USA > Ohio > The Revolution on the Upper Ohio, 1775-1777 > Part 17
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Meanwhile, Lieutenant Linn, set out Sept. 22, 1776, to re- turn to Fort Pitt by way of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. He reached the Spanish post on the Arkansas Nov. 26, and was cordially received by its commandant. Owing to the ill- ness of his men and the lack of provisions, he determined to winter at this post, hunting and drying meat for the return voyage in the spring : see his letter to Pollock from Arkansas Post, transcribed in Draper MSS., 60J277. After leaving the Arkansas, Linn sent an express to St. Louis for aid; but fear- ing the consequences, he hastened to pass the mouth of Ohio before the appointed date, and later learned that he thus es- caped capture by a party of Indians, engaged, no doubt, by the Spanish authorities, to intercept him. The powder and boats were portaged by hand around the Falls of the Ohio (Louisville). The British obtained information of this ex- ploit after his passage. See WVis. Hist. Colls., vii, p. 407 .- ED. co Both these officers had been concerned in the first settle- ment of Kentucky. Nathan Hammond first visited that coun- try in 1773. In 1775 he was one of the founders of Boiling
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SPANISH POWDER
your Command, you are Immediately to proceed down the Ohio, taking all possible Care to examine Stricktly. the mouth of all Creeks and Rivers which you pass, & when you arrive at the Mouth of Kentucke or at the Falls of Ohio, I think it would be advisable to send to Harrod's-Burgh,67 and make inquiry after Cap- tain Linn & the said Cargoe, whom you are to con- duct with the utmost Safety agreeable to these In- structions. If you should not fall in with Captain Linn (who superintends and Conducts the said Car- go) before you arrive at the Mouth of Ohio, I think it will be necessary that you pass up the Mississippi to the Kaskaskias Village,68 where you will make in-
Springs settlement, and a delegate thence to the Transylvania legislature at Boonesborough. He probably returned up the Ohio during the alarm of 1776. He was later in Kentucky, being killed by the Indians before 1780, probably on Ham- mond's Creek in Anderson County.
Andrew Steel was one of the party with Joseph Lindsay, who re-inforced Harrodsburgh in 1775, and camped on the site of Lexington. He was recorded as a lot-holder in Louis- ville in 1779 .- ED.
67 Linn sent overland to Harrodsburgh an express, who ar- rived there March 9, bringing needful succor. Clark, in his manuscript diary, gives the name of this messenger as Eben- ezer Corn .- ED.
68 It seems curious that the American authorities should ex- pect to find their cargo of supplies at a village guarded by a British post; but doubtless they already counted on the sym- pathy of the French habitants with the American cause, which later was of great assistance to George Rogers Clark. More- over, there were a number of American traders at the vil- lage, some of whom did supply Linn on his return voyage. See C. W. Alvord, "Cahokia Records," in Illinois Historical Collections (Springfield, 1907), ii, p. xxxiii.
Kaskaskia was probably the oldest French settlement in the West, being begun about 1700, and having a continuous his- tory since that time. In 1719 it was erected into a parish, and in 1765 transferred from French to British authority, under which latter it remained until its capture by George Rogers
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REVOLUTION ON UPPER OHIO
quiry & probably meet with Captain Linn with his Cargo, & if you don't meet him before you get there, when you meet him, you will conduct him with the utmost Safety and the said Cargo up to the House of James Austurgass on the Monongahela River, & immediately advise me thereof. I desire that all pos- sible care may be observed, as I have great reason to apprehend Danger from the Savages. If you hear nothing of Captain Linn at the aforesaid places, you will proceed on untill you meet him. If you find it conducive to the good of the Service you are ordered upon, you will engage the necessary Interpreter or Interpreters, who should be worthy, Trusty persons. Colonel David Shepherd will furnish you with Beef, Pork, and Craft, at the mouth of Grave Creek; and your Lieutenant will apply to Joseph ParkisonG9 for flour & Salt, & send him to my house for the neces- sary Ammunition. You will not fail to leave proper Spies on the River Ohio, in case you move up to Har- rod's-Burgh, & at the mouth of Ohio, in case you
Clark in 1778. Organized by the Americans as the Illinois County of Virginia, it so remained until 1789, when it became part of the Northwest territory. Kaskaskia was the capital until the organization of the state, when the records of the commonwealth were transferred to Vandalia (1819). The early French, British, and American records have lately been recovered, largely through the personal efforts of Professor Alvord. The site of old Kaskaskia is now almost entirely cov- ered by the Mississippi River .- ED.
63 Joseph Parkison was of English descent and came from Conococheague settlement in 1770. He bought land on what is now the site of Monongahela City, Washington County, Pa., where he established a ferry (well-known in the annals of the Whiskey Rebellion), and kept a tavern as well as a store for general merchandize. He laid out Williamsport on his land in 1796-a name changed in 1835 to Monongahela City .- ED.
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ORGANIZING MILITIA
go up to the Kaskaskias Village, lest Captain Linn should Slip your Notice in the Interim. Depending on your Strict adherence to these Instructions, I have the pleasure of being
Sir Your mo: obedt. Servt. DORSEY PENTECOST County Leut. of Yohogania
P. S. If you run out of Provisions ammunition or any other article necessary for your Subsistance, or by any wise to Facilitate the Expedition, you will pur- chase it, & draw on Government or me for the Pay, which Shall Punctually be paid but I must once more recommend the utmost Frugality, Prudence and Good Conduct
I am &c. DORSEY PENTECOST C. L. Y. C.
On the Public Service Captn. William Herrod on his Way to the Mississippi
MILITIA ARRANGEMENTS
[Col. Zackwell Morgan to Capt. William Harrod. 4NN53 - A. L. S.]
You are hearby Required to Draught one Liut [Lieutenant] and one Sart and fifteen men of your Company to Randevouse at the hous of John Swarin. gans70 under the command of Capt Abner Howel up-
70 John Swearingen, originally of Dutch ancestry, removed from Maryland as early as 1770, and settled in what is now Springhill township, on the cross-road between Cheat River
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on the first notis which by his Excelencis Express Desire is to be appinted the Place of Randevouse for this County and as a General Dra [u]ght is now mak- ing Which you will Strictly observe Gaven under my hand this 31 Day of January 1777
ZACKII MORGAN 71
To Capt William Harrod
[Orders of the Executive Council of Virginia. 13SI12 - transcript by L. C. D.]
Feb. 12th, 1777. Colonel Pentecost to cause 100 militia under proper officers of Yohogania County to garrison Fort Pitt until relieved by regulars.
That two companies of men be raised to garrison Forts Pitt and Randolph, under Capts. Robert Camp- bell and John Robinson.72 Thady Kelley and Andrew
1
and Redstone. His son Van was a famous captain in the Revolution, and father-in-law of Capt. Samuel Brady. John was still, in 1785, a resident of what is now Fayette County, Pa .- ED.
71 Zackwell Morgan was of Welsh descent, and with his brother David emigrated from Berkeley County, Va., about 1768, to the present site of Morgantown. Here Zackwell set- tled and laid out the town about 1785. A family tradition re- lates that he served under Forbes in the French and Indian War. During the Revolution he was lieutenant for Monon- galia County. In 1755 he married Drusilla Springer, and had several sons, two of whom, Levi and James, were noted scouts, and served in St. Clair's army in 1791. Morgan gave these orders to Harrod as a result of resolutions adopted at a coun- cil of war held at Catfish Creek, Jan. 28; see Crumrine, Wash- ington County, Pa., p. 186 .- ED.
72 Robert Campbell was a half-brother of Col. John Camp- bell. He made his home in Pittsburgh, but later removed to
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ORGANIZING MILITIA
McClure 1st lieutenants, William Anderson and James Brenton73 2nd lieutenants, John Ward and George Willis ensigns-all to serve during the war; Captain Campbell, Lieuts. Kelley and Anderson and Ensign Ward with their company to command the garrison at Fort Pitt; Captain Robinson, Lieuts. McClure and Brenton and Ensign Willis at Fort Randolph. John Campbell of Pittsburgh" to provision the 200 men at Fort Pitt.
Jefferson County, Kentucky, where he died without heirs some- time before 1806.
John Robinson was a captain of the Washington County (Pa.) militia in 1784. He probably lived on Robinson's Run in that county .- ED.
78 Thady Kelley was a noted spy and ranger, one of those who led McDonald's expedition in 1774.
The McClures lived on Ten Mile Creek, and were prominent in that region.
William Anderson had a farm near Raccoon Creek, Wash- ington County, Pa. In 1779 he was wounded by Indians, es- caped to Dillow's blockhouse, and was saved. One of his name acted as deputy muster-master at Fort McIntosh in 1779, and afterwards resided in Mercer County, Pa., until 1806.
James Brenton (or Brinton) had been out with McDonald in 1774, and after ranging throughout 1777, and serving with Hand in the spring of 1778, commanded a company on Mc- Intosh's expedition. Later he was a major on Crawford's Sandusky expedition (1782), and although slightly wounded, returned to his home in Washington County. After the Revo- lution he removed to Kentucky, and lived in Mercer County, where he was killed by the Indians about 1788 .- ED.
74 Col. John Campbell was an Irishman by birth, who came to America while young, and going West entered the Indian trade. In 1764 he laid off a town on the present site of Pitts- burgh. In 1774 he was at the Falls of Ohio (Louisville), where he purchased a large tract of land adjoining Connolly's. During the early Revolution he acted as commissary at Fort Pitt. In the summer of 1779, he was on a visit to the Falls of Ohio, where he took passage with Col. David Rogers's party from New Orleans on their return journey up the river. Near Cincinnati, Rogers was defeated by a large force of Indians, who captured Campbell. The latter was taken to Detroit, and
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[Gov. Patrick Henry to Maj. David Rogers.75 ISS39 -- A. L. S.]
WILLIAMSBURGH Feb. 13th. 1777
SIR-You are to cause fifty men of your Militia most proper for the purpose to be stationed at the Mouth of the little Kanhawa, & also fifty others at the Mouth of Wheeling, under the proper officers for
ultimately to Quebec, where because of his open defiance the British refused to have him exchanged until the very close of the Revolution. In 1784 he took up his residence near Louis- ville, where he was for a time chairman of the trustees for Clark's Grant in Indiana. He was sent to the Virginia legis- lature from Kentucky, was member of the constitutional con- vention of 1792, and speaker of the Kentucky senate in 179S. He died the following year, leaving a large estate to collateral heirs .- ED.
75 David Rogers was a native of Ireland who early emigrated to America, and settled as a merchant at Oldtown, Md. In 1775 he made a settlement five miles above Wheeling, on the Ohio, and marched a company to Pittsburgh. The following year, he represented West Augusta district in the Virginia leg- islature, and was appointed captain in the continental service. For some reason he did not qualify, and being the best-known resident was appointed March 4, 1777, as county-lieutenant for the new Ohio County. In April he was re-elected to the Vir- ginia senate. The Indian forays, however, made his settle- ment unsafe, and he removed back to Mount Braddock, in the present Fayette County, Pa., where he resigned his county- lieutenantship, whereupon David Shepherd was (June, 1777) appointed in his stead. Later he married the widow of Capt. Michael Cresap, and located on the Potomac in Hampshire County. Early in 1778, he was chosen a special envoy to New Orleans to convey goods thence to the Western states. Leav- ing Pittsburgh in June, he reached New Orleans in September, and found that his goods were awaiting him at St. Louis. These secured, he obtained an additional guard at the Falls of Ohio from George Rogers Clark. While ascending the river he and his convoy were waylaid (Oct. 4, 1779) by a large party of Indians, just above the mouth of the Licking, all being captured save thirteen. Rogers was himself killed by Simon Girty, who later boasted of the deed .- ED.
Gov. Patrick Henry After the painting by Sully
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ORGANIZING MILITIA
the Defence of those posts & the neighbouring Inhabi- tants until further orders.
I address my self to you on this occasion not know- ing who is the superior officer in the county where [you] reside.
I should be glad to hear what is become of the powder Capt. Gibson purchased at Orleans & what you have done in the Business of buying provisions. I am Sir yr. mo. hble servt.
P. HENRY JE.
To Major Rogers of Ohio by Mr Kelly
[Orders of the Virginia Council. 13S109-transcript by L. C. D.]
March 4, 1777. John Campbell appointed and com- missioned County Lieutenant, John Cannon Colonel, Thomas Brown Lt. Colonel, and Henry Taylor, Ma- jor, of the county of Yohogania.76
David Rogers county Lieutenant, David Shepherd
76 Col. Thomas Brown was an early settler (1768) on the Monongahela. In1 1776 he bought Cresap's property on the site of Redstone Old Fort, and in 1785 laid out the town called from his name, Brownsville. He died in 1797, aged fifty-nine years, leaving two sons and three daughters.
Maj. Henry Taylor came from Maryland in 1770, and set- tled just north of the present town of Washington. In December, 1777, he resigned his position as major, being suc- ceeded by Gabriel Cox. Taylor was the first presiding judge of Washington County, and in 1793 brigadier-general of militia. In the latter capacity he aided Wayne in his cam- paign (1794). Major Taylor died in 1801 in the sixty-third year of his age .- ED.
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Colonel, David McClure Lt. Colonel, and Samuel Mc- Colloch Major of Ohio County.77
[Officers of Monongalia County. 3NN 128-130-transcript by L. C. D.]
MONONGALIA Co: Va. April, 1777
Zackquill Morgan, County Lt., Col. Dan1. McFar- land, Lt. Col., Thos. Gaddis, Maj. John Evans.78
77 David McClure was a prominent resident of the Grave Creek locality. He continued as lieutenant-colonel of the county until his death, which occurred about 1788.
Maj. Samuel McColloch was a noted borderer, born in 1750, who came about 1770 from the South Branch of the Potomac to the waters of Short Creek. In the autumn of 1777, while bringing relief to the besieged at Fort Henry, he was set upon by Indians, and escaped by leaping his horse over a precipice two hundred feet high. In 1779 he was elected to represent Ohio County in the Virginia legislature, and was out with Brodhead on the latter's campaign. He was in charge of Van Metre's fort on Short Creek during the Revolution, being shot and mortally wounded by Indians not far from that fort (July 30, 1782) .- ED.
78 Col. Thomas Gaddis settled (1769) in what is now Fayette County, near the site of Uniontown. He was later a militia officer for Westmoreland County, Pa., and having volunteered for Crawford's expedition (1782) was elected by the troop as field-major (third in command). He conducted a distillery upon his premises and was active in the Whiskey Rebellion. About 1816 he sold his farm and removed to the Miami region of Ohio, where he died.
John Evans was of Welsh descent, and born in Loudoun County, Virginia. He was an early settler on Decker's Creek, near the Morgans' settlement on the Monongahela, his estate being known as "Walnut Hills." He was out with McIntosh in 1778, colonel under Brodhead in 1779, and prominent in militia affairs throughout the Revolution. He died at his home in Monongalia County in 1834, aged ninety- six years. His son Capt. Jack Evans was a prominent scout in the Indian wars, and his descendants still live in the vicinity of his West Virginia home .- ED.
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ORGANIZING MILITIA
Capt. Harrod & company then at Grave Creek from Monongalia County.
Capts., Jesse Pigman, John Minor, Wm. McCleery, Charles Craycraft, Henry Enoch, Abraham Teegar- din, Thomas Crooke, Jacob Prickett, John Hord, & Jacob Rich :79 That Capts. Pigman & Henry Enoch raise two companies to go under Col. Shepherd against Pluggy's Town.
79 The carly records of Monongalia County were burned, so that it is not possible to identify all of these captains.
Jesse Pigman, who made a settlement in Monongalia County in 1773, was a member of the grand jury for Augusta County in 1775.
John Minor commanded at Statler Fort, having come to the Monongahela region as early as 1764. He had a large estate near the forks of Cheat River and built there the first flour- mill of the region. Upon his land coming within Penn- sylvania he became (1791) a member of the legislature of that state, and secured the erection of Greene County. He aided in building the boats for Clark's expedition (1778), and traded to New Orleans. He died in 1833 in his ninetieth year.
William McCleary was a prominent lawyer of what is now Monongalia County, W. Va. He acted at one time as com- missary for the forts, and was colonel of the militia in 1784. He also served as attorney-general for the county court un- til his decease some time after 1810.
Charles Cracroft was born near Frederick, Maryland, but lived near Harper's Ferry until his removal to the West in 1774, when he settled near Van Buren, Washington County, Pa. In 1779 he was out as major, with Brodhead, and two years later volunteered under Clark, being captured with Lochry's detachment, and imprisoned at Quebec until the close of the Revolution. He died on his farm in 1824.
Abram Teagarden and his brother William settled first at Redstone, and later moved into Greene County, Pa., on the up- per waters of Wheeling Creek. Two of the second generation served in Wayne's campaign.
Jacob Prickett belonged to the family who forted on the Monongahela in what is now Marion County, W. Va. The fort was attacked in 1774, and Josiah Prickett killed .- Ed.
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[Gov. Patrick Henry to Col. David Rogers. ISS41 - A. L. S.]
WMSBURGH, MARCH 4th. 1777.
SIR-I have to desire that the field officers of your county will fill up the commissions herewith sent for the proper Captains & subaltern officers of your mili- tia.
I am Sir Yr. mo. hb1. servt.
In Council.
P. HENRY. JE.
Coty. Lieutent. of Ohio Coty.
PLUGGY'S TOWN EXPEDITION ORDERED
[Orders of the Virginia Council. ISS43 - A. D. S.]
IN COUNCIL WMSBURG march 12 1777
This Board having from time to time recivd. un- doubted Inteligence of Repeated hostilities Commited on the Subjects of this Commonwealth by the Indians of Pluggys Town and not Withstanding the Just Re- monstrances made to them by our Agents for Indian Affairs they have not been Brought to a Sense of Duty, but from their repeated Injurys there is the greatest Reason to Expect inoreased Insolence in Stead of that good Neighbourhood we wish to Cultivate with all the Indian Tribes. and whearas the obsti- nate and wicked Disposition of the Said Indians of Pluggy's Town have been Represented to Congress, and they Seem to have no prospects of Conciliation but have referd to this Board the Proprity of making war on them if it can be done without exciting the
237.
A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION
jealousy & discord with the other Neighbouring Na- tions.so
Resolved. that George morgan Esqr. Superinten- dent of Indian Affairs and Colonel John Nevill ( of in case of his absence Robert Campbell Esqr.) do Confer with Such Chief or Chiefs of the Delewares and Shawnese Indians as may be Rely'd on for Sec- recy and fidelity and Represent to them the Necessity of Chastising the Sd. Indians and in Case the Sd. gentlemen Shall find that the said Shawneeses and Delewares do not give Reason to apprehend Discord with them by Reason of Such a Proceeding Resolved
That 300 militia men commanded by a Colr Major six Captains six Lieutenants six Ensigns and a Proper number of noncommissioned officers be Ordered to make an Expedition to said Pluggys Town in order to Punish that People for their unprovoked Crueltys Commited on the Inhabitants of Virginia
That the officers commanding this Expedition have it in Charge at their peril and that all those Concernd that no Injurys provocation or ill treatment of Any kind Be done or Suffered to the Delewares and Shaw- nees Indians through Whose Country they Pass, But on the other hand that the said officers be Strictly charged and commanded to conduct them Selves to- wards them, as our faithful Friends and Brethren Government being Detirmined to revenge the Least Injury done them
That the officers commanding the Expedition apply
80 February 27, 1777, Congress resolved to request Virginia to consider the propriety of an expedition against Pluggy's Town, and these orders were issued in consequence of that request ; see Journals of Congress (new ed.), vii, p. 166 .- ED.
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to George Morgan Esqr. for amunition Provisions and Stores necesary for the Party who is Requested to give any assistance in his Power [to] forward the undertaking
That the Commanding officer ought to be directed to Shew mercy to the Women and Children and to such of the men as Surrender them Selves and to Send all Prisoners taken by his Party belonging to Sd. Pluggys Town to this City and as the Success of this Expedition will Depend upon the Dispatch with which it is conducted Resolved That if a majority of the field officers and Captains who are to be en- gaged in it shall judge it best, that the men Shall be Directed to march on horse Back 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 Coty be Com- mander in Chief of the Expedition that Major hinry Taylor of Yoghyogania Coty be the major and that they nominate the Captains and Subaltirn officers out of those Commissioned in the Cotys of monnonga- hale Yoghyagane & ohio Counties or Either of them 81
A Copy
ARCH BLAIR 82 Clerk
81 These orders are likewise printed in Penna. Archives, v. pp. 258-260. accompanied by a personal letter from Patrick Henry to Morgan and Neville, emphasizing the delicacy and secrecy needed to be observed. See also Bausman, Beaver County, p. 73 .- ED.
82 Archibald Blair (1753-1824) was a native of Williams- burgh, and a relative of Rev. James Blair, first president of William and Mary College. He was clerk of the committee
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SHORT OF PROVISIONS
[Gov. Patrick Henry to Col. David Rogers. ISS45 - A. L. S.] WMS.BURGH March 13th. 1777
SIR-You will please give to Colo. Shepherd & Major Taylor all the assistance which is requisite in raising & preparing three hundred men for an Ex- pedition agt. Pluggys Town. I do not mean to re- strict these gent". to any par[ticu]lar Coty in getting the proper Number of Militia, but hope every one on yr. side of the Mountains will exert himself to give success to this measure. I am Sir Yr. hbl servt. P. HENRY JE.
The Coty Lieutent. of Ohio
REINFORCEMENTS FOR FORT RANDOLPH
[Capt. John Stuart to Col. William Fleming. 3ZZ9-A. L. S.]
GREENBRIER March ye 21st 1777
Dr SIR-As I informed you by Wilson of the apointment for assembling the draughts on this quarter ye 20th Inst. they meet accordingly, & altho I had made the strictest enquirey for bacon &c. for the march it was out of my power to procure one pound. I therefore ordered those who were willing to go to provide each man 10 days provision (which I thing is little anugh to march the distance at this season) and to be ready to march on monday ye 21st Inst. but as a number has refused upon their draughts I
of safety, and then of the Virginia council from the outbreak of the Revolution until 1800. In 1789 he married Mary Whit- ing, by whom he left three children .- ED.
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am convinced there will not be a company of 50 men, I therefore thought it would be proper to aquaint you & would be glad to know whether it will be worth my while to go with what is willing which I believe will not be more than 30 or thereabouts or send them with Lieut. Ward,s3 & have another draught made and march after them myself, if the company can be made up, but as Capt Arbuckle is Just come from Williamsburg & informes me that the governor & Council has petitioned the congress for continueing the regulars on the Ohio I am in hopes there will be no occasion for going at this time, as it will be at- tended with much inconvenience to many of the people, but of this I make no doubt you have Recd notice by now, but if the case is that we must go I think it would be highly necessary to prosecute the delinquents who has refused their draughts, & it will be the more effectually done if each particular Capt. Receive your orders for that purpose, as well as for draughting the proportion of the next division for compleating the company otherwise it appears to me they will in a short time pay but little respect to authority. I did every thing in my power to assemble such as engaged volunteers wt Capt Byrnside before I Recd your last by Mr Madison but to no purpose
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