A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania : from its first beginnings to the present time, including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material. Volume II, Part 117

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851-1922; Smith, Ernest Gray
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Wilkes-Barre : Raeder Press
Number of Pages: 680

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 early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material. Volume II > Part 117

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"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 ineasures 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 liave 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 liands. * * After leaving the necessary force

for securing the frontiers in this quarter, I shall move on to join the main army.

* *

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 Newtown1 [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 inilk 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 fornied 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-Barré 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 ariny 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 3, 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."

¡ 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 then 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-Barré, 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.

"12th .- 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 Swanip) 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 inuch. Marclied 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 miet about fifty wagons in the Swamp going to Wyoming for what baggage of the army was left there. About one-lialf [of the wagons] was turned to fetcli on our baggage ; the others went on to Wyoming.

" 13th .- Marclied 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 mne 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 liere they had a small picketed fort, where they had store-houses in whichi 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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few more wagons, almost sufficient to carry all the baggage. Marched to-day at eleven o'clock through a middling-good settled country ; crossed the Blue Mountains, and encamped at Heller's tavern seven miles from Brinker's Mills about three o'clock. Here an officer from each regiment was ordered to attend at headquarters, after taking the minds of the officers of the regiments concerning the high prices of articles, whether they would give them or no. After a consultation of an hour or two they came to this resolution : That they would not purchase of any tavern-keeper any liquor or provision while on the march to headquarters-sickness excepted."*

On Friday, October 15th, the troops marched into Easton, and beyond, and encamped near the Lehigh-General Sullivan resuming command of the army. On the previous day the inhabitants of North- ampton County had presented a formal address to General Sullivan, congratulating him on the success of his Expedition. On the day following their arrival at Easton (to wit, October 16, 1779) the officers of the artillery formally congratulated General Sullivan "on the safe and happy arrival of himself and troops" at Easton. "We present our sincerest thanks," they said, "for the care and attention you have taken in making a comfortable provision for your army in general, and in particular for your generosity to the corps in which we serve."t On the same day the officers of the Corps of Light Infantry, through Lieut. Colonel Hubley, also extended their congratulations to the Commander- in-Chief. On Sunday, October 17th, all the troops at Easton were mustered by order of General Sullivan, and a thanksgiving sermon was preached to them by the Rev. Israel Evans, D. D., Chaplain of Poor's brigade. Also, at that time, it was announced to the army that the Congress, on October 14th, on motion of Elbridge Gerry, seconded by Robert Morris, had passed the following resolution :

" Resolved, That the thanks of Congress are voted to His Excellency, General Washington, for directing, and to Major General Sullivan and the brave officers and soldiers under his command for effectually executing, an important expedition against such of the Indian Nations as, encouraged by the counsels and conducted by the officers of His Britannic Majesty, had perfidiously waged an unprovoked and cruel war against these United States, laid waste many of their defenseless towns, and, with savage barbarity, slaughtered the inhabitants thereof."

On the same day Congress voted that it would be "proper to set apart the second Thursday of December [1779], as a day of general thanksgiving in these United States ;" and, in the official proclamation which was subsequently issued relative to the Thanksgiving-day thus appointed, the following was enumerated as one of the causes of grati- tude to Providence : "That He hath gone out with those who went out into the wilderness against the savage tribes ; that He hath stayed the hand of the spoiler, and turned back his meditated destruction." In "General Orders " issued at West Point under the date of October 17, 1779, General Washington congratulated the whole army on General Sullivan's success, and declared that "the whole of the soldiery engaged in the Expedition merit and have the Commander-in-Chief's warmest acknowledginents for their important services."

The Sullivan Expedition accomplished its purpose. Some had complained of the slowness of its preparation. Few realized the extent of the arrangements necessary to be made to move a large army, with its

* Lieut. Samuel M. Shute states in his journal: "Previous to our entering the town [Easton] the officers entered into a resolve not to eat or drink a penny's worth in a tavern on the march to headquarters; as they [the tavern-keepers] had frequently been heard to say, when buying liquors at high prices, that the western army was coming down, and the men were starved for victuals and drink, and would give any price for the same, and that they would make as much money as they pleased." Lieutenant Beatty states that, after the arrival of the troops at Easton, he did not "see a single soul enter a tavern; which was a great disappointment to the inhabitants, as they had laid in great stores, and thought they would have a very fine market for them."

¡ See the Pennsylvania Packet (Philadelphia), October 23, 1779.

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provisions, equipments and appendages through a wide wilderness. Sullivan was wise in not starting until he was ready. Others complained that he did not carry havoc farther, and extend his inarch to Fort Niagara. But there were good and sufficient reasons for his stopping and returning when he did. The longer absence of so large a portion of the Continental army from the chief fields of its operations was not expedient. Upon the whole, this Indian campaign was most useful, and its entire conduct reflects the highest credit upon its commander and all under his orders.

"No part of the military history of the Revolution is less appre- ciated or inore misunderstood than this," declares Charles W. Upham in his " Life of Timothy Pickering " (II : 228). " It is regarded as an eccentric diversion from the regular course of the war. It is looked upon as an unwarranted and needless devastation of Indian settlements. Some persons are horrified by the utter destruction Sullivan dealt nipon the corn-fields and habitations of the tribes, forgetting that in this he pursued literally the instructions of Washington. No conqueror in the annals of history took fewer lives of an enemy, except on the battle-field; although he had the greatest possible provocation. A valuable officer [Lieutenant Boyd] and a private soldier fell, after a gallant resistance, into the hands of the Savages. From the condition of their bodies, found shortly afterwards, it appeared that they had been put to death, after tortures and inutilations such as have never been surpassed, if even paralleled, by even Indian cruelty. The forbearance and humanity of Sullivan's course deserve to be held in honorable remembrance ; and there is no occasion whatever for the regret that has been expressed that ' the veil of forgetfulness cannot be drawn over it.'

"All these criticismns upon the expedition under Sullivan are in consequence of not understanding its connection with the Wyoming massacre ! That was its occasion and its origin, and led Congress, the Board of War and General Washington to feel it necessary to strike just such a blow as Sullivan did upon the five tribes, usually designated as the 'Six Nations'-who, led by the British officers, and in concert with British regulars and Tories, had perpetrated the outrage upon Wyoming -and thus render them incapable of repeating it there or elsewhere. The march of Sullivan's arıny was not the expression of revenge, but an act of self-preservation. No Government is worthy of the name, which does not secure the safety and protection of its people. The alternative was whether the savage tribes in central and western New York, in alliance with the public enemy, should be disabled for further mischief, or families of civilized men, women and children, on the frontiers and within the limits of the American Confederation, be indiscriminately and brutally destroyed. The Congress of the United States did no more than its duty in choosing the first course.

" The Commander-in-Chief [Washington] was responsible for the Expedition. He probably designed it, and certainly superintended the preparations for it, with great care and interest. He saw that it was needed. It was one of those blows which Washington occasionally dealt, and it was not dealt in vain. The strong arm of the country, this wielded by him, was felt through all the Indian tribes, and the. name they thenceforth gave to him-' The Town Destroyer '-was expressive, not of resentment or reproach, but of wondering and admiring awe."

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The following paragraphs relative to the Sullivan Expedition are taken from the "historical introduction," written by J. Watts de Peyster, to the "Orderly Book of Sir John Johnson," published in 1882. It seems to be unnecessary to state that their author was a descendant of a British Loyalist of the Revolutionary period.

"In 1779 occurred the famous invasion of the territory of the Six Nations by Sullivan. In one sense it was triumphant. It did the devil's work thoroughly. It converted a series of blooming gardens, teeming orchards and productive fields into wastes and ashes. It was a disgrace to developing civilization. *

* * When white men scalp and flay Indians, and convert the skins of the latter's thighs into boot-tops, the question suggests itself-which were the savages, the Continental troops or the Indians? It is scarcely an exaggeration to say that, for every Indian slain and hut consumed in this campaign, 1,000 white men, women and children paid the penalty ; and it is almost unexceptionally admitted that the inextinguishable hatred of the red- skins to the United States dates from this raid of Sullivan. * *

"Sullivan's ultimate military objective must have been Fort Niagara, the basis, for about a century, of inroads, French and British, upon New York. Why he did not make the attempt requires a consideration that would occupy more space than can be assigned in this memoir. There were adversaries in his front who did not fear pop-gun artillery like the Indians, and were not to be dismayed by an ' elegant ' cannonade as at Newtown. Haldimand had sent Sir John Johnson to organize a body of white troops, besides the Indians, and these were rapidly concentrating upon Sullivan, when the latter counter- marched. American historians give their reasons for this retreat ; British writers explain it very differently. In any event, this Expedition was the last military command enjoyed by Sullivan. The Scripture here affords an expression which may not be inapplicable- 'He departed without being desired.'"

At Wilkes-Barré, under the date of October 13, 1779, Col. Cornelius Sheriff, Deputy Quartermaster General on the staff of Maj. General Sullivan, addressed to Col. Zebulon Butler, commanding the Wyoming Post, the following communication :

"Sir .- Whatever Continental horses, waggons, gears, and Quartermaster General's stores you shall find on the ground at your Garrison, you will be pleased to take a particu- lar account of, and secure them for the use of the publick; and all you shall collect from any quarter-as there must be an account transmitted to General Greene, Quartermaster General, for his and the publick's satisfaction. The return of which publick property may be sent to Col. R. S. Hooper, at Easton, who will take an account of and transmit it to General Greene. The publick property boats you will secure at discretion, for future use ; though I would recommend your sending what you don't want for the use of the Garrison to Sunbury. * * The Continental horses unfit for service you may dispose of to as much advantage as in your power."*

At a meeting of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania held at Philadelphia October 19, 1779, "a petition was read, signed by the principal remaining inhabitants of Northumberland County, repre- senting their great apprehensions from the Indians, in consequence of the removal of General Sullivan's army and they being destitute of any troops for their defense. Sundry letters from General Hand were also read, acquainting the Board that 300 men had been left as a garrison at Wyoming, and it was deemed a greater number than was necessary for that post. Therefore the Council 'Resolved, That the Board of War be requested to order 150 men from Wyoming to Sunbury.'"+ In conformity with the foregoing resolution the German Regiment was subsequently ordered to proceed to Sunbury, and on October 29, 1779, it inarched thither fromn Wilkes-Barre. This left at Fort Wyoming a garrison of less than 200 officers and men, comprising Schott's Corps, Spalding's company,# Lieut. Obadialı Gore, one Sergeant, one Corporal

* According to an original document now in the collections of The Wyoming Historical and Geo- logical Society, a public sale of Continental horses was held at Wyoming Post in November, 1779, by Lord Butler, A. D. Q. M. G. Benjamin Harvey bought one sorrel mare for £100, and one black horse for £500. Other purchasers were: Capt. Jolin Paul Schott, George P. Ransom, Col. Nathan Denison, Capt. Simon Spalding, Peregrine Gardner and Nathan Bullock.

See "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," XII : 138.

# One of the privates in Captain Spalding's Westmoreland Independent Company in the service of the United States (see page 980, ante), was Asa Burnham. Document "No. 111," in the collection

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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 early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material. Volume II, Part 117

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851-1922; Smith, Ernest Gray Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Wilkes-Barre : Raeder Press Number of Pages: 680

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851-1922; Smith, Ernest Gray
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Wilkes-Barre : Raeder Press
Number of Pages: 680