USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 49
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 49
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 49
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 49
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 49
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 49
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As the moon rose about 11 o'clock, I ordered my boys to march, and we went on at the rate of 5 miles an hour, until we met Thompson at the place appointed. He told us that the commanding officer had frequently heard of us by travellers, and had ordered 30 men upon guard. He said they knew our number and only made game of the notion of 18 men coming to rescue the prisoners ; but they did not ex- pect us until the middle of the day. I asked him if the gate was open? He said it was then shut, but he expected they would open it as usual at daylight, as they apprehended no danger. I then moved mv men up privately under the Juniata, where we lay concealed about 100 yards from the Fort gate. I had ordered the men to keep a profound silence until we got into it. I then sent off Thompson again to spy. At day- light he returned and told us that the gate was open, and 3 sentinels were standing upon the wall-that the guards were taking a morning dram. and the arms standing together in one place. I then concluded to rush inte the Fort, and told Thompson to run before me to the arms. We ran with all our might, and as it was a misty morning the sentin- els scarcely saw us until we were within the gate and took possession of the arms. Just as we were entering two of them discharged their guns, though I do not believe they aimed at us. We then raised a shout, which surprised the town, though some of them were pleased with the news. We compelled a blacksmith to take the irons off the
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prisoners, and then we left the place. This I believe was the first Brit- ish fort in America that was taken by what they called American rebels.
Smith was subsequently arrested, on a charge of murder; as one of the men in the scuffle of the Bedford affair, was accidentally shot. He says-Some time after this I took a journey westward in order to sur- vey some located land I had on or near Yohogany. As I passed near Bedford while I was walking and leading my horse, I was overtaken by some men on horseback, like travellers. One of them asked my name and on telling it they immediately pulled out their pistols and presented them to me, calling upon me to deliver myself or I was a dead man. I stepped back presented my rifle and told them to stand off. One of them snapped a pistol at me, and another was preparing to shoot when I fired my piece: one of them also fired near the same time, and one of my fellow travellers fell. The assailants then rushed up and as the gun was empty, they took and tied me. I charged them with killing my fellow traveller, and told them he was a man that I had accidentally met with on the road that had nothing to do with the public quarrel. They asserted that I had killed him. I told them that my gun blowed or made a slow fire-that I had her from my face be- fore she went off or I would not have missed my mark ; and from the position my piece was in when it went off it was not likely that my gun killed this man, yet I acknowledged that I was not certain that it was not so. They then carried me to Bedford, laid me in irons in the guard-house, summoned a jury of the opposite party and held an in- quest. The jury brought me in guilty of wilful murder. As they were afraid to keep me long in Bedford, for fear of a rescue, they sent me privately through the wilderness to Carlisle, where I was laid in hea- vy irons.
Shortly after I came here we heard that a number of my old black boys were coming to tear down the jail. I told the sheriff that I would not be rescued. as I knew that the indictment was wrong: therefore I wished to stand my trial. As I had found the black boys to be always under good command I repeated I could prevail on them to return, and therefore wished to write to them-to this the sheriff readily agreed. I wrote a letter to them, with irons on my hands, which was immediate- ly sent ; but as they had heard that I was in irons they would come on. When we heard they were near the town, I told the sheriff I would speak to them out of the window, and if the irons were off I made no doubt but I could prevail on them to desist. The sheriff ordered them to be taken off and just as they were taken off my hands the black boys came running up to the jail. I went to the window and called to them and they gave attention. I told them as my indictment was for wilful murder to admit of being rescued would appear dishonorable. I thanked them for their kind intentions and told them the greatest favor they could confer upon me would be to grant me this one request, 'to withdraw from the jail and return in peace ;' to this they complied and withdrew. While I was speaking the irons were taken off my feet and never again put on .*
Before this party arrived at Conococheague there were about three hundred more on the way coming to their assistance and were resolv -
* See article Carlisle.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.
ed to take me out; they then turned and all came together to Carlisle. The reason they gave for coming again was because they thought that government was so enraged at me that I would not get a a fair trial ; but my friends and myself together again prevailed on them to return In peace .- Loudon's Nar. i. 258.
In the fall of 1794, a number of distinguished personages, and a nu- merous force to quell the Western Insurrection, assembled here. The following extracts are presented in this connection, as they cannot fail to be read with interest :
" Bedford, October 19, 1794.
" Pursuant to an arrangement for this purpose, the Pennsylvania troops which formed part of the legion, and which had arrived the preceding Friday evening, [the Governor with part of the army arrived on Saturday, Oct. 18] met the Governor about one mile from Bedford. He immediately took the head of the whole column and proceeded to the town. This spectacle was superb. It was the quota of Pennsyl- vania, including cavalry, infantry, artillery and riflemen, marching in the most complete order, and brought to the spot of their destination to await the further orders of the President. Here had the Governor the exalted satisfaction of depositing this great mass of patriotic exertion, and of evincing to the world that Pennsylvania, although tainted by some licentious men in the extremities of her extensive territory, is still amongst the foremost in public virtue, and in her punctual obedi- ence to every continental requisition.
The encampment is very spacious-the town is in the centre of an amphitheatre. Lofty hills at a small distance appearing on all sides to surround it. The tents spread out on the cleared ground on the bases of some of those hills, and occupying the common adjoining the town, form, particularly at night when the fires are lighted, a beautiful appearance.
The President is expected here this evening from Fort Cumber- land.
Bedford, October 19, 1794.
We are encamped at this place about seven thousand strong and shall proceed to Pittsburg in three or four days-we are healthy since our arrival here and have duty to do by day and night, in riding after the enemies to the peace the liberty and prosperity of our country .- Two nights ago we picked up ten of these anarchists, and a large party of our troop now out have been riding all night to cross the Al- leghany mountain in order to apprehend some notorious offenders- Our duty has become so hard that our straw beds are very comforta- ble at night. About thirty miles south west of us (at Fort Cumber- land) is an army of five thousand men, I hope they will not form a junction with us, as provisions are scarce-we are in great want of sugar, chocolate, brandy and wine, neither of them to to be bought here ; nor have we had a sutler to the army, tho' much wanted.
Bedford, Oct. 20, 1794.
Our army at this place amounts to upwards of six thousand men, amongst whom are about twelve hundred horse, generally are and have been very orderly, healthy and in good spirits. The President arrived yesterday from Fort Cumberland from whence the Maryland and Vir- ginia troops march this day for Fayette, we follow probably in two or three days. The two columns are about equal in number and at pre-
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.
sent about equally distant from the seat of insurrection. The Whis- key Boys are most seriously alarmed at our approach and are ready to tender any kind of submission if we will but return-This however, they cannot be indulged in. We shall march into the country and their leaders and principals must suffer or abandon their homes. Our horsemen have already taken thirteen of the most inveterate in this county, some thay have brought from the other side of the mountain forty-five miles off, amongst whom are Tilson, Wincanen, Lucas and Husbands. In those expeditions of the horse into the most seditious parts of the countrry, no opposition has been offered, that is at least till we retire.
General Lee, the Commander, came with the President.
Bedford Oct. 20, 1794.
Last evening the President of the United States arrived here from Fort Cumberland-fifteen guns were fired on his arrival, and except this, no other ceremony was observed. He was escorted by four dra- goons only.
On Saturday evening, at 8 o'clock, a party of thirty horse, under Capt. Singer, left our camp, and after riding about forty miles, at day- light took Harman Husbands, and one Wilson, both of whom had been active in the late oppositions to the laws. The party returned about 10 o'clock last night, with their prisoners, and are entitled to great credit for the expedition and secrecy with which they performed their mission. The detachment was taken from the city troops.
This morning Gen. Bloomfield arrived here with a detachment of Jersey troops-and I believe, the amount of the forces now encamped near Bedford is about six thousand. It is supposed some of the troops, that first arrived here, will be ordered in a day or two, perhaps to- morrow.
Bedford, Oct. 21, 1794.
The Governor arrived here on Saturday, and the President on Sun- day last .- The President arrived by the most private road, and there- by escaped that formal reception which must be so disagreeable to a man of his worth and feeling.
Yesterday we were reviewed by Gov. Lee from Virginia-(who is to take the command in chief, and who also arrived on Sunday). Both he and Gen. Frelinghuysen expressed their approbation at our mili- tary appearance. Gen. Lee has appointed Benjamin R. Morgan, from the Blues, one of his aids.
Major McPherson has been offered the rank of a Colonel over an- other regiment, to be succeeded as Major, Capt. Baynton ; but I am informed he has refused the offer, giving a preference to his present situation.
Capt. Lyman's regulars, (a handsome company) Capt. Clun's artil- lery, Taylor's ridemen, Graham's volunteers, the Philadelphia Horse and McPherson's Blues, are to be completed a legion by a few of the Jersey troops. They are to be under the command of Gen. Freling- huysen, and will march from this place to-morrow, though I cannot say by what route. A second column departs by a different route the next day ; and a number of troops are to remain stationed here for for some time. We do not expect (though we may be disappointed) to pierce more than 50 or 60 miles into the country. It will be only
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.
to show ourselves, and to intimidate the inhabitants, for we can hear of no enemy in array against us.
-
On the 20th Oct. Gen. Washington addressed Gen. Lee, commander- in-chief, the following :
" United States-Bedford, Oct. 20, 1794.
To Henry Lee, Esq., commander-in-chief of the Militia army on its march against the Insurgents, in certain western counties of Penn- sylvania.
Sir-Being about to return to the seat of government, I cannot take my departure, without conveying through you to the army under your command, the very high sense I entertain of the enlightened and patriotic zeal for the constitution and the laws which has led them cheerfully to quit their families, homes and the comforts of private life to undertake and thus far to perform a long and fatiguing march and to encounter and endure the hardships and privations of a military life. Their conduct hitherto affords a full assurance that their perseverance will be equal to their zeal; and that they will continue to perform with alacrity whatever the full accomplishment of the object of their march shall render necessary.
No citizens of the United States can ever be engaged in a service more important to their country. It is nothing less than to consolidate and preserve the blessings of that revolution which at much expense of blood and treasure, constituted us a free and independent nation. It is to give to the world an illustrious example of the utmost conse- quence to the cause of mankind. I experience a heartfelt satisfaction in the conviction that the conduct of the troops throughout will be in every respect answerable to the goodness of the cause and the magni- tude of the stake.
There is but one point on which I think it proper to add a special recommendation, it is that every officer and soldier will constantly bear in mind, that he comes to support the laws, and that it would be pecu- liarly unbecoming in him to be in any way the infractor of them, that the essential principles of the government confine the province of the military, when called forth on such occasions, to these two objects- 1st. 'To combat and subdue all who may be found in arms, in opposi- tion to the national will and authority -- 2d. To aid and support the civil magistrates in bringing offenders to justice ( the dispensation of this justice belongs to the civil magistrate ; and let it ever be our pride and our glory to have the sacred deposit there inviolated ;) convey io my fellow citizens in arms, my warm acknowledgements for the readi- ness with which they have hitherto seconded me in the most delicate and momentous duty the chief magistrate of a free people can have to perform, and add my affectionate wishes for their health, comfort and success. Could my further presence with them have been necessary, or compatible with my civil duties at a period when the approaching commencement of a session of Congress, particularly calls me to re- turn to the seat of government, it would not have been withheld. In leaving them I have less regret, as I know, I commit them to an able and faithful direction, and that this direction will be ably and faithfully seconded by all.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
43
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.
The next day General Lee issued his general orders, as follows-and concluded with a few remarks to the army :
HEAD QUARTERS.
Bedford, Oct. 21, 1794.
General Orders :
To-morrow, at the hour of 8 in the morning, the Light Corps will advance ; Maj. Gen. Morgan will lead the one acting with the left wing and Maj. Gen. Frelinghuysen the one with the right wing.
On the next dav, at the same hour, the army will move in two col- umns, the right wing composed of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania lines, forming the right column, under the immediate command of his excellency Gov. Mifflin ; the left wing composed of the Maryland and Virginia lines forming the left column with the commander-in-chief.
The Quartermaster General will continue with the right wing, and the proper officers in his department and in the department of forage attended with a sufficient number of axe men, must accompany the Light Corps, under whose protection they are to prepare all necessa- ries for the army. Abundance of straw must be ready for the troops, inasmuch as their health greatly depends on their keeping dry and warm.
The utmost regularity must be preserved in the march and in the mode of encampment, which must always be in two lines with the ca- valry in the centre, unless prohibited by the nature of the ground.
Dragoons are dreadful in light, and impotent in darkness, their safe- ty during night must therefore be regarded.
The artillery to move as a park, and march in the centre.
Constant communication must be preserved between the Light Corps and the main body and between the respective columns, with all other precautions necessary to protect the troops from surprise and insult.
Whatever may be the professions of the insurgents they are not to be regarded. Men who have acted a part so atrocious will cheerfully add to their guilt, if it can be done with impunity-Carelessness in the conduct of the army will invite attempts upon it, and produce war, while vigilance in the conduct of it will arrest the one and the other.
The different columns will be precise in the execution of the daily marches assigned to them respectively, and if from unavoidable acci- dents either should fall short one day, the deficiency is to be made up the next day, otherwise the mutuality in operation will be lost and the army will be exposed to disgrace, and evils of discordant movements.
The particular routes with the necessary instructions will be given to the commanding Generals, and will of course form the rule of their conduct.
When the right wing reaches it will divide into two columns, the New Jersey line and brigade of cavalry under Brigadier White, form- ing one column, to be commanded by his excellency General Howell, will take a direction to the right, while the Pennsylvania line, with the Light Corps, will pursue the original route under the order of Gover- nor Mifflin. When those columns divide, the right will move from their right, and the left from their left.
Chosen parties of Horse must follow the rear of each wing to arrest stragglers from the line, and to protect the property of the individuals,
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.
to the due preservation of which in every respect the utmost attention is to be paid by officers of every rank.
The President of the United States being about to return to the seat of government, has been pleased to direct the commander-in-chief to present to the army his affectionate wishes for their welfare and happi- ness : in no way can the very grateful command be so fully executed as by publishing the very words of the President, which are accord- ingly subjoined.
To this parental counsel of our beloved chief magistrate, the com- mander begs leave to add the flattering hopes he entertains, that the conduct of the army will justify the favorable anticipation formed of it, thus shall we establish to ourselves a character the most amiable, and exhibit to posterity a model to all future armies. Lest, however, some individual may have crept into the ranks, callous to all the feelings of honor, of virtue, and consequently the fair character so justly due to the great body of the troops may be snatched from them by the licen- tiousness of the few, the commandants of divisions, brigades, regiments and corps are required to examine minutely their respective troops before the army moves, and dismiss all whom they deem unworthy of participating in the honorable service in which we have embarked. Six rounds of ammunition are to be issued to all corps as yet unfur- nished .- The troops are to draw two day's provisions, on alternate days during the march. The Penn'a. and Maryland lines to draw on one day, and the New Jersey and Virginia lines on the next day; this system will be convenient for the superintendants of provisions, and consequently tend to produce punctuality in the supplies. The com- mander-in-chief has been pleased to appoint Major Wm. Alexander, & Major Nelson deputy Adjutant-Generals, and Doctor Welford Surgeon General - Majors Hand, Morgan and Chetwood, aids de camps to the commander-in-chief; they are to be respected accordingly. It is to be understood that no appointments in the line of the army is to affect appointments heretofore made.
The army moved westward to the arena of war, where, the soldiers remained on duty for several weeks. The following extracts give some particulars as to the number slain, wounded and missing, during the whole campaign, west of the mountains :-
Pittsburg Nov 22, 1794.
The army having completed the business which called them to the field, viz. restoring order and submission to the laws in this country, without firing a gun or seeing any person that would acknowledge himself an insurgent, are now on their return home.
Gov. Mifflin, escorted by the Lancaster and Berks troops of horse left this place on Tuesday last (18 Nov.) and the day following the whole of the Pennsylvania line, under the command of Major General Irwin.
Governor Howell with the Jersey troops, marched on Friday (21). We hear that part of the Jersey horse will pass through Northumber- land county-we regret that some restiess, discontented characters in- habit that part of the state.
The Virginia and Maryland lines are also on their return home.
The Secretary of the Treasury of the United States left this town on Wednesday last (19) for the seat of Government.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.
Pittsburg Nov 29, 1794.
Governor Lee, the Commander-in-Chief, left town on Wednesday last (26 Nov.) on his return to Virginia.
Major General Morgan, who is appointed to command the troops left this country, has established head quarters at Bentley's farm, on the Monongahela, where they have erected a fortification.
On Tuesday last, Judge Peters and Mr. Rawle, the attorney for the United States for this district, closed the examination of the persons apprehended in this county, said to have been active in the late insur- rection-some were discharged, others held to bail.
Having now given an account of the town of Bedford, I proceed to the Bedford Springs. These celebrated Springs are about 12 miles south of Bedford. The medicinal properties of the Bedford spring, i. e. of the mineral spring, were first discovered about 50 years since, or in 1796, by a queer sort of a man by the name of Nicholas Schouf- fler, whose eccentricities are yet remembered by many of our oldest citizens. This man, though no alchymist, yet was a monomaniac on the subject of gold. He was always hunting for gold ; indeed he spent all his time along the eastern spurs of the Alleghany mountains, and along the streams in our vallies, looking for the indications of gold -at last he got on the stream called Shover's run, followed it up until he got into a kind of bog thickly covered with underwood : he found what he thought sure indications of gold, in the sedementary deposit left by the waters of the Bedford Spring, upon the wood and stones over which it ran.
He immediately built a rude furnace and commenced his work of melting the stones, and evaporating the water. Enraptured with the idea of having now found the El Dorado of his wishes, he went to Thomas Vierey and told him he had found something valuable. Did you find iron ? says Vierey. No : better than iron, replied Schouffler: Well, did you find silver ? No : better than silver. Well, did you find gold ? No : better than gold. Well, Nicholas, what on earth did you find ? Why I have found loadstone. This anecdote was related to me by an old citizen. Well, old Nicholas was right; he did find that which was better than iron, silver or gold. He found the Bedford mineral spring. He found no loadstone-but that which has the power of at- traction equal to the magnet. The land on which the Bedford spring was found, belonged to Frederick Nawgal, sen. Afterwards, it was owned by a Mr. Wirtz, and about the year 1803 it was purchased by Dr. Anderson, and is now owned by Espy L. Anderson, Esq. Little notice seems to have been taken of the Bedford Spring prior to 1804.
Dr. Anderson perhaps deserves the credit of first having discovered the chemical properties, and the medicinal qualities of the water. In 1804 the citizens of Bedford joined together with the full determina- tion of knowing all about the spring that had become famous by afford- ing relief to many who were afflicted. They followed the main cur- rent of the spring through the loose soil and thick underwood, until they traced it to a fissure in a limestone rock. The point where the spring issues, is about 16 feet above the level of Shovers' run. The water runs out very copiously; at the rate of 163 gallons per minute. The stream is constant ; and the writer has noticed no increase or di- minution, summer or winter, for 5 years-neither does the drought ef-
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY.
fect it. The spring comes from under a mountain, whose height is 480 feet ; and the bed of magnesia (or sulphate of magnesium ) through which the water percolates, may be 4 or 500 feet deep. Hence no or- dinary drought can effect it. That the waters of this spring flow over an immense bed of magnesia, is evident from the composition found in it.
The analysis of this water by Dr. Church, gave the following re- sult, viz:
1 quart of water contained 183 cubic inches of carbonic acid gas; 20 grains of the sulphate of magnesia 3.75; of the sulphate of lime 2.50 ; of the muriate of soda .75; of the muriate of lime 1.25; carbon- ate of iron 2; carbonate of lime, loss .75. Total, 31. grains of sedi- ment.
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