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 31
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FREDERICK MILLER.
Sworn this 12th day of March, 1814.
SAMUEL TUPPER, "
First Judge of Common Pleas for Niagara County.
STATE OF NEW YORK, SS .- Mosely W. Abell, late a resident of the late
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village of Buffalo, being solemnly sworn, deposeth and saith that a few days previous to the burning of Buffalo by the enemy, he saw Gen. Me- Clure, with his aids, at Porter's tavern, in Clarence; they were then on their march from Buffalo towards Batavia with regular troops; that he heard Capt. Rogers, one of the aids of Gen. MeClure, publicly declare that he believed the village of Buffalo would be destroyed, and he hoped it would be, for the inhabitants were all a pack of d-d rascals; that he hoped that would wake them up. Gen. MeCInre was at the same time standing by the side of Rogers, and observed that he did not know of but one d-d rascal, and that was Chapin. And this deponent further saith that there was a number of the militia present, who were on their march to the frontier, and heard the above mentioned declaration. And further, this deponent told Rogers he ought to be arrested for his conduct. And further saith not.
M. W. ABELL.
Sworn, &c.
STATE OF NEW YORK, ? NIAGARA COUNTY,
William T. Miller, of the town of Buffalo, of the age of twenty-two years, being solemnly sworn, deposeth and saith that Lieut. Riddle, of the United States service, came into the house of Frederick Miller, (father of deponent) soon after the discharge of the alarm guns at Black Rock, on the night of the 29th of December last past; that the said Rid- dle called for a brandy sling and drank part of it. IIe then went to sleep in his chair, before the fire, in a room adjoining the bar-room. After the said Riddle had slept some time, on this deponent's going into the room he woke up, and began to pull bank notes out of his coat sleeve; this deponent believes he pulled out to the amount of eighty or a hundred dollars, and observed that he had won so much that night at playing cards. This deponent believes that he again drank of his sling, lay down on the floor and went to sleep. He continued to sleep until nearly or quite daylight, when he awoke, drank the remainder of his brandy sling, mounted his horse, and started for the Eleven Mile Creek after his men. And this deponent further saith that the said Rid- dle did not return from the Eleven Mile Creek, with the regulars, on the morning of the 30th of December, till after the British had entered Buffa- lo village. This deponent further saith that the said Frederick Miller did then (and still continues to) keep a tavern, two and a half miles from the village of Buffalo. And further saith not.
WILLIAM T. MILLER.
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
BATTLE OF BEAVER DAM.
JULY 29th, 1813.
On Wednesday night last, Major C. Chapin arrived in this village, to- gether with his company, escaped from the enemy on Monday preceding. The Major has given us the following narrative of the action at the Bea- ver Dam, &e., which we now lay before the public :-
On the 22d of June last, a party of the regular troops, consisting of five hundred infantry and twenty light dragoons, under the command of C. G. Boerstler, together with forty-four mounted riflemen, composed of militia from the country, under Major C. Chapin, were detached from the American encampment at Fort George, for the purpose of cutting off the supplies of the enemy and breaking up the small encampments they were forming through the country. On the 24th, about nine miles west of Queenston, they were attacked by a body of about five hundred Indi- ans and nearly a hundred regulars, who lay concealed in the woods near the road they were passing. The attack was made upon the dragoons, who were placed in the rear. The infantry were soon brought into a position to return the enemy's fire to advantage, and succeeded in driving them some distance into the woods. In a short time, the Indians, having taken a circuitous route, appeared in front and opened a fire upon the mounted riflemen, who were stationed there. Here they met with so warm a reception that they were compelled a second time to retreat in much haste. After this, every exertion was made to drive the Indians from the woods to the open ground, but without much effect. The few who were bold enough to venture, were handled so roughly that they soon returned to their lurking places. In the meantime, the enemy were receiving considerable reinforcements, which at length gave them a great superiority. A retreat for a short distance was ordered, and effected with very little loss.
The Indians soon made their appearance on our right and left, and the regulars and some militia in front. Our troops were formed into close columns, for the purpose of opening for themselves a way through the enemy with their bayonets. At this juncture a British officer rode up and demanded the surrender of the American party. The demand, he said, was made to prevent the further effusion of blood. He asserted, upon his honor, and declared in the most solemn manner, that the British regular force was double that of the American, and that the Indians were seven hundred in number. Lient. Col. Boerstler, under a belief of these facts, and thinking it impracticable to get off the wounded, whom
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he was unwilling to abandon to the mercy of the savages. and decming it extremely uncertain whether a retreat could be effected. thought proper to agree to terms of capitulation, which were at length signed by himself, on the one part, and Lient. Col. Bishop on the other. By these it was stipulated that the wounded should be taken good care of; the officers permitted to retain their side arms; private property to be respected; and the militia paroled and permitted to return home immediately.
The articles of capitulation were no sooner signed than they were vio- lated. The Indians immediately commenced their depredations, and plundered the officers of their side arms. The soldiers, too. were stripped of every article of clothing to which the savages took a fancy, such as hats, coats, shoes, &c. It is impossible to give any correct ac- count of the killed and wounded, as the enemy did not furnish a list. The loss of the enemy is supposed to be much greater than ours. Be- tween thirty and forty Indians were counted that lay dead on the field. From their known practice of carrying off their killed and wounded. it is believed they must have suffered severely.
The regular troops were, in a few days, sent to Kingston. from whence it is probable they have proceeded to Quebec. Major Chapin and his corps were detained, under guard, at the head of Lake Ontario, and no attention paid to the article of capitulation, which provided for their being paroled.
On the 12th instant, they were ordered down the lake to Kingston, for which place they were embarked in two boats, accompanied by a guard of fifteen men, under the command of a Lieutenant. Thirteen of the men, with the Lieutenant, were stationed in the forward boat with Major Chapin and the other officers, while the remaining two (a sar- geant and one man) took the direction of the other boat, which con- tained the soldiers.
An agreement had been entered into previous to their departure. of seizing the first opportunity that offered, to regain their liberty, which they determined to effect, or die in the attempt. When they were within about twelve miles of York, the boat which was filled with the prisoners was moved by them alongside the other, under pretense of taking some- thing to drink. The signal being given, they sprang upon the guard. who little expected such a manœuvre. and, in a short time, disarmed them and gained possession of the boats.
They immediately altered their course from Kingston to Fort Niagara; and after rowing hard for most of the night, and escaping with difficulty
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from one of the enemy's schooners, which gave them chase, arrived in safety, with their prisoners, at the American garrison.
When the Major and his company arrived in this village, they were welcomed with suitable demonstrations of public feeling.
The following appeared in the Buffalo Gazette, April 5th, 1814, estab- lished at Harris' Tavern, near Williamsville:
Buffalo village, which once adorned the shores of Erie, and was pros- trated by the enemy, is now rising again. Several buildings are already raised and made habitable. Contracts for twenty or thirty more are made, and many of them are in considerable forwardness. A brick com- pany has been organized by an association of the most enterprising and public spirited citizens, with a sufficient capital, for the purpose of ren- dering the price of brick so reasonable, that the principal streets may be built up of that article. All that is required to establish Buffalo in its former prosperity, is ample remuneration from government, and peace; peace, if not obtained by negotiation, must be obtained by a vigorous and successful prosecution of the war.
Buffalo had its charms; the situation, the prospects, and the general health of the inhabitants; to which we may add the activity and enter- prise of the trade, the public spirit of the citizens, and the state of society, all conspire, to render it a chosen spot for the man of busi- ness, or pleasure.
ADDRESS TO THE CANADIANS.
The commandant at Fort Erie, finding the people in its vicinity anx- ious to obtain special protection, deems it necessary to make a public declaration, that all those who may come forward and enroll their names with him, and claim the protection of the United States, shall have their persons and property secured to them inviolate.
He invites all who mean to pursue this course, to take it immediately, that they may be distinguished from the enemy. And while he assures them that their interests and happiness will be regarded by the United States, he solemnly warns those who obstinately continue inimical, that they are bringing on themselves the most rigorons and disastrous conse- quences, as they will be pursued and treated with that spirit of retalia-
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tion, which the treatment of prisoners in the hands of the British so justly inspires.
JAMES P. PRESTON, Lieut. Col. 12th Regiment Infantry. Commanding at Fort Erie.
[From the Buffalo Gazette, June 17th, 1814. ]
Maj. Gen. Jacob Brown, and suite, arrived in Buffalo on Sunday last.
JULY 5th, 1814.
Maj. Gen. Brown has the satisfaction to announce to the troops of his division on this frontier, that he is authorized by the orders of his gov- ernment to put them in motion against the enemy. The first and second brigades, with the corps of artillery, will cross the streight before them this night, or as early to-morrow as possible. The necessary instructions have been given to the Brigadiers, and by them to the commanding offi- cers of regiments and corps. Upon entering Canada, the laws of war will govern; men found in arms, or otherwise engaged in the service of the enemy, will be treated as enemies; those behaving peaccably and following their private occupations, will be treated as friends. Private property will be in all cases held sacred. Public property, wherever found, will be scized and disposed of by the commanding General.
Our utmost protection will be given to all who actually join, or who evince a desire to join us. Plundering is prohibited. The Major Gen- eral does not apprehend any difficulty on this account with the regular army, or the honorable volunteers who press to the standard of their country to avenge her wrongs, or to obtain a name in arms. Profligate men who follow the army for plunder, must not expect that they will escape the vengeance of the gallant spirits who are struggling to exalt the national character. Any plunderers shall be punished with death, who may be found violating this order.
By order of the Major General.
C. K. GARDNER. Adjutant General.
FORT ERIE CAPTURED.
In pursuance of the above order, the army passed the Niagara River on Sunday morning last. The brigade of Gen. Scott, and the artillery
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corps of Major Hindman, landed nearly a mile below Fort Erie, between two and three o'clock, while Gen. Ripley, with his brigade, made the shore, about the same distance above.
The enemy was perfectly unapprised of these movements. Gen. Scott led the van, and was on shore before the enemy's pickets, stationed at this point, fired a gun. The guard discharged their guns and retreated.
In the morning a small Indian force was crossed over. The fort was approached on the right and left, and the Indians skirted the woods in the rear. Gen. Brown now demanded a surrender of the garrison, and gave the commander two hours for consideration. In the meantime, a battery of long eighteens was planted in a position to command the fort. The enemy surrendered as prisoners of war-marched out of the fort at six o'clock, stacked their arms-and were immediately sent over the river to the American shore. There were upwards of one hundred and seventy pris- oners, of the Eighth and One Hundredth regiments, among which were seven officers. Major Burke commanded the fort. The schooners Tigress and Porcupine assisted in crossing the troops, and lay all day within cannon shot of the fort. Capt. Camp, of the Quartermaster Gen- eral's Department, volunteered on the expedition, and crossed in the boat with Gen. Scott. During the morning, the enemy fired two or three cannon from the fort, which killed one man and wounded two or three others. We learn the enemy had one killed. There were several pieces of ordnance in the garrison and some military stores.
Thus had the Niagara been crossed and a fort captured, without the loss of scarcely a man. We understand the army commenced its march down the river yesterday morning.
BATTLE NEAR CHIPPEWA.
[From the Buffalo Gazette, July 12th, 1814. ]
On the 4th instant, Brig. Gen. Scott, with the First brigade, took up his line of march from camp near Fort Erie, and proceeded to Black Creek, about three miles above Chippewa, where the enemy appeared in force.
Gen. Scott went immediately against the enemy, who retreated to Chippewa and burnt several buildings-as well, perhaps, to secure his retreat, as to clear the way for his cannon to play upon our columns. The enemy crossed Chippewa Creek and entered his fortifications, and our forces fell back to Black Creek. During the afternoon, Gen. Brown marched down with the remaining regular force; and in the evening,
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Gen. Porter, with a few of his own and the Pennsylvania volunteers, together with a band of Indian warriors, passed down.
The enemy, from the first moment of alarm on Sunday, had been con- centrating his forces at Chippewa Creek-that position from that creek. which is wide, deep and unfordable for many miles. being the most de- fensible between Forts George and Erie. Burlington, Forts George and Niagara are said to have been almost entirely deserted, to enlarge the enemy's forces at that point.
Maj. Gen. Riall commanded the British forces. About noon on the 5th, his reinforcements had come in, among which was a heavy body of Indians. The British commander came out of his entrenchments with a confident expectation of victory, and between two and three o'clock made his disposition of attack, resting his left on the Niagara River, his centre in the open fields, supported by several pieces of artillery, and extending his right, composed principally of Indians, some distance in the woods. These movements were anticipated. The American forces were at Black Creek. Gen. Porter, with the volunteers and Indians, formed in the woods on the left, and soon came in contact with the enemy's right. In a short time after the action commenced on the left. Gen. Scott, with the first brigade, composed of the Ninth, Eleventh. and Twenty- second Infantry, and Major Hindman's train of field and battering artil- lery, moved upon the enemy's centre and left. A part of the troops had to cross the bridge at Black Creek, under the fire of the enemy's artillery. The action in the centre was commeneed and continued with great im- petuosity, and with little or no intermission for two hours. The enemy's Royal Scots, One Hundredth. Eighth, and several other regiments who had conquered in Europe, had now to turn their backs upon an inferior force in point of numbers, and fought on their retreat to their entrench_ ments across the Chippewa, after which they pulled up the bridge. The enemy was hard pressed in his retreat, until he was under cover of his batteries, and suffered severely.
In this battle the enemy are represented to have had the advantage of the ground in the onset. As a field action, this battle, without doubt, was better fought than any in the annals of this war. The brigade of Gen. Ripley was not brought into action. The artillery maintained its former high reputation.
The steady and persevering bravery of Gen. Scott, and the undaunted firmness of his officers and men, produced unbounded enthusiasm.
The skill, the bravery and activity of Maj. Gen. Brown, and the whole staff, were every where conspicuous. Gen. Porter, and the officers and
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men, generally, of the volunteer and Indian corps, contended nobly against the enemy's savages, routed and cut them on their retreat, and acquitted themselves with honor. In fine, there was scarcely an officer or soldier in the engagement who does not deserve well of his country.
The enemy's loss in killed, wounded and prisoners, is reported to be at least five hundred. Between one and two hundred were found dead on the field; among them a Major and several other officers; one hun- dred and twenty-five prisoners-mostly wounded. Many of their killed were taken off the field before the retreat. Nearly five hundred muskets were found on the field.
Our loss, in killed, is about fifty, including several Indians; one hun- dred and thirty or forty wounded, and a few taken prisoners, among whom are Lieut. Col. Bnll, (reported to have been killed, ) Major Gallo- way and Captain White, of the Pennsylvania volunteers, Lient. Col. Campbell, Lieut. Barron, Eleventh, Capt. Harrison, Ninth, Capt. King, Twenty-second, Capt. Reed, with his two Lieutenants, Twenty-fifth, all severely wounded.
On Friday, Gen. Brown caused a bridge to be thrown across the Chip- pewa Creek, about two miles from the mouth. The enemy, while the bridge was preparing, took up several pieces of artillery and fired upon the bridge party. A battery-which had been previously planted-was opened upon them, and, after a few shots, they retreated. The enemy evacuated his fortifications, and, it is said, has entered Forts George and Niagara.
On Sunday morning, Gen. Brown, having crossed the Chippewa, pur- sued the enemy, and halted at Queenston. We learn that on Sunday morning, the army moved from Queenston and marched for the vicinity of Fort George.
Since the action of Chippewa, the army has been reinforced by several detachments of regulars, a corps of bombardiers, (attached to the en- gineers, ) and a body of Gen. Porter's volunteers-about six hundred strong-of infantry and mounted men. The American and British wounded have been removed from Chippewa to Buffalo.
MAY 3d, 1814.
The troops at Buffalo, under Brig. Gen. Scott, are generally in good health, in excellent discipline, and behave remarkably well to the in- habitants. The greatest activity and enterprise continues in building up and improving that place.
MAY 10th, 1814.
The postoffice for the village of Buffalo will be opened for the present
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at Judge Granger's house. In a short time it will be removed to the village.
MAY 24th. 1814.
The village of Butfalo continues to advance in building with great spirit. We have taken some pains to ascertain the number of buildings which have been recently erected, which follow: twenty-three houses. occupied principally with families; three taverns, four dry-goods stores, twelve grocer and other shops, three offices, thirty or forty huts or shanties.
RED JACKET'S SPEECH TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR, IN 1812.
BROTHER :- As you are appointed the great war chief of your nation, we are told that it is to yon that all communications from the different tribes of Indians residing in the United States must be made; therefore we, the delegates of the Six Nations of Indians, have come forward to the great council fire of the United States to make known our wishes, and we hope you will listen with attention to our voice, and hear what we have to say.
Brother-There has been, from time to time, treaties made between the United States and the Six Nations; but the principal treaty which now governs us, and which binds us together, was made at Canandaigua about fifteen years since. To this treaty we now call your attention. At the time it was formed, all the disputes between us were settled. It also pointed out the way in which difficulties or disputes which might afterwards arise, should be adjusted. After this treaty was formed, your government appointed an agent to keep bright this chain of friend- ship. We were also told by your Commissioner. Col. Pickering, that if the chain became rusty, and your agent could not make it bright. we should have liberty to send some of our chiefs to the seat of your gor- ernment, and there make known our complaints to our great father, the President of the United States.
Brother-We were told by your commissioner that, in time, difficulties might arise to disturb the peace and friendship then to be established. He said " We have some bad men among us, and so have the Indians, who will, perhaps, commit unfriendly acts on both sides, such as stealing property from each other." In order, therefore, to preserve our peace, it was agreed in the treaty that no private revenge or retaliation should take place, but if either party was injured, complaint should be made to the offending party of the injury done; and that compensation should be made to the satisfaction of the sufferers, and their minds made casy.
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For some years this great chain was kept bright. Compensation was made for damages done, to the satisfaction of the injured party. On our part, we have to this day complied with the treaty, and we still wish to hold fast to it.
But, Brother-Let me remind you that your part has become rusty. For three years past we have received injuries from the white people. Our cattle and horses have been stolen and carried off; and although we have made complaint to your agent, yet we have received no compensa- tion for our losses.
Brother :- We have thus far made known to you our minds; and in be- half of the Six Nations, whom we represent, we now call upon your government to fulfill this part of the treaty and make good the damages to our people.
Brother :- Why should you hesitate to comply with a treaty which you yourselves have made? With you it is but a small thing; to us it is of consequence. And will you suffer us to return with heavy hearts? Shall it be said that the government of the United States are the first to violate their treaties? We acknowledge that every part of the treaty has been faithfully fulfilled on your part, except that part of which we now complain, and as we believe there has been some mistake about it, we have no doubt that when you come to understand the thing, you will not be slow in doing us justice.
Brother :- We have often made complaints to the agents whom you have appointed. They have told us they had not the means to make satisfaction. We want to know whether the fault is in them. If it is not, we wish you now to instruct them that whenever we make sat- isfactory proof of losses sustained by the bad conduct of the white peo- ple, they should immediately satisfy our minds. by a reasonable com- pensation-thereby forever maintaining that peace and friendship so necessary to both nations.
Brother :- We still ask your attention to what we further say. We often meet with our agents to do business, but have no proper place to hold councils. Sometimes they are held in a blacksmith's shop; at other times in a kitchen or a bar-room. You must be sensible how inconven- ient it is to do business in such places. As we are poor, we hope you will consider our case, and feel willing to build us a suitable house for doing business.
Brother :- At the time we were making bright the chain at Canandai- gua, the Commissioner on your part told us that the time might come when your enemies would endeavor to disturb and do away the friend-
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ship we had then formed with you. That time. Brother, has already come. Since you have had some disputes with the British government, their agents in Canada have not only endeavored to make the Indians at the westward your enemies, but they have sent a war helt among our warriors, to poison our minds and make us break our faith with you. This belt we exhibited to your agents in council, and then sent it to the place from whence it came-never more to be seen amongst us. At the same time, we had information that the British were circulating like belts among the western Indians, and within your territory. We rested not, but called a general council of the Six Nations, and resolved to let our voice be heard among our western brethren, and destroy the effects of the poison scattered among them. We have twice sent largo deputa- tions to their council fire, for the purpose of making their minds strong in their friendship with your nation; and, in the event of war between the white people, to sit still on their seats and take no part on either side. So far as our voice has been heard, they have agreed to hearken to our counsel and remain at peace with your nation.
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