USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County : from its first settlement to the present time, first under Virginia as Yohogania, Ohio, or Augusta County until 1781, and subsequently under Pennsylvania > Part 32
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4. Resolved, That £6 be advanced to every volunteer that marches under the command of Gen. Clark on the proposed campaign.
5. And for the further encouragement of volunteers, that grain be raised by subscription by the different companies.
6. That Col. Lochry counsel with the officers of Virginia respecting the manner of drafting those that associate in that State and others.
7. Resolved, That Col. Lochry meet Gen. Clark and other officers, and Col. Crawford, on the 23d inst., to confer with them concerning the day of rendezvous.
On the 5th of June a council of the militia officers was held at the court-house of Youghiogheny County, and the fifth part of the militia of said county was drafted for Gen. Clark's expedition ; but the people, generally believing that the territory of Youghiogheny County belonged to Pennsylvania, denied their authority, and re- fused to submit until the State line was finally determined. In this state of affairs Col. Hays gave publie notice to the inhabitants of Washington and Westmoreland counties that he had money placed in his hands, by the Supreme Executive Council, for the purpose of protecting the frontiers. The people, therefore, resolved to raise the requisite number of men to assist Gen. Clark to conquer the Dela- wares, Shawnees, and Wyandott Indians, especially the Sandusky towns. The militia composing Gen Clark's command was made up of drafted men of the counties of Youghiogheny, Monongahela, and Ohio County of Virginia, although parts of each were claimed as Washington County by Pennsylvania. This expedition was sane- tioned by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Presi- dent Reed sanctions Gen. Clark's cause, being well satisfied that if the people will sustain him he would give effectual relief to the frontiers, and expect very shortly to congratulate the country on Gen. Clark's success. President Reed also wrote to Col. Lochry advising him to encourage the people to assist in the expedition, as some aid and support would give effectual relief to the frontiers from the distresses they have so long and so seriously suffered. The influence which was brought about by the Supreme Executive Council had the desired effect. Companies and battalions were organized and went into camp, as will appear from the following letter from Dorsey Pen- tecost, Esq., to President Reed, dated Washington County, July 27, 1781.
"I am now in Gen. Clark's camp, about three miles below Fort Pitt, and am about to leave this county on the expedition under that gentleman's command."
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Dorsey Pentecost was Lieutenant of Washington County, and through his zeal and exertion furnished the quota of the county and marched the militia into camp. Notwithstanding the efforts of many patriotic men to protect the frontiers, yet such men as Thomas Scott, Esq., thought the expedition would be injurious to the interests of Pennsylvania, and oppressive on some who were steadfast friends of the government. Gen. Clark condemned all such would-be patriots in a letter to President Reed, and rebuked such as unworthy of pri- vate or public confidence.
On the 4th of August, 1781, Col. Lochry wrote to President Reed that he had left Westmoreland County with Capt. Stokely's company of Rangers, and about fifty volunteers, to join Gen. Clark at Fort Henry, on the Ohio River, where his army had been in rendezvous for some weeks. The very fact of these men going into camp and placing themselves under Gen. Clark's command, caused new difficulties in Washington County. James Marshall had been appointed Lieutenant of the county, and was opposed to the expedi- tion. Many statements have been made by the enemies of Gen. Clark, charging upon him and his friends cruel treatment by appre- hending those who were drafted and did not obey. But the promi- nent inhabitants of Washington County addressed a letter to Presi- dent Reed on the 15th August, 1781, stating that as Gen. Clark had an expedition carrying on for the salvation of the country, it was improper for an election to be held the same day, and the result of which was that men who lived in comparative security were elected to office, which caused more dissatisfaction than the drafting of the militia. President Reed having learned all the questions at issue, wrote to the people of Washington County that he could not help fearing that too many, in consequence of the unsettled state of boundaries, avail themselves of a pretence to withhold their ser- vices from the public at a time they are most wanted. "We cannot," he says, "help also observing that by letters received from the prin- cipal gentlemen in Westmoreland, it seems evident they approve of Gen. Clark's expedition, and that the lientenants of both counties united on the plan of raising three hundred men for that service, and even now I am at a loss to account for the different opinions entertained on the point by the people of Westmoreland and Wash- ington counties."
It appears from a letter of Hon. Christ. Hays to President Reed, dated August 25, 1781, that every obstacle was placed in the way of Gen. Clark's success-feelings engendered by jealousy-as the letter of Mr. Hays will abundantly show.
" There have been divers meetings for devising the best mode for the pro- tection of this country, and there has been a majority of a small number of men at said meetings, who fell on a plan of joining Gen. Clark with a num- ber of troops from this county, as has been represented to you, which I by no means could consent or agree to, and yet has been forced by Col. Lochry, contrary to the will and pleasure of the major part of the inhabit-
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ants of this county, and to the great disadvantage of the distressed fron- tiers and for the benefit of the State of Virginia alone, as has, since Gen. Clark's departure, been made known to me by Col. Gibson and several other Virginia officers, which obliged Col. D. Brodhead, with the assistance of the militia of this and Washington County, to carry on a campaign by the 5th of September against the same towns that Gen. Clark and Col. Lochry purposed to go to. Fifty-eight good men, belonging to Captain Stokely's and Captain Shearer's companies (in a manner naked), besides a number of volunteers, have been sent with Gen. Clark for the protection of the frontiers of Virginia.
" I would have represented all matters in a clear light to you, concerning this affair, before Gen. Clark's departure from Washington County, could I have had the benefit of the last express that has been sent to you from this county, which, perhaps, might have altered the whole of the above mentioned proceedings, but, contrary to all promises, it was sent unknown to me."
President Reed replied that Gen. Clark had no other authority than to take such volunteers as might offer, and to purchase provi- sions. At the same time, he says, we must observe that at a general meeting of the principal inhabitants, both of Virginia and Penn- sylvania, the expedition appeared so beneficial to the latter that the lieutenants of both joined to promote it, and agreed that three hundred men should be furnished. We apprehend that parties have taken too deep root, and that there are too many who avail them- selves of the dispute of State boundary to withhold their services from the public, a disposition which ought to have no countenance whatever. To this letter I would add that in a subsequent letter of President Reed to Mr. Hays he throws the whole weight of respon- sibility upon the latter gentleman, and asserts that his approbation of furnishing Gen. Clark with men, was founded upon representa- tions made by himself and other gentlemen, which, he presumes, was free and voluntary.
While a war of words was progressing, Gen. Clark and his officers and soldiers were busily engaged in preparing for conquering the Indians ; but on the 24th of August his command was defeated, as the following letter from Gen. Irvine, dated Fort Pitt, Dec. 3, 1781, will show :-
" I am sorry to inform your excellency that this county has got a severe stroke by the loss of Col. Lochry and about one hundred of the best men of Westmoreland County, including Captain Stokely and his company of Rangers. They were going down the Ohio on Gen. Clark's expedition. Many accounts agree that they were all killed or taken at the mouth of the Miami River, I believe chiefly killed; the misfortune added to the failure of Gen. Clark's expedition has filled the people with great dismay. Many talk of retiring to the east side of the mountain early in the spring."
Col. Lochry, at the time of his death, held the office of Prothonotary and of Lieutenant of Westmoreland County. On the fact being made known to the Executive Council, Michael Huffnagle was appointed to the former and Edward Cook to the latter office in December, 1781.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
On the 3d day of July, 1782, President Moore received the follow- ing memorial from the prisoners, taken captives by the Indians :-
" We the subscribers, inhabitants of the county of Westmoreland, beg leave to represent to your excellency and the council, that we had the mis- fortune to be made prisoners of by the Indians on the 24th of August last, and carried to Montreal, and there kept in close confinement until the 25th of May, 1782, when we were so fortunate as to make our escape, and after a long and fatiguing march through the wilderness, we got to this city (Philadelphia) yesterday at 3 o'clock. As we are at present destitute of both money and clothes, without which we cannot go home, we pray your excellency and council to take our case into consideration and order us pay from the time we were made prisoners to this.
" We were under the command of Col. Lochry when taken, and have a list of all those, both officers and privates, who are now prisoners of this party, which together with such information as is in our power we are ready to give for the satisfaction of your excellency and council.
" We have the honor to be your excellency's humble servants,
ISAAC ANDERSON. Lieutenant Capt. Sherer's Company Rangers. RICHARD WALLACE, Late Quarter- Master to Col. Lochry."
The Council immediately granted nine pounds seven shillings and sixpence specie to Lieut. Anderson, and seven pounds seventeen shil- lings and sixpence specie to Richard Wallace, to bear their expenses from Philadelphia to Westmoreland County.
On January 6, 1783, a representation was read to Council signed by John Boyd, Captain of the Rangers, and Thomas Stokely, Captain of the Second Company of Rangers, representing the situations of Henry Dugan, Sergeant of Captain Boyd's company, and Robert Watson, John Marus, and Michael Hare, of Capt. Stokely's company, now returned from captivity among the Indians; whereupon the Council ordered two months' pay to be advanced to each soldier, and that each also be furnished with a hat, two shirts, a waistcoat, a pair of overalls, a pair of stockings, a pair of shoes, and cloth and trimmings for a coat.
COL. DAVID WILLIAMSON'S EXPEDITIONS.
In the fall of 1781 the militia of the frontier counties of Pennsyl- vania resolved to break up the Moravian towns on the Muskingum, because it was very truthfully stated that it was half way between this county and the Wyandotte tribe of Indians. Through fear these Moravian settlements sheltered, protected, and procured for these hostile Indians provisions to carry on excursions into the set- tlements ; hence it was that the first campaign was undertaken. Col. Williamson marched his forces, found but few Indians there, the greater part having gone to Sandusky, and took them as hostages to Fort Pitt and delivered them to General Irvine. After their libera- tion, Dodridge says they crossed the river and killed or made priso- ners of a family of the name of Monteur, on Monteur's Island, seven
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
miles below Pittsburg. This island at that time was a part of Washington County. Also it was said that a family had been killed on Buffalo Creek, and it was by one of them, who, after being made prisoner, made his escape, and that the leader of the party was a Moravian. Such were the reports prevalent in that day, and upon these reports Colonel Williamson's character suffered severely for not killing the Indians instead of sending them to Fort Pitt.
This gave rise to the second expedition under the command of Colonel Williamson, who marched out with his command in March, 1782, his soldiers being composed of the frontier settlers, whose hatred to the Indian was both implacable and irreconcilable. On their way they passed through the settlement of the Moravian In- dians, who had the reputation of being both peaceable and Christian in character, but it is said that these soldiers found among the Moravian Indians many memorials of their families, trinkets, the gifts of love, clothing still bloody, and worn by their own wives and daughters, who had been tomahawked and killed. Without reflec- tion, and believing that this tribe of Indians were also guilty (being in possession of these articles), they, without the consent of their commander, whose orders they disregarded, massacred the Indians indiscriminately, because revenge, the worst passion of the human heart, had taken possession of every soldier. In this paroxysm of revenge, human nature forgot itself, and the blood of those who were near and dear to them seemed to call for retaliation, and the dying agonies of their own innocent ones all seemed to urge them on to complete the work of destruction.
After their desires had been gratified, and reason had resumed her throne, Col. Williamson determined to go no further after wit- nessing this act of insubordination. He returned to Washington County with his men, having resolved to submit the massacre of the Moravian Indians to a decision of his fellow-citizens. Hence, at the October election in 1887, he offered himself as a candidate for Sheriff, and for his acknowledged bravery, and devotion to their interests, he was triumphantly clected; nor did the people ever hold him accountable for the insubordination which prevailed, and which no human power could prevent. His election thereupon to that important office is a complete refutation of the charge made against him by the historian Loskiel, who charges him with perpetrating the most infamous act of border warfare, viz: the destruction of the peaceable Moravian Christian Indians. Rev. Jos. Dodridge 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 I say 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. His only fault was that of too easy a compliance with popular opinion and popular prejudice. On this account his memory has been loaded with unmerited reproach." It is eminently due, after passion and prejudice have passed away, and
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the third generation of men can view history from a different stand- point, that the memory of Col. Williamson should be vindicated, and the fame of the brave and meritorious not blackened with un- founded charges. He has gone to accomplish his destiny, and we leave Col. Williamson in the hands of that God who in this case will "judge righteous judgment."
In order to place this affair of the massacre of the Moravian Indians in its true light, I shall now give the official facts and the testimony of Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., who corroborates the position I have taken.
In March, 1782, Col. Williamson set out upon his expedition, the result of which I have already stated, but in a letter of L. Weiss. to Charles Thompson, Secretary of Congress, dated April 7, 1782, he says : "I received this afternoon a letter from Rev. Nathaniel, Bishop of the united churches of the brethren residing at Bethle- hem. He informs me that the same day a melancholy report was brought to him by one Mr. Leinbach, relative to a murder committed by white men upon a number of Christian Indians, at a place called Muskingum."
It appears, however, that Mr. Leinbach himself was not at the scene of action, but he received it from two of his neighbors living near Easton, who had returned from a visit to their friends at the Monongahela River. The statement made was-
" That some time in February, preceding, one hundred and sixty men, living upon Monongahela, set off on horseback to the Muskin- gum, in order to destroy three Indian settlements of which they seemed to be sure of being the towns of some enemy Indians. After coming nigh to one of the towns, they discovered some Indians on both sides of the river Muskingum. They then concluded to divide themselves into two parties, the one to cross the river and the other to attack those Indians on this side. When the party got over the river they saw one of the Indians coming up towards them. They laid themselves flat on the ground waiting till the Indian was nigh enough, then one of them shot the Indian and broke his arm, then three of the militia ran towards him with tomahawks. When they were yet a little distance from him, he asked them why they fired at him ; he was minister Shebosh's (John Bull's) son, but they took no notice of what he said, but killed him on the spot. They then sur- rounded the field and took all the other Indians as prisoners. The Indians told them that they were Christians, and made no resistance. When the militia gave them to understand that they must bring them as prisoners to Fort Pitt, they seemed to be very glad. They were ordered to prepare themselves for the journey, and to take all their effects along with them. Accordingly, they did so. They were asked how it came they had no cattle. They answered that the small stock that was left them had been sent to Sandusky.
In the evening the militia held a council, when the commander of the militia told his men that he would leave it to their choice either
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
to carry the Indians to Fort Pitt as prisoners or to kill them, when they agreed that they should be killed. Of this resolution of the council they gave notice to the Indians by two messengers, who told them that, as they had said they were Christians, they would give them this night to prepare themselves accordingly. Whereupon the women met together and sung hymns and psalms all night, and so did likewise the men, and kept on singing as long as there were three alive.
In the morning the militia chose two houses, which they called the slaughter-houses, and then fetched the Indians, two or three at a time, with ropes about their necks, and dragged them into the slaughter-houses where they knocked them down. They then set these two houses on fire, as likewise all the other houses. This done, they went to the other towns and set fire to the houses, took their plunder and returned to the Monongahela, where they kept a vendue among themselves. Before these informants came away it was agreed that six hundred men should meet on the 18th of March, 1782, to go to Sandusky, which is about one hundred miles from the Muskingum.
John Etwine, of Litiz, under date of March 31st of the same year, says : "It is reported from Lancaster that one hundred militiamen from the Ohio hare destroyed two Delaware Indian towns, and have killed ninety-five Indians."
George Niser, of York, under date of April 2, says : "I have seen a letter written by a woman at Fort Pitt, dated March 21, 1782, which contains these particulars, viz : The militia have killed ninety- nine of the Moravian Indians, viz : thirty-three men and sixty-six women and children."
In another letter by the same person, but dated April 5, he writes : " The Moravian Indian congregation at Sandusky is butchered, as it is reported by the Scotch. They came and told them they must prepare 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 the 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."
These various rumors, somewhat contradictory in their facts, reached the Supreme Executive Council, who directed Gen. Wm. Irvine, then stationed at Fort Pitt, by letter dated April 13, 1782, to inquire if a party of militia had killed a number of Indians at or near Muskingum, and also if a Mr. Bull was killed at the same time, and to transmit the facts relative thereto, authenticated in the clearest manner. To this eharge Col. Williamson and Col. Mar- shall both replied, and by order of the Supreme Executive Council was laid before Congress.
The following letter of Dorsey Pentecost, dated at Fort Pitt, May 8, 1782, throws much light upon this question. He says :-
" I arrived at home last Thursday; yesterday I came to this place and had long conferences with Gen. Irvine and Col. Gibson respecting the ex-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
cursion to Muskingum. 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 utterly impossible to ascertain the REAL TRUTH. No.person can give intelligence but those that were along, notwithstanding there seems to have been some differences amongst themselves about that business, yet they will say nothing.
"I hear there is great preparation making for a descent on Sandusky, to set out the 20th of this mouth, which will be conducted by a gentleman of experience and veracity." The writer speaks of Col. Crawford's expe- dition. He then adds : "It is said here, and I believe with truth, that sun- dry articles were found amongst the Indians that were taken from the inhabitants of Washington County, and that the Indians confessed them- selves, that when they set out from Sandusky ten warriors came with them who had gone 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 to settle at a place they knew the white people had been at and would go to again, without giving us notice, and besides to bring warriors with them who had come into the settlements and after murdering would return to their towns, and of course draw people after them filled with revenge, indignation, and sorrow for the loss of their friends their wives and their children." He also writes that "the people are greatly divided in sentiment about it (the Moravian affair), 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 confusion and ill-will amongst the people."
He recommends to the Supreme Council to forbid that, in future excursions, women, children, and infirm persons should be killed, being contrary to the laws of man as well as Christianity.
Thus terminated the campaign under Col. Williamson.
COL. WILLIAM CRAWFORD'S EXPEDITION.
In the summer of 1782 a third expedition was commenced after the return of Col. Williamson, by a regiment of four hundred and eighty-two men, who were principally from east of the Monongahela River, in Fayette County, except one company from the Tenmile settlement, in Washington County. Hence we give an account of this expedition.
On the 20th of May, 1782, the regiment left Beesontown (now Uniontown) under the temporary command of Col. William Crawford, whose residence was at the forks of Youghiogheny, near Connellsville. On May 22, they reached Catfish (now Washington), where they were joined by a company from Tenmile, in this county. On the 26th of May they encamped at old Indian Mingo town, where an election was held for Colonel, the candidates being Col. William Crawford and Col. David Williamson. The election resulted in favor of Col. Crawford. The regiment on that day took up the line of march by the same Indian trail which Col. Williamson had passed over, and on the 4th of June they encamped on the Sandusky plains. The battle was fought on the 5th and 6th of June, 1782.
From the most authentic accounts we learn that the Indians were
.
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apprised of the approach of Col. Crawford, and were prepared for his regiment by being concealed in ambush. At a preconcerted signal the Indians commenced firing, which was returned by the regiment. Both parties fought with great fury until dark (of June 5th), when the Indians retreated and the soldiers encamped upon the battle- ground, sleeping upon their arms.
The next day (June 6th) skirmishing began and fighting ensued. Col. Crawford discovered that the Indian forces through the night had been greatly increased. A council of officers was held, and they determined that prudence would dictate a retreat, because many valuable lives were lost (about one hundred soldiers being killed), and that their ammunition and provisions were nearly exhausted. A little before midnight the remaining members of the regiment were arranged in order, and the retreat began, having left their camp- fires burning so as to deceive the Indians .* They had not proceeded far when shots were fired by the Indians, which necessarily caused great confusion and disorder, as the officers and soldiers believed that their movements had been discovered by their wily foe. Each man, therefore, determined to seek his own safety in flight ; but the savage Indians, thirsting for revenge for the death of the Moravian Indians, and with that sagacity which belongs to their race, overtook most of the soldiers, and they fell victims to the tomahawk. The massacre was terrible.
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