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 39

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 39
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 39

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In January, 1779, Fort Laurens was closely invested by a large body of Shawanese and Wyandot warriors, cutting off all intercourse with Fort McIntosh, and reducing the garrison to very great straits, besides killing quite a number. This siege fully demonstrated the folly of building a fort in the enemy's country without the means or ability to maintain it, and it was finally abandoned in August, ten months after its erection, having cost a large sum of money and several useful lives.

Col. Morgan was absent at Philadelphia at the time of the treaty with the Delawares and did not return until the 20th of January, 1779. The affairs of the department, under the direc- tion of Gen. McIntosh, in the meantime, became much deranged, and in the spring he was recalled, at his own request. He was succeeded by

COL. DANIEL BRODHEAD IN COMMAND OF THE DEPARTMENT.

The change was a beneficial one to the department, as Colonel Brodhead proved to be an active and efficient commander.

The frequent incursions of the savages in the preceding year led to the adoption of many defensive measures for the greater security and defence of the border. Most of the settlements built forts or block houses into which the neighboring inhabi-

tants could retire when the alarm was given. Some private houses were also stockaded and fortified to resist attack from the small predatory band which prowled through the country.

CAPTURE OF VINCENNES AND GOVERNOR HAMILTON.

The success of Col. Clark in the capture of Kaskaskia and the other settlements becoming known at Detroit, led to exten- sive preparations to expel him from the place and open up an unobstructed passage for the savages to the Virginia frontier. Six hundred Indians, led on by Gov. Hamilton, of Detroit, whom Withers describes as "a bold, active, bloodthirsty and cruel man, and well known as the chief instigator of the sav- ages to war and a prop of Tories," left Detroit for the scene of Clark's exploits. They arrived at Fort St. Vincent, now Vin- cennes, Indiana, in December, 1778, and, finding the season too far advanced to attempt the reduction of Kaskaskia, Governor Hamilton detached a greater portion of his force in marauding parties against the border settlements, reserving one company for the security of his own headquarters. Intelligence of Ham- ilton's movements reaching Clark, he took immediate and active measures for defense. Subsequently learning of the re- duced condition of Hamilton's force, he instantly determined to change the aspect of affairs by offensive operations, and set out, on the 7th of February, 1779, in his march across the coun- try at the head of one hundred and thirty brave and intrepid men. Amid many difficulties and through unnumbered hard- ships this gallant band penetrated to and captured the town and immediately besieged the fort, which fell into their hands after eighteen hours' struggle. The capture included the infa- mous Governor Hamilton himself, the entire garrison, and a large quantity of stores. Clark's successes roused the spirit of the whole border, gained him an honorable and enviable fame, and secured many and great advantages to the entire frontier.

These events were soon followed by

COL. BRODHEAD'S CAMPAIGN UP THE ALLEGHENY, 1779-FORCES FROM WHEELING PARTICIPATE.

One of the important events of the Revolution was the cam- paign of General Sullivan, against the Six Nations in the sum- mer and fall of 1779. It was successfully executed and had an important influence in promoting the general welfare of the American cause. General Washington, in order effectually to cripple the Indians, originally planned a campaign up the Al- legheny from Pittsburgh under the command of Gen. Brodhead, to co-operate with Gen. Sullivan. The impracticability of the co-operation afterward became apparent to Washington, and a simultaneous expedition against the Munceys and Senecas up the Allegheny under Brodhead was determined upon. These Indians had been long engaged in active hostilities, and com- mitted frequent depredations on the frontiers of Pennsylvania. In the campaign against them, as many of those who resided in the settlements around Wheeling, as could be spared from the immediate defence of their own neighborhoods, were associated with the Pennsylvania troops and the continentals under Brodhead. Among them was Jonathan Zane, who acted in the capacity of a guide, and rendered very efficient service. In the march, he was wounded by a bullet from a savage. The expedition met with little resistance, only coming in contact with a party of forty warriors who were on their way to attack the settlements in Westmoreland county. These were attacked and driven in all directions, five being killed and several woun- ded. The expedition then proceeded against their towns, which the Indians deserted, on the approach of the troops, leaving nothing for them to do but to destroy them and the crops of corn and vegetables. General Brodhead, in his report of the expe- dition, says : " The troops remained on the ground three whole days destroying the towns and corn fields. I never saw finer corn, although it was planted much thicker than is common with our farmers. The quantity of corn and other vegetables destroyed at the several towns, from the best accounts I can recollect from the officers employed to destroy it, must certainly exceed five hundred acres, which is the lowest estimate, and the plunder taken is estimated at three thousand dollars."

HOSTILE OPERATIONS OF 1780-INDIAN INVASION BELOW WHEEL- ING AND AT RACCOON CREEK.

The severity of the following winter put a stop for a time to the inroads of the savages. On the first appearance of spring, however, hostilities were resumed and acts of murder and de- vastation begun as if to utterly exterminate the inhabitants of the border. An expedition was concerted at Detroit, in which a

*Hildreth's Pioneer History says six pieces of artillery; but Withers' statement above seems more probable.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

combined foree of British and Indians were to proceed against Kentucky, and simultaneously an Indian army was to pene- trate Northwestern Virginia to devastate and destroy whatever fell in their way. In the meantime the depredations of small parties of savages continued with scarcely an intermission.

Until this year (1780), the Delaware Indians had withstood the influences and threats of the British and their savage allies, but now deelared for war-only a small band remaining friendly to the Americans; the residue joined the confederacy of the northwest. This, with the previous abandonment of Forts Laurens and McIntosh, the withdrawal of the American forces from the Indian country, and the information that an Indian army was preparing to invade Northwestern Virginia, eaused general dismay throughout the settlements on the border.

"The Indian army* destined to operate against Northwestern Virginia, was to enter the country in two divisions of one hun- dred and fifty warriors caeh; the one erossing the Ohio near below Wheeling, the other at the mouth of Raccoon creek, about sixty miles farther up. Both were, avoiding the stronger forts, to proceed directly to Washington, then known as Catfishtown, between which place and the Ohio, the whole country was to be laid waste.

"The division crossing below Wheeling, was soon discovered by seouts, who giving the alarm, caused most of the inhabi- tants of the more proximate settlements, to fly immediately to that place, supposing that an attaek was meditated on it. The Indians, however, proceeded on the way to Washington making prisoners of many, who, although apprized that an enemy was in the country, yet feeling seeure in their distance from what was expected to be the theatre of operations, neglected to use the precaution necessary to guard them against beeomning eap- tives to the savages. From all the prisoners, they learned the same thing-that the inhabitants had gone to Wheeling with a view of concentrating the foree of the settlements to effeet their repulsion. This intelligenee alarmed them. The chiefs held a council, in which it was determined, instead of proceed- ing to Washington, to retrace their steps aeross the Ohio, lest their retreat, if delayed till the whites had an opportunity of organizing themselves for battle, should be entirely cut off. In- furiate at the blasting of their hopes of blood and spoil, they resolved to murder all their male prisoners-exhausting on their devoted heads, the fury of disappointed expectation. Preparations to carry this resolution into effect were immedi- ately begun to be made.

"The unfortunate victims to their savage wrath, were led forth from among their friends and their families-their hands were pinioned behind them-a rope was fastened about the neek of each and that bound around a tree, so as to prevent any motion of the head. The tomahawk and sealping knife were next drawn from their belts, and the horrid purpose of these preparations, fully consummated.

"'Imagination's utmost stretch' can hardly fancy a more heart-rending scene than was there exhibited. Parents, in the bloom of life and glow of health, mercilessly mangled to death in the presence of children, whose sobbing cries served but to heighten the torments of the dying. Husbands, cruelly lacer- ated, and by piece-meal deprived of life in view of the tender partners of their bosoms, whose agonizing shrieks, increasing the anguish of torture, sharpened the sting of death. It is indeed

" A fearful thing, To see the human soul, take wing, In any shape,-in any mood ;"

but that wives and children should be forced to behold the last ebb of life, and to witness the struggle of the departing spirit of husbands and fathers, under such horrific circumstances, is shocking to humanity, appalling, even in contemplation.

" Barbarities such as these, had considerable influence on the temper and disposition of the inhabitants of the country. They gave birth to a vindictive feeling in many, which led to the perpetration of similar enormities, and redueed civilized man, to the degraded level of the barbarian. They served too, to arouse them to greater exertion, to subdue the savage foe in justifiable warfare, and thus prevent their unpleasant recurrence.

PROPOSED EXPEDITION AGAINST THE MUSKINGUM TOWN.

" So soon as the Indian forces effected a precipitate retreat aeross the Ohio, preparations were begun to be made for acting offensively against them. An expedition was concerted, to be carried on against the towns at the forks of the Muskingum,

and through the instrumentality of Cols. Zane and Shepherd, Col. Brodhead commander of the forees at Fort Pitt, was pre- vailed upon to co-operate."

Withers here states that before the expedition could be ear- ried into effeet it was deemed advisible by General Brodhead to "proceed against the Muneey towns up the north branch of the Allegheny river." But this is an egregious error, for Brod- head's campaign against the Seneeas and Munceys up the Alle- gheny took place in the year 1779. The truth is, the proposed campaign against the Indians on the Muskingum had been dis- eussed throughout the whole of the year 1780, and different times had been fixed upon for assembling the militia at Fort Henry for that purpose (see following documents,) but obstaeles invariably arose which compelled a postponement. In the first place the militia did not promptly assemble, and it would have been of little use if they had, for supplies for the expedition were not at hand and could not be had. The main projeet that oceupied the attention of General Brodhead at this time, and in fact the American government, was an expedition against Detroit. That was a movement which was deemed of more im- portance than all others in the western department, and, of course, if it could have been successfully executed, would have effeeted greater and more permanent protection for the frontier than all the military projects combined. But the want of sup- plies and munitions, after a number of plans to raise theni had failed, rendered the coveted project impracticable. For the same reason was the proposed expedition from Wheeling against Coshocton postponed from time to time until the sum- mer and fall of 1780 had been consumed without any movement being executed. Accordingly Col. Brodhead began his prepara- tions; writing circular letters to the different county lieuten- ants, to furnish their quota of

TROOPS TO RENDEZVOUS AT FORT HENRY

by the 22d of May, to have their erops planted by the 10th and be in readiness for the mareh. The quota for Ohio county was seventy-five men. The following is a copy of the circular as addressed to Col. Evans :

"HEADQUARTERS, PITTSBURGH, April 13th, 1780.

"DEAR SIR: Inclosed I send you the copy of a letter just re- eeived from the Delaware Council at Coochoeking, and extraets from a letter from the Rev. Missionaries, Messrs. Zeisberger and Heekwelder, who live in the Delaware towns, and by whom I have hitherto been furnished with authentic intelligence.

" It remains to strike a home stroke against one of the hostile Indian nations, and I coneeive a lasting tranquility will ensue to the inhabitants of this frontier. This I have in contempla- tion and expeet the hearty concurrence and aid of the country. Let industry be encouraged; let your farmers have their spring crops in the ground by the 10th of next month, and do you have two hundred and fifty men with a proportionate nuniber of officers rendezvoused at Fort Henry by the twenty-second day. These, with the number Iexpect from the other counties, will enable us to strike terror into the hostile western nations, and as the expedition will be rapid and of short duration, it will be attended with very small inconvenience to the planters. Encourage those who can afford it to bring eight or ten days' provisions with them, for which they shall be paid out of the public funds. Please to write to me your opinion of this meas- ure, by the bearer.

"I have the honor to be, with regard, your most obedient hunible servant, DANIEL BRODHEAD. " Directed,

"C'OL. JOHN EVANS.

"Circular to David Shepherd, for seventy-five men, and to ('ol. Beeler, for three hundred men."*

Not being able to secure provisions in time, the date of the rendezvous at Fort Henry was changed to the 9th of June. in the following letter from

COL. BRODHEAD TO COL. JOHN EVANS.

" HEADQUARTERS, FORT PITT, May 9th, 1780. "DEAR SIR : I find it will not be in my power to provide for the number of inen I have ordered to be called into serviee so soon as I expected, besides I have heard that a number of artil- lery and stores and two regiments of infantry are now on their march to reinforce my command. The account of artillery and stores I have received officially and I believe the other may be credited.

"It will be essentially necessary for the leading officers of

*Appendix Pennsylvania Archives, p. 219.

*Withers.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

your county to excite the greatest industry in planting and sowing the summer erop and to have your troops at Fort Henry by the fourth day of next month. The militia should be drafted for two months, although the expedition will probably end in one, and let them be well armed and aeeoutred as cir- cumstances will admit. Encourage them to bring two-weeks' allowance of provisions lest there should be a defieieney.

"I have no doubt but you and all the good people of your county are convinced of the necessity there is for prosecuting some offensive operations against the savages, and I trust that by a well-timed movement from the new settlements down the river to favor our expedition we shall be enabled to strike a general panie amongst the hostile tribes. I am averse to put- ting too much to hazard, as a defeat would prove fatal to the settlements, and therefore I expect the full quota of men will be furnished, which, with the blessing of Divine Providence, will insure success. Indeed I expect, besides the militia, many will turn as out volunteers to secure to themselves the blessings of peace. I have the honor to be, with great respect, yours,

" DANIEL BRODHEAD,

"Col. Commanding, W. D.

" Directed, "COL. JNO. EVANS.

"Circular to Col. Jos. BEELER."*

Advice of the change was also sent to the General-in-Chief of the Army in the following letter of

COL. BRODHEAD TO GEN. WASHINGTON.

"FORT PITT, May 13th, 1780.

"DEAR GENERAL: I have put off the assembling of the militia until the 4th of next month to endeavor to procure a sufficient quantity of provisions for them. But I fear it will not be in my power, as Gen. Gates, who presides at the Board of Inspection, has ordered the commissaries to stop purchasing, and the Mingoes, in sundry parties, have been discovered in their march toward the inhabitants. Several persons have lately been killed and wounded in Westmoreland county, which will probably prevent my receiving any aid from the militia of that county. They have hired sixty men who are now sta- tioned on their frontier. A Delaware Indian informed me this day that two parties of warriors had just crossed the Ohio river near Logstown and Chartier's creek, which will probably, by alarming and driving the inhabitants prevent my getting the men from the other counties, as I expected. The remaining Continentals are the cullings of our troops, and I cannot promise anything clever from them.

I have written to the artillery officer to hurry up the artillery and stores, but I hear he is badly furnished with carriages and forage, which must prevent his marching with expedition.

"I think it is probable the enemy are meditating an attack on some of our posts, which, for want of sufficient garrisons and supplies cannot make much resistance. I am preparing to receive them here, but the detachments to Fort McIntosh, Holliday's Cove, Fort Henry and Fort Armstrong leaves but a small garrison to defend this post, wherefore I have armed the inhabitants of the town and assigned them an alarm post. The Delaware Indians continue their professions of friendship, and some of their warriors are now out with my scouts, but as I have little or nothing to give them but good words and fair promises I apprehend they will soon deeline the service.

"I have the honor to be &c., &c.,

" DANIEL BRODHEAD.

" Directed,

"His Excellency General WASHINGTON."+

On the 16th of May, Col. Brodhead directed

CAPT. BENJAMIN BIGGS, IN COMMAND AT FORT HENRY,

to supply the garrison at Holliday's Cove with beef, in the fol- lowing letter :

HEADQUARTERS, FORT PITT, May 16, 1780.

DEAR SIR: Lieut. Harrison writes from Holliday's Cove that he has no provision for his garrison, and that you informed him you could not spare him any. I intended his garrison should be supplied with meat from the magazine at Fort Henry and the commissary informs me that there is a great quantity of the best kind. Meat cannot be spared from hence and he will be compelled to send to you again and I expect you will send him supply at least to serve three weeks.

It will be necessary to furnish me with a return of all kinds of stores at your post, likewise of the strength of your garrison, and I wish you to engage some artisans at the current price to repair the boats you have there. If pitch, tar or oakum cannot be had, let them be otherwise repaired until the materials can be sent from hence.

I am with regard, Dear Sir, your most

Obedient Servant,

DANIEL BRODHEAD.

" Directed,

CAPT. BENJ'N BIGGS.

He also notified Lieut. Harrison of this direction to Capt. Biggs, as follows :

HEADQUARTERS, FORT PITT, May 16, 1780. "DEAR SIR : I have your letter of the 13th inst. and am much surprised at the inattention of the commissary, who ought to supply your garrison with provisions, as well as Capt. Biggs' re- fusal to supply you with beef. I eannot afford any quantity of salt meat from hence, but it can be furnished from Wheeling, and I have herewith wrote Capt. Biggs to let you have some. Mr. Irwin will send you some flour, and I must request you will see that no waste be committed of any stores that are or may come to your garrison. I have directed Major Finley to send you a Sergeant, but a reinforcement cannot under present circumstances be spared, and therefore you must not suffer any of your men to be absent from the garrison, except when they are employed as spies. Your post is designed to protect and give countenance to the inhabitants and to give an alarm to ad- jacent settlements, as often as the enemy or any sign of them is discovered. You can only answer the second purpose in your present weakness, which you will by no means neglect when discoveries are made.

I am, Dear Sir, your most Obedient Servant, DANIEL BRODHEAD.

" Directed,

LIEUT. JOHN HARRISON .*

Failing still to obtain the necessary supplies, the expedition was further postponed. In September, advices were received that a large party of Indians were on the march for the settle- ments, and on September 17th, Col. Brodhead made a call on the different county lieutenants for their quota of troops to repel the invasion and punish the enemy. In the following letter to Col. Shepherd, he makes a

REQUISITION ON OHIO COUNTY FOR TROOPS,

who are to be immediately equipped and ready to be marched at an hour's warning.

"HEADQUARTERS, FORT PITT, September 17th, 1780.

DEAR SIR: The Delaware runners with letters from Major Lanetot and Captain La Lucerne arrived last evening from Coochocking. As that from the Major is much the same in substanee with the other, I have got it translated into our lan- guage, and enelose you a copy for perusal.

"The contents, if true, in our present circumstances, are alarm- ing, and I must therefore request you will immediately upon receipt hereof cause the whole three-fourths of the men in your eounty to be equipped with arms and accoutrements and as much provision as will last them fifteen days, and be in readiness to march at an hour's warning; but this additional number need not furnish horses to ride, as they are intended to act defensively.

"The messengers add that a party of twenty Muncies and Delawares were discovered about six days ago near the new Moravian town on their march towards our settlements, which it is expected will cross the river near to the old Mingo towns; and that they have heard that the Seneea Indians intended to come in a large body down the Allegheny river to attack our settlements. They likewise inform me that in the attaek made by Captain McIntyre's party on the Wyandot warriors, eighteen or nineteen were killed and some are still missing.

" Advise the inhabitants to be unanimous and I will under- take to give a good account of the enemy. The former orders tending to offensive operations we are not to lose sight of. For should the enemy fail of coming in force against us, I will if possible, visit them. I have the honor to be, &c.,

"D. BRODHEAD.

" Directed,

" COL. DAVID SHEPHERD.

"Circular to all the eounty Lieutenants."t

*Appendix Pennsylvania Archives, p. 231.

tIbid, p. 233.

*Appendix Pennsylvania Archives, p. 235. Ibid, p. 270.

109

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

The people still failing to furnish the necessary supplies, Col. Brodhead determined to take by military force such stores as werc necded for the expedition, under instructions received from the Government. To furnish the necessary troops for this service he was obliged to withdraw the regulars garrisoned at Fort Henry and Holliday's Cove. The following is a copy of his order to

CAPT. JOIIN CLARKE, IN COMMAND AT FORT HENRY.

" HEADQUARTERS, PITTSBURGH, October 13th, 1780.

"DEAR SIR: As the intended expedition is put off for want of provisions to subsist the troops, and provisions cannot be collected but by parties of men employed for that purpose, you will immediately evacuate (unless relieved by a party of mi- litia) Fort Henry, bringing from thence to Fort McIntosh all the public stores, likewise those from Holliday's Cove and its garrison. When you reach Fort McIntosh you will leave under the command of Capt. Briggs, two sergeants, two corporals and thirty private soldiers, the most unfit for active service, and march the residue without loss of time to this place. I have written to Col. Shepherd to send some militia to those lower posts, and expect he will act accordingly.

" Assure the inhabitants of every possible protection, and desire them to be on their guard until the expedition can be executed, and then they will have nothing to fear.

"I am, &c.,

"D. B.

" Directed, "Capt. JNO. CLARKE."*

On the same day he also wrote Col. David Shepherd of his intentions to withdraw the garrison, and directed him to sup- ply Fort Henry with a captain and twenty-five militia, includ- ing a subaltern and two sergeants. The letter is as follows:

" HEADQUARTERS., PITTSBURGH, October 13th, 1780.

"DEAR SIR: Finding that the fairest proposals to the people and the faith of the public will not procure a sufficient quan- tity of provisions to enable me to secure the inhabitants by acting offensively against the savages, I have determined to take provisions agreeable to recent instructions, and in order to facilitate the business have called for the garrisons of Fort Henry and Holliday's Cove. I do not mean to detain those garrisons longer than they have executed the business they are to be sent upon, and in the meantime you will please to order a captain and about twenty-five militia, including a sub- altern and two sergeants, to take post at Fort Henry, and a subaltern, two sergeants and fifteen rank and file to Holliday's Cove. Let them be supplied as the regulars were, and they shall be paid by the public.

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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 39

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