History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 17

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

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STORY OF THE "BIG RUNAWAY."

he "left Sunbury and almost his whole property, on Wednesday." He had fled with his family by water. "I never in my life " he says, "saw such scenes of distress. The river, and the roads leading down it, were covered with men, women, and children flying for their lives, many without any property at all, and none who had not left the greatest part behind. In short, Northumberland county is broken up. Colonel Hunter only remained, using his utmost endeavors to rally some of the inhabitants, and to make a stand, however short, against the enemy. I left him with very few, I can not speak with certainty as to numbers, but am confident when I left him he had not one hundred men on whom he could depend."

Mr. Maclay was one of the representative men of the county and had but recently retired from the office of prothonotary. The scenes of distress and misery which he describes must have been harrowing indeed. The panic seemed to be universal. None remained behind but those who could not get away, or those whom stern duty compelled to stay. He was disposed to defend Colonel Hunter, notwithstanding his hasty order to fly was the cause of the panic on the West Branch. He says: "Some- thing, my dear sir, must be done to restore confidence to the desponding and flying multitude, and to make them face the enemy. Depend on it, the country will be lost without some measures. For God's sake, for the sake of the country, let Colonel Hunter be reinforced at Sunbury-send him but a single company, if you can not do more." Among the fugitives then at Paxtang was Mrs. Hunter, wife of the commander of Fort Augusta. She had accompanied Mr. Maclay and family.

"The miserable example of the Wyoming people," observes Mr. Maclay, " who have come down absolutely naked among us, has operated strongly, and the cry has been, 'Let us move while we may, and let us carry off some of our effects along with us.' It was to no purpose that Colonel Hunter issued orders for assembling the militia, and the whole county broke loose." His sympathies were greatly stirred when he remarked that " something in the way of charity ought to be done for the many miserable objects that crowd the banks of this river, especially those who fled from Wyoming." He admitted that they were a people he did not love very warmly at one time, but now he did most " sincerely pity their distress." As the women and children "are now removed out of Northumberland county," he believed that the men would cheerfully return with the first troops sent up the river. One of the causes, Mr. Maclay thought, of the great panic, was the impression that prevailed among the people that no relief would be sent here. This opinion grew out of the inactivity of the authorities. Appeal after appeal had been made for assistance and still none came. Letter after letter had been written by men prominent in the valley to members of Congress, the Board of War, and the Council, setting forth the condition of affairs here, and yet no decisive steps were taken for their relief.

After all these fruitless attempts to get some assurance of aid, the people were in a fit condition to take alarm on the slightest opportunity. Colonel Hunter gave the word, and lo! the "Big Runaway," and the desolation of the fairest portion of Lycoming county.

Copious extracts have been made from letters and official documents to give the reader a clear insight into the causes operating to bring about this extraordinary condition of affairs. Few have had the opportunity to examine the records in order to get at the merits of the case, and as the exciting and bloody events of that period

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

form the very foundation of our county history, it has been deemed best to put them in intelligible form for the benefit of those who have always been puzzled to know the reasons for the "Big Runaway."

Colonel Hunter was a prolific letter writer. After his famous letter to the Berks county militia colonels he set about preparing one for the Supreme Executive Coun- cil, which was in the form of an official report of the flight, as well as another stir- ring appeal for help. It is simply a repetition of what has already been given.

THE AUTHORITIES ACT.

Now that the British were retreating through New Jersey, and Washington had already punished them at Monmonth, he was in a condition to spare some of his forces to pursue their savage allies who were assailing his rear. The skies were brighter in the front, and as a consequence the authorities were more encouraged than they had been for a long time. There was yet hope for the flying settlers, although their excited condition had not yet sufficiently subsided to enable them to realize that all was, perhaps, not yet lost.

A consultation between the Supreme Executive Council and the Board of War on the 14th of July, resulted in an understanding as to a plan for immediate defens- ive operations, which was promptly approved by Congress. Acting upon the plan of General Armstrong, it was agreed that a detachment of Colonel Hartley's regi- ment should march from New Jersey to Easton, where it would unite with other forces; the remainder of his regiment, then in Philadelphia, was to march immedi- ately to Sunbury and join two companies lately raised at Wyoming. Colonel Brod- head's regiment was to be ordered to Standing Stone, (now Huntingdon). But it was found "necessary to add to these Continental troops a considerable body of mili- tia." It was therefore determined by Council "to order to Sunbury 300 militia from the county of Northumberland, 400 from the county of Lancaster, and 150 from the county of Berks; to the Standing Stone, 300 from the county of Cumber- land, and 200 from the county of York; to Easton, from the county of Northamp- ton, 300 men, and from the county of Berks, 150 men."

With these forces it was thought the enemy could be sufficiently crippled and driven back to enable the settlers to return and gather their harvests, while thus protected; and that, perhaps, he would not be able to return and do any further damage. Colonel Hunter was therefore notified to exert himself to get his quota of men for this county in the field immediately. It was expected that he had enough guns in his hands to arm them, and he was informed that ammunition and provisions would be supplied to his order by the Board of War.

When these operations were determined upon the panic among the people still continued. Bertram Galbraith, writing from Lancaster, July 14th, to the Council, says: "On Sunday morning last the banks of the Susquehanna, from Middletown up to the Blue mountain, were entirely clad with the inhabitants of Northumber- land county who had moved off, as well as many in the river in boats, canoes, and rafts. Indeed, the inhabitants of Wiconisco valley, about twenty-five miles above Harris's Ferry, in this county [then Berks] were moving on Sunday last, and the people lower down were thinking to follow!"

Timothy Pickering, of the Board of War, informed Council on the 16th of July

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STORY OF THE "BIG RUNAWAY.'

that General McIntosh, hearing of the ravages of the Indians at Wyoming, had ordered Colonel Brodhead with his regiment up the Susquehanna. Gen. J. P. De Haas, in the meantime, had written to the Board of War from Lebanon, stating that he would immediately proceed to Sunbury with a sufficient force to oppose the invaders, and he requested instructions. On the 16th Colonel Pickering, "in the name of the Board of War," informed Council that General De Haas had offered his services in leading out a body of volunteers against the Indians. Council applauded the action of the General, and wished to give him their " utmost confidence." In a word they were rejoiced " to find an officer of weight and experience stepping forth in the defence of the country."

The same day Timothy Matlack, a member of Council, acknowledged the receipt of a letter from the Board of War informing Council of their action, and acquiesc- ing in the proposition to send Colonel Brodhead's regiment to the support of the people, "as there was too much reason to apprehend that the regular force would not, under the present dreadful apprehensions of danger, be sufficient to encourage the militia to exert themselves in a vigorous defence." Col. Bertram Galbraith, of Lancaster county, had received orders to call out his quota of militia, but the Committee had some doubts of the success of the plan of General De Haas to "raise volunteers on the present occasion," and in their opinion it would " not be advisable for him to interfere with the legal mode of calling out the militia." If, however, he could, contrary to the expectations of the Committee, " raise a body of volunteers," it would certainly meet with their "approbation and thanks."

In a circular letter of instructions issued to county lieutenants the same day (July 16th) it appears that Council were acting with great promptness. Lieutenants were officially informed that Colonel Brodhead's regiment, then on the march to Pittsburg, was ordered to Standing Stone; that part of Colonel Hartley's regiment, consisting of 100 men, was then on the march to Sunbury via Lancaster and Harris's Ferry, to be joined by the two companies raised at Wyoming. The remainder of Colonel Hartley's regiment, about eighty men, was moving from New Jersey to Easton, where they would unite with other reinforcements. Colonel Hartley's regi- nent was furnished with " thirty rounds of cartridges a man," and had with them, besides this quantity, 10,000 spare cartridges.

Council impressed upon county lieutenants the fact that as the Indians were moving rapidly down the river, it would behoove them to act with equal celerity to meet and repel them, and thereby encourage the people to proceed to their abandoned homes, while thus protected, " to reap their harvests in safety." As the Committee was in the act of closing the circular, intelligence was received that Colonel McIntosh, who had command in the western part of the State, having become alarmed at the movements of the Indians, had "ordered Colonel Brodhead's regiment up the Susquehanna river."

On the 20th of July the Board of War informed Council that their reports from the frontiers were still "of the most alarming nature." The Board claimed that it had done everything in its power to hasten the movement of troops, and until they were informed what was wanted in the way of supplies, they could do noth- ing more. This duty devolved on Council. The Board was also informed that there were 12,000 stands of arms belonging to the State at Allentown, and it was presumed

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

-if not already done-Council had made requisition for the quantity required to arm the militia. On their request the Board stood ready to "direct the com- missary general of military stores to issue such quantities of ammunition " as they thought would be required for this expedition.

HUNTER SEVERELY CRITICISED.

Colonel Hunter's precipitate action in ordering the evacuation of the valley, and thereby making the "Big Runaway" possible, has always been a subject for severe criticism. Many settlers found fault with him on that account, and they never for- gave him. It was argued that if he had been less profuse in bluster and promise, and had taken a different course to instill confidence in the minds of the people, and refrained from issuing the order to fly, the militia and inhabitants were strong enough to have easily resisted the enemy and held them at bay until reinforcements arrived. This course would have spared the people great losses and an untold amount of suffering and misery. It is true the action of Council was tardy and vacillating, but with all that, proper encouragement and a determined effort, such as usually grows out of confidence, might have resulted in averting the calamity. Samuel Wallis was one who believed Colonel Hunter acted with undue haste in this matter. He was represented to have been almost frantic with excitement on the first alarm, and when Wallis reached Sunbury in obedience to Hunter's order, he found that he not only had sent his own family down the river and shipped his effects from Fort Augusta, but was all ready himself to fly on further alarm. The wonder is he did not lead the flying column to Paxtang!

Had it not been for the swift movement of Colonel Brodhead, Wallis believed that not ten families would have remained in the county, as there was no abatement in the panic. He (Wallis) was extremely anxious to have some regular troops sent up the river, as he had but little confidence in the militia. Concerning them he thus wrote:

Such confusion has already happened by trusting to the militia here, that I can and do declare for myself, that I will not stay a single moment longer than I can help after being assured that we are to be protected by them only. We were amused some time ago by a resolve of Congress for raising 100 six-months men in this county, and Colonel Hunter was pleased to assure the Council that the men would be readily raised, when he at the same time knew, and was pleased to declare, in private conversation, that it was impossible to raise 100 men amongst people so much confused and alarmed. This kind of conduct from Col- onel Hunter, as well as a number of our other leading men, has brought us to the pass you now find us, and unless some speedy interposition in our behalf, I do again with great confidence assure you that we shall be no longer a people in this county.

From the tenor of this letter it is plain that he did not have an exalted opinion of either the judgment or bravery of Colonel Hunter, whom he held largely respon- sible for the terribly depressing state of affairs which then prevailad.

Gen. James Potter, who had been absent on military duty, returned to his place in Penu's Valley, July 25, 1778. He immediately wrote the authorities that many farmers had returned to reap their harvests, and advocated prompt assistance. Gen- eral Potter estimated the loss to this county by the "Big Runaway" at £40,000!

Garret Finsman

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ARRIVAL OF COLONEL BRODHEAD.

CHAPTER IX.

ARRIVAL OF COLONEL BRODHEAD.

HIS PRESENCE DOES MUCH TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE-GENERAL DE HAAS AND COLONEL HART- LEY ARRIVE-SENSITIVE OFFICERS-FORT MUNCY-LACK OF CIVIL LAW-THE BRADY TRAGEDY-MUNITIONS AND MEN-HUNTING INDIANS GRASS CUTTERS KILLED-HARTLEY'S EXPEDITION-MUNCY TOWNSHIP ASSESSMENT LIST FOR 1778-SKETCH OF COLONEL HART- LEY'S CAREER.

TN the early part of August the panic began to subside, and small bands of set- tlers well armed, officered, and prepared for any emergency, began to creep up the valley. They came to look after their deserted homes and to secure cattle, horses, and other effects that had been left behind. They found a few small bands of Indians engaged in the work of pillage who fled on their approach. Houses and cabins from Muncy to Antes Fort had been burned. At Wallis's and Loyalsock there was much destruction. Wallis's stone house, with its walls three feet thick. was too strong for the savages to destroy and it stood solitary and alone. All the out buildings were reduced to ashes. The improvements at Lycoming creek had disappeared or were greatly damaged. When the advance party reached Robert King's improvement above Level Corner, two miles east of Larry's creek, they found the remains of his log cabin and barn yet smoking. Hurrying on to Antes Fort they found the mill, which contained a small quantity of grain when the flight com- menced, and the adjacent buildings, reduced to ashes. The smoldering embers were not yet extinct, showing that the Indians had only been there a short time be- fore their arrival, and the odor of burning grain tainted the atmosphere. The stock- ade or fort, which was constructed of heavy logs, could not be burned, and it stood there as firm and strong as when first erected.

This advance party collected what stock they could and drove them down the valley to places of safety. The upper part of what is now this county presented a sad scene of desolation. The vandals had plied their work more industriously here than lower down. Blackened spots of ground marked where houses and barns had stood and presented a strange contrast to the ripened fields of golden grain which surrounded them.

ARRIVAL OF COLONEL BRODHEAD.

Colonel Brodhead moved more swiftly than any of the officers who were to take part in the expedition. Under date of July 24, 1778, he writes from Muncy stating that when he reached Sunbury he found that he was too late to be of any service in assisting the people at Wyoming, whither he had been ordered, consequently he had come to this place. Finding that the inhabitants had either fled or were flying, he determined "to fix on two principal posts and keep up a line of scouts between 9

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

them," but had found his plan "impracticable on account of the inaccessible mountains and thickets." His scouts, therefore, were "employed in watching the Indian paths, and scouting so far towards the different posts as it was practicable."

He had with him at Muncy, which is supposed to have been Wallis's, 125 men. "This post," he writes, "is of much importance." "On being informed," he says, "by a small scout that the enemy were burning some of the buildings up the West Branch, about ten miles off, I sent a captain and thirty-nine men to endeavor to intercept them; they returned late last evening and reported that they found several places where the Indians, about ten in number, had lain and slaughtered swine, sheep, and cattle. Part of the swine were used by the savages and part carried off. The buildings of several of the inhabitants were burning when the captain reached that place. He pursued their tracks until they had left the 'purchase ' before he returned, but could not come up with them."

This was at Lycoming creek, which was the boundary line of the "purchase," and it was just ten miles west of where Colonel Brodhead had established his head- quarters. The Indians operated in small bands, which enabled them to move quickly, to disperse, and hide in the thickets on the approach of a superior force.

Colonel Brodhead and his force were closely watched, for he observes: " Last evening one of my sentinels, at this post, discovered an Indian approaching in a skulking manner towards him. At the distance of 150 yards he fired at him, when the Indian ran off." Colonel Brodhead remarked further that, " great numbers of the inhabitants are now collected in large bodies reaping their harvests." He found this country " a really fertile one," but as he could remain with the distressed people but a few days, and his anxiety for them was daily increased, "unless they meet with timely succor the country will be once more evacuated."

The presence of Colonel Brodhead inspired confidence among the people, but as he was under orders to execute a movement in the western part of the State, he could not remain long. That his efforts were appreciated by the inhabitants is apparent from the following extract from a petition to the Supreme Executive Council, dated Muncy, June 10, 1778:

Upon being informed of the melancholy event of the 26th of June last at Wyoming, the few militia which were stationed at the little stauds through the county were called into the town of Sunbury, which so much alarmed the country that every inhabitant without exception were flying from the county, when they were informed that Colonel Brodhead, at the head of the Eighth Pennsylvania regiment. who was with General Mclutosh on his march to the westward, and who at his own particular instance had obtained a permit from the General to come from Carlisle to their relief. This account gave uew life to the sinking spirits of such of the inhab- itants as had not gone too far with their families to return, and induced your petitioners once more to attempt a stand; but are at the same time under the greatest apprehensions of dan- ger when they are informed by the Colonel that he has no orders to stay amongst them.

Therefore. in consideration of the premises, your petitioners humbly pray that you in your wisdom will take the distressed situation of this county into your serious consideration, and, if an application to Congress be necessary. to obtain an order to continue Colonel Brodhead's regiment or some other Continental troops among them; that you, as the fathers and guardians of the people, will interpose and give them every assistance which to you in your wisdom may seem meet.

The following names were appended to the petition: Nimrod Pennington, Peter Burns, John Hollingsworth, Erasmus Boersch, Zachariah Tiig, Daniel John, Samuel

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ARRIVAL OF COLONEL BRODHEAD.

Wallis, David Berry, Joseph Webster, Joseph Arbour, Albert Polhamus, Peter Cor- ter, William Jones, William Hepburn, Matthew Blekley, Paul Ricketts, Peter Jones, Michael Coryell, Lott Bottman, Joseph Hall, Richard Sutton, Albert Coven- hoven, Ludwig Bottman, Ebenezer Green, Jr., Benjamin Lauden, Ezer Green, John Patton, Jacob Lawrenson, Edward Rardon, James Giles, Henry Silverthorn, Jacob Cotner, John White, Oliver Silverthorn, John Brady, Joseph Craft, Samuel Brady, John Hall, James Patten, David Austin, James Brady, Powell Sheep, Jerome Feneet, Caleb Knap, Joshua Knap, Peter Smith, Paul Sheep, Ebenezer Green, Benjamin Green, James Brady, Jr., Daniel Hill, Henry Hill, Samuel Armstrong, Thomas Oliver, Philip Adams, John Hill, William' Watson, John Humpton, Joseph Newman, James Hampton, Thomas Johnson, George Silverthorn, Ovukney Seph- enstopeson, George Barclay, John Corunnory, Robert Covenhoven, James Coven- hoven, Frederick Leaf, James Hepburn, Stephen Chambers, Thomond Ball.

General Armstrong, writing to Vice-President Bryan from Carlisle under date of July 24th, expressed his belief "that the whole of the Indian tribes have not yet taken up the hatchet against us," otherwise their attacks would have been more vigorous. He was of the opinion that the blow at Wyoming was the "plain result of British virulence ;" that the expedition was "planned, commanded, and, in part, executed by whites." "It is also natural to suppose," he continues, "that the expense is paid by Britain, and the plunder promised to the savages, which among other reasons, induces me to believe they will in a short time return." He did not think it was "altogether visionary to believe that this infamous descent had been designed as a stratagem in aid of the British arms for the purpose of leading Congress more readily to listen to terms of peace."

Colonel Brodhead left the valley in the early part of August and resumed his western march. The first militia to arrive at Sunbury were under Gen. John P. De Haas, who, it will be remembered, had offered to command a body of volunteers on the 13th of July. Council had accepted his services, and while he remaineed he rendered valuable assistance in the work of reorganizing and stationing the troops for defensive purposes.

SENSITIVE OFFICERS.

August 1, 1778, Col. Thomas Hartley reported from Sunbury that he had arrived there a few days before with a detachment of his regiment and some militia. He mentioned that he had found General De Haas there, who " had come up (I pre- sume) with an intention of assisting and supporting the people. He had detached sundry parties of militia for that purpose." Here we have an outcropping of that sensitive feeling which so often prevails among officers regarding rank. If Colonel Hartley had not felt that way he would not have said in his report, when referring to General De Haas, that " I presume he is here for such a purpose."

General Potter, also writing from Sunbury August 1st, says : "I came here last week to station the militia. I found General De Haas here, who said he commanded all the troops. The next day Colonel Hartley came and showed me his orders to command the troops, and politely requested me to take the command, which I declined, as I never was very fond of command, and this is a disagreeable one. I rather chose to act as a private gentleman, and do all the good in my power ; but people will make observations."

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Colonel Hartley was surprised at the destitution and wretchedness of the people, caused by the "Big Runaway," and he makes reference to them in these words : "Four-fifths of the inhabitants fled with such effects as they could carry from this county. Many of the men are returning, but unless I can support four or five posts between the Great Island and Fishing creek, I fear few of the women will return again to their former habitations. A most extraordinary panic seems to have struck the people."

FORT MUNCY.

Colonel Hartley did not remain at Sunbury long. In company with General De Haas, he proceeded up the West Branch to survey the country and ascertain where it would be best to establish posts. They had all the force with them that was available and they kept a sharp lookout for Indians. Above Wallis's farm they found a few settlers who had returned, but they were "wavering and doubtful." Straggling Indiaus were seen almost daily. After a careful examination of the country they found no one of the dwelling houses that had escaped destruction so situated that they could be fortified, or made the nucleus for a post of any kind. It was clear that a post should be established near the dwelling house of Samuel Wallis. It stood in the most thickly settled part of the valley, and for miles up the river the country was inviting. The large streams falling into the river from the north, along which Indian paths ran, made it necessary to have a force of men cen- trally located so that they would be in easy reach if the enemy was found descend- ing any of these streams in force. Concerning the location Colonel Hartley wrote:

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 17

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650