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 33
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Among the captives were Col. Crawford and his nephew, Dr. Knight. These they retained for a sadder and more terrible death. The Indians, failing to secure Col. Williamson, visited upon Col. Crawford the death of the Moravian Indians, although he had not in any of his Indian expeditions harmed a Moravian Indian. Here I may add that Wingenund, an old Indian chief who had known Col. Crawford for many years, and had even visited his (Crawford's) house, said to him, after they had painted him black (a symbol of the horrible death he was to undergo) : "Had we Williamson in your place, there might be some hope for you; but as it is, there is not." From the intimacy which always existed between this old chief and Col. Crawford, he said to him : "Col. Crawford, your fate is fixed. Meet it as a soldier should. Farewell. They are coming, and I will retire where I cannot see you." These two brave men, representing entirely different interests, parted, each shedding tears.
On the arrival of the band of Indians who were to take charge of Col. Crawford, their hellish work began. While Dr. Knight, his nephew, was seated close by as a witness of the torments which Col. Crawford was to endure. On the 11th of June, 1782, Col. Crawford was led to a stake driven in the ground, at Sandusky Plains, with
* The retreat of Col. Crawford's men was conducted by Major Daniel Leet, who was the intimate friend of Col. Crawford. Their intimacy arose from the fact that Gen. Washington had selected them to survey and locate lands in Virginia and Ken- tucky, hence he was selected to take command of the right wing of the army, in which was the company of the Tenmile settlement of this county.
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his hands secured firmly behind his back by means of strong thongs. A rope was then fastened to these between the wrists, and the other end to the bottom of the stake. The rope was long enough to allow him to walk backward and forward several times, while around the stake, and within the circle which the rope would allow him to pass over, were heaped dry and combustible fagots. When these were ignited the tortures commenced. The Colonel had previously been stripped naked, and after an Indian speech, about seventy loads of pow- der were discharged upon his naked body. His ears were cut off, and burning brands and fagots applied to his body ; he was scalped, and squaws threw burning coals and hot embers upon his head and body. Col. Crawford, having committed himself to the Almighty, bore all his torments with manly fortitude. It seemed as if God in mercy and in answer to his prayer had so benumbed his nerves that he felt no pain. Dr. Knight, who was witness of it, and afterwards made his escape, said that he seemed unconscious of the presence of his tormentors, and was exclusively engaged in close communion with his Saviour. It is said by those who have visited the spot, about half a mile from Little Sandusky, that nothing will grow within the circuit which Col. Crawford made when tied to the stake, and God, as a memorial of the wickedness of the crime, thus marks the spot where an innocent man suffered a cruel death.
It may be well to remark that Col. Crawford emigrated from Berkeley County, Virginia, in 1768, to near Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He served as captain in Forbes's expedition in 1758. He was the intimate friend of Gen. Washington, who had been an inmate of his humble dwelling during his visit to this county to locate lands. At the commencement of the American Revolution he raised a regiment by his own exertions, and held a commission of Colonel in the Continental army. Thus perished, at the age of fifty years, Col. William Crawford, who held many positions of honor and profit under both Virginia and Pennsylvania, especially when Wash- ington County was considered as belonging to Virginia by the name of Youghiogheny County. Pennsylvania has honored his memory by naming one of the northwestern counties after him, to perpetuate his. fame and his deeds.
Since writing the above, my friend, J. T. F. Wright, sent me the narrative of Col. James Paul, who was with Crawford at his defeat. Col. Paul died in 1841, aged 84 years. Col. Paul corrects an error. into which some writers have fallen, as to the motives of Col. Craw -. ford and his noble band of volunteers in going to Upper Sandusky,. which object was in reality to conquer the Wyandottes and bands of hostile Indians, and to burn their town, and not, as erroneously reported, to complete the slaughter of the remainder of the peace- able Christian Moravian Indians. This narrative further states that a scheme was formed and put on foot, the object of which was to check the Sandusky Indians, principally that of the Wyandotte tribe," which tribe was at that time the most bold, daring, and ferocious.
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of any of the other hostile tribes, whose depredations on the frontier settlers had grown hard to be borne. A further object of this scheme was the destruction of the Indian town at Upper Sandusky, and thus to check and put a stop, if possible, to the sealping, mur- dering, and plundering which were continually committed on the defenceless frontiers of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia. Col. Paul thus nobly repels the charge made by Weems and some few others, who have misstated the object of these brave, noble-hearted volunteers who risked their lives in an enemy's country.
To preserve the history of that memorable event with which Wash- ington County is so intimately connected, I shall add letters written at the time by our own citizens.
Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., under date of June 17, 1782, to Presi- dent Moore, says :-
" I have just time to tell you that on the 25th of May four hundred and seventy-eight (some say four hundred and eighty-eight) soldiers, mounted on horseback, set out, under the command of Col. Crawford, for St. Dus- kie. They were discovered at the Muskingum and from there all the way out spies were kept on them. The St. Duskie people collected the Shaw- nees and the light dragoons from the British posts between St. Duskie and the post at Detroit, they attacked our people in the plains of St. Duskic, near the St. Duskie River, on Tuesday was a week last. The battle con- tinned two days, the first day was very close and hot work, the second day was at long shot only. On the night of the second day our people retreated, and the Indians broke in on them in the retreat and routed them. How- ever, about two hundred stuck together and brought off all the wounded except three, which were left on the ground. The next day the Indians attacked our people in the rear, but were repulsed with considerable loss on their side. They then pursued their retreat with success and unmolested.
"There are about twenty wounded (a few dangerous) and about half that number killed. There are a good many missing, amongst which is Colonel Crawford and a number of other valuable men, but as the scattered parties are coming in daily, I have hopes of them. As the people were much con- fused when I met them (at the Mingo bottom), I could not get the informa- tion requisite. What little I got was from Major Ross, Aide-de-camp to Gen. Irvine, and who went aid to Col. Crawford, and I hope the General (Irvine) will give you a particular account, as he will receive it from the Major. I am told that the Indians were much superior to our people, and that in the engagement they suffered greatly, and also that Col. Crawford strongly recommended to return before they got to the town, alleging that our people were too weak, as the Indians had early intelligence of their coming, but he was overruled by the rest of the officers."
July 5, 1782, Gen. Irvine writes from Fort Pitt, stating that
"Dr. Knight has this moment arrived-the Surgeon I sent with the vol- unteers to Sandusky ; he was several days in the hands of the Indians, but fortunately made his escape from his keeper, who was conducting him to another settlement to be burned. He brings the disagreeable account that Col. Crawford and all the rest (about twelve to the doctor's knowledge) who fell into their hands, were burned to death in a most shocking manner. The unfortunate Colonel in particular was upwards of four hours burning. The reason they assign for this uncommon barbarity is retaliation for the
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Moravian affair. (I have given an account of this affair under Col. William- son's expedition.) The doctor adds that he understood those people had laid aside their religious principles and have gone to war, that he himself saw two of them bring in scalps whom he formerly knew."
WHISKEY INSURRECTION.
This was the FOURTH important military movement in this county, and which extended itself to Westmoreland, Fayette, Allegheny, and Bedford counties, and that part of Western Virginia on the Ohio River and borders of Pennsylvania. To subdue this rebellion, which began July 27, 1791, and was ended in 1794, by an amnesty proclamation and an oath of allegiance subscribed by the people, it cost the government six hundred and sixty-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-two dollars and thirty-four cents. I have given full particulars of this insurrection in the Appendix to this work in Chapter IV., on the Whiskey Insurrection, to which I would refer my readers.
OUTRAGE ON THE CHESAPEAKE FRIGATE.
The people of Washington County, on the 18th of July, 1807, jealous of their rights, their liberties, and their military fame, called a meeting to take measures with regard to the outrages committed on the Chesapeake frigate by a British ship-of-war. We may name this as the fifth military movement. Col. William McKennan was chosen Chairman, and Gen. John Morgan Secretary. The pro- ceedings of citizens of Norfolk, Hampton, Philadelphia, and other cities, were read, and Parker Campbell, Gen. John Morgan, Thomas Acheson, Edward Todd, and John Simonson, Esqs., were appointed a committee to report resolutions, who reported that the people of Washington County sensibly feel the outrageous conduct of the tyrants of the ocean, and pledged themselves, by all the ties most sacred among men, to support, by every exertion and all the means in their power, all measures of defence or retaliation best adapted to prevent a repetition of such outrages, and enforce proper conces- sions for the past.
The meeting also tendered their services to government, and promised to repair to the posts assigned to them at the first call, approving and applauding the executive prohibition of, the entrance of British ships-of-war into the ports and harbors of the United States, and of all intercourse with them. They also wisely resolved that hospitality under such circumstances ceases to be a duty, and the honor and independence of our country forbid a continuance of it, and they also urge the necessity of a prompt attention to arms, equipments, &c., to defend an injured country.
On the 10th of February, 1809, Col. Thomas Acheson issued the following military address in connection with this subject, to the 23d Regiment, in Washington County :-
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" Fellow Soldiers : It will be remembered that in consequence of the outrageous attack and cowardly murder of our fellow-citizens on board the Chesapeake by the slaves of Britain in the month of June, 1807, that the President ordered ten thousand militia of the United States to be held in readiness for actual service. That on the 10th of August of the same year you were called together for the same purpose of furnishing the proper quota of men from this regiment, when three hundred and five patriots tendered their services to the President to march at a moment's warning to any part of the Union or elsewhere. But the law under which that tender was made having expired, you once more have an opportunity of renewing that tender.
"It appears that no kind of satisfaction was ever offered by the British government for the murder of our fellow-citizens on board the Chesapeake, but that notwithstanding the forbearance of our general government, in- sult was added to injury, hence the blood of your brethren still eries aloud for vengeance. While we are informed that the yeomanry of enslaved Europe are fighting for their task-masters, and thereby riveting their own chains, shall the free and independent citizens of this happy country shrink from the defence of our homes ? I trust not, but that all those young patriots who voluntarily tendered their services on the former occasion will now be first to renew that tender, and evince to the world that the honor, dignity, and independence of this injured country, so dearly pur- chased by their father's blood, is nearer to them than life, and that they will rally around the standard of liberty, and defend and support the go- vernment of their choice against insidious and domestic traitors."
WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.
The SIXTH military event in the history of Washington County was the interest she evinced in the war of 1812, commonly called the Second War for Independence. It will be remembered that war was declared by the United States on the 19th day of June, 1812, because England claimed the right to search all nentral vessels for British seamen, and all were claimed as such who could not exhibit official papers of their birth and regular shipment under a neutral government ; hence native born citizens of America were taken from under our flag and impressed into service, the consequences of which was the war of 1812. The difficulties were hastened by the attack on the Chesapeake. On the 22d of June following, a public meet- ing of the citizens of this county was held to ascertain the public sentiment with respect to the measures of the general government, of which David Morris, Esq., was chairman. A committee consist- ing of Thomas Acheson, Robert Anderson, Alexander Murdoch, Thomas H. Baird, and Parker Campbell, were appointed to prepare an address to be submitted to the people, at an adjourned county meeting, on the 27th of June, at which meeting Rev. Thomas L. Birch, William Hoge, and Parker Campbell, Esqs., made patriotic addresses.
On the 24th of August, 1812, Gen. Thomas Acheson, as chairman of the Committee, issued an address, in the following words, to the people of Washington County :-
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" They owe it to the brave volunteers to make known to the world that the spirit of the Washington County militia is the spirit of liberty, of patriotism, and of humanity, and that when any emergency requires their exertions, no consideration of personal danger or inconvenience can pre- vent them from rushing to the scene of apprehended attack."
On Wednesday, the 26th of July, news arrived in Washington, by express from Gen. Wadsworth, that Gen. Hull and his army had been captured, and that a body of five thousand British and Indians were advancing with barbarous ferocity upon our defenceless frontiers. This information was confirmed by several other express messengers, who arrived in Pittsburg with the alarming intelligence that they had in fact marched within nine miles of Cleveland, Ohio.
A Committee of Safety and Arrangement was formed, who were directed to appeal to their fellow-citizens in Washington County, and to open a communication so as to secure a co-operation in their plans and organizations. They appealed, and they appealed not in vain. In forty-eight hours from the first call a company of young men from the town of Washington and its vicinity, of light infantry, under the command of Captain William Sample, volunteered them- selves to march to the scene of savage slaughter and devastation. By the amiable and spirited assistance of the LADIES of Washing- ton, they were completely uniformed and equipped.
Another company was also formed within the bounds of the Washington regiment, and the " Rifle Rangers," under the command of Capt. (afterwards Governor) Joseph Ritner, volunteered their services as a body. A troop of horse from Col. Dickerson's regi- ment, under Capt. Lawrence, turned out with alacrity. A com- pany of infantry, under Capt. Buchanan, of Middletown, also offered their services. Two hundred and fifty brave volunteers, under the command of Col. Dickerson, informed Gen. Acheson that they were ready to march at a moment's warning. Capt. Cartey and part of his troop, and the troop of Capt. Shouse, from Williamsport (now Monongahela City) were also ready to march. The Williamsport Rangers, and Capt. Thomas's infantry held themselves subject to orders. From this brigade there were not less than seven hundred men, exclusive of two hundred and fifty men from Burgettstown, under the command of Col. Thos. Patterson, Major John Vance, and Capt. McCready.
By the liberal contributions of spirited individuals, six hundred dollars were subscribed in Washington in a few minutes; between three and four hundred dollars in Middletown ; four hundred dol- lars in Burgettstown, with considerable sums from other places, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the detachment.
A letter from Burgettstown, dated August 28th, 1812, says :-
" I will inform you of the movement at this place for the last ten days. On Monday evening an express came who brought the news of the loss of Gen. Hull's army, and that the enemy were advancing by rapid marches
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towards Cleveland .* Expresses were despatched in all quarters, and on Tuesday evening the greater part of the 23d regiment, of Washington County, met at this place. About two hundred volunteers volunteered to repel the enemy. On Wednesday evening all was bustle. A committee of arrangement was appointed to provide wagons, provisions, &c. The females, young and old, were employed in making knapsacks and hunting shirts. Children of ten years were engaged in scraping lint for the medi- cine chest. All were busily engaged in some necessary work ; blacksmiths making tomahawks and knives, carpenters handling them, &c. Yesterday Col. Patterson's detachment marched, consisting of about three hundred men, part of which were cavalry, and encamped nine miles from this place. The detachment is furnished with five baggage wagons and eighteen bul- locks, and supplied with everything for comfort and accommodation."
From our aged and honored friend James McFarren, Esq., now deceased, we received the following letter on the same subject :-
" In the month of August, 1812, an express arrived in the northwest part of Washington County from Gen. Beal, of Wooster, Ohio, stating that the British and Indians had landed in large numbers at the mouth of Huron River, and were marching on Pittsburg. A number of riders set out and alarmed the inhabitants of the surrounding townships. On the second day a large meeting was held in Burgettstown; a battalion formed of about three hundred volunteers. Ladies sat up the whole night making knapsacks, tents, &c. This battalion was composed of four companies commanded respectively by Capt. Thomas Patterson, Capt. Wm. Vance, Capt. Samuel Rankin, and Capt. Robert Withrew's light dragoons, who rendezvoused at the Briceland Cross Roads. After all were in readiness, the first day they marched to the edge of Beaver County, the second day they held an election, and John Vance was elected major. The battalion on the third day took up the line of march, crossed the Ohio River at Georgetown, and encamped on the bottom at the mouth of Dry Run. On the fourth day, being Satur- day, they arrived at New Lisbon a little before sunset. During this day's march they met a number of Gen. Hull's soldiers, and among the rest Gen. Lucas, who was afterwards Governor of Ohio, who informed us that Hull had surrendered his army at Detroit; that the men were taken to Malden, U. C., where they were dismissed on parole and sent to the mouth of Huron River, and it was from this fact that the false alarm had arisen.
" Major Vance's battalion, however, pitched their tents half a mile east of Lisbon, remained until Monday morning, when they struck their tents and took up their line of march for home."
"On September 7, 1812, the citizens of Washington County assembled for the purpose of raising a fund for the support of the families of such volun- teers as should require aid, and also pledged themselves to use their influence with the legislature to procure the passage of a law to pay each volunteer a stipulated sum in addition to the pay allowed by the United States.
" September 14, 1812, Gen. Acheson received additional orders to furnish a further quota of two hundred men, to assemble at Washington on the 28th and march to Pittsburg, where two thousand men are to rendezvous on
* Gen. Hull surrendered on 16th July, 1812, fourteen hundred men to three hun- dred English soldiers, four hundred Canadian militia, and a band of Indian allies, for which disgraceful conduct he was tried for treason and cowardice by a court-martial, convicted of the latter charge, and sentenced to be shot, but pardoned by the President.
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Friday, October 2, 1812. From thence they will be required to march and join the army assembling in Ohio, for the defence of the western frontiers.
" December 28, 1812, Capt. W. Sample returned from Buffalo, N. Y., the six months volunteers having been furloughed or dismissed. He states that all are on their road home except Lieut. James Ruple, who was left at Buffalo, but is now convalescent.
" February 15, 1813, Captain William Patterson, who had command of the Tenmile Rangers, unitedly and unconditionally volunteered their services, and marched to the beach several times for the purpose of embarking for Canada, but was ordered back by the commanding general. We need but add that the campaign of 1812 closed unsuccessfully, and the soldiers returned home Feb. 22, 1813. The officers of the Washington Infantry composed of Capt. William Sample, Lieut. James Ruple, and Lieut. George Taylor, on behelf of the company, tendered their sincere thanks to Major James Herriott, for his conduct after their organization at Buffalo in December last, and in providing for the men on their way home."
After the disgraceful surrender of Hull, the citizen soldier felt the necessity of retrieving the honor of the nation, by prosecuting the war. Volunteer companies were raised in Ohio, Kentucky, Ten- nessee, Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania furnished her quota under Gen. Richard Crooks, who had been elected brigadier-general of the detachment rendezvousing at Pittsburg. The command of the army was given to Gen. W. H. Harrison, who established his head- quarters in January, 1813, at Franklinton, to recover Detroit and the Michigan territory. Of the victories of the American arms at Fort Meigs, Fort Stevenson, Lake Erie, and the Thames, under the command of Gen. Harrison, over the combined British and Indian armies under Gen. Proctor and Tecumseh, it is unnecessary for me to speak; suffice it to say that Western Pennsylvania, and especi- ally the soldiers of Washington County, fought valiantly in these battles, and after a twelve months' tour were discharged about the middle of September, 1813.
In July, 1814, Admiral Cochrane's British fleet arrived for the supposed purpose of destroying the American flotilla which had been chased some weeks before up the Patuxent, but in August this British squadron landed a small army at Benedict, on the river Patuxent, under General Ross, to make an attack on Washington City, which it accomplished on the 24th of August, 1814, by the destruction of all the public buildings, library of Congress, &c., which vandal act so roused the spirit of the nation that the citizen soldiers volunteered their services to retrieve the honor of the nation.
Emboldened by this vandal act, General Ross determined with his five thousand British soldiers to make his winter quarters in Balti- more; was met on September 12, 1814, by the American forces, when he was killed, with forty-six others, two hundred wounded, and many taken prisoners.
While Major James Dunlap was on his march with his quota of soldiers from Washington County on November 24, 1814, to join the encampment at that place, his detachment was disbanded, Gov.
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Simon Snyder having notified him that the services of the four thou- sand Pennsylvania militia were for the present dispensed with. The Governor added his high sense of the honorable feeling and patriotie spirit manifested by those who were ready to march and willing to subject themselves at this inelement season to the priva- tions and hardships always inseparable from military service, in de- fence of their beloved country, and to avert the dangers with which it was threatened.
The soldiers having returned, the patriotic citizens of Washington still believed that the duty of preparing for war was essentially necessary, and to provide, should a new danger occur, for the supply of any force which may be required, kept up military organizations.
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