USA > New York > Schoharie County > History of Schoharie county, and border wars of New York > Part 22
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( 237 )
CHAPTER VIII.
The reader will perceive by the correspondence in the preceding chapter, that provision had been made, although tardily, to succor Schoharie. Many well disposed citizens in McDonald's descent through the southern settlements, seeing no assistance at hand, anxious for the safety of their families and property, accepted his offered protection of royalty-while not a few joined in the wake of the tory chief, to swell his already formidable numbers. In his approach to the more thickly settled parts of Schoharie, he could have numbered several hundred followers-Indians and loyalists-armed with various weapons, which number rumor, with her many tongues, greatly multiplied. It is not surprising that the comparatively small body of militia assembled at the house of John Becker-a part of which house is now standing-felt them- selves too weak to oppose their enemies unaided. They, how- ever, began barricading the windows and doors of this stone dwel- ling; and deputed two of their number, Vrooman and Swart, to go to Albany for assistance.
Henry Hager, of North Blenheim, late a judge of Schoharie county, very kindly furnished the author with a manuscript of some facts relating to Schoharie. He states that McDonald reached the river above Brakabeen, on Sunday the 10th of Au- gust, and "marched up and down the road, stationing guards, &c." As the enemy were over-running the valley, Henry Hager, grandfather of my informant, then over 70 years old, was anxious to inform the patriot party below of the invader's progress and espionage along the valley. There was no whig near with
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whom he could consult-indeed the Hager family was the only one, for a distance of several miles, that had not either already joined the enemy's standard, or accepted of his proffered protec- tion : he therefore started to do the errand himself, a distance of nearly nine miles. Leaving home about sun-down, he had pro- ceeded but a short distance when he was brought to a stand by an emissary of royalty ; who demanded where he was going, his business, etc. His good judgment readily prompting a reply, he feigned business with a blacksmith living below. The sprig of his majesty informed him that the man he wished to see was in a house near by. He was permitted to enter and do his errand, which was to order some small job. We suppose the interview between Mr. Hager and Vulcan to have been on Sunday : the latter told him he would do his work, and that he might call for it as early as he pleased next morning. Leaving the infected house, Hager again encountered the man endowed with brief au- thority, who granted him permission to return home.
It was nearly dark when the aged patriot left the tory senti- nel. Proceeding a few hundred yards on his way home, until out of sight of the enemy, he went down a bank of the river which he forded, and by a circuitous route, reached the Stone House in safety and communicated the approach of the invaders. Capt. Jacob Hager, his son, was there at the time. He had returned with a party of Schoharie militia from the northern army but a few days before, where he had distinguished himself in several hazardous enterprises, transporting cannon to Fort Edward, etc. On Monday morning Col. Vrooman, fearing Swart and his com- rade might not reach Albany in season to obtain assistance, sent Capt. Hager and Henry Becker on the same errand; with in- structions to keep the woods whenever there was danger of meet- ing with detention.
At this juncture of their proceedings, in the afternoon of the day on which Hager and Becker had left, Col. John Harper-whose duty the reader will remember, required him to look to the pro- tection of Schoharie-arrived, to consult with Col. Vrooman and the Whigs there assembled, on the best course to be adopted un-
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der the circumstances. It was readily agreed that the friends of equal rights assembled, or likely to be in season, were too few to oppose successfully McDonald's progress. No time was to be lost, as it was expected the band of outlaws would reach that vi- cinity on the following day : in order, therefore, to get aid in season to be of service, it was thought advisable for a messenger to proceed immediately to Albany on horseback. Col. Harper volunteered his services, and although the day was far spent, he mounted and set forward. Knowing that it would be extremely hazardous to pursue his journey in the night, he rode about five miles and put up at a public house then kept by John I. Lawyer, mentioned in Chap. III. of this work : in the latter part of the war his son, Jacob Lawyer, Jr. was its host. This ancient inn stood near the old Lutheran parsonage. The building is still standing on the premises of Chester Lasell-Mrs. W. G. Michaels.
On the night Col. Harper staid at Lawyer's, there was quite a gathering of Indians and tories, at the tavern known in those days as, The Brick House at the Forks of the Road,* distant from the former inn about a mile and a quarter. The object of this meet- ing of genial spirits, was, no doubt, to receive and communicate intelligence from and to the royalist party above, and also to learn tidings from such as kept an eye on the movements at Law- yer's tavern. A whig (George Warner, Jr. of Cobelskill) who was a watchman secreted with others that night, along the fences south of the Brick House, to note the motions of the enemy, as- sured the author that he saw individuals all night passing and re- passing-whom he supposed communicating with the McDonald party.
Col. Harper, having secured his horse and taken supper, retired early to an upper room, and locked the door, but did not think it prudent to undress. Some time in the evening, a party from the Brick House arrived at Lawyer's. The object of their visit being made known to the landlord, which was to get Harper to accom-
* This house, now owned and occupied by Cornelius Vrooman, stood in the forks of the old Albany and Schenectada roads. It was a two story dwelling at the period of which I am speaking.
-
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pany them to their rendezvous, he expostulated with them for in- truding upon the rest of his guest, but to no purpose, for see him they would. Knowing that he was near an infected district, Col. Harper had taken the precaution to leave a light burning. Hear- ing an unusual noise below, he seized his pistols and stepped to the door, and while listening to learn the cause of his disturbance, he overheard the suppressed but earnest voice of the landlord on on the stairs, urging the intruders not to ascend. Said he-"For God's sake, gentlemen, desist ! for I tell you he is a soldier, terri- bly armed, and some of you must die before he will be taken !" Expostulation was in vain, and the landlord was thrust aside by the tory party, which rapped at the door of his guest. With pis- tol in hand he opened it, threatening death to the first man who should step over its threshold. The intruders then made known to him the object of the visit, and the intrepid Harper, with a pistol in each hand, replied, " I will be there in the morning, but attempt to take me there to-night at your peril !" Seeing him thus arm- ed, and knowing from the flash of his eye that his threat would be executed, the party quailed before him and withdrew. He again locked his door, and was not afterwards disturbed.
Col. Harper started next morning, about 8 o'clock, armed as on the night previous, with a sword and brace of pistols. Cross- ing Foxes creek bridge, which stood where the present bridge now stands, without any opposition, (some writer has erroneously sta- ted that a Tory sentinel was on the bridge) he rode up to Mann's tavern, as I have been credibly informed by an eye-witness,* fas- tened his horse, and went in. He was in the house but a few mi- nutes, came out, remounted, and started off on the Schenectada road, via. Duanesburgh, for Albany. He rode a small black mare, with a white stripe in the forehead, which started from the inn up-
*David Warner, of Cobelskill. At the time alluded to, he states that he was a lad about ten years of age ; that he then boarded with Capt. Mann's father, and went to school near Foxes creek ; that several boys, himself with the rest, had assembled after breakfast near the tavern to go to school. The morning was unusually pleasant. It was not usual, at that period, to see a stranger, with holsters, upon his saddle. Mr. W. also saw Col. Harper re- turn next day with cavalry.
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on a pace, struck a gallop near the top of the hill, and soon bore the rider out of sight. He had disappeared but a few mi- nutes, before five Indians arrived at Mann's, and entered the cellar kitchen, followed by the boys, who were still at play in the street. Within half an hour, two of Captain Mann's horses, a black and a roan, were brought before the door, and two Indians, Seth's Henry,* a tall, dark Schoharie chief, sometimes familiarly called Set, or Sethen Henry, and David, a small Indian, before noticed, mounted them, and started at a full gallop on the road Col. Har- per had taken. The Indians, in pursuit were armed only with knives and tomahawks.
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ALLDI.
COLONEL HARPER CONFRONTING THE INDIANS.
For a distance of several miles, at that period, there was scarce- ly a house on the old Duanesburgh road. As Col. Harper drew near Righter's place, he discovered that he was pursued. Passing over a knoll, or turn in the road, which hid him from his follow-
*The name of this Indian's father was Seth, and his own Henry ; he was known in the war by the name in the context.
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ers, he dismounted, drew his sword from its scabbard, and stuck the point of it in a dry stump before him, and holding a pistol in each hand, ready cocked, he leaned back against his horse, and awaited the approach of the Indians, the tallest of whom he had already recognized. Riding at a rapid rate, and before they were aware of their proximity, they drew very near the object of their pursuit. The instant they saw him, they reined up, within reach of his pistols. Not choosing to risk a shot, he exclaimed in a voice and manner that carried terror to their savage breasts- " Stop you villains-face about and be off this instant, or these bullets shall whistlethrough your hearts." The Indians, seeing him thus armed, dared not advance, and wheeling their horses, sullen- ly withdrew. It is said, however, that Set dogged him, at a res- pectful distance, a good part of the way to Albany. I have been enabled to be thus circumstantial, from having conversed with several individuals who received from Col. Harper's own mouth the account of his pursuit soon after its occurrence, whose statements do not vary in anything material.
Col. Harper's arrival in Albany, on Tuesday, August 12th, is thus noticed in the Journal of the Council of Safety the following day. Christopher Fiero stated to that body that one Du Boise, who left Albany the evening before, reported "That every road from Schoharie is obstructed and filled up by the tories there; that Col. John Harper had escaped from thence, and that Col. Vroo- man, with about twenty-five whigs, had fortified themselves in a house there." Under the same date on the Council's Journal, I find the copy of a letter written by that body, to Col. Pawling, on the subject of Gov. Clinton's letters, previously inserted, which reads as follows :
" Sir-We enclose you two letters received from the Governor, by which it appears that he is very anxious to have the party detached for Schoharie. We have received information that Col. Vrooman, with a party of whigs, is besieged there by the to- ries.
" It is necessary that he should be relieved immediately. You will therefore be pleased to issue your orders this night for two hundred drafts to be made from your regiment ; after which you will, agreeably to the Governor's directions, repair to this place,
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AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.
and confer with the Council about the most practicable means of executing your plan.
" We are extremely sorry that so much precious time has alrea- dy been lost by the miscarriage of your letter." [The above let- ter was signed by the President and forwarded by a light- horseman ; after which the Council] "Resolved, That Gen. Scott, R. R. Livingston, and Maj. Tappan, be a committee to assist Col. Pawling in executing the secret expedition,"
Col. Harper, unadvised of the proceedings of Gov. Clinton and the Council, on his arrival in Albany, applied either to the Albany committee, or Col. Van Schaick, then in command of that milita- ry station-or, what is quite likely, to both-for assistance; and a small body of cavalry was granted him. The company con- sisted in rank and file of twenty-eight stout looking men .* They were well-clad, wore caps, and made a fine military appearance. By whom they were commanded, the author has been unable sa- tisfactorily to learn. The old citizens of Schoharie all assert that he was a Frenchman, and spoke imperfect English. The party, conducted by Col. Harper, left Albany in the evening, and riding a good part of the night, arrived in Schoharie early on Wednesday. One of the party had a trumpet, the first, probably, ever heard echoing among the mountains of Schoharie-an occa- sional blast of which is said to have carried terror to the hearts of the evil doers, and produced an effect equal to that of an army with banners.
On arriving at the brick house, a halt was ordered. Mine host hearing the warlike sound of the trumpet while it was yet a little way off, fancying no doubt that he heard his own death knell in every blast, fled to a barrackt of wheat on his premises, where he snugly ensconsed himself beneath its sheaves; thinking, that
ยท Col. Stone, who, in the Life of Brant, (see chapters 14 and 16, vol. 1,) has adopted Campbell's erroneous date of this transaction, placing it in 1778, gives the name of Capt. Woodbake as the commanding officer of the party. The Schoharie people say that was not the commandant's name. Stone also puts down their number at 200 : but six or eight persons still living in differ- ent parts of the county who counted them, state their number to have been only twenty-eight.
t The word barrack is both German and Dutch. In the Schoharie and
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" The man who lives to run away, May live to fight another day."
The commandant of the little squadron assumed a terrifying aspect, as, half drawing his sword, and rising in his stirrups, he demanded of Mrs. Mann, who had been summoned to the door for the purpose, in imperfect English, the whereabouts of her husband. The good woman, who should not at that time have been so frightened as to turn deadly pale, assured the speaker she could not inform him. In fact she did not herself know. The premises of the tory were then strictly searched for his per- son, even to the barrack in which he was concealed : and several troopers ran their swords down into the wheat sheaves beneath which he lay, without discovering him.
A small number of men who were found at the brick house, with some exceptions, submitted to the authority of the American officers, and destroyed their royal protections, with the promise of pardon for accepting them. A few who had been very active among the tories were however arrested, among whom was the malicious Indian, David; who had gained notoriety by his attempt on the life of Chairman Ball-his pursuit of Col. Harper, and the aid he had rendered the British cause in the capacity of messen- ger-he having just arrived from the camp of McDonald, when arrested. The troop then proceeded to the public house of Jacob
Mohawk valleys, much hay and grain was formerly deposited in barracks- indeed, such depositaries are considerably used there at the present day. They are commonly made by erecting four upright poles or posts, so as to form a square, firmly set in the ground, or held at equal distances by timbers framed into them above the ground. The upper part of the posts is perfo- rated with holes, and a roof, made of a quadrangular form, terminating in a vertex, rests upon wood or iron pins thrust through those holes. The roof is usually constructed by framing two timbers, crossing at right angles, and secured by side pieces, into which are framed four upright poles, firmly se cured at the apex above. The roof is sometimes boarded and shingled, but usually thatched. When a barrack is to be filled, the roof is raised to the top of the corner posts, and the hay or grain in the sheaf is stacked beneath it : and as the contents are removed the roof is let down. Some barracks have a floor, and are so constructed as to last many years, subserving most of the purposes of a barn. They are generally built with four corners, but sometimes with more. Soldiers' huts are, by the French, also called barracks.
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Snyder, a whig living a little distance east of Mann's to obtain. refreshments ; in the mean time the news of Col. Harper's arriva from Albany with troops having wonderful music, spread up and down the valleys of Foxes creek and Schoharie, with almost lightning rapidity. Leaving their work unfinished, the friends of liberty began to assemble, and many good citizens who had only been waiting to see a prospect of succor in case they espoused their country's cause, now did so cheerly. Stone's account of there having been a large body of tories, with scarlet patches on their hats assembled at Capt. Mann's, to whom that officer was making a speech on the arrival of Col. Harper and his party, needs authentication.
On the evening of the day on which Col. Harper left the Stone House to obtain assistance, McDonald and his followers descend- ed the river to the residence of Swart, as stated in his diary, where they encamped over night; taking quiet possession of the pre- mises, and helping themselves bountifully to the best the house afforded.
As soon as the steeds of the cavalry were rested, and them- selves refreshed, quite a party of militia variously armed having already assembled, preparations were made to advance and meet the enemy, about six miles distant. The militia, some of whom were mounted and others not, were officered by Col. Harper for the occasion, and accompanied the cavalry. David, the Indian captive, was fastened by a cord around his wrist, to a fellow prisoner. The little army a few hours after its arrival in the val- ley, moved up the river, at the inspiring sound of the trumpet, which laughed among the encrinital and trilobital hills-and danced far away in the distance. Those who had been the most boisterous for King George, were, as if by magic, all converted into Congress-men; after hearing the voice of the vociferous Frenchman, and that of his musician speaking to his distant au- ditors with a brazen tongue. No musician ever rendered his country more evident essential service, unless perchance he was rivaled by Anthony Van Corlear, of Knickerbocker memory. At times the militia who were on foot, were obliged to take a
17
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dog trot to keep up with the excited commander of cavalry, while the sweat of the brow as it coursed adown their sunburnt cheeks, denoted their blood to be at fever heat.
After proceeding about five miles, as the troops were passing an alder swamp, in Hartman's dorf, the prisoner David, watch- ing a favorable opportunity, slipped the cord from his arm and ran into it. The party were halted, ordered to surround the marsh, and shoot down the captive if he attempted to escape. The mounted militia who knew the ground, led the cavalry round the swamp; and the Indian being observed skulking from tree to tree, and just ready to emerge in the direction of the river, was instantly brought down by a pistol shot in the back, with the exclamation, " Ganno! ganno!" The commanding officer, impatient at the delay, ordered one of the militia men to advance and shoot him. He was then lying partly upon his side, his head was resting upon his hand, and his elbow upon the ground, while his eye calmly surveyed his foes. George Shell, of Foxes creek, (who sometime after bravely assisted in the defence of Major Becker's house,) advanced from the ranks, presented his old fire-lock and attempted to fire. ' Click, click, click, said the old rusty lock-while its antiquated cylinder remained cold and silent. " Tam te Meleshee guns!" exclaimed the officer ; as, riding forward, he snapped one of his own pistols, which missed fire, and ordered his troopers to shoot him. A pistol snapped by the man next the captain also missed fire, but that in the hand of his follower exploded, sending a bullet through the Indian's head. As those pistols were [snapped, the Indian turned round to avoid seeing them. He was left in his gore, and the party resumed their march. This Indian was the first person killed in the Schoharie settlements in the Revolution; and I have been thus particular in detailing the circumstances attending his death, because the manner of it as related in the Life of Brant, where he is misnamed Peter Nickus, is so very far from the truth as stated by several eye witnesses .*
. Jacob Becker, Jacob Enders, and George Warner, who were militia men present.
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David Ogeyonda, although a notorious offender, would not have been slain had he not attempted to escape while a prisoner. The story of his having been "inhumanly hacked to pieces" by the cavalry, is not true. It is a well-known characteristic of the Indian, that whoever does an injury to one of his blood, incurs his hatred and revenge. This same Indian had several sons, who, knowing all the circumstances attending their father's death, not only remained friendly to the American cause, but Yon, pro- bably the oldest, rendered the citizens of Schoharie no little ser- vice during the war.
On arriving at the Stone House, a ladder was raised against it, and the prisoners taken at Mann's were compelled to mount upon the roof, which was not very steep, when the ladder was removed, and they were placed in temporary and somewhat novel confinement. A squaw among them, is said to have rendered the situation of a prisoner, named Weaver, so uncomfortable, that he requested Jacob Enders to remove her.
The party had been at Middleburgh but a short time, when a woman by the name of Staats, known in the valley by the un- poetic cognomen of Rya's Pup, was seen approaching the Stone House in the direction of the river, nearly half a mile distant. She halted soon after being discovered as if hesitating about ad- vancing, when the officer of cavalry beckoned to her to come forward; upon which she faced about and ran the other way. Two troopers were sent in pursuit, and captured her while ford- ing the river ; and each seizing a hand they turned their horses and rode back to the house, to the great amusement of its inmates, and discomfiture of the prisoner who was almost-out of breath. After panting a while, she was enabled to answer the interroga- tories of the American officers. She said she had just come from the camp of McDonald-that his numbers were very great-and that he was then preparing to march down and capture the Stone House and its inmates .- George Warner and Jacob Enders.
On receiving this information, the troops were sent to collect several fences to aid in throwing up a temporary breastwork around the house, that they might be the better able to repel an
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
attack. After waiting sometime, however, for the appearance of the enemy, it was thought advisable by the Americans who were somewhat respectable in numbers, to proceed to meet him. On arriving near Swart's place, two miles distant from the Stone House, it was ascertained that the foes were on the retreat up the valley ; and it was only by a rapid movement of the mounted troops that they were overtaken at the Flockey .* At this place Adam Crysler resided before the war-it is now the residence of Samuel Lawyer. The house which is situated at the upper end of Vrooman's land, is pleasantly located upon a bank which slopes to the road. A brook or mill stream runs at the base of the bank near the road, between which and the river was formerly a small swamp. As the Americans drew near, they found Mc- Donald had made a stand on the lawn in front of the house, pre- pared to give them a warm reception. A few shots only were exchanged, when the cavalry, at a long and terrifying blast of the trumpet, dashed impetuously among the Indians and tories ; who, panic struck, took to their heels and fled up the river. They were pursued but a short distance as the ground above was unfavorable for cavalry ; besides, it was nearly dark, and the lat- ter were much fatigued, having rode about forty-five miles since the evening before. David Wirt, lieutenant of the cavalry, was killed in this encounter, and two privates wounded, one Rose, mortally-who died three days after. Angelica, a daughter of Col. Vrooman, assured the writer in 1837, that she furnished the winding sheet for Lieut. Wirt-who was the first man that fell in Schoharie defending the principles of a free government. Wirt was shot as was afterwards learned, by one Shafer, a royalist. What loss the enemy sustained in this brush is unknown, few, however, chose to stay long enough to be killed. The cavalry re- turned to the Stone House and encamped for the night. As it was then supposed that madam Staats had been sent down by McDonald to afford him an opportunity to escape, she was sought for on the return of the Americans, but had stept out .- Mattice Ball, Jacob Van Dyck and others.
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