History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 16

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 16
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 16

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"You cannot be ignorant, sir, that all the lands of this re- gion have always belonged to the king of France, and that the English have no right to come there to trade. My superior has commanded me to apprise you of what I have done, in order that you may not affect ignorance of the reasons of it; and he has given me this order with so much the greater reason, because it is now two years since Monsieur Celoron, by order of Monsieur de la Gallissoniere, then Commandant-General, warned many English, who were trading with the Indians along the Ohio, against so doing, and they promised him not to return to trade on the lands, as Monsieur Celoron wrote you. "I have the honor to be, with great respect,

"Sir, your very humble and obedient servant, " JONCAIRE, "Lieutenant of a detachment of the Navy."

It would seem from very competent authority that Gist had recommended the point at the mouth of Chartier's creek as the proper place for a settlement, and it is stated that in the latter part of the year 1752 he was actually at work laying out a town and fort there. If he was ignorant of the locality at the forks and had no knowledge of the mouth of the Monongahela, his selection of the point before mentioned may be readily ac- counted for. It was at the mouth of a considerable stream, and near the Indian village (Logstown), and had also as good a site as any in the neighborhood, being, no doubt, as favorably locat- ed for defense as the fork itself.

Soon after the Logstown treaty, Gist, no doubt thinking the Indians were permanently pacified, and that there was no more danger to be feared from their incursions into the interior of the state, on account of the protection soon to be afforded by the Ohio Company, and having had his property destroyed and his family scattered by an Indian raid, concluded to abandon his settlement on the Yadkin and make a new home in Penn- sylvania on the great route of travel adopted by the Ohio Com- pany. He accordingly selected a location a few miles west of the Laurel Ridge, and near the present town of Uniontown, in Fayette county. Here, some time in 1752, in company with eleven other families, he began his new settlement.

If a town was ever laid out or a fort commenced at Chartier's creek, they were certainly abandoned, for Washington makes no mention of them in his journal of the next year (1753), when visiting this region.

THE FRENCH FORTS.

In the spring of 1753 the French began the erection of their chain of forts from Lake Erie to the Ohio, beginning at Presq' Isle

"In other historical works the opinion is given that this name is intended for Chenango or Venango, but it Is made plain in Chapter VIII, that the place is what was afterwards known as Logstown,

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

(now Erie). One was located at Le Boeuf (now Waterford), another at Venango (now Franklin), and they no doubt inten- ded to add a fourth at the forks of the Ohio, had not the Ohio Company anticipated them. The effort of the Ohio Company as developed by the trip of Mr. Gist into this region, and get a foot hold west of the Ohio, aroused the French to increased ac- tivity in the erection of these forts.

The Marquis de la Jonquiere, Governor-General of Canada, died in Quebec May 17, 1752, and was succeeded by the Marquis de Duquesne de Menneville, one of the ablest statesmen and soldiers which France ever sent to America. He was a grand- son of the famous Admiral Abraham Duquesne. He was re- called, at his own request, in 1754, to re-enter the navy. The first fort was erected at Pittsburgh by the French commander, Contrecœur. Under Duquesne's administration the French be- came exceedingly active, and proceeded to occupy and fortify the whole western country.

APPROACH OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

Thus we find, in the spring of 1753, the two great powers of Europe, standing face to face, both equally determined to occupy and possess this valley of the Allegheny, with no solution pos- sible but the arbitrament of the sword: England powerfully intrenched behind her hardy colonies, and France advancing to the encounter with all the hereditary chivalry of "La Grande Nation," well officered, and backed by the great bulk of the most powerful Indian tribes. The first blood shed in this great contest, drawn by the hand of Washington himself, shook the monarchies of Europe to their foundations, and changed the destinies of Christendom.

During this year the conflict began for the control of the ter- ritory embraced within the limits of the great Ohio valley-now one of the great manufacturing, agricultural and commercial centers of the globe-which eventually enveloped America, Europe and Asia in the sulphury clouds of war, precipitated the American Revolution, and, finally, broke up the ancient feudalism of Europe.

The trumpet-blast of battle sounded. The scarlet ranks of England, the bonny Highland plume and tartan plaid, the shamrock and the green, and the veteran legions of the Gaul and the hard-won Fontenoy and many another bloody field came pouring o'er the restless sea, "and swiftly forming in the ranks of war," prepared, each man, to do his best devoir for king and fatherland. And, side by side with Europe's vet- erans, hardy and unflinching as a Spartan band, came the gal- lant sons of noble sires from all the hills and valleys of the land. And that nothing might be wanting to give effect to all this grand array of war, the dusky sons of the forest, in eagle plumes and gaudy paint, swarmed by thousands through the dim old forest aisles, eager for the fray.

As the curtain arose upon the opening scene, the grandest character in this great drama was far in the background of the glittering throng of crowned and jeweled monarchs and princes, and famous commanders who crowded to the front. This was the plain, unpretending lieutenant-colonel of colonial militia.

When, after years of strife, the vapors lifted from the "rent and trodden field," lo, and behold! a nation had been born, bap- tized in blood, and taken its place among the peoples of the world ! And at its head, honored and beloved like none before' him, the plain Virginia colonel of the border fray !

WASHINGTON SENT ON A MISSION TO THE FRENCH POSTS.

Robert Dinwiddie, a native of Scotland, had been appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the Virginia colony in 1752. Upon a careful investigation of the situation, he recommended to the Board of Trade in England that a series of fortifications be con- structed in the west, for the better protection of the settlers and traders. Captain William Trent was sent, early in the season of 1753, on a mission to the French and Indians; but he seems not to have been the proper person for the position, and, after proceeding as far west as the Piqua towns, he became dis- couraged at the aspect of affairs and returned without accom- plishing anything.

The governor having learned that the French intended to extend their fortified posts south of Venango and French creek, resolved te send a messenger immediately to learn their move- ments, and remonstrate against their designs. He experienced considerable difficulty to find a proper man who was willing to undertake the enterprise but after careful consideration, and upon learning that Major George Washington would probably accept the position, the governor concluded to appont him.

Washington was then just past twenty-one, and the bluff Scotchman, to whom he was not unknown, said to him, "Faith, you are a brave lad, and if you play your cards well you shall have no cause to repent of your bargain."

This appointment was certainly a high compliment to a young man who had just attained his majority, and could only have resulted from great confidence in his judgment and ability.

WASHINGTON'S COMMISSION.

" To George Washington, Esq., one of the Adjutant-Generals of the troops and forces in the Colony of Virginia :

"I, reposing especial trust and confidence in the ability, con- duct, and fidelity of you, the said George Washington, have appointed you my express messenger; and you are hereby authorized and empowered to proceed hence, with all conve- nient and possible dispatch, to the post or place, on the river Ohio, where the French have lately erected a fort or forts, or where the commandant of the French forces resides, in order to deliver my letter and message to him; and after waiting not exceeding one week for an answer, you are to take your leave and return immediately back.

" To this commission I have set my hand, and caused the great seal of this Dominion to be affixed, at the city of Wil- liamsburg, the seat of my government, this thirteenth day of October, in the twenty-seventh year of the reign of his Majesty George the Second, King of Great Britain, etc., etc.

" Annoque Domini, 1753.

" ROBERT DINWIDDIE."

" To all whom these presents may come or concern, greeting :

"Whereas, I have appointed George Washington, Esquire, by commission under the great seal, my express messenger to the Commandant of the French forces on the river Ohio; and as he is charged with business of great importance to his Majesty's subjects, and particularly require all in alliance and amity with the Crown of Great Britain, and all others to whom this passport may come, agreeably to the law of nations, to be aiding and assisting as a safeguard to the said George Wash- ington and his attendants in his present passage to and from the river Ohio as aforesaid.

" ROBERT DINWIDDIE."

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GEORGE WASHINGTON.

" Whereas, I have received information of a body of French forces being assembled in a hostile manner on the river Ohio, intending by force of arms to erect certain forts on the said river within this territory, and contrary to the dignity and peace of our sovereign, the King of Great Britain : These are, therefore, to require and direct you, the said George Washing- ton, forthwith to repair to Logstown, on the said river Ohio, and, having there informed yourself where the said French forces have posted themselves, thereupon to proceed to such place ; and, being there arrived, to present your credentials, together with my letter to the chief commanding officer, and in the name of his Brittanic Majesty to demand an answer thereto.

"On your arrival at Logstown you are to address yourself to the Half-King, to Monacatoocha, and the other Sachems of the Six Nations, acquainting them with your orders to visit and de- liver my letter to the French commanding officer, and desiring the said chiefs to appoint you a sufficient number of their war- riors to be your safeguard, as near the French as you may desire, and to wait your further direction.

" You are diligently to inquire into the numbers and force of the French on the Ohio and in the west ; how they are likely to be assisted from Canada, and what are the difficulties and conveniences of that communication, and the time required for it.

"You are to take care to be truly informed what forts the French have erected and where; how they are garrisoned and appointed, and what is their distance from each other and from Logstown; and, from the best intelligence you can procure, you are to learn what gave occasion to this expedition of the French, how they are likely to be supported, and what their pretensions are.

" When the French Commandant has given you the required and necessary dispatches, you are to desire of him a proper guard to protect you as far on your return as you may judge for your safety against any straggling Indians or hunters that may be ignorant of your character and molest you.

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

"Wishing you good success in your negotiations, and safe and speedy return,

"I am, etc., "ROBERT DINWIDDIE. "WILLIAMSBURG, 30th Oct., 1753."

Preceding the date of Washington's mission, the Half-King, Tanacharison,* hearing of the movements of the French, made a journey to their posts on Lake Erie to expostulate in person against their contemplated encroachments on the Ohio. His mission was fruitless, the French treating him with extreme hauteur; and the chief returned, disappointed, to Logstown.

About this time, according to one author, a trading house, said to have been erected by the Ohio Company at Logstown, was surprised by a detachment of French, the traders killed, and their goods, to the value of twenty thousand pounds, seized and carried away .; This account is evidently a great exagger- ation, and most probably entirely fictitious.

As Washington followed the route (marked or proposed) of the Ohio Company, a few words regarding it may not be amiss. Before the Company adopted this route it was well known by the name of Nemacolin's Path, from the fact that the company employed Colonel Thomas Cresap, of Old Town, Maryland, to mark the road, and the Colonel hired a well-known Delaware Indian, named Nemacolin, who resided at the mouth of what is now Dunlap's Creek, to select the best route. It was known to the Indians many years before, and used by the Indian traders as early, probably, as 1740. It led from the mouth of Will's Creek (Cumberland, Maryland,) to the "forks of the Ohio," (Pittsburgh). The Ohio Company first marked this road in 1750, by blazing the trees and cutting away the underbrush and removing the old dead and fallen timber. In 1753 they improved and enlarged it at considerable expense. Washing- ton took the same route in his campaign of 1754, improving and extending the road; and Braddock, also, in the following year, completed it in good condition as far as the mouth of Tur- tle Creek, within ten miles of Fort Duquesne. Since that un- fortunate campaign of 1755 it has been known as "Braddock's Road."

Washington had engaged as his principal assistants Christo- pher Gist, who had been sent out, as already stated, by the Ohio Company; Jacob Van Braani, a French interpreter, and John Davidson, Indian interpreter. He also engaged four oth- ers, named Henry Steward, William Jenkins, Barnaby Currien, and John McQuire -- the two latter being Indian traders. After arriving at the "forks of the Ohio," he met the Indian chiefs at Logstown, and remained a few days to conciliate their friend- ship, gather information, and gain their assistance in proceed- ing upon his journey. The party set out, accompanied by Tanacharison, the "Half-King of the Six Nations," two other chiefs and an Indian hunter.

WASHINGTON AND GIST'S JOURNEY ON FOOT.

Washington took Mr. Gist with him as a companion, and journeyed on foot to and from Fort La Bouef, (now Waterford, Pa.,) and in his journal, he says : "I took my necessary papers, pulled off my clothes, and tied myself up in a watch-coat. Then I took my gun in hand, and pack on my back, in which were my papers and provisions. I set out with Mr. Gist, fitted in the same manner, on Wednesday, the 26th of December. The day following, just after we had passed a place called Murdering Town, we fell in with a party of French Indians who had lain in wait for us. One of them fired at Mr. Gist or me, not fifteen steps off, but missed. We took the fellow into custody and kept him until about nine o'clock at night, then let him go, and walked on the remaining part of the night, without making any stops, that we might get the start so far as to be out of reach of their pursuit next day, since we were well assured they would follow our track as soon as it was light. We con- tinued traveling the next day until quite dark, and got to the river, which we expected to have found frozen, but it was not ; the ice I suppose had broken up above, for it was driving in vast quantities. There was no way for getting over but on a raft, which we set about building with but one poor hatchet, and finished just before sun-setting. This was a whole day's work ; we next got it launched, then went aboard and set off, but before we were half over we were jammed in the ice in such a manner that we expected every moment our raft to sink, and ourselves to perish. I put out my setting pole to try to stop

the raft, when the rapidity of the stream threw it with so much violence against the pole that it jerked me out into ten feet of water, but I saved myself by catching hold of one of the raft logs. Notwithstanding all our efforts we could not get to shore, but were obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our raft and make for it. The cold was so severe that Mr. Gist had all his fingers and some of his toes frozen, and the water was so shut up that we found no difficulty in getting off the island in the morning, and went to Mr. Frazier's. As we intended to take horses, and it taking some time to find them, I went up to the mouth of the Youghiogheny to visit Queen Aliquippa. I made her a present of a watch-coat and a bottle of rum, the latter of which she thought the better present of the two. Tuesday, January 1st, left Frazier's and arrived at Mr. Gist's house at Monongahela. The 6th we met seventeen pack-horses with materials and stores for the fort at the forks of the Ohio (now Pittsburgh). The day after we met some families going out to settle, and this day arrived at Wlils' creek (now Cum- berland).

History records how successfully Washington performed his mission to the French posts, and how valuable were his ser- vices to the colonists and the English government. He met the shrewd French officers, obtained all the secrets of their in- tentions and designs, possessed himself of their plans, and safely conveyed the valuable information to Governor Dinwid- die. This was the first achievement of his eventful life, for it was accomplished after many difficulties, as is shown by the journals kept by himself and Gist, of the daily events of the hazardous mission.

THE ALARM AT THE FRENCH MOVEMENTS-PROMPT ACTION OF VIRGINIA AND HER PROMINENT PART IN THE STRUGGLE.

No doubt longer remained of the intention of the French in their movements. Washington's journal was ordered to be published, to arouse the people of the different colonies and excite their indignation. It was reprinted in nearly all the newspapers of the colonies, republished in London, and ex- tensively read.

Governor Dinwiddie wrote to the Board of Trade, stating that the French were building another fort at Venango, Pa., and that in March twelve or fifteen hundred men would be ready to descend the river with their Indian allies. He also sent expresses to the governors of Pennsylvania and New York, calling upon them for assistance and prepare for the impending crisis.

Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, was energetically la- boring with the Assembly to induce them to make the neces- sary laws and appropriations against the threatened dangers in the north and west. But the Assembly, after a session in which nothing was accomplished, adjourned on the 10th of April until the 13th of May.

The province of New York, though perhaps much less inter- ested than Pennsylvania, did a little better by appropriating five thousand pounds to aid Virginia.

The "Old Dominion" was, however, alive to its intersts. Ten thousand pounds were voted by the Assembly for the purpose of raising volunteers. Six companies were raised, at whose head was placed Colonel Joshua Fry, with Washington as lieutenant-colonel. Two batteries of five guns each were sent forward; stores of all kinds of military supplies were prepared and sent on to the frontier. Thirty guns and eighty barrels of gunpowder had been forwarded from England, and these were distributed in the best manner for the interests of the service. Recruiting was rapidly going on under the promise of liberal grants of land to volunteers, and everything indicated a warm campaign preparing for the French and their dusky allies.

Early in the season Captain William Trent had been pushed forward with one company to put the road in order, and, if pos- sible, to proceed to the forks of the Ohio and construet a fortifica- tion. To this end Ensign Ward was hurried forward as early as January, with an advance party carrying intrenching tools and materials for the contemplated work : and we have already seen that Washington and Gist met this party on their return from the French forts on the 6th of January.

The works at the forks must have been commeneed during the same month, but with only about forty men it would neces- sarily move slowly, so that in the month of April following, when the French appeared before the place, it was not yet de- fensible.

On the 16th of April, 1754, while Ensign Ward's party was busily engaged upon their rising fortification, at the junction of the rivers which form the Ohio, they were suddenly surpris-

*This name is spelled in a variety of ways. +Patterson, history of the back woods.

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

ed by the appearance of a powerful force of French and Indians, in sixty batteaux, and three hundred canoes, with a formidable train of artillery, descending the Allegheny river.

The French commander, Contrecœur, immediately sent a summons to surrender. Resistance by this feeble band, behind unfinished works, against a thousand men, was useless; Ensign Ward surrendered his works the next day, and passed up the Monongahela, on his way to meet Washington.

This affair may be called the first overt act in the long and exhausting war which followed, at the beginning of which France had control over immense regions in Asia, Africa, and America, but at whose close she came out shorn of her fairest and wealthiest colonial possessions.

Col. Washington had marched from Alexandria on the 2d day of April, with two companies of troops, and arrived at Will's Creek, where Cumberland now stands, on the 17th of April. He had been joined on his route by a company under Captain Stephens, and was preparing to resume his march when the news reached him of the surrender of the Forks to the French. A consultation with his officers was held, and ex- presses were sent to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, to ask for reinforcements.

Washington advanced with his small force with the intention of reaching the mouth of Redstone, and there await the arrival · of reinforcements. The skirmish with the French in which M. de Jumonville was killed, and the battle and capitulation of Washington and the Great Meadows, followed.

During this year the French constructed Fort Duquesne, and made vigorous efforts to strengthen their positions on the Ohio.

WASHINGTON'S CAMPAIGN --- 1754.

On the 9th of May, Washington arrived at the Little Meadows, where he received information that Fort Duquesne had been reinforced with eight hundred men. On the 18th, he reached the Youghiogheny, where he was delayed to construct a bridge. While here, he was told by the Indians and some traders that the river was practicable for boats from this point to the Monongahela, with the exception of one rapid. Anxious for positive information, Washington embarked in a canoe with five men on a voyage of discovery, leaving the troops under the command of a subordinate officer. The party descended the stream for a distance of thirty miles, when, in the midst of a mountain defile, they were stopped by a fall, which was im- passable. Returning to his men, Washington found a messen- ger from his old friend Tanacharison, stating that a detachment of French had left the fort and were on their way to attack the first English they met. This was on the 24th* of May. Aware that he was in no condition to encounter a strong force, he determined to erect a hasty fortification, and accordingly pro- ceeded to a place called the Great Meadows, where he threw up an intrenchment, cleared away the underbrush, and prepared what he is said to have called "a charming field for an en- counter."

M. La Force, the French emissary, was prowling in the forest with a few Indians as a spy upon the English, and on the 27th Mr. Gist arrived in camp with information that he had seen M. La Force with fifty men the day before near his place, and had also seen their tracks within five miles of Washington's camp. The same night (27th) the half-king, with Monaca- tootha, and some of his people were encamped some six miles from the Meadows, and sent Washington an express informing him that he had tracked the French party to their hiding- place, about a half-mile from the road, in an obscure and rocky retreat.

Captain Adam Stephens had been detached with seventy- five men in the morning to look after this party, and now Washington determined to surprise them under cover of dark- ness, and accordingly, setting out with about forty men he joined the half-king, and about dawn on the morning of the 28th came suddenly upon the enemy. Both parties discovered each other at the same instant, and the French flew to their arms, and, according to Washington, commenced firing. After a short and sharp conflict, in which ten of the French were killed, besides the commander, M. Jumonville, the remainder surrendered. Among the prisoners were M. La Force, M. Drouillon, and two cadets. The total casualties to the French were tent killed and twenty-two taken prisoners. A Canadian escaped and car- ried the news to Fort Duquesne. Of Washington's force one was killed and three wounded. The Indians escaped unhurt.

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 16

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728