History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 9

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1314

USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 9

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The march of the 27th of June was from the camp

at the Great Rock (called by Orme " Rock Fort") to Gist's plantation, about six miles, over an extremely rough and mountainous road. At Gist's they found Lieut .- Col. Burton and Sir John Sinclair, with a de- tachment of about fonr hundred men, who had been sent forward to cut out the road in advance of the main body.

From Fort Cumberland to Gist's plantation the army marched over the road opened by Washington in the previous year, but beyond Gist's the route was a new one, known only to the guides.2 On the 28th of June the column moved from Gist's to the Youghio- gheny, near Stewart's Crossings, or, as Orme's Jour- nal has it, " the troops marched about five miles to a camp on the east side of the Yoxhio Geni." In men- tioning it as the east side the captain was wholly in error, but the reason why he made such a mistake was doubtless that, knowing the expeditionary force to be moving towards an objective point far to the westward of the place from which it started, it seemed natural that it should cross all streams from their eastern to their western banks; whereas, in making this second crossing of the Youghiogheny, exactly the reverse was the case, because Braddock on leaving Gist's had deflected his column from its true course, and was now marching in a direction nearly north- cast.

The place where the troops encamped was a short distance below the present borough of New Haven, and there, for some cause which is not apparent, they lay all day on the 29th. On the 30th they crossed the river to its right bank at a place since known as Braddock's Ford,3 very near the later resi- dence of Col. William Crawford, who died by torture at the hands of the Indians in 1782, as narrated in succeeding pages.

As to the crossing of the Youghiogheny at " Brad- dock's Ford," Captain Orme's journal says, "We crossed the main body of the Joxhio Geni, which was about two hundred yards broad, and about three feet deep. The advanced guard passed and took post on the other side till our artillery and baggage got over, which was followed by four hundred men, who remained on the east [west] side till all the baggage

1 " Although Washington hadl marched from Wills' Creek to the Meadows in twenty-three days, making the road as he went, yet it touk Braddock eighteen days to 'drag his slow length along' over the same distance, and Col. Dunbar eight days longer. Truly did Washington say that, 'instead of pushing on with vigor, withont regarding a little rough road, they were halting to level every mole-hill and erect bridges over every brook.' This needless delay, like everything else in this campaign, contributed its share of adversity to the disastrous result, for while Braddock was halting and bridging, the enemy was acquiring a force of resistance and attack which three days' quicker movement would have anticipated."-Veech.

: It was on the " Nemacolin path," which from Gist's northward to a point in Westmoreland County ran along the route of the Catawba trail of the Six Nations.

8 " It lins been commonly supposed," says Mr. Vrech, " that a division of the ur my took place here in the march, the English troops, etc., here crossing the river and bearing northward, while the Virginin or colonial forces went down the river and crossed at the Broad Ford; thence bear- ing more to the west, crossing Jacob's Creek nt Stouffer's Mill, the two divisions reuniting at Sewickley, uear Painter's Salt-Works. There may be error in this iden. Orme's Journal has no notice of nny such division. The Broad Ford route may be that which was traversed by the detach- ments or convoys of provisions, etc., from Dunbar's division, which were from time to time sent up to the main army ; one of which, Orme says, came up at Thickety Run, n branch of Sewickley, on the 5th of July. Another detachment of one hundred men, with pack-horse loads of flour und some beeves, according to Washington's letters, left the camp west of the Great Meadows on the 3d of July. . . This convoy took up the one hundred beeves, which were among the los es in the defeat."

BRADDOCK'S EXPEDITION IN 1755.

had passed. We were obliged to encamp about a mile on the west [ meaning the east ] side, where we halted a day to cut a passage over a mountain. This day's march did not exceed two miles." On the Ist of July the column moved on about five miles in a north-northeast direction, but could advance no far- ther by reason of a great swamp, which required much work to make it passable." In reference to this swamp, Veech says, " It can be no other than that fine-looking champaign land about the head-waters of Mounts' Creek and Jacob's Creek, north and east of the old chain bridge, embracing lands formerly of Col. Isaac Meason, now George E. Hogg and others."

A march of six miles on the 2d of July brought the army to "Jacob's Cabin," where its camp was made for the night. On the 3d, "the swamp being repaired," says the journal, "we marched about six miles to the Salt Lick Creek.1 Sir John S' Clair proposed to the General to halt at this Camp, and to send back all our horses to bring up Colonel Dunbar's detachment," which was then eneamped at Squaw's Fort, about three miles east of the Great Crossings of the Youghio- gheny, in the present county of Somerset. Upon this suggestion of Sir John, the general convened a council of war, composed of Colonel Sir Peter Hal- ket, Lieutenant-Colonels Gage and Burton, Major Sparks, and Sir John Sinclair, D.Q.G. After due consideration of the proposition, "the council were unanimously of the opinion not to halt there for Col- onel Dunbar, but to proceed the next morning."

The camp on Jacob's Creek, where this council of war was held, was about one and one-half miles ' and while mounting the fifth received the wound below Mount Pleasant. From this place the column which proved mortal. Washington had two horses shot under him. Sir Peter Halket (next in command to Braddock) was killed instantly. Secretary Shirley was killed. Colonel Burton, Sir John Sinclair, and Lieutenant Colonel Gage were among the wounded, also Brigade-Major Halket, Dr. Hugh Mercer,' Major Sparks, and Captain Orme. Of the naval officers present, Lieutenant Spendelow and Midshipman Tal- bot were killed. A number of women and ofheers' servants were also killed and scalped, though every wagoner escaped. One hundred beeves were captured by the enemy, also the general's papers (orders, in- structions, and correspondence), and the military chest, containing £25,000 in money, as well as all marched on through what is now Westmoreland County to the Great Sewickley, crossing that stream near Painter's Salt-Works; thence south and west of the post-office of Madison and Jacksonville to the Brush Fork of Turtle Creek, where Braddock halted in indecision, as the crossing of that stream and the passage through the ravines appeared hazardous. He finally decided to abandon the route originally pro- posed from this point along the ridges to Fort du Quesne, and accordingly, turning sharply to the left, he moved towards the Monongahela, encamping on the night of the 8th of July about two miles east of the river, below the mouths of the Youghiogheny. It was at this eamp that Washington (although not vet fully recovered from his illness) rejoined the army, 3 The force had increased by nearly two hundred men between the time when Braddock moved forward from the Little Meadows with be- tween twelve and thirteen hundred men and the time when they reached the Monongahela. This increase was made principally by small detach- ments which were detailed from the rear-guard, under Dunbar, as guards to the trains which were sent forward with supplies to the advance. having left Colonel Dunbar's force near the Great Meadows,2 and come on "in a covered wagon," under protection of a detachment sent on to guard a pack- horse train laden with provisions for the advance column.

1 Now known as Jacob's Creek.

" " It Is a noticeable fuet," says Veech, "that Washington, enfeeliled y a consuming fever, was so invigorated by the sight of the scene of his Jiscomfiture the previous year as to seize the opportunity of celebrating ts first anniversary by hastening en to partake in an achievement which, as he fondly hoped, would restore to his king and country nll that had been lost by his failure."

On the morning of the 9th of July the troops marched to the Monongahela and crossed to the southwest shore, moving thence on the left bank for about three miles ; then recrossed the river at Frazier's, just be- low the mouth of Turtle Creek. The crossing was completed at about one o'clock in the afternoon, and when the column reformed on the right bank of the Monongahela, it was within three-fourths of a mile of the place where the French with their Indian allies lay hidden along the slopes of the forest defile which, ere the sun went down on that memorable day, was to be reddened by the blood of the bravest, and made historic for all time as "Braddock's field" of disaster and defeat.

The bloody battle of the Monongahela has been too often described to require repetition here. It resulted in the utter defeat and rout of the English, and the headlong flight of the survivors to the south side of the river at the point where they had crossed. The force which entered the forest defile was fourteen hundred and sixty strong,3 including officers and pri- vates. Of this force four hundred and fifty-six were killed and four hundred and twenty-one wounded, making a total of eight hundred and seventy-seven ; while only five hundred and eighty-three escaped unhurt. Of eighty-nine commissioned officers, sixty- three were killed or wounded, including every ofheer above the rank of captain except Colonel Washington. Of the captains, ten were killed and five wounded ; of the lieutenants, fifteen killed and twenty-two wounded. General Braddock had four horses shot under him,

+ Afterwards Gen. Mercer, who was killed at the battle of Princeton, Jan. 3, 1777. The wound which he received at the battle of the Monou- guhela was a very severe one. lle was left on the field with the other luidly wounded, but managed to conceal himself behind a fallen tree, where he witnessed the atrocities committed by the savages on the other wounded men and on the dead. His place of concealment was not dis- covered by the Indians, whe soon left the field. When darkness came on he crept from the woods, crossed the Monongahela, and after wander- ing in the woods for many days with his wound undressed, and nearly > famished, he at last reached Fort Cumberland In safety.

HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Washington's papers, including his notes referring to the Fort Necessity campaign of the previous year. The journal of Captain Orme alone of all the military papers was saved. All the artillery, ammunition, baggage, and stores fell into the hands of the French and Indians, and the dead and badly wounded were left on the field to be scalped and tortured by the savages, who, however, strangely enough, made little show of pursuit.

Braddock, when he received his fatal wound, ex- pressed a wish to be left to die on the field, and this wish came near being gratified. Nearly all his panic- stricken followers deserted him, but his aide-de-camp, Orme, and Capt. Stewart, of the Virginia light- horse, stood faithfully by him, and at the imminent risk of their own lives succeeded in bearing him from the woods and across the river. On reaching the south side of the Monongahela the general, though suffering intense pain from his wonud, gave orders that the troops should be rallied and a stand made at that place, but this was found impossible. A few subordinate officers and less than one hundred sol- diers were all who remained around him. Of this Capt. Orme's journal says, "We intended to have kept possession of that ground till we could have been reinforced. The general and some wounded officers remained there about an hour, till most of the men ran off. From that place the general sent Mr. Washington to Colonel Duubar with orders to send wagoners for the wounded, some provisions and hospital stores, to be escorted by the two youngest grenadier companies, to meet him at Gist's planta- tion, or nearer if possible. It was found imprac- tieable to remain here, as the general and officers were left almost alone; we therefore retreated in the best manner we were able. After we had passed the Monongahela the second time, we were joined by Lieutenant-Colonel Gage, who had rallied near eighty men. We marched all night and the next day, and about ten o'clock that night we got to Gist's planta- tion."

During the time when Gen. Braddock was ad- vancing to the Monongahela, Col. Dunbar was toil- ing slowly along with the rear division, the artillery, and heavy stores. Leaving the Little Crossings soon after Braddock's departure, he came on by the same route, passing the ruins of Fort Necessity on the 2d of July, and a few days later reached the place which has borne his name until the present time, and where he then eneamped his troops and trains. This his- torie spot, known to this day as " Dunbar's Camp," is described by Veech as " situated southeast of the summit of Wolf Hill, one of the highest points of Laurel Hill Mountain, and about three thousand feet above the ocean-level. It is in full view of Union- town, to the eastward, about six miles distant, and is visible from nearly all the high points in Fayette and the adjacent parts of Greene and Washington Coun-

ties. The camp was about three hundred feet below the summit, and at about half a mile distance, on the southeru slope. It was then cleared of its timber, but is since much overgrown with bushes and small trees. It is, however, easily found by the numerous diggings in search of relies and treasure by the early settlers, and others even in later times, Near it are two fine sand springs, below which a dam of stones and earth two or three feet high was made to afford an abundant supply of water." This camp1 was the end of Dunbar's outward march, for he there received from the Monongahela battle-field the fearful tidings which forbade all thoughts of a farther advance.

It was to this camp that " Mr. Washington" (as he was designated by Orme, his title of colonel being then only honorary, he holding no military rank under Braddock ) was ordered from the Lower Crossing of the Monongahela to proceed with all possible speed, and with peremptory orders? to Col. Dunbar to send wagons with supplies and hospital stores without delay, as has already been noticed.3 He set out with two private soldiers as an escort, and traveling with- ont halt through the long hours of the dark and rainy night which succeeded the day of the battle (how or where he crossed the Youghiogheny is not recorded), came early in the morning of the 10th to the camp of Col. Duubar, who, as it appears, was greatly de- moralized by the startling intellinence which he brought. At about the middle of the forenoon ser- eral of Braddock's Pennsylvania Dutch wagoners (from the eastern counties) arrived at the camp, bring- ing the dread news from the battle-field, and an- nonneing themselves as the only survivors of the bloody fight on the Monongahela. Nearly at the same time arrived Sir John Sinclar and another wounded officer, brought in by their men in blankets.

Dunhar's camp was then a scene of the wildest panic, as the rattle of the "long roll," beaten by his drummers, reverberated among the crags of the Laurel Hill. Each one, from the commander to the lowest

1 Col. Burd, who visited this place in 1759, when on his way to erect a fort on the present site of Brownsville, said of Dunbar's camp that it was "the worst chosen piece of ground for an encampment I ever snw."

" It was known that there was ill feeling on the part of Dunbar to- wards the commander-in-chief, and it was therefore thought necessary tosend the most positive orders in Braddock's name to insure obedience. 3 At the same time Nathaniel Gist (son of Christopher) and " Gist's In- dian" were di-pitched from the scene of disaster to carry the intelligence of the defeat to Fort Cumberland, but with orders to avoid Col. Duubar and his camp, lest the alarming news should create a panic among the men of his command. "They traveled," says Judge Vecch, " on foot and through unfrequented paths to avoid the Indians. While snatching some repose during the darkness of the first night of their journey, in a thicket of Inishes and grapevines un Cove Run, a branch of Shute's Run, withan view of the camp-fires of Dunbar, they mistook the noise of the movement of some bird or beast for Indians, and ran with the heedlessness of nlarm. They thus became separated, but cach wended his way cautiously and alone. When wearing their destination, upon emerging from the bushes into the open road, Gist saw, a few rods nhead, his long-lost Indian, who lind also taken the highway." This narrative of the journey of Gist and his Indian was obtained by Mr. Veech from Henry Beeson, to whom it was told by Nathaniel Gist himself.

BRADDOCK'S EXPEDITION IN 1755.

camp-follower, believed that the savages and the scarcely less dreaded French were near at hand and. would soon surround the camp.

True to their cowardly instincts, Dunbar's wagoners and pack-horse drivers, like those who were with Brad- dock on the Monongahela, and like many others of the same base brood on a hundred later battle-fields, were the first to seek safety in flight, mounting the best horses and hurrying away with all speed towards Fort Cumberland,' leaving their places on the wagons and with the pack-horse trains to be filled by brave soldiers from the ranks. Their base example infected the numerous camp-followers, who, as well as many of those from whom better things might have been ex- pected, fled towards the Great Crossings of the You-

A few days after their cowardly flight from Dunbar's camp, several of these punic-stricken wagonere appeared at Carlisle, bringing with them the first news of the disaster to Braddock's army. Thereupon they were examined by the Governor of Pennsylvania at that place, and their depositions taken and subscribed before him are found in the Pennsylvania Archives. Two of these depositions (similar in tenor to all the others) are here given, viz. :

Matthew Laird being duly sworn, deposed and said,-

" . . . That this examinant continned with Col. Dunbar. And on the tenth of this instant the regiment being at about seven miles be- yond a place called the Great Meadows at eleven o'clock of that day, there was a rumor in the enmp that there was bad news, And he was soon after informed by wagoners and pack-horse drivers, who were then returned to Col. Dnubaar's camp, but had gone out with the advanced party under Gen. Bradlock, that the general with the advanced party was defeated by the French on the ninth instant about five miles from Fort Du Quesne, and about forty miles from where Col. Dunbar then was, at which engagement the wagoners and pack-horse drivers said they were present ; that the English were attacked as they wero going up a hill by a numerous body of French and Indians, who kept a continual fire during the whole engagement which lasted nigh three hours ; that most of the English were ent off, and the whole train of artillery tuken; that General Braddock was killed, ns also Sir Peter Halket, Capt. Orme, and most of the officers. This examinant further saith he saw a wounded officer brought through the camp on a sheet ; that about noon of the same day they bent to arms in Col. Dunbar's camp, upon which the wagoners as well as many common suldiers and others took to flight in spite of the opposition made by the centrys, who forced some to return but many got away, amongst whom was this ex- aminant."

Following is the deposition of Jacob Huber :

" This examinant suith that he was in Col. Dunbar's enmp the tenth of July instant, and was informed that two officers who had come from Fort Cumberland, and had proceeded early in the morning with a party of Indians to join General Braddock, returned to the camp in about three hours after they set out, and a rumour spread that there was bad news, and that the officers could not pass to the general by reason of the Indians; that about nine or ten o'clock the same day this examinant saw and spoke with several wagoners who were come into Col. Dunbar's camp from Gen. Braddock's, and who informed this examinant that Gen. Braddock with his advanced party of fifteen hundred men had been attacked on the ninth instant within five miles of Fort Du Quesne by a great many French and Indians who surrounded then; that the action lasted three hours ; that the most part of the English were killed ; that Gen. Braddock was wounded and put into a wagon, and afterwards killed by the Indians; that Sir Peter Hulket and Cupt. Orme were also killed. And this examinant further saith that he saw some soldiers re- turn into Col. Dunbar's camp, who he was informed had been of General Braddock's advanced party, some of whom were wounded, sonie not ; also saw two officers carried ou sheets, one of whom was said to be Sir John St. Clair, whom the examinant was informed hnd received two wounds ; flint about toon of the same day Col. Dunbar's drums beat to arms; and both before and after that many soldiers and wagoners with other attendants upon the camp took to flight, and amongst others this exam- inaut. And further suith not."

ghiogheny, and it was with the greatest difficulty that Dunbar prevented the desertion and flight from be- coming general.

At ten o'clock in the evening of the same day (Thursday, July 10th), Gen. Braddock reached Gist's. From the place where he fell he was brought away on a tumbril. Afterwards the attempt was made to move him on horseback, but this he could endure only for a short time, after which he was dismounted and carried all the remaining distance by a few of his men. The weary journey was continued with scarcely a halt during all the night succeeding the battle and all the following day. Through all the sad hours of that long march the gallant Captain Orme (himself suffering from a painful wound) and the no less brave and steadfast Virginia cavalry captain, Stewart, were constantly by the side of their helpless commander, never leaving him a moment.

The mortally wounded general must have been suf- fering intense agony of mind as well as of body, but through it all, like the brave and faithful officer that he was, he never forgot that there were other maimed and suffering ones who sorely needed aid. "Despite the intensity of his agonies," says Sargent, "Brad- dock still persisted in the exercise of his authority and the fulfillment of his duties." On reaching Gist's he found that no provisions, stores, nor surgical aid had arrived there in obedience to the command sent by Washington to Col. Dunbar, and thereupon he sent still more peremptory orders to that officer to forward them instantly, with the two only remain- ing companies of the Forty-fourth and Forty-eighth Regiments, to assist iu bringing off' the wounded. The wagons arrived on the morning of Friday, the 11th, and a party was then immediately sent back towards the Monongahela to rescue such of the wounded as could be found, and with a supply of provisions to be left along the road for the benefit of those who might be missed and come up afterwards. Of the movements of the general and his party on that day, Capt. Orme's journal has the following entry :

" Gist's plantation.

"July 11 .- Some wagons, provisions, and hospital stores arrived. As soon as the wounded were dressed, and the men had refreshed themselves, we retreated to Col. Dunbar's camp, which was near Rock Fort. The general sent a sergeant's party back with provis- ions to be left on the road, on the other side of the Yoxhio Geni, for the refreshment of any men who might have lost their way in the woods. Upon our arrival at Colonel Dunbar's camp we found it in the greatest confusion. Some of his men had gone off' upon hearing of our defeat, and the rest seemed to have forgot all discipline. Several of our detach- ments had not stopped till they had reached the eamp. It was found necessary to clear some of the wagons for the wounded, many of whom were in a desperate situation ; and as it was impossible to re-

HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

move thestores, the howitzer shells, some twelve-pound shot, powder, and provisions were destroyed or buried."

The terror and consternation at Dunbar's camp had been constantly on the increase from the time when the first of the frightened wagoners had gal- loped in with the alarming news on the morning of the 10th. Through all that day and the following night terrified fugitives from the field, many of them wounded, were continually pouring in, each telling a fearful tale of rout and massacre, and all uniting in the assertion that the French and savages in over- whelming force were following close in the rear. This latter statement was wholly false, for the enemy had made no attempt at pursuit from the shores of the Monongahela ; but the tale was believed, and its effect was an uncontrollable panic at the camp.

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History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 9

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1314

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1314