USA > New York > Schoharie County > History of Schoharie county, and border wars of New York > Part 52
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Your Friend and Serv't,
JOS. YOUNG."
" Albany, June 22d, 1779.“
577
AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.
"Dear Sir-I acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 25th inst., and am happy to hear that every thing has succeeded so well hitherto-hope your may glide on in the same current of good fortune, till the end of a glorious campaign, and return to Albany crown'd with unfading laurels. Another acct. of our suc- cess over the enemy at Charles Town is arrived, the particulars of which will be transmitted to the Gen. by Capt. Lush.
" A Pennsylvania paper is in town, containing a speech of one Gordon, in the house of Commons, equal in freedom and smart- ness to Junius's letters-could I procure it, I would inclose it. Our little fleet in many late instances has demurr'd to the claim of the haughty Britons, to the universal empire of the sea ; and have convinced some of them that their claim was not well founded, by a most powerful train of well directed arguments, leaving them high and dry at anchor in the state house at Philadelphia. One of the British litigants never put in a plea, but suffered judgment to pass against him by default.
" D'Estaing's and the English fleets, are both out at sea of nearly equal numbers, and in sight of each other ; by which cir- cumstance it is conjectured there will be much chopping of logic, and many learned and forcible arguments made use of pro and contra, when the pleas are closed, 'tis said a jury of surgeons meet to decide upon the merits of the cause in question : when I receive their verdict I will transmit it to you-as it may have a tend- ency to elucidate some points, that are at present under the con- sideration of the literati, both at St. James' and Philadelphia. Till which I am Your friend and servant,
JO. YOUNG."
" Albany, June 27th, 1779."
The following extracts are from a letter to Capt. Machin while at Otsego lake:
" The southern news still remains without a confirmation from Congress." [The southern news alluded to by Young and Rut- gers, was no doubt the abortive attempt of the British army un- der Provost, to capture the city of Charleston, S. C., about the middle of May.] "Though there is not the least doubt of its be- ing true. The enemy are yet at King's Ferry. A few days since it was thought they were coming up; as some heavy cannons are arrived from the eastward, I think we shall be in tolerable good order to receive them, if ever they get in earnest about it.
"Gen. Washington is at New Windsor and quarters at Col- Ellison's. The park of artillery I hear is at Chester, and the in. fantry scattered in the defiles of the mountains near the garrison. The inhospitable mountains not suffering the army to remain in their usual compact order.
Your most obedient, &c., HENRY RUTGERS, Jun." While under Sullivan, Capt. Machin executed a handsome map
578
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of Cayuga and Seneca lakes, with the distances on the way out at intervals of one mile each, from Tioga Point to the end of the route, which terminated nearly sixty miles west of the outlet of Seneca lake; and back to the starting place .*
While Sullivan's army was in the Indian country an incident occurred to which I have before alluded, some additional particu- lars of which may prove interesting. An advance party which was opening a road for the army and protected by a strong cover- ing party, were attacked by Kayingwaurto, a Seneca chief, with eighty-two warriors. The guard instantly ran to rescue the ad- vance, and a skirmish ensued in which that chief and two of his followers were slain. The enemy, from the noise and impetuo- sity of the attack, supposing the whole army was upon them, fled precipitately, leaving their packs, blankets, kettles, &c. Upon the person of this Seneca chief was found a pocket book which contained two papers of interest. One was a certificate of which the following is very nearly a copy.
" This may certify that Kayingwaurto, the Sanake Chief, has been on an expedition to Fort Stanwix and has taken two scalps, t one from an officer and a corporal that were a gunning near the fort, for which I promise to pay at sight, ten dollars for each scalp. " Given under my hand at Buck's Island. " JOHN BUTLER, Col. and Supt. " of the Six Nations and the " Allies of his Majesty."
* The route pursued as marked upon this map crosses Spring creek near the Tioga, into which it empties, twenty-one miles from its mouth, and pass- ing up the west side of that stream a few miles, struck the head waters of Seneca creek. The route continued some five or six miles along the west side of the creek, then crossing, was continued upon its eastern side with one exception at an angle, to " French Catharine's Town," situated in a bend of the creek three or four miles from its mouth. From Catharine's Town the route led along the east side of Seneca lake crossing at a little distance from the lake, twenty-five small streams which ran into it along its eastern shore. Eleven miles from the outlet, probably in the present town of Ovid, they destroyed an Indian village situated on the north side of a small creek, and called on Machin's map "Candia." Crossing the outlet of Seneca lake, the army proceeded westward, and a few miles from the lake destroyed " Kanadesago," the largest of the Seneca towns.
t Those scalps were obtained by this Indian in the following manner. In the summer of 1777, Capt. Greg left Fort Stanwix, or as then called Fort
579
AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.
It having been asserted in Congress, after the war, that there was no evidence of the fact that the British government author- ized the payment of money for scalps, the certificate of Col. But- ler to Kayingwaurto, known by one of the New York members to be in Machin's possession, was sent for, and was accordingly forwarded to the seat of government : the evidence it contained was satisfactory that Britain did buy American scalps, and thus the controversy ended.
The other paper found in the pocket book of the Seneca Chief, filed " Convention of Whyoming," is an original manuscript un- der the hand and seal of John Butler and Kayingwaurto, the seal of the latter being the figured emblem of a turtle.
" Westmoreland, 5th July, 1778.
" This doth hereby certify that Lieutenant Elisha Scovell has surrendered his garrison with all his people to government, and to remain as neutral during this present contest with Great Bri- tain and America ; in consideration of which, Col. John Butler, Superintendent of the Six Nations of Indians, their allies, &c.,
Schuyler, one afternoon with a corporal also of that garrison, to shoot pi- geons. Toward night the fowlers, when about to return to the fort, were fired upon by concealed foes. Greg, after receiving some blows on the head with a tomahawk, was scalped, an Indian drawing off the bloody trophy with his teeth. Securing also the scalp of the corporal who had been killed out- right, the Indians withdrew. Partially recovering, Capt. Greg thought if he could pillow his aching head upon the body of his fallen comrade, it would be a source of relief and ease a dying hour; and after several attempts he succeeded in gaining that position : but to his great annoyance a little dog kept up a continual yelping and whining. The bleeding captain was too sick at heart to bear patiently the evidence of his dog's sorrow, and addressed him as though a rational being. Said he, " If you wish so much to help me, go and call some one to my relief!" To the surprise of the sufferer, at the close of the command the dog ran off to three men belonging to the garrison, who were fishing nearly a mile distant, and by his pitiful moans attracted their notice. They doubtless knew whose dog it was, and as his appearance was unusual, they agreed to follow him and have the mystery solved. After fol- lowing the dog for some distance, the sun being down and the forest danger- ous, they were about to return, perceiving which the little messenger increa- sed his cries, and seizing their clothes in his teeth endeavored to pull them toward the spot where his master lay. The fishermen now resolved to fol- low the dog at all hazards, and he soon led them to the scene of blood. The corporal was hastily buried, and the captain carried to the fort where his wounds were dressed with care-he was restored to health and narrated the above particulars to his friends .- Dr. Dwight.
580
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
with Kayingwaurto, the chief of the Sanake [Seneca] Nation and the other chief warriors of the Six Nations, do promise, that they shall live in the quiet possession of their places with their fami- lies, and shall be daily protected from insult as far as lies in their power, and provided that they should be taken it is our de- sire that they may forthwith be released.
" [L. s.] " [Device of Turtle.]
JOHN BUTLER. KAYINGWAURTO."
The map made by Capt. Machin also shows that on the return of Sullivan's army from the Genesee country, it proceeded along the north side of the outlet of Seneca Lake, destroying about equi-distant from Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, an Indian village called Scawyace. Crossing the outlet of Cayuga the route was continued up the eastern side of the lake. "East Cayuga or Old Town; Cayuga Castle; Upper Cayuga ; and Chonodote," are places noted on the map on this part of the route. Fourteen small streams are located as having been crossed along the eastern shore of the lake, all running into it before reaching its principal tributary. Passing a few miles up the latter stream the army crossed it, and continuing a south-westerly course came into the road by which it had gone out, about five miles above the mouth of Spring Creek. The following table of distances, made at the time, is preserved with the map.
" Distance of Places from Eastown to Chennessee, [Geneseee] Castle, taken in 1779, by actual survey.
Names of Places.
Miles.
Total.
From Eastown to Weoming,
To Lachawaneck Creek,
" Quailuternunk, .
7
82
Meshohing Creek,
9
102
Wealusking Town,
8
115
" Tioga, .
154
145
" Newtown, .
" French Catharine's Town, .
" Candia or Apple Town,
271
211
" Kanadesago or the Seneca Castle,
" Kanandaque,.
15
2414
" Haunyauya,.
134
255
" Adjusta, ..
Cossauwauloughby,
7
2744
" Chenesee Castle, .
65
65
10
75
" Tunkhannunk Creek,
11
93
" Vanderlip's Plantation,
5
107
" Wessawkin or Pine Creek,
14%
1294
" Chemung,
12
157
84
1631
18
183
" The outlet of the Seneca Lake, .
11}
222}
31
226
123
2674
230
581
AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.
" Distance from Kanadesago round the Cayuga Luke to New- town-Fort Reed.
Names of Places.
Miles.
Total.
From Kanadesago to Scawyace,
8₺
8'
To across the outlet of the Cayuga,.
8%
17
" The Cayuga Castle, .
10
27
" Chonodote, a town remarkable for a number of peach trees,
3¿
301
" The upper end of Cayuga Lake, ..
23
532
" [A town on the map but not named, I.
5
And from thence to Newtown, otherwise Fort Reed,
273
86
The following letter from Gen. Clinton again found Capt. Ma- chin at New Windsor.
" Little Britain, Oct. 31st, 1779.
" Dr. Sir-I received your favor and am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken : the key of my case is in the ma- jor's chest, I believe, so that you have done all for me I expected or could wish you to do.
" I left East Town last Wednesday at the time the army set off for Warwick, and had Gen. Sullivan's permission to go on before the brigade to visit my family : when I got to Sussex Court House there arrived an express from head quarters for our army to march from East Town to Pumptown, but as our army was then at Log Gaol, within ten miles of Sussex Court House, I don't know what route they have taken, but it was thought they would march from thence to Hacket's Town and so to Pumptown.
" As I consider myself on furlough I can't pretend to order you for the above reason, but would advise you to send the baggage agreeable to Lt. Hervey's orders. I expect to go to head quarters on Tuesday next, where I expect to receive orders what to do with the troops of the brigade, &c. at New Windsor. In the mean time let the commanding officer know that its my orders that he hold them in readiness to march on the shortest notice.
' I am sir, yours, &c., "JAMES CLINTON."
" P. S. I expect to be at N. Windsor on Tuesday as I go to head quarters, when perhaps I will see you."
The following extract of a letter from Lieut. Woodward to Capt. Machin, dated "Newburgh, Nov. 20, 1779," shows Cupid recruiting for his service in the American army.
" We have had the most surprising accident happen that ever you could hear of, which is, that a sergeant of our company has run away with a young lady of this place by the name of Fauster, who is the first fortune in town, and she is the only heiress."
582
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
I have before adverted to the suffering of the American army in the winter of 1779 and SO; the following letters from Henry Rutgers, Esq., and Dr. Young, allude to the same subject :
" New Windsor, Jan. 18, 1780.
" My Dear Sir-I was this moment favored with your letter of the 14th inst., and with pleasure read its contents, as your troubles were beginning to cease by the necessaries of life coming in again. By this time, I make no doubt, you have experienced every vicis- situde of fortune in almost every stage of your life-hunger, cold and every inconveniency attending a soldier, you are no stranger to. It is needless for me to moralize or philosophize on the sub- ject, to encourage your perseverence, as such arguments are famil- iar to you. One thing I would only beg leave to mention, which is, that this spring, in my opinion, the war will either cease or be transferred to some other part of the world ; as I conceive it im- possible for Britain to continue it at so great an odds. In either case I shall be content, as my country will then be enabled to re- cruit from the depredations committed upon her by the cruelty and tyranny of Britain.
I was just now entertained with an agreeable view : 2 or 300 cattle passing to Windsor, on the ice, for head quarters. If enter- taining to me, what will you feel upon their arrival ! I flatter my- self that I anticipate the pleasure. Want of time and paper pre- vent my saying more, than that I wish you every succession of happiness with the blessings of the year. Mr. and Mrs. Bedlow, with Miss Caty and Polly, join me in their professions for the same, and believe me, dear Sir, that I remain
Your friend and very humble servant, "HENRY RUTGERS. " To Capt. Machin, at Morris Town."
" Dear Sir-I received your kind epistle of the 14th Instant, and most feelingly sympathize with the noble boys who have suffered such ucommon hardships without complaining. If this is not patri- otism, I will thank the British Despot that will inform me what it is. However, I rejoice that you have obtained a supply of provi- sions, and hope you will not experience such another trial.
" We have nothing new in this quarter worth your notice ; but hope, if Lord Sterling succeeds in his enterprise against Staten Island, you will embrace the first opportunity to inform me of the particulars, together with what other news you may hear from any other quarter .* I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing you in
· The enterprise to Staten Island proved a failure ; the American troops not ariving in sight of the British garrison they were sent to surprise until after day-light. Nearly a sleigh load of black soldiers, sent on the expedition, were frozen to death. Col. Angel's regiment of blacks, although said to have been as brave, could not endure the cold as well as white soldiers .- James Williamson.
583
AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.
Albany, when I will show you with what dexterity and pleasure I ride my Electrical Hobby Horse. Till then I am Your sincere friend and humble servant,
" JO. YOUNG.
" P. S. My kindest compl'ts to all my friends in camp.
"Albany, Jan'ry, 24, 1780."
The following letter, from Lieut. Patterson to Capt. Machin, is inserted because of its historic interest :
" Fort Pitt, July 3d, 1780.
" Dear Sir-Nothing can contribute more to my happiness, in this distant and remote part of the world, than a correspondence with a gentleman of your natural and acquired abilities, upon the genuine principles of true and disinterested friendship, and nothing prevented me from writing sooner but a diffidence of my own abi- lities.
" As the bearer is waiting I have only time to inform you of our safe arrival at this post the twenty-fourth ult., very much fatigued, after a long and tedious march, of near five weeks, from Carlisle. I begin to find we shall not be so fond of the place as we imagined before we arrived, for there is nothing but repeated scenes and ideas, and such a sameness in every day's transactions, that will make time glide on a very slow pace.
" The Fort is very pleasantly situated in the forks at the con- flux of the Mahangahela and Alleghana Rivers. It is very strong, but the walls and barracks are much decayed, and the best build- ings were destroyed by the English when they evacuated the gar- rison. The town, which consists of about fifty log-houses and cabins, is situated on the bank of the Mahangahela, about two or three hundred yards from the Fort. There is [are] about fifty Dalaware Indians and a number of Squaws at this place, which [who] brought in a quantity of skins and furs, but it is hard for the officers to get enough to supply their wants, there is such a num- ber of old traders that can talk Indian, and they are much fonder to exchange them for shirts, blankets, &c., than any other way. I am informed there are continually a number of them loitering about town to draw provision.
" I shall inform you more particularly of the place the next op- portunity, by which time I will be better acquainted, and therefore in my power to do it with more exactness. Please to write every opportunity and inform me of your transactions at Head Quarters, for we have scarcely ever any news here that can be depended on. I am, with the greatest-
" Your most obedient and very humble servant, " EZRA PATTERSON."
" Present my best compliments to Mr. Woodard and the Gent. of my ac- Quaintance."
The following copy of a letter of instruction to the committee
584
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of conference with the Legislature of New York, shows the po- verty of the army in a pecuniary view :
" Camp Steenrapin, Sept. 6th, 1780.
-
" Gentle'n .- We have chosen you our Committee to wait upon the Legislature of the State of New York, for the important pur- poses of representing to that body the unhappy and distressing situation of the troops under our command, and their immediate care and direction, and of enforcing a speedy execution of the re- solves of Congress relative to the supplies necessary for the com- fortable subsistence of the army; and as well to ascertain and liquidate the loss sustained by the army by the depreciation of the currency, as to obtain proper security for the payment thereof. These, Gentle'n., are the essential objects to which we would call your attention. The real depreciation upon the monies received and expended by the Army you are well acquainted with, and the most eligible mode to ascertain it, we conceive, will be by taking a comparative view of the prices of articles most needed in camp, be- ginning at the first establishment of our present pay, and thence computing at different periods the advance upon such articles. You will please to have in view, that the pay of the troops has been very irregular, and that they have seldom been with less than three months' pay in arrears, and often with more ; especially in the present year, the pay for which from the 1st of January is still due, the depreciation on which can be computed at nothing less than the real value of the money on the first of August. With respect to the payment of such depreciated money as may be due us, we think that cash, or nothing less than a real security or Transfer of lands, will by any means answer the good inten- tions of the state, or relieve us. Certificates, or notes for payment, we find by long experinece, like other paper credit, is subject to the ebbs and flows of the times : we have had melancholly instances of this in the Eastern States, where the notes given to the troops have been sold at the most enormous discount, and the distresses of their army, which the Legislatures had in view to relieve, have by no means been removed. Good landed interest is secure from these failures, and is the security we wish to receive ; it is such, if conveyed to us firmly and bone-fide, will always form a capital up- on which we can draw without any discount. When we say land- ed interest, we mean, Gentlemen, improved estates, such as have a real and immediate value, of which the state to which we be- long have an abundance, by the attainder of many of its inhabi- tants who have withdrawn themselves from its allegiance. In set- tling the value of these lands, it will be necessary for you to pay particular attention to the mode to be adopted. We would recom- mend that three different men may be appointed under oath for that purpose, and that we may have a voice in nominating as well the persons to value, as the lands to be apprized. As Congress has, by a resolve of the 24th of August last, recommended to the
585
AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.
different states to make provision for the widows and orphans of Officers who have died or may die in the service, we request your attention thereto, and that the provision therein recommended, or some other, may be extended to the widows and orphans of the Non-Commissioned Officers and soldiers in the like circumstances.
" We beg gentlemen that you will proceed as soon as possible upon the important business to which you are delegated, and we have the utmost confidence in your zeal and abilities to serve us, we would wish you to consider these instructions more or less ab- solute as you shall find circumstances require, and to do whatever else may be necessary for our interest, tho' not particularly men- tioned herein. We wish you, gentlemen, a pleasant journey and happy success in your endeavors to serve us.
We are, gentlemen,
Yours &c."
" To Lieut. Col. Willet, Major Fish, Capt. Machin."
I regret that I am not able to give the names of the officers under whom the committee, on the part of the army acted. The following letter from Lieut. Bradford directed to Capt. Machin at the assembly, Poughkeepsie, or Esopus, affords but another evidence of the sorry condition of the army in the fall of 1780, and the importance of the committee's visit to the legislature.
" Head Quarters, 17th September, 1780.
" Dear Sir-This being the first conveyance since you left us, you will permit me to enquire after your welfare, and to inform you of that of your friends and acquaintances in this quarter : Capt. Mott and Lieut. Ashton excepted, the former is very ill, and the latter much indisposed-since your departure we remain in the same position, no alterations in the army in general, and but few in our regiment. One circumstance which probably will not be unexpected, [is,] that of the desertion of Mr. Gable; he left Capt. Moodie on the 14th inst., since which we have heard noth- ing from him. The night before he went off, Lieut. Brewster lost every article out of his tent, the shirt on his back excepted, and at the smallest computation his loss must amout to £4000. Mr. Brewster's situation is truly chagrining; and from some cir- cumstances appearing against Mr. Gable, that of his leaving his blanket and knapsack, and stealing two empty ones before he went off, gives every suspicion of his being the thief. In conse- quence of those circumstances appearing against the deserter, Mr. Brewster with two mattrosses set out to Bloominggrove in expec- tation of coming up with the scoundrel. Corporal McBride and James Whitmore set out for Morris Town, in some hopes of meet- ing with him there. I sincerely wish Mr. Brewster every success, tho' I much despair of his meeting with the fellow.
586
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" The situation of our army since you left us has been truly distressing. Six days out of fifteen have the principal part of our army been without provisions, tho' it has not been the case with us; but we have had some small share in the disappointment : these circumstances are much against us, tho' it would not be thought so much of, was it not for a d-d rascally resolve of Con- gress; who say that if any officer or soldier does not draw the ra- tions on the day they are due, they shall not receive them after- wards ; from those circumstances we may naturally suppose, if we judge from the present, we shall be starved one-third of the time. From this, and almost every other proceeding of that August Body, they seem as tho' they had positively determined to injure the most Virtuous Body in the United States; (that of the army,) permit me, Dear Sir, to say things with us appear very gloomy. It is confidently asserted that the state of Connecticut has refused to supply the army with any more beef, in consequence of which one of the general's aids, Capt. Humphery set off with letters to Governor Trumbull to know (as we suppose) the reasons.
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