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 36

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 36
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 36

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Resolved, That if a majority of the field officers and captains who are to be engaged in it shall judge it best, that the men shall be directed to march on horseback, finding their own horses and carrying their own provisions, and that they ought to receive a reasonable allowance for so doing.

That Col. David Shepherd, of Ohio county, be commander in chief of the expedition, that Major Henry Taylor, of Yohogania county, to be major, and that they nominate the captains, and subaltern officers out of those commissioned in the counties of Monongalia, Yohogania and Ohio, or either of them.

A copy,

[Signed]

ARCH'D BLAIR, Clerk .*

These communications were received by Cols. Morgan and Nevill, on the first of April, and notice sent to Col. Shepherd and Maj. Taylor to meet them on the 8th of the month to decide upon the best means to carry the governor's order into effect. In the meantime the following reply was sent :

LETTER OF COLS. MORGAN AND NEVILL TO PATRICK HENRY. "FORT PITT, April 1, 1777.

" Sir :- We had not the honor to receive your orders and the minutes of council of the 12th ultimo, until this day. We im- mediately wrote to Col. Shepherd and Maj. Taylor to meet us here on the Sth inst., to confer thereon, and determine the most effectual steps to carry the same into execution. And your Ex- cellency may be assured we will leave nothing in our power undone, that may tend to promote the interest of our country in general, or the success of this enterprise in particular-not regarding the strict line of duty in our respective departments, but the promotion of the service on the most liberal plan. We, nevertheless, wish we were left more at liberty to exercise our judgments or to take advice on the expediency and practica- bility of the undertaking at this critical time-for, although we are persuaded from what has already passed between Col. Morgan and our allies, the Delawares and Shawanese, that they would wish us success therein, yet we apprehend the inevitable consequences of this expedition will be a general Indian war, which we are persuaded it is the interest of the State at this time to avoid, even by the mortifying means of liberal dona- tions to certain leading men among the nations as well as by calling them again to a general treaty. And if the State of Pennsylvania should judge it prudent to take some steps to gratify the Six Nations in regard to the encroachments made on their lands on the northwestern frontier of that State of which they have so repeatedly complained, we hope and be-

lieve it would have a very salutary effect. The settlement of the lands on the Ohio, below the Kanawha, and at Kentucky, gives the Western Nations great uneasiness. How far the State of Virginia may judge it wise to withdraw or confine those set- tlements for a certain term of years or during the British war, is too delicate a matter for us to give our opinion on, but we have reason to think that the measures we have (though per- haps out of the strict line of our duty) presumed to hint at, would not only tend greatly to the happiness of this country, but to the interest of the whole State ; more especially if care be taken to treat the different nations in all respects with jus- tice, humanity, and hospitality, for which purpose, and to punish robberies and murders committed on any of our allies, some wholesome orders or acts of government may possibly be necessary; for parties have been formed to massacre some who have come to visit us in a friendly manner, and others who have been hunting on their own lands, the known friends to the commonwealth. These steps, if continued, will deprive us of all our Indian allies and multiply our enemies. Even the spies who have been employed by the county lieutenants of Monongahela and Ohio seem to have gone on this plan with a premeditated design to involve us in a general Indian war; for on the 15th inst., at day break, five or six of these spies fired at three Delaware Indians at their hunting camp, which they afterwards plundered of peltries to a considerable value, and brought them off.

"This was committed about twenty miles on this side the Delaware Town, between that and Wheeling, and out of the country or track of our enemies.

"Luckily all the Indians escaped, only one of whom was wounded, and that slightly in the wrist.

"We inclose to your Excellency the copy of a speech or mes- sage found near the body of a dead man, who had been killed and scalped two days before, near the Kittanning on the north- western frontier of Pennsylvania, when another man was taken prisoner. We suppose the party of Indians who left this mes- sage and perpetrated the murder, to have been hired for that purpose by the British officers at Niagara, in order to promote an open rupture between the Six Nations and the United States, as we had intelligence of such a party being out, and having come from thence. In consequence whereof, and on considering the present situation of this country, a council of field officers and captains met here and gave their opinion on certain matters, of which your Excellency is doubtless ere now fully informed-among other things Col. Crawford was re- quested to make a return of the stores requisite to be sent here and an estimate of the expense of repairs to make this fort de- fensible against any body of troops which may be brought against us by the way of Presque Isle and the Alleghany, that being the route by which this fort will be attacked, if ever an expedition should be formed against it from Canada, and not as has been intimated to your Excellency from Detroit and San- dusky, there being no post at the latter place, and as we are informed but sixty-six soldiers are at Detroit, from whence by land to Fort Pitt is near three hundred miles, impassable for artillery, and all that country we are told could not furnish to an army of 1,000 men sufficient provisions or horses for such an expedition.

" Your Excellency cannot but be already informed that many persons among ourselves wish to promote a war with the sav- ages, not considering the distress of our country on the sea coast. This disposition with the conduct of a banditti consist- ing of sixty or eighty savages at the head of Scioto, may pos- sibly create a general quarrel. Yet we flatter ourselves that by prudent measures it is possible to avoid it. But if, as seems the inclination of some, all Indians, without distinction, who may be found are to be massacred, and even when visiting us as friends, a general war cannot be avoided, and we fear the consequences would be fatal at this critical time; but should it please God to bless us with victory to overcome our British en- emies on the sea coast, we shall have it in our power to take ample satisfaction of our Indian enemy. In the interim, we are humbly of opinion, that the most pacific measures, with liberal presents, if in our power to make them, will be attended with much happier consequences with the savages than an armed force can produce. Nevertheless, we beg leave again to assure your Excellency that nothing in our power shall be wanting to promote and insure success to the expe- dition now ordered to be executed. But as it will be impossi- ble to have the men raised and armed before the first day of June next, we shall have sufficient time to receive your Excel- lency's farther instructions on that head, and we shall in the interim take every possible precaution to prevent intelligence

*Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. 5, pp. 258 and 259.

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

reaching the enemy so far as to defeat the wise intentions of government.

"We are with the greatest respect, your excellency's most obedient and most humble servants,

[Signed]

"GEO. MORGAN, " JOHN NEVILL.

"P. S. By Lieut. Holliback, who left the Kanawha the ultimo, all is quiet there, and no murders or Indian incursions have been made into the inhabitants, that we have heard of, sinee last December, when one man was killed on the Indian side of the Ohio, opposite to the fort at Wheeling, and one taken prisoner. They were out as spies.

"The county lieutenant who is ordered to send 100 men to meet Capt. Lynn with the powder, is at a loss to know how far to proceed, or where St. Louis, on the Mississippi, is-there being one place of that name 160 miles above the mouth of the Ohio, and no settlement or fort less than 400 miles below the Ohio. The nearest is at the river Arkansas.

"To His Exeellency Patrick Henry, jun., Esq., Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, at Williamsburg."*

Whether or not the arguments advanced in the foregoing communieation indueed the governor and eouneil to abandon the contemplated expedition, does not appear. The journal of Col. Morgan, from April 1777 to Jan. 1778, is missing, and there is no account of such an invasion into the Indian country at this period, to be gathered from other sourees. The probabili- ties are that it was deemed inexpedient to undertake the expe- dition, at this time, in view of the eritieal attitude of the other tribes, with whom this band was more or less eonneeted, as there is no further allusion to the subjeet, in any of the con- temporary records of which there is any present knowledge.

STRONG APPREHENSIONS OF AN INDIAN WAR IN THE SPRING OF 1777-COUNCIL OF WAR AT FORT PITT-LETTERS OF COLONEL CRAWFORD TO WASHINGTON AND TO CONGRESS-MORE INDIAN MASSACRES.

There was, however, a general and growing apprehension of the hostile intent of the savages, founded, perhaps, on the various murders and incursions, already alluded to, as well as on information received from friendly Indians, of the maehina- tions of the British offieers at Detroit with the different tribes.

So strong was this impression that Col. Crawford, who had recruited a new regiment in the vicinity of his old home, was detained with it to aid in defense of the border, and was obliged to explain his non-arrival at the seat of war in a letter to Gen. Washington, dated Frederiektown, Md., February 12, 1777, as follows: "Sir: I am sorry to break in upon your hours that ought to rest you from the many fatigues you have to undergo in that important task you have undertaken in defense of our liberties, but necessity obliges me under my present difficulties. I should have been with you, sir, before now, but for the fol- lowing reasons :

"There is great probability of an Indian war for many evi- dent reasons given by the Indians through the course of last summer. They have killed many of our people on the fron- * tiers, * * * and * * * should both the regiments now be moved away it will greatly distress the people, as the last, raised by myself, was exeep- ted to be a guard for them if there was an Indian war. By the Governor of Virginia I was appointed to command that regiment, at the request of the people. The conditions were that the soldiers were enlisted during the war, and if an Indian war should come on this spring they were to be continued there, as their interest was on the spot; but if there should be no Indian war in that quarter, then they were to go wherever ealled. * * *

* Many men have already been taken from that region, so that if that regiment should march away, it will leave few or none to defend the country. There are no arms, as the chief part of the first men were armed there, which has left the place very bare; but let me be ordered anywhere and I will go if possible," ete .;

These apprehensions received an early justifieation. No sooner had the cold weather abated than the Indians began their hostile movements. The question was no longer whether they would maintain a partial neutrality, but where and when they would strike? This feeling indueed the ealling of a Couneil of War, which was held at Fort Pitt on the 24th of March. An account in the "Pennsylvania Packet" of the 8th of April says: "In consequence of the before-mentioned intel-

ligence and depredations, (the murders and outrages already narrated) a Couneil of War was held at this place (Fort Pitt) this day, (24th March, 1777,) in which it was determined that it would be most advisable for Col. Crawford's battalion (13th Virginia-"West Augusta"-Regiment) and two companies of Col. Wood's battalion, at Fort Pitt and Wheeling, not to mareh till further orders, and that one hundred men should imme- diately be sent to Kittaning, and twenty-five men to the fol- lowing places: Logstown, Holliday's Cove and Cox's."

A few days later tidings arrived of further Indian murders, at different points along the border, and, on the 10th of April Col. Morgan wrote to Col. Crawford, detailing the circumstances, and calling upon him to take the necessary measures to proteet the inhabitants. The following is an extract from his letter: "Last Monday a messenger arrived from the Delaware town and informed me that a party of eighteen Mingoes were out, and it was supposed would divide themselves into two parties and strike nearly at the same time between Yellow Creek and this place. Yesterday afternoon an express arrived from Capt. Steel, by which we learn that the first-mentioned party had divided, as supposed, and killed one man just below Raecoon ereek and burned two cabins, viz .: Muchmore's and Arnot's; the body of the latter was found. His wife and four children are supposed to be burned in the cabin or earried off prisoners. This day an express arrived from Wheeling with an aeeount that one Roger MeBride was killed and scalped about ten miles up that ereek, and alarms had arrived from several other quar- ters. I do think, sir, that you will find it necessary to take some measures in consequence of these murders, and that your presence here is requisite."*

In compliance with the wishes of Col. Morgan, as expressed in the letter given above, and also to meet the requirements of the council of war, already mentioned, Col. Crawford repaired at once to Fort Pitt, from whence, on the 22d of April, he ad- dressed the following letter to the President of Congress:

"HONORABLE SIR :- I have received orders to join his Excel- lency General Washington in the Jerseys, with the battalion now under my command, which orders I would willingly have obeyed, had not a eouneil of war, held at this place (proceedings of which were transmitted to Congress by express), resolved that I should remain here till further orders. I am sorry to find the aecounts therein contained are likely to prove but too true, and from the late depredations and murders which were committed by the Indians at different places in this neighbor- hood it appears to me as if a general irruption was intended. * * ** At Wheeling they killed and scalped one man, the body of whom was mueh mangled with tomahawks and other instruments suitable for their barbarity ; at Dunkard's creek. one of the west branches of the Monongahela river, they killed and sealped one man and a woman, and took three children; and at each of the above places they burned houses. killed cattle, hogs, &e.

"I have taken all possible means for the protection of this country as the nature of my circumstances would afford. I am at a great loss for arms; two-thirds of the battalion have none. * * I only await further directions, as I have received * no marching orders dated since the council held at this place resolved that I should wait till further orders."+

INDIAN INCURSIONS-BRIG. GEN. EDWARD HAND IN COMMAND OF DEPARTMENT-INDIAN MURDER AT WHEELING.

While these events were transpiring along the north western frontier of Virginia, the southwestern portions also were sub- jected to the same fierce ordeal. All along the line, showing a common purpose, and a definite plan, the savages pressed forward to the assault of the border. Ifere a small band of marauders would appear suddenly, and massaere the unsuspect- ing settlers engaged in cultivating their lands; cut off hunters procuring necessary supplies of meat for their families; waylay paths to the springs and watering places; murder or carry into captivity innocent women and children; burn houses, kill or drive off cattle, and commit all the deviltries possible to their barbarous natures. Elsewhere larger numbers would gather seeking the destruction of fortified settlements.

Finding it impossible to destroy the larger settlements so long as the forts remained to afford shelter, and a safe retreat to the inhabitants, and that in all matters of skill in the use of arms, and cunning stratagem, the whites were much their superiors, they sought by bringing into the country large and overwhelming forces to capture the fortifications and utterly

*Penna. Archives, vol. V. p. 286.

*Washington-Crawford Letters, pp. 62 and 63.

*Hildreth's Pioneer llistory, p. 123.

+Washington-Crawford Letters, p. 64, 65.

100

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

destroy their foes. Accordingly they would detach from their main body sufficient numbers to threaten the forts in the vicin- ity of their proposed attack to prevent aid being furnished the beleaguered garrison or the marching of forees from one fort to another to assist in its defence. This was the plan of their invasion of Kentucky at this very time. On the 14th of March they suddenly appeared with a force of two hundred warriors. Dividing their forces they employed their most active and ex- pert men to watch and invest Boone's and Logan's forts, while their main body marched to the attack of Harrodsburg. The gallant, spirited, and successful defence of these forts, it is not proposed to narrate here, but is a part of the operations against the frontier during the revolution.

This incursion, also, disclosed the final success of the British agents, in inducing the savages to espouse their cause, and in- flict upon the border, all the horrid barbarities of savage war- fare. As if to leave no doubt of the source from which this raid was projeeted, the besiegers left a proclamation, from Gov. Hamilton, of Detroit, pinned to the dead body of one of the men, killed outside the garrison, in which protection and re- ward, was promised to those who would renounce the cause of the colonies, and become the supporters of the British king.

The military authorities of the government made some changes in the administration of affairs at this time, and Brig. Gen. Edward Hand was placed in command of the Department with headquarters at Fort Pitt.

The raids and murders, however, did not cease. In June a Mrs. Grigsby and child, were killed and scalped on Rooting creek, and, shortly afterwards, a daughter of Mr. Coon was also killed near Coon's Fort, on the West Fork.

On the 7th of June, a man was killed on Wheeling creek within a half mile of the fort. It was promptly reported to the Department commander, Gen. Hand, in the following letter from

CAPT. SAMUEL MEASON IN COMMAND OF FORT HENRY. "FORT HENRY, June 8, 1777.

" Yesterday between the hours of five and six o'clock, in the afternoon, as a few of Capt. Vanmeter's company were fishing about half a mile from this fort up Wheeling creek, a certain Thomas McCleary and one Lanimore being some distance from the others, were fired on by a party of Indians to the number of six, seven or eight guns, of which the several persons near do not agree, as some say eight, or upwards. Lanimore and others gave the alarm. I went to the place and found tracks, but difficult to ascertain the number of Indians. McCleary's shoe being found which he wore when he received the wound; we presently found him killed and scalped. He had run about three hundred yards from the creek. Night coming on by the time that we were satisfied of its being Indians. I proposed to set out this morning by daylight, in pursuit and have drawn out of Capt. Virgin's company eight men, so that we amount to thirty men, well equipped, and to cross the river at this place, as they seemed by their tracks to bend their direction down the river, and propose to pursue them to the last extremity and hazard. I set off at 8 this morning, and flatter myself that you will not disapprove our proceeding, but call on me, if any oeca- sion should require, and as I may not return to the ensuing council at Catfish, I take this opportunity to return your Honor the strength of my company, which consists of fifty men, of which forty-five are in good order, and furnished for going on any emergency and expedition that may be necessary.

I am with great respect your Honors

Most Obedient and Humble Servant, SAM'L MEASON .* Directed to Brig. Gen. Hand.

The following letter also gives some of the

OCCURRENCES AT GRAVE CREEK.

Dear Parents :- This comes to let you know our distressed situation at present. Last Saturday night the Indians came and drove off my two horses, and two of Joseph Tumbleston's, shot a mare of his dead and took a valuable mare of John Har- nesses, and one large horse of Samuel Harris and one of Za- phiniah Blackfords, and some young creatures, and with their arrows shot four of Mr. Zodger's cattle and two of Yeates Con- wells. The cattle came home with the arrows sticking in them twelve inches, which cut a shocking aspect; upon which we

immediately turned out all that was fit for action, which was only twenty-three, leaving not eight effectual men in the fort, and went down the river to the mouth of Fish creek, by water and then crossed the Ohio and marched by land to Sunfish creek, and then took the tracks of the Indians and it was partly dark, the road was plain and followed up the creek by moonshine a few miles with great hopes of overtaking them, and discovered their fire and as we were surrounding them, John McClean's gun went off by accident and they returned the fire smartly and only one of our men were in proper view of the Indians, who shot twice and they then fled from their camp, and scolded us for some time. We immediately took possession of a hill that joined their camp and discovered two more fires, and not thinking ourselves sufficient for an attack, we retreated and got a reinforcement and sallied down and went up the creek, but finding they were two days gone we concluded to cross to our side of the river, and look for some that we expected on that side, we took the advantage of a rifle, two of our canoes being advanced close to the shore in order to land, the Indians fired their shots as thick as hail upon them, our men all fell flat in the canoes only two that steered and pushed back under cover of our guns, and got safe back to the savage shore without the loss of a man, we exchanged many shot but to no purpose we then pushed up and erossed the river below Fish creek, and lay on our arms until morning, and found a number of tracks coming up the river which we fol- lowed with all speed to our fort and was agrecably surprised to find them a party of Capt. Pigman's company that had been at the Little Kanawha, and so you won't fail to come down with five or six horses with all speed to help us up to your parts. The sign of the Indians is very numerous over the Ohio, hav- ing numbers of camps, and one large bark camp below Fish creek. I was in both actions and saw the signs myself.

MORGAN JONES, Grave Creek.t

CONFEDERATION OF INDIANS UNDER BRITISH INFLUENCE-MIS- SION OF CORNSTALK TO THE VIRGINIANS-HIS DASTARDLY MUR- DER-PROPOSED EXPEDITION UNDER GEN. HAND.

The efforts of the British agents to secure a confederation of all the tribes to assume offensive warfare against the Colonies had become well known at all the principal settlements along the border. Up to this time their success had been but partial, but, as the summer began, it was found that the assent of the Shawanese alone was wanting to perfect the coalition. The distinguished head of that nation, the noted chief Cornstalk, however, was not only averse to any alliance with the British, but desirous rather of preserving friendly relations with the Virginians. All his influence was exerted in this behalf, but his counsels met with much opposition in his tribe, who were anxious to retaliate, on the whites, the loss of so many war- riors at the battle of Point Pleasant. This feeling was shrewdly fomented by British emissaries from neighboring tribes until it became evident that the time would soon arrive when the Shawanese would override the wise eounsels of their chief. This condition of affairs led Cornstalk to visit Fort Randolph, then in command of Capt. Matthew Arbuekle, during the sum- mer in company with Red Hawk and another Indian to make known the probable course of the Indians in the coming season. When Cornstalk had told the Captain of the hostile attitude and preparations of the Indians, that the Shawanese were likely to join the confederacy, and were alone wanting to its completion, saying "the current set so strongly against the colonies even they would float with the stream in despite of his endeavors to stem it," he deemed it the part of prudence to detain this distinguished chief and his associates as hostages for the peace and neutrality of the Indians. Upon communi- cating to the Government of Virginia the information received from Cornstalk, they determined to march an army into the Indian country and so utterly destroy it as to prevent further molestation from them. Troops from Augusta and Botetourt were to rendezvous at the mouth of the Big Kanawha as soon as possible, and were to be joined by forces from Fort Pitt, under General Hand, who was to assume the command of the expedition. Three or four companies were raised in Botetourt and Augusta, and one company in Greenbrier, and marched to Point Pleasant under Col. George Skillern. Here they awaited the arrival of Gen. Hand. It was during this interval that Cornstalk was joined by his son, Ellinipsico, and the affection- ate and tender meeting, described by Capt. Stuart, occurred.

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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 36

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