USA > Connecticut > A complete history of Connecticut, civil and ecclesiastical, from the emigration of its first planters, from England, in the year 1630, to the year 1764; and to the close of the Indian wars > Part 46
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Captain Stewart owed his life to the invincible attach- ment of Attakullakulla. He ransomed him at the expense of all he could command, and, with uncommon art and pains, conducted him in safety to his friends.
439
CHAP. XXI. CONNECTICUT.
The Cherokees still continuing hostile, and South-Caro- Book II. lina having expended more than fifty thousand pounds sterling already, in defence of the frontiers, without gaining 1760. any considerable point, lieutenant governor Bull made ap- plication a second time to general Amherst, for assistance. Meanwhile, the royal Scots, with the militia, were posted on the frontiers, for their defence. But the Creeks appear- ing hostile, and murdering some of the inhabitants without making any proposals, by way of satisfaction, and as the French were employing all their arts with them and the Choctaws, to engage them in the war, the province was in a state of the most dreadful apprehension .*
As Canada was now conquered, the commander in chief could more conveniently spare a force adequate to the pur- pose of humbling the savages. The active and brave col- onel Montgomery, who commanded in this quarter before, was now embarked for England. He was brother to the earl of Eglinton, and afterwards succeeded him in his hon- ors. His affairs requiring him to return, the command of the Highlanders, who were ordered again to Carolina, de- volved on lieutenant colonel Grant. He landed at Charles- Colonel ton with his regiment, in the beginning of the year 1761. Grant ar- He took up his winter quarters with his troops in the town. Charleston rives at
It was determined, if possible, to give the Indians so se- Jan. 1761. vere a correction the ensuing campaigr, as should induce them to make peace. The province therefore determined to make the utmost exertion for that purpose. A provin- Expedi- cial regiment, under colonel Middleton, was raised. Pre- tion a- sents were made to their Indien allies, and numbers of the Cherokees against the Chickesaws and Catawbas were engaged in the service. The army were clothed and armed in the best manner for the expedition.
In May, the army, consisting of two thousand and six hundred men, advanced to fort Prince George. Here At- takullakulla, having heard of the army's advancing against his nation, met colonel Grant, and repeatedly intreated him, by his friendship, and the many good services he had per- formed for the English, that he would proceed no further until he had once more used his influence with his nation to bring them to an accommodation : but colonel Grant would not listen to his solicitations. He immediately began his march for the middle settlements. A party of ninety In- dians, and thirty woodmen painted like Indians, marched in the front of the army, and scoured the woods. After them followed the light infantry, and about fifty rangers, consisting of about two hundred men. By the vigilance and
: History of South-Carolina, vol. ii. p. 233, 235, 236, 344.
440
HISTORY OF
CHAP. XXI:
Book Il: activity of these, the colonel designed to secure the main army from annoyance and surprise. During three days, he 1760. made forced marches, with a view to pass a number of dan- gerous defiles, which might cost him dear should the enemy first get the possession, and warmly dispute the passage. These he passed safely. But the next day, advancing in- to suspicious grounds, on all sides orders were given to prepare for action ; and that the guards should advance slowly, doubling their circumspection. While the army
Battle near Etch- oe, June 10th.
was advancing in this cautious manner, about eight o'clock in the morning, the enemy were discovered by the advanc- ed guard, nearly in the same ground where they had attack- ed colonel Montgomery the preceding year. Rushing down from the high grounds, they furiously attacked the advanced guard. This was supported, and the action be- came general. A party of the enemy driven from the low grounds, immediately ascended the hills, under which the whole line was obliged to pass. On the left was a river, from the opposite bank of which, they received a heavy fire as they advanced. While the line faced and gave their whole fire to the Indians on the bank of the river, a party was ordered to ascend the hills and drive the enemy from the heights. No sooner were they driven from the heights, than they returned with redoubled fury to the charge in the low grounds. These it appeared to be their resolution obstinately to dispute. The situation of the troops soon became critical and distressing. They had been greatly fatigued by forced marches, in rainy weather. They were galled by the fire of the enemy; and so compassed with woods that they could neither discern nor approach them, but with great difficulty and danger. When they were pressed, they always kept at a distance; but rallying, returned again to the charge, with the same fierceness and resolu- tion. No sooner were they driven from one place, than they sprang up like furies, in another. While the atten- tion of the colonel was directed to the enemy on the banks of the river, and was employed in driving them from their lurking places on that side, they made so furious an attack on his rear guard, that he was obliged to order a detach- ment back to its relief, to save his cattle, provisions and baggage. From nine in the morning, until eleven o'clock, did the enemy maintain the fight. Every where did the woods resound with the roar of arms, and with the shouts and hideous yellings of the savages. At length they gave way ; but as they were pursued, they kept up a scattering fire until two o'clock. After that, they entirely disappear- ed .*
Chero- kees de- feated.
* Hist. South-Carolina, vol. ii. p. 248, 250.
CHAP. XXI. CONNECTICUT.
441
What loss the enemy suffered, was not known. The loss Book II. of colonel Grant, was about sixty men killed and wounded. The army advanced as soon as possible, and about mid- 1761. night arrived at Etchoe, a large Indian town. The next morning, it was reduced to ashes. There were fourteen townis, in the middle settlements, which soon shared the Their mid- same fate. The enemy's magazines, and even their corn- dle settle- fields, which are reported to have amounted to fourteen hundred acres, were utterly destroyed. The miserable inhabitants stood the silent spectators of this general and merciless destruction. They were obliged to retire to starve in the thickets, swamps and mountains .* Nearly the same barbarities were committed against them, by a civ- ilized and christian people, of which we so much complain, when they are perpetrated against us.
ments des- troyed.
What a scene of bloodshed and desolation, both with res- pect to them and to the colonies, was the consequence of the haughty, unjust and perfidious treatment of the Indians, by a few base and murderous people among ourselves ? As the consequences of an Indian war are nothing but merciless carnage and destruction, on both sides, every motive of humanity as well as of good policy, requires that the strictest guard should be maintained against it; and that the natives be treated with justice, condescension and humanity. Pride, injustice, and bloody measures, in the course of providence, commonly meet a recompence in their own way.
When the army had spent about thirty days in this venge- The army ful and barbarous work of destruction, it returned to fort Prince George. The feet and legs of many of the soldiers George. were so mangled, and their spirits so exhausted, that they were utterly unable to proceed on their march. Colonel Grant, therefore, determined to encamp at this post, for some time, both for the refreshment of his troops, and to obtain intelligence from the enemy.
returns to fort Prince
sire peace,
Soon after his arrival, Attakullakulla, and several other The chieftains of the Cherokee nation, came to his camp, and Chero- expressed their wishes for peace. Articles were drawn kees de- and interpreted to the warriors. Attakullakulla readily agreed to them all, except one, which he said he had no authority to grant. This was, that four Cherokees should be delivered up, and put to death in the face of the army, or that four green scalps should be delivered within two nights. As the chieftains could not consent to this bloody article, they were dispatched to Charleston, to know wheth- er governor Bull would abate this rigorous requisition.
* Rider's Hist. vol. xlviii. p. 63, 64.
F 3
449
HISTORY OF
CHAP. XXT.
BOOK II. The governor and his council met them at Ashley ferry. He addressed them in this friendly manner :- " Attakulla- 1761. kulla, I am glad to see you ; and as I have always heard of your good behaviour, and that you have been a good friend to the English, I take you by the hand, and not only you. but all those who are with you also, as a pledge of their se- curity, while under my protection. Colonel Grant ac- quaints me, that you have applied for peace. Now that. you are come, I have met, with my beloved men, to hear what you have to say; and my ears are open for that pur- pose." Then a fire was kindled, and the pipe of peace was lighted up; and, for some time, all smoked together in great silence and solemnity.
Attakullakulla then arose, and addressed the governor in a manly and eloquent speech, representing his joy at seeing him, and that he was come as a messenger of peace : that his people were in great distress; and that, thought the English were superior to them, and lived in light, while they were in darkness, yet that one God was the father of them both : that they lived in one country, and that he wish- ed what had happened might be forgotten, and that they might live as one people. Governor Bull, and his council, had too much humanity and good sense, to insist on the ex- ceptionable article. They could not but know, that, in justice, the Virginians, who began the war, by murdering the Cherokees, ought rather to be given up and executed, than the Indians. They were not insensible of the injudi- cious and insidious conduct of governor Littleton. Peace was therefore established ; and both parties wished that it might last as long as the rivers should run, or the sun shine.
Peace is made.
The North-American continent appeared now to be qui- eted. The conquest of Canada had given rest to New- England. The capture of fort du Quesne, with the pacific and prudent measures of governor Stanwix, who command- ed at that post, had given peace and safety to the people on the Ohio. He had enlarged and strengthened the for- tifications at Pittsburg, and had erected barracks and store houses for a respectable garrison. With great diligence and success, he had cultivated the friendship of, and made alliances with, the Indians in the vicinity. The happy consequences of these measures, were very soon apparent, in a considerable trade between the Indians and the mer- chants at Pittsburg ; and also, in the return of nearly four thousand planters to the quiet enjoyment of their houses and lands on the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, whence they had been driven by the war.
CHAP. XXII.
CONNECTICUT.
443
BOOK II.
1761.
CHAPTER XXII.
Requisition on the colonies in 1761. Mr. Pitt's letter. Acts of the assembly, in consequence of it. The business of this campaign, in America, was principally directed to the re- pairing and building of fortresses, and to secure the con- quests which had been made. The critical state of the na- tion, at the close of the year 1761. Events of the year 1762, influencing the belligerents to peace. Pacification of Paris. Favourable to the American colonies. Burthen of the colonies. Supplies from England. Effects of the war. Policy of Connecticut, in' defraying its expenses. General joy and feelings of the Americans, on the return of peace.
N TOTWITHSTANDING the successes in North-Ame- rica, the belligerents continued no less inflamed and hostile, than at the commencement of the war. His Bri- tannic majesty had, therefore, occasion to employ his whole force against the enemy. Requisitions were still made on the colonies, to furnish their respective quotas.
With a view to this, governor Fitch convened the Gene- General ral Assembly of Connecticut, at New-Haven, on the 26th of Assembly March. He communicated a letter from the right honour- at New- able William Pitt, secretary of state, representing, that his March Haven, majesty had much at heart a vigorous prosecution of the 26th. war, until the enemy should be compelled to accept of Mr. Pitt's peace, on terms of advantage and glory to his crown, and letter. beneficial, in particular, to his subjects in America : that, for this purpose, it was his majesty's pleasure to employ his regular troops in North-America, as should be best adapted to some great and important enterprises against the enemy : and that, for the security of his dominions, and the possession of his conquests, in their absence, it was his pleasure, that Connecticut should raise two thirds as many men as they had raised the last year. The assembly enact- Acts of ed, that provision should be made for the immediate rai- the assem- sing, clothing, victualling, and paying of two thousand by- three hundred men : that they should be formed into two regiments : that major general Lyman should command the first, and colonel Nathan Whiting the second regiment .*
To meet the expenses of the war, the assembly enacted, that an emission of 45,000 pounds, lawful money, in bills of credit, with interest at five per cent, should be forthwith
# Messrs. Beckwith and Leavenworth were appointed chaplains.
1
444
HISTORY OF
CHAP. XXII.
Book II. printed; and that, as a sinking fund for the redemption of the bills, a tax of fivepence on the pound, on the whole list 1761. of the colony, to be brought into the assembly in October, 1762, should be levied; which should be paid into the treasury on, or before, the last day of December, 1763. At the same time it was enacted, that a tax of sevenpence on the pound, on the whole list of the colony, to be brought into the assembly in October, 1764, should be levied ; which tax should be paid into the treasury on, or before, the last day of December, 1765. It was provided, never- theless, that if a sum should be granted and arrive, suffi- cient to redeem said bills, then said acts imposing the tax- es, should cease and be null.
Provision had been made for the payment of the troops, at the close of the campaign, upon their return, by a tax of fivepence on the pound, which had been previously laid, to be paid into the treasury in December.
The repairing and strengthening of the numerous posts of such an extensive country as Canada; the erecting of new fortifications, where they were necessary to secure the conquered territory, and to cover and guard the colo- nies, should Canada be again put into the power of France ; the furnishing of them with provisions, arms, and military stores ; the repairing of old roads, and the making of new ones, for their more easy conveyance, and for maintaining a convenient and more expeditious communication between them, and between them and the country, was a work of much time and labour. The building of houses and bar- racks, for the convenience of the officers and men, at the various posts where it was necessary that garrisons should be kept, was an additional labour, employing a consider- able number of men. The accomplishment of these ob- jects employed some thousands of men, during the cam- paign, for this and the next year. In these services, the regulars who remained in the country, and the provincials, were principally occupied.
As Crown Point and Ticonderoga had been a source of. great trouble and annoyance to New-England and New- York, whence the enemy had made all their incursions into them, for devastation and murder ; and as it could not be foreseen but that Canada would be restored to France, on a general pacification, it was a matter of the highest con- sideration, that these passes into the northern colonies, should be strongly fortified and garrisoned.
The fortifying of Crown Point, therefore, became a prin- cipal object. Great and extensive works were laid out there, by the most skilful engineers in the service. Im-
Business of the cam- paign.
-
445
Critical state of the
CHAP. XXII. CONNECTICUT.
mense labor and expense were laid out upon them. The Book II. fortifications were principally laid out upon a rock. The trenches or ditches, were principally to be blown out of a 1761. solid rock. It was supposed that Great Britain expended two millions sterling, or more, on these works.
The French, when they abandoned Ticonderoga, blew up their magazine, and injured the works. Some repairs of the fortifications were made there. The whole season was spent in these services, and the campaign closed at a late period.
The campaign in Europe closed very unfavorably for Great Britain and her allies. Notwithstanding all the suc- cess which had attended the British arms in North-Amer- ica, the state of the nation, at the close of this campaign in Europe, and at the commencement of the next, in 1762, was never more critical and alarming. A very considera- nation. ble part of Hanover, was in the possession of France. The king of Prussia was so reduced and pressed on every side, by his numerous enemies, that there was no human prospect that he could possibly hold out for any consider- able time. Should he be overpowered, the allied armny, which was now able to act only on the defensive, could not survive the event a single day. All the Hanoverian dominions must be instantly lost. What other disastrous events might be the consequence, no human foresight could determine. All the great powers of Europe were on the side of France. Spain was now cordial in her friendship to that nation, and was joining her, unimpaired in men or money, or any of her resources for war. Her fleet was es- timated at an hundred ships. Great Britain was, directly or indirectly, engaged in war with all the great conti- nental powers of Europe ; and with much the greatest part of its maritime force. She was, in some measure, reduced as to her resources, and labored under a debt of more than a hundred millions. In the dangers and misfortunes of the mother country, her colonies were involved.
Notwithstanding the successes in North-America, if France and her allies, in Europe, should carry their points, all the expense and exertions of the colonies would finally be of no advantage to them. All the acquisitions in Amer- ica would be given up, to recover what would be lost in Germany, and to secure the rights of the protestants, on the other side of the water.
It was necessary that the whole strength of the nation, by land and sea, should be employed against the enemy. Requisitions were still made on the colonies, for their as- Requisi- sistance. A letter had been received by governor Fitch, colony,
tion on the
446
HISTORY OF
CHAP. XXII.
BOOK II. from the Earl of Egremont, requiring him to use his utmost endeavors, to induce the colony to raise the same number
General Assembly at New- Haven, March 14th, 1762.
1762. of men this year, which they had sent into the field the last. It was required, that the troops should be raised forthwith, and be under the direction of his majesty's com- mander in chief, in North-America. The governor, there- fore, on the fourth of March, 1762, convoked the General Assembly at New-Haven. In compliance with the requi- sition of his majesty, the assembly enacted, That although this colony is much weakened and exhausted, both in strength and treasure, by its vigorous exertions in several former campaigns, yet, zealous for his majesty's service, and animated with the agreeable prospect, that the future safety and welfare of his majesty's dominions in America will be fixed and secured, and humbly and firmly relying on his majesty's gracious encouragement, for a proper compensation of our expenses, incurred by this further ex- ertion of our strength, for his service, in this important con- juncture, that all necessary provision be made, for levying, clothing, and paying, the same number of men as were raised the last year, to march to such place or places, in North-America, as his majesty's commander in chief should appoint. The number raised by said act, was two thou- sand three hundred men, officers included. They were formed into two regiments, consisting of twelve companies each. The regiments were commanded by one colonel, a lieutenant-colonel, and major. A chaplain was appoint- ed to each regiment.
To defray the expense, it was enacted, that the sum of sixty five thousand pounds, in bills of credit, on the gov- ernment, equal to lawful money, with interest at six per cent, should be forthwith impressed, payable on or before the 4th day of March, 1767. The bills were to bear date the same day as the session of the assembly. As a sinking fund, it was enacted, that a tax of sixpence on the pound, on all the polls and rateable estate in the colony, be levied on the list to be brought in to the assembly in October, 1763 ; to be collected and paid into the treasury of the col- ony by the last day of December, 1764 : and that another tax of eightpence on the pound, on the list to be brought in in October 1775, be levied, to be collected and paid in- to the treasury of the colony by the last day of December, 1766. It was provided, nevertheless, that if such sums of money should arrive from England, as to pay the eight- pence on the pound, before the time of its collection, that then said act relative to it, should be null and void; and the treasurer was to conduct himself accordingly.
447
CONNECTICUT.
CHAP. XXII.
As the colony was now much drained of money, and as a Book II. larger emission of bills might lessen their value, it was re- solved, that a tax of two pence three farthings on the pound 1762. be levied on the list brought in to the assembly in October last, to be paid into the treasury by the last day of Decem- ber next. The assembly also resolved, that as there were monies remaining in Great-Britain, belonging to the colony, which had been granted for the services of the year 1759, and part of what was, or might be granted for the servi- ces of the year 1760, not yet appropriated, and which might probably be received in season, and used for the lessening of the taxes laid on the list brought in to the assembly in October last, for sinking and discharging the bills of credit emitted in February and May, 1759, that whatever money had been, or might be granted by the parliament for the services of the colony in the years 1759 and 1760, which had not already been appropriated for sinking and dis- charging the bills of credit, in March 1758, 1759, and 1760, should be appropriated for sinking and discharging the bills of credit emitted in the said years : and that, if those monies should be sufficient for the discharging those editions of bills, then the acts relative to the taxes laid for that purpose, should cease, and not be executed.
A letter from the earl of Egremont, dated December 12, 1761, and another from general Amherst, dated February Letters 1762, were communicated to the assembly, recommending from the to the governor to use his influence to encourage the en- earl of Eg- remont, listing of men into his majesty's regiments during the war, and gene- or until such time as the regiments should return to Eu- ral Am- rope. General Amherst offered a bounty of five pounds, herst. New-York currency, to every able bodied man, more than eighteen, and under forty years of age, and that he should be immediately on pay, and be clothed on his enlistment. He engaged that all who should enlist, should be discharg- ed at the time expressed, and be allowed to return to their respective homes. He also recommended it to the colony to add to the bounty. In consequence of these recommen- dations, the legislature resolved, that five hundred seventy five able bodied effective men should be enlisted for his majesty's service, more than eighteen, and under forty years of age, and that a bounty of five pounds be given by the colony, in addition to that given by the general.
While affairs were thus transacted by the colony, great plans were concerted, and preparations made by his ma- jesty, and the British ministry, deeply to wound the enemy, and dispose him for peace. In consequence of a plan for the reduction of the French West-India islands, after the
448
HISTORY OF
CHAP. XXII,
Book II. close of the campaign on the continent of America in 1761, a considerable part of the regular troops, with a body of 1762. provincials, embarked for the West-Indies, and joined an armament from Great-Britain, with a view to the reduction of Martinique. The whole land force consisted of about twelve thousand troops, under the command of general Monckton. The fleet was commanded by rear admiral Martinique taken, 1762. Rodney. It was the most powerful armament which had ever been sent into that part of the world. On the 7th of Feb. 14th, January, the fleet and army arrived off the island. The expedition was conducted with such spirit and success, that, by the 14th of February, the whole island was reduc- ed to the government of Great-Britain.
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