USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 37
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In the month of January, from the 15th to the 22d, 1756, there was another Indian treaty of amity held in Carlisle .- See Appendix, L.
Mr. Burd write Geo. Morris. Carlisle, April 19, 1756.
Sir : I arrived here on Friday evening and began immediately to recruit ; but found few volunteers ; all that I have been able to enlist, are four men for twelve months, and although I told the commissioners again and again, candidly, that there would be a good deal of difficulty in filling up the company, with advance money, yet they were of opin- ion that there would be men enough got without running the risque of advancing ; but I must beg leave to inform your Honor that the Com- missioners are deceived in this, as they will be in the dependences they may have or assistance from the country, from people who are not in their pay.
On Saturday afternoon, Capt. Mercer arrived here, and is recruit- ing for the company at Fort Shirley, and as he was a stranger in town, I have procured him thirty pounds from Mr. Francis West, upon my obligation, and for which Cap. Mercer gives Mr. West a draught upon the commissioners-this I thought myself under obligation to do for the good of the service, which is an interest I shall always have at heart. I intended to have marched this morning for Fort Granville ; but the creeks are so high that the carriers cannot attempt to get their horses and loads over ; but hope to be able to go to-morrow morning. I shall return here with Mr. Salter towards the latter end of this week or the beginning of the week following, in order to recruit my com- pany.
I am informed that they are entirely out of all manner cf provisions at Fort Granville, which is a very bad situation, as the enemy are con- stantly visiting them ; they have wounded two men within sight of the Fort, and one of the men's life is despaired of-they would have car- ried off one of them had not Lieut. Ward rushed out of the Fort and rescued him. Mr. Ward sent a detachment under the command of George Clark after the enemy ; but could not come up with them.
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I could wish we had a surgeon and medicines-we shall loose one half of our nien with perhaps slight wounds, purely for want of assis- tance. I am glad that I have not disagreeable news of late incursions by the enemy to sting your Honor's ears with ; but I am convinced that unless these garrisons are re-inforced to one hundred and fifty men each, and sufficient stores of ammunition and provisions, that this part of our province will be forced.
Commissary Young writes : Carlisle, July 22, 1756.
Sir : By the Winchester Post we have advice that the 20th instant in the morning a party of Indians surprised two of Capt. Steel's men as they were guarding some reapers four miles on this side McDow- ell's mill ; they killed and scalped one, the other they carried off ; the reapers made their escape ; also that one of the soldiers from Max- well's mill that went with two women to the spring for some water, is missing ; the women got in safe to the fort, and almost at the same time a man and a woman were scalped a few miles on the other side the mill; and, yesterday morning eight Indians came to the house of Jacob Peebles, near the Great Spring and McClure's Gap, about ten miles from this place, on this side the mountain, they killed an old wo- man and carried off two children ; and an old man is missing; they pursued a boy who was on horse back a long way; but he escaped. There were some people reaping a small distance from the house but knew nothing of what was doing at home ; for the Indians did not fire a gun, they carried off all the clothes and bedding that was in the house ; a party went from this town to bury the dead and are returned again ; they informed me that the country people are leaving their houses to come down as there is great reasons to fear many more Indians will soon be among them.
The money which the Commissioners were to send, is not yet come, nor is Col. Armstrong ; and I am now at a loss what to do when it does come, as no doubt there are several parties of Indians within our Forts, and we have only a small party of men in each Fort, the others being all scattered in small parties, at a considerable distance from each other, to protect the country people at harvest, so it will be im- possible to collect the men together to muster them without greatly distressing the country people and disappoint them of reaping their grain ; for they will all leave it if the men are taken from them ; nei- ther can I be supplied with proper escorts from the forts without leav- ing them empty ; I shall therefore be glad to have your Honor's further orders, whether I shall proceed in the best manner I can, or when the money comes to leave it in the charge of Col. Armstrong, or Mr. John Smith, with orders to pay the several Captains, or any of their officers as an opportunity may offer, any sum that will not exceed the pay for their respective compan es to the Ist of July, about £250 per each company, more or less according to their accounts stands which I have with me, and I may muster the men and settle their accounts the next time I come up when harvest will be over.
Capt. Potter was here yesterday; I paid him £100 of the money I had left from Colonel Clapham's regiment (see p. 321) in case I should not get up to him. Lieutenant Callender came last night with 20 of his men : he left eleven in Shearman's valley to protect the reapers ; he, with Capt. Aamstrong and 40 men, have been on a scout as far as
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Shamokin ; from thence they went 50 miles due west, and then down to Patterson's fort, but saw no enemy. He informs me that last Mon- day two Indian Squaws that were at Fort Shirely went off with one of our men, a fellow that has formerly been an Indian trader ; the Squaws are the daughters of the Indian Half King who was killed last winter. I fear that fellow may be of bad consequences to us, as he knows our situation well.
I have endeavored to put this large Fort in the best posture of de- fence I can, but am sorry to say the people of this town cannot be pre- vailed on to do any thing for their own safety. I proposed to them to associate and to place a picket guard at a small distance from the Fort to prevent being surprized ; but to no purpose ; they say they will guard when there is danger! though the enemy is now committing murder but ten miles from them ! They seemed to be lulled into fatal security ! A strange infatuation which seems to prevail throughout this Province."
Carlisle, July 23d, 1756.
Col. Armstrong wrote Gov. Morris :
Honored Sir-Being but just got home, I am unable to furnish your Honor with the occurences of these two days past, in which time the Indians have began to take advantage of the harvest season. Seven people on this side the Kittatinney Hills, being killed and missing with- in this county, and two on the South side of the Temporary line. The enemy have not yet attacked any of the people over the Hills, but pass- ed them by ; probably on account of finding them better guarded and disposed of.
As soon as Capt. Young concludes whether to cross the Hills or not, I shall visit the out guards, and endeavor to keep the people in larger companies. Wheat harvest is more than half done.
I shall send to Harris's for the saddles and clams, and in my next, write the Commissioners of the powder last sent here ; the advantage and necessity of strengthening the new arms &c. The Indians are not in large parties, but distributed in different places of the frontier."
August 20, 1756, Col. Armstrong writes-"Lyttleton, Shippensburg, and Carlisle (the two last not finished) are the only forts, now built, that will, in my opinion, be serviceable to the public.
The duties of the harvest have not permitted me to finish Carlisle Fort with the soldiers ; it should be done, otherwise the soldiers can- not be so well governed, and may be absent, or without the gates, at a time of the greatest necessity.
He adds-" To-morrow I shall set out for Shearman's valley, for Fort Shirley "-He alludes to his expedition to Kittanning where he routed the Indians most signally.
The corporation of Philadelphia, on the occasion of this victory, to show their esteem for this valiant and brave sol- dier, presented him a piece of plate or medal. So well mer- ited complement is entitled to be noticed somewhat in detail. The following extracts are from the minutes of the Common Council of the city of Philadelphia.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
October 5, 1756-It being proposed that this Board should give some public testimony of their regard and esteem for Col. John Armstrong and the other officers concerned in the late expedition against the Indians at Kittanning, and the courage and conduct shown by them on that occasion, and also contribute to the relief of the widows and children of those who lost their lives in that expedition. Resolved, that this board will give the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds out of their stock in the Treasurer's hands, to be paid out in pieces of plate, swords, or other things suitable for pres- ents to the said officers and towards the relief of the said Widows and Children.
The following is a description of the medal sent to Col. Armstrong.
Occasion. In honor of the late General Armstrong of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, for destroying Kittaning Indian towns.
Device. An officer followed by two soldiers: the officer pointing to a soldier shooting from behind a tree, and an In- dian prostrate before him. In the back ground, Indian houses are seen in flames.
Legend. Kittaning destroyed by Colonel Armstrong, Sep- tember, 1756.
Reverse. Device-The arms of the corporation of Phila- delphia. These consisted of four devices : on the right hand a ship under full sail : on the left, a pair of scales, equally balanced in the right, above the ship, a wheat sheaf: in the left, two hands locked.
Legend. The gift of the corporation of the city of Phila- delphia.
'The following correspondence (taken from Pa. Gazette of Feb. 17, 1757,) passed between the corporation and Colonel Armstrong.
To Colonel John Armstrong.
Sir : The corporation of the city of Philadelphia greatly approve of your conduct and public spirit in the late expedition against the town of Kittanning, and are highly pleased with the signal proofs of courage and personl bravery given by you, and the officers under your com- mands, in demolishing of that place. I am therefore ordered to return you and them the thanks of the board for the eminent service you have thereby done your country. I am also ordered by the corporation to present you, out of their small public stock, with a piece of plate and silver medal, and each of your officers with a medal and a small sum
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of money to be disposed of in the manner most agreeable to them ; which the board desire you will accept as a testimony of the regard they have for your merit.
Signed by order,
ATTWOOD SHUTE, MAYOR.
January 5, 1757.
To the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council of the Cor- poration of the city of Philadelphia.
Gentlemen-Your favor of the 5th instant, together with the medals and other genteel presents made to the officers of my batallion by the Corporation of the city of Philadelphia, I had the pleasure to receive by Capt. George Armstrong.
The officers employed in the Kittanning expedition, have been made acquainted with the distinguished honor you have done them, and de- sire to join with me in acknowledging it in the most public manner. The kind acceptance of our past services by the Corporation, gives us the lightest pleasure and furnishes a fresh motive for exerting oursel- ves on every future occasion for the benefit of his Majesty's service in general, and in defence of this province in particular. In behalf of the officers of my batallion,
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient and obliged humble servant,
JOHN ARMSTRONG.
Carlisle, January 24, 1757.
In May 1757, a number of Cherokee warriors was at Carlisle, who had come from the South, to aid the English against the French and their allied savages. Col. Armstrong wrote Governor Denny the following touching these Indians.
Carlisle, May 4, 1757.
Honored Sir: A listof what was thought most desired by the Cher- okee Indians, I sent down with their speeches to your Honor, and would beg leave to alledge that a considerable part of the present ought to be wampum, with some beads, and next to these an assortment of some silver trinkets, with three laced hats, as it is probable that three captains will be there-two or three coats with tinsel lace might be very well, but those I think will be more expedient at a future time, and nearer the approach of cold weather.
I have ordered my brother, who yesterday returned, to write your Honor the several sorts of goods given by the governor of Maryland, that yours may have a convenient variation. That province has given about £280 in value ; and, though I should be glad Pennsylvania would a little exceed it ; yet am fully ofopinion that a number of Indians will actually assist us this summer, and more of their nation come to these provinces, which will require future rewards, as from time to time prudence may direct.
Your Honor will no doubt, order a present for Mr. Paris, the inter- preter. I hear Governor Sharp's secretary, who delivered his speech and present, had orders to offer Paris a captaincy in pay of that pro-
34
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vince; and that he is inclined to accept of it, which I hope will be of use to this-I am sorry your Honor cannot either come, or send your Secretary to the Southern Indians ; for however necessary Mr. Croghan may be where he is acquainted, neither he nor the Indians, 'tis said, he brings with him can be so, in the present case, and the consequen- ces in my opinion are not very promising ; but farther is not becoming me to say.
Carlisle, June 2d, 1757.
May it please your Honor,
Your favor of the 21st of May was delivered me by Col. Stanwix who encamped here on the 30th ult-all well.
In regard to an excursion to the enemy's country, it will be expe- dient to know the minds of the Cherokees, after the receipt of their presents ; and it is necessary that some person be employed to promise them rewards for future service. Mr. Croghan says, he has not that power, which is very strange !- the other governments being so ex- plicit on that point.
To-morrow, Capt. Croghan sends an express to the Cherokees to come to meet him ; and, I believe, designs to augment the provincial present.
Col. Stanwix treats me with much civility. I do according to your Honor's orders, assist him in every thing I can-I shall obey his orders .-
Dear Sir.
Camp, near Carlisle, June 12, 1757.
A few days ago Col. Armstrong left this place, with fifty of the Pro- vincials for Fort Loudon, under which party the Indian presents were guarded ; and Mr. Croghan set out two days before him. Col. Arm- strong seemed inclined to meet the Southern tribe, and have some con- ferenoe with Capt. Paris, and to try if these people would join a scout towards Raystown ; to all which I consented, though really as to the Indian matters, you must know I can be but a stranger, and I find that all those employed as agents, very jealous of one another, and I can percieve Mr. Croghan so of Col. Armstrong ; and by the enclosed you will find Mr. Atkins so, of them all, as well as of the Province. The inclosed is a copy of one yesterday from Col. Armstrong which would not have been worth an express ; but as one is returning from Phila- delphia, I give you this trouble, which may be a satisfaction to you, asour accounts, till I got this letter, gave out that Lieut. Hollyday, with fifteen of his party, were all either killed by the Indians, or taken prisoners. Believe me &c. John Stanwix.
P. S. I send out scouting parties here, three or four times a week, but have yet met with no Indians-I find a few of the Provincials, joined with me on these occasions, very useful, as they are really good men, and know the country .- Prov. Rec. P. p. 309-'10.
Stanwix writes under date, Camp near Carlisle, June 13, 1757. Dear Sir.
I write this, and enclose these accounts, ready to send you, when an opportunity offers, which is always uncertain, as there is no post to Lancaster. Mr. Atkin's account is long ; and as I have no clerk, I send it as I recieved it, without keeping a copy, when you have read it, please to return it, as I may have further occasion to peruse it. I
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
send you a copy of Col. Armstrong's letter with his last account of the last skirmishes with, and surprise by the Indians &c."
He writes again, June 19.
By this express, I am to let you know that I only wait for wagons to march to Shippensburg, but when I shall be able to set out it is im- possible for me to say, as in two days notice I have yet been able to get but two wagons, and these my quartermaster stopped himself; how- ever, the magistrates give me to hope, I shall be supplied in a day or two. The reason of my moving is the hearing of intelligence from Captain Dagworthy, who commands at Fort Cumberland .- Prov. Rec. P. p. 312. See also pa. 133, ante.
Col. Armstrong, writes under date, Carlisle 30th June 1757.
Colonel Stanwix has begun and continues his entrenchment on the north east part of this town, and just adjoining it .- See pa. 133, ante.
Camp, near Carlisle, July 18, 1757.
Dear Sir,
Since my last letter there is nothing worth mentioning to you, except the inclosed letter and information from Fort Cumberland should prove so. I give it to you just as I have recieved it without any of my ob- servations.
What enemy Indians may remain about this border, I cannot say ; but do every thing in my power to make their situation uneasy to them. Two days ago, Capt. Munster and two officers of the five Companies and seventy men with one officer, and eight provincials (all the rest of these last being either upon harvest parties or small scouts) returned from a scout but without seeing any of the enemy. They were out three days marching between the creek and the North Mountain as far as the Susquehanna, they crossed over the North Mountain and returned through Sherman's valley, saw the track of some Indians : propose to make another good scout very soon. I have no doubts but skulking Indians may do mischief; but can do little harm if the peo- ple would do a small matter, defend themselves, and think upon these.
The Indians here are upon the move with their presents to Fort Lou- don, to join their Brethren, where a distribution will be made by the person deputed by Mr. Croghan ; but they are very much out of hu- mor at hearing of Col. Washington's putting some of their Brother prisoners at Winchester -- the cause is not directly known. I have been obliged to send Mr. Smith with a guide to Col. Washington to see how this affair stands, and he is to return and meet them at Fort Loudon. This they insisted on. The chief of these Indians tells me they can bring down five hundred warriors ; but if sending for them should ever he thought a proper measure, a commissary with provi- sions should be first settled for them, and presents ready to be deliver- ed them on their services performed agreeable to the numbers em- ployed.
Believe me, JOHN STANWIX.
Camp, near Carlisle, July 25, 1757.
Dear Sir,
As Col. Armstrong will give a particular account of the misfortune of some obstinate people who were through that and their careless- ness surprised and murdered by the Indians towards Shippensburg,
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
at their harvest, I shall add nothing to this relation I have had two Captains piquets out these three days, one scouring the country up as far as Shippensburg, and the other up as far as the Susquehanna, but expect them both in to morrow or next day.
Col. Armstrong has so few men here that I could only get six of them to each piquet by way of guides at present, they being much better acquainted with this portion of the woods.
In spite of our blood, the Indians still do us mischief, but the last effect does really proceed from both obstinacy and carelessness of which Col. Armstrong will give the governor a particular account as he has it from Shippensburg.
I am at work at my entrenchments, but as I send out such large and frequent parties, with other necessary duties, I can only spare about seventy working men a day, and these have been very often interrupted by frequent violent gusts, so that we make but a small figure yet, and the first month was entirely taken up in clearing the ground, which was all full of monstrous stumps &c.
I have built a hut in Camp, where the captains and I live to- gether, and as you have promised to come this way about August.
Mr. Allen came here, he and Capt. Stewart are both on the scout for some days; the first towards Shippensburg ; the latter towards the Susquehanna; and am sorry all this will not do, but skulking Indians still hover about us .- See p. 135, ante.
JOHN STANWIX.
To Mr. Peters.
The town of Carlisle, in 1760, was made the scene of a barbarous murder. Doctor John, a friendly Indian of the Delaware tribe, was massacred, together with his wife and two children. Captain Callender, who was one of the in- quest, was sent for by the Assembly, and, after interrogating him on the subject, they offered a reward of one hundred pounds for the apprehension of each person concerned in the murder .- See p. 158-161
About noon day, on the 4th of July, 1763, one of a party of horsemen, who were seen rapidly riding through the town, stopped a moment to quench his thirst, and communicated the information that Presque Isle, Le Boeuf, and Venango had been captured by the French and Indians. The great- est alarm spread among the citizens of the town and neigh- boring country. The roads were crowded in a little while with women and children, hastening to Lancaster for safety. The pastor of the Episcopal church headed his congregation, encouraging them on the way. Some retired to the breast- works. Colonel Bouquet, in a letter addressed to the Gov- ernor, dated the day previous ; (See p. 145 ante: see also p. 139-143 ante,) at Carlisle, urged the propriety of the
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
people of York assisting in building the posts here, and 'secur- ing the harvest,' as their county was protected by Cumber- land .- CHARTER &C., OF CARLISLE.
Extract from a letter dated Carlisle, Dec. 14, 1763.
The people drove off by the enemy from the north side of the moun- tains, forms the frontiers as they are mixed with other settlers on the north side, where of consequence the motions of the ranging party are required : at the same time those who were drove from their habitations have some part of their effects yet behind and their crops stacked in the field through the different valleys at a considerable distance be- yond the mountains-to these distressed people we must afford cover- ing parties as often as they require them, or will convene in small bodies in order to thrash out, and carry over grain wherewith to sup- ply their families-this last mentioned service necessarry as it is, greatly obstructs that uniform course of patrolling behind the inhabi- tants, that otherwise might be performed.
JOHN ARMSTRONG.
To John Penn.
In 1763, the congregation of Christ's church and St Peter's (in Phil.) raised the sum of £662 for the relief of the frontier inhabitants, especially in Cumberland county.
William Thomson, a missionary at Carlisle at this time writes :
We find the number of the distressed to be seven hundred and fifty families, who have abandoned their plantations, many have lost their crops, and some their stock and furni- ture, and besides these we are informed that about two hun- dred women and children are coming down from Fort Pitt. The unhappy sufferers are dispersed through every part of this county, and many have passed through into York. In this town and neighborhood, there are upwards of two hun- dred families, and having the affliction of the small pox and flux to a great degree .- See p. 171-'2.
Florida Like! Extract of a letter from John Penn, Esq. Lieut. Gov. to James Young, Esq. Paymaster-John Penn had lately arrived from England.
Phil. Jan. 28, 1764.
'When you arrive at Carlisle you will immediately engage the gunsmiths or armorors in and about that place, and order them to repair such arms of the Provincial troops as are out of order, as fast as they arrive there.
You will acquaint the captains that every soldier will le allowed three shillings per month, who brings with him a strong dog that shall be judged proper to be employed in 34*
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
discovering and pursuing the savages. It is recommended to them to procure as many as they can, not exceeding ten per company ; each dog is to be kept tied and led by his owner.'
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