USA > Ohio > The Revolution on the Upper Ohio, 1775-1777 > Part 13
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89 This stream, flowing through Mercer and Venango coun- ties, comes in from the west, about eleven miles below Frank- lin .- ED.
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Set several men to work at it for the Seats in open f[i]eld. the Next morning after Brackvest and called together, uncle cornplanter give the Company advice to hold one minde and appoint Redjackett for Speaker in the meeting and made all prepaired on our part and we went on the ground, there was a large number asambled. and one of the officers give us a seat in the mid of it. the Commissioner appeared and Called to order he first Said the Commissioner we the white people has been long Desirous to have you to met with us, for the purpose of to make known to you, Broth- ers, we considerated necessary for us to let you Know and to make you acquainted our circumstances and the Difficulties Existed Between America and the King of great britain the great Britain government use us bad and the American people endeavours to have free- dom to Built up our own government the King ordered his armies and warriours to fight us, we are therefore would use my utmost Endeavours to great a Number of our Red Brethren the Six Nations, and others to not Join Either Party for we Determint that we Shall have freedom and independant Nation from the Brit- ish government if posibly can and let us fight it out our liberty for we will laid Down our lifes for our independence and freedom and we feel interst and Desirious in your wellfairs that you would continue hold on as independent Nations of your people and not to lift it your hands against America or great Britain because he and me alone got into Difficulty and wishes you to Stand notual [ neutral] and be Peace to all your White Brethren and if we should lost our liberty, than we always be under the great Britain
Red Jacket
Seneca chief. Indian name. Sagovewatha. After a litho- graph in the possession of the Wisconsin Historical Society
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BLACKSNAKE'S NARRATIVE
government we are poor the King is Rich But God look upon us if we are a Right he would help us to again our liberty and we are outh [ought] to look to him for our favours, this we shall Endeavour to Do, and would be glad of your advice and assistance to Communicate it, the Same with your people at home, and in Broad among your Red Brethren, this object amost important to have all understand before hand &c. this is only the Substance of the Commissioner Said in this convention, and about intermission at noon, in the afternoon got [tog]ether again and there was more people assembled as it was fornoon, before this we have Consulted the manners the Commissioner had use to his advise, then the commissioners called to order and Ready to Receive the answer
Redjackett given answer
Brothers we are suppose you are Ready to hear the answer we will make of you We are Indians and Citizens of this Island God made us here to habited and grewed large a Number and give us all we Need it, to enjoyed, and we have Several large a Number of our Red Brethren, and Never had yet wars Diffi- culties, to any worth while to mention our maker pro- tect it us through lives and provides us all Collors of his children are under heavens, we all Now give thank to God who guard us gether together this Day, and had clean Ears to hear you speaken to us and un- derstand it which we acknowledge it is important to hear to we therefore would take your a word and advice with us to our people and laid the subject be- fore them, Because we are not authorize or power
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to Completed the object, therefore would leaved it to our people, the Business Shall be Done by majority of them Before we Should make our Determination To upon any important Business, Although all in our Number that are here agreed to use all the influence over our people at home to go into this effect and we Should endeavour to Do all can and we Shall Send you a Delegation to carried the answer which our people will make, Soon after passed their opinion on the subject
Commissioner Reported
"Brothers and friends, we Desire you will hear and Receive what we have now told you, and that will open a good Ear and listen to what are now been Said to you this is a family quarrel Between us and old England, you Indians, are not Concerned in it, we don't wish you to take up the hatchet [for] the King's troops, we Desire you to Remain at home, and not join Either Side: But keep the hatchet buried Deep, in the name and behalf of all our people, we ask and Desire you to love peace and Maintain it and love and Sympathize with us in our troubles that the path may be Kept open with all our people and yours to pass and Repass without molestation, Brothers we live on the same ground with you, the Same Island is our common birthplace we Desire to sit Down under the Same tree of peace with you, &c. &c. this is all I have to Say. To a wanted what I have said before noon and I feel satisfied what you have Said in answer you made, &c. and wish you this afternoon to take a walk with me and visited to a new garrison.
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DEFENSE OF FINCASTLE
So we all went with him, there was only a few Regular warriors in garrison and a few pieces of cannons and Balls for them the United Commissioner ordered us to go to provision Store to get what we wanted while Stayed in the place. Near at Night Returned to our Camp at the mouth of monongahella and the Next morning we made preparation to Start for home about at noon we got Ready to Start, Some of our Bark canoes we away. 3 canoes we Kept for to Keep our provision in as we came up the River and Some of us Come on foot and Some pushing up our canoes up stream, we came on about 10 miles that Day, and we Kept a going Every Day and Came the month of June 1764 [1776] at avone on Genesee River
DEFENSE OF FINCASTLE COUNTY
[President Edmund Pendleton to Col. William Fleming. IU19-L. S.]
WILLIAMSBURG June 20th. 1776.
SIR-Pursuant to the Resolution of the General Convention, you are to direct the March of one Com- pany of your militia, with the proper officers without delay to the County of Fincastle, there to be em- ployed as a Ranging Company for the defence & pro- tection of the Inhabitants, they are to carry with them Ammunition and Provisions Sufficient to last them to the place of Rendezvous, appointed by Colonel William
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Russell, who is to command the whole. For and by order of the Committee of Safety. I am, Sir Your obedt hble Servant EDWA PENDLETON P[resident ]90 County Lieut : or Commd. Officer of the Militia of Botetourt.
[Col. William Fleming to Capt. William McClenechan. IU21 -A. L. S.]
BOTETOURT COUNTY
SIR-Agreeable to the Resolve of Convention and in consequence of Orders Received from the Honoura- ble President to me directed, as County Lieut of Bote- tourt ordering one of the Militia Companies of this County properly Officered to March immediately to Fincastle County to be imployed as Rangers under the direction and Command of Colo Wm Russell. You are therefore to March immediately with the first and Second Devisions of your own Company or Vol- unteers equivalent. You are to be Joined by draughts from Capt Armstrongs, Capt Lockhearts Capt Crockets & Capt Robinsonsº1 Companies to form Your Com- mand to Fifty Rank and file exclusive of Sergts & Drummer You are to march with all Expedition to Fincastle County and Join the Troops at the General Rendezvuse Appointed by Colº Russell on Holston
90 Edmund Pendleton was a prominent Virginia statesman (1721-1803), president both of the convention of 1776 and of the Virginia committee of safety. As such he was chief executive officer of the state until the election of Patrick Henry, first governor, in July, 1776 .- ED.
91 For the captains of the Botetourt militia in 1774, see Dun- more's War, pp. 44, 45 .- ED.
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DEFENSE OF FINCASTLE
You are to take what provisions will Serve Your Com- pany to Capt Madisons on New River92 who will Sup- ply You with what is Necessary for your further March. You will take care to keep your Men Orderly on the March and for their own Credit I expect they will behave in a Soldierly Manner by keeping sober, being Alert on Duty and paying a proper Obedience to all Necessary Commands of their Officers I hope you will be in Readiness to March from the Lick on Monday Next with the draughts of your own & the Companies below you the Men of Capt Crocketts & Robinsons Companies are to Join you at Mr Kents. I am Sir Your most Hble Servt
WILLIAM FLEMING C: Lt
To Capt. William McClennachan 93
July 16 1776
[Capt. William McClenechan to Col. William Fleming. 3ZZ23 - A. L. S.]
HANDS MEADOWS July 24: 1776
SIR-I this day Marched to the above place with- out the Least difficulty My Men all in high spirits ; but am greatly disappointed in Regard to the draughts of Capt. Crocketts and Capt. Robinsons companys-
92 For Capt. Thomas Madison, sec Dunmore's War, p. 59, note 99 .- En.
93 Capt. William McClenechan (McClanahan) was born in Ireland in 1733. He came to Botetourt County (now part of Roanoke) from North Carolina, and settled on an upper branch of the Roanoke, southeast of the present Salem. He died in IS19. Big Lick lay about two miles north of his place, and was the point of departure mentioned by Fleming .- ED.
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the former five, and the Latter only four : I have seven- teen in my own including a serjant. Capt. Lockharts draught nine including a serjant from the same Capt. armstrongs are nine men amounting to forty one pri- vates and tho My Company is not Compleat thought it proper to march with all Expedition and hope my intentions will meet with your approbation.
I am informed this day by Capt John Bowman?+ of a battle fought on holston within four miles of the Big Island between a party of Indians amounting to about one hundred and fifty and a party of our men the savages had on their side killed on the field four- teen and our Loss is only four wounded the above battle was fought on the twentieth of this Instant95 for further particulars Refer you to Capt Bowman and am sir
Yours Wm MCCLENECHAN
94 John Bowman was born (1738) in Frederick County, Vir- ginia, son of George Bowman, whose wife was a daughter of the carliest settler of that region, Joist Hite. John visited Kentucky in 1775, and in the summer of 1776 was at Har- rodsburgh, where he served as one of the committee of safety (June 15-20). He must have been on his return trip at the time this letter was written. In the autumn of this year (1776) Bowman was chosen colonel of Kentucky militia, and led thither a company for the defense of the country, arriving in August, 1777. In 1779 he led an expedition into the Miami country, which, however, accomplished little beyond devasta- tion of Indian crops. In 1781 Bowman became sheriff, and county-lieutenant of the newly-erected Lincoln County. He died at his home in that county, May 4, 1784 .- ED.
95 This is an accurate contemporary account of a battle fam- ous in Western annals, known usually as that of Big (or Long) Island on Holston. For the official report see Amer. Archives, 5th series. i. p. 464: see also Roosevelt, Winning of the West (New York, 1889), i, pp. 286-290 .- ED.
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SIX NATIONS NEUTRAL
REPORT FROM NIAGARA; NEUTRALITY TO BE MAINTAINED
[Summary of printed documents in Amer. Archives, 5th series,
i, pp. 36, 37.]
A conference was held at Fort Pitt, July 6, 1776, upon the return of Guyashusta ( Kiasola) from Ni- agara. Several Delawares and Shawnee were pres- ent as well as Capt. John Neville and his officers, Major Trent,96 Major Ward,97 and several other in- habitants. Guyashusta reported that on his way to Niagara he was stopped at Caughnawaga98 for nearly
96 Major William Trent was born in Lancaster, Pa., about 1715. He was in the Pennsylvania service in King George's War (1744-48), and as early as 1749 was employed as a con- fidential Indian agent. In 1752 he formed a fur-trading part- nership with George Croghan, and two years later acted as Virginia commissioner at the treaty at Logstown, thereafter visiting the Miami tribe to confirm the treaty. In 1754 he was commissioned to raise a company and take possession of the forks of the Ohio, whence he was driven by the French. Trent accompanied Forbes's expedition in 1758, and the fol- lowing year was in the Indian service under Sir William Johnson. As a trader he lost heavily during Pontiac's con- spiracy, but was re-imbursed at the treaty of Fort Stanwix (1768). At the outbreak of the Revolution he adhered to the patriots' cause, and was commissioned major, but died in Cumberland County in 1778 .- ED.
97 Edward Ward was closely associated with Trent and Croghan, being a half-brother of the latter. While ensign (1754), he surrendered the forks of the Ohio to the French. In 1756-57 he served as lieutenant, and the two following years as captain of the Ist Pennsylvania battalion, taking part in Forbes's campaign. After the war he was Indian agent for several years. making headquarters near Pittsburgh. where he had business interests. In 1774 he was justice of the peace and in 1775 a member of the committee of safety for West Augusta. In 1776-81 he served as a magistrate of Yohogania County, living opposite Pittsburgh as late as 1787 .- ED.
08 Caughnawaga was a prominent Mohawk Indian village located northwest of Fonda, in Montgomery County, New York. It was the site of the martyrdom of Father Jogues in
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a month, by messengers from Col. John Butler, who wished him to await the arrival of the Detroit Indians After reaching Niagara the Seneca chieftain was told that the conference was finished, but having insisted upon speaking with the British commandant, he in- formed him that the Six Nations were determined to take no part in the war between Great Britain and America. He likewise informed the officers at Fort Pitt that the Six Nations had intrusted him with the care of their territory in that region, and that they would not suffer either a British or American army to be marched through their lands, and desired that no expedition against Detroit be undertaken. Captain Neville thereupon assured the Seneca that the Ameri- cans would not attempt to march an army through his country, without acquainting him thereof, unless they should hear of a British army advancing against them.
FRONTIERS OF VIRGINIA
[Col. William Preston to the President of the Committee of Safety. 4QQ64 - A. L. S.]
FINCASTLE Augt. 2d. 1776
SIR-I am favoured with your Letters of the 25th and 26th of July covering an Order of Council re-
the seventeenth century, and was destroyed by the French Governor Tracy in his invasion of the Mohawk country in 1666. By the time of the Revolution all the region north of the river was known as Caughnawaga, and Dutch settlers had largely invaded the territory. In the raid of 1780 the Dutch settlement of Caughnawaga was burned. This Mohawk Val- ley town should not be confused with the Indian mission of that name in Canada .- ED.
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FRONTIERS OF VIRGINIA
quiring me to Order a Lieutenants Command to the Lead Mines and to have a stockade fort erect [ed] there. I would beg leave to inform you that Colo Russell, fully sensible of the Importance of that Place, on his first coming up, and on hearing of the Approach of the Enemy, ordered a Lieutenant and thirty Men to the Mines ; and on his finding the nearer Approach of the Savages in large Bodies; and having intelli- gence from the Traders who Escaped from the Indian Towns that they intended to attack that Place,99 he wrote to me to Order a Captain there and Augment the Party. This I immediately complied with; but before the Captain got [to] the Place a Compy of the Bedford Militia, who had been called out had taken Post there and do now Garrison the Fort which was built round the Works by the Militia, the Country People & Chiefly by Colo Colla- ways1 People There is now a Sufficent Party to guard the Works and cover the Workmen when out. The Party of Fincastle Militia that had been there I ordered out to the relief of the Inhabitants on Hols- ton. The greatest part of the Way from Wattawgo to the Mines is Mountainous & uninhabited, so that a large Party of the Enemy might casily get in by that Route. Therefore it was Judged that a full Company was but barely Sufficent to guard that Place.2 *
K
90 This refers to the Cherokee Indian outbreak .- ED.
1 This was Col. James Callaway, son of William, who was active in the defense of the frontier during the French and Indian War. James was a resident of Bedford County, ap- pointed by the state to superintend the lead mines and secure their product for the government .- ED.
2 The omissions relate to the news from the Southwest, and preparation for the Cherokee expedition .- ED.
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The only thing that can retard the raising of Men in this & Botetourt; is a general Apprehension amongst the People that the Shawnesse Delawares &c will surely break out. Could there be any assurance that these Nations would not strike this Season I be- lieve a great Body of Militia could be raised in these Counties for this Service. But be that as it will, I have no doubt of raising the Number required. * * * * * * *
Be assured Sir that nothing in my Power Shall be wanting to forward this very Necessary Service; and that I shall with Cheerfulness comply with every Or- der I receive from your Honble Board.
I am your Honours most Obed. & very hble servt Wm PRESTON
[Col. William Fleming to Col. William Preston. 4QQ65 - A. L. S.]
Dr SIR-Mr May3 did not return from Bedford till Tuesday, on Wednesday & Thursday I was abroad, prevented me writing you sooner. Mr Lynch4 had no powder but promises to be in your County directly, where he expects to make 501bs a daye. Henry Paul- ing5 was here this Morning, immediately from Your County, and as he brings nothing new, I am in hopes
3 For a sketch of this pioneer see Dunmore's War, p. 21, note 34 .- En.
4 Charles Lynch of Bedford County, who was a delegate to the Virginia convention of May-July, 1776, and appointed by that body to prepare gunpowder for government use .- ED.
" For a brief biographic sketch of Pauling see Dunmore's War, p. 187, note 33 .- ED.
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FRONTIERS OF VIRGINIA
the first fire of the Indians is extinguished & that the Checks they have met with will be Attended with the good effect of hurrying them home. What we can do in case of an Attack in Botetourt for want of Powder I really know not, as only 100wt of what was sent us, is good for any thing - and of that I spared as much as I possibly could to the Men for your County. Pauling informs me, You have now a sufficiency of Men, & that he heard no complaint for Powder. My Dr Sir no commands of Yours, nor anything in my power for the preservation of your County shall ever be deemed a trouble. By the Presedts of July 25th I am ordered to raise 150 men out of this County to Assist in an Expedition against the Cherokees. they are to march to the big Iland on Holston River, then to be under the Comd of Lt Col Russel till an Officer can be appointed to command the whole Force intended for that expedition. On Monday Next I meet the Field officers to proceed to the Appointment of Offi- cers for the Above purposes. I understand 50 men are ordered from Augusta & some considerable num- ber from below. It is reported by Letter from Point Pleasant that two prisoners have been delivered up at Pitsburg lately taken by a party of Mingoes. and that the Shawnise sent them up. I imagine they must have been taken on the Kentucke.6 Capt Arbuckles
6 These were twin sons of Andrew McConnell, who after- wards fell at Blue Licks (1782). The father was a Pennsyl- vanian who had lived for some five years in Westmoreland County. In 1775 he planted corn and built a cabin at Lee's Station, and the next winter sent for his family. Some time in June, 1776, Mrs. McConnell sent a bound boy and her two sons, Adam Baxter and William Barber, to bring up the cows
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Officers & Men will proceed very soon to the Point. As to the Expedition I can say nothing being a Stranger to the Plan. I am well convinced that carry- ing the War into the Nation, is the only way to se- cure our Frontiers and make us respected, but I wish it may be conducted on such a Plan that we may not depend too much on the Efforts of Carolina, but be enabled to Act independent of them. I had an Op- portunity of lately seeing Our Acquaintance from the Westward. he is unhappy in having any Misunder- standing between him & you, and sincerely desires a reconciliation. Some little inadvertencies, I hope he will clear up, if he has not already which may restore that harmony which formerly existed. It is a misfor- tune to square our actions alone, from even the Vati- can liberary. He knows not that I ever designed to mention anything to you. I am Dr Sir sincerely Your Friend. And
Most hble Servt WILLM FLEMING
Augt 20. 76
to be milked. The skulking Mingo party killed the bound boy and captured one twin, while the other hid. At the sight of his brother's distress, the lad gave himself up. When the boys reached the Shawnee towns with their captors, they were recognized by Joseph Nicholson (see his mission, post), who knew their father. He purchased the lads for a rifle, and they returned to Pittsburgh under the care of Col. George Morgan, who sent them to their uncle William McConnell, then in Westmoreland County. The boys were in captivity about sixty days. The above information was secured from their sister, Mrs. Ezekiel January, and is in Draper MSS., II CC. See also Pennsylvania Packet, Aug. 20, 1776, post .- ED.
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FRONTIERS OF VIRGINIA
[Capt. John Stuart to Col. William Fleming. 3ZZI- A. L. S.]
GREENBRIER August 2ª 1776
Sr .- I have this Morning heard that Capt Van- biber7 hath yesterday Recd. Notice there is a Large Number of Indians Discovered makeing for our frontiers, this news hath been handed to me from Vanbiber by Report from hand to hand that makes it out of my power to give a perfect account of the Truth of it, but as there is a great probability there is two Much Certainty in it I thought as our people is in a Defenceless Situation it was Necessary to give you this Notice. we are at a great loss for men as well as amunition to such a Degree that with- out Some Immediate Relife of Boath should this Report be True I am persuaded our Country will be Soon Layd Waste. I hope you'l think proper to Order so many of Militia to our Assistance as you'l think Sufficent I thing [think] there ought to be
7 John and Peter Van Bibber were of Holland ancestry and removed from Pennsylvania to Maryland, finally settling (about 1771) in the Greenbrier region of Botetourt County. John made an early exploration of Kentucky, passing down the Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans. In 1773 he was one of a small party of surveyors who explored the Great Kanawha, and left his name on a cliff below the falls, still known as "Van Bibber's rock." Both brothers took part in the Point Pleasant campaign (1774), where a third brother, Isaac, was killed. After this, both served as captains in the militia. Peter had a block-house on Wolf Creek, which was an im- portant frontier outpost. About 1781, the two brothers moved into the Kanawha Valley, and Peter died at Point Pleasant in 1796; John in 1821. Peter's sons Matthias and Jacob were noted in later border warfare, and his daughter married a son of Daniel Boone. The reference here may be to either of the brothers, John or Peter .- ED. 12
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three Companys Made up at least for this frontier that is one on Indian Creek on Muddy Creek and in the Leavelss under such proper officers as you Shall think fit to appoint to the Command of them, may be a means of saving many from Distruction. I shall in the mean Time do Every thing in my power to- wards puting ourselves in a poisture of Diffence untill I have an Answer from you, & I am Much affreid our people being Divided into so many small Companys which consist Chiefly of marryed men &C (the Best of our young men being Taken by Capt Arbuckle) will now make the Turn Difficult for us to Embody to make a good Defence, and should our people pen themselves in little Forts as formerly they did it will be the Readyest method of having themselves Distroyed. N[e]ither do I know there is any method of preventing them from doing so, un- less you should order the Officers of the Militia to Draught a party out of Each Co. to make one proper fortification for the Deffence of the whole, that is in Different Quarters. I have here 1001s. of powder which was Ordered to the point half of which I shall Detain untill I hear from you as I understand Capt Arbuckle is well Supplyed. I hope you'l do what you think Best with all Expedition. I am, Sr. your Ob. Humbe Servt.
JOHN STEWART®
On the Publick Service
To Colo. William Fleming Botetourt.
8 For these locations see Dunmore's War, pp. 181, 319, notes 25, 37. Indian Creek was an affluent of New River, where was a ford used by Indian parties .- ED.
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