USA > New York > Pioneer history of the Holland Purchase of western New York : embracing some account of the ancient remains > Part 28
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This was the last conference that was held with any of the Six Nations except the Oneidas, to prevent them from engaging in the war. It is supposed that Gen. HERKIMER's forbearance, his neglect to urge matters to extremes when provoked by BRANT, was dictated by the hope that amicable arrangements would eventually be made.
On the 5th of July, 1777, Gen. BURGOYNE had obtained posses- sion of Ticonderoga. The presence of so large a British armed force there, with the feeble means as it seemed of resisting their further conquests, spread alarm throughout the country, and especially in Tryon county. On the 15th of July, an Oneida sachem, returned from Canada and brought news that Col. JOHN JOHNSON with his family, and Col. CLAUS and his family, were at Oswego, with "700 Indians, 400 regulars, and 600 tories," and
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that preparations were making for an attack on Fort Schuyler; * that Col. BUTLER had arrived at Oswego from Niagara, with an additional force, &c.
In April preceding this, Col. GANSEVOORT had garrisoned this frontier post with the 3d regiment N. Y. line of state troops, and had been busily engaged in strengthening it. Alarm increased in consequence of the news from the west. Secret information of movements had been industriously circulated among the disaffected inhabitants of Tryon county. Insinuations of an alarming nature were thrown out, and not without effect. The Indians, it was said, would ravage the whole intervening country. "Many," says Mr. CAMPBELL, "who had not acted before decidedly, now espoused the cause of the mother country, and in small parties, stole away and went to the enemy." On the 17th of July, Gen. HERKIMER issued a proclamation, that two thousand troops "christians and savages," had collected at Oswego, with intention to invade the frontiers. He announced his intention, in case the enemy approached, to order into service, every male person, being in health, between the ages of sixteen and sixty; - "and those above sixty, or unwell and incapable to march, shall assemble also, armed, at the respective places, where women and children will be gathered together, in order for defence against the enemy, if attacked, as much as lies in their power." He also ordered that the disaffected should be arrested, and kept under guard; appealed in urgent language upon all to discharge their duty, in the approaching crisis; and closed his stirring proclamation as follows :- "Not doubting that the Almighty Power, upon our humble prayers, and sincere trust in him, will then graciously succor our arms in battle, for our just cause, and victory cannot fail on our side."
On the 2d of August, Gen. St. LEGER, having advanced from Oswego, with an army of seventeen hundred men, (including BRANT and his Indian forces,) arrived before Fort Schuyler, wherc
*" This fort occupied a part of the site of Rome, in the present county of Oneida, situated at the head of navigation of the Mohawk, and at the carrying place between that river and Wood Creek, from whence the boats passed to Oswego ; it was a post of great importance to the western part of New York. The French, with their usnal sagacity, in endeavoring to monopolize the Indian trade, had erected a fortification at this place. At the commencement of the war, it seems to have gone to decay; a few families had settled there, forming the extreme outposts of civilization, save the forts of Oswego and Niagara. It was called Fort Schuyler, in honor of Gen. Schuyler. It has been confounded by some with Fort Schuyler, which was built in the French wars, near where Utica now stands, and named in honor of Col. Schuyler, the uncle of Gen. Schuyler." - Campbell's Annals.
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he soon found there was no disposition to surrender. He soon after published a proclamation, high toned and insolent; he recapit- ulated the offences of the citizens of the Mohawk Valley against his sovereign, the King, and announced that he had come at the head of a competent force to punish the aggressors, and afford relief to those who were not engaged in "rebellion." He declared his intention first to adopt conciliatory measures, and if those failed, he deemed himself justified in "executing the vengeance of the state against the willful outcasts." "The messengers of justice and wrath," said the confident leader of the royalist force, "await them in the field, and devastation and famine and every concomitant horror that a reluctant but indispensable prosecution of military duty, must occasion, will bar the way to their return."
Gen. HERKIMER Was advancing to join his force-about seven hundred-with that of Col. GANSEVOORT, in the fort. Apprised of this, St. LEGER detached BRANT and BUTLER with a body of Indians and Tories to intercept him. They resolved upon a sur- prise, and for this purpose chose a spot well suited to the purpose. Gen. HERKIMER advancing with his force without any suspicion of danger; the joint forces of BUTLER and BRANT, favored in their ambuscade by the thick foliage of the forest, arose and poured a destructive fire upon them. The advance guard was entirely destroyed; those who survived the first onslaught, became victims of the tomahawk. The rear regiment fled in confusion, and were pursued by the Indians. The forward division, facing out in every direction, sought shelter behind the trees, and returned an effectual fire. "The fighting had continued for some time, when Major WATSON, a brother-in-law of Sir JOHN JOHNSON, brought up a detachment of Johnson's Greens. The blood of the Germans boiled with indignation at the sight of these men. Many of the 'Greens' were personally known to them. They had fled their country, and were now returned in arms to subdue it. Their presence under any circumstances, would have kindled up the resentment of those militia; but coming as they now did, in aid of a retreating foe, called into exercise the most bitter feelings of hostility. They fired upon them as they advanced, and then rush- ing from behind their covers, attacked them with their bayonets, and those who had none, with the but ends of their muskets. This contest was maintained, hand to hand, for nearly half an hour. The Greens made a good resistance. but were obliged to give way
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under the fury of their assailants." * Major WATSON was taken prisoner, but left upon the field.
Col. WILLETT, with two hundred and seven men, made a sally from the fort, and attacked the enemy in camp, to make a diversion in favor of Gen. HERKIMER, and after an engagement of two hours compelled a retreat. After he had secured a part of the spoils the enemy had left, and destroyed the remainder, he was upon his return baek to the fort, attacked by two hundred regulars from St. LEGER's army, which, aided by a fire of cannon from the fort he soon compelled to retreat. He returned into the fort without the loss of a single man. This successful sally, the hearing that their camp was taken, and a shower of rain, induced the detach- ment that was in conflict with Gen. HERKIMER, to withdraw, and thus ended the events of the day. The loss of the Provincials was about 200 killed, and as many wounded.
Gen. HERKIMER was wounded; one of his legs fractured by a musket ball. Refusing to leave the field, he had himself placed in a position a little distance from the theatre of action, when facing the enemy, he deliberately lit and smoked his pipe. Surrounded by a few men he continued to issue his orders with firmness. A few days after the battle, his leg was amputated; mortification ensued and caused his death. Thus were the patriotic men of the valley of the Mohawk, deprived of the services of their brave leader, in a crisis when the services of such as him would seem to have been indispensable.
Of the other officers of the Tryon county militia, Col. Cox, Majors Ersinlord, Klepsattle, and Van Slyck were killed, as was also Thomas Spencer, whose eloquence had stirred up the people of Cherry Valley, in a primitive period of the war. Major Frey, and Col. Bellinger were taken prisoners. The British Indian allies had one hundred killed; the Senecas alone, over thirty. The loss in killed, of the regulars and tories was computed at one hundred.
St. LEGER, though effectually defeated, resolved not to regard the events of the day in that light; but to use them even to aid
*Campbell's Annals.
NOTE .- In an address before the New York Historical Society, Governeur Morris said: - " Let me recall gentlemen to your reccollection, the bloody spot on which Herkimer fell. There was found the Indian and the white man born on the banks of the Mohawk, their left hand clenched in each other's hair, the right grasping in a grasp of death, the knife plunged in each other's bosom; thus they lay frowning."
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him in obtaining a surrender of the fort. He compelled Col. Bellinger and Major Frey, who were in his camp as prisoners, to address a letter to Col. GANSEVOORT, exaggerating the disasters of the day, and strongly urging a surrender; telling him how strong were his beseigers; that no succor could reach him; and assuming that BURGOYNE was already before Albany. After repeated demands of a surrender, a correspondence, and some verbal messages, the finale of which was a short answer from Col. GANSEVOORT, in which he declared his fixed determination of holding out and resisting the seige, St. LEGER threw up some redoubts, and brought his artillery to bear upon the fort, but with little effect. The siege continued until the 22d of August, when the besiegers had advanced within one hundred and fifty yards of the fort. Gen. SCHUYLER on hearing of the attack upon Gen. HERKIMER and its results, despatched Gens. LEARNED and ARNOLD, (BENEDICT.) with a brigade of men to its relief; at the same time writing a letter to Col. GANSEVOORT exhorting him to hold out, and encouraging him with flattering accounts of the prospects of staying the march of BURGOYNE. On the 22d of August, Gen. ARNOLD, in advance of LEARNED, arrived with his force at the German Flatts. From there, he also addressed Col. GANSEVOORT. telling him he should soon be with him, to be under no apprehen- sions, that he "knew the strength of the enemy and how to deal with them." He included in his letter the announcement that STARK had gained a signal victory at Bennington; that HOWE with the shattered remnant of his army were on ship-board; that " BUR- GOYNE was retreating to Ty."
In the camp of Gen. ARNOLD, was a refugee-HAN YOST SCHUYLER-he gave him his liberty on condition that he would proceed to the camp of St. LEGER, announce his approach, and give an exaggerated account of the advancing force under his com- mand; retaining the brother of the refugee as an hostage to secure a faithful discharge of the duties he had engaged to perform. The Indians in St. LEGER's camp were already dissatisfied; they had suffered severely, and despaired of being remunerated with plunder. This was greatly enhanced by the arrival of HAN YOST. who told them that Gen. ARNOLD's force was "as numerous as the leaves on the forest trees." The Indians refused to remain any longer. Thus crippled, on the 22d, of August, St. LEGER.
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retired in disorder and confusion, leaving the greater portion of his baggage behind. He went by the way of Oswego to Montreal, and from thenee, through lake Champlain to join Gen. BURGOYNE. Thus ended the siege of Fort Schuyler.
Having thus opened the campaign upon the Mohawk -sketched briefly the leading events up to the first principal conflict of arms, and given its main features and results-the author is admonished of the necessity of disposing of the Border War, with but brief chronological sketches of what followed, to its termination, except in reference to two prominent events. The whole subject forms an interesting and instructive branch of the local history of a large portion of our State; and he indulges the hope that he has been enabled to introduce enough of it in his work-and in a manner -to invite the younger portion of his readers especially, to sources of greater detail, and farther extended enquiry and research. - In the entire history of our revolutionary struggle, there are few pages we can read, which in a greater degree serves to remind us of the sufferings and sacrifices that purchased the blessings we so eminently enjoy - than those upon which are inscribed a faith- ful narrative of the Border War of New York and Pennsylvania.
After the siege of Fort Schuyler, the Indians still hung like a "scythe of death," on the frontiers of New York. In the remote and less thickly inhabited parts, single individuals and whole fami- lies disappeared-no one could tell by what means, or how. Rel- ative, friend, or traveler, came to the place which he knew was once the residence of those he sought, but the charred fragments of their dwellings, were all he found.
BRANT opened the Indian campaign of 1788 by an attack upon the town of Springfield, near the head of Otsego lake. He imprisoned all who did not fly, burnt every building but one, into which he gathered all the women and children, and left them unhurt.
On the first of July, a skirmish occurred between a party of militia, and a large body of Indians, at Cobbleskill. The militia were compelled to retreat. Several dwellings were burned, after being plundered; houses and cattle were all killed or taken off. The whole of the Schoharie region was constantly visited by predatory bands of Indians and Tories, during the whole war.
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MASSACRE OF WYOMING.
There are few events connected with Indian border warfare that have called forth more sympathy and condemnation than the mas- sacre of Wyoming. The settlers in this peaceful retreat were removed from the theatre of war. Its secluded situation seemed to hide it from the observation of both parties. Most of the set- tlers were in favor of the Colonies, and a considerable number belonged to the revolutionary army. Though there was a kind of understanding that the troops enlisted there, should not be removed from the valley, but kept there for its security and defence; still such was the emergency of the country that they had been called away, and about three hundred more enlisted. Most of those who remained were either too young or too old to be very serviceable as soldiers. Such was the defenceless state of Wyoming, when its inhabitants discovered some indications that war was to be brought to their doors. Their distance from other settlements destroyed all hope of obtaining help from abroad, and the suddenness with which the attack probably would be made, rendered assistance from the regular army very doubtful.
In 1778, a band of Tories and Indians, under the command of Col. JOHN BUTLER, marched into this quiet valley, and made it the scene of desolation and suffering. The expedition "moved from Niagara, across the Genesce country, down the Chemung, to Tioga Point, whence they embarked upon the Susquehannah, and landed about twenty miles above Wyoming." Col. ZEBULON BUTLER, who had been in the French war, and was now an officer in the Revolutionary army, happened to be home on a visit at the time of the invasion. At the urgent solicitation of the people, he assumed command of the militia. An attempt was made to attack the enemy by surprise, but the scout was accidentally discovered by an Indian, who fired at him, and immediately gave the alarm. When the Americans came up they found the enemy ready to receive them. A bloody battle ensued, in which one party fought with the despe- ration of men knowing their fate if conquered, and the other witlı the savage ferocity of revenge. The Tories and Indians gave no quarter, but pursued the flying party, killing all they could and afterwards murdering all they took. The fugitive army first sought shelter in what was called "Fort Forty." From this, those
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who still survived, fled to Fort Wyoming, which was shortly sur- rounded by Indians and Tories. This fort was filled with women and children; it was in no condition to be defended, or to withstand a siege. A capitulation took place, in which it was stipulated that the inhabitants might return to their farms but were not to take up arms during the war. The Tories were allowed to return to their lands. The English commanding officer pledged his influence to have the Indians respect private property. This promise was totally disregarded. The Indians prowled through the valley, plun- dering and burning every house that was not occupied by a Tory - carrying misery and wretchedness into the bosom of many a happy home, and spreading ruin and suffering through the whole valley.
Early in the month of September, BRANT desolated the German Flatts. Fortunately, the inhabitants had warning in time to enable them to make their escape: It was evening when BRANT arrived. It being rainy and dark, and supposing his presence in the neigh- borhood not known, he waited until morning, when his party almost simultaneously fired all the dwellings. Disappointed at not finding the inhabitants, he destroyed every thing they had left behind, without attacking the fort in which the people were collected.
The flourishing settlements in Cherry Valley were next doomed to suffer the horrors of an Indian invasion. LAFAYETTE, observing its exposed condition, early in the spring of 1778, ordered a fortification to be built, in which the inhabitants deposited their property, and went for protection in seasons of danger. In the autumn of that year, supposing all danger passed, and relying on the vigilance of the commanding officer of the fort, to warn them of the approach of the enemy, they returned to their dwellings. Col. ALDEN received timely notice that the enemy were on their way, and where was their destination. Refusing to believe the reports of the intended attack, promising to take every necessary measure to prevent surprise-he made others feel the same security, and thus all was left completely exposed. Even after the attack had been begun, when told by a wounded settler, who had barely escaped with life, he still doubted. The enemy had ample time to make complete their plans for striking a terrible blow. Particular houses where officers of the garrison were staying, were ascertained by the Indians. With hardly a moment's notice, when least expected, the quiet villagers were aroused to a
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sense of their fearful situation by the sound of death-shots, the slashes of the tomahawk, and the shrieks of devoted victims. Fire and hatchet were busily engaged in accomplishing their work of terror-slaughter and pillage marked the course of civilized and savage foe. The fort was surrounded and assaulted, but being met with spirit and firmness, the Indians soon shrunk from the steady fire that was poured upon them, run to the houses, to plunder, destroy, and kill without mercy or check. The same evening thirty or forty prisoners were marched into the wilderness. When they arrived at the place of encampment, large fires, in a circular form were kindled, and the captives, without shelter from the inclement weather, or any regard to age, health or sex, were all put indiscriminately in the centre. Their dreadful situation was rendered still more awful, by the startling yells and savage revelry kept up all night by the Indians while dividing the spoils. In the morning, the prisoners with their captors, set out on their journey; but before they had gone far, the women and children were voluntarily released, with the exception of Mrs. CAMPBELL and her four children, and Mrs. MOORE and her children. The invaders then went back to Niagara from whence originated most of these expeditions of pillage and bloodshed.
NOTE. - Mrs. Campbell and her children were carried to Kanadasaega, (Geneva, ) then the chief town of the Senecas. She and her children were adopted into an Indian fainily, to supply the place of lost relations. Nobly resolving to adapt herself to her new condition, she exerted herself in getting in favor with her captors, and making herself useful to them. She made garments for the squaws, and in various ways, acquired an influence which greatly meliorated her condition. One day an Indian came lo her, and observing that she wore caps, said he would give her one ; upon presenting it he told her he had obtained it "at Cherry Valley." She recognized it as the cap of Miss Jane Wells, who had been most barbarously massacred at Cherry Valley. It had a ent in the crown made by a tomahawk, and was spotted with blood ! "She could not but drop a tear to her memory, for she had known her from her infancy, a pattern of virtue and loveliness." The Indian acknowledged himself the murderer. Mrs. Campbell preserved the relic, and afterwards presented it to the friends of the deceased. When Col. Butler went to Canada, he had left his wife and children, who were retained as hostages. A proposition was made to exchange them for Mrs. Campbell and her children. Col. Campbell, the husband and father, receiving the proposition in writing, laid it before Gov. Clinton and Gen. Schuyler, and it was acceded to. Early in the spring Col. Butler went to Kanadasaega and proposed the release of Mrs. Campbell; after a council of several days, with much reluctance, on the part of the Indians. he succeeded in his mission. She was taken to Niagara in June, 1779, but her children were retained at Kanadasaega. About this time news was received at Niagara, of the march of Gen. Sullivan ; anticipating his arrival there, the garrison was recruited and strengthened. Col. Butler did not succeed in getting Mrs. Campbell's children, until the Senecas, fleeing before Gon. Sullivan, sought refuge at Niagara, bringing them along in their flight. Mrs. Campbell remained at Niagara a year from the period of her first arrival there ; in June, 1780, she and her children were taken down to Montreal, where she found Mrs. Butler and her children, and her own son, a small boy, with them. After a delay of several months, the family were
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GEN. SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION.
The desolating and terrible Indian incursions with which the fron- tiers of New York and Pennsylvania had been visited in 1777 and 1778, induced Congress to authorize General WASHINGTON to send an expedition into the country of the Six Nations, lay waste their villages, destroy their haunts, and make them suffer some of the evils they had inflicted on others. The ultimate design of the expedition was the capture of Fort Niagara, the head quarters of the British and their Indian allies.
The distance of the Senecas, upon the banks of the Seneca lake, and in the valley of the Genesec, from the immediate vicinity of hostile operations, had screened them from assault and retributive justice; while they could sally out whenever a runner from Butler, Brant, or the Johnsons, told them there was work of blood in hand; or when an ambitious chief among them took the war path upon his own account, to scourge with the double motive of revenge and plunder ;- finding a safe retreat when their sanguinary missions were executed.
The Six Nations had at this period, made considerable advances in some of the arts of civilized life. They had begun to depend less upon the chase for subsistence, than upon the cultivation of the soil. They had more permanent places of residence, and were less wandering in their habits, than most of their race upon this continent. They had numerous villages, cultivated fields, orchards, and rude gardens. They were enjoying many of the comforts and conveniences of civilization.
Gen. SULLIVAN was appointed commander of the expedition. After some delay and embarrassment he assembled his division at Wyoming, marched to Tioga, and formed a junction with the eastern division, under the command of Gen. JAMES CLINTON. On the 22d of August, 1779, the two divisions united and made an effective force of five thousand men. Gen. SULLIVAN marched up
sent to Albany, and ultimately, reached their home at Cherry Valley. When Gen. WASHINGTON traversed the valley of the Mohawk, in the summer of 1784, accompanied by Gov. CLINTON and others, they were the guests of Col. Campbell in the rude log cabin he had erected after the war. Gov. Clinton observed to Mrs. Campbell, in reference to her boys : - " They will make fine soldiers in time." "I hope my country will never need their services," was the response of one who had seen enough of war and its consequences. "I hope so too madam," said Gen. WASHINGTON, for "I have seen enough of war."
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the Tioga and Chemung, taking every precaution to guard against surprise and ambuscades.
The estimate made by Gen. SULLIVAN in his report of the strength of the Indians and Tories, at fifteen hundred, materially differs from the official report of Col. JOHN BUTLER, who assumes that he had but six hundred British and Indians. The Indians were under the command of JOSEPH BRANT, and the Rangers under Col. JOHN BUTLER, who held the chief command .* The British and Indians had taken position and thrown up some rude fortifications about a mile below Newtown, now Elmira. Col. BUTLER states in his official account of the battle, that the Senecas, and the few Delawares he had with him, had selected this spot and obstinately resolved to make a stand there, in spite of the opposition of himself and BRANT.
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