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 4
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
by the name of Calhawn, who came voluntarily with Mr. Lodge, and was with him when he was attacked, was fired upon by the Indians, and mortally wounded and died the next morn- ing.
As soon as the news was given to General Sullivan by the men who was with Boyd that had made their escape, he at once ordered Gen'l Hand and the light troops, to cross over the almost completed bridge, and go to Boyd's assistance at once. Gen'l Hand immediately crossed over, and proceeded up the hill to a level piece of ground, and formed a line of bat- tle, but too late, for the enemy had done its work and fled, leaving behind them their packs and many Indian trophies in their hurried flight.
In the Fall of 1879, in company with Gen'l Clark of Auburn, N. Y. and Rev. David Craft of Wyalusing, Pa., I visited this place, and to our surprise, found here a natural breast-work of some forty rods in length, and about six feet high, and four feet across the top, bordering along a deep ravine. Behind this ridge in the ravine the Indians-consisting of about 1000 savages and tories under Brant and Butler- had come in the morning from Canawaugus, and formed themselves into an ambuscade; and as Boyd and party came into their rear, they supposed the army was doing the same thing to cut off their retreat, and in their haste to escape, fell back upon the little party, and soon annihilated them.
The army completed nine miles to-day, and encamped at an Indian town, of twenty houses on the Canaseraga creek, in the town of Mount Morris.
TUESDAY, September 14th.
Gen'l Sulliven expected to have found the Indian town called by them Great Chenesee, two miles from this place on the other side of the river ; but, on crossing over, found it some
six miles below. The army was employed un- til 12 o'clock in destroying corn; then forded the river, and passed through a small grove of timber, and entered the Genesce flats, which appeared to the soldiers as a vast cleared plain of some ten or twelve miles in length, and two or three miles in width. This plain was cov- ered with very tall grass, and the same was in many places from five to eight feet high, and the men on horseback, could part of the time only see the men in front of them, by their bayonets above the grass. They then marched two miles, crossed the Genesee river, and then down the same for four miles to the Indian village, which consisted of one hundred houses. Here they soon discovered the headless bodies of Boyd and Parker, horribly mutilated as de- scribed in the sketch of Boyd's life.
WEDNESDAY, September 15th. 4
At 6 o'clock this morning the whole army turned out, and was employed in destroying houses and corn until 2 o'clock in the after- noon. 20,000 bushels were piled up in the houses, and then the latter set on fire; 1500 apple trees are said to have been destroyed, and the once beautiful valley turned into ruins and desolation.
A white woman with a child came to them to-day, who had escaped from the Indians by hiding in the bushes when they left their vil- lage on the approach of the army. She had been captured at Wyoming, along with her husband, and one other child, who had been killed and then scalped before her eyes.
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the army turned about in high spirits, and commenced their homeward march. They then recrossed the Genesee river and encamped for the night. THURSDAY, September 16th.
A number of cornfields were discovered this morning and destroyed, which detained the
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
army until 10 o'clock. At 1 o'clock, they re- crossed the Gaghehegwalahale (Canaseraga) «reek, and at 4 o'clock, arrived at Kanigsas or Chocksett (Head of Conesus Lake). To-day fourteen of Boyd's men were found near to- gether, scalped, and among them a friendly Oneida Indian, named Hanyerry, which they buried.
FRIDAY, September 17th.
The army marched at sunrise, and at 10 "'clock arrived at Honeoye, which they had been in great fear for its safety since the cap- ture of Boyd, but to their gladness, found it safe.
SATURDAY, September 18th.
The army at 8 o'clock proceeded to Kan- uandaquah and encamped. Four Oneida In- dians-one of whom was a Sachem-met the army to-day and informed them that one hun- dred Oneidas and Tuscaroras, had started out to join them, but had met an Indian, who had left the army when it was at the above place, who informed them, that the army trav- eled so fast, that they could not overtake them so to be of any service, and they had returned back.
SUNDAY, September 19th.
The army marched to Kanadasagea and encamped. At most of the Indian towns when the army was advancing, they found in front of them, dogs hung up on poles ten or twelve feet high, to drive the evil spirits away, and to please their immaginary God, that he would cause the return of the army, and lead them on to victory.
MONDAY, September 20th.
Five hundred men under Colonel Butler, was ordered to-day to go around Kaiyuga (Cay- uga) lake, and destroy an Indian village of the same name, situated at the east end of the lake; Colonel Gansevoort and one hundred men was
ordered to destroy the Mohawk Castle on the Mohawk river, and from there to Albany N. Y. In the afternoon, the army crossed the out- let of Seneca lake and encamped. TUESDAY, September 21st.
Two hundred men under Colonel Dear- born was orded to proceed on the west side of Cayuga lake. After destroying several settle- ments, they joined the main army on the 26th at Kanawlohalla (Elmira).
WEDNESDAY, September 22nd.
The army marched over the old route, to within nine miles of Catharinestown and en- camped.
THURSDAY, September 23d.
They resumed their march early this morn- ing to four miles from Catharinestown, and en- camped upon the edge of the swamp. Many of the soldiers had not forgotten the terrible night that many of them had passed in this swamp, and they had looked forward with dread to the return passage through its morasses. Yet they passed in safety.
FRIDAY, September 24th.
The army arrived at Newtown to-day, where they met Captain Reid and two hundred men sent forward from Tioga with an extra supply of provisions and cattle. Col. Spauld- ing was sent up the Chemung river, and within two days destroyed Painted Post, and another Indian town called Knacto. Col. Dayton was also sent down the river, to destroy what other villages he might find.
Sept. 25th. the army rested.
SUNDAY, September 26th.
Colonel Dearborn and his troops rejoined the army to-day. MONDAY, September 27th.
Some detachments were sent up the Alle- ghena river, to destroy what Indian settlements they could find.
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
TUESDAY, September 28th.
The same parties was again sent out, but to go farther up the river to destroy a Tory settlement. At 12 o'clock Colonel Butler and troops arrived in camp. In his route around the lake, he succeeded in destroying several settlements, and a large amount of corn.
WEDNESDAY, September 29th.
The army marched to Chemung. THURSDAY, September 30th.
They resumed their march to Tioga, and on their arrival there, was saluted by thirteen cannons under Col. Shreve, who had been left in command there, and the army replied with the same number.
October 1st. 2nd. and 3d. were spent in pre- paring to march to Wyoming. The 2nd., was held as a day of great jubilee, by General Sullivan, in honor of their success ; and among the amusements of the day, they had an Indian war-dance at Head-Quarters, of which an Oner- da Sachem, was Master of the Ceremonies. MONDAY, October 4th.
The army marched fifteen miles down the river and encamped.
TUESDAY, October 5th.
The whole army embarked on board of boats except a sufficient number to drive the pack-horses and cattle.
THURSDAY, October 7th.
The army arrived at Wyoming, after two days journey on the river. Here they re- mained until the 10th., as, General Sullivan had received orders on the 8th., to proceed to Easton on that day.
SUNDAY, October 10th.
The army connnenced their march to Eas- ton, where they arrived on the 15th, after and extraordinary march of one hundred and fifty- six miles in eight days, through a rough an mountainous country. Here they remained
until the 25th, when they marched to Head Quarters.
STATISTICS OF THE ARMY.
GENERAL Sullivan's army consisted of the New Jersey brigade commanded by Brig- adier General William Maxwell of that State, and consisted of Ogden's Ist New Jersey, Day- ton's 3d. New Jersey, Shreve's 2nd New Jer- sey, Spencer's Independent New Jersey, Far- man's regiment (united with Spencer's command June 26th 1779), and Sheldon's Light Dra- goons.
Brigadier General Edward Hand of Penn- sylvania, commanded the Light Corps, consist- ing of Colonel Armaud Hubley's 11th Pa., Schott (six companies), Independent and Ran- er companies, Captain Carbury's Light Horse (afterwards dismounted), Colonel William But- ter's 4th Pa., and the German Troops.
The brigade of Brigadier General Enoch Poor, of New Hampshire, consisted of Colonel Cortland's 2nd New York regiment, Lieut. Colonel Dearborn's 3d New Hampshire regi- ment, Colonel Chilley's Ist and Colonel Reid's 2nd New Hampshire, and 6th Massachusetts, commanded by Major Whiting (which was taken from Clinton's brigade after the union of the two armies.)
Colonel Thomas Proctor, commanded the Ist Pennsylvania regiment of artillery, which consisted of four 3-pounders, and two 6-pound- ers, two 52 inch howitzers, and one cohorn, a small gun for throwing shells. This gun had handles on the side, by which two soldiers could carry it between them. The gun being unhandy in firing, the soldiers, fastened it to a square block of wood, and placed the same on four legs, to raise it from the ground, and when it was fired off, would turn over back- ward, and the soldiers called it their " grass-
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
hopper."
A force consisting of one hundred men, with two Captains and six subalterns, was left at the Wyoming fort, under the command of Col- onel Zebulon Butler.
General Sullivan's force at Wyoming, before being joined by General Clinton, and fit for duty July 22nd, 1779, was reported as follows : Brigadier Generals, 3; Colonels, 7; Lieut. Colonels, 6; Majors, 8; Captains, 48; Chap- lains, 3; Surgeons, 10; Drum Majors, 8; Fife Majors, 3; drummers and fifers, 131 ; rank and file, 2,312.
General James Clinton's brigade consisted of 2nd New York regiment, commanded by Col- onel Cortland, (which was transferred from Poor's brigade to Clinton's, August 23d) ; 3d New York, commanded by Colonel Peter Gansevoort; the 4th New York, commanded by Lieut .- Colonel Fred. Weissenfels ; the 5th New York (Independent), commanded by Col- onel Lewis Dubois; the 6th Massachusetts (transferred to Poor's brigade after arriving at Tioga), commanded by Major Whiting and Captain Harper, with volunteers, making a force of 1400, and a total force that penetrated the Indian country, 3,712 men.
ORDER OF MARCH AND BATTLE.
The following order's were given to the army by General Washington, May 24th 1779, as their guidance, in regard to the position they should occupy in their line of march and bat- tle, which were promptly observed whenever the country would admit, as given in the two plates of this book, which I have copied from one of the Journals of the march.
ORDER OF MARCH .- The right of the first line to be covered by one hundred men drawn from Poor's brigade.
The left of the first line to be guarded by
one hundred men drawn from Maxwell's brig- ade.
Each flank of the second line, to be guarded by fifty men drawn from Clinton's brigade.
The flanking divisions on the right to consist of the German battalion and one hundred men drawn from the whole line.
The flanking disvision on the left to consist of Hartlie's and Dayton's regiments and one hundred men drawn from the whole line.
In the order of march, the Light Troops, will advance by the right of company's in files and keep half a mile in front.
Maxwell's brigade will advance by the right in files, sections or platoons as the country will admit. Poor's brigade will advance by the left in the same way.
Clinton's brigade will advance by the right of regiments in platoons, sections or files as the country will admit. All the guarding parties and flanking divisions on the right, will ad- vance by the left, and those on the left, by the right. The artillery and pack-horses, to march in the center.
ORDER OF BATTLE .- Should the army be attacked in front while on its march, the Light Troops will immediately form to repulse the enemy. The flanking divisions will endeaver to gain the flank and rear of the enemy. While the line is forming, the pack-horses will in all cases fall into a position as shown in the an- nex diagramn. Should the enemy attack either flank, the flanking division will form in front, and sustain the attack till reinforced, and in such a case, a part of the light corps, is to be sent to gain the enemy flank and rear, and the guarding parties of the two lines will move to gain the other flank. Should the enemy attack their rear, the two lines will face about and form a line in front of the enemy, while the guarding parties of the first line will move to
Lt. Guard, 100 Men.
Left Flank Guards.
"Left Flank Division.
Guard of
Left Rear
General Maxwell's Brigade.
50 Men.
Guards.
Three Columns of Pack Horses.
General Clinton's Brigade.
Col. Proctor's Artillery.
Advance Guards,
Major Parr's Rifle Corps.
Three Columns of Pack Horses.
Guards.
50 Men.
Right Rear
General Poor's Brigade.
Guard of
Right Flank Division.
Right Flank Guards.
Rt. Guard, 100 Men
General Hand's Light Troops.
General Sullivan's Line of March.
General Hand's Light Troops.
Cannon.
Cannon.
Left Flank Division.
General Maxwell's
General Poor's
Brigade.
Brigade.
.
Right Flank Division.
Guard of
100 Men.
100 Men.
Guard of
Left Flank Division.
Three Columns of Pack Horses.
Col. Proctor's Artillery.
General Clinton's Brigade.
Three Columns of Pack Horses.
Right Flank Division.
Guard of
Guard of
50 Men.
50 Men.
General Sullivan's Line of Battle.
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
sustain it, while the flanking division face about and gain the enemy flank and rear. Should the light troops be driven back, they will pass through the center of the main army, and form in the rear. Should the army have either flank in danger, the covering party, move up to lengthen the line as may be found necessary, and the flanking divisions will display outward to prevent the enemy from succeeding.
The light corps will have their advances and flank guards, at a good distance from the main army. The flanking divisions will fur- nish flank guards, and the second line, a rear guard for the main army.
When the light corps begins an engagement with the enemy in front of the front of the pack-horses, they will halt and the rear will close up. And as the column moves at a small distance, they will close and display columns, which will bring the pack-horses in position as shown in the diagram of battle. Should the attack be made on either flank or rear, the horses must be kept in the position they were at the commencement of the attack, unless other orders are then given."
SKETCH OF LIEUT. THOMAS BOYD.
John Boyd, the father of Thomas, is sup- posed to have been born in Scotland about the year of 1720. He came to New York City, and then to Orange County, (same state), and from here to Pennsylvania, where he married a lady, (it is said) by the name of Hathorn, and died young, leaving a widow and four chil- dren, whose names were John, William, Mary and Thomas.
John, the oldest son, was taken prisoner by the Indians, and being the last that was known of him, he is supposed to have been killed by them.
William, the second son, joined Washing- ton's army, and fell in the memorable battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777.
Mary, the only daughter, lived near Wash- ingtonville, Pa., until her death, May 1st, 1851, and now has descendants living near that place and at South Bend, Indiana.
Thomas, the youngest son,-whose fate seemed to have been reserved for Indian tor- ture-was born near Washingtonville. Pa., in 1757. He was a young man of ordinary highth, strong built, fine looking, sociable and agreeable in all of his manners, which gained for him many friends, wherever he went. In his youth, his father died leaving him to the care of his widowed mother, who looked upon her sons, with the pride of a mother's care, and when she was parting with them, she begged of them, never to let cowardice cross their path.
The younger days of Thomas was spent at home ; and the first we have any account of him, he belonged to a Pennsylvania Rifle Com- pany, commanded by Captain Matthew Smith. This was at the time of Benedict Arnold's fa- mos march through the Pine Forrests, from Maine to Quebec. 1180145
Here Thomas took an active part in the as- sault upon the works, Dec. 31, 1775, and was wounded and taken prisoner; but was soon afterwards exchanged. Upon his return to his native place, he joined the First Pennsylvania Rifle Corps, and was present at the battle of Stillwater, October 7, 1775, and there wit- nessed the surrender of Burgoyne and his army. He was also present at the battle of Mon- mouth, June 28, 1778.
After leaving this army, he went to Scho- harie in the fall of that year under the command of Major Posey, who commanded three com- panies of Morgan's celebrated rifle corps, under the command of Captain Long, Pear and Sim-
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
son ; of which Thomas belonged to the latter.
Thomas remained here until the Summer of 1779, when he joined Captain Michæl Simp- son's rifle company, in Colonel Butler's regi- ment, in Sullivan's campaign, against the Sen- eca Indians.
We have no more account of Thomas from the time of his setting out with the army from Easton, Pa., Friday morning, June 18th, until the 12th of September following. Whatever were the daily scenes, of this little army, Thomas must have taken an active part.
On the 12th of September, the army resumed its marchi in a heavy rain, and through a dense forest for nearly eleven miles, until they reached the low flat piece of ground a little West of Foot's Corners, which they reached the same at dark, and encamped for the night.
About 11 o'clock in the evening, General Sullivan sent for him to come to his tent, as he had important business for him to do. Thomas went and soon received orders to select four of his most trusty comrades, as a scouting party, and go some fourteen miles (near Mt. Morris), in advance of the army, and to see if he could discover the location of the Indian village, and report the same to General Sullivan before day-break, so as to enable him to form plans, for the future guidance of his army. Thomas left his General's tent, but to disobey his com- mander's orders, for instead of four, he selected and took with him, twenty-six men and two Oneida Indians, and set out for his destination.
The little band, winded their way through the dense forest by the Indian trail, until they reached the little village of Canaseraga, situ- ated in the present town of Mt. Morris, which they found deserted, although the fires were still alive in their huts. The night was far ad- vanced, and the party weary, they encamped for a few hours, intending to ascertain at early
morning, the location of the Indian town, the object of their mission.
It was not yet break of day on Monday morning, the fourteenth of September-a day so fatal to most of Thomas' party-when he, accompanied by Thomas Murphy-a noted Indian fighter-stole away from their compan- ions, and entered the Indian village near at hand. They here discovered two Indians com- ing out of a hut, of which one of them was a wounded warrior, and the other an uncle to the sachem Soh-nah-so-wah. A ball from Mur- phy's rifle quickly sealed the fate of the former, and the latter fled. Murphy, as was his cus- tom, took off the slain Indian's scalp, his three and thirtieth trophy.
The flying Indian, Thomas well knew, would at once make known his visit to the enemy, and thus defeat his purpose. He therefore re- solved to rejoin the army without delay. On going back to his party, he dispatched two messengers to Gen'l Sullivan, with a report of his opperations. They were directed to inform General Sullivan, that the scouts would return immediately in the morning.
The messengers reached the army, early in the morning. The scouting party prepared to retrace their steps also. Hanyerry-an Onei- da Indian-recommended his leader to follow a different trail; but, Thomas unwisely disre- guarded the advice of his faithful and intelli- gent guide. The most jealous caution was observed on the return march. "With Han- yerry in front, and Murphy in the rear, their eagle eyes fixed upon each moving leaf and waving bough, they marched forward slowly and with utmost caution. Five weary miles had they thus traveled the dangerous route, and were about to descend the Groveland hill to the flats below, upon which the army lay. Less than two miles intervened between them
CONESUS LAKE.
[Looking north from the spot of the massacre of Lieut. Boyd and his Soldiers, by Seneca Indians, Sept. 13, 1779.]
1
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
and their friends, and the party beginning to breathe freely, when they were suddenly sur- prised by five hundred Indians, under Brant, and the same number of Royalists under Butler. The enemy was secreted in a ravine." The party at once took to a small grove of trees when the firing began. A moment was thus secured for reflection. Thomas saw at once that the only chance of escape for his little par- ty, was the hazardous one of gathering all in- to a compact force, and breaking through the enemy's lines. After a few encouraging words, he led forward his men for the attempt.
In the first onset, not one of Thomas' men fell, while his fire told fearfully upon the ene- my. A second and third attempt to break the enemy's lines was made, and seventeen of Thomas' men had fallen. The firing was so close, before the brave party was destroyed, that the powder from the enemy's muskets, was driven into their flesh. Though a major- ity lay dead, yet at the third onset of Thomas' men, the enemy's line was broken through, and Murphy, tumbling a huge warrior in the dust who obstructed his passage-even to the merriment of his dusky companions-led for- ward the little band. Thomas, justly supposing if any one escaped with his life, it would be Murphy, and determined to follow him ; but, not being so fast a runner, he was soon over- taken, and with him one of his men named Parker. General Sullivan says " that Thomas was shot through the body at the beginning of the fight." If so, this accounts for his inabil- ity to make his escape with Murphy.
Thomas and Private Parker were hurried forward, immediately after the affair, with the retiring enemy to the vicinity of Beardstown. On finding himself a prisoner, Thomas obtained an interview with Brant, who, as well as him- self, was a freemason. After they had ex-
changed the magic sign of brotherhood, Brant assurred him that he should not be injured. But soon afterward Brant was called off on some enterprise, the prisoners was left in charge of one of the Butlers (a half-breed), who plac- ing the prisoners on their knees before him, a warrior on each side firmly grasping their arms, a third at their backs with upraised tomahawk, began to interrogate them about the purposes of General Sullivan, threatening them with savage tortures if true and ready answer was not given. Thomas believing the assurance of Brant ample for his safety, and to high-minded in any situation to betray his country, refused -as did Parker-to any question touching the immediate purposes of the army.
The savage Butler was true to his threat; and when the prisoners peremptorily refused to answer, he handed them over to Little Beard and his warriors, who was already full of vindic- tiveness. The prisoners was seized, stripped, and bound to trees : they commenced a series of horrid cruelties, directed toward Thomas. When all was ready, Little Beard lifted his hatchet, stained with the recent blood, and with steady aim, sent it whistling through the air, and in an instant it quivered within a hair's thickness of Thomas' devoted head. The younger Indians were now permitted to follow the chief's example, and from right, front, and left, their bright tomahawks cleved the air, and trembled about the unflinching victim. Wearied at length of this work, a single blow severed Parker's head from his body, and mer- cifully ended his misery. Poor Thomas, was reserved for a worse fate. An incision was made in his abdomen, and a severed intestine was fastened to a tree. He was then scoured with prickley-ash boughs, and compelled to move around until the pain became so excru- ciating it that he could go no farther. ª Again
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
pinioned, his mouth was enlarged with a knife, his nails dug out, his tongue cut away, his ears severed from his head, his nose hewn off and thrust into his mouth, his eyes dug out, and the flesh cut from his shoulders, and, then sink- ing in death, after these enormities, he was decapitated and his disfigured head raised by the frenzied savages upon a sharpened pole.
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