A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 19

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.]
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > Athens > A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania > Part 19

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"It was soon resolved we should proceed no further, but if possible make our way good to Wyoming. We burnt Tioga, Queen Hester's Palace or Town and all the settlements on this side.

"Several Canoes were taken and some Plunder, Part of which was destroyed. Mr. Carbery with the Horse only was close on Butler. He was in Possession of the Town 3 miles up the Cayuga Branch, but as we did not advance he returned. The consternation of the enemy was great. We pushed our good Fortune as far as we dare, nay it is prob- able that the good countenance we put on saved us from destruction as we were advanced so far into the enemy's country and no return but what we could make with the sword. We came to Sheshecunnunk that night (Sept. 27). Had we had 500 Regular Troops and 150 Light Troops with one or two Pieces of artillery we probably might have destroyed Chemung, which is now the receptacle of all villainous In- dians and Tories from the different Tribes and States. From this they make their excursions against the Frontiers of N. York and Pennsyl- vania, Jersey & Wioming & commit those horrid Murders and De-

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ATTACK ON HARTLEY NEAR WYALUSING

vastations we have heard of. Niagara and Chemung are the assilums of those Tories who cannot get to New York.

"On the morning of the 28th we crossed the river and marched toward Wyalusing, where we arrived that night at eleven o'clock-our men much worn down-our Whiskey and Flour was gone. On the morning of the 29th we were obliged to stay until eleven o'clock to kill and cooke Beef. This necessary stop gave the enemy Leasure to ap- proach."13

Hartley found Wyalusing considerably dismantled. Early in the spring before a party had come up from Wyoming, who made rafts of the timber in the church and some of the best houses, upon which were loaded a few families who had remained in the vicinity during the win- ter ; and with their goods were carried to Wyoming. What was left of this once beautiful and interesting town was burned before the troops left their encampment. This town was on the flats about two miles be- low the present village of Wyalusing.

The path up the Browntown Mountain was a few years ago easily traceable, and probably is so now. As was said, it was eleven o'clock on the morning of September 29 before the detachment was able to leave their Wyalusing encampment. The Colonel says of this day's march: "Seventy of our men, from real or pretended Lameness, went into the canoes, others rode on the empty Pack Horses; we had not more than 120 Rank & File to fall in the Line of March. Lieut. Sweeney, a valuable officer, had the Rear Guard, consisting of 30 men, besides five active Runners under Mr. Camplen. The advanced guard was to consist of an officer & 15. There were a few Flankers, but from the Difficulty of the ground and Fatigue [of the men] they were seldom of use. The rest of our little army was formed into three Divi- sions ; those of my Regiment composed the first, Capt. Spalding's the 2d, Capt. Murrow's [Murray's] the 3d. The Light Horse was equally divided between front and rear. The Pack Horses, and the cattle we had collected were to follow the advance guard. In this order we moved from Wyalusing at twelve o'clock. A slight attack was made on our Front from a Hill. Half an hour afterwards a warmer one was made on the same quarter. After ordering the 2d & 3d Divisions to out Flank the Enemy, we soon drove them. But this, as I expected, was only Amusement. We lost as little time as possible with them. At two o'clock a very heavy attack was made on our Rear, which obliged the most of our Rear guard to give way, whilst several Indians appeared on our left Flank. By the weight of the Firing we were soon con- vinced we had to oppose a Large Body. Captain Stoddard commanded in Front, I was in the Center. I observed some high ground which overlooked the enemy. Orders were immediately given for the first & 3d Divisions to take Possession of it, whilst Captain Spalding was despatched to support the Rear Guard. We gained the Heights almost unnoticed by the Barbarians. Capt. Stoddard sent a small Party towards the enemy's Rear. At the critical moment Capts. Boone & Brady & W. King, with a few Brave Fellows landed from the canoes, joined Mr. Sweeny [of the rear guard, which had been driven in on to

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

the Main body ] and renewed the action there. The War Hoop was given by our People below and communicated round. We advanced on the Enemy on all sides, with great shouting & Noise. The Indians after a brave resistance of some minutes, conceived themselves nearly sur- rounded, fled with the utmost Haste, by the only passes that remained & left ten dead on the ground. Our troops wished to do their duty, but they were much overcome with Fatigue, otherwise, as the Indians imagined themselves surrounded, we should drove the Enemy into the River.

"From every account these were a select body of warriors sent after us, consisting of near 200 men. Their Confidence and Impetuos- ity probably gave the victory to us. After they had driven our Rear some Distance their chief was heard to say, in the Indian Language, that which is interpreted thus, 'My Brave Warriors, we drive them, be bold and strong, the day is ours.' Upon this they advanced very quick without sufficiently regarding their Rear. We had no alternative but Conquest or Death. They would have murdered us all had they suc- ceeded, but the great God of Battles protected us in the day of Danger. We had 4 killed and 10 wounded. The enemy must have had at least treble the number killed & wounded. They received such a Beating as prevented them from giving us any further trouble during our March to Wioming, which is more than 50 Miles from the place of Action. The officers of my Regiment behaved well to a Man. All the party will acknowledge the greatest merit and Bravery of Capt. Stod- dert. I cannot say enough in his favor. He deserves the Esteem of his Country. Mr. Carbery with his Horse was very active and rendered important services till his Horses were fatigued. Nearly all the other officers acquitted themselves with Reputation. Capt. Simon Spalding exerted himself as much as possible. Capt. Murrow [Murray], from his knowledge of Indian affairs and their Mode of fighting, was serv- iceable. His Men were Marksmen and were useful. The men of my Regt. were armed with Muskets & Bayonets. They were no great marksmen and were awkward at wood Fighting. The Bullet and three Swan shot in each Piece made up in some measure for the want of skill." The place where this action occurred is still known as Indian Hill, and is crossed by the line dividing the county of Wyoming from Bradford. The remnants of muskets14 and bullets have been found on or near the battle ground. The first two skirmishes were on the Brad- ford County side of the line, while the heavy fighting was done in what is now Wyoming County.

On the 5th of August of the next year Sullivan's army passed this ground on their expedition against the Western Indians. Some of the diarists call attention to the Hartley fight, but as they were going in the opposite direction, speak of the places in reverse order.

Thomas Grant says: "Likewise passed the place where Col. Hart- ley defeated the Indians in '78. We then ascended a hill known by the name of Wyalusing Hill-the ascent very gradual, the descent very steep."

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OFFICERS IN HARTLEY'S EXPEDITION

Col. Hubley, in whose command were the men who were with Hartley on this expedition, and whose means of information were, therefore, exceptionally good, says: "We arrived in a small valley called Depue's Farm [on Tuscarora Creek] ; the land very good. Ob- served and reconnoitered this ground for some distance, it being the place on which Col. Hartley was attacked by the savages last year on his return from Tioga to Wyoming. The country being fine and open, some loss was sustained on both sides."

Rev. Dr. Wm. Rogers, one of the chaplains of the expedition, says : "About two miles from Black Walnut Bottom we crossed a small run or creek called Tuscaroge, took a particular view of the two places where the enemy last fall attacked Colonel Hartley's regiment on its served and reconnoitered this ground for some distance, it being the regiment could have wished. We passed by the skull of one of our men who was then killed, hanging on a small tree. After we left this height, having marched over a low and swampy piece of ground, we came to Wyalusing Mountain."

All of the accounts are necessarily somewhat vague, but compar- ing them with each other and the ground passed over we fix the place of the first discovery of the Indians near the place recently owned by the late Hamilton Brown, on the top of Browntown Mountain; the place of the second discovery a mile or more beyond, on the border of the swamp now nearly dried, while the battle itself was fought on the hill about a mile above the present village of Laceyville.15

Of the men mentioned by Col. Hartley but little can be said. Of Capt. Carbury I have already spoken. Capt. Simon Spalding is a name so familiar to all in this part of the county as to need no further notice. Capt. John Brady lived near Muncy on the West Branch, and was killed there the following April. Capt. Hawkins Boone was a familiar name on the West Branch frontiers. On July 28, 1779, he was in command of a party which was waylaid and defeated. by the In- dians, from which he narrowly escaped with his life. Lieut. Isaac Swee- ney was the captain of a company in Hubley's Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment. Captains Stoddard and Murray enjoyed a local reputation of being skillful, courageous and successful Indian fighters; further than this I do not know.

Colonel Hartley reported his loss at four killed and ten wounded. The Indians left ten killed on the ground, but according to their custom carried away their wounded and possibly some of their dead. If their wounded were in the same proportion to their killed as in Hartley's troops, the number would amount at least to twenty-five. The rest of the story is soon told. Without further incident the expedition reached Wyoming October 5th, having, as the Colonel says, "performed a cir- cuit of near 300 miles in about two weeks.16 We brought off near 50 head of cattle, 28 canoes, besides many other articles," and he might have added, recaptured sixteen prisoners taken by the Indians from the settlements on the Susquehanna, and destroyed four Indian towns, namely, Tioga, Queen Esther's Town, Sheshequinunk and Wyalusing. Colonel Franklin, who was with the militia, says the people were

OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

greatly pleased when they saw the returning expedition bring back some of the cattle and goods the Indians and Tories had stolen, but their joy was turned to disappointment when they learned that the plunder-a phrase in that day applied to recovered stolen goods-was to be sold at auction and the money applied to the expenses of the expedition, and that the only way they could regain the possession of their own property was by being the highest bidder at the auction. But, besides these, other valuable results followed the expedition.

1. It was demonstrated that an expedition of larger dimensions, which could penetrate much farther into the Indian country and be vastly more destructive to the native resources, was entirely practicable. Hartley made this expedition over one of the roughest trails in the country in two weeks' time, on twelve days' rations, mostly carried in haversacks, without the loss of a man, except the four in the casualty of battle on Indian Hill. The supplies could be supplemented in no inconsiderable degree by the food and corn growing on the ground about the Indian towns and on their cultivated fields.

2. Of the two paths into the Indian country, that taken by Hart- ley up to Tioga, and that taken by the river on his return, the latter was the only practicable one.

That the Sheshequin path presented altogether too many obstacles to the transportation of a large body of troops with artillery, ammuni- tion and supplies to be at all practicable.

3. Hartley learned and insisted upon the value of light troops- of men who were familiar with the woods and who were good marks- men and understand the Indian tactics in woods-fighting. He also saw the moral effect of big guns and urged that another expedition should have at least two or three cannon. These were all valuable facts and were made use of in the Sullivan Expedition the following year.

4. The Indians were also taught that blows could be given as well as taken by the settlers.

Shortly after the return of the expedition, the regiment, having become much reduced in officers and members, was by order of Con- gress recruited and reorganized. Colonel Hartley having been allowed to resign for the purpose of entering upon public life, the command of the regiment, now called the "New Eleventh" of the Pennsylvania Line, was given to Colonel Adam Hubley, and in the Sullivan Com- paign the next year formed a part of General Hand's Brigade of Light Troops and led the van of the historic expedition into the wilds and wildernesses of the Iroquois Confederacy. It continued in the military service until the close of the Revolutionary War, when it was dis- banded with honor.

NOTES BY AUTHOR.

1 Here Mr. Craft is somewhat in error. According to the Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. VI, pp. 689, 691-693, Hartley, having been "ordered up to assist the Frontiers," and finding the people had fled, leaving their harvests, which were, on account of the war, unusually necessary; began at once to consider how best to protect the people. He concluded to fix and maintain some new frontier forts, mentioning several proposed in a letter to the council. Of Muncy he says: "We were clearly of opinion that a fort ought to be Built near Saml. Wallace's, about two miles from Muncy Creek. I therefore directed one to be laid out ac- cordingly." After describing its proposed construction he adds. that it will be a small ex- pense and save thousands of pounds as well as many lives. ' The council responded that Con-

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AUTHOR'S NOTES ON CRAFT PAPER

gress would admit of no expense in erecting forts in the interior, and adds "as to the place where temporary forts may advantageously be erected, your own discretion will determine as occasion offers."

2 These poor fellows were reported by Hartley as having arrived with "their cloths all torn by the woods; they are in the utmost want of Hunting shirts and woolen overhalls or leggins. I hope 200 of each will be sent up immediately." Poor fellows! in spite of this appeal there is reason to suppose that they accompanied the expedition without the reinforce- ment in wardrobe, and there is little doubt but that the whole force were in tatters on their arrival at Diahoga.

3 See Pa. Archives, Vol. VI, p. 730.

4 See Pa. Archives, Vol. VII, p. 3, first paragraph; also Vol. VI, p. 770.

5 See Pa. Archives, Vol. VII, p. 5.

6 The harvests were unusually needed for the support of the army, and Colonel Hartley had urged the frightened settlers to return and secure them wherever possible.

7 Captain Henry Carbury retained the command of his cavalry squadron until the Sul- livan campaign, when that officer deeming so small a body of horsemen unserviceable, and unable to increase their number dismounted them. Captain Carbury retained his rank as captain and his men resumed their places in the regiment. In the affair of the Hog-backs near Chemung, August 13, 1779, Captain Carbury was severely wounded but recovered and re-entered the active military service. On the thirtieth of November, after the Hartley ex- pedition, 1778, he was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain and commanded the Eighth Company of the Eleventh Regiment. He was retired in January, 1781. In June, 1783, he was concerned in the riot of the soldiers of the Pennsylvania line, and to avoid arrest fled to Maryland, where he is lost sight of so far as I know .- Craft.

8 Probably near Burlington.

9 For further account of this town see Chapter VI, Queen Esther and her town.

10 This was the old Indian town on the Point.

11 Colonel Morgan, to whom Hartley alludes above, with six companies of light troops, who was in the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Lieut. Colonel William But- ler, and then attached to General James Clinton's Brigade, in New York State, was expected to form a junction with Hartley at Tioga, but for some reason failed to connect .- Craft.

12 Generally known as the Green Rangers.

13 The next year was the Sullivan Expedition. Colonel Adam Hubley, who succeeded Hartley in the command of these same troops, said of this town, "since the commencement of the present war the whole has been consumed and laid waste partly by the savages and partly by our own people."

14 One of these muskets is in the museum at Towanda.

15 See Vol. IX, Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, p. 212, in which Mr. Craft gives a later description of this locality, according to personal investigation.

16 In Penna. Archives, Vol. VI, p. 773, may be found another and most interesting report of this expedition made by Lieutenant Hunter of Fort Augusta. Speaking of the attack at Wyalusing, he says: "The Indians had way-layd our People among a Parsel of Rocks, as they were marching through a piece of narrows." He gave great praise to both men and officers; said they brought in five Indian scalps, and that it was supposed the enemy followed all the way to Wyoming, as three men of Colonel Murray's command were killed and scalped near the garrison, October 3. Thomas Maxwell, in the notes for Schoolcraft, says that "Hartley's victory at Wyalusing frightened the Indians into sending all Tioga Point . prisoners to Chemung."

Author's Addenda.

In addition to his report to Congress, Col. Hartley sent one to the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, saying :

"Anxious for the welfare and safety of those Frontiers, I wished if pos- sible to draw the Savages to a greater distance. By acting on the Defensive only this could not be effected. I understood Cols. Morgan and Butler were acting against the Indians on the Susquehanna, this with our former Inclinations induced us to push an Expedition to Tioga & its neighborhood. * * Consid- ering our numbers we pushed our good Fortune as far as we dare, we gave a present relief to the Frontiers & turned back the Barbarians from Deluging our Country with the Blood of Helpless Mothers & Infants. They are a strange enemy, they shun Danger when among us, but near their own Country they fight brave. *

* It is too late for an Expedition against Chemung this Fall, we must only secure our posts for the Winter, & early in the Spring a body must march against their Towns on this River; there are more Indians within 150 Miles of this, then within the like distance from Fort Pitt where so many men are collected. I have wrote Congress to request that another Regiment should be sent to Wyoming-what I write may be relied upon. I could wish you would

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

second my proposal to Congress * * We are here on a Dangerous service, which gives few opportunities of gaining Laurels ; we have a Vigilant & Danger- ous Enemy, but it gives us pleasure to think we serve our Country & protect the helpless & innocent-I inclose a copy of an address I sent to the Indians."

It is to be regretted that this address cannot be found. How the sterling worth of this brave man shines forth in these reports! Even so long after, it stirs one's blood to read his simple, unaffected words, showing his bravery, his alertness, his willingness to serve in the lesser places, if thereby he could best further the interests of his country. Is he not as worthy of admiration as Sullivan, since this expedition was his own conception ?

The Executive Council sent a special messenger to Congress to indorse Hartley's suggestion, but that it was not acted upon is proven by a second letter to Council the next month, November, 1778, in which he tells of new depredations and another advance on Wyoming, and an expected one at Sunbury ; adding :

"Had regiments been sent to Wyoming as I requested, these calamities would probably not have happened. Should the enemy take Wyoming, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey will then too late think of its importance. I intended to have gone to Philadelphia, but am now determined to stay 'til the danger is over .- We are much in want of flour."

Council sent to this an immediate and reassuring answer, regret- ting the decision (or indecision) of Congress, and also that an expedi- tion was not undertaken to Chemung "by an enterprising officer. Your attempt that way does you honor." In a few days he writes again more reassuringly, having driven back the advance on Wyoming, re- captured the cattle stolen, etc., closing by saying bravely that he could manage the Indians in his vicinity well enough. In December the Executive Council, on motion,

"Ordered That the unanimous thanks of the Council be given to Col. Thomas Hartley for brave & prudent conduct in covering the North Western frontiers of this State, & expelling the Savages & other Enemies; and that he is requested to inform the Officers & Men who have been under his command that this Council is highly sensible of the difficulties and hardships of the duty they have performed, and the Courage & zeal which they have shown during the last Campaign."

At a later meeting it was recommended that Hartley's plan for defence of N. W. frontiers be approved and pursued, and evidently without delay, as correspondence ensued that indicated immediate prep- arations. January 10, 1779, Lt. Col. Zebulon Butler, in response to a letter from Gen. Hand, writes :

"Honored Sir :

"Westmoreland, Jany. 10, '79.

"Rec'd yours of ye 17th Dec. 1778 on the 4th Jany. 1779. Imme- diately Sent over Express to Sunbury, who Returned this day with the Inclosed Letter from Capt Stoddard who Commands there in Col. Hartley's Absence. 'Sr. I'm verry happy to find that A Gentleman of Your Character is Appointed to the Command of these fronteers. Shall always be happy in Receiving and Obeying your orders. Inclosed I Send you the Returns of the Strength of this place as to men Amminition &c. The Distance from this place to Chemong is About 100 Miles, the Rode impossible to pass any other way in the Summer Season than by pack horses or boats, and I think it Not possible to pass either way at this Sea- son, with any Sufficient Quantity of provision for an Army Sufficient to go against Such an Enemy We provirbly Shall meet with. The Ice in the River is

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LETTERS OF HARTLEY AND BUTLER

such that we cannot pass by Water, and the Cricks are Numerous and uncertain Passing at this Season the Depth of the Snow is Usually from 15 Inches to two feet Deep. Snow Shoes will be Necessary and Can be had Hear if men Can be Procured to make them as the Commisary has A Number of Raw Hides. If from those Representations your Honour should think A Winter Expedition was not practicable I Would propose Whether (after your Knowing the Quantity of provision &c Your Honour Would Not think it best to send 100 or 150 more Men hear for Winter-Quarters. Barracks can be had for them the last Letter I had from Col. Hartley he Informed me that A Regt was coming to this post and the board of War had Directed him to make the following Arrangement-viz. that is if a Reinforcement of Troops Come to this post that the Detachments from his Regt at this post and at fort Jinkins join the Reg't at Sunbury. Fort Jinkins is a post Kept with About 50 men on this river About 38 miles Down from this post and that the Troops that came here should Garrison this post and fort Jinkins, but Your Honour Can order them affairs as you think proper.

"The Express I send you I have ordered to return to me as Soon as pos- sible after you Dismiss Him.

"I am with Esteem Your Honour's "Most Obt Humble Servt "ZEBN BUTLER "Lt Col Comdg" "N. B .- If You should think Best I will be preparing for Boats. Desire your Directions and I think it my duty to Let you know that Letters of Conse- quence should not be trusted to the Care of Col. Stroud. Wheather through In- attention to publick Business, or Design or multiplicity of private Business I Can Not say but the Letter from Your Honour to Col Hartley and myself Lay at his House till the first Jany 1779 and that is not the first time he has Done the like. "Your Humble Servt "ZEBN BUTLER"

"To the Hon Brigadier Genl Hand Minisink."

Some additions to the story of Hartley's expedition may be found among the correspondence of Col. Zebulon Butler, published in Vol. VII, Proceedings Wyoming Historical and Geological Society. Here are several letters from Hartley, written before the expedition, saying he was "collecting a clever body of men" at Muncy ; ordering some troops from Wyoming to join him at Wyalusing, which was his first plan, evidently advising that they should march in ignorance of their destination in order to deceive the Tories, etc. Mentioning that the combined troops should proceed against Chemung, where he under- stood were many Indians and Tories, and most of the plunder taken at Wyoming, adding, "I mean that this Town should be approached by the Lycoming Path to the mouth of Tawandie and that the Town should be attacked, & if possible Destroyed, & that the Troops should Sweep the Country down to Wyoming. This will give relief to our Frontiers & intimidate our Enemies." October 3, Col. Butler's Or- derly Book (published with correspondence) mentions Col. Hartley's returning thanks to members of the expedition, who made no complaints and "acquitted themselves with the Highest Reputation," "and they have this further Satisfaction to know they have Saved the Lives of many and Served their Country." Special mention is made of several, as of "Capt. Franklin with his Volunteers ;" and various promotions were suggested.

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A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 19

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.] Number of Pages: 726

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.]
Number of Pages: 726