USA > New York > Livingston County > Conesus > History of the town of Conesus, Livingston Co., N. Y. : from its first settlement in 1793, to 1887, with a brief genealogical record of the Conesus families > Part 3
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Michael Rosebury and Lawrence Miller, found guilty at Easton the 3d. of June of en- couraging soldiers to desert, was brought for- ward to be executed ; the former was hanged, and the latter reprieved.
FRIDAY, July 2nd.
In Major Norris' Journal, he gives the following :- . "I rode out this Morning with Gen'l Poor and Lieut. Col Dearborn, about four miles from camp, to view the ground where the Wyoming massacre had taken place. We saw a Stockade fort, with a covered way to a spring, which is said to have been built by some of the disaffective settlers, and given up immediately on the approach of the enemy. Here the Savages murdered about two hundred men. We found more or less bones scattered over the ground for nearly two miles and ser- eral skulls brought in at different times, that had been scalped and mangled with a toma- hawk. We found a Captain's commission and seventeen continental dollars in the pocket of a skeleton, that had laid on the top of the ground for nearly twelve months, and at the same time our Guide pointed out to us a spot, where there had been buried, seventy-three bodies in one pit. All the houses had been burned ; and the fields,-the most fertile that I ever saw,-over- ran with weeds and bushes, exhibited a melan-
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
choly picture of savage rage and desolation." SATURDAY, July 3d.
To-day was the Anniversary of the mas- sacre of Wyoming.
SUNDAY, July 4th.
To-day being on Sunday, the celebration of the 4th. was postponed until next day, which the whole army properly observed.
TUESDAY, July 6th.
A Soldier by the name of Winslow, went iu this morning to swim, and was drowned. About 8 o'clock in the morning, an uncommon black cloud arose in the East, with heavy thun- der, followed with a hail storm, and some of the hailstones were said to have been as large as a hen's egg.
SATURDAY, July 10th.
Gen'l Sullivan sent 150 men from the 1st and 2nd. New Hampshire regiments, toward Easton, to escort some stores, and repair the roads.
MONDAY, July 12th.
Three companies of the German regiment deserted to-day.
SATURDAY, July 24th.
Gen'l Hand arrived at Wyoming with 70 boats laiden with provisions for the expedition. SUNDAY, July 25th.
Five Soldiers of the German Regiment were sentenced by court martial to be shot for desertion, but were reprieved the next day. SATURDAY, July 31st.
The army-after receiving orders yester- day-broke camp, and marched for the Indian country, at 1 o'clock, P. M. They had a large amount of trouble in fixing the Pack Horses and loading the boats. The orders were given to the army, to march in the following order :-
Gen'l Hand's Brigade, a mile in advance to act as light troops; then Gen'l Maxwell's and Poor's Brigades ; then the Pack Horses, con-
sisting of about 1200 in number, and followed by 500 head of Cattle ; One Regiment for rear guard ; 200 men as flank guards on the right, and 60 men on the left by the river. Colonel Proctor's Artillery, were sent with 120 boats laden with provisions, by water, with 70 men on opposite side of the river, to act as guard for the boats, and to prevent them from falling into an ambush. The army marched about ten miles and encamped near a stream called Lachawan- unck, which unites with the Susquehanna at this place. They found the land level and fer- tile, but desolated by the Indians, who had burnt all the houses, and murdered the inhab- itants. At this time the army had been an- noyed by wet weather, which had existed for the past two weeks, and still continued. SUNDAY, August Ist. .
To-day was a very stormy day, and the army did not resume its march until 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when it marched to Quiluti- niack, a distance of seven miles. The route was very difficult, as it lay along the foot of the mountain, which jutted down upon the riv- er. The pack-horses and cattle, caused them some delay, as the former did not arrived in camp until 9 o'clock that night; and the latter early the next mornning.
MONDAY, August 2nd.
The armny did not resume their march to- day ; but lay encamped upon the ground they had selected the night before, to recruit their pack-horses, and collect the kegs of flour, am- munition and other baggage they had aband- oned the night before. The morning revealed to them that they had encamped at the foot of a large mountain, which was in their front, and the river in their rear. The ground had been inhabited, but was now over-grown with grass and thistles.
TUESDAY, August 3d.
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
They resumed the march at 7 o'clock in the morning, and proceeded 12 miles over a much better country then they had expected, and encamped upon an old field, near the mouth of a small river that emptied into the Susque- hanna, called Tunkhannuck. Here they cap- tured a young fawn, to the amusement of the whole army.
WEDNESDAY, August 4th.
They struck their tents at 6 o'clock in the forenoon, and marched 13 miles, passing sev- eral places that once had been inhabited, but now overran with Indians. The last of these stood upon the banks of the Meshopping. They encamped about two or three miles from this place, upon a farm of a Tory, name Vanderlip, who had joined the Indians. The fleet found great difficulty in descending the river, and did not reach camp, until 10 o'clock the next day
THURSDAY, August 5th.
To-day at 9 o'clock, they broke camp and moved ten miles over a rocky and rough road, and encamped at Wyalusing. After leaving this place, they entered a level piece of ground, and expected to have found an Indian am- buscade. The signal was given to close ranks, which was done until they had gained the sum- mut of a lofty mountain, and then saw their fleet coming up the river, some three miles in the distance. After moving two miles farther, they descended into the lowlands of Wyalusing, which was covered with Sycamore trees of im- mense size, and then encamped upon a level plain, which was once an Indian town of about eighty houses, built in two parallel rows, forni- ing a street, 60 or 70 feet wide, and was now in ruins The army lay here encamped for two days.
SUNDAY, August 8th.
The army moved at 7 o'clock this morning
toward Tioga a distance of ten miles, and en- camped where there had been a settlement in 1775, and was called Standing Stone Bottom. Captain Spalding who commanded the Inde- pendent company in Gen'l Hand's Light Troops, lived at this place.
MONDAY, August 9th.
Marched at 6 o'clock in the morning, for three and one-half miles, to a stream called Wesawking, and halted; then twelve miles farther to the Sheshekonunck bottom-a large meadow of about 150 acres of splendid grass lying on the Susquehanna river.
WEDNESDAY, August 11th.
The army rested until to-day, when it re- sumed its journey at 8 o'clock, for two miles, when they forded the river, which ran very rapid. They . all got over safely, except one man, who was carried down the stream by the current, but was saved by Lieut. Col Barber, Adj't General, at the hazzard of his own life ; then they advanced one mile through a rich bottom covered with large tall trees, which shut out the sun, and soon came to a plain called Queen Ester's Plantation. This lady governed a portion of the Seneca tribe; but dwelt in re- tirement, and detached from all of her subjects, and the ruins of her Palace, was plainly seen, and surrounded by fruit trees of various kinds.
At the Eastern end of this plain, the Tioga river forms a junction with the Susquehanna river, and here the army forded the same, and encamped about half a mile above on the Sus- quehanna. At this place they found a number of hides lying on the ground, which showed ev- idences that the Indians had lately encamped here, and no doubt it was once an Indian town. THURSDAY, August 12th.
Gen'l Sullivan gave orders to-day for a fort and four block-houses to be built here for se- curity of the fleet, and also for provisions to be
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
left for their return march, under a heavy guard. In the afternoon they received news by their scouts that were sent out the day be- fore, that the Indians was at Chemung, some fifteen miles distant, and were fleeing before them. Orders was then given, to march at 8 o'clock that evening, so as to be ready to at- tack them at day-break in the morning. Their march was attended with great difficulty, as they had a thick swamp and several dangerous defiles to pass ; yet, they arrived at the ap- pointed time, to find the town vacated.
This town seemed to have been one of their Capitol towns, and contained about forty houses, which was burnt at sun-rise. From appear- ance, the Indians had left it but a few hours before. Gen'l Iland and his troops then fol- lowed them, until he reached the top of a ridge, when the Savages fired upon them, killing six men, and wounded seven others, including aunong the latter three officers, and then they ran away, and were pursued, but without success. Here Hand's troops destroyed their corn-fields, and while engaged in their destruc- tion, were fired upon again, by Indians and Tories across the river, killing one man, and wounding five more, and then they returned to Tioga at sun-set, having marched thirty-four miles, in twenty-four hours. Here the army lay until the twenty-six.
SUNDAY, August 15th.
Gen'l Poor and nine hundred choosen men were ordered to-day, to march to-morrow morn- ing up the Susquehanna river, to meet Gen'l Clinton, who was coming from the Mohawk river, to aid him in case he should be attacked before he could reach the main army. In the afternoon, a small party of Indians fired upon some men who were out,-without the guard- after some stray horses and cattle, killing one and wounding another, and then made their es-
cape. MONDAY, August 16th.
Gen'l Poor marched his detatchment up the Susquehanna to meet Gen'l Clinton. The route was very rough and mountainous. They encamped for the night, at an Old Indian town called Macktonanuck.
TUESDAY, August 17th.
They marched early this morning twelve miles to the Indian town Owagea, which had been deserted the Spring before. The march to-day, proved to have been quite severe, as the left column had to pass through several morasses, and climb steep hills.
WEDNESDAY, August 18th.
To-day they proceeded eighteen miles through an almost impassable forests, and en- camped at an Indian town, that had been va- cated in the Summer before, called Choconant. This town, they found a large quanity of Garden vegetables growing, that the Indians had left behind them. At sunset they heard a report of a canon, in front of them, which told them, that General Clinton, was near them.
THURSDAY, August 19th.
Early this morning, they resumed their march ; but, after going about a mile, General Poor received a messenger from Gen'l Clinton that he would meet him at 10 o'clock in the forenoon. They then returned back to their last camping place, and waited their coming. Here at the specified time, Clinton joined them with two thousand men, and two hundred Batteauxs laden with provisions and amunition. After a friendly greeting, they turned about, and started down the river, and encamped that night at Choconant. The next two days was occupied in reaching the main army again. MONDAY, August 22nd.
To-day they marched eleven miles, and reached the main army at 11 o'clock, A. M.
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
From August-22nd., to the 26th., the army remained at Tioga, preparing to continue their march into the Indian Country. On the 23d. a sad accident happened, that filled their hearts with sorrow. A soldier accidently discharged his gun, loaded with a ball and several buek- shot; and Captain Kimball, who was standing a short ways off by a tent, received the contents and expired in a few minutes, and another sol- lier wounded. The next day the remains of Capt. Kendall was buried with military honor. THURSDAY, August 26th.
The army resumed their march for the Indian country at 12 o'clock to-day under the plan of Order's of March and Battle. They found great difficulty in getting ready, on ac- count of not having sufficient number of pack- horses to carry their provisions and ammunition. They left three hundred men under Col. Shreve to guard this place until their return. Mr. Lodge accompanied them as Surveyor, and measured the way, as they went.
FRIDAY, August 27th.
They resumed their march at 8 o'clock this morning, and traveled six miles through a thick wood, which they had to cut a way for their Artillery and Ammunition Wagons, de- taining them at one place, seven hours, and then encamped in a corn-field of sixty or seventy acres at 10 o'clock that night.
SATURDAY, August 28th.
They had the corn to destroy this morning which detained them until 2 o'clock in the af- ternoon. Before they moved off the ground, -on account of the mountain sloping down to the river, making the passage of the artil- lery impassable,-they had to ford the river twice before reaching Chemung. To-day their Scouts returned and reported of discovering a large body of Indians some six miles in front, who fired upon a small party of them.
SUNDAY, August 29th.
The army marched at 9 o'clock in the fore- noon ; they had scarcely proceeded five miles, when the Light Troops discovered a line of breastworks, about eighty rods in front, and in reconnoitreing, was found to extend nearly a half of a mile in length, on advantageous grounds to the Savages. These works had a large brook in front of them, with the river on the right, a high mountain on the left, and a large Indian settlement in the rear called New- town. They were well hidden from view by green bushes arranged in front of them, so the discovery of them was purely accidental, as well as fortunate for the army.
As soon as the discovery had been made, skirmishing commenced briskly on both sides, and continued until the army formed a line of battle, to attack in the following order, viz-
The Artillery to form in the front of the en- emy breaskworks, supported by Gen'l Hand's light troops brigade; Gen'l Poor's and Rifle- men to turn the enemy left, and to reach the enemy rear, supported by Gen'l Clinton's brig- ade, while Gen'l Maxwell's brigade to be held as reserve corps, and the left flanking division and light troops to pursue the enemy when they left the works.
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Gen'l Poor's brigade, (being the most important one in the battle as given in the Journals of Major Hub- ley, Dr. Campbell, Major Norris, and others, of which Major Norris' Journal, giving the fullest and he being in that Brigade, we take the same for our guide,) began their march to the left and passed through a very thick swamp cov- ered with bushes for nearly a mile, that they found great difficulty to keep in order. After passing the swamp, they crossed the creek that ran in front of the works,-and on both sides was a number of new houses, but no cleared
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
land,-and began to ascend the mountain on the enemy's left, and as they advanced, were saluted by a brisk fire from the Indians at the top, who tried to prevent the troops from turn- ing their left flank. The instant the Indians commenced firing, they gave a tremendous war- whoop, which was responded too by the rifle- inen, until Poor's troops could form themselves in line of battle, which was done very quick and then they advanced with fixed bayonets, without firing a shot, until reaching the sum- mit, at a half mile distant, when they poured such a deadly fire upon the Savages, that they were obliged to run for their lives.
Colonel Reed's regiment was on the left of the brigade, and in a position that the full force of the Savages was thrown against him, which prevented him from advancing as fast, as the other troops did. At last the Indians almost surrounded him, and he was about contempla- ting of retreating, when Colonel Dearborn, whose regimemt was next to him, saw at once the position of his brother officer, and the com- manding officer being too far away to get orders, resolved to take his regiment on his own re- sponsibility and go to his assistance, which he did, just in time to prevent Reed's defeat, and the two regiments being combined together, soon put the enemy to flight.
It is said in connection with this battle, that when Poor's troops halted to form their line of battle, there hovered over the men, in the air and smoke of the conflict, a spectre in form of a mother closely clasping her babe to her bo- som, and trying to shield it from an upraised tomahawk. The sight struck terror into the hearts of the men, and they rushed on like de- mons and soon dipersed the emeny.
The Indians left a number of their packs and blankets on the ground, with eleven dead war- riors and one squaw ; while a white man and a
negro was taken prisoner. From these pris- oners, they learned that Butler was in com- mand, and that Brant had all the Indians he could muster in the Six Nations, an there were about 200 white men, of which a few were Brit- ish Regular Troops, and the whole force was about 1500 men. The Indians loss were very great; and the American loss was Major Titcumb, Captain Clay, Lieut. MacCaully, (who died that night) and 29 Privates wounded in Poor's brigade, and four Privates wounded in other parts of the army. At sunset, the whole army encamped upon the grounds lately occupied by the enemy. MONDAY, August 30th.
To-day the army remained upon the ground and destroyed the corn, and burnt about forty houses ; they also made arrangement with Gen- eral Sullivan, to live at his request, on half of a pound of beef and the same amount of flour per day, as long as it was deemed necessary. This night the sick and wounded, with the an- munition wagons and four pieces of heavy ar- tillery that were impeding their progress, was sent back to Tioga by water.
TUESDAY, August 31st.
The army commenced to march about 10 o'clock to-day, and traveled some ten miles, and destroyed several fields of corn and houses and among them, a fine Indian town, called Kannawalohalla.
WEDNESDAY, September 1st.
A detachment returned to the army this morning, that had been sent after the Indians up the river yesterday, without success. The army marched at 10 o'clock upon a plain for four miles, until they came to what was called the Beir swamp, which extended nine miles to an Indian town called French Cathar- ine. The swamp was very thickly covered with Pine, Hemlock and Spruce, and a large creek
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
ran through the center which they had to cross twenty times; and they had to cut a road the most of the way. When they had got within three miles of Catherine's town, just at dark, they found themselves in a horrible mucky place in the swamp, which prevented them from reaching the town until 10 o'clock that night; which they found had been deserted that day. THURSDAY, September 2nd.
The town of Catherine consisted of about thirty houses, surrounded by large corn-fields and orchards, which was destroyed to-day. An Old Indian squaw was found in the bushes that had been unable to follow the other In- dians, from whom they obtained much valuable information.
FRIDAY, September 3d.
The army marched at 8 o'clock this morn- ing, for three miles over very rough ground to the head of Seneca lake; then for nine miles more over level ground, and encamped for the night.
SATURDAY, September 4th.
The army resumed its march at 10 o'clock this forenoon, for four miles to a small village where they found several fine fields of corn, which they destroyed, and then marched eight miles farther over good ground, and encamped for the night.
SUNDAY, September 5th.
At 10 o'clock this morning they resumed their journey for five miles, until they came to an Indian town called Candaia or Appletown, containing twenty houses, surrounded by an old orchard of sixty trees. At this place they recaptured a man named Luke Sweatland, who had been taken prisoner at the massacre of Wy- oming, and had been adopted into an Indian family. A messenger arrived this afternoon from Tioga, and informed them of the death of Abner Dearborn, one of the wounded at New-
town. MONDAY, September 6th.
The horses and cattle became scattered through the night, and the army was unable to march till 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when they proceeded three miles, and encamped for the night along the shore of the lake. At this place, they discovered an Indian village upon the other side of the lake, and saw Indians driving horses.
TUESDAY, September 7th.
They resumed the march at 7 o'clock this morning, for eight miles, until they came to the end of the lake. Here they expected the en- emy would give them another battle, as they forded the outlet of the lake, as it would have given them great advantages over them. But, the scouts soon reported that the coast was clear, and they passed in safety, and then proceeded three miles and destroyed a small settlement, then two miles farther, to a large Indian town, called Kannadasaga or Seneca Castle, which was considered as one of their noted towns. This town consisted of about forty houses, and in the center was the ruins of an Old Stockade fort, built in 1756 by Sir William Johnson, and a block-house. In one of the huts they found a white child, that had been captured from the settlements on the bor- ders of Pennsylvania. When found it was en- tirely naked and nearly starved. It was about three years old, and could speak a few Indian words. It was carried along with the army, and Captain Machin of the engineer corps, a- dopted it, and it was named Thomas Machin. A few years afterwards, it was taken to New Windsor, near Newburgh, N. Y., where it died with the small-pox.
WEDNESDAY, September 8th.
The army did not move to-day, but sent their riflemen eight miles to destroy a town
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
called Gothseunquean. The Scouts also de- stroyed another town called Scawyace or Little Falls, which they accidentally discovered. THURSDAY, September 9th.
Having rained through the night and the forenoon, the army did not resume its march, until 12 o'clock. All of the sick was sent back to Tioga this morning, under Capt. Reed with an escort of fifty men. The army then pro- ceeded three miles, and entered what was called the nine mile swamp, which they penetrated for four miles, and encamped for the night. FRIDAY, September 10th.
The army resumed the march at 8 o'clock and passed out of the swamp, and then for one mile farther, which brought them to the Can- andaigua lake, then a mile farther to a pretty Indian town of the same name, which they de- stroyed, then encamped for the night. SATURDAY, September 11th.
They marched this morning at 6 o'clock, for fourteen miles, to an Indian town called Anyayea (Honeoye), near a small lake, which consisted of eleven houses and corn fields, where they encamped for the night.
SUNDAY, September 12th.
Having heavy rain this morning, the army did not moved until 12 o'clock. They built a small fort here, and left Captain Cummings and guard, with one piece of artillery and all the ammunition and provisions, that they did not need to carry them to the Genesee, and back again. The army passed over rough grounds, and entered the present town of Conesus, upon Lot No 6., and in a South-westerly course for nearly a half mile, then west down the hill near the residence of the late Ephram Cole, and then encamped upon the level flats, just west of Foot's corners,-as some of the Journals says-at sunset, after traveling eleven miles, in the afternoon. To-night Lieut. Boyd re-
ceives his orders at 11 o'clock to go into the Indian country, to discover the location of their village, and return by morning, as given in the sketch of his life.
MONDAY, September 13th.
The army marched at 7 o'clock in a south- west direction, passing over the sight of the farm-house of Granger Griswold, (better known as the Widow Scott place,) and then down to the Head of the Lake, where they found the Indian village called by thiem Kaneysas or Yucksea, as describe in Chapter II.
We will not give an account of the doings of Boyd's party after leaving the camp at Foot's Corners now, as we give the same in the sketch of his life, hereafter.
At the head of Conesus Lake, the army found a large miry swamp, which compelled them to build a log bridge for a passage through it. While the troops were engaged at work on the bridge, they heard firing upon the top of the hill in front of them, and soon the sentries -who had been stationed at the foot of the hill along the border of the morass in front to protect the workmen from surprise,-were star- tled by seeing a couple of men, and among them Mr Lodge-the Surveyor-who had pro- ceeded a short ways in front of the army, with his surveying instruments, running toward them followed by Indians in close pursuit, with up- lifted thomahawks. The Indian was so close upon Mr. Lodge, that he had to abandon his jacob-staff, and as the Indian was about to strike him with his tomahawk, he passed one of the sentinel, who happened to be a boy about eighteen years of age, who with great coolness raised his gun to his shoulder, and brought down the savage before the latter had noticed his presence. For this heroic act he was highly complimented by his Commander-in- chief. While this was taking place, a corporal
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