History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 25

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 25

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" L. WEL68.

"SUNDAY, 7 April, 1782."

It appears by the letter of Weiss that he supposed the outrage to have been committed by Virginians, and every effort was made at the time to encourage that belief and make it general. It is not strange that the Moravian bishop at Bethlehem should have readily accepted this idea, for he knew that the feeling of enmity was particularly bitter between the Virginians and Indians, and he knew of the kindness which had been shown by Gen. Irvine, a Pennsylvanian, to the Christian Indians on the Muskingum, and of the services which the latter had rendered to the general in notifying bim in advance of proposed irruptions by the hostile tribes, An attempt was also made to fasten the odium of the crime distinctively upon the Scotch settlers. Among the papers trans- mitted by Secretary Thomson to the Executive Council of Pennsylvania with a copy of Linebach's statement was a letter from George Niser, dated York Town, April 4, 1782, in which he said, " I have seen a Letter wrote by a Woman at Pittsburgh, dated the 21st March, which contains these particulars: 'The Militia have killed 99 of the Moravian Indians, Viz., 33 Men and 66 Women and Children.' In another Letter from the same of the 5th April, 'The Moravian Indian Congregation is butchered, as it is reported, by the Scotch. They came and told them they must pre- pare directly for Death. The Indians requested but an hour's Time for this Purpose, which was granted. They went to their Meeting-house to join in Prayers to the Lord. After au hour had passed they fell upon them and butchered all of them in cold Blood in the meeting-house, and then set fire to the House.'"-Pu. Archives, 1781-83, p. 525.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Only two of all those taken in the lower towns es- caped the slaughter. These were two Indian boys of about fifteen years of age. One of them, who was called Thomas, was knocked down with a tomahawk and scalped, but being only stunned recovered after a time, and on looking round him saw another boy named Abel lying near, wounded and scalped but still alive. Thomas had the presence of mind to lie down again, feigning death, and it was well for him that he did so, for in a few minutes a white man came near, and seeing Abel still living dispatched him with his tomahawk. After a while Thomas crept slowly and painfully along over the dead bodies, succeeded in getting out of the house unobserved, and gained the shelter of the woods, afterwards making his way in safety to Sandusky. The other boy who escaped had managed to hide himself away in the cellar of the house where the women were imprisoned, and just before the building was fired crept out through a narrow window or hole in the foundation. Another boy had been concealed with him in the cellar, and attempted to follow his companion through the win- dow, but being of larger size found it impossible to get through, and so was compelled to remain and perish in the flames. It is stated in some accounts that another Indian boy, eight years of age, was brought away by one of the volunteers, who took him to his home in the settlements, where he remained until nearly grown to manhood, when he left his white master and rejoined the Delawares in the West.

When the work of massacre was finished, and the destruction of the Moravian towns made complete, the forces of Col. Williamson started on their return, taking with them more than eighty Indian horses, partly laden with plunder from the devastated vil- lages on the Muskingum. On the 10th of March they reached and crossed the Ohio and marched thence to their homes, but they did not immediately disband. It does not appear that they had yet begun to feel any shame or compunction for the frightful crimes they had committed; on the contrary, they were exultant, and (as is shown by Linebach's ac- count) at once set on foot a plan for a new expedition to number six hundred men to invade the Indian country. If their only object was to proceed against the hostile savages, it was a legitimate and praise- worthy enterprise ; but it seems as if they had resolved on nothing less than the extermination of all Indians.

On a little island in the Allegheny, known as Smoky or Killbuck's Island, lying opposite Fort Pitt, there were encamped a small band of friendly Delawares, among whom were several who actually held com- missions in the service of the United States. The name of the island-Killbuck's-was derived from Captain Killbuck,1 who had more than once received

commendation from Gen. Brodhead in his official communications for bravery, efficiency, and steadfast fidelity to the American cause. This little island was visited with fire and sword on the 24th of March by a body of the men from Chartiers Creek, some of whom had accompanied Williamson on the Moravian ex- pedition, though the colonel was not with them in this new raid, nor is it probable that he approved or knew of their intentions. They killed several of these friendly Indians, including two who held com- missions in the service of the government, and would have killed all if they had been able to accomplish it ; but the remainder succeeded in making their es- cape to the fort, except two, who swam to the other shore and took to the woods. One of the latter was a chief called the Big Cat, who narrowly escaped death at the hands of the assailants. He had always been found among the most steadfast of the Indian allies of the United States, but from this time his friendship ceased, and he never again trusted the Americans.

The marauding party, after killing all who came within their reach upon the island, crossed over with their plunder to the fort. They were enraged that the fugitives from the island had eluded their ven- geance and found shelter within the work, and they were particularly incensed against Col. Gibson (the temporary commandant) for his known friendship for the murdered Moravians and his outspoken con- demnation of their own villany. They sent a mes- sage to him saying that they would scalp him if he came in their way, but they could not gain admit- tance to the fort, and were compelled to return to their homes without the opportunity of committing any further outrages against the friendly Delawares or of scalping the commandant.

In some accounts of the Gnadenhütten massacre it is stated that Col. Gibson, being apprised in advance of the murderous intentions of Williamson's men, had sent a runner to the Moravian villages to inform the people of their danger, but that the runner did not reach the towns in time to make the information of any avail. Col. Gibson would undoubtedly have done this if he had had the opportunity, but the statement that he did actually send such a messenger is rendered improbable by a letter written by him to the Moravian bishop at Bethlehem, Pa., dated May 9, 1781,2 a copy of the material parts of which is here given, viz. :

" TO THE RIGHT REV. NATHANIEL SEIDEL :

"SIR,-Your letter by Mr. Shebosh,8 of the 11th ult., came safe to hand. I am happy to find that the few small services I rendered to the gentlemen of your Society in this quarter meets with the approba- tion of you and every other worthy character. Mr. Shebosh will be able to give you a particular account

1 Captain Killbuck had at that time a son in the college at Princeton, N. J., who was placed there by authority of Congress, and being edu- cated'at the expense of the government.

2 Heckewelder's Indian Nations, p. 81.

. 8 The father of young Shebosh, the first victim of Gnadenhütten.

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THE REVOLUTION.

of the late horrid massacre perpetrated at the towns that it will be almost impossible ever to obtain a just account of the conduct of the Militia at Muskingum. No man can give any account except some of the on Muskingum by a set of men, the most savage mis- creants that ever degraded human nature. Had I have known of their intentions before it was too late I | party themselves. If, therefore, an inquiry should should have prevented it by informing the poor sufferers appear serious, they are not obliged, nor will they give evidence. For this and other reasons I am of opinion further inquiry into the matter will not only be fruitless, but in the end may be attended with disagreeable consequences." of it. I am in hopes in a few days to be able to send you a more particular account than any that has yet transpired, as I hope to obtain the deposition of a person who was an eye-witness of the whole trans- action and disapproved of it. Should any accounts On the 8th of May Dorsey Pentecost, of Washing- ton County, wrote from Pittsburgh to William Moore, president of the Executive Council, on the same sub- ject, as follows : come to hand from Mr. Zeisberger, or other gentle- men of your Society, you may depend on my trans- mitting them to you. . . . Believe me, with esteem, your most obedient Servant,

" JOHN GIBSON, " Col. 7th Virginia Regt."

Gen. Irvine, who had been for some time at Phila- delphia and Carlisle, returned to Fort Pitt and re- sumed command on the day following the attack on the Delawares at Killbuck's Island. He found af- fairs in the department in a bad condition, the troops at the fort demoralized, and the country in general in a state bordering on anarchy. Some of the people applauded the dark deeds done on the Muskingum, while many were loud in their condemnation. The Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania having received from Congress Linebach's account of the massacre, addressed to Gen. Irvine the following let- ter of inquiry,1 viz. :

" In Council. " PHILADA., April 13, 1782.

"SIR,-The Council having received information thro' various channels that a party of Militia have killed a number of Indians at or near Muskingham, and that a certain Mr. Bull [young Shebosh] was killed at the same time, the Council, being desirous of receiving full information on a subject of so much importance, request you will obtain and transmit to them the facts relative thereto, authenticated in the clearest manner."

Though Gen. Irvine had always been the fast friend of the Moravian Indian congregation, and of the white missionaries who had them in charge, it is evi- dent that he was induced by considerations of policy to prevent a thorough investigation and exposition of the facts connected with the massacre.2 On the 9th of May, 1782, he wrote from Fort Pitt to the presi- dent of the Council, saying,-

"SIR,-Since my letter of the 3ª instant to your Excellency, Mr. Penticost and Mr. Canon have been with me; they and every intelligent person whom I have conversed with on the subject are of the opinion

" D" Sir,-I arrived home last Thursday without ,any particular accident; yesterday I came to this place, have had a long conference with Gen. Irwin and Col. Gibson on the subject of public matters, Perticularly respecting the late excurtion to Kushac- ton,3 that affair is a subject of great speculation here, some condemning, others applauding the measure; but the accounts are so various that it is not only Difficult but almost Indeed Intirely Impossible to learn the real truth ; no person can give Intelligence but those that were along, and notwithstanding there seems to have been some difference amongst them- selves about that business yet they will say nothing, but this far I believe may be depended on, that they killed the Innocent with the guilty, and its likely the majority was the former. I have heard it Insinuated that about thirty or forty only of the party gave their Consent or assisted in the Catastrofy. . .. It's said here, and I believe with truth, that Sundry articles were found amongst the Indians that was taken from the Inhabitants of Washington County, and that the Indians Confessed themselves that when they set out from St Duskie, Ten warriors came with them who had went into the Settlements, and that four of them were then in the Towns who had returned. If those Indians that were killed were really friends, they must have been very Imprudent to return & settle at a place they knew the white peop e had been at and would go to again, without giving notice & besides to bring warriors with them who had come into the Set- tlements & after murdering would return to their Towns and of course draw people after them filled with revenge, Indignation & Sorrow for the loss of their friends their wives & their Children. .

On the following day, May 9th, Pentecost again wrote the president of the Council, viz. :

" D" Sir,-Since writing the letter that accompanys this, I have had another and more particular conver- sation with Gen. Irwin on the subject of the late ex- curtion to Kushacton, and upon the whole I find that it will be Impossible to git an Impartial and fare account of that affair, for although sundry persons

1 Pa. Arch., 1781-83, p. 525.

2 In a letter which Gen. Irvine wrote to his wife about that time con- cerning the Moravian butchery he said, " Whatever your private opin- ion of these matters may be, I conjure you, by all the ties of affection, and as you value my reputation, that you will keep your mind to your- self, and that you will not express any sentiment for or against these deeds."-Contributions to American History, p. 148.

1 3 Menuing the Moravian settlements, which were frequently called by that name among the settlers from the old Delaware town of Ku- shacton or Coshocton, that was destroyed by Col. Brodhead, and which was also located on the Muskingum, in the same region.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

that were in Comp' may disapprove of the whole or every part of the Conduct, yet from their Connection they will not be willing, nor can they be forced to give Testimony, as it effects themselves, and the people here are greatly divided in Sentiment about it, and an Investigation may produce serious effects, and at least leave us as Ignorant as when we began, and instead of rendering a service may produce a Confusion and Ilwill amongst the people, yet I think it necessary that Council should take some Cog- nizance or notice of the matter, and in such a Time as may demonstrate their disapprobation of such parts of their conduct as are Censurable, otherwise it may be alleged that Govermt (Tacitly at least) have Incouraged the killing of women and children ; and in a proclamation of this kind it might be well not only to recommend but to forbid that in future Excursions that women, children, and Infirm persons should not be killed, so contrary to the Law of arms as well as Christianity. I hope a mode of proceeding something like this would produce some good effects, and perhaps soften the minds of the people, for it is really no wonder that those who have lost all that is near and Dear to them, go out with determined re- venge and Exterpation of all Indians."

These letters disclose a determination on the part of Pentecost (though he was in no way implicated in the affair) and others to suppress the facts connected with the massacre and to prevent investigation ; and they were enabled to accomplish this result through the , concurrence of Gen. Irvine, who, as is evident, took that course for policy's sake, though he was deeply mortified and grieved at the result of Williamson's expedition. By those who were engaged in the bloody work, and by their friends, it was vehemently asserted that their action was generally approved by the people of the frontier settlements, but it is certain that this assertion was unfounded. Col. Edward Cook, the county lieutenant of Westmoreland (who had suc- ceeded the unfortunate Col. Lochry in that office in December, 1781), in a letter addressed by him to Presi- dent Moore, dated Sept. 2, 1782, thus expressed his de- testation of the murderous deeds of the Washington militiamen : " .... I am informed that you have it Reported that the massacre of the Moravian Indians Obtains the Approbation of Every man on this side of the Mountains, which I assure your Excellency is false; that the better part of the Community are of Opinion the Perpetrators of that wicked Deed ought to be Brought to Condein Punishment; that without something is Done by Government in the Matter it will Disgrace the Annals of the United States, and be an Everlasting Plea and Cover for British Cruelty." And the testimony of a man of the character and standing of Col. Edward Cook is above and beyond the possibility of impeachment.

As the expedition of Col. Williamson was hastily made up, and held together but a few days, it is not probable that there were ever any muster-rolls of its

organization, if, indeed, it could have been termed an organization at all. It is known, however, that there is in existence a list (called a roll) of the names of the men who composed the expedition, made up, no doubt, soon after their return from the Muskingum, when the affair began to be one of wide-spread public notoriety. But this list is in hands from which it cannot be obtained, nor can any access be had to it, for obvious reasons. Probably there is no person now living, other than the custodian of this list, who knows the names of a dozen persons who were with Col. Williamson at Gnadenhütten on the memorable 8th of March, 1782, Various accounts have been given, naming the person who first used the fatal mallet,1 and of fiendish remarks said to have been made by the butchers while doing their work, but these accounts have not about them sufficient of proof or strong probability to entitle them to perpetuation. Nor does any one at the present day know the names of any of the humane eighteen who advanced to the front from the long line that stood fast for murder.

Whether Col. Williamson voted or not is not known. It is not likely that he did, knowing that his vote could not affect the dread result. It would be gratifying to be able to say with certainty that he did give his voice for mercy ; and it is a pleasant task to record the favorable opinion of him which is ex- pressed by one who knew him, the Rev. Dr. Dod- dridge, who says," " In justice to the memory of Col. Williamson I have to say that, although at that time very young, I was personally acquainted with him, and, from my recollection of his conversation, I saw with confidence that he was a brave man, but not cruel. He would meet an enemy in battle and fight like a soldier, but not murder a prisoner. Had he possessed the authority of a superior officer in a regular army, I do not believe that a single Moravian Indian would have lost his life, but he possessed no such authority. He was only a militia officer, who could advise but not command. His only fault was that of too easy a compliance with popular opinion and popular prej- udice. On this account his memory has been loaded with unmerited reproach."

CHAPTER VIII.

THE REVOLUTION .- ( Continued.)

Crawford's Expedition against Sandusky-Proposed Second Expedition -Washington Militia in 1784.

IT has already been mentioned that even before Col. Williamson's forces disbanded themselves, after their return from the Moravian campaign, a project had been

1 " Very few of our men imbrued their hands in the blood of the Mo- ravians. Even those who had not voted for saving their lives retired from the scene of slaughter with horror and disgust."-Doddridge's Early Settlements and Indian Wars, page 261,

2 Early Settlements and Indian Wars, page 260.

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THE REVOLUTION.

formed to raise a new and more formidable expedition to march against the Indian towns at Sandusky, the headquarters of the hostile tribes that were so con- stantly and persistently depredating the frontier settle- ments east of the Ohio. Notice of such a project is found in the " Relation of Frederick Linebach" (be- fore quoted), where he says, "It was agreed that six hundred men should meet on the 18th of March to go to Sandusky. .. . " The plan was not carried out at the time, nor in the manner then contemplated, but it was not abandoned, and it is certain that from the first the project against the hostile towns on the Sandusky found favor among the people of the settle- ments. It was only as to the manner in which it should be executed that they disagreed, the majority being of the opinion that it should be carried on under the direction of the commandant at Fort Pitt, and, if practicable, led by him in person.

The first step to be taken, then, was to secure the countenance and approbation of Gen. Irvine, and to that end, James Marshel, lieutenant of Washington County, wrote the commandant, advising him of the existence of the project, intimating a desire for his approval of it, and introducing as the bearer of the communication Col. David Williamson as a proper commanding officer of the expedition, unless the gen- eral should see fit to assume the command in person. In this letter, which was dated April 4, 1782, Col. Marshel said,-

" The bearer hereof, Colonel Williamson, is now prepared for a voyage down the river with about thirty thousand weight of flour. But from a real love to his country, he proposes not only to carry an expedition against Sandusky with the militia of this county, together with what volunteers might be raised in Westmoreland, but offers to advance such part of the flour as might be necessary for the occasion. . . . The people in general on the frontiers are waiting with anxious expectation to know whether an expe- dition can be carried against Sandusky early this spring or not. I could therefore wish that Colonel Williamson would be countenanced in this plan if with propriety it can be done." By this letter from the proper authority, the county lieutenant, the pro- ject of the Sandusky expedition was first brought officially to the notice of the commander of the West- ern Department. The general was disinclined (as will hereafter be seen) to place Col. Williamson in com- mand of such an expedition, for he abhorred the work done under command of that officer at Gnaden- hütten, but he was favorably disposed towards the carrying on of an offensive campaign against the hostile Indians at Sandusky, and although he did not give an immediate answer to the proposition, he took the matter under consideration.

One week prior to the date of Marshel's letter Gen. Irvine had written to him and also to Col. Edward Cook, county lieutenant of Westmoreland, asking them to meet him at Fort Pitt for general consulta-

tion on the military matters of the department. In his letter to Col. Cook (which was in effect identical with that addressed to Col. Marshel) the general said, "You are already acquainted with the resolution of Congress and orders of the President and Council of Pennsylvania respecting my command in this quar- ter, in addition to which I have received instructions from his Excellency General Washington. As mak- ing arrangements to cover and protect the country is the main object, and as it is to be done by a combina- tion of Regulars and Militia, the business will be com- plicated. And, further, as there will be a diversity of interests, I think it of the utmost Importance that, whatever plan may be adopted, it should be as gen- erally understood as the nature of the Service will admit. ... You will conceive that I shall stand in need of the Counsels and assistance on this occasion of some of the principal people of the country. . . . I wish, therefore, to see you and at least one field- officer of every Battalion in your County ; for which purpose I request you will be pleased to warn such as you may think proper to attend at this post on Friday, the 5th of April next. Punctuality to the Day will be necessary, as I have written to Colo Marshal and others in Washington county also to attend on that day. . . " Similar requests to attend were sent to the lieutenants of the Virginia counties, which under the previous claims of that State covered the territory of Westmoreland and Washington.

The conference was held at Fort Pitt, agreeably to Irvine's appointment. Col. Marshel, of Washington County, was obliged to be absent, but in the letter which he wrote to the general, informing him of his probable non-attendance, he said, "I shall most heartily concur in any plan that may be adopted for the good of the country." In his place he sent Col. Vallandigham, sub-lieutenant, and there were also present from Washington County Judge James Ed- gar, Col. Williamson, Col. Thomas Crook, and Maj. John Carmichael, the last three being officers of the county militia. From Westmoreland there were Cols. Cook and Campbell, respectively lieutenant and sub-lieutenant of the county ; and Ohio County, Va., was represented by Col. David Shepherd and Maj. McCulloch.

When Gen. Irvine was appointed by Congress to the command of the Western Department, in Septem- ber, 1781, he was empowered to call on the county lieutenants to furnish him from time to time, from the militia of their respective counties, such numbers of troops as he might consider necessary for the de- fense of the post of Fort Pitt, and for the general protection of the country, and at the same time the president of the Supreme Executive Council of Penn- sylvania and the Governor of Virginia were requested by Congress to direct the county lieutenants and militia officers of the counties in their respective States within the Western Department to obey orders given by Gen. Irvine for that purpose. President Moore, of

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 25

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1216

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216