care of him in his sickness. She was much -attached to him, though he was rude and intemperate; yet he was a good -officer. She was a lovely woman. I divided the night between her whom I -wished to comfort, and my children who were asleep, but who, I feared, -might disturb the poor dying General. He sent me several messages to beg -my pardon for the trouble he thought he gave me. About 3 o'clock I was -informed that he could not live much longer, and as I did not wish to be -present at his last struggle, I wrapped my children in blankets, and -retired into the entrance hall. At 8 o'clock in the morning he expired. - - * * * * * - -Orders had already been issued that the army should break up immediately -after the funeral, and our calashes were ready. I was unwilling to depart -sooner. Major Harnage, though hardly able to walk a step, left his bed, -that he might not remain in the hospital, upon which a flag of truce had -been erected. When he saw me thus in the midst of danger, he drove my -children and female attendants into the vehicle, and told me that I had -not a moment to lose. I begged to be permitted to remain a little longer. -"Do what you please," replied he; "but your children I must at least -save." This touched my most tender feelings; I sprang into the carriage, -and at 8 o'clock we departed. - -Profound silence had been recommended to us; large fires were lighted, and -many tents were left untouched, to conceal our movement from the enemy. -We proceeded on our way the whole night. Frederica was afraid, and began -to cry; I was obliged to press a handkerchief to her mouth. - -We were halted at six o'clock in the morning, to our general amazement. -General Burgoyne ordered the artillery to be drawn up in a line; and to -have it counted. This gave much dissatisfaction, as a few marches more -would have ensured our safety. My husband was exhausted by fatigue, and -took a seat in the calash, where my maids made room for him; and he slept -for three hours upon my shoulder. In the mean time Captain Willoe brought -me his pocket-book, containing bank notes, and Captain Geismar, a -beautiful watch, a ring, and a well provided purse, requesting me to keep -them, which I promised to do to the last. At length we recommenced our -march; but scarcely an hour had elapsed before the army was again halted, -because the enemy was in sight. They were but two hundred in number, who -came to reconnoiter, and who might easily have been taken had not General -Burgoyne lost all his presence of mind. The rain fell in torrents. Lady -Ackland had caused her tent to be fixed up, I again suggested to her the -propriety of rejoining her husband, to whom she might be of great service -in his present situation. Yielding to my advice, she sent a message to -General Burgoyne, through his aid-de-camp Lord Petersham, to beg his -permission to leave the army. I told her that she need only insist upon -it, and she would certainly succeed. The Rev. Mr. Brudenel accompanied -her, and they went together in a boat, with a flag of truce, to the enemy. -There is a well-known and fine engraving of that event. I afterward met -with lady Ackland at Albany, when her husband was almost entirely -recovered; and both thanked me for my advice. On the 9th, it rained -terribly the whole day; nevertheless we kept ourselves ready to march. The -savages had lost their courage, and they walked off in all directions. The -least untoward event made them dispirited, especially when there was no -opportunity for plunder. - - * * * * * - -We reached Saratoga about dark, which was but half an hour's march from -the place where we had spent the day. I was quite wet, and was obliged to -remain in that condition for want of a place to change my apparel. I -seated myself near the fire, and undressed the children, and we then laid -ourselves upon some straw. I asked General Phillips, who came to see how -I was, why we did not continue our retreat, my husband having pledged -himself to cover the movement, and to bring off the army In safety. "My -poor lady," said he, "you astonish me. Though quite wet, you have so much -courage as to wish to go farther in this weather. What a pity it is that -you are not our commanding general! He complains of fatigue, and has -determined upon spending the night here, and giving us a supper." It is -very true that General Burgoyne liked to make himself easy, and that he -spent half his nights in singing and drinking, and diverting himself with -the wife of a commissary, who was his mistress, and who was as fond of -Champaign as himself. I refreshed myself at 7 o'clock the next morning, -(the 10th of October,) with a cup of tea, and we all expected that we -should soon continue our march. General Burgoyne had given orders to set -fire to General Schuyler's fine buildings and mills at Saratoga, for the -purpose of securing our retreat. An English officer brought me some good -soup, and insisted that I should partake of it. After this, we continued -our march; but only for a short time. There was much misery and disorder -in the army. The commissaries had forgotten to distribute provisions, -though we had an abundance of cattle. I saw more than thirty officers, who -complained bitterly of hunger. I gave them coffee and tea, and every thing -eatable that I had in my calash. - - * * * * * - -Our calashes remained in readiness to depart. Every body advised a -retreat, and my husband pledged himself to effect that movement, if no -time was lost. But General Burgoyne, who had been promised an Order, if -he should effect his junction with General Howe, could not be persuaded to -it, and lost every thing by his dilatoriness. About 2 o'clock we heard -again a report of muskets and cannon, and there was much alarm and bustle -among our troops. My husband sent me word that I should immediately retire -into a house which was not far off. I got into my calash with my children; -and when we were near the house, I saw, on the opposite bank of the -Hudson, five or six men, who aimed at us with their guns. Without knowing -what I did, I threw my children into the back part of the vehicle, and -laid myself upon them. At the same moment the fellows fired, and broke the -arm of a poor English soldier, who stood behind us, and who, being already -wounded, sought a shelter. Soon after our arrival a terrible cannonade -began, and the fire was principally directed against the house, where we -had hoped to find a refuge, probably because the enemy inferred, from the -great number of people who went towards it, that this was the -head-quarters of the Generals, while, in reality, none were there except -women and crippled soldiers. We were at last obliged to descend into the -cellar, where I laid myself in a corner near the door. My children put -their heads upon my knees. An abominable smell, the cries of the children, -and my own anguish of mind, did not permit me to close my eyes during the -whole night. On the next morning the cannonade begun anew, but in a -different direction. I advised my fellow-sufferers to withdraw, for a -while, from the cellar, in order to give time to clean it, for we should -otherwise injure our health. On an inspection of our retreat, I discovered -that there were three cellars, spacious and well vaulted. I suggested that -one of them should be appropriated to the use of the officers who were -most severely wounded, the next to the females, and the third, which was -nearest to the staircase, to all the rest of the company. We were just -going down, when a new thunder of cannon threw us again into alarm. Many -persons, who had no right to enter, threw themselves against the door. My -children were already at the bottom of the staircase, and every one of us -would probably have been crushed to death, had I not put myself before -the entrance and resisted the intruders. Eleven cannon-balls passed -through the house, and made a tremendous noise. A poor soldier, who was -about to have a leg amputated, lost the other by one of these balls. All -his comrades ran away at that moment, and when they returned, they found -him in one corner of the room in the agonies of death. I was myself in the -deepest distress, not so much on account of my own dangers, as of those to -which my husband was exposed, who, however, frequently sent me messages, -inquiring after my health. Major Harnage's wife, a Mrs. Reynell, the wife -of the good lieutenant who had, on the preceding day, shared his soup with -me, the wife of the commissary, and myself, were the only officers' wives -at present with the army. We sat together, deploring our situation, when -somebody having entered, all my companions exchanged looks of deep sorrow, -whispering at the same time to one another. I immediately suspected that -my husband had been killed. I shrieked aloud; but was immediately told -that nothing had happened to my husband, and was given to understand, by -a sidelong glance, that the Lieutenant had been killed. His wife was soon -called out, and found that the Lieutenant was yet alive, though one of his -arms had been shot off, near the shoulder, by a cannon-ball. We heard his -groans and lamentations during the whole night, which were dreadfully -re-echoed through the vaulted cellars; and in the morning he expired. My -husband came to visit me during the night, which served to diminish my -sadness and dejection in some degree. On the next morning we thought of -making our cellar a more convenient residence. Major Harnage and his wife, -and Mrs. Reynell, took possession of one corner, and transformed it into -a kind of closet by means of a curtain. I was also to have a similar -retreat; but I preferred to remain near the door, that I might escape more -easily in case of fire. I had straw put under my mattresses, and on these -I laid myself with my children; and my female servants slept near us. -Opposite to us were three officers, who, though wounded, were determined -not to remain behind if the army retreated. One of them was Captain Green, -aid-de-camp to General Phillips, and a very amiable and worthy gentleman.. -All three swore they would not depart without me in case of a sudden -retreat, and that each of them would take one of my children on his horse. -One of my husband's horses was constantly in readiness for myself. Mr. -de Riedesel thought often of sending me to the American camp, to save me -from danger; but I declared that nothing would be more painful to me than -to live on good terms with those with whom he was fighting; upon which he -consented that I should continue to follow the army. However, the -apprehension that he might have marched away repeatedly intruded itself -into my mind; and I crept up the staircase, more than once, to confirm or -dispel my fears; and when I saw our soldiers near their watch-fires, I -became more calm, and could even have slept. - - * * * * * - -The want of water continuing to distress us, we could not but be extremely -glad to find a soldier's wife so spirited as to fetch some from the river, -an occupation from which the boldest might have shrunk, as the Americans -shot every one who approached it. They told us afterwards that they spared -her on account of her sex. - -I endeavored to dispel my melancholy, by continually attending to the -wounded. I made them tea and coffee, for which I received their warmest -acknowledgments. I often shared my dinner with them. One day a Canadian -officer came creeping into our cellar, and was hardly able to say that he -was dying with hunger. I felt happy to offer him my dinner, by eating -which he recovered his health and I gained his friendship. On our return -to Canada I became acquainted with his family. - -I also took care of Major Bloomfield, who was wounded by a musket-ball, -which passed through both his cheeks, knocked out his teeth and injured -his tongue. He could retain nothing in his mouth, and soup and liquids -were his only nourishment. Fortunately we had some Rhenish wine, and in -the hope that the acidity would contribute to heal his wound, I gave him -a bottle, of which he took a little now and then, and with such effect -that he was soon cured. I thus acquired a new friend, and enjoyed some -happiness in the midst of cares and sufferings, which otherwise would have -weighed heavily upon my spirits. On one of these mournful days, General -Phillips, wishing to pay me a visit, accompanied my husband, who came once -or twice daily, at the risk of his life; and seeing our situation, and -observing the entreaties I made to my husband not to be left behind, in -case the army should suddenly break up, and my reluctance to fall into the -hands of the enemy, he plead my cause, and said, on retiring "I would not, -for ten thousand guineas, see this place again. I am heart-broken with -what I have seen." - -All our companions, however, did not deserve so much commiseration. We had -some in our cellars who ought not to have been there, and who afterwards, -when we were prisoners, were in perfect health, and walked about quite -erect, and strutted as much as they could. We remained six days in this -doleful retreat. At last a capitulation was talked of, in consequence of -having lost, by useless delays, the opportunity of effecting our retreat. -A cessation of hostilities took place, and my husband, who was quite -exhausted by fatigue, could now, for the first time, sleep quietly in a -little chamber, while I retired with my children and the maid-servants -into the adjoining room. Towards one o'clock a person came and asked to -speak with him. I was very reluctant to awaken him at that hour of the -night; and I soon observed that the errand did not much please him, for -he immediately sent the messenger back to the head-quarters, and laid -himself down again, out of humor. Soon after this General Burgoyne sent -for all the Generals and field-officers to attend a council of war early -next morning, when he proposed to break the capitulation, in consequence -of some groundless information he had received. It was, however, decided -that this step was neither advisable nor practicable; and this -determination was very fortunate for us, as the Americans told us -after-wards, that, had we broken the treaty, we should all have been cut -to pieces. This they could easily have done, as our army was reduced to -four or five thousand men, while we had given them time to raise theirs -to twenty thousand. On the morning of the 16th, however, my husband was -obliged to repair to his post, and I to my cellar. - -On the 17th of October the capitulation was carried into effect. The -Generals waited upon the American General Gates, and the troops -surrendered themselves prisoners of war, and laid down their arms. The -time had now come for the good woman, who had risked her life to supply -us with water, to receive the reward of her services. Each of us threw a -handful of money into her apron; and she thus received more than twenty -guineas. At such a moment at least, if at no other, the heart easily -overflows with gratitude. - - * * * * * - -When I drew near the tents, a good-looking man advanced towards me, and -helped the children from the calash, and kissed and caressed them; he then -offered me his arm, and tears trembled in his eyes. "You tremble," said -he; "do not be alarmed, I pray you." "Sir," cried I, "a countenance so -expressive of benevolence, and the kindness which you have evinced towards -my children, are sufficient to dispel all apprehension." He then ushered -me into the tent of General Gates, whom I found engaged in friendly -conversation with Generals Burgoyne and Phillips. General Burgoyne said -to me: "You can now be quiet, and free from all apprehension of danger." -I replied that I should indeed be reprehensible if I felt any anxiety when -our General felt none, and was on such friendly terms with General Gates. - -All the Generals remained to dine with General Gates. The gentleman who -had received me with so much kindness, came and said to me, "You may find -it embarrassing to be the only lady in such a large company of gentlemen; -will you come with your children to my tent, and partake of a frugal -dinner, offered with the best will?" "By the kindness you show to me," -returned I, "you induce me to believe that you have a wife and children." -He informed me that he was General Schuyler. He regaled me with smoked -tongues, which were excellent, with beefsteaks, potatoes, fresh butter, -and bread. Never did a dinner give so much pleasure as this. I was easy, -after many months of anxiety; and I read the same happy change in those -around me. That my husband was out of danger, was a still greater cause -of joy. After our dinner, General Schuyler begged me to pay him a visit -at his house near Albany, where he expected that General Burgoyne would -also be his guest. I sent to ask my husband's directions, who advised me -to accept the invitation. As we were two days' journey from Albany, and -it was now near five o'clock in the afternoon, he wished me to endeavor -to reach, on that day, a place distant about three hours ride. General -Schuyler carried his civilities so far as to solicit a well-bred French -officer to accompany me on that first part of my journey. - - * * * * * - -On the next day, we reached Albany, where we had so often wished -ourselves; but we did not enter that city, as we hoped we should, with a -victorious army. The reception, however, which we met with from General -Schuyler, his wife and daughters, was not like the reception of enemies, -but of the most intimate friends. They loaded us with kindness; and they -behaved in the same manner towards General Burgoyne, though he had ordered -their splendid establishment to be burnt, and without any necessity as it -was said. But all their actions proved, that at the sight of the -misfortunes of others they quickly forgot their own. General Burgoyne was -so much affected by this generous deportment, that he said to General -Schuyler, "You are too kind to me, who have done you so much injury." -"Such is the fate of war," replied he; "let us not dwell on this subject." -We remained three days with that excellent family, and they seemed to -regret our departure. - - * * * * * - -The following account of a visit to the field of Saratoga, on the fiftieth -Anniversary of that battle, viz: October 17, 1827, was written immediately -afterward for the use of the author of the present work. The writer, the -venerable Samuel Woodruff, Esq. of Windsor, (Conn.) it need not be added, -was a participator in the battle:-- - - Windsor, Conn. Oct. 31, 1827. - - My Dear Sir,-- - -You may remember when I had the pleasure to dine with you at New-York, on -the 14th inst. I had set out on a tour to Saratoga, to gratify a desire I -felt, and which had long been increasing, to view the battle-grounds at -that place, and the spot on which the royal army under the command of -General Burgoyne surrendered to General Gates on the 17th of October, -1777. - -I thought it would add something to the interest of that view to me, to be -there on the 17th, exactly half a century after that memorable event took -place. You will excuse me for entering a little into the feelings of Uncle -Toby respecting Dendermond, in the compressed and hastily written journal -I kept of my tour, especially as you will take into consideration that I -had the honor to serve as a volunteer under General Gates part of that -campaign, and was in the battle of the 7th of October. - -I take the liberty to inclose to you an extract of that part of my journal -which embraces the principal object of my tour. - -Oct. 17th.--After a short stop in Troy, took another stage for -Saratoga;--at Lansingburgh, a neat and handsome village, about three miles -from Troy, crossed the Hudson on a covered bridge of excellent -workmanship, over to Waterford, (Old Half Moon Point,) another rich and -flourishing village. Arrived at Fish creek in Saratoga at half past 2 -P. M. through a beautiful, well-cultivated interval of alluvial land on -the west side of the Hudson--every thing from Albany to this place wears -the appearance of wealth and comfort. Put up at Mr. Barker's tavern. After -dinner viewed the ruins of the British fortifications and head-quarters -of Gen. Burgoyne. He kept his quarters for several days at a house, now -standing and in good repair, about a mile north of Fish creek, on the west -side of the road, owned by Mr. Busher, an intelligent farmer about -seventy-five years of age. While Burgoyne held his head-quarters at this -house, Baron Reidesel, of the royal army, obtained leave of the -Commander-in-chief to place his lady the Baroness and their three small -children under the same protection;--these were also accompanied by lady -Ackland and some other ladies, wives of British officers. At that time -some of the American troops were stationed on the east bank of the Hudson, -opposite the house, in fair view of it, and within cannon-shot distance. -Observing considerable moving of persons about the house, the Americans -supposed it the _rendezvous_ of the British officers, and commenced a -brisk cannonade upon it. Several shot struck and shattered the house. The -Baroness with her children fled into the cellar for safety, and placed -herself and them at the north-east corner, where they were well protected -by the cellar wall. A British surgeon by the name of Jones, having his leg -broken by a cannon ball, was at this time brought in, and laid on the -floor of the room which the Baroness and the other ladies had just left. -A cannon ball entered the house near the north-east corner of the room, -a few inches above the floor, and passing through, broke and mangled the -other leg of the poor surgeon. Soon after this he expired. Mr. Busher -very civilly conducted me into the room, cellar, and other parts of the -house, pointing out the places where the balls entered, &c. From hence I -proceeded to, and viewed with very great interest, the spot where Gen. -Burgoyne, attended by his staff, presented his sword to Gen. Gates; also, -the ground on which the arms, &c., of the royal army were stacked and -piled. This memorable place is situated on the flat, north side of Fish -creek, about forty rods west of its entrance into the Hudson, and through -which the Champlain canal now passes. - -Contiguous to this spot is the N. W. angle of old Fort Hardy, a military -work thrown up and occupied by the French, under Gen. Dieskau, in the year -1755. The lines of intrenchment embrace, as I should judge, about fifteen -acres of ground. The outer works yet retain the appearance of a strong -fortification, bounded south on the north side of Fish creek, and east on -the west bank of the Hudson. Human bones, fragments of fire-arms, swords, -balls, tools, implements, broken crockery, &c. &c., are frequently picked -up on this ground. - -In excavating the earth for the Champlain canal, which passes a few rods -west of this fort, such numbers of human skeletons were found as render -it highly probable this was the cemetery of the French garrison. - -About twenty or thirty rods west of the aqueduct for the canal over Fish -creek, stood Gen. Schuyler's mills, which were burned by order of Gen. -Burgoyne. - -Gen. Schuyler's dwelling-house also, and his other buildings, standing on -a beautiful area a little south-east of the mills on the south side of the -creek, suffered the same fate. The mills have been rebuilt and are now in -operation, at the same place where the former stood. The grandson of Gen. -Schuyler now lives in a house erected on the site of the former dwelling -of his father--a covered bridge across the creek adjoining the mills. - -I cannot, in this place, omit some short notices of Gen. P. Schuyler. It -seems he was commander-in-chief of the northern army until the latter part -of August, 1777, at which time he was superseded by Gen. Gates. - -I remember at that time there was some excitement in the public mind, and -much dissatisfaction expressed on account of that measure; and with my -limited means of knowledge, I have never been able to learn what good -reason induced his removal. Few men in our country at that time ranked -higher than Gen. Schuyler in all the essential qualities of the patriot, -the gentleman, the soldier, and scholar. True to the cause of liberty, he -made sacrifices which few were either able or willing to bear. The -nobility of soul he possessed, distinguished him from ordinary men, and -pointed him out as one deserving of public confidence. - -At the surrender of the royal army, he generously invited Gen. Burgoyne, -his suite, and several of the principal officers, with their ladies, to -his house at Albany; where, at his own expense, he fed and lodged them for -two or three weeks with the kindest hospitality. - -This is the man, who, a few days before, had suffered immense loss in his -mills and other buildings at Fish creek, burned by order of the same -Burgoyne who had now become his guest. - -Respecting Gen. Gates, I will only say, _finis coronet opus._ - -Oct. 18th.--At 7 A. M. started on foot to view some other and equally -interesting places connected with the campaign of 1777. Three miles and a -half south of Fish creek, called at the house of a Mr. Smith, in which -Gen. Fraser died of wounds received in the battle of the 7th October, and -near which house, in one of the British redoubts, that officer was buried. -This house then stood by the road on the west margin of the intervale, at -the foot of the rising ground. A turnpike road having since been -constructed, running twenty or thirty rods east of the old road, the -latter has been discontinued, and Mr. Smith has drawn the house and placed -it on the west side of the turnpike. - -Waiving, for the present, any farther notices of this spot, I shall -attempt a concise narrative of the two hostile armies for a short period -anterior to the great battle of the 7th of October. - -The object of the British General was to penetrate as far as Albany, at -which place, by concert, he was to meet Sir Henry Clinton, then with a -fleet and army lying at New-York. In the early part of September, Gen. -Burgoyne had advanced with his army from Fort Edward, and crossed the -Hudson with his artillery, baggage wagons, &c., on a bridge of boats, and -intrenched the troops on the highlands in Saratoga. On the 19th of -September they left their intrenchments, and moved south by a slow and -cautious march toward the American camp, which was secured by a line of -intrenchments and redoubts on Behmus's heights, running from west to east -about half a mile in length, terminating at the east end on the west side -of the intervale. - -Upon the approach of the royal army, the American forces sallied forth -from their camp, and met the British about a mile north of the American -lines. A severe conflict ensued, and many brave officers and men fell on -both sides. The ground on which this battle was fought was principally -covered with standing wood. This circumstance somewhat embarrassed the -British troops in the use of their field artillery, and afforded some -advantage to the Americans, particularly the riflemen under the command -of the brave Col. Morgan, who did great execution. Night, which has so -often and so kindly interposed to stop the carnage of conflicting hosts, -put an end to the battle. Neither party claimed a victory. The royal army -withdrew in the night, leaving the field and their slain, with some of -their wounded, in possession of the Americans. The loss of killed and -wounded, as near as could be ascertained, was, on the part of the British, -600; and on that of the Americans, about 350. The bravery and firmness of -the American forces displayed this day, convinced the British officers of -the difficulty, if not utter impossibility of continuing their march to -Albany. The season for closing the campaign in that northern region was -advancing--the American army was daily augmenting by militia, volunteers, -and the "two months men," as they were then called. The fear that the two -royal armies might effect their junction at Albany, aroused the -neighboring states of New England, and drew from New Hampshire, -Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont, a large body of determined -soldiers. Baum's defeat at Bennington had inspired them with new hopes -and invigorated their spirits. - -Under these circumstances, inauspicious to the hostile army, the British -commander-in-chief summoned a council of war; the result of which was to -attempt a retreat across the Hudson to Fort Edward. Gen. Gates, -apprehending the probability of this measure, seasonably detached a -portion of his force to intercept and cut off the retreat, should that be -attempted. - -Many new and unexpected difficulties now presented themselves. The boats -which had served the British army for a bridge, being considered by them -as of no further use, had been cut loose, and most of them floated down -the river. The construction of rafts sufficient for conveying over their -artillery and heavy baggage, would be attended with great danger as well -as loss of time. The bridges over the creeks had been destroyed; great -quantities of trees had been felled across the roads by order of the -American General; and another thing, not of the most trifling nature, Fort -Edward was already in possession of the Americans. In this perplexing -dilemma the royal army found themselves completely _check-mated._ A -retreat, however, was attempted, but soon abandoned. Situated as they now -were, between two fires, every motion they made was fraught with danger -and loss. They retired to their old entrenched camp. - -Several days elapsed without any very active operations on either side. -This interval of time was, however, improved by the royal army in -preparations to make one desperate effort to force the line of the -American camp, and cut their way through on their march to Albany. The -American army improved the meantime in strengthening their outer works, -arranging their forces, and placing the _Continentals_ on the north side of -the intrenchments, where valiant men were expected; thus preparing to -defend every point of attack; Morgan, with his riflemen, to form the left -flank in the woods. - -During these few days of "dreadful preparation," information daily arrived -in our camp, by deserters and otherwise, that an attack would soon be made -upon the line of our intrenchments at Behmus's heights, near the -head-quarters of Gen. Gates. - -The expected conflict awakened great anxiety among the American troops, -but abated nothing of that sterling intrepidity and firmness which they -had uniformly displayed in the hour of danger; all considered that the -expected conflict would be decisive of the campaign at least, if not of -the war in which we had been so long engaged. Immense interests were at -stake. Should Gen. Burgoyne succeed in marching his army to Albany, Gen. -Clinton, without any considerable difficulty, would there join him with -another powerful English army, and a fleet sufficient to command the -Hudson from thence to New-York. Should this junction of force take place, -all the states east of the Hudson would be cut off from all efficient -communication with the western and southern states. - -In addition to this there were other considerations of the deepest -concern. The war had already been protracted to a greater length of time -than was expected on either side at the commencement. The resources of the -country, which were at first but comparatively small in respect to those -things necessary for war, began to fail; the term of enlistment of many -of the soldiers had expired. - -We had no public money, and no government to guarantee the payment of -wages to the officers and soldiers, nor to those who furnished supplies -for the troops. Under these discouraging circumstances it became extremely -difficult to raise recruits for the army. During the year 1776 and the -fore part of '77, the Americans suffered greatly by sickness, and were -unsuccessful in almost every rencontre with the enemy. Men's hearts, even -the stoutest, began to fail. This was indeed the most gloomy period of the -war of the revolution. - -On the 7th of October, about 10 o'clock, A. M. the royal army commenced -their march, and formed their line of battle on our left, near Behmus's -heights, with Gen. Fraser at their head. Our pickets were driven in about -one o'clock P. M. and were followed by the British troops on a quick -march to within fair musket shot distance of the line of our -entrenchments. At this moment commenced a tremendous discharge of cannon -and musketry, which was returned with equal spirit by the Americans. - -For thirty or forty minutes the struggle at the breastworks was maintained -with great obstinacy. Several charges with fixed bayonets were made by the -English grenadiers with but little effect. Great numbers fell on both -sides. The ardor of this bloody conflict continued for some tune without -any apparent advantage gained by either party. At length, however, the -assailants began to give way, preserving good order in a regular but slow -retreat--loading, wheeling, and firing, with considerable effect. The -Americans followed up the advantage they had gained, by a brisk and -well-directed fire of field-pieces and musketry. Col. Morgan with his -riflemen hung upon the left wing of the retreating enemy, and galled them -by a most destructive fire. The line of battle now became extensive, and -most of the troops of both armies were brought into action. The principal -part of the ground on which this hard day's work was done, is known by the -name of "Freeman's farms." It was then covered by a thin growth of -pitch-pine wood without under brush, excepting one lot of about six or -eight acres, which had been cleared and fenced. On this spot the British -grenadiers, under the command of the brave Major Ackland, made a stand, -and brought together some of their field artillery; this little field -soon became literally "the field of blood." These grenadiers, the flower -of the royal army, unaccustomed to yield to any opposing force in fair -field, fought with that obstinate spirit which borders on madness. Ackland -received a ball through both legs, which rendered him unable to walk or -stand. This occurrence hastened the retreat of the grenadiers, leaving the -ground thickly strewed with their dead and wounded. - -The battle was continued by a brisk running fire until dark. The victory -was complete; leaving the Americans masters of the field. Thus ended a -battle of the highest importance in its consequences, and which added -great lustre to the American arms. I have seen no official account of the -numbers killed and wounded; but the loss on the part of the British must -have been great, and that on the part of the Americans not inconsiderable. -The loss of general officers suffered by the royal army was peculiarly -severe. But to return to the Smith house. I made known to the Smith family -the object of my calling upon them; found them polite and intelligent, and -learned from them many interesting particulars respecting the battle of the -7th of October. For several days previous to that time Gen. Burgoyne had -made that house his head-quarters, accompanied by several general officers -and their ladies, among whom were Gen. Fraser, the Baron and Baroness -Reidesel, and their children. - -The circumstances attending the fall of this gallant officer have -presented a question about which military men are divided in opinion. The -facts seem to be agreed, that soon after the commencement of the action, -Gen. Arnold, knowing the military character and efficiency of Gen. Fraser, -and observing his motions in leading and conducting the attack, said to -Col. Morgan, "that officer upon a grey horse is of himself a host, and -must be disposed of. Direct the attention of some of the sharp-shooters -among your riflemen to him." Morgan, nodding his assent to Arnold, -repaired to his riflemen, and made known to them the hint given by Arnold. -Immediately upon this, the crupper of the grey horse was cut off by a rifle -bullet, and within the next minute another passed through the horse's -mane, a little back of his ears. An aid of Fraser noticing this, observed -to him, "Sir, it is evident that you are marked out for particular aim; -would it not be prudent for you to retire from this place?" Fraser -replied, "my duty forbids me to fly from danger;" and immediately received -a bullet through his body. A few grenadiers were detached to carry him to -the Smith house. - -Having introduced the name of Arnold, it may be proper to note here, that -although he had no regular command that day, he volunteered his service, -was early on the ground, and in the hottest part of the struggle at the -redoubts. He behaved, (as I then thought,) more like a madman than a cool -and discreet officer. Mounted on a brown horse, he moved incessantly at a -full gallop back and forth, until he received a wound in his leg, and his -horse was shot under him. I happened to be near him when he fell, and -assisted in getting him into a litter to be carried to head-quarters. - -Late in the evening Gen. Burgoyne came in, and a tender scene took place -between him and Fraser. Gen. Fraser was the idol of the British army, and -the officer on whom, of all others, Burgoyne placed the greatest reliance. -He languished through the night, and expired at 8 o'clock the next -morning. While on his death-bed he advised Burgoyne, without delay, to -propose to Gen. Gates terms of capitulation, and prevent the further -effusion of blood; that the situation of his army was now hopeless; they -could neither advance nor retreat. He also requested that he might be -buried in the _great redoubt_--his body to be borne thither between sunset -and dark, by a body of the grenadiers, without parade or ceremony. This -request was strictly complied with. - -After viewing the house to my satisfaction, I walked up to the place of -interment. It is situated on an elevated piece of ground, commanding an -extensive view of the Hudson, and a great length of the beautiful -interval on each side of it. I was alone; the weather was calm and serene. -Reflections were awakened in my mind which I am wholly unable to describe. -Instead of the bustle and hum of the camp, and _confused_ noise of the -battle of the warrior, and the shouts of victory which I here witnessed -fifty years ago, all was now silent as the abodes of the dead. And indeed -far, far the greatest part of both those armies who were then in active -life at and near this spot, are now mouldering in their graves, like that -valiant officer whose remains are under my feet,--"their memories and -their names lost,"--while God, in his merciful Providence, has preserved -my life, and after the lapse of half a century has afforded me an -opportunity of once more viewing those places which force upon my mind -many interesting recollections of my youthful days. - -Oct. 19th.--On my return down the river from Albany to New-York, in the -steamboat "North America," I had leisure and opportunity for reflecting -upon the immense wealth and resources of the state of New-York--greater -I believe, at this time than that of any other two states in the Union. -It would be hazarding nothing to say, that this single state possesses -more physical power, and more of the "sinews of war," than were employed -by the whole thirteen states through the war of the revolution. This, -among other considerations, led me to the reflection how honorable it -would be to the state, and how deserving of the occasion, that a monument -be erected at or near the place where the royal army surrendered by -capitulation on the 17th of October, 1777, in commemoration of an event -so important in our national history. The battle of the 7th of October -may be considered, in its effects and consequences, as the termination -of the war, with as much propriety as that of Bunker's Hill was the -commencement of it. - - I am. Sir, - Very respectfully yours, - SAMUEL WOODRUFF. - - William L. Stone, Esq. - - - - - End of vol. I. - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea ( -Vol. I.), by William L. 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