USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > An authentic and comprehensive history of Buffalo : with some account of its early inhabitants, both savage and civilized ; comprising historic notices of the Six Nations or Iroquois Indians, including a sketch of the life of Sir William Johnson, and of other prominent white men, long resident among the Senecas ; arranged in chronologial order > Part 24
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Talk not of Spartan daring, nor Roman firmness, to illustrate his match -. less heroism. In the excitement of battle, under the eyes of those who_ will honor his bravery, the soldier may dare the chances of even the can -. non's mouth, to win undying fame. But to die in the remote wilderness, by the most excruciating torture-to die, too, with the power of safety in your hands, rather than fail in your duty, even by a word-to die, where no pitying eye can behold your fate, and the last solemn rites of sepulture cannot be performed by christian hands, with no one to bear your dying words to your bereaved mother-to know and feel at that dread hour, that her scalding tears will flow in torrents, when as the dreary months drag heavily by, she lingers to hear from some passing stranger, if perchance her youngest, her brave-hearted boy, yet lives-to die thus, for one's country-where, in the annals of the world, can you find a parallel ?
But your blood, ye gallant men, shall not be unavenged. Ere the mor- row's sun shall have gone down behind these hills, the homes of your sav- age tormentors shall be smouldering in ashes, their crops prostrate, their wives and children houseless wanderers. A year shall not roll away, before they shall perish by thonsands, in all the horrors of the most lin- gering and loathsome disease, dependent for the humblest necessaries of life upon the white man's bounty. And he, your merciless betrayer, shall flee for life before the Oneida warrior. His pursuer, like the angel of death, shall not lose his prey. His horse shall not save him-the-
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tangled wood shall not conceal his flight-the foaming stream shall not hide his foot-prints. In vain shall he beg for mercy-in vain shall he conjure the dusky warrior by all that makes life dear, to spare him, if but for an hour. The hand of vengeance shall fall upon his head when his crimes are thickest and blackest. His tears and prayers shall be lost in the remembrance of his past enormities. Cherry Valley, Cherry Valley! shall your captor thunder in your guilt-stricken soul, and deep in your brains bury the avenging tomahawk.
Yours, ye noble dead, though a cruel, was not an unhonored fate. Yours is the glory of marking with your own life-blood, the very limit of the great struggle for American liberty. With your martial garments, dyed with your own blood, wrapped around your lifeless bodies, you found a grave on the spot of your glory. The insignia of your services and of that high cause for which you fell, * have remained upon your mouldered bones until, when, after sixty-two years have run their round, a grateful posterity, in seeking for your battle field and resting place, have been thus assured that their warm-hearted efforts have not been un- successful. When your lives were offered up in your country's cause, on yon battle-ground, your struggling countrymen had hardly dared hope for the wonders which we now behold. That spot seemed the very verge of safety-the farthest extreme to which their undaunted troops should ven- ture to push their conquests. Now it is but the starting point in the jour- ney to its western borders. You perished nearly two hundred miles be- yond the remotest western settlement, and now your graves are nearly two thousand east of your country's civilization. Many millions of happy freemen, crowned with the richest blessings, now crowd her extended limits-the few of your day having become a mighty nation. These few initials, borne on your heroic breasts, then told of a dim possibility-of a mere handful struggling for liberty, against the most powerful and de- termined people on earth. Now, how significant, how full of meaning, are these three simple letters ! What visions of past honor and of future promise do they call up, as the eye rests upon them ! For more than a half century have your bones borne in death, as did your martial breasts in life, the name of your country, unchanged, by their side. And now they reappear, to show us, your honored posterity, that virtue and heroism, whatever the cost, however momentous the sacrifice, must re- main, in death as in life, inseparable from the American soldier.
*The three letters " U. S. A." distinctly legible on the buttons which the speaker held in his hand, found with the bones.
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APPENDIX.
NOTE "A," PAGE 319.
The funeral procession, which left the village of Geneseo on the morn- ing of the solemnities, was nearly a mile in length. The remains of those who fell on the battle-field at Groveland, had been previously de- posited in an appropriate sarcophagus, and were followed by the citizens living east of the river to the spot where the bones of Boyd and Parker had been found.
At this spot, the funeral train from the east was met by that from the west, and by the military and civic delegations from Rochester.
Whilst these two processions halted a few rods from each other, the Rochester Military Corps being drawn up on two sides of the mound, the Committee of Arrangements, with the survivors of Sullivan's army, as- .cended to the summit; and, during the mournful air played by the band, raised the urn and bore it to the hearse, where it was placed on the sar- cophagus by the venerable President of the Day.
The campaign into the country of the Senecas, in its original incep- tion, contemplated a combined movement of three divisions-one from Pennsylvania, under Gen. Sullivan, one from New York, under Gen. James Clinton, and another from Fort Pitt, under Col. Daniel Broad- head. This last was designed to proceed up the Alleghany, destroying the settlements of the Mingoes, Miamis and Senecas, on that river, pro- ceeding northward, and uniting with that of Sullivan on the Genesee, and co-operating in an united movement upon Niagara, the great strong- hold of the semi-savage army. It would seem, however, that the plans of Gen. Washington, in regard to the latter part of the campaign, were not carried out.
Col. Broadhead left Pittsburgh on the 11th of August, 1779, at the head of about six hundred, rank and file, and proceeded up the Alle- ghany, but found most of the Indian settlements abandoned and their houses burned. He penetrated up the river only about two hundred miles, destroying extensive fields of corn and capturing some booty, without encountering the Indians in any force. He returned to Pitts- burgh, where he arrived on the 14th of Sept., having been absent but little over a month. The reasons for his not accomplishing the original design of the campaign are not very apparent, unless they are to be as- cribed to the same cause assigned by Gen. Sullivan for not prosecuting his successes and capturing Fort Niagara, which was the want of sup-
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plies, as it appears Col. Broadhead's men were provided with only thirty days' provisions.
The following papers, relating to the history of Sullivan's campaign, procured in Canada, it is believed have never been published, serve to throw light upon the history of the time, viewed from a different point of observation:
CAPT. WALTER BUTLER TO MR. GORIN.
GENESEE RIVER. August 8th, 1779.
SIR :- I received yours of the 28th ultimo, with the articles wanted for each of the companies of the rangers here, which must be packed up by companies, and then can be divided here. You must charge every individual agreeable to the memorandum. The memorandum marked for Capt. Caldwell's company, all but two are new comers, and not placed to any company as yet; a separate book must be kept for them. It is impossible for me to have the things sent in bulk here, and to be charged by me in my present situation, and, in fact, in any, would I do it without two clerks. After you have charged agreeable to the memo- randum, the non-commissioned officers can divide the articles into small quantities. They have copies of the memorandum.
Please send me two bear-skins. If Capt. Robinson gets up any port, please send me a barrel, on my account.
I am obliged to you for the hooks, for now it is, that he that will not hunt or fish, must not eat.
Give my best respects to Mrs. Robinson.
I am your very humble servant,
WALTER BUTLER. MR. GORIN.
FROM JNO. STEDMAN TO MR. GORING, NIAGARA.
LITTLE NIAGARA, Aug. 27th, 1779.
SIR :- Yours by the bearer I received last night. I have inclosed to you an order to pay the old grey-headed squiea (squaw ) fifty dollars for the boy I bought of her. As the order is stoale, I dare say you will take notice not to pay an order for the same dated Aug. 23d, 1779. I gave two
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small orders, for five dollars each, at the same time. You will pay them as they are presented.
I am, sir, your most and very humble servant.
JNO. STEDMAN. MR. GORING, Niagara.
ENDORSED COPY OF A LETTER TO MR. ROB'T HAMILTON.
NIAGARA, Sept. 19th, 1779.
DEAR HAMILTON :- As you have desired me to communicate to you all the news from this, I shall now finish my story.
Col. Butler, last Sunday morning, went from the village (where he lay) to meet the rebels, and meant to attack them at a swamp where they were obliged to cross. The Colonel, taking the advantage of a hill, lay undiscovered from Sunday till the Tuesday following, though only a musket shot from the rebels, and even within sight. The Colonel could observe that they had a great number of men employed making a bridge over the swamp, for the cannon and baggage, which they never leave for a baggage guard to bring up, but always march in order for battle, with their provisions, &c., in the centre. Col. Butler, hearing a firing to his right, imagined he was discovered and immediately flew to the place, where they saw a party of twenty-six of the rebels and three Indians pursuing and firing on an Indian or two, that was a little ways off from the rest; twenty-two of those and three Indians was immediately killed, and the Lieut. and one private taken prisoners, (two escaped.) The Lieut. was examined, and told that they were then about five thousand, consisting of continental troops with fifteen hundred riflemen, with four six. and two three pounders and a small mortar, commanded by Gen. Sullivan and two other general officers-one regiment of five hundred men left at Tioga and another at Genesee, which completed the whole six thousand; and that they had only one month's provisions with them, and intended only to destroy the Indian country and then return.
Col. Butler then retreated back, for by this time, the rebels hearing the firing, was advancing very fast toward them, and on Thursday was obliged to leave the last village, though joined by one hundred and fifty regulars from this, and yesterday he and his whole retinue arrived here. The plain is all day covered with Indians, (something like people re- turning from English fairs.) Every man, woman and child is coming in.
I leave you (to) judge how busy we are. Fine times-a compleat as-
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sortment of goods in store, and Taylor none. Three hundred per cent., and fifty over. Be kind enough to acquaint Mr. Pollard that his butter, when weighed here, was one thousand two hundred and forty-four and one-half pounds neat, for which he has credit with Mr. Robinson, at two shillings per pound.
ENDORSED COPY OF A LETTER TO MR. JAMES CRESPAL.
NIAGARA, Oct. 10th, 1780.
DEAR UNCLE :- Think what anxiety I feel in not receiving a line from you this year. I am so desirous of being acquainted with the situ- ation of my sister and friends. Last year I sent you twenty pounds ster- ling to pay the tailor, and the remainder to be shared between my sis- ters, as you should think most proper. I now send you fifteen pounds sterling more, by the favor of Mr. John Stedman, (brother of the gentle- man that was so kind as to bring me a letter last year from you) which you will please to dispose of in necessaries for my sisters, as you may think most proper for them in their situation. The bearer, Mr. Sted- man, will inform you what circumstances I am in, as I am extremely hurried at present, and the vessel just ready to sail. I therefore must conclude with my love to Nancy, Sally and Charlotte, wishing them health to do well. Pray make my respects to my cousins and Mr. Bas- tie, and all inquiring friends, and if I have another opportunity, you may depend on hearing from me more fully. If convenient, send me, next year, two neat German flutes and a collection of all the new songs, set to music, that have been published lately, which will greatly oblige Your Nephew, F. GORING.
Direct to me at Niagara, to the care of Mr. Rob't Cruikshank, Montreal.
NIAGARA, Dec. 10th, 178I.
SIR :- I would be very much obliged to you if you would set my ser- vant at work to but (put) the corn into bags as soon as possible, and I would thank you greatly if you would sent (send) it over the carrying place as soon as the servant returns, as I am very much in want of it at present. If there is not bags enove (enough, ) I wish you would let me have some, and I shall sent (send) them back immediately.
I am, Sir, your humble servant, JANE POWELL.
To MR. BENNETT.
Superscribed to Mr. James Bennett, at Little Niagara.
NO. 3.
Mr. James Duane who had been a delegate from this State, in Congress, communicated to the Governor, the following views in regard to the treaty at Fort Stanwix:
Great difficulty arises from the interferance of the proposed treaty with the authority and views of Congress. Five of the Six Nations of Indians are at open war with the United States. The general treaty of peace doth not mention or extend to them ; Congress therefore on the ninth article of the confederation claims the ex- clusive right to make this peace and if the tribes are to be con- sidered as independent nations, detached from the State and abso- lutely unconnected with it, the claim of Congress would be uncontrovert- able. There is then an indispensable necessity, that these tribes should be treated as ancient dependants upon this State, placed under its pro- tection with all their territorial rights, by their own consent, publicly manifested in solemn and repeated treaties, (of this there is sufficient evidence) and particularly by the deeds of 1701, and 1726, which though in the name of the King, were obtained at the expense of the people of the State, and for their benefit. On this ground the tribes in question may fall under the character of members of the State with which Con- gress have no concern. But the spirit of the message from the Indians renders it questionable whether they will submit to be treated as depend- ants. The piece bears a strong appearance of a British emissary in its manner and composition. The Indians used to be respectful in their ad- dress. This is familiar and even impertinent. They assume a perfect equality, and instead of contrition for their perfidious behavior, seem even to consider themselves as the party courted and solicited for recon- ciliation and favor.
This then, will be a point to be managed with skill and delicacy. Nor will any care bestowed on it be misapplied, for besides the respect which we owe to the Union, our own particular honor, interest and safety require that those tribes should be reconciled to the idea of being mem- bers of the State, depending upon its government and resting upon its
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protection. If we adopt the disgraceful system of flattering them as , great and mighty nations, we shall once more like the Albanians, "be their tools and slaves, and this revolution in my eyes will have lost more than half its value.
From these observations it will follow that the style, as well as the sub- stance of the communications on the part of the Government are very material, and I may add, that instead of comforming to the ceremonies practiced among the Indians it would be wise to bring them to adopt gradually our forms. At an interview with some Southern Indians, a committee of Congress adopted this idea, and told the Indians it was not the usage of Congress to deliver strings or belts.
Ist. Then, if it will not be too great and hazardous an innovation, which I think is not to be apprehended, I would use neither belts nor strings in any communication. Instead of it, all messages or communi- cations should be signed or sealed or both.
2d. I would never suffer the word "Nation," or "Six Nations," or "Confederates," or "Council Fire at Onondaga," or any other form which would revive or seem to confirm their former ideas of independ- ence, to escape. I would say nothing of making peace or burying the hatchet, for that would be derisive to Congress, perhaps very justly. But I would study to carry on the intercourse (for I object even against the term treaty which seems too much to imply equality) with as much plainness and simplicity as possible, and as if I was actually transacting business with the citizens.
3d. As to the substance of the speech, it may be introduced by observ- ing, that the return of the tribes into the State, and the eagerness of our citizens to obtain settlements in the western countries led to the appre- hension that mutual resentment, and animosity might break forth into outrage and hositility, disturb the peace so lately established and render a reconciliation altogether impracticable. That these considerations had induced me to consent to the present meeting.
4th. The style by which the Indians are to be addressed is of moment also. They are used to be called Brethren, Sachems and Warriors of the Six Nations. I hope it will never be repeated. It is sufficient to make them sensible that they are spoken to without complimenting twenty or thirty Mohawks as a nation, and a few more Tuscaroras and Onondagas as distinct nations. It would be not less absurd than mischievous. They should rather be taught, by separating from the Oneidas and entering into a wicked war, they had become wretched and destroyed themselves, and that the public opinion of their importance had long since ceased.
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NO. 4.
COPY OF A LETTER OF ARTHUR LEE AND RICHARD BUTLER TO GOV. CLINTON.
NEW YORK, August 10th, 1784.
SIR - As Commissioners appointed by Congress to negotiate treaties with the Indians, we wish to hear from your Excellency, if measures are taking for raising the armed force recommended by Congress for the pro- tection of those treaties. Nothing now prevents the Commissioners from entering upon the business, but the want of such force to garrison the frontier posts, or protect the negotiation. We therefore beg the favor of your excellency to inform us what measures you have taken for raising the quota of this State and when we may rely upon its being ready for ser- vice.
We have the honor to be with great respect,
Your Excellency's Most Ob't Humble S'v't, ARTHUR LEE. RICHARD BUTLER.
HIS EXCELLENCY GOV. CLINTON.
REPLY OF GOV. CLINTON.
ALBANY, August 13th, 1784.
GENTLEMEN - Your letter of the 10th of this month, by Mr. Monroe, has just been handed me.
The recommendation of Congress to the State to raise from the militia a certain number of troops for the purpose of garrisoning the frontier posts and protecting the treaties to be held with the Indians, did not reach me till some time in July. The Legislature of the State who alone were competent to this business, had then dispersed, after a session, which from the peculiar circumstances of the State, had detained them from the fall until late in the spring, and it was not only my opinion, but that
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
of every member of the Legislature, whom I had opportunity of con- sulting, that it would then be impracticable to convene them together, nor indeed did the urgency of the case seem to require that they should be put to so great inconvenience; for though they had assembled and complied with the recommendation of Congress, it would have been al- ready too late in the season to have established the garrisons for which the troops were required, and besides I had received information in a manner which deserved credit, and which, Congress could not be apprised of, at the time, that although the definitive treaty was offi- cially received in Canada, no orders had come from Europe for evacua- ting the posts, and have good reason to believe that until such orders are received, no measures will be taken for that purpose. If therefore the Legislature were to raise a permanent force, as recommended, they could not be applied to the purpose proposed and would only be a useless addi- tion to expenses, which we are already too little able or disposed to dis- charge. I conceive myself, however, authorized to draw from the mili- tia a force sufficient, should any be necessary, to protect the Commission- ers of Congress in any negotiation with the Indians and this will in a great measure save the unnecessary expense attending a present perma- nent force. The Indians of the Six Nations, whom I have requested to convene at Fort Schuyler have advised me that they will be accompanied by deputies from other nations, possessing the territory within the juris- diction of the United States; I shall have no objections to your improv- ing this incident to the advantage of the United States, expecting, how- ever, and positively stipulating that no agreement be entered into with the Indians residing within the jurisdiction of this State, (and with whom only I mean to treat) prejudicial to its rights.
These engagements being made on your part, you may rely on every exertion in my power, and that of my colleagues to promote the interest of the United States ; which I flatter myself no State in the Federal Union has at any time more cheerfully and efficiently supported than this.
I have the honor to be, &c., &c.,
GEO. CLINTON.
THE HON. RICH'D BUTLER AND ARTHUR LEE, Commissioners of the- United States for Indian Affairs.
NO. 5.
COPY OF A LETTER FROM MR. GORING TO MR. E. POLLARD ..
NIAGARA, Sept. 12th, 1779.
DEAR SIR :- Your favor of the 26th July I received per Mr. Forsyth of the 26th ultimo ; also a letter from Lieut. Harrow, which I took care to forward. Prior to the receipt of yours, I had already credited you for the 170lb oat meal at 6d per pound. You have also another credit for 2,000 1b flour, which is charged to Wm. Lyons, the baker, at 40s. per cwt .; that quantity, he informes me, you paid him for, the morning you left this. I have waited on Mr. Bliss several times, in order to settle the butter account, but have been always put off by his saying he has not time at present to weigh it, nor will not take it by invoice. Indeed, he is a very litigious, troublesome gentleman to deal with, but hope in a few days to bring him to a settlement-I having been very busy drawing out another Indian account for £5,808. There is like to be a very great change in our house in a short time, having once more taken an account of stock, &c., but everything is kept entirely secret from me.
Yesterday came in Capt. Powell from Canawagoris, where he left Col. Butler two days before in perfect health and spirits. He informs me their first attack with the rebels was about fifteen miles from Shimango, where Col. Butler made a breast-work, which the rebels observed, and with two six, and four three pounders and small mortars, in half an hour obliged Col. Butler to retreat. On the same day, a few miles from this, Col. Butler attempted again to stop them, but in vain. In this at- tack the Colonel lost four rangers killed, two taken prisoners, and seven. wounded-three Senecas and one Cyugo (Cayuga) killed. Your son, John Montour (not Roland) was shot in the back, and the ball lodges in him; however, he is likely to do well, for in a few days after, he, with twenty Indians, stopped the pass of the advanced guard of the rebels, which was upwards of one thousand, and obliged them to retreat. In
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
this action Col. Butler and all his people was surrounded, and was very near being taken prisoners. The Indians here all run away, being struck with a panic, and has not been able to gather till very lately. The Colonel retreated to Canadasagoe, but since that is now come to the last village, which is Canawagoras. The number of the rebels is not known for certain. Young Clement, from the top of a tree on a hill, counted upwards of five hundred tents and seven pieces of cannon, and a great quantity of live cattle which they drive with them, and keep such close order that a prisoner cannot be taken, though the Indians are often very close to them, which they no sooner see when a whole regi- ment fires, even at one man. The rebels has since been joined by 2,800, three large parties from Crokin's lake slope-house, and the whole of their army is thought to be about six thousand, under the command of three Generals-Sullivan, Markfield and Hands. The Indians are deter- mined, to a man, to dye with Col. Butler, and have requested of Col. Boulton to send all the men he can, which a few days ago he sent sixty men, mostly the light infantry, with Lieuts. Coote and Pepyat, and two grass-hoppers, and by the next vessels expects one hundred from Carleton Island, and as many more from Detroit, which are to go immediately to join Col. Butler, as they mean once more to try their fait. Live or die-is the word all through their camp. Lieuts. St. Magin and Harkimer are expected in every day from the Colonel's with ninety rangers, who are all sick, which is a great loss to Col. Butler at this critical juncture.
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