USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. I > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
The Northern Turnpike, so called to distinguish it from the Greensburg pike, had its origin in an act of March 20, 1787, which provided for the making of a road from the Frankstown branch of the Juniata river to the Conemaugh river. It came into our county a short distance west of Blairsville. In an act of 1800 its location was changed somewhat so that its final course was through New Alexandria, New Salem, and Murryville. These roads became rivals in their construction, and this very much delayed the building of either of them
240
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
for the reason that a later act of Assembly authorized the Governor of the Com- monwealth to subscribe $300,000 on the part of the state to any Turnpike Com- pany when there should be $150,000 subscribed by the citizens of the counties through which the turnpike passed. Both companies wanted the $300,000 state subscription. Finally commissioners were appointed by the governor to go over the routes and determine which should be taken up by the state. These commissioners reported in favor of the Greensburg route, and they extended the time for building the road for three years from April 2, 1811. By an adver- tisement in the Greensburg Register of May 20, 1812, the books of the company were opened for stock subscriptions at the house of Simon Drum, Sr., on June 3rd, at 10 o'clock. In 1816 another notice appears offering to let contracts for certain sections of it yet unfinished. The road was built accordingly and was completed through Westmoreland county in 1818, parts of it having been in use a year or so earlier. The name turnpike, as applied to a road, originated from the fact that a pike or pole was placed across the road at the toll house, which prevented the traveler from passing until he paid his toll, when the pike or pole was turned around, and he was allowed to pass through. As its name indicated, this was a toll road, and from the proceeds the stockholders were to be paid their dividends. Toll was collected about every twelve miles, and though the rates may have varied somewhat under different managers, the fol- lowing list of rates does not vary much if any from the amounts charged throughout its entire life as a toll road :
RATES OF TOLL ON THE STOYSTOWN AND GREENSBURG TURNPIKE ROAD: FOR EVERY TEN MILES ON SAID ROAD :
For Swine, Sheep and Cattle, viz .:
For every score of swine. 6 cents
For every 1/2 score of swine. 3 cents
For every score of sheep .6 cents
For every 1/2 score of sheep 3 cents For every score of cattle. IO cents
For every 1/2 score of cattle
5 cents
For every horse or mule, laden or unladen, led or drove. 6 cents For every sulky, chair or chaise, with one horse. 12 cents
For every chair, coach, phaeton chaise, sulkey and light wagon with two horses 25 cents For either of them, with four horses. 50 cents For every other carriage of pleasure it may go to like sum according to the number of horses drawing the same. For every sleigh or sled, for each horse 6 cents
For every cart, wagon or other carriage of burthen the wheels of which do not in breadth exceed four inches, per horse 12 cents For every cart, wagon or other carriage of burthen the wheels of which
do exceed in breath four inches, per horse. 8 cents
241
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
And when any such carriage aforesaid, the whole or part is drawn by oxen, two oxen shall be estimated as equal to one horse in charging the aforesaid toll.
EXCEPTION.
No Toll shall be demanded from any person or persons passing or re-passing from one part of their farm to another. Nor from any persons attending funerals, or going to and from places of worship.
(Republican-Democrat Print, Greensburg.)
The building of a turnpike road was quite a big undertaking for that day and generation, fully as much so as the building of a railroad across the state is with us. It was moreover of great importance to the people, and improved our county more than any other highway prior to the construction of the Pennsyl- vania railroad. Next to the National Pike advocated so long by the matchless Henry Clay, it was the most complete road of any extent in Western Pennsyl- vania in its day. It wound over mountains and through fertile valleys, and on it was displayed some very good engineering. It has been censured because in some places it passed over hills, when it might have gone over lower and more level ground. But the object of the engineer was to secure dry ground, to pass through rich sections of farm land, and through hamlets which might be- come busy centers of population, thus affording traffic for the road. Some- times they were compelled to pass over a hill, or forfeit the subscription of a wealthy landowner. Then our low grounds were covered with timber and were much more marshy than they are now, and the popular idea of road construct- ing was to keep on high and dry ground. The funds for its construction were limited. With these matters being considered, we doubt whether its general location could have been much better than it was. The engineering is much better in the mountains than through the agricultural sections, owing to the above reasons. There is perhaps only one place in its course through Chestnut Ridge where it could be improved. Going up the western side of Laurel Hill and zigzaging down the more precipitous eastern slope, its course could not be improved by our best modern engineers. Likewise it passes over the Allegheny mountains, going up the western side in a straight line for seven miles, and passing down the eastern side by a system of curves and turns which our ad- vanced science of engineering would not in any way improve on. In the mountains the engineers were free to select the best routes, and they should be judged by their work there rather than by such parts as they could not locate exactly where they thought proper.
16
CHAPTER XVII.
The Westmoreland Soldiers in the War of 1812.
The war of 1812 was indeed a small affair to our nation compared with the Revolution, and consequently has never been fraught with much interest to the American people. Yet it was a war of heroic deeds, and by its suc- cessful termination we not only won the right for which we contended, but added greatly to our civil and military glory among the nations of the world.
After the Revolution, though we had fairly won our freedom, yet England scarcely realized that we were one of the civil powers. For a quarter of a century the Mother Country treated us as though we were a few struggling colonies whose rights in America were conceded by them, but whose rights on the oceans were still retained by England. They accordingly assumed rights on the seas which they did not presume to exercise when dealing with other governments. One of these unwarranted powers which they assumed was that of overhauling American vessels on the high seas and searching them for men who had deserted the English naval service, and in this they neces- sarily committed many outrages upon our ocean trade. These may not have been authorized by the English government, but it was responsible for them, and practically admitted its responsibility by defending them.
For many years our government protested most vehemently against this right of search. The people of the United States were much aroused over it. In various ways Great Britain advanced her assumed prerogative on the seas and greatly restricted our commerce. This was carried on till 1811, when, because of the growing trouble, Congress was called together a month earlier than usual. On due consideration it sustained President Madison, who had almost declared England guilty of offensive actions, and prepara- tions were made for war. On June 12 the President laid before Congress the official correspondence relative to the subject, and all hope of a settle- ment without war was dissipated. Madison drew one of the best of his many strong papers in enumerating our grievances. Everything seemed to point to war, and accordingly, on June 18th, 1812, Congress declared war against Great Britain. Congress also took measures to increase the regular
243
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
army to 35,000 men, and a much larger volunteer army of one year enlist- inents was to be raised, equipped and put in the field.
Simon Snyder was governor of Pennsylvania. He had great courage and executive ability, and had in his makeup much of the old-time Revolu- tionary spirit. The Pennsylvania militia was therefore organized by him at once. Our state was to furnish 14,000 militia on the one-year enlist- ments, beside our share of the proposed regular army of 35,000.
Again the British allied themselves with their old companions in crime, the Indians, and a large force of Indians appeared on Lake Erie opposite the town of Erie. At this the whole of Pennsylvania was aroused, expect- ing an invasion of the western part, at least, to follow. Accordingly the militia of that portion of the state was sent there, and took part in the now world-famous naval battle of Oliver Hazard Perry, which settled the Eng- lish and Indians in that section. It will be remembered that before Perry could fight the English on water he had to cut down trees and construct a navy. The main forces who guarded these preparations were from Western Pennsylvania, and they were ready to support him in any emergency, either on land or on sea.
The English had an army in the region of Baltimore, and many of our soldiers were sent there, particularly after the British army under General Ross burned the National Capitol, but there was very little fighting done in that section by our troops. Still others were sent to the northwest and placed under command of General William Henry Harrison. It was in that army that our Westmoreland soldiers did most duty.
In considering this war we must always remember that we were yet at enmity with the Indians, though not here in the East as we had been during the Revolution. They had been driven west to Indiana, Illinois and Mich- igan. We had soldiers from Westmoreland who fought with Harrison at the famous battle of Tippecanoe. So, also, it must be remembered that the Eng- lish army was fighting us on the extreme southern border, where General Jackson defeated Packenham at the battle of New Orleans, after peace had been declared between the two countries. So the war was raging in every direction.
General Hull was at this time governor of the Territory of Michigan, and was in command of an army of volunteers who were warring with the Northwestern Indians. When he heard that war had been declared against England he foolishly, and on his own authority, led his army across from Michigan into Canada, to "invade the enemy's country." But the British immediately sent forces there who, with much more experience and skill in military matters, so encompassed the field that Hull surrendered 1,700 troops to about 700 British and 600 Indians. The surrender also included great stores of military supplies and provisions, which were sent there at great expense to support his army. This weakened our cause a great deal,
244
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
for hundreds of troops became discouraged and deserted. In fact, de- sertions were more numerous in the war of 1812 than in any other of the five wars in which we as a nation have been engaged, and in this, too, West- moreland county did its share.
But, on the other hand, the surrender of Hull did us good. The mem- ory of the Revolution was then fresh in the minds of our people. Often in those days had a small, starving, poorly equipped army of American soldiers escaped from or even taken captive a larger and stronger force. But here the larger army surrendered to the smaller and weaker one, and it aroused the people in every section of the Union. As a result we had, after Hull's surrender, more men in Western Pennsylvania and in our county wanting to enlist than could be accepted. Refreshed in his memory of the events of the war by these general remarks the reader, we trust, will better understand the part taken by our Westmoreland troops.
There were several companies formed here a few years before the war, when trouble was brewing and war clouds were overhanging America. The most prominent one of these companies was a rifle company in Greensburg, of which John B. Alexander was the leading spirit as well as the captain. This company was organized by authority of Thomas Mckean, governor of Pennsylvania, in 1807, and was enlisted for four years. In 1811 their time had expired, and another commission was issued by Governor Simon Snyder, authorizing Alexander to raise another company. The second was largely composed of re-enlistments from the first. Alexander himself had been brought up in the military town of Carlisle, where from long before the Rev- olution the government had continuously kept a barracks. He had there- fore from boyhood imbibed a martial spirit. In four years he had drilled his company most completely, so that when the war at last came he had ready for the field a company of thoroughly drilled men. Alexander him- self was a lawyer of high standing at the Westmoreland bar. Some have thought proper to write him as the ablest lawyer who has yet practiced regularly before the Westmoreland courts. Being only about eight years at the bar before the war of 1812, his great prominence as a lawyer was achieved mostly after its close.
On June 6, 1812, in conformity with a resolution passed by the company, Alexander tendered his company of riflemen to William Eustis, Secretary of War under President Madison. In this letter he says the company con- sists of one captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, two corporals, two mu- sicians and forty-five rank and filemen. He further says they are all uni- formed and equipped for service, except that their rifles were of various lengths, weight and calibre, such as are in general use in the country, and suggests that uniform ones be furnished them. This letter is endorsed as "Sent copy to Sec'y, enclosed to Wm. Findley, Esq." By a letter of July 15 the company was accepted. By letter of September 5th they were noti-
1
r r
r
1
1
1
1
1
e
y
e
e
:t
0
S-
: f
f
-
1
(
t
e
t
t
S
tl tl $ = 11 O T P h a CI b 0 fc h
Sc tl re at ac A 0 si si fc le S1
1/3 Alexander
245
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
fied that the frontier in Western Ohio was in such a deplorable condition, owing to General Hull's surrender, that they should hold themselves in readiness to march there at once. On September II thie order was sent for them to march to Cleveland, Ohio, or wherever else the northwestern army should be when they reached that locality. The destination was changed after they reached Pittsburgh, by order of William Henry Harrison. The order was as follows :
Gentlemen: You will proceed with your companies to this place immediately and remain here until you receive further orders.
To Captains Alexander and Butler, Pittsburgh, Pa.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. Franklintown, Ohio.
Harrison's object in this military campaign was a twofold one. First, he wanted to oppose the British army, and second to protect the frontier from Indian incursions. The immediate purpose of this move was to war against the Indians.
Pentland, a minor officer of the Pittsburgh Blues, kept a journal of their marches southwestward. From it we learn that Alexander's company, with Butler's, encamped on the night of September 10 on Grant's Hill, now in Pittsburgh. Then they marched one mile, he says, and crossed the Ohio river, where they were compelled to wait for boats till September 23, when they got off down the Ohio. They passed Beaver on the 24th, Steubenville on the 25th, and reached Wheeling on the 26th. On October Ist they passed Marietta and Gallipolis. On Sunday, October II, Alexander's boat struck a snag and was abandoned. The companies finally landed at Cincinnati, on October 14, and camped two miles below. From there they marched through the country by Lebanon, Xenia, Yellow Springs and Springfield, and finally joined the Northwestern army at Franklintown, as directed by General Harrison.
Their first attack was directed against the Indian town on Mississinewa river, about fifteen miles above its junction with the Wabash. On the 18th of November they fought the battle of Mississinewa, and completely destroyed the town, but not many of the Indians were killed. From there Harrison ordered Alexander's company against several smaller towns among the Indians and they were promptly destroyed. Afterwards they marched to the Upper Sandusky and were joined to the command of Colonel Camp- bell.
In this connection we must not forget Rev. William Swan's letter to the soldiers in Alexander's command. It is unique, but doubtless expressed the feeling of that day. Rev. Swan was pastor of the Long Run Church at that time, and wrote as follows :
"Please inform the unmarried gentlemen of the company that the wives of those who are married are not alone pleased with and proud of the patriotic conduct of their hus-
246
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
bands. The young ladies so admire the manly fortitude and patriotic spirit which they have manifested that some of them have expressed a determination to wait for husbands until they return; and that they would prefer the brave soldier for a husband, even though he should have but one eye and one arm."
The journey connected with the battle of Mississiniwa was an extremely severe one. On leaving the camp at Franklintown, Ohio, General Harrison addressed the troops in a most patriotic vein, and foretold great things of them, for he said he considered them the flower of the army. It was very cold weather. The troops were warned that it was a hard march and withal a perilous venture, and were told that if any felt timid about it they should remain at camp. They crossed the partly frozen Miami river with great difficulty. At New Lexington they received the last supply of forage. Each man was furnished with one bushel of corn to be carried on his horse. There were about six hundred troops in the party, and great care was taken to instill in them a spirit of caution, for they were to penetrate a wilder- ness infested with Indians and were guided only by spies. In the same locality the army of the "brave but unfortunate St. Clair" had been cut to pieces by the same treacherous enemy who, in addition, were now aided by the British. The weather grew colder, and most of the streams and swamps were crossed on the ice. The snow was about six inches deep. On the night before the battle, December 17, they marched all night, and in the morning attacked the Indian town of Mississiniwa. Without great difficulty they drove the Indians away and destroyed their houses. After the troops under Major Alexander had returned from destroying the towns down the river, they all encamped in the snow without shelter, and the night was bitter cold. The officers feared an attack, and were determined that they would not be surprised by the enemy. But little rest was gained by anyone, for half the forces were on guard duty all night. At three o'clock there was an alarm, and all were ready, but it proved to be false. Shortly before daylight the real attack came. It was a heavy volley from the Indians, and was accompanied as usual with terrific yells. Captain Hopkins' troops were closely pressed, and were promptly relieved by the Pittsburgh Blues under the gallant Colonel Butler. Captain Markle's company came in, and all united in a charge against the Indians and drove them away. It was then about daybreak, and they returned to find the wounded and dying lying in the snow and almost overcome with cold. There were about forty- four killed and wounded, and another attack with reinforcements was mo- mentarily expected.
The situation was appalling. They were ninety-six miles from the set- tlement, and the increased cold had greatly reduced their rations. They proceeded at once to bury their dead soldiers in the frozen ground. Litters were made for the twenty-seven wounded, and they started for headquarters on the 18th. They fortified their camp at night with logs and brush, and
247
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
kept fires burning to keep the troops from freezing. They straggled into Dayton December 24, and were given a royal welcome. They had left the town in high glee two weeks before. They had greatly weakened the enemy yet it had been at a fearful cost.
The muster roll of the company was as follows:
John B. Alexander, captain ; Christian Drum, lieutenant ; Peter Drum, ensign; Richard Hardin, Ist sergeant; John Jameson, 2nd sergeant ; Peter Fleeger, 3rd sergeant; Henry Hawkins, 4th sergeant; Adam Kettering, corporal; William Richards, corporal; Jacob Gossert, drummer. Privates-Samuel Singer, Leonard Miller, Henry Miller, Daniel Miller, Jacob Sickafoos, George Sickafoos, George Myers, Adam Williams, Henry Barton, Robert Thompson, Isaac Keck, John Wingart, Jacob Rupert, Frederick Stewart, Jonas Keel, Abraham Weaver, Samuel McLean, William Cassiday, James Thompson, John Rice, Edward Shelletto, John Collins, Jonas Kneemier, James Taylor, Jacob Wingart, Solomon Dehaven, George Sheeffer, Benj. Jameson, William Kernes, William Singer, John Mit- chell, Daniel Rugh, John Shuey, Peter Walter, William Vandyke.
There was another company, a cavalry organization, sent out from West- moreland. It was raised by Captain Joseph Markle, the ancestor of the Markle family at West Newton. This company was raised largely in Sewickley township. They left Greensburg for Pittsburgh on September 29, 1812, and from there went to Urbana, Ohio. Everywhere in the old writings Cap- tain Markle's company of cavalry is highly spoken of for its good behavior, both in camp and when in action, and also on account of its fine appearance. It is moreover on record that General Harrison regarded it as the finest company of troops in the volunteer service of the Northwestern army. They are mentioned many times as participating in engagements under Major Ball, and are always spoken of in the highest terms.
On December 18 they were, attacked by several hundred Indians, who had collected from the surrounding territory. As usual they had concealed themselves in the forest near by the camp. But the cavalry company made a charge on them, and they were soon driven from their concealed positions. In this engagement Lieutenant Daniel Martz, of the Markle cavalry, was killed. The cavalry troops and Lieutenant Waltz both received the highest praise for bravery in this action.
The American army had troops at Fort Wayne, and the object of the expedition was to drive the Indians away from that section so that they could not interfere with a free passage from the settlement to the troops. The purpose was to break up parties and drive them to Michigan so that they could not unite and surprise the troops at Fort Wayne or elsewhere. For this reason our Westmoreland troops had been sent away from the main army, and when the work was to a great extent accomplished they returned to the army. It was a very severe though brief campaign, for they suffered from cold, from hunger and from hard marching. Nearly two hundred of them had their feet frozen. The loss to the Indians was very great in men, houses and property, and they suffered still more from hunger
248
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
and cold. It has been called one of the ablest managed campaigns of the war.
On January 9, 1813, Captain Alexander was put in command of the battalion composed of his own, Butler's and McRae's companies, and he was commissioned a major of infantry by President Madison.
The muster-roll of the cavalry company raised and commanded by Cap- tain Joseph Markle, and which did splendid service, is as follows :
Joseph Markle, captain ; Humphrey Fullerton, Ist lieutenant; Jacob Markle, 2nd lieutenant : William Thompson, cornet ; Jno. C. Plumer, sergeant ; Samuel H. Daily, ser- geant : Samuel Davis, sergeant ; Samuel Miller, sergeant ; Robert Skelly, -corporal ; Henry Breneman, corporal ; James Ryan, corporal; Robert M. Griffin, corporal; James Smith, sadler ; George Frigs, farrier ; James Alexander, trumpeter. Privates-John Becket, John Bennett, James Brickenridge, Robert Cooper, Joseph Chambers, John Conner, Jno. C. Carpenter, Edward Cook, Daniel Flemming, Samuel Hamilton, . Jacob Hessaul, Stephen Lowry, William Logue, William McClurg, Jonathan Mcclintock, John McClain, Nathan Magrew, William Miller, John McCommont, Isaac McCommont, Stephen Rowan, Johnathan Robeson, John Redick, James Selby, Samuel Selby, Samuel Stofiet, Joseph Byerly, James McBride, David Hall, Samuel Rodger, John Gilbert, William Newsum, Thomas Brandt, William Mitchell, Robert Thompson.
Early in the year 1813 General Harrison determined to recapture the territory in Michigan which had been held by the English since General Hull's strange surrender. To do this he had to extend his line of forts. In furtherance of this scheme Fort Meigs was erected on the Maumee river, near where General Wayne had defeated the Indians in 1794. This fort was left in command of General Leftwich, with his own Virginia troops and two hundred and fifty Pennsylvanians. Shortly after this the enemy began to assemble in the region of Fort Meigs, which was situated on rising ground and surrounded by timbered prairies. When the enemy began to appear General Leftwich and his Virginia troops left the fort, most likely because their time of enlistment had expired. There was as yet no con- centrated army to prevent their going. The Pennsylvania troops, though their term of enlistment had also expired, determined to remain and defend it. When General Harrison learned of these movements he hastened for- ward with relief forces, and these raised the strength of the fort to about twelve hundred. They all worked night and day to strengthen the fort. On April 28 the British army appeared in a concentrated force. Orders were sent to General Green Clay, who was bringing on fifteen hundred Kentucky volunteers, to hasten his journey to Fort Meigs. The British and their Indian allies began at once to entrench themselves, and the American army under General Harrison were not idle by any means. On May 3rd the armies began to storm each other with cannon, but with little effect on either side. On May 4 the British were reinforced, and General Harrison learned to his great joy that General Clay was approaching, coming down the river in open boats with his 1500 troops, which he hoped to land in front of Fort Meigs about four o'clock in the morning of May 5th. Harrison was not
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.