USA > New York > Schoharie County > History of Schoharie county, and border wars of New York > Part 20
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The defeat of the Americans on Long Island and the loss of New York, were succeeded by a catalogue of disasters, which tended to make the royalists more bold, and greatly to dishearten the Americans. Several hundred houses were destroyed in New York by fire, soon after the British took that city. In November, Forts Washington and Lee, situated nearly opposite each other on
long adieu. When we reached Brooklyn ferry the boats had not returned from their last trip, but they very soon appeared and took the whole regi- meat over to New York ; and I think I saw Gen. Washington on the ferry stairs when I stepped into one of the last boats that received the troops. I left my horse tied to a post at the ferry.
" The troops having all safely reached New York, and the fog continuing as thick as ever, I began to think of my favorite horse, and requested leave to return and bring him off. Having obtained permission, I called for a crew of volunteers to go with me, and guiding the boat myself, I obtained my horse and got off some distance into the river before the enemy appeared ia Brooklyn. As soon as they reached the ferry, we were saluted merrily from their musketry and finally by their field pieces, but we returned in safety. In the history of warfare, I do not recollect a more fortunate retreat. Afterall, the providential appearance of the fog saved a part of our army from being captured, and myself, for certain, among others who formed the rear guard. Gen. Washington has never received the credit which was due to him for this wise and most fortunate measure. When the enemy had taken possession of the heights opposite to the city, they commenced firing from the artillery, and the fleet pretty soon were in motion to take possession of those waters ; had this been done a little earlier, this division of our army must inevitably have fallen into their hands."
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the banks of the Hudson, about ten miles above New York, which commanded the river, fell into the hands of the enemy : the former after a most gallant defence, and the latter by being aban- doned ; and the Commander-in-chief, unable to oppose a superior force, retreated into New Jersey. By the fall of Fort Washing- ton, says the diary of Col. Tallmadge, " we lost about three thou- sand men, a great part of whom perished in prison by severe usage, sickness, &c." , While a dark pall seemed spreading around the cause of Liberty, Gen. Howe issued a proclamation offering pardon to all who would submit to royal authority. The pros- pects looked so gloomy, that many of the best citizens of New Jersey were induced to sacrifice their feelings-abandon Free- dom's cause, and claim British protection. Gen. Washington, with the remains of his army, was obliged to retreat over the De- laware ; about which time the British gained possession of Rhode Island. The sagacious commander, who had seen his troops re- peatedly in retreat before a well fed and well clothed enemy, not only observed their numbers fast lessening by desertion, but also the necessity of staying the tide of that enemy's success, and roll- ing back the cloud which seemed ready to burst and obscure the light of Liberty forever. He resolved to hazard all in one bold effort, and on Christmas night he crossed the Delaware at Tren- ton, surprised a body of Hessian soldiers-took nearly a thousand prisoners, and recrossed the river in safety, with the loss of only nine men.
On the 2d of January, 1777, the main body of the British ar- my under Cornwallis, who had hastened on from New York after the capture of the Hessians, marched to attack the Americans. They encamped near Trenton at night, intending to commence an action in the morning, when Washington, knowing the compara- tive weakness of his famished troops, conceived and executed an- other bold project. After renewing his fires, he left his encamp- ment about midnight, and by a circuitous route gained the rear of the enemy-pushed on to Princeton, near which place he met and defeated a body of them, and again took several hundred prison- ers. The enemy finding himself out-generaled, retreated to New
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Brunswick, and the American army went into winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey. The brilliant victories of Trenton and Princeton, while they tended with magnetic power to raise the drooping spirits of the patriot band-in fact, of the whole Ame- rican people-won for their great leader the appellation of the American Fabius. Few can realize at this day, the importance of those victories to the American arms. For months, a series of disasters had attended them, and the stoutest hearts were begin- ning to yield to despair. The great and good Washington led forth to conquest on those occasions, a half-naked, famished troop of heroes, who, under similar circumstances, would have followed no other leader.
Reader ! would you realize the sufferings of that little band of patriots, who remained willing to follow the fortunes of your bleeeing country, in the darkest hour of her adversity ?- and by so doing arrive at a more just estimate of the value of that liber- ty you now enjoy ? Imagine yourself on some of the coldest nights of winter, when the wintry winds are moaning around you, and the stars are looking coldly from the blue vault above, seated by the road side where is passing in silence a body of armed men, fatigued, disheartened, ragged, barefooted, faint from want of food, and many with limbs frozen from exposure :- and on the morrow, go trace their footsteps o'er the frozen ground by their own blood ; then tell me if you can guard with too much watch- fulness-or look with favor upon any attempt to mar that lib- erty ?
The proverbial caution and prudence of General Washington, were perhaps evinced in nothing more visibly during the war, than in his general orders to avoid the ill will or needless suffer- ing of the citizens. When his cold and wearied troops encamped the night after the battle of Princeton, as has been stated by an officer who was present, his orders contained this unusual requisi- tion-" not to burn the stone walls !"-tacitly implying, that they might, on that one occasion, burn rail fences, which are said to have been burned with impunity.
The enemy having matured his plans during the winter, began
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to move early in the summer of 1777, and expected to make an easy conquest of the whole colony of New York. Gen. Burgoyne left Crown Point with such an army as he had vauntingly de- clared in the British Parliament, he could lead from Maine to Georgia ; and with it one of the best trains of artillery ever seen in America. He was to push his way to Albany along the Hud- son. Colonel St. Leger, with a large body of British, Tories and Indians, left Oswego about the same time, intending to pillage the beautiful valley of the Mohawk, and rest himself after his work of destruction, at Albany. Sir Henry Clinton, whose well fed troops had been basking in some of the smiles and some of the frowns of the New York fair, after doing what mischief he pleased along the romantic shores of the Hudson, was to offer his services and compliments in person to the citizens of Albany. And lastly Captain McDonald, a noted Tory leader-a Scotchman who had been living for a time on Charlotte river, with a body of several hundred royalists and Indians, was making his way down through the Schoharie settlements, intending to meet the trio already named, and revel with them in "the beauty and booty" of Al- bany.
This was a most trying period for New York. To meet and repel the several attacks, appeared to some of the most patriotic a matter of impossibility-but with a firm reliance on the God of battles for success, they buckled on their armor, and resolved to try. Most of the published accounts erroneously make the irrup- tion of McDonald and his legions at a later date.
Some of the Schoharie militia were called into service on seve- ral occasions in the latter part of the year 1776, and early part of 1777. Mattice Ball said he was under Capt. Hager in the enter- prise which Judge Swart alludes to, as having taken place in the spring of 1777. The party were volunteers, and proceeded to Loonenburg, now Athens, to arrest Col. James Huetson, who was marshaling Tories. They were in seach of him thirteen days, a part of which time they levied a tax upon his poultry yard, and ate up his chickens. After securing him and some twenty other genial spirits, they delivered them to the military department at Albany for safe keeping. Huetson was afterwards hung.
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I have remarked briefly, that members of families in Schoharie were found entertaining different opinions respecting the bellige- rent attitude of England and her colonies, and consequently were in hostile array. Capt. Jacob Ball, mentioned as the brother of Johannes Ball, raised a company of 63 royalists at the Beaver- dam and in Duanesburgh and went to Canada, accompanied by several relatives. George Mann, another captain of militia to whom we have alluded, on being ordered out with his company to oppose the enemy, openly declared himself friendly to the royal power. Adam Crysler and his brothers, with several other indi- viduals, who were men of no little influence residing in the south part of the Schoharie settlement, also sided with royalty. The example of several respectable officers and other individuals of reputation, as may be inferred, augured no good for the welfare of that community, as the prudent knew full well that " a house divided against itself," like Franklin's empty bag, " could not stand alone."
As appears by an affidavit of William Johnston, jr., made July 16, 1777, which I find on the journal of the New York council of safety, Joseph Brant had then, with some eighty warriors, commenced his marauding enterprises on the settlements at Una- dilla; by appropriating their cattle, shecp and swine to his own benefit. To obtain satisfaction for those cattle, and if possible get the Indians to remain neutral in the approaching contest, in the latter part of June, 1777, Gen. Herkimer, with three hun- dred and eighty of the Tryon county militia, proceeded to Una- dilla, (an Indian settlement on the Susquehanna,) to hold an in- terview with Brant. That celebrated chief, then at Oquago, was sent for by Gen. Herkimer, and arrived on the 27th, after the Americans had been there about eight days in waiting.
Colonel John Harper, who attended Gen. Herkimer at this time, made an affidavit on the 16th of July following the inter- view, showing the principal grievances of which the Indians complained, as also the fact that they were in covenant with the king, whose belts were yet lodged among them, and whose service they intended to enter. The instrument farther testified, that
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Brant, instead of returning to Oswego, as he had informed Gen. Herkimer was his intention; had remained in the neighborhood, on the withdrawal of the American militia, and was preparing to destroy the frontier settlements.
The following particulars relating to the interview between Gen. Herkimer and Brant, were obtained from the venerable patriot, Joseph Wagner, of Fort Plain. He states that at the first meeting of Gen. Herkimer with Brant, the latter was attended by three other chiefs, William Johnson, a son of Sir William Johnson by Molly Brant, which son was killed at the battle of Oriskany the same year, Pool, a smart looking fellow with curly hair, supposed part indian and part negro, and a short dark skin- ned Indian, the four encircled by a body-guard of some twenty noble looking warriors.
When in his presence, Brant rather haughtily asked Gen. Her- kimer the object of his visit, which was readily made known ; but seeing so many attendants, the chief suspected the interview was sought for another purpose. Said Brant to Herkimer, I have five hundred warriors at my command, and can in an in- stant destroy you and your party ; but we are old neighbors and friends, and I will not do it. Col. Cox, a smart officer who ac- companied Gen. Herkimer, exchanged several sarcastic express- ions with Brant, which served not a little to irritate him and his followers. The two had had a quarrel a few years previous, about lands around the upper Indian castle. Provoked to anger, Brant asked Cox if he was not the son-in-law of old George Klock? Yes ! replied Cox in a tone of inalignity, and what is that to you, you d-d Indiun ? At the close of this dialogue Brant's guard ran off to their camp, firing several guns, and making the hills echo back their savage yells. Gen. Herkimer then assured Brant that he intended his visit for one of a pacific nature, and urged him to prevent their moving to hostilities. A word from that chief hushed the tempest of human passion, which but an in- stant before had threatened to deluge the valley with blood; the parties, however, were too heated to proceed with the business which convened them. Said Brant, addressing Gen. Herkimer,
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it is needless to multiply words at this time, I will meet you here at precisely 9 o'clock to morrow morning. The parties then se- parated to occupy their former position in camp.
From what had transpired, I presume Gen. Herkimer did not feel wholly secure in his person; for early on the following morn- ing he called on Mr. Wagner, then an active young soldier of his party, and taking him aside, asked him if he could keep a secret. When assured in the affirmative, he informed Wagner that he wished him to select three other persons, who, with him- self should be in readiness at a given signal, to shoot Brant and the other three chiefs, if the interview about to take place did not end amicably. In case of the least hostile movement on their part, the chiefs were to be sacrified. Wagner selected Abra- ham and George Herkimer, nephews of Gen. Herkimer, and a third person name now forgotten. Col. Stone, speaking of this transaction in the Life of Brant, not aware of its having been dictated by the circumstances as any arrangement of caution, which should reflect credibly on the prudence of Gen. Herkimer, thus comments on it-" There is something so revolting-so rank and foul-in this project of meditated treachery, that it is difficult to reconcile it with the known character of Gen. Herkimer." In another place he adds, " A betrayal of his [Herkimer's] confi- dence, under those circumstances, would have brought a stain upon the character of the provincials, which all the waters of the Mohawk could not have washed away." Difficult indeed would it be if necessary, to reconcile this affair with the honorable life of the brave Herkimer, but such is not the case, and I have presented this whole matter solely to correct an impression con- veyed in the life of Brant, which reflects ignobly on the charac- ter of that officer. The whole proceeding was only one of pre- caution, and had it been otherwise would have been executed, as ample opportunity was afforded Wagner and his accomplices, to assassinate the chiefs. Col. Stone quotes the manuscript of my informant as authority for what he states, but there is some mistake in the matter, as Wagner assured the writer he never had furnished a manuscript account of the affair to any one.
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With the arrangement of circuinspection on the part of Gen. Herkimer, as stated above, the parties held their interview on the 2Sth of June; the last convention of the kind held in New York. Brant was the first to speak : said he-" Gen Herkimer, I now fully comprehend the object of your visit, but you are too late, I am already engaged to serve the king. We are old friends and I can do no less than let you return home unmolested, al- though you are entirely within my power." After a little more conversation, in which the parties agreed to separate amicably, the conference ended, at which time Gen. Herkimer presented to Brant seven or eight fat cattle that had but just arrived, ow- ing to obstructions on the outlet of Otsego Lake, down which stream they were driven or transported. For three days previous to the arrival of the cattle, the Americans were on very short allowance.
Whether Brant had five hundred men at his command may be doubted ; Col. Harper has given their number as about one hun- dred and thirty-seven-possibly there were foes in concealment unknown to that officer. The Americans retraced their steps to the Mohawk valley, and scarcely had they set out, when the In- dians began to repeat their depredations on the patriotic citizens in the neighborhood. Brant soon after fell back to Oquago, to strengthen his numbers, and prepare to act in concert with St. Leger.
After the war Brant visited the Mohawk valley, at which time Mr. Wagner conversed with him about the treaty at Unadilla. On being assured by my informant that he was in readiness at the second interview to shot him down, that chief expressed much surprise that Gen. Herkimer had taken such precaution.
Among the papers of Chairman Ball I find the following :
" Schoharie, July 7th, 1777, in Committee Chamber first Re- solved, that all the persons between tha ages of sixteen and fifty years, from the dwelling house of Christian Shaffer and to north- ward in Schoharie, are to bring their arms and accoutrements when they come to the meeting at either of the two churches in
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Fountain Town and Foxes Town,* on Sunday or any other day when kept ; and if any of them shall neglect in bringing their arms and accoutrements to either of the churches, shall for- feit and pay the sum of three shillings, New York currency, into the hands of Mr. Johannes Ball, for the use of paying the cost for the district of Schoharie; or if any person shall not pay the said sum as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for Mr. Johannes Ball to give a warrant directed to a sergeant or corporal, and levy the same on the offender's goods and chattels, and also the costs thereof.
" And the persons inhabiting from the dwelling of Baltus Krys- ler to the said Christian Shaffer, are to bring their arms, &c. to the church in Weiser's Town, as they are ordered to [in] Foxes Town ; and if neglected to pay the same to Mr. Johannes Becker, and be put in execution by him as ordered by Mr. Ball aforesaid.
" And persons southward from Baltus Krysler's are to be armed when [they] come to any meeting that may be kept in Brakabeen, and if neglected, to pay the fines to Mr. William Zimmer, and_to be put by him in execution as beforementioned, and for the use as aforesaid.
"N. B. Their resolve in Fountain Town Church is to be paid to Mr. Johannes Lawyer, and to be put by him in execution as within mentioned, and for the use as aforesaid ; and George War- ner is appointed to see [that] the inhabitants of Cobelskill bring their arms when [they] come to meeting there, and put this re- solve in execution as within mentioned, and for the use aforesaid.
" Secondly, Resolved, that four watches are to be kept in Scho- harie every night from this time constant: the first is to be kept at the dwelling house of Capt. George Mann, and under his com- mand, and in his absence the next in command ; the inhabitants from Christian Shaffer's dwelling house and to northward, are to be under Capt. Mann's command for the watch to consist of eight men. The second is to be kept at the dwelling house of Mr. Hen- drick P. Becker, and under the command of Capt. George Richt- myer, and in his absence the next officer in command : the inha- bitants from Hendrick Tansen's house and so northward to Chris- tian Shaffer's, are under the command of this second watch, and to consist of six men. The third is to be kept at the dwelling house of Mr. Johannes Feak, and under the command of Lieut. Martynus Van Slyck, and in his absence the next officer in com- mand; the inhabitants from Baltus Krysler's dwelling house and so northward to Hendrick Tanse's are under the command of this third watch, and to consist of six men. And the fourth is to be kept by the inhabitants from Baltus Krysler's and so southward, at the dwelling house of Mr. Hendrick Hager under the command of Capt. Jacob Hager, in his absence the next officer in command ;
" The former a Lutheran church then standing a little distance east of the Court House, and the latter the stone edifice erected by the Dutch church, and still standing one mile north of the Court House.
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and this watch is to consist of six men. Every person or persons neglecting to serve on such or either of such watches aforemen- tioned, shall for every neglect pay and forfeit the sum of twelve shillings for the use of the district of Schoharie."
At an early stage of difficulties, the little settlement at Harpers- field, which was greatly exposed to savage inroads, organized a committee of vigilance, of which Isaac Patchin was chairman. This settlement was within the limits of Tryon county. In view of the enemy's proximity, Mr. Patchin wrote to the State Coun- cil of Safety, on the 4th of July, 1777, as follows :
" Gentlemen-The late irruptions and hostilities committed at Tunadilla, by Joseph Brandt, with a party of Indians and tories, have so alarmed the well-affected inhabitants of this and the neighboring settlements, who are now the entire frontier of this state, that except your honors doth afford us immediate protection, we shall be obliged to leave our settlements to save our lives and families; especially as there is not a man on the outside of us, but such as have taken protection of Brant, and many of them have threatened our destruction in a short time, the particular circum- stances of which Col. Harper, (who will wait on your honors,) can give you a full account of, by whom we hope for your protection, in what manner to conduct ourselves."
On the Sth July, William Harper wrote the Albany council from Cherry Valley, also within Tryon county, stating the ex- posed condition of that place, and the rumor of the enemy's nearness under Brant. The committee to which was referred the correspondence of Isaac Patchin and Wm. Harper, introduced several resolutions to the council of safety on the 17th July; in which they recommended raising two companies of rangers, to serve on the frontiers of Tryon, Ulster, and Albany counties, un- der the command of John Harper and .James Clyde, as captains, and Alexander Harper and John Campbell as lieutenants. Lt. Harper, as soon as twenty-five men were enlisted by Col. John Harper as recruiting officer, was to take charge of them and repair to a post of danger.
In the correspondence of the Provincial Congress of New York, I find the following :
Schoharie Committee Chamber, July 17, 1777. " Gentlemen-The late advantage gained over us by the ene-
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my, has such effect upon numbers here, that many we thought steady friends to the state seem to draw back ; our state therefore, is deplorable ; all our frontiers [frontier settlers] except those that are to take protection from the enemy, are gone, so that we are entirely open to the Indians and tories, which we expect every hour to come to this settlement : part of our militia is at Fort Ed- ward; the few that are here many of them, are unwilling to take up arms to defend themselves, as they are not able to stand against so great a number of declared enemies, who speak openly without any reserve. Therefore, if your honors do not grant us immediate relief, of about five hundred men to help defend us, we must either fall a prey to the enemy, or take protection also. For further par- ticulars we refer you to the bearer, Col. Wills, in whom we confide to give you a true account of our state and situation, and of the back settlements, as he is well acquainted with them. We beg that your honors will be pleased to send us an answer by the bearer. We remain,
Your honors' most obed't humble servants. Signed by order of the committee. JOHANNES BALL, Chairman ..
The above letter was read in Council, at their afternoon session, on Saturday, July 19th, and after some discussion it was referred to Messrs. Jay, Platt, and R. R. Livingston. On the 22d, the Council wrote " To the Chairman of the Committee of Schoha- rie," as follows :
" Kingston, July 22, 1777.
"Gentlemen : It greatly astonishes this Council that the settle- ment of Schoharie, which has always been considered as firmly and spiritedly attached to the American cause, should be panic- struck upon the least appearance of danger. Can you conceive that our liberties can possibly de redeemed from that vassalage which our implacable foes are, with unrelenting cruelty, framing for us, without some danger and some vigorous efforts on our part ? To expect that Providence, however righteous our cause, will, without a vigorous use of those means which it has put in our power, interpose in our behalf, is truly to expect that God will work miracles for us, when those means, well improved, will afford suf- ficient security to our inestimable rights. It is your bounden du- ty, if you wish for the smiles of Heaven in favor of the public cause in which you are so deeply interested, to acquit yourselves like men. A few worthless Indians, and a set of villains, who have basely deserted their country, are all the enemies you have to fear.
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