USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Upland > The record of the court at Upland, in Pennsylvania, 1676 to 1681, And a military journal, kept by Major E. Denny, 1781 to 1795 > Part 19
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accomplished Frenchman, a Mr. Tardiveau. Major Wyllys, the senior officer, left to command. A Mr. Ma- son, with a small party, left us this day for the Falls. By him sent several letters, under cover, to Mr. Kings- bury, at the head of the Rapids, addressed to my friends in Pennsylvania. One for P. F., Philadelphia; another for Mr. Lyon, Carlisle, and one for Doctor M'Dowell, at Muskingum, all respecting my rank, &c. I likewise sent per Mr. Bradford, a letter to my friend Parker, at Lexington.
20th. - A gentleman from Kaskaskia arrived, but did
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not meet the Colonel's party. Must have been upon dif- ferent traces. Tells of two hundred Shawanees and Delawares having left their villages on the Miami and settled across the Mississippi, under protection of the Spaniards. That more were expected, as the Spaniards had given them pressing invitations.
21st .- An express arrived from the Rapids, with dis- patches for Colonel Harmar from the War Office. By this opportunity I received a letter from Mr. Kingsbury, telling me that he had forwarded my letter for P. F. and the one to Carlisle, per Mr. Abner Dunn, through the wildnerness.
Sept. 2d. - A runner from the Piankeshaws informed Major Wyllys that the chiefs of the tribes invited down had agreed to come, and that he might expect them daily.
3d. - The Colonel and his party returned from the Illinois.
5th .- One hundred of the Piankeshaws and Wyohto- mas appeared in great style; all in canoes, but twelve horsemen who guarded the shore. The chiefs' canoes carried white flags. On their approach they gave us three fires. We were prepared for this, and had in readiness twenty men, who returned the salute with three rounds. They all came ashore - expressed much gladness at seeing us as friends. Taking a little milk for nourishment, they set out for town to see their French brothers, giving another fire as they went off.
7th. - Colonel Harmar made a speech to the Indians, the purport of which was, informing them of the peace-
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able disposition of the United States; that he was di- rected by the principal chief to take by the hand every tribe of Indians desirous of peace, and authorized to destroy those otherwise inclined. He told them that everything should be done to make them glad ; that the road should be kept clear and smooth between them and us, that traders might pass freely and with safety, &c. As a pledge of remembrance of the thirteen great fires (the thirteen United States), he presented each tribe with thirteen strings of white wampum.
8th. - Five of the Indian chiefs each made a reply to the Colonel's speech, expressing their gladness at being taken by the hand by their fathers the Bostonians. Pro- fessed great friendship ; said that they had been misled, were now sensible of their error; hoped their fathers would let all the blood which has been spilt be washed down with the river, never to be seen or thought of more. That they would stand upon fresh ground, keep the road and the stumps between them and their fathers quite smooth ; and as a proof and remembrance, each presented the Colonel with a calumet and a string of wampum.
10th. - The old chiefs attended, expecting, as was cus- tomary, some presents. The Colonel told them that we were warriors, that we did not come to purchase their friendship with trinkets, but barely to take them by the hand if they chose to give it; if they did not, it was a matter of indifference. But, however, since things had been so well settled, he told them his warriors had a few articles, which they would give to the old men only:
·
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The sachems returned thanks. Pleased to take what they could get. The greatest beggars I have seen yet among all the savages.
11th .- Two men out of fifteen who had set out on the 9th for the Rapids, returned, having been fired on near the forks of White river, by a party of Indians. From their report it is likely the greater number of their com- pany fell a sacrifice. This story circulating through the town had like to have frightened off all the Indians who had been invited.
13th .- The Indians took their departure.
15th .- Lieutenant Armstrong, with a party of soldiers and militia, set out to meet a drove of cattle which Mr. Bradshaw, with some hands, was bringing on. Fortu- nately the two parties met about seven miles off, and came in the same evening. This day Captain Mercer and Mr. Britt arrived from Kaskaskia.
Vincennes, or Post Vincennes, as it is called, is said to be the most capital village in the western country. There are about five hundred souls, French, and about half as many Americans. It is handsomely situated on the left bank of the Wabash, out of danger of the floods. The village is built in the centre of a large prairie, the greater part of which is at present cultivated, but under no inclosure. A sufficiency only is inclosed for their cattle, and is in common. Their houses are chiefly frame work, and many of them covered with bark, Five or six families live on the opposite side and have little farms. The land is excellent and the country generally fine for growing. It was first settled by a Monsieur Vincennes,
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near seventy years ago, from whom it takes its name It is allowed to be one hundred and seventy miles from Post Vincennes to Kaskaskia. The prairies between these two places are remarkable. One, in particular, I am told, is thirty miles in width, and near one hundred miles in length. They run north and south. They are grown up with long grass, free from brush and under- wood ; here and there a small copse of handsome young trees. The country abounds in buffalo, deer, elk and bear.
Kaskaskia, though more ancient than the Post, is not so extensive a village. Opposite is a settlement called Mi- sére, where a lieutenant and five or six regular soldiers are stationed. About sixty miles above Kaskaskia is Cahokia, and opposite it, on the Spanish side, is St. Louis, where the commandant ( a lieutenant-colonel ). resides, with about twenty soldiers. Between Kaskas- kia and Cahokia there are several small villages, some of them inhabited by Americans only, who have emi- grated to that country chiefly since the late war.
POST VINCENNES, 30th. - Orders issued for Ziegler's and Strong's companies to march next day, with the commandant, for the Rapids of the Ohio. Finney's and Mercer's companies to embark on the 3d October, under command of Major Wyllys, for the same place. Major Hamtramck, with Ferguson's and Smith's companies, to continue at the Post.
Oct. 1st. - Set out with the commandant and the two companies ; marched to a branch of the river De Shay, supposed to be nine miles.
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2d .- Crossed the west fork of White river and encamped on a branch, - - 20
-
3d .- Crossed and encamped on north fork of White river,
24
4th .- Reached the Great Lick, - 18
5th .- Branch of Patoka, 16
6th .- Branch of Blue river, - . 25
7th .- Rapids, - -
- 18
130
In this route we pursued General Clark's trace, made a twelvemonth ago, on his way against the Wabash In- dians. First and second day passed through tolerable land ; third day very indifferent, owing to the path keep- ing about three and four miles distant, for thirty miles up the north fork of White river, which led us through neither rich nor level land, but just across the heads of gullies leading into White river. Fourth day's march, passed over a great deal of good land, particularly near the Great Lick, which is not far distant from the road. When within a few miles of the Lick, our hunters had leave to go ahead. Presently heard the report of both neir guns, and in a few minutes five buffaloes made their appearance, bearing furiously toward the head of the column. When within fifty paces, the men in front were permitted to fire; this turned the heads of the ani- mals ; they passed along and received the fire of the whole line. Three only were shot down, near the rear, where they approached within twenty paces. Fifth day's march, through pretty good land. Sixth, barren. Sev-
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enth, broken with knobs and small mountains, until we got within seven or eight miles of the Rapids, when the land became level and of the first quality.
9th. - Mr. Wells set out for Fort Pitt, with two light boats, by whom I sent several letters; one to Esquire Lyon, and inclosed a duplicate of a letter sent from the Post to G. F., and likewise two small letters inclosed to my friends in Carlisle.
21st. - Major Wyllys, with our fleet, consisting of eleven boats, arrived at the foot of the Rapids.
22d. - Baggage brought round the Falls in wagons. The troops marched up to the fort and took quarters with us.
23d and 24th. - The men employed in dragging the boats up through the Falls.
FORT FINNEY, Rapids of Ohio, 28th .- Colonel Harmar received brevet commission, with pay and emoluments of Brigadier-General. He sets out for Fort Harmar. Quar- ter-master Pratt and myself accompany in a barge, with sergeant and fourteen men. Orders left for Captains Ziegler and Strong with their companies to follow on to- morrow. Major Wyllys, with Finney's and Mercer's companies, to continue at Fort Finney at the head of the Rapids. Got to the eighteen mile Island.
29th, to Kentucky river.
30th, Big Bone creek.
31st, Great Miami.
Nov. 1st, to the Little Miami.
2d, about half way between Little Miami and Lime- stone.
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3d, to Limestone. 4th, lay still.
5th, twenty-two miles up.
6th, just below Scioto.
7th, thirty miles up.
8th, just below Guyandot.
9th, within eighteen miles of the Great Kanahwa.
10th, six miles above the Great Kanahwa.
11th, got five miles above the Little Falls.
12th, to the Scioto settlement.
13th, arrived at Muskingum, Fort Harmar, after a passage of sixteen days-one other day we spent at Lime- stone.
20th. - Lieutenant Beatty arrived from New York, with some pay for the regiment.
21st. - Ziegler's and Strong's companies arrive and take quarters for the winter. Doughty's company wc had left here. M'Curdy's, which had been employed through the summer escorting the United States survey- ors, was here also.
24th. - Alexander Parker and Mr. Dunn arrived on their way to Kentucky, by whom I received several let- ters from my friends at Carlisle and a box of linen. Parker and Dunn left us the same day, not wishing to lose good weather and high water.
Dec. 6th .- Captain Ashton, who had come to this place with Parker and Dunn, set out for the Falls.
10th .- Lieutenant Beatty set out again for New York for more cash.
12th .- Mr. Jacob Melcher, a candidate for the vacant
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ensigncy in the Pennsylvania quota arrived ; with whom came John Siddon, a man enlisted for one year to serve as a ranger, and who had been taken prisoner on the Wa- bash the 26th July last. At the time he was taken, he received a slight wound on the hip. The Indians carried him to their farthermost town on the Wabash and adopt- ed him in a family, where he continued to live peaceably. When an opportunity offered for his escape, he left them and passed through several Delaware towns without any interruption, and arrived safe at Pittsburgh.
25th .- The river Ohio bound fast with ice.
Jan. 1st, 1788 .- The weather continues exceedingly cold. 5th .- The thermometer sixteen degrees below zero. Horses, &c., crossed the river on the ice.
20th .- The river broke up-much ice floating.
Feb. 4th. - The weather intensely cold; the mercury down to fourteen degrees below zero. A messenger arrived from Captain Pipe, with a friendly talk, request- ing that the roads might be kept smooth and clear for the Delawares to pass and repass.
24th. - The navigation had been shut or interrupted by ice since 20th December last. To-day we had the first arrival. Colonel Blaine, his son James, and Mr. C. Wil- kins, all old acquaintances of the officers, came just from Fort Pitt. Very glad to see them. Mr. Wilkins con- tinues here, with a store of goods suitable for the troops.
March 7th .- Colonel Blain and his son left us and set out with Mr. Spear, who was ordered to the Rapids to bring up the commissioners' goods, to be in readiness for the intended grand treaty.
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8th .- Captain Pipe and his tribe came in.
9th. - Although the time, for which the men now in service were enlisted, does not expire until midsummer, yet, to provide recruits and to have them out in season, it was thought advisable that a few officers should go to their respective States for that purpose. Accordingly Captains Ziegler and Bradford (the latter in place of Doughty, promoted,) and Lieutenant Pratt, the Quarter- master, all volunteering this service, set out.
17th. - Mr. Schuyler pursued the recruiting officer with some dispatches which had been forgotten.
April 6th. - Left Fort Harmar, in company with the General and Daniel Britt, the contractor, on board a barge with twelve oars.
7th .- Rained all day. Got to the fourth island on the reach.
8th .- Fine day, with wind. Lay just below Fish creek.
9th .- The river still continues to rise. Had the water remarkably hard. Got to Grave creek.
10th .- The water began to lower. Arrived at Wheel- ing about eleven o'clock, when Mr. Britt took horse to go by land to Pitt.
11th .- The river falling fast. Got to Edgington's.
12th. - A fine wind. Lay half mile above Beckar's Fort.
13th .- Got to M'Intosh early in the evening, where we tarried all night.
14th .- With extreme hard work we got to Fort Pitt. 15th .- A rainy morning ; the water began to rise.
16th .- A fine day. 17th, the same. 18th, cold rain.
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19th. - Blustering rainy weather.
20th. - A considerable quantity of snow fell. The rivers up to a considerable height; the weather exceed- ingly cold.
21st .- The weather moderate and the water falls.
22d .- Some rain, and windy. 23d, fine day. Water falls slowly.
24th .- Rained in the morning. Cloudy.
25th .- Wet and disagreeable day. 26th, rain all day.
Sunday, 27th .- It was the General's intention to spend a day or two here, and proceed up the Allegheny river to Fort Franklin (formerly Venango), but a continuation of heavy rains and consequent high water, induced him to delay for a more favorable time; but unwilling to be absent too long, we set out with high water, and rising. This day we passed seven islands, and gained fifteen miles.
28th. - Had severe thunder, with rain. Passed eight islands and several lodges of Indians near Kiskiminitis. Lay five miles above the mouth of that river.
29th. - Clear and cold. River still rising. Passed seven islands, and encamped a mile above Mahoning.
30th .- Last night the contractor's boat, from Venango, passed down on its way back to Pitt; had a passage of fifteen days up. Very hard water to-day. Passed two islands ; gained twenty miles.
May 1st .- Current this day very rapid. Passed Stump creek and six islands ; made about twenty miles.
2d .- Passed a creek on the east side about nine o'clock. Eleven o'clock passed another, and about half after three
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another of considerable size, on the west side, supposed to be Sandy. Five islands this day, and rain from morning till night.
3d. - About eight o'clock this morning, after passing one island, we entered the mouth of French creek. The fort stands half a mile up. Several miles below we were discovered by some Indians, who cut across and gave notice to Captain Heart of our approach. The arrival of General Harmar was announced with seven rounds of a six-pounder from the fort. Very kindly received by the Captain and Lieutenant Frothingham, at the head of their command. The company reviewed and dismissed. Spent the day in examining Captain Heart's work, viewing the adjacent country and the old fortifica- tions of the French and British. There is a fine flat of good land here, altogether on the lower side of French creek, sufficient for several farms. The only flat land from Mahoning or Mohelboteetam, up. The hills come in close on the opposite sides, both of French creek and the Allegheny river, and I am informed that the coun- try for at least five miles in all directions, is very much broken with hills and rocks. Captain Heart's Fort, or Fort Franklin, as it is called, is built precisely after the one which had been erected by the British, called Ve- nango. It is a square redoubt, with a block-house three stories high, in the centre ; stands better than half a mile up French creek, upon very good ground; but the situation, in my opinion, by no means so eligible as that of old Venango built by the English. This last work stood upon commanding ground pretty close to the bank
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of the Allegheny, half a mile below French creek, and a mile from Fort Franklin. The cellar wall and huge stack of chimneys of the block-house, are of stone, and yet quite entire. The parapet and some other parts re- main perfect, and the whole work might have been re- built with half the labor and expense of that built by Heart. The only reason the captain could offer for taking new ground, was the convenience of timber. The French, who made the first establishment here, chose the ground several hundred yards below where the British built. They had a small stockade fort; some remains of it are yet to be seen. But around the British work there is everything to be seen which was not consum- ed by the fire - ditches and parapets, stone walls, &c. Several handsomely disposed gardens, walks, &c., very visible, and a few fruit trees remaining still ; some gar- den roots, &c., particularly the parsnip, in considerable abundance.
We see a number of the Senecas here. The Sene- cas, who inhabit the banks of the Allegheny, some three or four day's journey above this, are frequently here. They bring their peltry and exchange it with the traders for such articles as suit them. We saw several families of them ; all appeared indolent, dirty, inanimate creatures ; most so of any Indians I had seen.
4th. - Left Fort Franklin at five o'clock. Allegheny river flowing brim full; current not less perhaps than six miles an hour. We worked twelve oars steadily. Had two extra hands that afforded some relief; and except about an hour, which was taken up in whole in
.
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eating, and a little time spent on an island, we lost no time. Arrived and landed at the fort on the Mononga- hela side precisely at eight o'clock-fifteen hours passage. After leaving the mouth of French creek, there appeared little else than hills and rocks and rugged looking ridges until as low as Mahoning, or what was originally called. Mohelboteetam; from thence the bottoms increased on one side or the other until we reached Pitt. Some very beautiful situations and tracts of land, indeed; old Kit- tanning a delightful one.
7th .- Accompanied General Harmar on horseback on a visit to his lands in Westmoreland county. Made nearly the same tour I had done last winter was a year. Returned to Pitt on Sunday, the 11th.
13th. - Visited my uncle John M'Clure's family, nine miles above Pitt, on the Monongahela; spent a very . pleasant day. Two or three gentle acquaintances were along; they were formerly from Carlisle. A very re- spectable portion of the society of Pittsburgh are from that place, and this circumstance, no doubt, tends to at- tract and to create the social intercourse and very great harmony which prevails among them.
15th. - A Mr. White, member of Congress, and some gentlemen of Pittsburgh, accompanied the General in the barge, on a visit up the Monongahela to Braddock's Field. We viewed the battle ground. Saw several small heaps of bones which had been collected, with a little brushwood thrown over them. The bones of the poor soldiers are still lying scattered through the woods, 21
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but the ground where the heaviest of the action was is now under cultivation.
17th. - Lieutenant Beatty, our pay-master, arrived from New York with cash for the troops.
20th. - He set out for Venango by land, escorted by five soldiers. After paying that post, he will return to Pitt to proceed with us in the barge to Fort Harmar.
23d .- General Arthur St. Clair, lately appointed Gov- ernor of the Western Territory, arrived at Pitt. He has been expected for some time. Had dispatched messen- gers to the Indian towns to invite them to another treaty. Accompanied by the Governor we took another road to Braddock's Field, and visited the remains of poor Brad- dock's soldiers. On our return I saw my uncle's family.
27th. - The messengers returned from the Indian towns, inform us that no assemblage of them can be had for two or three months. The Governor returns to Lig- onier, where his family reside.
28th. - General Harmar, Mr. White and myself em- barked for Fort Harmar, at which place we arrived about twelve o'clock on the night of the 29th. Here we found Spear and Melcher, two subalterns of the regiment, and Mr. Ephraim Blaine. They had landed a few hours before us. Spear and Melcher, on their way from Vin- cennes, below the Falls, were fired upon by a party of savages in ambush on the bank, close up which the oth- ers were rowing. Two men only were killed. It is a matter of astonishment, that when the Indians do attack our boats in this dastardly way, from the very great ad-
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vantage they have, that the men in the boats are not all destroyed. There have been too many instances this spring of our people being fired on, but the loss incon- siderable to what it might have been. Preparations are making for another grand treaty. Government have directed it. Our commandant thinks it all idle business. One-half will come in, sign articles and receive presents, while the others are killing, scalping and doing us every possible damage they can.
An association of persons in the New England States, having made a purchase from the United States of a tract of country extending along the Ohio about one hundred and fifty miles, and back perhaps thirty, had formed themselves into a company known by the name of the Ohio Company. A number of the proprietors and directors elected had come on and fixed upon the ground at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, as a central situation from which they could extend their operations, and at the same time be protected by the garrison of Fort Harmar, which was situate on the other side of the Muskingum. These men from New England, many of whom were of the first respectability, old Revo- lutionary officers, had erected and were now living in huts immediately opposite us. A considerable number of in- dustrious farmers had purchased shares in the company, and more or less arrive every week. A spacious city is laid out here, called Marietta, in honor of the Queen of France. About half a mile up the Muskingum, upon very commanding ground, the site of a very ancient and very extraordinary fortification, was erected a place of
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arms and security, called Campus Martius. Building put up of hewn timber, two stories high, forming an ob- long square, with strong block-houses in each angle, leav- ing a considerable area; here their stores, &c., were lodged, and some families perhaps more timid than others, reside, but generally both men and women appear en- terprising. Generals Parsons and Varum, two of the company's directors, were also territorial judges. Mr. Symmes, the other judge, was the principal agent in the purchase of another tract of country, including the Mi- amis.
8th .- Jane Beatty arrived from Fort Pitt.
9th .- Armstrong embarked for Fort Pitt.
13th .- Ensign M'Dowell, with a party of soldiers, set out to escort Mr. Duncan, the provisions and stores in- tended for a treaty, to the Falls of Muskingum.
June 15th .- Major Doughty embarked in the barge for Fort Pitt. His design is to accompany Governor St. Clair to this post.
July 4th. - The officers of Fort Harmar were enter- tained on the point (Marietta side) by the Ohio Com- pany. Heard a very suitable oration delivered by Judge Varum.
8th. - Captain Bradford and Lieutenant Ernest ar- rived from New York, where they had been sent to re- cruit. Their Legislature not having taken up the re- quisition of Congress for raising the regiment, these gentlemen were obliged to return without effecting their object.
9th .- The arrival of the Governor of the Western Ter-
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ritory (General St. Clair) was announced by the dis- charge of thirteen rounds from a six-pounder. The garrison turned out, and troops received him with pre- sented arms.
13th. - About a month since, Ensign M'Dowell, with a command of thirty men, escorted boats with provisions, &c., to the Falls of Muskingum, about seventy-five miles up, where the intended treaty was to be held. We are informed by express that his party were attacked in their camp yesterday by a party of Tawas; that his picket guard was routed ; two soldiers only were killed and one missing. A black servant of Mr. Duncan was killed. The Indians were repulsed with the loss of one killed and left behind.
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