USA > New York > Pioneer history of the Holland Purchase of western New York : embracing some account of the ancient remains > Part 29
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After destroying on his way all the Indian towns and planted fields that could be reached, on the 29th of August, Gen. SULLIVAN prepared to attack the British and Indians in their own position. In the battle that followed, a portion of the Indians maintained their ground firmly and bravely, fought as long as there was any hope of victory. BRANT and another chief named KIANGARACHTA, particularly distinguished themselves, flying from point to point, animating and sustaining their warriors, by encouraging words, and daring deeds. Col. BUTLER bitterly complains of the conduct of some of his Indian allies in the early part of the engagement, who became frightened and panic struck by the explosion of some shells thrown beyond them, which they supposed came from an opposite direction, and led them to think that they were about to be surrounded, and all means of escape cut off. The battle having continued near two hours, the enemy became fearful of being completely hemmed in, precipitately abandoned his works and fled. Gen. SULLIVAN pursued him for nearly two miles, destroying every thing that could possibly be of any service to the Indians. Col. BUTLER acknowledged the loss of only five rangers, killed or taken; five Indians killed, and nine wounded. It is evident that he under- estimated his loss, for Gen. SULLIVAN found eleven dead on the field, and it is a well known Indian custom, to carry off as many of their dead as possible. Beside the eleven, fourteen were found
* The statement made by Col. Stone, in his life of Brant, that the Johnson's were present, participating in the movements against Gen. Sullivan, is contradicted by the official report of Col. John Butler.
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partially buried under the leaves. So effectual was the dispersion of the Indians as to render it impossible that Col. BUTLER should be able to ascertain his precise loss. The loss of the Americans was only five or six killed, and forty or fifty wounded-a very small loss considering the force they had to contend with, and the fierce- ness with which the battle was fought.
Gen. SULLIVAN promptly followed up his advantage. The Indians seemed to be disheartened from a conviction that they could not make a successful stand against Gen. SULLIVAN, arrest his onward march, and the consequent ruin and devastation which they knew would inevitably attend it.
They made no more serious and united opposition to the inva- ders. When they heard that Gen. SULLIVAN was approaching to their villages on the Genesce, they did indeed think of making another attempt. They selected a position between the head of Connesus lake and Honeoye outlet. They intended to await the approach of SULLIVAN in ambuscade. They, however, retreated when SULLIVAN came up, and fled before him. He continued his march, leaving burning villages and devastated fields, the witnesses of his presence. While Gen. SULLIVAN was constructing a bridge over a creek which led to Little Beard's town, Licut. BOYD was sent out to observe the situation of the village. After a long, fatiguing march, continued far into the night, the party came to a village that appeared to have been lately deserted, as fires were yet burning in the huts. They passed the remainder of the night there, sending two of their number back to the main army to report .* BoyD having been discovered in the morning, rosolved to reach the main army as soon as possible. He met with no difficulty until he came within a mile and a half of Gen. SULLI- VAN'S camp, when they encountered a party of observation belonging to the enemy. Lieut. BoYD's brave but devoted little band were soon surrounded, and their only chance of escape was to cut their way through the ranks of their foe. Twelve of BOYD's men were soon shot down, and himself and PARKER taken prisoners, the other seven making their escape. BOYD immediately asked for an interview with BRANT, which was granted. While in the presence of BRANT, he, by signs, gave him to understand, that enemies though they might be on the battle field, yet there was one
Mary Jemison's Narrative.
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relation in which they were sacredly bound to regard each other as "brothers." BRANT recognized the appcal, and promised to protect him from injury. BoYD, placing the utmost confidence in the assurance of BRANT, refused to answer any questions that Col. BUTLER asked, relative to the condition, strength, and designs of Gen. SULLIVAN's army, although threatened with being delivered over to the Indians, if he refused to give the desired information. Confident of BRANT's protection, he still declined. BUTLER, meaning all that he threatened, gave BoyD and PARKER up to the Indians. After inflicting on BOYD the most cruel tortures- throwing hatchets at his head, tearing off his nails, cutting off his tongue, ears and nosc, putting out one of his eyes, taking out an end of his intestines, tying it to a small trec and then driving him around as long as they could, they finally ended his sufferings by cutting off his head. PARKER was also killed, but they cut off his head, without any torture.
Gen. SULLIVAN now employed some time in completing the work of desolation and destruction up and down the river, whereever were found villages, wigwams, fields, orchards, gardens, corn, cattle, or anything that is necessary to support life-all were swept away. The capture of Niagara, the general place of rendezvous of the Indians, whence they sallied on those bloody excursions which made them a terror to all the frontier settlements, was not effected. Gen. SULLIVAN returned with his army, and went into winter quarters, in New Jersey, having prepared the way for the famine and want which the Indians soon felt. The destruction of so many of their villages, and the total loss of their planted fields, just as they were ripening for the harvest, and as the previous year's supply was exhausted, caused hundreds of Indians, with their wives and children, to flock to Fort Niagara for the means of subsistence the ensuing winter-the memorable winter of 1779 and 1780. The British Canadian Governor, Sir JOHN JOHNSON, was obliged to make great exertions to furnish sufficient
NOTE .- In 1841, a public tribute of respect was paid to the memory of Boyd, by citizens of the Genesee Valley. A large concourse assembled at the village of Cuyler. The venerable revolutionary patriot, Maj. MOSES VAN CAMPEN, with other revolutionary soldiers were present. The burial place of Boyd having been identified, his remains were deposited in an urn, and suitable exercises were had in a grove near by; including a pertinent and timely historical and biographical discourse, by - TREAT, Esq. The next day the remains, attended by a large military and civil escort, wore taken to Mount Hope cemetery, where their interment was attended by an address from Gov. SEWARD, and suitable military and religions exercises.
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supplies for them. The following paragraph from a manuscript letter of the Delaware chief, KILLBUCK, to Col. DANIEL BROAD- HEAD, at Pittsburgh, dated at Salem, on the Muskingum, June 7th, 1780, will give some idea of the sufferings that were experienced: "Some days ago, one man and an old woman, came from Niagara, who acquaint me that last winter, three hundred Indians died at that place of the flux."
The destruction of the Onondagas formed a part of the general plan of SULLIVAN's campaign against the Six Nations and preceded it. The command of the eastern division of that expedition having been assigned Gen. JAMES CLINTON, he detailed Col. VAN SCHAICK, assisted by Col. WILLETT and Major COCHRAN for the one against the Onondagas. Gen. CLINTON instructed Col. VAN SCHAICK to sweep away their villages and fields-to take as many prisoners as he could, with as little bloodshed as possible. On the 19th of April, 1779, with about five hundred and fifty effective men, Col. VAN SCHAICK left Fort Schuyler. Notwithstanding bad and rainy weather, swollen streams and morasses, he arrived at the Onondaga settlements on the third day. For the purpose of falling upon as many towns at the same time as possible, the men were divided in detachments with orders to make their attacks simultaneously. The detachments suddenly came upon the Indian hamlets that were scattered through the valley of the Onondaga Creek, and began their devastating work. Indian villages were soon wrapt in flames, cultivated fields destroyed, gardens spoiled, provisions wasted, and cattle of all kinds killed. When they discovered that an enemy had so unexpectedly rushed into their very midst, and was spreading ruin on every side, they fled so precipitately that they left every thing behind them, even their guns and other weapons of war. From a state of security and plenty, in a day, the Onondagas were reduced to misery and want-became houseless and destitute. Though they professed to be friendly to the Americans, their war parties had long hovered on the borders of the frontiers and around Fort Schuyler, scalping and murdering, imprisoning and torturing all the white inhabitants they could. The influence of this expedi- tion was salutary on the Oneidas, who were really friendly in their feelings to the Americans. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras sent a deputation to Fort Schuyler, and renewed their promises of friend-
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ship. Having successfully accomplished the objects of the expe- dition Col. VAN SCHAICK marched back to Fort Schuyler, without loosing a single man.
In the spring and summer of 1780, the Mohawk valley was again invaded, Sir JOHN JOHNSON heading the expedition -Johnstown the point of attack. BRANT was again upon the war path." He attacked Canajoharie, burning houses, wasting property, and put- ting to death, and making captive, the inhabitants. Jointly the two leaders, one of the loyalists, and the other of the Indians, extended the incursions into Schoharie. They re-enacted the terrible scenes that have been described, occurring upon previous visits. The next year, 1781, the Indians in alliance with the corps of JOHNSON and BUTLER, harrassed the frontiers, and kept the settlers in a state of dread and alarm.
In August, Major Ross and WALTER BUTLER, came from Canada by the way of Sacondaga to Johnstown, with a force of five hun- dred regulars, Tories and Indians, and encamped near Johnson Hall. They were attacked by Col. MARINUS WILLETT with a force of three hundred men, in the end obliged to give way. They retreated up the Mohawk, hotly pursued by their conqueror, Col. WILLETT.
In the month of January, 1783, Gen. WASHINGTON, not having yet been apprised of the treaty of peace, conceived the plan of surprising and obtaining possession of the important fortress of Oswego. The possession of this post and Niagara had given the enemy great advantage throughout the war. Oswego was then one of the most formidable military defences on the continent. The hazardous enterprise was confided to Col. WILLETT. There is now residing in Bloomfield, Ontario county, a venerable pioneer of western New York, -BENJAMIN Goss- who was with Col. WILLETT in this expedition. From him, the author received some account of it during the last summer :- With great secresy, as the original intention was a surprise, Col. WILLETT assembled his force at Fort Herkimer on the 8th of February, and there provided a large portion of them with snow shoes, as they had no beaten track to follow, and the snow was from two feet and a half to three feet deep. The men thus provided, went ahead and made a track for a cavalcade of two hundred sleighs that followed, carrying the remainder of the troops, and the baggage. The expedition crossed
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Oneida lake on the ice, and arriving at Fort Brewington, at the foot of the lake, the sleighs were left. Here a large number of the pressed militia, having scen enough of a winter campaign in the wilderness, deserted. An Oneida Indian was selected as the pilot through the woods to Oswego. He, by mistake, or purposely, misled the expedition, which occasioned great delay in arriving at the garrison, and much suffering from cold and hunger. When they supposed themselves near the garrison, and began to prepare for the attack, they discovered that they had gone in another direction, were lost in the forest, the deep snow adding much to their perplexity and embarrassment. Changing their course, they arrived within four miles of the place of destination, but in a condition that did not justify an attack upon a strong fortification. 'The men had been three days without provision, were wearied by marching in the deep snow, and their ammunition had become much injured. - Col. WILLETT upon consultation with his officers, resolved reluctantly to forego the attack, and retrace his steps. The retreat was attended with even more suffering than the advance. From the time the expedition left Fort Plain until its return there, it was twelve days of almost constant suffering from cold or hunger, or both combined. Many of the men had their feet frozen, our informant among the number. On the return of the expedition to Albany, it was met by the welcome news of peace, proclaimed by the town clerk at the city Hall.
" The incursion of Ross and BUTLER was the last made into the county of Tryon. Indeed, there was no longer any thing to destroy. The inhabitants lost all but the soil they cultivated; their beautiful county, except in the vicinity of the forts, was turned into a wilderness. During the war, famine sometimes appeared inevi- table, and it was with difficulty that they preserved from the ravages of the enemy sufficient grain to support their families during the winter. The resistance of the inhabitants on the fron- tier settlements, however unimportant it may seem, because no great battles were fought, or important victories won, was of very considerable moment in the cause for which they struggled; they kept back the enemy from the towns of the Hudson, and thus frus- trated the plan of the British for establishing a line of posts along that river. And while we admire the heroism and patriotism of those worthies of the Revolution, whose names have come down to us surrounded with a halo of glory, we should not withhold our praise from those obscure individuals in the frontier settlements,
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who, amid the most appalling dangers, surrounded on all sides by enemies and traitors, still refused to submit to oppression and arbi- trary exactions, though allured by assurances of safety and prom- ises of reward. Many left their homes; many fell in battle in the regular army, and in skirmishes and battles with the enemy at home, and many fell silently by the rifle, the tomahawk, and the scalping knife of the Indian." *
Having now travelled over a period of one hundred and seventy- five years-from the advent of CHAMPLAIN upon the St. Lawrence to the close of the American Revolution-we have done, for a while, with wars,t and mostly, with the "rumors of wars"-and enter upon the more pleasing task of recording the peaceful triumphs of civilization and improvement-of enterprise and industry.
The settlement of Western New York followed soon after the peace of 1783. Our national independence achieved-the glorious prospect of future peace and prosperity, opening upon our country -men's minds soon began to turn to the extension of the bounds of civilization and improvement-the enlargement of the theatre upon which the experiment of free government and free institutions was to be enacted. The war closed-the armies discharged- there were many, poor in purse, but rich in all the elements that titted them to become the pioneers of the wilderness, the founders of new settlements. There had come along with SULLIVAN to the regions of Western New York, a great number of those who, looking forward to the end of the war, converted the expedition to the two-fold purpose of quelling the disturbers of the border set- tlers, and viewing the country they inhabited, with an eye to future enterprises. They passed through the vallies of the Mohawk, of our interior lakes, of the Susquehannah, delighted at every step with the beautiful prospects that surrounded them, until arriving at the valley of the Genesee, it realized their highest hopes and most extravagant anticipations. They returned to their homes to mingle with the narratives of an Indian war, descriptions of the country they had seen; resolved themselves to retrace their steps upon the
* Campbell's Annals.
t With the exception of some brief references to the campaigns of St. Clair and Wayne.
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more peaceful mission of emigration and settlement; and their representations turned the attention of others in this direction. Thus War-as it is often its province to do-as if it was the will of Providence to make evils productive of blessings-aided in hastening and achieving one of the noblest triumphs of Peace.
[ Before commencing to trace the progress of settlement westward, brief biographical sketches of individuals who were in Western New York, previous to white settlement, captives, one of them a voluntary exile ;- will be inserted in a separate chapter.]
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CHAPTER IV.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HORATIO JONES.
HORATIO JONES, an Indian captive, was born in December, 1763, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. His father was a black- smith, and intended that his son should follow the same business. But at a very early age, HORATIO's love of adventure and military life, showed itself by his voluntarily going off with companies of soldiers as a fifer, and cheerfully enduring all the privations of the camp. He was active, enterprising, fearless-possessed of a powerful frame, capable of enduring any amount of fatigue, a sure and accomplished marksman. Though but a boy, hardly capable of fully understanding the merits of the contest, yet with the ardent enthusiasm of youth, he joined the patriot ranks, ready and willing to face any danger and perform any duty. In 1781, he enlisted as a soldier in the army of the United States, and belonged to a com- pany called "Bedford Rangers." This company repaired to a neighboring fort, to be reinforced, and then to march into the Indian country. When the company arrived at the fort, the garrison there was found so weak that no soldiers could be spared. Notwithstanding this, Capt. DUNLAP, the commander of the com- pany, resolved to proceed with the small force he had with him. He had not gone far, before he was surrounded by Indians, who simultaneously fired upon him, killed nine of his men, took eight prisoners, among the latter of whom, was himself and young JONES. JONES tried to make his escape by flight, but he fell down, was overtaken and captured.
The captives were carried into the wilderness. For two days they were entirely without food, and on the third day only the
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entrails of a bear was allowed them. Capt. DUNLAP was wounded. Showing some slight evidence of exhaustion, an Indian, fearing that he might be troublesome, silently stepped up behind him, and without a warning word, struck a hatchet deep into the back of his neck, stripped off his scalp, and left him to dic. For the first two or three days after their capture, the Indians were very cautious and watchful; they would hardly allow a gun to be fired, lest the sound might guide their pursuers. After the fourth day, they began to relax their vigilance. A hunting party had been out and prepared some food. The Indians pointed it out to JONES, who supposed that they intended it as an invitation to dine; so he com- meneed running toward the spot, and they after him; when he reached it, he stopped. The Indians, supposing that he was trying to make his escape, laid him on his back, tied each limb to a tree, drove pronged sticks over his arms and legs, and in that condition kept him all night, his face upwards and the rain falling in it. During their forest journey, they regarded JONES with so much favor that they relieved him of his burden. Observing that one of his fellow-captives, older and feebler than himself, was over- loaded, he generously took part of his load and carried it for him. When they arrived at the Indian settlement, at Nunda, Alleghany county, he was informed that a council had been held, and the Great Spirit had interposed in his behalf. He was taken to a height near the village, by an Indian, who showed him a wigwam at a considerable distance, and said if he could reach that unhurt, all would be well-if he passed through the fearful trial safely, he would be adopted and regarded as one of themselves. He imme- diately began the perilous race, swiftly pressing his way forward through a shower of clubs, stones, knives, hatchets and arrows- skillfully dodging and evading them all-he reached his destination and was received as one of their nation.
JONES possessed those qualities both of mind and body which the Indians most admire and respect. He was strong and finely proportioned, and able to rival any of them in those feats which they regard as tests of manliness. He was bold and fearless. By his care and prudence he soon gained their confidence and esteem. He became familiar with their language, and was often employed as an interpreter.
The life which he led among his new associates seems to have been marked by all the vicissitudes which distinguish the Indian
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state. He accommodated himself to his new situation, and made himself as happy as circumstances would allow. Though sur- rounded by savages, he had the courage to resent any insults they ventured to offer. When they threw hatchets at him he threw them back, and often with better success than they had. On one occasion, an Indian named SHARPSHINS, commenced the play of throwing tomahawks at JONES, in earnest. JONES threw them back with such effect as to endanger the life of SHARPSHINS, and render his recovery from the wound doubtful. He however, got well, and was careful how he provoked the "pale face warrior." He made himself very useful to them in repairing their hunting implements and weapons of war.
In the chase successful, swift on the race course, often outstrip- ping their fleetest runners-temperate in his habits-cheerful in his dispositions - with a firm and fearless spirit, he soon became a great favorite with the Indians, he acquired a power and influence over them which he always exercised on the side of humanity, and saved captives from the lingering tortures of an Indian execution. He was often chosen arbiter to decide their disputes, and so uniformly just were his decisions, that he used to draw acknowl- edgements of the correctness of his judgements from those against whom he decided.
The history of his residence among the Indians is full of thrilling incidents and daring adventures. Without any very strict adhe- rence to order, we shall speak of some of them: -
He had not been with them long before a "young brave" began to amuse himself at the expense of JONES, who warned him in vain to desist. At dinner one day, the young Indian renewed his sport; JONES jumped up, ran to the fire, seized a boiling squash by the neck, gave chase, overtook the Indian, and thrust the hot squash between his loose garments and bare skin. After this he was per- mitted to eat his dinner in peace.
JONES often saved the lives of prisoners. Major VAN CAMPEN, with two others, having fallen into their hands, they were placed under a guard of seven Indians. The prisoners managed to get loose during the night, kill all the Indians, except one, who ran away with VAN CAMPEN's hatchet sticking in his back. The White prisoners made their escape. VAN CAMPEN became an object of their deadly hatred. He soon after fell into their hands again. A council was assembled to determine his fate. JONES knew that he
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was the man who " lent JOHN MOHAWK the hatchet," but wished to conceal it from the rest of the Indians. In the midst of the council sat VAN CAMPEN, calm, unmoved, self possessed, closely watching every new comer, expecting soon to see JOHN MOHAWK enter with the fatal loan. JONES leaped over the heads of the Indians, and acted as interpreter, asking questions and answering them. The Indians were induced to refer the case to their prophet, who decided that the life of the prisoner should be spared.
JONES, with his Indian father and family, were in the habit of making annual visits to their relatives, living on Grand river, in Canada. They went through Tonawanda village, down the south side of the creek, to its mouth and were anxious to get across that night to camp at Schlosser. A canoe lay opposite them, on the north side of the creek. JONES wanted to swim across and get it, but his Indian father told him no one ever attempted to swim the Tonawanda, but was drowned by the witches-sunk under the water, and never seen afterwards. JONES told him that he be- longed to a nation that could control the witches in the water, and said he could bring the canoe over. His Indian mother told him to mind his father, as he was a man of sense and years. JONES and his brothers being set to work to make a camp fire, he watched his opportunity, plunged into the water, and, much to the surprise of the Indians, succeeding in swimming across, and in bringing the canoe over. When he came back he was caressed by the party for his miraculous escape. They encamped that night at Fort Schlosser. The next morning they went down to Niagara. A British officer wanted to purchase JONES-having bought two prisoners of the same family before. The Indian father refused the offer, because JONES was his adopted son. The officer offered gold and told how rich his father, the King, was. "Go and tell your father the king, that he is not rich enough to buy Ta-e-da-o-qua," replied the Indian. The triumph of JONES over the witches at Tonawanda made him valued more than before among the Indians.
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