Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][ocr errors]

DEPARTURE OF THE INDIANS FROM WYOMING AFTER THE BATTLE AND MASSACRE IN JULY, 1778. Photc-reproduction of an original drawing by Frederick C. Yohu in 1902. By courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons.

967), and when he arrived there he was completely exhausted from fatigue. Thereupon he was handed over by his captor to the squaws, who tortured him to death by fire. Daniel Carr saw Gardner's remains the following day.*

The writer has recently seen (since the printing of page 975) a copy of an interesting document now preserved among the "Haldimand Papers," previously mentioned. It relates to some of the inhabitants of Westmoreland who were carried away into captivity by the British and Indians during the Summer of 1778, and is entitled "Return of Rebel Prisoners [at Quebec] November 15, 1778-showing age, residence, date and place of capture." From this list we glean that the men captured in Westmoreland June 5, 1778, as mentioned on page 975, were as follows: James Whitney, aged thirty-six years, a native of Dunstable, Massachusetts; Timothy Pearce,† aged thirty-nine years, a resident of Westmoreland, Connecticut; Joseph Budd, aged twenty-two years, a native of Long Island; Daniel Walling, aged twenty-two years, a resident of Westmoreland, and "not in arms." We find also the following names of other Westmorelanders who were in custody at Quebec at that time. Timothy Dory, aged twenty-two years, captured August 22d; Stephen Kimball, aged twenty years, a native of Preston, Connecticut, captured July 4th; John Benjamin, aged twenty years, a native of Northumberland, Pennsylvania; Andrew Sherard, aged nineteen years, a resident of Westmoreland, captured July 11th on the Lackawanna River, "not in arms;" James Huff, aged forty-two years, a resident of Westmoreland, captured July 3d on the Lackawack River, "not in arms;" John McPhattage, aged twenty-one years, a resident of Westmoreland, captured August 22d, "not in arms;" John Kertell, aged twenty-five years, a resident of Westmoreland, gave himself up at Oswegatchie, "was formerly a soldier in the 'Royal Americans,' but obtained his discharge."

A march of about two miles brought Major Butler and his command to a point opposite Scovell's Island and the mouth of Lackawanna River. There the Major ordered a halt, and shortly afterwards detached twenty "Rangers" and Indians with orders to cross the Susquehanna and march out the "Upper Road" to the Westmoreland settlements (in the Lackaway District) near the Delaware, in order to destroy the same. He then despatched Lieut. (later Capt.) Peter Hare of the "Rangers to Lieut. Colonel Bolton at Fort Niagara, with an official report relative to the Wyoming incursion, accompanied by the original articles of capitulation of the several forts. Lieutenant Hare set off post-haste on horseback, and then the expedition resumed its march northward. Without any unnecessary halts Tioga Point was reached in due time; but almost immediately upon his arrival there Major Butler was prostrated by a violent attack of fever and ague, accompanied by "rheumatism in the head.” As soon as he was able to travel§ he set out for Niagara, leaving Captain Caldwell in command of the "Rangers," with instructions to march at once to Oghwaga (see page 257) and inform the Indians that he had come to assist in the defense of their border villages, and conduct any offensive movement he considered practicable. Accord

* See Miner's "History of Wyoming," page 238, and Hayden's "The Massacre of Wyoming," page 76. † See page 715, ante. See pages 346 and 578, Vol. I. § July 22d.

ing to the orders given by Butler to Caldwell* an officer and a few “Rangers" were to accompany every party of Indians sent out to reconnoiter and harass the frontier. "I would have you give orders," wrote Butler, "to every party you send out to burn and destroy everything they possibly can. If we can prevent the enemy getting in their grain, their general army-already much distressed-must disperse, and their country fall an easy prey. You are to enlist into the 'Rangers' as many able-bodied men as you can, who are recommended for their loyalty."+

Lieutenant Hare arrived at Fort Niagara on Tuesday, July 14, 1778, and delivered to Lieut. Colonel Bolton Major Butler's report and the accompanying papers. Bolton prepared, or had prepared, immediately, copies of these documents (as mentioned on page 1032), and, retaining the originals, sent the copies, on the same day, to Deputy Adjutant General Le Maistre at Quebec, accompanied by the following letter:

"I have the pleasure of acquainting you with the signal success of the Rangers' and Indians with Colonel Butler over the Rebels at Wioming, where they had not less than ten stockaded Forts & were defeated. Inclosed I send you the particulars which I request you will lay before His Excellency. I received them this moment by Lieutenant Hare of the 'Rangers.' The Caldwell being ready to sail, I have only time to assure you that I am [Signed] "MASON BOLTON."

[ocr errors]

"I request that you will inform Capt. [Walter N.] Butler of the Colonel's success." The copies of the capitulations of the Wyoming forts, and of Major Butler's report on the Wyoming campaign, together with Lieut. Colonel Bolton's holograph letter, forwarded to and received at headquarters in Quebec, as narrated above, are now among the "Haldimand Papers " in London. The following is a verbatim copy-made at the instance of the Hon. Whitelaw Reid for this work-of the abovementioned copy§ of Major Butler's report to Lieut. Colonel Bolton, dated at "Lacuwa-. nack, 8th July, 1778."

"Sir: On the 30th of June I arrived with about 500 Rangers & Indians at Wioming, & encamped on an Eminence which overlooks the greatest part of the Settlement, from whence I sent out parties to discover the Situation, and strength of the Enemy, who brought in Eight Prisoners and Scalps: Two loyalists who came into my camp informed me, that the Rebels could muster about 800 Men who were all assembled in their Forts. "July 1st I marched to the distance of half a mile of Wintermonts Fort, & sent in Lieut. Turney with a flag to demand immediate possession of it, which was soon agreed A flag was next sent to Jenkin's Fort which surrendered on nearly the same Condi

to.

*See Cruikshank's "The Story of Butler's Rangers," page 51.

A memorandum among the "Haldimand Papers," relating to the distribution of the "Rangers" and certain officers of the Indian Department early in September, 1778, indicates the vast extent of country covered by their operations at that period. "Captain Caldwell of the 'Rangers,' Captain Powell of the Indian Department, and Mr. Joseph Brant, are at Oghwaga, employed in scouting from there to the Delaware River as low as the Minisinks, and to Schoharie as well to annoy the enemy as to gain intelligence. Mr. Pawling is also detached from Oghwaga with thirty 'Rangers' and a number of Indians to Wyalusing, upon the Susquehanna, with directions to scout as low as Wyoming, to watch the motions of the rebels said to be assembling there. Mr. John Young, detached from Oghwaga with thirty 'Rangers,' is constantly scouting towards the German Flats and Cherry Valley. Captain Johnston, from the Seneca country, keeps continual parties of Indians out from thence to the West Branch of the Susquehanna and the Juniata. The main body of the 'Rangers' is at Oghwaga and neighborhood, ready, when joined by the Indians, for an incursion to the enemy's frontier, or to defend the Indian country." At Unadilla, under the date of September 21, 1778, Captain Caldwell wrote to Major Butler reporting the success of an expedition against German Flats, and his safe return to Unadilla. (See the "Haldimand Papers"--B. M. 21,765, B. CV: p. 56.)

"During the time Caldwell held command a tragic event occurred, which occasioned profound discontent among the 'Rangers,' states Cruikshank. "A number of unknown men had offered themselves from time to time for enlistment. Some, it was subsequently discovered, were actually spies in the enemy's service. A single traitor might easily accomplish the destruction of the entire corps. During his advance upon Wyoming Butler had, accordingly, issued a standing order that if any man should attempt to desert he must be instantly pursued and shot on the spot. Shortly after their arrival at Oghwaga two men from the Susquehanna asked leave to visit their families. Caldwell peremptorily refused. Taking advantage of an opportunity when on guard at the 'Indian Castle,' they stole quietly away with their arms, after destroying the arms of the rest of the guard. This, of course, was an unpardonable offense. Caldwell sent out a party, which soon overtook the fugitives and shot them at sight. But their friends and relatives stubbornly refused to believe that they had actually intended to desert, and continued to manifest their sympathy for the offenders in various ways.

errors.

A copy of this report is printed in Peck's "Wyoming," page 52, but it contains several serious § "B. M., Additional MSS., 21,760-XXXVII.”

[merged small][ocr errors]

tions as Wintermonts, both of which are inclosed. I next summoned Forty Fort, the Commandant of which refused the Condition I sent him.

"July 3d parties were sent out to collect Cattle, who informed me that the Rebels were preparing to attack me: This pleased the Indians highly, who observed they should be upon an equal footing with them in the Woods; At two O'Clock we discovered the Rebels upon their march in number about four, or five hundred; Between 4 & 5 O'clock they were advanced within a mile of Us; finding them determined, I ordered the Forts to be sett on fire, which deceived the Enemy into an Opinion that we had retreated: We then posted ourselves in a fine, open Wood, & for our greater safety lay flat upon the ground, waiting their approach. When they were within 200 Yards of us, they began firing; We still continued upon the ground without returning their fire till they had fired three Vollies: by this time they had advanced within 100 Yards of Us, and being quite near enough Saengerachton ordered his Indians who were upon the right, to begin the Attack upon our part, which was immediately well seconded by the Rangers on the left. Our fire was so close, and well directed, that the Affair was soon over, not lasting above half an hour, from the Time they gave us the first fire till their flight:

"In this Action were taken 227 Scalps, and only five prisoners: The Indians were so exasperated with their loss last Year near Fort Stanwix, that it was with the greatest difficulty I could save the lives of those few. Col! Denniston, who came in next day with a Minister & four others to treat for the remainder of the Settlement of Westmoreland, assures me that they have lost one Colo, two Majors, seven Captains, Thirteen Lieutts, Eleven Ensigns, and two hundred & Sixty-eight Privates. On our side are killed one Indian, two Rangers, and Eight Indians wounded. In this incursion We have taken and destroyed eight Pallisadoed Forts, & burned about 1,000 Dwelling houses, all their Mills &ca We have also killed & drove off about 1,000 head of horned Cattle, and Sheep and Swine in great numbers: But what gives me the sincerest satisfaction is, that I can with great truth assure You that in the destruction of this Settlement not a single Person has been hurt of the Inhabitants, but such as were in Arms, to those indeed the Indians gave no Quarter.

"I have also the pleasure to inform You, that the Officers and Rangers behaved during this short action highly to my satisfaction, & have always supported themselves through hunger & fatigue with great cheerfulness.

"I have this day sent a party of twenty Men to the Delaware to destroy a small Settlement there, and to bring off Prisoners; In two or three days I shall send out other parties for the same purpose, if I can supply myself with provisions. I shall harrass the adjacent Country, & prevent them from getting in their Harvest. The Settlement of Schohary or the Minisinks will be my next Objects, both of which abound in Corn & Cattle, the destruction of which cannot fail of greatly distressing the Rebels.

I have not yet been able to hear anything of the Expresses I sent to the Generals Howe & Clinton, but as I sent them by Ten different Routes, I am in hopes that some of them will be able to make their way to them, & return. In a few days I do myself the honor of writing to You more fully, & send You a Journal of my proceedings since I left Niagara.

"I am, Sir, with respect, Your most Obedient & very humb! Servt,
[Signed] "JOHN BUTLER."

At Quebec, under the date of August 4, 1778, Sir Frederick Haldimand transmitted to Lord George Germain, the British Secretary of State, and to Sir Henry Clinton, commander-in-chief of the British forces in America, duplicate copies of Lieut. Colonel Bolton's letter to Captain Le Maistre; of Major Butler's report to Bolton; and of the Wyoming capitulations. At New York, under the date of August 12, 1778, Sir Henry Clinton wrote to Lord George Germain*:

"Reports which seem to be credited say that a body of Indians, assembled under the command of Colonel Butler, have destroyed a number of settlements upon the frontiers of Pennsylvania, and repulsed what troops the rebels had collected to oppose them. When I receive certain intelligence of their proceedings I shall acquaint your Lordship."

Sir Henry had not then received General Haldimand's despatches, but they came to hand some days later, and were forwarded by Sir Henry to Lord George Germain, at London.

At New York, under the date of September 10, 1778, Col. Guy Johnson (see note on page 300, Vol. I) wrote to Lord George Germain in part as follows :

* See "Stevens' Facsimiles," XI: 1127.

† See "Documentary History of the Colony of New York," VIII: 752.

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »