USA > Pennsylvania > Early history of western Pennsylvania, and of the West, and of western expeditions and campaigns, from MDCCLIV to MDCCCXXXIII > Part 19
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The following day, the army passing over a steep ridge, crossed Big Beaver Creek, twenty perches in depth. It runs through a rich vale, with a strong current; its banks are high, and the upland adjoining it very good, covered with tall young timber.
About a mile from its confluence with the Ohio, stood formerly a large town, on a steep bank, built by the French for some Shawanese, Delawares and Mingoes. The houses were constructed of square logs, with stone chimnies. It was abandoned in 1758, when the French were driven from Fort Du Quesne. Near the fording of Beaver Creek, stood also several houses, which were deserted and destroyed by the Indians, after their defeat at Brush Creek.
Two miles before the army reached Beaver, a person who had es- caped from the Indians, came in. He had been taken about a week before, near Fort Bedford, by six Delawares. He stated that the In- dians had seen the army the day before, but kept aloof, being awed by its numbers .*
On the thirteenth of October, Colonel Bouquet, with his army, arrived at Tuscarawas, near the forks of the Muskingum. This place was found to be exceedingly beautiful, the lands rich on both sides of the river,-the country on the north-west side being a level plain for more than five miles in circumference.
While the army remained in camp here, the two men who had been sent by Colonel Bouquet to Colonel Bradstreet at Detroit, arrived. They reported that they had been made prisoners by the Delawares, within a few miles of this place, and taken about sixteen miles to one of their towns, where they were kept until the savages learning the arrival of
* The facts in relation to the march of the army, are mostly taken from Hutchens' Historical Account of Bouquet's Expedition, published in Craig's Olden Time, No. 6, pp. 241, 263 ; and Appendix, pp. 143, 166.
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the army, set them at liberty, ordering them to say to Colonel Bouquet that the Chiefs of the Delawares and Shawanese were coming to nego- tiate a peace.
The next day Colonel Bouquet proceeded two miles further down the Muskingum, and encamped on a high bank. The next day six In- dians came to inform him, that all their chiefs were assembled about eight miles distant, and were ready to enter into a treaty with him, and were earnestly desirous of peace. He returned an answer, that he would meet them the next day in a bower at some distance from the camp. In the meantime he built a small stockade fort for the deposite of provisions, for the use of the troops on their return and to lighten the convoy.
On the seventeenth of October, Colonel Bouquet, attended by a por- tion of the regular troops, the Virginia volunteers, and the light horse, repaired to the bower that had been erected for the conference.(1) Shortly after the troops had been so arranged as to appear to the best advantage, the Indians arrived at the place appropriated for them, Of the Delawares, two tribes were present, numbering twenty warriors, with their respective chiefs, Custaloga and Beaver. Of the Shawanese, Keissinautchtha, a deputy from the chiefs, and six warriors. And of the Senecas, Kiyashuta, their chief Sachem, and fifteen warriors. Kiya- shuta, Custaloga, Beaver and Turtle-Heart, were the chief speakers. Being seated, they first smoked the calumet of peace ; after which they laid them aside, and addressed Colonel Bouquet at length. The sub- stance of what they had to offer consisted in excuses for their late trea- chery and misconduct, throwing the blame on the rashness of their young men, and the nations living to the westward of them ; sueing for peace in an humble manner, and promising severally to deliver up all their prisoners. After they had concluded, the Colonel promised to give them an answer the next day, and after dismissing them returned with the army to camp.
On account of unfavorable weather, the next meeting did not take place until the twentieth, when Colonel Bouquet replied, " that their pretences to palliate their guilt by throwing the blame on the Western nations, and the rashness of their young men, were weak and frivolous, as it was in the power of the English to have protected them against all these nations, if they had solicited assistance, and that it was their own duty to have chastised their young men when they did wrong, and not to suffer themselves to be directed by them.
(1) Appendix, p. 150, 151, &c.
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He recapitulated to them many instances of their former perfidy ; their killing or captivating the traders who had been sent among them, at their own request, and plundering their effects ; their attacking Fort Pitt, which had been built with their express consent ; their murdering four men that had been sent on a public message to them, thereby vio- lating the customs held sacred among all nations, however barbarous ; their attacking the English army at Brush creek, and after being defeated, falling upon the frontier and continuing to murder. He also referred to their treacherous violation of their late engagements with Colonel Brad- street, in which they stipulated to deliver up all their prisoners by the tenth of September last, and to recall all their warriors from the frontiers. "You have," said he, "promised at every former treaty, as you do now, to deliver up all your prisoners, and have received at every time presents, but have never complied with the engagements. I am now to tell you, therefore, that the English will no longer be imposed upon by your promises. This army shall not leave your country, until you have fully complied with every condition that is to precede a treaty with you."
" I have brought with me, the relations of the people you have mas- sacred, or taken prisoners. They are impatient for revenge ; and it is with difficulty that I can protect you against their just resentment, which is only restrained by the assurances given them, that no peace shall ever be concluded till you have given full satisfaction."
" Your former allies, the Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyandotts, and others, have made peace with us, The Six Nations have joined us against you. We now surround you, having possession of all the waters of the Ohio, the Mississippi, and the Lakes. All the French living in those parts are now subjects of Great Britain, and dare no longer assist you. It is therefore in our power totally to extirpate you from being a people. But the English are a merciful and generous nation, averse to shed the blood even of their most cruel enemies ; and if it were possible that you could convince us that you sincerely repent of your past perfidy, and that we could depend on your good behavior for the future, you might yet hope for mercy and peace. If I find you faithfully execute the following preliminary conditions, I will not treat you with the severity you deserve. I give you twelve days to deliver into my hands all the prisoners in your possession, without any exception ; English- men, Frenchmen, women and children, whether adopted in your tribes, married, or living amongst you under any denomination and pretence, whatsoever, together with all the negroes. And you are to furnish the
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said prisoners with clothing, provisions, and horses, to carry them to Fort Pitt. When you have fully complied with these conditions, you shall then know on what terms you may obtain the peace you ask for."(1)
The decided tone of this speech had the desired effect. The deter- mined spirit in which it was delivered, the boldness of the army in penetrating into the wilderness, which they had deemed impassable by regular troops, and the vigilance of the commander who had signally defeated them at Bushy Run, had the desired effect, and awed them into a desire for peace.
At the close of the former conference on the seventeenth, the two Delaware Chiefs delivered eighteen white prisoners, and also eighty-three small sticks expressing the number of other prisoners in their posses- sion, promising to release them as soon as possible. None of the Shawanese Sachems appeared at the conference, and their deputy, Keissinautchtha, declined speaking until Colonel Bouquet had answered the Delawares, and then with a dejected sullenness, he promised in be- half of his nation, to submit to the terms agreed upon by the other tribes.
As the presence of the army was the best security for the perform- ance of the promises of the Indians, Colonel Bouquet determined to march farther into the country, and required some of each nation to attend him on his march. And before they separated, Kiyashta, the leading sachem, addressed the chiefs and warriors of the several nations, desiring them " to be strong in complying with their engagements, that they might wipe away the reproach of their former breach of faith, and convince their brothers, the English, that they could speak the truth," adding " that he would conduct the army to the place appointed for receiving the prisoners." (2)
Colonel Bouquet declined shaking hands with the chiefs at the close of this meeting, and as they appeared dissatisfied, he told them that the English never took their enemies by the hand until peace was finally concluded. (3) The council then separated.
On the twenty-second day of October, the army began its march to the place appointed to receive the prisoners. But arriving at a place about a mile from the forks of the Muskingum, and thirty miles from the place of holding the late council, Colonel Bouquet concluded to encamp, it being in the midst of their towns and settlements. Four redoubts
(1) Hutchens' Historical Account of the Expedition of Colonel Bouquet, against the Indians, in 1764, published in Craig's Olden Time, Vol. 1. No. 6, page 246, 248.
(2) Hutchens' Historical Account, in Craig's Olden Time, Vol I. p. 248, 249-
(3) Hutchens' Historical Account, in Craig's Olden Time, Vol. I. p. 249.
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were built opposite the four angles of the camp; the ground in front was cleared, a store-house erected for provisions, and also a house to receive the Indians, for the purpose of holding a council, upon their re- turn with the prisoners.
Messengers now arrived in camp from the Delawares and Shawanese, with information that the prisoners were already on their way, in charge of the Indians ; and a Caughnawaga chief and twenty warriors pre- sented themselves to Colonel Bouquet, with a letter from Colonel Brad- street, in answer to the one which had been sent, by two Indians from Fort Pitt. The substance of this communication was, that Col. Brad- street had settled nothing with the several Indian tribes, and had re- covered no prisoners-and that he found it impossible any longer to co-operate with Colonel Bouquet. It is impossible to say what would have been the effect of this determination, if Colonel Bouquet had not been in possession of the Indian territory with his army, and had the chiefs of the several tribes with him.
On Friday, the ninth of November, the Colonel, attended by most of the principal officers, went to the council-house. Most of the prison- ers had now arrived, and were given up, amounting to two hundred and six. (1) Almost one hundred were still in possession of the Shawanese, which were to be delivered up in the following spring. The conference was first opened with the Senecas and Delawares. Kiyashuta and ten warriors represented the former, Custaloga and twenty warriors the latter.
Kiyashuta, sachem of the Senecas, arose and spoke as follows :
" With this string of wampum, we wipe away the tears from your eyes-we deliver you these three prisoners, which are the last of your flesh and blood that remained among the Senecas and Custaloga tribe of Delawares. (2) We gather together and bring with this belt, (3) all the bones of the people that have been killed during this unhappy war, which the evil spirit occasioned among us. We cover the bones that have been buried, that they may be never more remembered. We again cover their place with leaves, that it may be no more seen. As we have been long astray, and the path between you and us stopped, we
(1) Virginians-Males, -
Pennsylvanians-Males, Females, -
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(2) The others had been delivered up previously.
(3) The speaker always delivers a belt or string, at the time it is mentioned.
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extend this belt, that it may be again cleared, and we may travel in peace to see our brethren as our ancestors formerly did. While you hold it fast by one end, and we by the other, we shall always be able to discover any thing that may disturb our friendship."
Colonel Bouquet replied, that he received the last prisoners, and heard with much gratification the speech of Kiyashuta. He was ready to join in burying the bones of the victims of this war, so that their places might be no more seen. The peace asked for should now be had. But as he was a warrior, other persons would be commissioned to make a treaty with them. He then required two hostages from each tribe, as a security against further hostilities, and that deputies should be sent fully empowered to treat for all the tribes, with Sir William Johnson, at Fort Pitt; and in that treaty every thing should be settled to render the peace everlasting. This was done, when he took the chiefs by the hand for the first time, which gave them great joy.
The next day Colonel Bouquet met King Beaver, chief of two other tribes of the Delawares, with thirty warriors, when the same cere- monies took place between them as on the preceding day, with the other tribes. He presented six hostages, and five deputies, to treat for peace.
The Shawanese met Colonel Bouquet in council, on the twelfth of November. Although this nation saw themselves under the necessity of yielding to the same conditions with the other tribes, vet there ap- peared a reluctance and sullen haughtiness in their conduct, which ren- dered it very suspicious. 'Their chiefs and forty warriors were present, also about sixty warriors, and their chiefs, of the Senecas and Delawares.
The Red Hawk was their speaker, and he delivered himself with a strange mixture of pride and submission. The following extracts are specimens :
" BROTHER :- You will listen to us your younger brethren ; and as we discover something in your eyes, that prevents you from being satis- fied with us, we will wipe it away that you may clearly see. You have heard many bad stories of us. We clear your ears that you may hear. We remove every bad thing from your heart, that it may be like the heart of your ancestors when they thought of nothing but good. (1)
" When we saw you coming this road, you advanced towards us, with an uplifted tomahawk in your hand; but we take it out of your hands, to throw it up to the GOOD SPIRIT, (2) to dispose of as he pleases. We hope never to see it more. And now brother, who are yourself a
(1) Here he gave a string.
(2) Their usual figure is burying the hatchet; but as such hatchets may be
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warrior, we ask you to take hold of this chain of friendship, (1) and receive it from us, who are also warriors, and let us think no more of war, in pity to our old men, women and children." (2)
" Now, brother, I beg that we who are warriors may forget our dis- putes, and renew the friendship which appears by these papers, (3) which I hold in my hand, to have subsisted between our fathers."
A number of prisoners were delivered up, and hostages given to Colonel Bouquet, as security for the promised treaty of peace. Red Hawk pledged himself in behalf of the rest of the nation, who were absent at a great distance, in hunting, that they certainly should come to Fort Pitt in the spring, and bring the remainder of the prisoners with them. This pledge was afterwards faithfully redeemed.
The basis of a treaty now being effected, the prisoners were brought into camp. Then occurred a scene of thrilling interest ; " where were to be seen fathers and mothers recognizing and clasping their once lost babes ; (4) husbands hanging around the necks of their newly recovered
dug up again, this expression of sending it up to the GOOD SPIRIT, is a much stronger emblem of the permanency of the peace now to be made.
(1) Here he gave a belt.
(2) He here intimates that it was no inability to fight, that made his nation desire peace, but mere compassion for the old men, women and children.
(3) He here produced a treaty held with the government of Pennsylvania in 1701, and three messages or letters from that government, at different dates .- See Appendix, 162-163.
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(4) A number of the restored prisoners were brought to Carlisle, and Colonel Bouquet advertised for those who had lost children, to come to this place and P look for them. Among those that came was a German woman, a native of Rentlingen, in Wittemberg, Germany, who, and her husband had emigrated to America prior to the French war, and settled in Lancaster county, Tulpe- hocken, where two of her daughters, Barbara and Regina, were abducted by the Indians. The mother was now unable to designate her children, even if they should be among the number of the re-captured. With her brother, the distressed, aged woman lamented to Colonel Bouquet her hopeless case, telling him how she used, years ago, to sing to her little daughters, hymns of which they were fond. The Colonel requested ber to sing one of the hymns, which she did in these words :
Allein, und doch nicht ganz alleine, Bin ich in meiner Einsamkeit ; Dann wann ich gleich verlassen scheine, Vertreibt mir Jesus selbst dri zeit : Ich bin bey ibm, und er bey mir, So kommt mir gar nichts emsam fluer-
IN ENGLISH.
Alone, yet not alone am 1, Though in this solitude so drear ;
I feel my Savior always nigh, He comes my dreary hours to cheer- I'm with him, and he with me, Thus, I cannot solitary be-
And Regina, the only daughter present, rushed into the arms of the mother .-- Barbara, the other daughter, was never restored .- Hallische Nachrichten, page 1033.
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wives ; sisters and brothers unexpectedly meeting together after long separations, scarce able to speak the same language, or, for some time, to be sure that they were children of the same parents! In all these interviews, joy and rapture inexpressible were seen, while feelings of a very different nature were painted in the looks of others, flying from place to place in eager enquiries after relations not found ! trembling to receive an answer to their questions ! distracted with doubts, hopes and fears, on obtaining no account of those they sought for ! or stiffened into living monuments of horror and woe, on learning their unhappy fate .- The Indians, too, as if wholly forgetting their usual savageness, bore a capital part in heightening these most affecting scenes. They delivered up their beloved captives with the utmost reluctance, shed torrents of tears over them, recommending them to the care and protection of the commanding officer, and continuing their regard to them all the time they remained in the camp. They visited them from day to day ; brought them what corn, skins, horses, and other matters, they had bestowed on them while in their families ; accompanied with other presents, and all the marks of the most sincere and tender affection. Nay, they did not stop here, but, when the army marched, some of the Indians solicited and obtained leave to accompany their former captives all the way to Fort Pitt, and employed themselves in hunting provisions for them on the road. A young Mingo went still further, and gave an instance of love which would make a figure even in romance. He had taken such a liking to a Virginian young woman, who was amongst the captives, as to call her his wife. Against all remonstrance of the imminent dan- ger to which he exposed himself by approaching the frontiers, he per- sisted in following her at the risk of being killed by the surviving rela- tions of many unfortunate persons, who had been captivated or scalped by those of his nation.
These qualities in savages challenge our just esteem. They should make us charitably consider their barbarities as the effects of wrong edu- cation, and false notions of bravery and heroism ; while we should look on their virtues as sure marks that nature has made them fit subjects of cultivation as well as us; and that we are called on by our superior advantages, to yield them all the help we can in this way. Cruel and unmerciful as they are, by habit and long example in war, yet, whenever they come to give way to the native dictates of humanity, they exercise virtues which christians need not blush to imitate. When they once determine to give life, they give every thing with it, which, in their ap- prehension, belongs to it. From every inquiry that has been made, it
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appears that no woman thus saved is preserved for base motives, or need fear the violation of her honor. No child is otherwise treated by the persons adopting it, than the children of their own body. The perpetual slavery of those captivated in war, is a notion which even their barbarity has not yet suggested to them. Every captive, whom their affection, their caprice, or whatever else, leads them to save, is soon incorporated with them, and fares alike with themselves.
Among the captives, a woman was brought into the camp at Musk- ingum, with a babe about three months old at her breast. One of the Virginia volunteers soon knew her to be his wife, who had been taken by the Indians six months before. She was immediately delivered to her overjoyed husband. He flew with her to his tent, and clothed her and his child in proper apparel. But her joy, after the first transports was soon dampened by the reflection that another dear child of about two years old, captivated with the mother, and separated from her, was still missing, although many children had been brought in. -
A few days afterwards, a number of other prisoners was brought in, and among them were several more children. 'The woman was sent for, and one supposed to be hers, was produced to her. At first sight she was uncertain, but viewing the child with great earnestness, she soon recollected its features, and was so overcome with joy, that, liter- ally forgetting her suckling child, she dropt it from her arms, and catch. ing up the new found child in an ecstasy, clasped it to her breast, and, bursting into tears, carried it off, unable to speak for joy. The father seizing up the babe she had let fall, followed her in no less transport, and affection. (1)
Among the children who had been carried off, and had long lived with the Indians, it is not to be expected that marks of joy would appear on being restored to their parents or relations. Having been accustomed to look upon the Indians as the only connections they had, having been tenderly treated by them, and speaking their language, it is no wonder that they considered their new state in the light of a captivity, and parted from the savages with tears.
But it must not be denied that there were even some grown persons who showed an unwillingness to return. The Shawanese were obliged to bind several of their prisoners, and force them along to the camp; and some women, who had been delivered up, afterwards found means to escape, and run back to the Indian towns. Some, who could not make
(1) See Appendix, p. 149, 166.
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their escape, clung to their savage acquaintances at parting, and contin- ued many days in bitter lamentations, even refusing sustenance.
The following paragraph from the speech of the Shawanese chief, on delivering his prisoners, is a strong proof of what is before observed, concerning their tenderness and affection for the captives whom they have preserved :
"Father, says he to the English, we have brought your flesh and blood to you ; they have all been united to us by adoption, and although we now deliver them up to you, we will always look upon them as our relations, whenever the Great Spirit is pleased that we may visit them. We have taken as much care of them as if they were our own flesh and blood. They are now become unacquainted with your customs and manners, and therefore we request you will use them tenderly and kindly, which will induce them to live contentedly with you." (1)
Business now having been closed with the Indians, the army com- menced its march on the eighteenth of November, for Fort Pitt, and arrived there on the twenty-eighth.
A few days afterwards, Colonel Bouquet proceeded to Philadelphia, and from thence returned to England .*
(1) Annual Register, 1764.
* Henry Bouquet was born at Rolle, in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland. In 1736, being then about seventeen years of age, he was received as a cadet in the regiment of Constance, in the service of L. L. H. H. P. P., and in 1738, he obtained an Ensigncy in the same regiment. From thence he passed into that of Roquin, in the service of the King of Sardinia, and distinguished himself first, as 1st Lieutenant, and afterwards as Adjutant, in the skilful and memorable wars which that great prince sustained against the combined for- ces of France and Spain. In 1748, having previously distinguished himself, he entered, in the quality of Captain Commandant, with the rank of Lieuten- ant Colonel, in the regiment of Swiss Guards, recently formed at the Hague ; and soon after, he was selected to go with the Generals Burmannia and Corn- able, to receive from the French the fortresses in the low country, which they were bound to give up, and to conduct the return of the prisoners of war which France gave up to the Republic, in conformity with the treaty of Aix- La-Chapell.
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