History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 30

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 30

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).

Digitized by

Google

120

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

they came to the grave of the warrior, which the pet bad discovered by the withered bushes. For wben Brady had left, the companions of the shot Indian picking the body up, carried it to some distance, and Jaying it in a shallow grave, had neatly replaced sode and grasses upon it, and in the fresh earth stuck green boughs. They did this to hide the grave, but it led to its discovery ; for the branches and leaves bad withered, and it was this which, showing in the little glade, caught the sight of the tame Indian. Remor- ing the shallow earth, they found the dead brave lying with his arms and trinkets ready, to as limited an ex- tent as their commissary department would admit, to lift the hair-lock and slap the bloody scalp of the dar- ling babe over the face of the weeping pale-faced mother in the eternal dreams of the ghostly spirit land. But his arms and ammunition and the foolish trinkets were taken from him, the twenty-four hours' buried skull was scalped for the trophy, as the boy nails the tails of muskrate to a post to keep count, and the body was again covered with its kindred earth.

Another incident connected with this expedition appears to be worthy of remembrance, being recorded as it was by one who had it, as well as the account of most of the other sallies of this Indian knight errant, from those who had the best opportunities of know- ing. This came from the mouth of Capt. Brady him- self.

After taking the squaws and commencing their homeward march, he took advantage of every pre- caution to elude pursuit, keeping, for instance, upon the dryest ridges, and walking over logs and rocks wherever he could. However, he discovered that he was followed, for at several times he saw in the dis- tance an Indian hopping from one tree to another, and then disappearing. He concluded that he could not be followed thus by the sagacity of the Indians alone, but that they were led by a dog which tracked him and his party. He told his men then to go on while he secreted himself among the roots of a chest- nut-tree which had fallen down, after walking on the bole of the tree towards the east. He was not long there when a little slut came up to the log at the farther end; she mounted the log, and came toward him, snuffing the track. Not far behind came an In- dian. There was a choice now to shoot either the dog or the warrior. Brady chose to shoot the first. He shot the slut and she rolled over dead, and the warrior with a loud whoop sprang into the woods. The party was molested no further by these.

Col. Brodhead had given up the expectation of seeing Capt. Brady again ; for, in the first place, the distance was much farther to the towns than it was marked on the chart and currently reported, and of course more time was required in accomplishing the result; and, in the next place, the Chickasaws, who had on going out deserted him, coming back to Pittsburgh, reported that the party had been cut off by Indians before they got to Sandusky. Brady,

bowerer, in time came in, and going up the river be was received with military honors. Minute-guns were fred from the time he came in sight till be landed.

Not long after Brady had returned from his Ban- dusky expedition and made his report, he was observed one evening sitting alone near the barracks in a kind of reverie. He was given to such spelle, and would sit brooding for hours together. His temperament either partook of a melancholy tara, or eles the great sufferings of unknown and unexpressed passione or griefs slumbered within him. There was at this time about the garrison a Dutchman by the name of Phouts, who was a great Indian-fighter, very brave, something of a backwoodsman, and who looked upon a redskin much as an inhabitant of the Chestnut Ridge would look upon a copperhead. His disposition otherwise partook of kindness, and being credulous be wes also sympathetic. Phouts had a great regard for the cap- tain, and noticing bim in his dejection, his good heart was grieved at the signs of thought and care plainly visible in bis countenance. Approaching him, in the best English of which be was master, he soothingly asked the "gabtan" what ailed him. Brady looked at Phouts for a short time without speaking ; be then appeared to be at himself, and said he had been thinking about the redskins, and in his opinion there were some of them above on the river; that he had a mind to visit them, and in the end asked Phouts whether, if he should get the permission of the com- mandant, he would go along. This was what Phouts above everything else desired, and when Brady was done speaking, be raised himself upon his tip-toes, and bringing his heels down to the ground together, said, "by dunder and lightnin'," he would rather go with the captain than to the finest wedding. in the country. Brady told him to keep quiet about it, not to tell anybody, that none must know of it but the colonel, and that he should call at his tent in an hour. The captain then went to the colonel's head- quarters, and disclosed to him his project. It met with the approbation of the commandant, and as any information from the troublesome part of the country about the Allegheny was always acceptable, the cap- tain had his permission to control the actions of the man or men whom he should take along. When Brady came back to his tent he found his friend there talking with a pet Indian. He told him of his suc- cess, and said that as it was early in the moon, and they must take advantage of the nights before they should grow brighter, they would start betimes early the next morning.

They immediately went to work to clean their guns, and having prepared ammunition and secured a little salt in a bag, they lay down tosleep. Brady awoke first, and stirring Phouts they started from the town. This was about two hours before daybreak. They were soon in a wood never traveled by either of them before. They kept along the river till near night, when they came to a creek which flowed in on the Pittsburgh side.

Digitized by Google

121

CAPTAIN BRADY AND HIS EXPLOITS.

had no provisions along, and concluded first to omething and to remain for the night. Phouts a fire; and after covering it with leaves, they ed up the creek, for game. Not far up they came lick. "Two deer came in soon after, and Phouts ting one of them, they skinned part of it, and it back to camp, and during the night jerked of the rest of it for future use. What remained the skin on they hung in the branches of a tree, ding to take it on their way home should they afely back.

e next morning they started early and traveled lay. In the evening they espied a flock of crows ring above the tree-tops along the river-bank at stance. Brady said there were either Indians it, or else there was a camp near of some com- es which were expected at Pittsburgh from t the Susquehanna. Phouts wanted to go and for themselves, but Brady said that they would till night set in, when fires would be made by party, whoever they were. They then hid ng fallen timber and remained till about ten ck at night. Seeing no fire, Brady concluded a hill or thick wood intervened between them. y decided to go and ascertain the facts. They cautiously toward the river-bank, and had gone more than two hundred yards when they ob- ed, on their right, a twinkling fire. At first they ght that the river there made a short bend, but proceeding they found another stream, which ed into the river, no doubt the Kiskiminetas. ly now wanted to go himself, but Phouts wished o along. With great care they approached the together. They judged from appearance that it an Indian camp, and much too large for them to ck ; but, determined to find out all, they ap- ched very near to the fire, and in the low glim- of the light saw an old Indian sitting beside a either mending or making a pair of moccasins. uts, who never thought of danger or of conse- ces, was for shooting the Indian, but Brady pre- ed him. After a careful examination the captain luded that although the camp had been made by ge body, yet that most of them were away. In morning they would know more, and taking the chman he retired into the woods to await the day. en daylight appeared they returned to the camp, saw nothing but the old Indian, a dog, and a horse. rady was not satisfied yet, and so he kept at a ance from the camp, circled round, and got on the of the river above it. Here he found the trail large body of Indians, who had gone up the Al- eny, to his judgment, about two days before. then concluded on going back and capturing the an there. He determined to seize the old man e, fearing that either he might shoot if disturbed, hat if he should himself fire, the report of the would alarm any Indians in the neighborhood bring them down upon them. This he told to

his companion, and they again cautiously approached the place. When they came near enough to perceive, the Indian was lying on his back with his head to- wards them. Phouts was ordered to remain where he was, and not to fire unless the dog made an effort to assist his master; the rest was left to Brady. The plan arranged, Brady dropped his rifle, and taking his tomahawk in his hand crept along the ground to- wards the Indian. He wormed himself along snake- like till he was within a step or two, when he raised himself up; with a yell he made a spring, and had the old man fast by the throat. The struggling of the Indian did not avail ; Brady had his tomahawk over his head; the dog behaved civilly towards the strangers ; Phouts came up and they tied the prisoner. They found nothing of value in the camp but some powder and lead, which they threw into the river. When the Indian was told that they intended to take him with them to Pittsburgh he showed them where there was a canoe. They got it, and taking the dog and captive along, floated down the river.

They stopped at their camping-place coming up, for Brady had left his wiping-rod there. They made a fire and went to sleep. At daylight the captain started for where they had left their jerk to have some to eat, leaving Phouts in charge of the prisoner and canoe. These were not long together till the Indian complained to the Dutchman that the cords on his wrist hurt him. The Dutchman with kindness took off the cords, and the Indian appeared to be grateful. Phouts had left his gun standing against a tree, and soon after was busy doing something about the camp. The Indian, seeing his chance when Phouts was not looking, sprang for the gun and had it cocked in an instant. When the Dutchman looked around he saw the muzzle of the gun at his breast. He, in turn, sprang for the Indian with a Dutch whoop. The Indian fired, and the bullet took along with it part of the belt of his loving comrade's shot- pouch. The Dutchman, with one stroke of his toma- hawk, almost severed the head from the body.

Brady, hearing the report of the rifle and the yell of Phouts, ran back to the camp, and found the Dutch- man sitting upon the body of the dead Indian exam- ining the mutilated shot-pough. Brady, with surprise, asked him what he had been doing, when the Dutch- man held up his belt with the hole in it and said, "Yust look, gabtan, vat dat dam black dog vas apout." He related to Brady what had occurred, and they then taking the scalp of the Indian and his dog, and getting into the canoe, pointed the beak of it down the stream, and arrived at Pittsburgh the fourth day after they had left.

Brodhead had been no long time in command till he saw that the only effective way of fighting the Indians was in organizing large bodies, which either penetrated the wilderness for them, pursued them into their haunts or directed the force of their attacks at places off from the settlements. In the expedition

Digitized by

Google

122

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

under the immediate command of Brodhead him- self which about this time went up the river, Capt. Brady had command of the advance-guard, which was left entirely to his management. This force pro- ceeded up the Allegheny, and first arrived at the flat land near the mouth of Redbank Creek without see- ing an enemy. This place is now known as Brady's Bend. Brady kept his men at all times some distance in front of the main body of soldiers, acting, as they professed, as pioneers or scouts ; and be had under his immediate control the men identified with bim,. all Indian hunters and scouts, called rangers, and from being their leader, Brady has been called the captain of the rangers. These being in front, at some dis- tance discovered a war party of Indians approaching. Brady here displayed some knowledge of tactics. Having reliance in the power of the main body of the army to beat the Indians back when they should come together, and also anticipating that the Indians would return on the same route upon which they came up, he therefore hastened to secure a narrow pass higher up the river, where the perpendicular rocks nearly approached the water, and where a few determined men, such as his, might hold their place against a large force.

The Indians in a short time encountered the main body under Brodhead, and were driven back. They in swift retreat ran pell-mell to gain the pass between the rocks and the river, through which they had come. The pass was occupied by Brady, and when the flying warriors came up they were received with a destruc- tive fire. They were again broken, and were now forced to take to the river. Many were killed on the bank, and many more in the stream. Some got out of the reach of the bullets by swimming, among whom was Cornplanter,1 then but a young man.

A ludicrous incident occurred. After the Indians were across the river, Brady was standing on the bank wiping out his rifle. An Indian on the opposite side began a conversation with him, in the course of which he called him and his men, in bad English, cowards, squaws, and pappooses, and put his body in such postures and attitudes and made such grimaces as to his notion conveyed the most contempt. When the main body of soldiers came up a canoe was manned, and Brady with a few others crossed to where the Indian had been seen. Finding blood on the ground, they followed it up but a short distance, when the Indian, lying in their way, jumped up. As he did so he struck his breast, saying, " I am a man." He was a wounded warrior, and, to be supposed, wanted to die game. Brady wanted to take him pris- oner without harming him. But the Indian continu- ing to repeat, "I am a man," an Irishman who was along in the party, saying, "Yes, by the howley poker, you're a purthy hoy," sunk his tomahawk into the Indian's head before Brady could interpose.

1 We believe the correct name of this chief wus Cornplant, but we follow the usage.

In this campaign Brady partially avenged the death of his relatives, for along the West Branch of the Susquehanna, the home of the Bradys, James, the younger brother of Samuel, had gone with others to the help of a neighbor. They were here attacked by Indians, and the young captain, bis brother, baving been scalped was left for dead. As he was thus lying, a young boy-warrior in training, at the command of the older ones, struck him four times in the head with a hatchet, each stroke leaving a deep gash. With all this the young scout was taken by a party to the fort. Four days he lay delirious; on the fifth his reason re- turned, and before he died he described minutely the whole affair. From his description of the chiefs it was concluded that the leaders of the party were the Bald Eagle surely, and likely Coroplanter. The Bald Eagle's Nest, as his camp was called, was for a part of the year at the mouth of Bald Eagle Creek,' which empties into the Susquehanna near Great Island. Vengeance was sworn by the sorrowing settlement against this chief. But the gratification of destroying this curse of the whites was left to Brady himself. On that day, at Brady's Bend, the party of Indians which Brady allowed to go into the trap was a body, perhaps a hundred, of Senecas on their way to join others at the Bald Eagle's Nest. Cornplanter was in command, and the Eagle himself was along. Brady thought he recognized him that day in the pase, and so he fired at him, but with what effect he did not know. He had a singular curiosity to see the face of every Indian he killed, and what he looked for no one could tell. When the battle was over he searched for the body and found it. The ball had done its work surely ; the Bald Eagle was dead, killed by the man whose province it appeared to be to do so. The place of the battle bids fair to be known for many coming years by the naine of the avenger.

Brodhead was one of the best Indian-fighters stationed at the post at Pittsburgh, and his vigilance kept the Indians for a time in a state of forced submis- sion or quietness. The effectiveness of the measures was owing to the employment of the good frontiersmen whom he had constantly about him. Good spies and scouts were kept watching and making report, and be- tween regular campaigns this kind of fighting and harassing was of as great benefit to the frontiers as regularly won battles. Capt. Brady with some of his men had at one time the French Creek country as his field of operations. It was while on duty here that in a foray he came into the region about the Slippery Rock Creek, a branch of the Beaver. To here he had come without seeing an Indian or any sign of one. On the evening, however, he came upon a trail, and this he followed till it was too dark to go farther without coming upon the Indians. But early the next morn- ing he pursued and overtook them while they were

" The ridge iu Centre and Huntingdon Counties is called by this name also.

Digitized by Google

123

CAPTAIN BRADY AND HIS EXPLOITS.

ut their morning meal. While he was following with so much energy the party before him, there a party of hostile Indians following him with a re as eager. He had, in the first dawn, made his ingements, fixed his men, and just as they fired n the party of Indians eating around their fires, at the same moment was fired upon by the party the rear. The alarm brought them all to their . He and his men were now between two fires, were far outnumbered. Two of his party fell, tomahawk was shot from his side, and the battle given by the party in the rear was loudly re- nded to by those in front. There was, therefore, ime to contemplate, there could be no hesitation, in their present predicament there was no chance a successful defense. The rangers had to run for ir lives; each ran for himself, and the Indians e in close pursuit.

he captain in person was perhaps well known to e of the Indians. He made for the creek. See- him going in that direction they felt sure of tak- him captive, for they knew the country and he not. They thought and believed he was going a trap from which there was no escape. The k for a considerable distance above and below the at to which he was approaching was washed in channel to a great depth. In the expectation of ching him there no attention was paid to the other ts, who escaped safely. Throwing away their s that they might keep near the swift runner, and wing their hatchets and knives as they ran, the k pressed forward with eagerness, ready to over- er and seize him. Brady comprehended their ect, and saw at a glance his only chance of escape. Indians were not to take him alive, that was his d; and for coolness and determination he was I-nigh stoical. He kept his rifle in his hand. He the deep waters and the wide gap between the ks. He measured it with his eye, and concentra- ; his energy and strength in one effort he sprang the air, cleared the creek, and stood 'on the op- ite bank. Then he quickly primed and loaded his , and was not done when a large Indian, the fore- st in pursuit, came to the bluff opposite, who, en he saw Brady, was astonished beyond expression, he would not have said admiringly, as Brady rred he did in tolerably good English, "Blady de good jump." He did not, however, stay to r congratulation, or to contemplate the feat of lity, and recovering from the sensation of admira- by seeing the rifle almost loaded, he took to his Is, and ran as crooked as a worm fence, sometimes ping high, at others suddenly squatting down. expected every instant a rifle-ball in his back. dy and his men had a place designated at which y were to meet in case they got separated. When dy got there he found the other three. They rched back to Pittsburgh, as they said, half de- ed. Of the Indians, they had seen three fall at

their first fire. Brady was at the place afterward, and ascertained that his leap was about twenty-three feet, and that the water was about twenty feet deep. This is the place which in geographies and in adventures is still called Brady's Leap.1

It would appear that there were some jealous bickerings among the emulous officers about Pitts- burgh on account of the notoriety which Capt. Brady, from numerous acts, was getting. These complained that they were excluded from such honorable service, and an effort was made with Brodhead to allow them to follow up the Indians after one of their next in- cursions after a plan more consonant with the regu- lar line of service. The commandant made this known to Brady, with whom he was ever on intimate terms. Brady, knowing his own efficiency and the efficiency of his mode of warfare, acquiesced in the proposed change, we may imagine with something of complacency. The opportunity for testing both plans was soon offered.

The Indians soon after made one of their accus- tomed incursions into the Sewickley settlement, com- mitting the most barbarous murders of men, women, and children, and destroying such property wherever they went as they could not carry away. The alarm was brought to Pittsburgh, and a party of soldiers under the officers emulous for a chance was sent out to follow the invaders. Brady was left out. But he must fight somehow, and the day after the detach- ment had marched he got permission of the colonel to take a small party " on their own hook." At first the solicitation was refused, and it was only after much persevering that the final consent was obtained. He was allowed the command of five men, and to this party he added his pet Indian.

He did not move towards Sewickley, as the detach- ment had done, but crossing the Allegheny at Pitts- burgh, he proceeded up the river. He conjectured that the Indians making the incursion had descended the stream in canoes till they were within a conven- ient distance to strike the settlement, and with this view he carefully examined the mouths of the creeks coming into the river, and particularly from the south- east. At the mouth of Big Mahoning, about six miles above Kittanning, the canoes were seen drawn up on the western bank. This was enough, and he returned down the river and awaited for the night. When it was dark he made a raft, and crossed to the Kittan- ning side. He proceeded up the creek, and found that the Indians in the mean time had crossed the creek, as their canoes were seen drawn up on the op- posite or upper bank. The country about the mouth of the Mahoning on all sides is rough and mountain- ous. The stream was then high and rapid. Several attempts were made to wade it, and this was at length done three or four miles above the canoes. They made a fire to dry their clothing, and inspected their

1 Rock is in Butler County.

Digitized by

Google

124

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

arms. They then moved for the camp of the Indians, which was made on the second bank of the stream. Brady placed his men on the lower bank. The In. dians having brought a fine horse from Sewickley, he tras fettered and turned to pasture on this lower bank ; and an Indian coming frequently down to him oc- casioned the party there much annoying trouble. It seemed that the horse, too, wanted to keep their com- pany, and they had to be circumspect in avoiding each. Brady was so provoked that he had a mind to tomahawk the Indian, but reflecting on the possible consequence, his judgment prevailed over his temper.

At length the Indians seemed to be quiet, and Brady determined to pay them a closer visit. He and his pet Indian by his side wormed themselves along the ground till they got quite close to their fires. They were lying asleep. The pet here gave his hair a pluck, which was a sign to retire, for they did not dare to speak to each other. The captain was regard- less of danger in his curiosity, but the Indian retired. Having closely inspected the situation, Brady re- turned, and after posting his men, awaited in silence the approach of day. When the day broke the Indians arose and stood round their fires. At a signal given seven rifles cracked and five Indians fell dead. Brady's war-cry next broke on the air, and his party were among the wounded and dying. The guns of the In- dians being empty, some were secured without re- sistance. The rest of the Indians fled and disappeared in the wood. One was followed by the track of blood, the flow of which, at some distance, he seemed to have stanched. The pet Indian imitating the cry of a young wolf was answered by the wounded man, and the pur- suit was renewed. The wolf cry was given a second time and answered, and the pursuit continued into a windfall. Here he must have espied his pursuers, for he was answered no more. Brady found his remains three weeks after, being led to the place by ravens preying on the carcass.

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.

History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 30

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: