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 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
24
370
MILITARY JOURNAL OF
ward the right ; he was on foot and led the party himself that drove the enemy and regained our ground on the left. The battalions in the rear charged several times and forced the savages from their shelter, but they al- ways turned with the battalions and fired upon them back ; indeed they seemed not to fear anything we could do. They could skip out of reach of the bayonet and return, as they pleased. They were visible only when raised by a charge. The ground was literally covered with the dead. The wounded were taken to the centre, where it was thought most safe, and where a great many who had quit their posts unhurt, had crowded together. The General, with other officers, endeavored to rally these men, and twice they were taken out to the lines. It ap- peared as if the officers had been singled out; a very great proportion fell, or were wounded and obliged to retire from the lines early in the action. General But- ler was among the latter, as well as several other of the most experienced officers. The men being thus left with few officers, became fearful, despaired of success, gave up the fight, and to save themselves for the moment, aban- doned entirely their duty and ground, and crowded in toward the centre of the field, and no exertions could put them in any order even for defense ; perfectly ungovern- able. The enemy at length got possession of the artil- lery, though not until the officers were all killed but one, and he badly wounded, and the men almost all cut off, and not until the pieces were spiked. As our lines were deserted the Indians contracted theirs until their shot centred from all points, and now meeting with little op-
371
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
position, took more deliberate aim and did great execu- tion. Exposed to a cross fire, men and officers were seen falling in every direction ; the distress too of the wound- ed made the scene such as can scarcely be conceived ; a few minutes longer, and a retreat would have been im- practicable. The only hope left was, that perhaps the savages would be so taken up with the camp as not to follow. Delay was death ; no preparation could be made; numbers of brave men must be left a sacrifice, there was no alternative. It was past nine o'clock, when repeated orders were given to charge toward the road. The ac- tion had continued between two and three hours. Both officers and men seemed confounded, incapable of doing anything; they could not move until it was told that a retreat was intended. A few officers put themselves in front, the men followed, the enemy gave way, and per- haps not being aware of the design, we were for a few minutes left undisturbed. The stoutest and most active now took the lead, and those who were foremost in break- ing the enemy's line, were soon left behind. At the mo- ment of the retreat, one of the few horses saved had been procured for the General ; he was on foot until then; I kept by him, and he delayed to see the rear. The ene- my soon discovered the movement and pursued, though not more than four or five miles, and but few so far ; they turned to share the spoil. Soon after the firing ceased, I was directed to endeavor to gain the front, and if possible, to cause a short halt that the rear might get up. I had been on horseback from the first alarm, and well mounted ; pushed forward, but met with so many
372
MILITARY JOURNAL OF
difficulties and interruptions from the people, that I was two hours at least laboring to reach the front. With the assistance of two or three officers I caused a short halt, but the men grew impatient and would move on. I got Lieutenants Sedam and Morgan, with half a dozen stout men, to fill up the road and to move slowly, I halt- ed myself until the General came up. By this time the remains of the army had got somewhat compact, but in the most miserable and defenseless state. The wounded who came off left their arms in the field, and one-half of the others threw theirs away on the retreat. The road for miles was covered with firelocks, cartridge boxes and regimentals. How fortunate that the pursuit was discon- tinued ; a single Indian might have followed with safety upon either flank. Such a panic had seized the men, that I believe it would not have been possible to have brought any of them to engage again. In the afternoon Lieuten- ant Kersey, with a detachment of the first regiment, met us. This regiment, the only complete and best discip- lined portion of the army, had been ordered back upon the road on the 31st of October. They were thirty miles from the battle ground when they heard distinctly the firing of the cannon, were hastening forward and had marched about nine miles when met by some of the mi- litia, who informed Major Hamtramck, the commanding officer, that the army was totally destroyed. The Major judged it best to send on a subaltern to obtain some knowledge of things, and to return himself with the regi- ment to Fort Jefferson, eight miles back, and to secure at all events that post. He had made some arrangements,
373
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
and as we arrived in the evening, found him preparing again to meet us. Stragglers continued to come in for hours after we reached the fort.
The remnant of the army, with the first regiment, were now at Fort Jefferson, twenty-nine miles from the field of action, without provisions, and the former without having eaten anything for twenty-four hours. A convoy was known to be upon the road, and within a day's march. The General determined to move with the first regiment and all the levies able to march. Those of the wounded and others unable to go on, were lodged as comfortably as possible within the fort. Accordingly we set out a little after ten and continued our route until within an hour of daylight, then halted and waited for day and until the rear came up. Moved on again about nine o'clock ; the morning of the 5th we met the convoy. Stopped a sufficiency to subsist us to Fort Hamilton ; sent the remainder on to Jefferson under an additional escort of a captain and sixty men ; proceeded, and at the first water halted, partly cooked and eat for the first time since the night preceding the action. At one o'clock moved on, and continued our route until nine at night, when we halted and made fires within fifteen miles of Fort Hamilton. Marched again just before day, the General soon after rode on to the fort. Troops reached in the afternoon.
7th. - Fort Hamilton command was ordered off with a small supply for the wounded, &c. About twelve same day continued our march, and halted before night within
374
MILITARY JOURNAL OF
fifteen miles of Fort Washington, which place we reach- ed the afternoon of the 8th.
The prediction of General Harmar, before the army set out on the campaign, was founded upon his ex- perience and particular knowledge of things. He saw with what material the bulk of the army was composed; men collected from the streets and prisons of the cities, hurried out into the enemy's country, and with the offi- cers commanding them, totally unacquainted with the business in which they were engaged, it was utterly im- possible they could be otherwise. Besides, not any one department was sufficiently prepared ; both quarter-mas- ter and contractors extremely deficient. It was a matter of astonishment to him that the commanding general, who was acknowledged to be perfectly competent, should think of hazarding, with such people, and under such circumstances, his reputation and life, and the lives of so many others, knowing, too, as both did, the enemy with whom he was going to contend; an enemy brought up from infancy to war, and perhaps superior to an equal number of the best men that could be taken against them. It is a truth, I had hopes that the noise and show which the army made on their march might possibly de- ter the enemy from attempting a serious and general attack. It was unfortunate that both the general officers were, and had been disabled by sickness; in such situa- tion it is possible that some essential matters might be overlooked. The adjutant-general, Colonel Sargent, an old Revolutionary officer, was, however, constantly on
375
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
the alert; he took upon himself the burden of every- thing, and a very serious and troublesome task he had. But one most important object was wanting, can't say neglected, but more might have been done toward ob- taining it; this was, a knowledge of the collected force and situation of the enemy ; of this we were perfectly ig- norant. Some few scouts out, but to no great distance. The one which left camp on the 29th of October, under direction of Captain Sparks, and composed chiefly of the friendly Indians, had missed the enemy altogether, and on their return to join the army, the morning after the defeat, met an Indian runner who had been in the en- gagement, of him they got the news which enabled them to escape. When the army advanced from Fort Jeffer- son, it did not exceed two thousand men; discharges, desertions and the absence of the first regiment, reduced the effective strength on the day of action to about four- teen hundred. The second regiment had but one battal- ion with the army-it was well appointed, but young in service. The officers and men, however, did their duty ; they, with the battalion of artillery, were nearly all cut off. The whole loss, as now ascertained by the different returns, is thirty-seven officers and five hundred and ninety-three privates killed and missing; thirty-one offi- cers and two hundred and fifty-two privates wounded.
376
MILITARY JOURNAL OF
LIST OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED.
Officers in the army of the United States, commanded by General Arthur St. Clair, November 4th, 1791. ARTILLERY.
KILLED. WOUNDED.
Major Ferguson,
Capt. Ford.
Capt. Bradford,
Lieut. Spear.
CAVALRY.
Capt. Trueman,
Lieut. Debutts,
Cornet Bhines.
FIRST REGIMENT.
Capt. Doyle.1
SECOND REGIMENT
Major Heart,
Lieut. Graton.
Capt. Phelon,
Capt. Newman,
Capt. Kirkwood,
Lieut. Warren,
Ensign Balsh,
Ensign Cobb.
FIRST REGIMENT OF LEVIES.
Capt. Vanswearingen,
Lieut .- Col. Dark,
Capt. Tibton,
Capt. Dark,
Capt. Price,
Capt. Buchanan,
Lieut. M'Math,
Lieut. Morgan,
1 Captain Doyle was on guard when the first regiment was ordered back, he had been relieved, but was without any command. Attached himself to the artillery.
377
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
KILLED.
WOUNDED.
Lieut. Boyd,
Lieut. Lyle,
Ensign Wilson,
Lieut. Rhea,
Ensign Reaves,
Lieut. Davidson,
Ensign Brooks
Lieut. Price,
Ensign Chase,
Adjt. Whistler.
Ensign Turner,1
Adjt. Burges,
Dr. Grayson.
SECOND REGIMENT OF LEVIES.
Capt. Cribbs,
Lieut .- Col. Gibson,2
Capt. Piatt,
Major Butler,
Capt. Smith,
Capt. Slough,
Capt. Purdy,
Lieut. Thompson,
Lieut. Kelso,
Lieut. Cummins,
Lieut. Lukins,
Lieut. Read,
Ensign M'Michle,
Ensign Moorhead,
Ensign Beatty,
Adjt. Crawford.
Ensign Purdy,
Adjt. Anderson,
KENTUCKY MILITIA.
Lieut .- Col. Oldham,
Capt. Thomas,
Capt. Lemmon,
Capt. Maddison,
Lieut. Briggs,
Lieut. Owens,
Ensign Montgomery.
Lieut. Stagner,
Ensign Walter, Dr. Gano.
1 Ensign Turner commanded one of the guards. He was taken and carried to Detroit - returned by Montreal - saw him in Philadelphia the next April. He either was or affected to be deranged.
2 Colonel Gibson died of his wounds at Fort Jefferson.
378
MILITARY JOURNAL OF
Major General Butler, killed; Colonel Sargent, adju- tant general, and Viscount Malartie, acting as aid-de- camp, wounded.
FORT WASHINGTON, Nov. 18th. - The remains of our wretched and miserable army are encamped in front of the fort. Every necessary provision ordered to make the men as comfortable as possible, but the weather has been cold and wet, with snow, and a very considerable num- ber of officers and men are laid up. The General, too, has been much indisposed. On the 9th, the day after we reached this, he made out to forward to government, by way of Kentucky, a short dispatch, but has scarcely had his head off the pillow.
On the 10th a detachment of fresh troops marched for Fort Jefferson, with a small supply for that post, and on the 11th the first regiment followed. Such of the officers in camp who are capable, have been engaged making re- turns, pay rolls, &c., and preparing for their men's. dis- charge. All the wounded able to be moved from Fort Jefferson, reached here yesterday. The General has at length completed his particular dispatches, and on to- morrow I once again ascend the river for the seat of government. He purposes, as soon as he is able to travel, to set out on horseback for the same place.
19th .- In the evening take leave of our friends at Fort Washington and embark on board a fourteen oar barge. The boat's company consists of Captain Edward Butler and twenty-two of his men, who were raised about Pitts- burgh, and for the sake of getting home have volunteer- ed this service. Passengers are Captain Buel, of the
379
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
second regiment, who arrived at Fort Washington some short time after the army marched from thence, and where he chose to remain-he is now returning home ; and Adjutant Crawford and Quarter-master Semple, of the Pennsylvania levies. Crawford is an old Revolution- ary officer of some merit. He received a shot in the late action, which is lodged somewhere about the chest, but appears not at all disabled. Semple is a fine compan- ionable man, who has seen better times. We promise ourselves as pleasant a passage as circumstances and the lateness of the season will admit.
Dec. 9th. - Arrive at Wheeling, after an extremely hard and tedious passage of twenty days; the same journey have more than once made in fifteen - but the winter seemed to have set in earlier than usual. The river had swollen considerably before we started, and heavy rains and snows almost every day on our way up, kept the water constantly on the rise. The last two nights covered the river with ice, and it was with diffi- culty the boat was worked to this place.
10th .- Hired a boy and horses, took the road through Washington, and reached Pittsburgh on the night of the 11th.
13th .- In the morning leave Pittsburgh, and arrive at Philadelphia late on the 19th.
19th .- Waited immediately upon the Secretary of War. Since I left Fort Washington, have endeavored to banish from my mind, as much as possible, every idea of the slaughter and defeat of the army ; to talk at all on the subject is an unpleasant task to me, but there are
380
MILITARY JOURNAL OF
certain persons to whom I must make a full communica- tions. My friends at Pittsburgh, and on to this place, seem to view me as escaped from the dead - astonish- ment takes place of pleasure; and having in some de- gree got over those feelings myself, am considered as little better than one of the savages- but all this will soon be forgotten.
The morning after my arrival here, General Knox, the Secretary of War, called at my quarters and took me to the President's, where we breakfasted with the family, and afterward had much talk on the subject of the cam- paign and defeat. With the Secretary, at his office, I have also endeavored to afford every possible satisfaction. It is a pleasing reflection to believe that I have fulfilled all that could be expected of me. The attention and kindness which I receive, is a flattering consolation and assurance of having done my duty. Among the friends I met at this place, I have found none who appeared more sincerely pleased to see me than General Harmar and his family. They left Fort Washington at the time the army marched out, and arrived here safe about three weeks since. The first business the General attended to was the settlement of his public accounts, which was soon done. Indeed there could be no difficulty, for in my opinion, there is not a better accountant than him- self; nor is it possible for any man to have been more exact or punctual than he was in all his transactions. He resigns his commission at the end of the present month.
29th .- This day I received the appointment of captain
381
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
in the first regiment. Several other regular promotions made. Hamtramck will command the regiment; Zieg- ler and Strong, majors.
February, 1792 .- General St. Clair and several officers of the levies arrive at the city. My friend Captain Pratt, late quarter-master, with whom I lived and messed for five years while adjutant of the regiment, passed on his way home to Connecticut, to recruit a company for him- self. A new raised company now at this place, has been assigned to me; but for the present, as it is a question with me whether I will continue in the service, have ex- cused myself from the command. I feel perfectly weary and sick of the noise and bustle of a military life, and long for a change for a domestic situation.
March .- General St. Clair is determined to have an in- vestigation into the causes of the defeat. He resigns the command of the army. As it will be some time before the investigation can commence, and having little now to do, I leave Philadelphia for Pittsburgh, by way of Car- lisle, with a view of making arrangements to retire from the army. The little horse that served me so well in the campaign and in the action, was brought round by the General, and carries me on this journey. Our good for- tune, I hope, will attend us. See my friends at Carlisle. Proceeded to Pittsburgh, where I make some engage- ments, and determine upon quitting the service. Return to the city after an absence of four weeks.
April .- General Anthony Wayne appointed comman- der-in-chief, in place of General St. Clair, who had re- signed. The army is to be augmented to four regiments
382
MILITARY JOURNAL OF
of infantry, besides a corps of cavalry ; the whole, with artillery, to consist of five thousand men. The commit- tee of Congress commence their inquiry into the causes of the defeat. Several hours spent every day for a week past, examining officers and others examined on oath. They adjourn, and finally report to the House,
"That, in their opinion, the failure of the late expedition can in no respect be imputed to the conduct of the commanding general, either at any time before or during the action."
May 1st .- Resigned my commission ; next day left the city for Pittsburgh.
IN the winter of 1793-4 the western frontiers of Penn- sylvania lay much exposed to the inroads of the Indians ; frequent depredations were committed. General Wayne had removed and taken with him down the Ohio, the whole of the troops of the United States, leaving at Fort Franklin only a subaltern and twenty men. I had oc- casion to be in Philadelphia about this time, when Gov- ernor Mifflin communicated to me a plan which he recommended to the Legislature for the protection of the western frontiers. This plan was adopted, and an act passed authorizing him to appoint and raise in Philadel- phia a company of artillery, and in the western counties three companies of riflemen. A very favorite object of the Governor, and which was approved by the Legisla- ture, was the establishment of a post at Presqu' Isle, on Lake Erie. The command intended for this favorite
383
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
object was to be composed of detachments from each of the four companies, to consist of a captain, four subal- terns and one hundred and seven non-commissioned and privates.
March 1st, 1794 .- I was commissioned captain of the company to be raised in the county of Allegheny, and espe- cially appointed to the command of the Presqu' Isle detach- ment. It was expected that a post at Presqu' Isle would cut off the intercourse between the Six Nations, who had become wavering and suspicious, and the hostile Indians, and would favor General Wayne, who was preparing to march against the latter. Another important object was to afford protection to commissioners appointed to lay out towns at Le Bœuf and Presqu' Isle, and to force settle- ments at each of these places, under cover of the troops.
20th .- General Wilkins came from Philadelphia with the law for raising four companies of State troops, and the commission of captain for myself, with orders to command the detachment of one hundred and seven men, when raised, destined for Presqu' Isle. Samuel Murphy and James Patterson appointed the subalterns to the Allegheny company.
April 4th .- Mr. Patterson's commission did not come on until to-day. I went to his home and delivered it, with money and recruiting instructions. Lieutenant Murphy has been out since the 24th of March in Fayette.
9th .- Set out to Westmoreland to recruit and to hurry on the quota of that county. Had written to the inspec- tors of Washington and Westmoreland, some days pre- vious, requesting that their men might be sent on as soon
384
MILITARY JOURNAL OF
as possible, as a covering party was wanted to make a deposit somewhere near the head navigation of French creek.
13th. - Finding that the detachments would not join us as soon as they were wanted, joined with General Wilkins in requesting a party of volunteers for covering the boats and stores.
19th .- The volunteers assembled. Twenty men with Lieutenant Miller arrived from Washington.
21st. - Ensign Mahaffy came in with his quota from Westmoreland. They marched along with Miller's men ; each with a sergeant, corporal and twenty men. They would join the volunteers next morning. Lieutenant Miller returned to Washington to recruit.
The State troops under Mahaffy, - 43
Four sent with boats, - - 4
-
47
Volunteers, - 32
May 7th .- The detachment of artillery (thirty-two) under Lieutenant Hazlewood, arrived from Philadelphia.
23d .- Received a letter from the Governor entreating that nothing might be omitted to have the law for lay- ing out the town at Presqu' Isle executed, and empower- ing us to order out militia if necessary. Mr. Ellicott and Mr. Wilkins, who was just from Fort Franklin, joined in requesting a company from the three counties. Accordingly the men were ordered out.
30th .- Orders came from the Governor for turning out one thousand militia to assist in making the establish-
385
MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
ment at Presqu' Isle, but left to the discretion of General Irvine, who was expected to be here.
June 1st .- General Irvine came to town. He was of opinion that five hundred of the militia ordered out would answer the purpose, but not less. Two days ago the Indians attacked a canoe upon the Allegheny ; there were three men in it. They killed one and wounded the other two, but got nothing. The accident happened five miles above the Kiskiminetas. The Indians, disap- pointed in that attack, crossed to the Kiskiminetas and unfortunately fell in with a Kentucky boat full of women and children, with but four men, laying to feeding their cattle. The men were ashore, received a fire without much damage, got into the boat, all but one, who fled to a house not far distant. The Indians fired into the boat, killed two men and wounded the third. The boat had been set afloat and drifted down in that helpless condition, twenty-four women and children on board.
2d .- Orders from the Governor suspending our expe- dition to Presqu' Isle, and directing me to remain with my detachment at Le Bœuf. Wrote to the inspectors to forward me the enlistments of the recruits from West- moreland and Washington counties.
6th .- Wrote to the Governor.
7th .- Lieutenant Hazlewood, with his detachment of artillery from Philadelphia, thirty-two, having joined us, we crossed the Allegheny with seventy men, the remain- der of my command, and took up our march for Le Bœuf. Encamped one mile from Robinson's.
8th. - Detained until late in the day waiting for a 25
386
MILITARY JOURNAL OF
drove of cattle which we wished to have along. Twen- ty-two were brought over. We moved seven miles and halted.
9th .- Found that the cattle had returned in the night back to the river. We were obliged to send after them. It was two o'clock when they were brought up. We marched about fourteen miles, and encamped on a branch of Brush creek.
10th. - Marched at seven o'clock ; crossed Conneke- ness; halted one hour; took the route again, and en- camped one mile beyond Muddy creek. This day's march twenty-three miles.
11th. - Marched at eight o'clock. Passed over a rich level country. Stopped at Slippery Rock, where we saw one of the best natural mill seats and plenty of water. A fine situation for a village. Went on and encamped at a spring-twenty miles.
12th. - Marched at seven o'clock through thickets of brush -few trees - but the land good. Rain for two days past. Passed the graves of two men who were killed a few days ago, eighteen miles from Franklin. Halted awhile. Proceeded and got to the fort (mouth of French creek) between four and five o'clock in the afternoon-twenty miles-distance from Pittsburgh sev- enty miles.
13th .- Lay encamped drying, cleaning and putting our arms in order.
14th .- Mr. Ellicott made a request in writing for me to remain until the arrival of the Cornplanter - stating that he and General Wilkins had sent for him. Agreed.
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.