USA > Connecticut > The history of Connecticut, from the first settlement of the colony to the adoption of the present constitution, vol. II > Part 30
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* Boyd was subsequently taken prisoner by Colonel John Butler, and was soon after shot as a deserter.
345
[1778.] COLONEL BUTLER SUMMONS FORTY FORT.
The families of many of the pioneers were gathered at Fort Jenkins, the uppermost in the valley. From this point, on the morning of the 30th, seven men and a lad took their arms and went to their usual labors, in Exeter, some three miles distant. Toward evening they were attacked, four of their number killed, three taken prisoners, and one escaped .*
On the following day, the Connecticut people rallied under the command of Colonel Zebulon Butler, and marched to Exeter, where the murders had been committed. They found the remains of their comrades-scalped and otherwise mutilated. They were removed and decently buried near Fort Jenkins, where a stone has since been erected to their memory. Not far from the spot where these dead bodies were found, Colonel Butler discovered two Indians, who were quietly watching for more victims among those whom they presumed would come to ascertain the fate of their murdered friends. They were instantly shot.
During the same day, Colonel John Butler, the commander of the British and Indians, took possession of Wintermoot's Fort-the Wintermoots having erected it on purpose for him, though they had studiously kept their design from their neighbors. That evening, Fort Jenkins surrendered to the enemy, four of the little garrison being slain, and three made prisoners.
On Thursday, the 2d, Colonel John Butler sent a summons to Forty Fort, demanding its surrender. On the 3d, a demand was made for the surrender of all the forts, militia, and public property in the valley. The Connecticut people called a council of war, which, after an excited session, resolved not to comply with the summons. The only hope of saving the settlement from destruction, now lay in attacking and defeating the enemy. Accordingly, about noon, Col. Zebu-
* The names of the slain were James Hadsell, James Hadsell, Jr., Benjamin and Stukely Harding. Daniel Weller, John Gardiner, and Daniel Carr, were taken prisoners. The lad, John Harding, threw himself into the river and lay hid under the willows, while the Indians searched in vain for him.
346
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
lon Butler, began to muster his little army for decisive action. It consisted of two hundred enrolled soldiers, and about seventy old men, boys, civil magistrates, and other volunteers. Among the latter were several exempt officers, judges, and professional men, who took their places in the ranks by the side of their neighbors. Between two and three o'clock, they took up the line of march toward Wintermoot's Fort, which, however, had been set on fire and abandoned by the enemy before the arrival of the Connecticut troops.
Arriving near the enemy's quarters, Colonel Z. Butler, drew up his men in the order of battle. On the right was Captain Bedlack's company, commanded by Colonel Butler, who was supported by Major John Garrett. On the extreme left, was Captain Whittlesey's company, commanded by Colonel Denison and Lieutenant-Colonel Dorrance. Colonel Butler made a brief and pertinent address to the soldiers, reminding them of the wrongs they had suffered in the past, and of the calamities which threatened the future; he told them that they had not only to fight for liberty, but for life- and what was dearer still, "to preserve their homes from con- flagration, and their women and children from the tomahawk." In conclusion, he urged upon them the importance of with- standing the first shock.
The enemy's left was commanded by Colonel John Butler, who appeared on the ground with a handkerchief tied round his head. A flanking-party of Indians were concealed among some logs and bushes under the bank. The main body of the Indians, under Brandt, formed the right wing. Johnson's royal greens and marksmen, formed the centre.
The battle commenced at about four o'clock, when Colo- nel Z. Butler commanded his men to fire, and at every volley advance one step. The discharges were quick and steady along the whole line. It soon became apparent that in the open ground the shot of the Yankees told with the most fatal effect. Our men now moved briskly forward, firing by platoons at short intervals, yet with sure aim. This fire proved so deadly that the British soon broke and gave way
347
FALL OF DURKEE.
[1778.]
along the whole line. Still, the Indian flanking-party kept up a galling fire from their safe covert, upon the right wing of the Connecticut troops. Lieutenant Gore soon received a ball through the left arm, and instantly called out in a tone of alarm, "Captain Durkee, look sharp for the Indians in those bushes." The caution was too late. As the hero stood coolly looking into the thicket, designing to attack and dislodge them, he was struck by a fatal shot and fell to the ground. His death was a severe blow to Wyoming, and to Connecticut. He was a brother of Colonel John Durkee, one of the prime agents in preparing the way for the revolu- tion, and one of the most active partizans who participated in it. The name will never be forgotten while the word "stamp master" has a meaning in it.
On the enemy's right, meanwhile, the Indian warriors that covered his flank, though hotly opposed by our troops, fought like so many demons. They were divided into six parties, and as one of them uttered the horrible war-cry, five other yells were heard, like vollies of musketry, though a thousand times more appalling, passing from one end to the other of his line. As the battle grew more intense, the yell became louder and more piercing. It served the purpose of a trum- pet to sound the onset, and as a signal by which they com- municated with each other. Near the spot where Colonel Dorrance stood, one of the soldiers, seeing several of his companions drop dead by his side, began to fall back. "Stand up to your work, sir," said the colonel, in a tone of calm authority. The man instantly returned to his place.
The battle had lasted thirty minutes before it was apparent to the Connecticut officers how overwhelming was the force of the enemy. A large number of Indians had been thrown into a swamp, and had now passed around so as to outflank the American left wing and throw it into disorder. To remedy this difficulty, Captain Whittlesey, with his company, was commanded to wheel backward, form an angle with the main line, and present his front instead of his flank to the
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
enemy. As soon as the attempt was made to carry this order into effect, the Indians rushed upon them with frightful yells. This sudden sally, and a real or pretended misunderstanding as to Colonel Denison's orders, threw the whole left wing into dismay. The word "retreat !" was passed from rank to rank. The brave old Colonel Butler exerted himself to the utmost to bring the troops again into line. Riding up and down the space between the two armies, he called out in a tone of earnest expostulation :
"Don't leave me, my children, and the victory is ours."
But the appeal came too late. On the left wing, however, the Americans still stood their ground. One captain after an- other led up his men, and in every instance the commander was killed on or near the line. As was said of Bidlack, so of Hewitt, Whittlesey, and others, " they fell at the head of their men." All fought bravely ; but they were overcome by a force of three times their number.
The battle being over, the massacre, so awful in its details, commenced. The Indian flanking-party having cut off the retreat to Forty Fort, the fugitives rushed toward the river in the direction of Monockasy Island-that being the only point that offered them any hope of crossing the stream. A few who leapt in, succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, and escaped ; many others were killed while struggling in the river. Sergeant Jeremiah Bigford, a very active man, was pursued by an Indian into the stream, with a spear. The former turned upon his pursuer, struck the spear from his hand, and dashed him under his feet. At this instant, another savage rushed forward, and ran his spear through Bigford's body, who fell dead and floated down the stream. A soldier named Pensil hid in a cluster of willows on the island. Seeing his tory brother come up, he threw himself at his feet, begging for protection and offering to serve him for life, if he would but save him. "Mighty well!" was the taunting reply ; "you d-d rebel!" and instantly shot him dead. Lieutenant Shoemaker, a wealthy and hospitable citizen, fled to the river, when Windecker, who had often fed
349
ESTHER THE EXECUTIONER.
[1778.]
at his board, came to the brink. "Come out, come out," said he ; "you know I will protect you." Windecker reached out his left hand as if to lead him ashore, while with his right hand he buried his tomahawk into the head of his benefactor.
Many of the retreating troops were tempted to the shore, on a promise of quarter, and were there murdered. The keen Indian marksmen singled out the officers, taking aim with such accuracy as to break the thigh bone, and thus leave their victims alive for torture. One of the wounded prisoners, the brave Captain Bidlack, was thrown upon the burning logs of the fort, and held down with pitchforks, and there tormented till death came to his relief. A large group were ranged in the form of a circle around a huge stone, and hemmed in by a party of savages. Esther, an Indian queen-a woman of remarkable strength-acted the part of executioner. Pass- ing around the ring with a death-maul or tomahawk in her hand, and keeping time with her discordant voice to the deadly strokes of the weapon that she wielded, she selected her victims and dashed out their brains, or buried the edge of the tomahawk deep in the heads of others, as best suited the whim of the moment. Three of the stoutest prisoners dashed through the outer circle and escaped unhurt into the woods. The shattered remnants of fourteen or fifteen dead bodies, scalped and bleeding around the stone, told the fate of the rest. Nine more were found in a similar circle some distance above.
Young Searle, aged sixteen, and William Buck, aged four- teen, fled and were pursued. Searle, almost exhausted, heard some one of his pursuers cry out, "Stop-you shall have quarter-we won't hurt you." He paused, and for an instant was determined to surrender, but on looking back, he saw Buck struck dead by a blow from a tomahawk. Fear once more impelled his flight, and he escaped.
Although night put an end to the pursuit, yet it did not arrest the hand of the destroyer. Three of the settlers, attracted by fires in the woods on the opposite side of the
350
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT
river, at Pittston, paused for a while in the distance, and witnessed the process of torture. Several naked men, in the midst of the flames, were driven around a stake by the savages, who stood ready with their spears to thrust their victims back if they attempted to escape from the fierce element. Their groans and screams were most piteous, while the shouts and yells of the Indians as they danced around the funeral pyre, were too horrible to be endured. Heart-sick, the spectators withdrew, glad that they knew not who the sufferers were.
In the morning, the battle-field presented a fearful sight. Limbs and bodies torn in fragments were scattered over the ground, mangled and half consumed. About one hundred and sixty of the Connecticut people had been slain-or more than half of all the able-bodied men in the valley. The loss of the enemy was never known .*
* The following list of persons killed at the " Wyoming massacre," is copied from Mr. Miner's " History of Wyoming," pp. 242, 244. There were probably some thirty or forty others whose names are not remembered.
Lieutenant-Colonel George Dorrance ; Major John Garrett.
Captains-Robert Durkee, Dethick Hewitt, Aholiab Buck, Wm. McKarrican, Samuel Ransom, James Bidlack, Jr., Asaph Whittlesey, Rezin Geer, Lazarus Stewart.
Lieutenants-James Welles, Timothy Pierce, Flavius Waterman, Aaron Gay- lord, Lazarus Stewart, Jr., Perrin Ross, Asa Stephens, Elijah Shoemaker, Stod- dard Bowen, A. Atherton.
Ensigns-Asa Gore, William White, Silas Gore, Jeremiah Bigford, Titus Hinman.
Privates-Christopher Avery, Jabez Atherton, - Acke, A. Benedict, Jabez Beers, Elisha Bigsbee, Thomas Brown, Amos Bullock, Asa Bullock, John Brown, David Bigsbree, John Boyd, Joseph Budd, William Buck, Samuel Bigford, Henry Bush, Samuel Carey, Samuel Cole, Joseph Crocker, John Cortright, John Caldwell, Josiah Cameron, Robert Comstock, Kingsley Comstock, Samuel Crooker, William Coffrin, Joel Church, Joseph Corey, Isaac Campbell, James Coffrin, Christopher Cortright, Jenks Corey, Rufus Corey, Anson Corey, Ander- son Dana, - Dutcher, Jabez Darling, William Dunn, D. Denton, Levi Dunn, James Divine, George Downing, Conrad Davenport, Thomas Fuller, Stephen Fuller, Elisha Fish, Eliphalet Folet, Benjamin Finch, Daniel Finch, John Finch, Cornelius Fitchet, Thomas Foxen, John Franklin, George Gore, Silas Gore, Samuel Hutchinson, James Hopkins, Silas Harvey, William Hammer, Levi Hicks, John Hutchins, Cyprian Hibbard, Nathaniel Howard, Benjamin Hatch,
351
SUFFERINGS OF THE FUGITIVES.
[1778.]
On the evening of the 3d of July, Captain John Franklin arrived at Forty Fort, with a company of recruits from Hun- tingdon and Salem, numbering about thirty-five men. After a long consultation, it was determined to gather all the sur- viving settlers and their families into Forty Fort, to send to Wilkesbarre for the cannon, and to make the best defense they could. Upon the return of a messenger on the morning of the 4th, who brought intelligence that the people had fled in every direction, and that all was con- sternation and horror in that quarter, these measures were deemed impracticable. All now resolved to seek for safety in flight.
I need not stop to give the details of the sufferings, priva- tions, and sorrows that followed the fugitives in their journey through the wilderness. The dense forests and swamps that surrounded the valley of Wyoming, were teeming with the widowed women and fatherless children of the pioneers, who were wending their way back toward Connecticut, with blighted hopes and broken hearts. Very few of their num- ber were provided with the food and clothing requisite for so long a journey through an uninhabited country. In the "old war path," in one company, there were about one hundred women and children, with but a single man, Jonathan Fitch, Esq., high sheriff, to advise or aid them. Children were born,
Elijah Inman, Israel Inman, Robert MeIntire, Samuel Jackson, Robert Jameson, Joseph Jennings, Henry Johnson, Francis Lepard, Daniel Lawrence, Joshua Landon, Conrad Lowe, Jacob Lowe, James Locke, William Lawrence, A. Meele- man, C. McCartee, Job Marshall, Nicholas Manvill, John Murphy, Nero Mat- thewson, Andrew Millard, Thomas Niel, Joseph Ogden, J. Otis Abel Palmer, William Parker, Noah Pettibone, Jr., John Pierce, Silas Parke, Henry Pensil, Elias Roberts, Elisha Richards, Timothy Rose, Christopher Reynolds, Enos Rock- way, Jeremiah Ross, Joseph Staples, Reuben Staples, Aaron Stark, Daniel Stark, Darius Spafford, Joseph Shaw, Abram Shaw, Rufus Stevens, Constant Searles, Nailer Swede, James Stevenson, James Spencer, Levi Spencer, Eleazer Sprague, Josiah Spencer, Able Seeley, Ichabod Tuttle, John Vanwee, Abram Vangorder, James Wigton, Peter Wheeler, Jonathan Weeks, Philip Weeks, Bartholomew Weeks, Rufus Williams, Elihu Williams, Jr., Parker Wilson, Azibah Williams, John Wilson, John Ward, Esen Wilcox, Stephen Whiton, Elihu Waters, John Williams, William Woodward, Ozias Yale.
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352
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
and many died in a swamp which is still known by the appro- priate name of the "Shades of Death."* Many of them ultimately reached the favored land of their destination, and lived to tell the sad tale of Wyoming to their children and their children's children.
On the morning of the 4th, Fort Brown and Forty Fort were surrendered by their commanders to Colonel John But- ler, on terms of fair capitulation. After the articles were signed, Butler observed, "that as Wyoming was a frontier, it was wrong for any part of the inhabitants to leave their own settlements, and enter into the continental army abroad; that such a number having done so, was the cause of the invasion, and that it never would have been attempted, if the men had remained at home." Colonel Franklin, who heard this declaration, expressed the same opinion.
Soon after the surrender, the savages began to plunder the prisoners-breaking open boxes and trunks, scattering and destroying valuable papers and records, brandishing their tom- ahawks, and threatening the owners with death, if they did not give up the money or other valuables that they might have about their persons. Growing bolder and more insolent, they finally seized Colonel Denison, and taking the hat from his head, demanded the linen frock that he wore. In the pocket were a few dollars of public money, which he was desirous
* Mr. Miner, in his " History of Wyoming," gives many painful instances of suf- fering and death experienced by the fugitives. " Jabez Fish, who was in the battle, escaped ; but, not being able to join his family,was supposed to have fallen. Mrs. Fish hastened with her children through the wilderness. Overcome with fatigue and want, her infant died. Sitting down a moment, on a stone, to see it breathe its last, she gazed in its face with unutterable anguish. There was no way to dig a grave-and to leave it to be devoured by wolves, seemed worse than death ; so she took the dead babe in her arms and carried it twenty miles, when she came to a German settlement. Though poor, they gave her food; made a box for the child, attended her to the graveyard, and decently buried it."
" Mrs. Rogers, from Plymouth, an aged woman, flying with her family, over- come by fatigue and sorrow, fainted in the wilderness, twenty miles from human habitation. She could take no nourishment, and soon died. They made a grave in the best manner they could, and the next day nearly exhausted, came to a settlement of Germans, who treated them with great kindness."
353
THE INDIANS MURDER THE CAPTIVES.
[1778.]
of preserving from the hands of the Indians ; he accordingly stepped backward, pretending to have some difficulty in slip- ping the garment over his head. A young woman sitting near, comprehended the maneuvre, and adroitly took out the purse without being noticed by the savage spectators. Again and again, Colonel Denison and others remonstrated with Butler, telling him that the prisoners had capitulated relying upon the honor of a British officer. He commanded the In- dians to stop their depredations, and gave peremptory orders to the chief; "These are your Indians-you must restrain them." His directions and threats were of no avail ; and he finally declared that he could do nothing with them. He seemed to be, and doubtless was, offended and hurt that such outrages should be committed, in violation of his plighted faith and positive orders .*
Without going farther into the details of the massacre, it is sufficient to add that in many instances, women, children and infants were murdered. The valley was deserted, and nearly every house and barn was burnt. The entire region presented a scene of devastation and ruin. The bodies of the slain lay unburied until the 22d of October, when a mili-
* Miner's Hist. of Wyoming, 231-237. Nearly all the historians of the revo- lution have agreed in branding the name of Colonel John Butler with infamy ; but according to Miner's account of him, his great fault was in heading such an infamous expedition. The terms of the capitulation were regarded by Colonel Denison, as in a high degree honorable and favorable to him. According to the testimony of Colonel Franklin, Butler exerted himself to his utmost to restrain the savages ; and when he found himself unable to do so, he offered to make good the property lost. Among the stores at Forty Fort was a quantity of whiskey which he at once ordered to be destroyed, giving as a reason that if the Indians became intoxicated he feared he could not control them. Finding that his authority was set at naught, he mustered all his force whom discipline could control, and on Wednesday, the 8th, withdrew from the plains. Mr. Miner expresses the belief that he was sickened by the tortures already committed, dreaded the further cruelties of the Indians, and desired by his absence to escape the responsibility of their future conduct.
In 1795, the American commissioners appointed to treat with the six nations, accepted an invitation from Colonel Butler, crossed over to Canada, and dined with him. He was then Indian agent in Canada, with a salary of about £500 per annum. He received for himself and family, ten thousand acres of land.
55
354
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
tary guard of twenty-five men, under the direction of a lieu- tenant, two sergeants, and two corporals, collected their remains, dug a large hole, and buried them-constant alarm from the enemy preventing any further ceremony.
The Connecticut people soon re-established a fort in the valley, and a few families returned to the scene of their troubles, rebuilt their log-houses, and proceeded to cultivate the fields. The Indians, however, looking down upon the plains from the sides of the adjacent mountains, watched eagerly for their prey. Individuals and sometimes whole families became their victims. The distant sound of the warwhoop often blended with the voice that recited some story of murder and carnage around the blazing hearth of the pioneer. Some were shot and scalped while at work in the fields or in the woods; at other times, the dwelling of the settler was assaulted in the night, the cattle killed, the house burnt, and the family carried into captivity .*
It might reasonably be inferred that the events of 1778 would
* On the 2d of November, 1778, the house of Jonathan Slocum, a member of the Society of Friends, and who had always treated the Indians with kindness, was assaulted by a party of savages. Nathan Slocum, his son, aged fifteen years, was killed and scalped ; Frances Slocum, a lad named Kingsley, and a black girl, were carried into captivity. On the 16th of December following, Mr. Slocum was shot and scalped.
The loss of little Frances, who was a favorite in the family, was especially mourned by her mother and surviving brothers and sisters. Through a long series of years, every possible effort was made to find her. Her brothers, at different times, hearing of a white child among the Indians, took long and tedious journeys, hoping to restore her to the bereaved family circle. At length, in August, 1837- fifty-nine years after the capture -- G. W. Ewing, of Logansport, Indiana, wrote to the editor of the Lancaster (Pa.) Intelligencer, that there was a white woman residing among the Miami Indians, near that place, who had been taken away from her father's house near the Susquehannah, when she was very young, &c. The statement induced Joseph and Isaac Slocum, (brothers of Frances,) to make a visit to Logansport. Accompanied by Mr. Ewing, they went to see the woman in question, and soon ascertained that she was indeed their long lost sister! She had married a chief, and lived in the enjoyment of the rude wealth of her tribe. She was cautious, reserved, and haughty ; but at last, as she talked of her father and mother (whom she well remembered,) her heart melted, and she wept. The brothers spent several days at Logansport, and received several visits from her. She refused to leave her Indian home.
355
THE COMMISSIONERS.
[1782.]
have effectually put an end to the settlement of Wyoming- at least until the war of the revolution should be over. But the New England spirit of enterprise and love of adventure seemed to defy danger and death in all their forms. Espe- cially after the victorious expedition of General Sullivan against the Indians on the Susquehannah, the tide of emigra- tion to that country was renewed. Under the leadership of Colonel Zebulon Butler, Colonel John Franklin, and other brave and experienced officers, they banded together for mutual self-protection, and not only performed wonders in defending themselves, but did good service to their country elsewhere. Until the peace between England and America, the valley was frequently visited by savage hordes, who amused themselves by plundering or destroying the property of the settlers, and some times by resorting to their favorite pastime of scalping, murdering, or torturing their victims.
The revolution being ended, the old feud between the set- tlers from Connecticut and the government of Pennsylvania, was revived. On the 3d of November, 1781-only fifteen days after the surrender of Cornwallis-the subject was brought before Congress. During the winter both parties were busily employed in the preliminary measures relating to the contest; and it was finally agreed that the subject of jurisdiction should be left to a board of commissioners, to be selected by the delegates from the two states .* A majority of the board opened their court at Trenton, New Jersey, November 12, 1782. Messrs. Eliphalet Dyer, William Samuel Johnson, and Jesse Root, appeared as counsel for Connecticut ; and Messrs. William Bradford, Joseph Reed, James Wilson, and Jonathan D. Sergeant, were the agents of Pennsylvania.
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