A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time; including chapters of newly-discovered, Vol. II, Part 117

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Wilkes-Barre [Raeder press]
Number of Pages: 683

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time; including chapters of newly-discovered, Vol. II > Part 117

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exchanged. From the private ranks he had risen to that of Lieutenant of a rifle-company of the Penn- sylvania division, and was about twenty-two years of age. Ile was the largest and most muscular man of his company, but, having been wounded, he was now in the power of the enemy. Lieutenant Boyd was a Free Mason, and, knowing the ferocity of the Indians after seeing their towns burned, he gave to Brant, who was also a Mason, a sign of the Fraternity, claiming protection. The dusky chief recognized it and at once promised him his life. But, being called away soon after, Boyd was left in the care of General [sic] Butler [ Maj. John Butler, in command of the "Rangers"], who, as before stated, had formerly been a member of St. Patrick's Lodge, on the Mohawk.

"Butler demanded of the captive information which his fidelity to his own commander would not allow him to give. The scene became one of tragic interest. Enraged at the silence of Boyd, Butler had him placed before him, kneeling upon one knee, with an Indian on each side holding his arms, and another standing behind him with a tomahawk raised over his head. Butler inquired the number of Sullivan's men. 'I cannot answer you,' was Boyd's reply. He then inquired how his army was divided and disposed. 'I cannot give you any information, sir,' again replied the heroic captive. Again, for the third time, Butler harshly addressed him: 'Boyd, life is sweet; you had better answer me.' 'Duty forbids,' was the reply. 'I would not, if life depended on the word." Reader, contemplate the scene! Both were Free Masons-the one haughty, imperious, and forgetful of his vows; the other a captive in his hands, with fortitude undaunted and fidelity unshaken, thrice refusing to betray his trust. His last refusal cost him his life, for, before Brant returned to his captive, and unknown to him, Butler delivered Boyd into the hands of the infuriated Indians about him; and, amidst tortures too horrid to describe, he fell a martyr to his trust."

* In August, 1842, the remains of these two soldiers were exhumed and removed to Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, New York, where they were reinterred.

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dition completed, viz .: the total ruin of the Indian settlements, and the destruction of their crops.

"The following is a part of the Orders issued this day : 'The Commander-in-Chief informs this brave and resolute army that the immediate objects of this Expedition are accomplished, viz .. Total ruin of the Indian settlements, and the destruction of their crops, which were designed for the support of those inhuman barbarians while they were desolating the American frontiers. He is by no means insensible of the obligations he is under to those brave officers and soldiers whose virtue and fortitude have enabled him to complete the important design of the Expedition, and he assures them he will not fail to inform America at large how much they stand indebted to them .. The army will this day commence its march for Tioga.'"

From Cruikshank's " The Story of Butler's Rangers " we learn that, when the Americans appeared on the banks of the Genesee River, "all the Indians except forty at once deserted " Major Butler, and he aban- doned Genesee Castle. " Before night he arrived at Buffalo Creek, on his way to Niagara. He then learned that Caldwell's company had been ordered down from Detroit, and that Sir John Johnson, with 380 men, was daily expected from Carleton Island, with instructions to pro- ceed to his [Butler's] support, by way of Oswego. 5,000 famishing Indians had taken refuge at Niagara. Bolton, who was seriously alarmed for the safety of his post [Fort Niagara], sent the light-company of the 8th Regiment to Butler's assistance, followed by the 34th Regi- ment immediately on its arrival from Carleton Island. Many of the ' Rangers' who had been disabled by the ague had recovered sufficiently to bear arms again, and they cheerfully returned to join their comrades. Caldwell, with a small party, was sent to pursue Sullivan, who was reported to be already retiring."

At Fort Niagara, under the date of September 16, 1779, Lieut. Col. Mason Bolton wrote to Gen. Sir Frederick Haldimand in part as follows :*

"I enclose your Excellency an account of expenses incurred on Major [John] But- ler's expedition ; * * * also copies of letters from Major Butler, which will inform you of 4,000 Rebels being encamped at Genesee, within seventy or eighty miles of this Post. * * I have sent orders to the officers commanding at Forts Erie and Schlosser to hold themselves in readiness to join this Garrison at a moment's notice. I expect daily the detachments from Detroit, and hope the next vessels will bring a reinforcement from Carleton Island. The Rebels have destroyed most of the Indian villages and corn-fields ; therefore I wish soon to see their [the Indians'] families come in. Otherwise, I shall give over all hopes of their assistance any longer. They are extremely dissatisfied that troops were not sent to Oswego or to this Post-notwithstanding all that Major Butler, Sayenqueraghta,t and Joseph [Brant] can say or do to keep them in temper. I have sent orders to the Major upon no account to suffer his retreat to be cut off, nor to risk the Light Infantry companies of the King'st or 34th Regiment, which would be no small loss to this Garrison. Captain Harris has also received private instructions how he is to act, as I have very little dependence on the Indians. Our works are almost finished, and I have no doubt will be defended with spirit, notwithstanding our weak Garrison. By the last accounts the ' Rangers ' have not more than 150 men fit for duty, and we have forty sick in this Garrison.

"September 17th .- Joseph Brant, who, upon all occasions, deserves everything I can say in his favor, is just arrived, and informs me that a considerable number of Indians, with their families, are coming in to-morrow. Sayenqueraghta is with them, and has behaved extremely well. I could wish some handsome present was made to him, as he has great weight with the Six Nations. Joseph [Brant], some time ago, was not on the best terms with him. They had their quarrels like other great men. However, now they are perfectly reconciled, and determined to return in a day or two to take ample revenge. Major Butler is also under the necessity of coming in with the Light Infantry and 'Rangers' for want of provisions ; but leaves a party, with several scouts, to watch

the enemy's motions. * * * The Rebels have done all the mischief they can, there- fore cannot remain long in the Indian country unless they intend to attack this Post, which I believe they will scarce venture to attempt without getting a supply of cannon

* See the "Haldimand Papers," B. M. 21,760, Vol. 100, p. 269.

t See page 968.

# Sir John Johnson's regiment, designated "The King's Royal Regiment of New York." See page 988.

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and provisions by way of Oswego or Presque Isle. But without an enemy's approach I can now plainly foresee I shall have many difficulties to encounter, for the Indians are extremely attached to Major Butler. * * I have sent down to Montreal Lieut. Colonel Stacey and Lieutenant Holden, as the Indians are extremely enraged. They have been prisoners here since the affair of Cherry Valley, and in my opinion should not be exchanged for some time."

Having accomplished the principal object of his Expedition, Sulli- van, at three o'clock in the afternoon of September 15th, commenced his homeward march over the same route by which he had come. Before leaving Genesee Castle many of the soldiers from "The Old Granite State " stowed away in their haversacks ears of corn from sixteen to twenty-two inches in length, to show their friends at home. When nearing Kanaghsaws, on September 16th, parties were ordered out to reconnoiter the woods in search of the bodies of the men of Lieutenant Boyd's detachment who had been killed on the 13th. Fourteen, includ- ing Hanyarry, the Oneidan, were found, "all tomahawked, scalped, and most inhumanly mangled." They were gathered up and buried together,. with military honors. Fearing no large gathering of the enemy at any point along his line of march, Sullivan sent various detachments of his army around both sides of Cayuga and Seneca Lakes to destroy the Indian towns and crops there-thus carrying out Washington's orders to make the country uninhabitable for years to come. While these operations were in progress Capt. John Reed built a fort (named Fort Reed) at Kanawlohalla, at the junction of Newtown Creek with the Chemung River, where the present city of Elmira is located. There the different detachments rejoined the main body of the Expedition between the 25th and the 29th of September. At Fort Reed, under the date of Saturday, September 25, 1779, Lieut. Colonel Hubley made the following entry in his journal :

"In consequence of the accession of the King of Spain to the American alliance. and the generous proceeding of the present Congress in augmenting the subsistence of the officers and men of the army, General Sullivan ordered five head of the best cattle (one for the use of the officers of each brigade), with five gallons of spirits each, to be delivered to them respectively ; thereby giving them an opportunity of testifying their joy on this occasion. In the evening the whole [army] was drawn up, and fired a feu de joie, thirteen cannon being first discharged. The infantry then commenced a running fire through the whole line, which, being repeated a second time, the whole army gave three cheers-one for, the United States of America, one for Congress, and one for our new ally. the King of Spain.

"The army being then dismissed, General Hand, with the officers of his brigade, attended by the officers of the park of artillery, repaired to a bower erected for that pur- pose, where the fatted bullock was served up (dressed in different ways)-the whole [con- pany ] seating themselves around the same-which afforded them a most agreeable repast. The officers being very jovial, the evening was spent in great mirth and jollity. After dinner the following toasts were drunk, the drums and fifes playing at intervals. (1) .The Thirteen States and their Sponsors.' (2) 'The Honourable, the American Congress.' (3) 'General Washington and the American Army.' (4) 'The Commander-in-Chief of the Western Expedition." (5) 'The American Navy.' (6) 'Our Faithful Allies, the United Houses of Bourbon.' (7) 'May the American Congress, and all her legislative Representatives, be endued with Virtue and Wisdom; and may her Independence be as firmly established as the Pillars of Time.' (8) 'May the Citizens of America, and her Soldiers, be ever unanimous in the reciprocal support of each other.' (9) 'May Alter- cations, Discord, and every degree of Fraud be totally banished the peaceful Shores of America.' (10) 'May the memory of the brave Lieutenant Boyd and the Soldiers under his command, who were horribly inassacred by the inhuman Savages, or by their more barbarous and detestable Allies, the British and Tories, on the 13th instant. be ever dear to their Country.' (11) 'An honourable Peace with America, or perpetual War with her Enemies.' (12) 'May the Kingdom of Ireland merit a Stripe in the American Stand- ard.' (13) 'May the Enemies of America be metamorphosed into Pack-horses and sent on a Western Expedition against the Indians.'"

In the morning of September 29th the army marched from Fort Reed to Chemung, and early the next morning continued on to Tioga

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Point. When within a mile of Fort Sullivan the troops were halted and formed in columns, the musicians and colors were brought to the head of the columns, and then, about three o'clock in the afternoon, with the musicians playing and the colors flying, the whole army marched down the peninsula. Each brigade moved to the ground it had formerly occupied, and erected its tents. When the troops passed Fort Sullivan the garrison was paraded and presented arms, thirteen rounds were fired from the cannon of the fort, and then the garrison gave three cheers. In response the returning troops gave three cheers, and Colonel Procter's artillery fired thirteen rounds. Relative to the return of the Expedition to Tioga Point Lieut. Colonel Hubley states : "Colonel Shreve, governor of the Garrison, had an elegant dinner pro- vided for the general and field officers of the army. We regaled our- selves, and great joy and good humor was visible in every countenance. Colonel Procter's band and the drums and fifes played in concert the whole time." Lieutenant Beatty has recorded that "the officers of each regiment had a dinner provided for them in the Garrison, where they immediately repaired and dined and took a hearty drink of grog and went to sleep." On this same day General Sullivan wrote, and despatched to the Hon. John Jay, President of Congress, a report of the doings of the Expedition since August 30th. Among other things he stated :

"It is with pleasure I inform Congress that this army has not suffered the loss of forty men in action or otherwise since my taking the command ; though perhaps few troops have experienced a more fatiguing campaign. Besides, the difficulties which naturally attend marching through an enemy's country-abounding in woods, creeks, rivers, mountains, morasses and defiles-we found no small inconvenience from the want of proper guides ; and the maps of the country are so exceedingly erroneous that they serve not to enlighten, but to perplex. We had not a person who was sufficiently acquainted with the country to conduct a party out of the Indian path by day, or scarcely in it by night ; though they were the best I could possibly procure. Their ignorance arose, doubtless, from the Indians having ever taken the best measures in their power to prevent their country's being explored. * *

" I feel myself much indebted to the officers of every rank for their unparalleled exertions, and to the soldiers for the unshaken firmness with which they endured the toils and difficulties attending the Expedition. Though I had it not in command, I should have ventured to have paid [Fort] Niagara a visit had I been supplied with fifteen days' provisions in addition to what I had; which I am persuaded, from the bravery and ardor of our troops, would have fallen into our hands. * * After leaving the necessary force for securing the frontiers in this quarter, I shall move on to join the main army. * * I

flatter myself that the orders with which I was entrusted are fully executed, as we have not left a single settlement or field of corn in the country of the Five Nations ; nor is there even the appearance of an Indian on this side of Niagara. * * The promise made to the soldiers in my address at Newtown [see page 1213, ante] I hope will be thought reasonable by Congress, and I flatter myself that the performance of it will be ordered. Colonel Bruen* will have the honor of delivering these despatches to your Excellency. I beg leave to recommend him to the particular notice of Congress as an officer who, on this as well as on several other campaigns, has proved himself an active, brave and truly deserving officer."

At Tioga Point, under the date of October 1, 1779, Lieut. Colonel Hubley wrote :

"This morning the horses belonging to the officers of the brigade [Hand's] were forwarded to Wyoming. We also sent our cow which we had along with us the whole expedition, and to which we are under infinite obligations for the great quantity of milk she afforded us, which rendered our situation very comfortable, and was no small addition to our half-allowance."

On Saturday, October 2d, General Sullivan gave an entertainment to all the general and field officers, which was followed in the evening by an Indian war-dance at headquarters. Lieut. Colonel Hubley states that many of the officers, putting on masks, or visors, joined in the

* Col. BRYAN BRUEN, General Sullivan's Private Secretary.

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dance, which was "conducted and led off by a young Sachem of the Oneida tribe, who was next followed by several other Indians. Then the whole led off, and, after the Indian custom, danced to the music, which was [made by] a rattle, a knife and a pipe, which the Sachem continued clashing together, and singing Indian the whole time. At the end of each, the Indian whoop was set up by the whole." Maj. John Burrowes, writing of the incidents of October 2d, said : " We spend this day in wishing each other joy for our safe return, and convert the evening to celebrate, as usual, wives and sweethearts-which we do in plenty of grog. Heretofore have been obliged to keep in plenty of cold water."

Pursuant to orders issued on October 2d, Fort Sullivan was evacu- ated on Sunday the 3d-the members of the garrison rejoining their respective commands. A fatigue-party of 500 men then began to demolish the fort *- throwing the pickets, or stakes, which formed the stockade into the rivers. The stores and other baggage, together with the guns of the artillery, were loaded into the boats, and all preparations were made for moving down the Susquehanna on the following day. On that day (Monday, October 4th) the whole army, including Clinton's brigade-with the exception of all the sick, the lame, and those without shoes, who were ordered to go in the boatst-took up its line of march, and proceeded southward over the route which it had traversed in its. progress from Wilkes-Barre to Tioga Point when advancing into the Indian country. During the 5th of October a good many pack-horses of the Expedition, being lame and otherwise useless, were killed. On the night of the 6th the army encamped at Tunkhannock, where orders were issued " to leave all horses that could not be got on, and for none to be killed." Major Burrowes records in his journal, under the date of October 6th (at Tunkhannock) : "On this day's march we leave about sixty horses that are not able to come on. We leave them in the different pastures to recruit, so as they may be brought down in eight or ten days. Heretofore we have killed all that gave out-in number about 200-and lost as many more."

The army arrived at Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, October 7th-the first of the troops reaching here about ten o'clock in the morning, and the last of them about three o'clock in the afternoon. They went into camp on the River Common, and along the bank of the river at and below the bend-chiefly on the ground they had occupied just before setting out for Tioga Point. Upon their arrival here they were saluted by thirteen rounds fired from the cannon at Fort Wyoming, and shortly

* In the borough of Athens, at Tioga Point, on October 8, 1902-the 123d anniversary of the demolition of Fort Sullivan-a monument, marking the site of that work of defense, was unveiled with appropriate and interesting ceremonies, in the presence of a large and distinguished company of ladies and gentlemen, by Tioga Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. This monument, standing near where the north angle of the fort was located, consists of a large granite boulder, hav- ing affixed to it a bronze tablet bearing the following inscription: "In Sullivan's Expedition-the march that destroyed savagery and opened the Keystone and Empire States to civilization-four bri- gades, furnished by the States of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire, with Procter's Artillery and Parr's Riflemen, took part. At this Tioga Point, along the southern door of the Iroquois Confederacy, 5,000 troops encamped. Manned by the Continentals, and garrisoned by 250 soldiers of the 2d New Jersey Regiment, under Col. Israel Shreve, here stood 'FORT SULLIVAN,' with four block-houses, curtains and abattis, from August 11 to October 3, 1779. This tablet is erected by the Tioga Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1902."

t In the collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania there is an original document read- ing as follows: "This may certify that, by an order from Major General Sullivan to me directed, 145 raw hides were taken for the purpose of flooring the boats for the accommodation of the sick when sent from Tioga to this place, twenty of which [hides] were lost through the neglect of the boatmen.

"Wioming, 10 October, 1779.

[ Signed ] "STEPHEN MCCREA, Senr. Surgeon."

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afterwards a half pint of whisky was issued to each soldier. At Wilkes- Barré, under the date of October 7, 1779, Lieut. Colonel Hubley made the following entry in his journal* :

"Thus, by the perseverence, good conduct and determined resolution of our Com- mander-in-Chief, with the assistance of his council, and the full determination of his troops to execute, have we fully accomplished the great end and intentions of this important expedition ; and I flatter myself we fully surpassed the most sanguine expecta- tions of those whose eyes were more immediately looking to us for success. The glorious achievements we have exhibited in extending our conquests so far, and, at the same time, rendering them so very complete, will make no inconsiderable balance, even in the present politics of America. Its future good consequences I leave to the eloquence of Time to declare, which will, in ages hence, celebrate the memory of those brave sons who nobly risked their lives, disdaining every fatigue and hardship to complete a conquest, the real good effects and advantages of which posterity will particularly enjoy.

"Whilst I revere the merit and virtue of the army, I am sorry I am under the necessity of mentioning that there was an unparalleled and unpardonable neglect (and which ought not to pass with impunity) in those whose business it was to supply them with a sufficient quantity of necessaries to carry them through the expedition ; instead of which not more than twenty-two days' flour and sixteen days' meat was on hand when it [the Expedition] commenced. And, although the army possessed a degree of virtue- perhaps unparalleled in the annals of history-in undertaking an expedition on half .allowance ( which was in every instance hazardous and imperious); yet, had we not been favored with the smiles of Providence in a continuation of good weather, the half allow- ance itself would not have enabled us to perform what, from that circumstance, we have performed."

At Wilkes-Barre, on October 8th, the army was entertained with a grand feast, prepared under the direction of Col. Zebulon Butler. On the 9th General Sullivan set off for Easton, leaving General Clinton in command of the army, which was ordered to prepare to march the next day. On Sunday, October 10th, Schott's Corps (see page 1164), Captain Spalding's Westmoreland Independent Company, the German Regiment and a small additional body of troops having been detached by order of General Sullivan to garrison Fort Wyoming under the command of Col. Zebulon Butler, the remainder of the army set out for Easton. Clinton's and Poor's brigades marched about noon, and proceeded as far as " Bullock's," where they bivouacked for the night. The remaining troops marched at three o'clock in the afternoon, and bivouacked over night in the woods at Laurel Run, about four miles from Wilkes-Barré. The following paragraphs are from the journal of Lieutenant Beatty of Clinton's brigade, under the dates of October 12, 13, and 14, 1779.

"19th .- Marched this morning at eight o'clock. Entered the Great Swamp, which is a very bad road. The wagons was sent on at day-break this morning, to halt at Locust Hill (about the middle of the Swamp) till the army came up. We arrived at Locust Hill about one o'clock, where we found the wagons. Here we halted and eat dinner. Passed the wagons, which came on in the rear. Just as the army got through the Swamp- which is twelve miles through-a very heavy shower of rain came on, which wet us very much. Marched three miles through the Swamp, and encamped a little before dark on a pretty little brook [White Oak Run, or " Rum Bridge "] thirty-two miles from Easton. A great many horses died in the Swamp to-day, and a great many wagons [were] broken to pieces, and the baggage of the army did not come up. To-day we met about fifty wagons in the Swamp going to Wyoming for what baggage of the army was left there. About one-half [of the wagons] was turned to fetch on our baggage ; the others went on to Wyoming.

" 13th .- Marched this morning at nine o'clock ; those fresh wagons helped on the baggage middling well. In marching about five miles came to Larnard's tavern-it being the beginning of the settlement of a Christian country, which appeared to me very strange. Here we halted in a field one and a-half hours, to refresh. Then marched on very good roads nine miles through a thin-settled country, and about five o'clock arrived at Brinker's Mills, where we had a large store of provisions for this army ; and here they had a small picketed fort, where they had store-houses in which to keep their provisions, and a small garrison of militia. As soon as we was encamped I went out to a country house and got an Elegant Dinner, which I was very well pleased with. 14th .- Here we got a * See the "Journals of the Military Expedition of Maj. Gen. John Sullivan," page 167.

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A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time; including chapters of newly-discovered, Vol. II, Part 117

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Wilkes-Barre [Raeder press] Number of Pages: 683

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Wilkes-Barre [Raeder press]
Number of Pages: 683