History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 18

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

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The inhabitants strong pressed that they should have troops amongst them, and that some fortress should be built to cover that part of the country and afford an asylum to their families in case of necessity. General De Haas and several other gentlemen were with me; we consid- ered and examined on all sides-we found none of the houses properly situated to admit of a stockade fort of any real use. We found these settlements in danger. They were useful from their fertility of soil and the industry of the inhabitants, besides being the frontier; for, if these people once gave way there would not long be an inhabitant above Sunbury or Northum- berland; a valuable country would be depopulated, and some thousands of persons ruined. Added to this, if the settlements towards the Bald Eagle and Great Island were to return and to be covered and supported, there was a necessity for a secure post about midway. Upon the whole, we were clearly of opinion that a fort ought to be built near Samuel Wallis's, about two miles from Muncy creek. I therefore directed one to be laid out accordingly.

The site having been selected, Capt. Andrew Walker was directed to take his company and erect a defensive work as quickly as possible. The location was on a knoll a few hundred yards north by east of the Wallis dwelling, and was an excel- lent one, as it was high enough to afford a good view of the surrounding country. At the base of the knoll was a good spring of water. That spring is there to-day and a large elm spreads its branches over it.

Captain Walker and his men went to work with a will, and they made such rapid progress that on the 1st of September Colonel Hartley wrote from Sunbury to the authorities at Philadelphia, stating that the work of building the fort had been pushed with such vigor that it was nearly completed. He was greatly pleased at the industry and skill shown by Captain Walker and his men. "I never before" he says, " saw so much done by so few hands in so short a time. We have a four- pounder mounted, and if we had four swivels to place on the bastions, the place would be very secure with a small garrison."

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ARRIVAL OF COLONEL BRODHEAD.

This new and important defensive work, the only one in this county erected under the direction of military officers and by military authority, was named Fort Muncy, in honor of the valley and the farm on which it stood. It was about three miles west of the borough of Muncy and ten miles east of Williamsport. Next to Fort Augusta, it was the most important stronghold in the West Branch valley. The bastions were built of fascines and clay and the curtains were protected by stockades, in which quarters for the men were erected. It is regretted that nothing has been left on record showing its size and cost. Colonel Hartley says that the "militia and inhabitants," assisted his men in the work of construction. It con- tinued to be a post of great importance for several years, and as late as 1782, as will hereafter be shown, it was used as a place of rendezvous for troops.

All traces of this stronghold have long since been wiped out. When the exten- sion of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad was built to Williamsport, the knoll on which it stood was cut through. The excavation is deep, and passengers can not fail to notice it on account of the view of the old mansion house to the south being suddenly shut off when the train dashes into the cut.

A covered way led to the spring at the foot of the hill for the protection of par- ties going for water. There is no evidence that there was a well inside the enclosure, but it is likely there was, for a work of that kind would certainly not be left without such a convenience in case of siege. To the east and southeast there was a growth of heavy timber, but south, north, and west, the ground was cleared. There were cultivated fields to the west and north, for even at that early day Mr. Wallis was carrying on farming on a large scale and rapidly extending his improvements.

For some time before Colonel Hartley and his officers selected the site for the fort, Samuel Wallis had been urging the authorities to build a defensive work there, and in a letter to Timothy Matlack under date of August 8th, he expressed his grat- ification that it had been commenced.

Colonel Hartley remained at Sunbury several days awaiting orders and supplies for his contemplated expedition into the Indian country. On the 10th of August he wrote that he had disposed of the militia at different posts, and every man of his regiment who could possibly go had been sent in some direction. "We have lent every aid to reap and get in the harvest; much more will be saved than I could possibly have imagined." Berks county had furnished its quota of militia, but he was sorry to say that Lancaster county had fallen far short. As Northumber- land county was so "distracted and distressed," little aid could be expected. As many of the inhabitants who had fled had not returned, few men could be found to serve in the militia. In this letter he spoke of enclosing a "rough plan" of Muncy fort, but it has been lost.

At this time no women or children had ventured to return. As the Indians had gained so much plunder by their previous raid, he expected they would soon return. He had no trouble with the militia and spoke well of them. "It will be necessary," he thought, "to have at least two iron four or six pounders" for Fort Muncy, and "ten or twelve swivels." These guns he asked Council to have forwarded to " Coxe's Town as soon as possible," from whence he would "endeavor to get them up by water or some other means." The militia of the county were "poor indeed." Many of them complained " of having four or five months' pay due to them." If

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

they could get this money, he believed, it would afford great relief. The time con- sumed in protecting the harvesters had prevented him "from sending a detach- ment on the Indian paths," but he hoped to be ready to move in a short time. Col. Henry Antes bore this report to the Supreme Executive Council, and he noted therein that he would be able to give them "further information."

Samuel Wallis, writing to a member of Council, said that Colonel Brodhead's regiment " did great service," and he was much pleased with Colonel Hartley. Re- ferring to the order of Council requiring a quota of 300 militia from Northumber- land county, he was at a loss to know "what kind of intelligence" they had from this section. For he was sure if they " had been well informed of the distressed, distracted, and confused situation," from "which the people have not yet recovered, they would have judged it impossible to call for 300 of our militia." But as the Committee were safely ensconced in Philadelphia, it is doubtful if they ever real- ized for a moment the extent of the destitution and misery of the people here. If they had had a just conception of the condition of affairs they never would have asked for 300 men, when there was less than that number in the whole county.

Colonel Hartley called the attention of the Council to the great distress they were in "for want of medicine chests for the militia." The small quantity brought for the use of his own regiment had been cheerfully divided, but the sick and wounded of the inhabitants and militia were constantly increasing, and more medicine was required. He begged Council to immediately send a well filled medicine chest to Coxes's Town and he would see to having it forwarded. Most of the stores he had brought with him were exhausted, and he desired to impress upon Council the fact that they were "now destitute of most of the conveniences of life," but, he patriot- ically observed, "We shall with pleasure submit to every inconvenience, as we have a prospect of being useful to our country." Of such material were patriots made in the dark days when they were struggling for liberty and independence.

LACK OF CIVIL LAW.

The demoralized condition of the people at this time also interfered with the civil administration of affairs. The courts were broken up. On the Sth of August the justices of the courts through Thomond Ball, deputy prothontary, notified the pres- ident of the State Council that business was much impeded for want of an attor- ney to prosecute for the Commonwealth; that it was the second court at which no State attorney had appeared, and many persons had to be admitted to bail; that the long suspension of justice, from February, 1776, to November, 1777, had rendered the people licentious enough, and a further delay of executing the laws must lead them to lengths too difficult to be recalled; tippling house keepers, the notorious pro- moters of vice and immorality, remained unpunished, though frequently returned, for want of an indictment; that there were two prisoners for murder, one was admitted to bail and the other in close confinement, who should be brought to trial.

In the meantime work was rapidly progressing at Fort Muncy; and though late in the season, efforts were made by harvesters to gather what grain they could. Noth- ing serious occurred till the 8th of August. On this day a corporal and four men belonging to Colonel Hartley's regiment with three militiamen, were detailed to guard " fourteen reapers and cradlers, who were also armed, to cut the grain of an unhappy

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ARRIVAL OF COLONEL BRODHEAD.

man, who had lost his wife and four children, murdered by the Indians." The " nn- fortunate man " was Peter Smith, who drove his wagon into the Indian ambuscade in the plum tree thicket on the 10th of June, near Lycoming creek and a massacre occurred. His farm was on the river, a short distance west of Loyalsock creek, and the field can be pointed out to this day. Smith was from Hunterdon county, New Jersey. A little stream of water, now known as "Bull run," ran through his improvement. The only names of the twenty-two men engaged in this harvesting party that have been preserved, are those of the owner of the crop, Peter Smith, James Brady, and Jerome Van Ness. The other nineteen are lost. Of this number, it will be borne in mind, eight were soldiers. It was the custom at that time, when a working party was not accompanied by a commissioned officer, to select one as a "leader," who was called "Captain," and obeyed accordingly. Young Brady, on account of his shrewdness, bravery, and dash, was chosen to fill this position.

THE BRADY TRAGEDY.

According to Colonel Hartley's official account of the affair the party proceeded to the farm "on Friday (August 7th) and cut the greater part of the grain." They intended to have finished the job next morning, but during the night "four of the reapers improperly moved off." This left but eighteen, all told, on the ill-fated premises.

The next morning, Saturday, the harvesters went to work; "the cradlers, four in' number, by themselves, near the house; the reapers somewhat distant. The reapers, except young Brady, placed their guns round a tree." He thought this was "wrong and put his gun some little distance from the rest." Had they obeyed him they might have fared better. "The morning," observes Colonel Hartley, "was very foggy." The party had gone to work very early it appears, for "about an hour after sunrise the reapers and sentry were surprised by a number of Indians under cover of the fog. The sentry retired towards the reapers," and they, " all except Brady, began to retire immediately. He ran for his rifle, pursued by three Indians, and when within a few rods of it was wounded by a shot. He ran for some distance and fell, when he received another wound from a spear, was tomahawked, and scalped in an instant."

His scalp was considered a fine trophy by the Indians, as he had very long and bright red hair. After it was removed, tradition says a little Indian rushed up and struck him four times on the head with his tomahawk.

" The sentry," continues the report, "fired his gun, but was soon after shot down, as was also a militiaman. Another militiaman was missing, supposed to be killed." The cradlers, on hearing the noise of the attack, ran and ascended a hill in rear of the field, from whence they had a view of what the Indians were doing. Evidently fearing an attack, "the Indians in a few seconds left the field." "The corporal and three men, who were with the cradlers, proposed to make a stand, but they thought it imprudent." The cradlers then fled rapidly and made their way to Wallis's to give the alarm. The corporal and his " three men then pushed right down the road. At Loyalsock they were fired upon by the Indians, but on returning the fire the Indians fled, and the soldiers retook two horses from them, which they carried to Wallis's."

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

James Brady, when he recovered consciousness, rose from where he had fallen and made his way to the house. Being scalped he presented a pitiable appearance, and he was very weak from the loss of blood, his wounds having bled profnsely. He found Jerome Van Ness at the house, who had accompanied the party for the purpose of preparing their meals. He dressed his wounds as best he could, when Brady begged him to leave him, but he refused.

As soon as news of the attack reached Captain Walker, who was busy superin- tending the erection of Fort Muncy, he immediately went in pursuit of the savages with a strong force; "but they had gained too much time," and were safe in the mountains. It was thought there were about thirty Indians in the party, and it is likely they had remained in concealment during the night for the purpose of attack- ing the harvesters in the morning; and, finding the party divided, they selected the weakest squad and made the assault quickly and then fled. The presence of Cap- tain Walker's force at the fort was a menace to them, and no doubt prevented them from doing further damage.

When Captain Walker arrived on the ground and saw the condition of Brady, he quickly made arrangements to send him to Sunbury for treatment. A bier was hastily constructed and he was carried to the river and placed in a canoe, and a party of men started with him down the river.

The foregoing account of this unfortunate and sad affair is drawn from Colonel Hartley's official report, and as it was written at Sunbury, it is lacking in detail. Other accounts represent that when Brady ran from his pursuers he succeeded in seizing his gun, and wheeling shot one of them dead. He was then shot through the arm. and stumbling over a sheaf of wheat was pounced upon, tomahawked, and scalped before he could rise. Another account says that after shooting the first Indian, he grasped his gun as he fell, and shot another before he was overcome. These are traditionary stories unsupported by corroborative evidence, and are likely to be exaggerations of the fight. Brady, however, was very athletic and strong, and no doubt sold his life as dearly as possible.

Tradition also says that when he recovered consciousness he succeeded by walking and creeping on his hands and feet in reaching the cabin of Van Ness. On hearing the firing he had concealed himself, but seeing Brady approaching in his terribly wounded condition, came forth from his concealment and went to his assistance. After aiding him all he could, Brady begged him to fly, as the Indians would prob- ably return and kill him. Van Ness refused and insisted on remaining by his side. Brady then requested to be helped to the river's edge, when he drank copiously of water. Then begging Van Ness to bring his gun he lay down and fell into a doze. When Captain Walker approached the noise awoke him, and jumping to his feet, thinking Indiaus were near, cocked his gun and prepared to shoot. Finding the party was composed of friends he requested to be taken to Sunbury, where his mother was, having fled thither with her family in the " Big Runaway." He was as well cared for as it was possible; a canoe was provided and he was placed aboard and a few friends started with him. Robert Covenhoven was one of the number. On the way down he thirsted greatly for water, and before reaching Sunbury became delirious. He seemed to be suffering from concussion of the brain, caused by the violent stroke of the tomahawk.

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ARRIVAL OF COLONEL BRODHEAD.

It was nearly midnight when they reached Sunbury, but his mother having received news of their coming, was at the landing to receive them and assisted to carry her wounded son to the house. He was a pitiable object to hehold, and the grief of the mother was very great. The young Captain lived five days, which would make his death as occurring on the 13th of August, 1778, he having received his wounds on the 8th. 'On the day he died his reason returned for a short time and he described with great minuteness the bloody scene through which he had passed. Early writers have stated that he said Chief Bald Eagle was the leader of the Indians, and scalped him. But it was afterwards proved that he was mistaken. Bald Eagle had been dead several years before this bloody affair occurred. He was killed on the Ohio river above the mouth of the Kanawha, his body placed upright in a canoe, which was sent adrift, and in this position he was found floating down the stream. This discovery also destroyed the pretty romance indulged in by so many writers that Capt. Sam Brady afterwards avenged the death of his brother by shooting Bald Eagle through the heart on the Allegheny river.

The death of young Brady under such sad circumstances caused much sorrow. He was the second son of Capt. John and Mary (Quigley) Brady, born in 1758, while his parents resided at Shippensburg, and he was in his twenty-first year at the time of his death. He came with his parents to their stockade house at Muncy some time in 1775, and from that time he was a participant in many stirring advent- ures along the river. As nearly as can be told the spot where he was stricken down and scalped, is now occupied by the saw mill of Ezra Canfield, a short distance west of the mouth of Loyalsack creek. He was buried at Sunbury, but all trace of his grave has long since been lost.

Jerome Van Ness, who first cared for the young hero after he had received his death wounds, was the same man who had settled on and improved sixty-seven acres of Muncy manor before it was surveyed in 1776. He must have been seventy years of age at the time of the attack on the reapers, for, according to Rev. John Bodine Thomson, the records show that he was baptized in the old Dutch Church of the North Branch of the Raritan, New Jersey, August 6, 1706. What became of him is unknown.

Many anecdotes of the illustrious Brady family have been preserved, and one in particular relating to James is worth noticing in this connection. John Bucka- low, son-in-law of Mordecai Mckinney, was one of the early settlers on Muncy manor. His family was intimate with the Bradys, being near neighbors. At that time it was the custom for the men to wear long hair, plaited, and tied behind the head. James had a luxuriant and remarkably fine head of bright red hair. One afternoon "the young 'Captain' of the Susquehanna," with several others, was at the house of Mr. Buckalow. Mrs. Buckalow "done up " Brady's hair. He was lively and full of humor at the time. While at work Mrs. Buckalow remarked: " Ah! Jim, I fear the Indians will get this red scalp of yours yet." "If they do," he face- tiously replied, " It will make them a bright light of a dark night!" In less than a month the noble youth fell beneath the tomahawk, and the savages had his scalp!

Hugh Brady, who afterwards rose to the distinguished position of a major general in the United States Army, had great respect and admiration for his elder brother James, and in his reminiscences of the family thus spoke of him: " James

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Brady was a remarkable man. Nature had done much for him. His person was fine. He lacked but a quarter of an inch of six feet, and his mind was as well finished as his person. I have ever placed him by the side of Jonathan, son of Saul, for beauty of person and nobleness of soul, and like him he fell by the hands of the Philistines."

MUNITIONS AND MEN.

On the 15th of Angust Council informed Colonel Hartley that according to the idea entertained by Congress regarding fortifications in the interior, no expense could be incurred in erecting them. He was at liberty, however, to place these "temporary forts," where, in his judgment, he deemed best. Furthermore, Council was "sorry to inform " him that they saw no probability of being able to furnish the cannon he asked for Fort Muncy, as "the fitting out of privateers had taken all the small cannon that could be had by any means, and to get them made would be a work of too much time." The medicine had been forwarded, but " the stores" had not. "The distress for want of money can not be relieved at present. We have pressed Congress on this subject for some time past, and have earnestly solicited assistance from the Board of War, but without success." To the militiamen in the field who had not been paid for months this was not encouraging, but to keep up hope Council added, "it shall be sent forward as soon as it can be obtained."

Colonel Hunter, after Colonel Hartley took charge, remained silent for a long time, for, at least, nothing appears from him on the records till the 20th of August. At this date he notifies Council that "agreeable to the resolve of Congress of the Sth of June," and the "instructions of Council of the 10th." he had raised a com- pany of about sixty men to serve for six months, appointed the officers, and they are now doing duty. The expense of raising the company was large, "as each man provided himself with a good rifle and accoutrements." For this service the men

were to have "eighty dollars."

Colonel Hunter also called the attention of Council to those militiamen who had served their "tour of duty in this county," stating that they complained very much about not getting their pay. Many of them were poor, "especially those who lived above Loyalsock creek, who lost their all and are in great distress. When they moved down their families to these towns" (Northumberland and Sunbury,) he ordered the commissary to issue them provisions, and Colonel Hartley still allowed it.

HUNTING INDIANS.

On the 1st of September, 1778, Colonel Hartley, writing from Sunbury, informed Council that recently he had " been out with several detachments up the West Branch," on the lookout for Indians. He was not sure that they had killed a single one, but it would have been in their power to do so several times if they had had cavalry. The savages frequently appeared in open ground, but they were too swift of foot to be overtaken by his men. From his observation he was "clearly convinced of the utility of horse, for however sagacious the Indians are they can not always choose their own ground." The horsemen, he claimed, should " be armed with a sword, two pistols, and a short rifle-the latter would be necessary to intimidate the enemy, and the soldier might occasionally act on foot." He had

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ARRIVAL OF COLONEL BRODHEAD.

therefore written to the Board of War requesting them to send him "an officer and twelve horse." He renewed his request for "twelve swivels for the county," for in case the militia are withdrawn they would be "essentially necessary." He was inducing the people to put in some fall crops. A number of persons had returned to their habitations, but they were ill at ease, fearing a visit from the savages at any moment.

The Indians were constantly on the watch for stragglers from Fort Muncy. Only a few days before the writing of this letter " three German militia, without arms and without permission, went out of the fort to dig some potatoes within sight of the garrison. They were immediately attacked by one white man and some Indians. The enemy discharged all their pieces at once. One militiaman fell and was scalped; one ran off; the other was seized and had a tussel with a stout Indian, but was rescued by the troops." The white man who appeared with these Indians was a Tory. These miscreants were worse than the savages, for they frequently induced them to commit acts of atrocity which they would not have thought of doing.

Soon after this affair George Gortner (or Cottner) was killed not far from the fort. About the same time Thomas Hunt was also waylaid and shot. He was out searching the woods near the creek for cattle when the Indians fired at him. The shot took effect in his abdomen. Of course he was scalped. He was buried on the ridge back of the barn of Joseph Gudykunst, and his resting place was long marked by a large sandstone. The new road from Muncy to the creek now crosses the spot where his ashes repose. Gernerd's Now and Then (September, 1877,) mentions the grave of a man named Childs, who was killed by the Indians on Glade run, not far from Brady's fort. It was under a plum tree. Another grave, whose occupant was unknown, was pointed out for a long time under a clump of apple trees, near the creek. A peculiarity of this grave was that the hat and shoes of the occupant were to be seen for a long time resting on the little mound, and were regarded by the early settlers "as very sad mementoes." He had been killed by the Indians. There were many other graves in that beautiful valley of early pioneers who fell by the hands of the foe, but they have long since been forgotten. It was the custom in those times to bury the unfortunates near where they fell, and without coffin or shroud. The only mark left to indicate the spot was a little mound and a stone, without inscription.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 18

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