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 24
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15th .- Found Fort Franklin in a wretched state of de fense. The men in the fort, about twenty, almost all invalids and unable to make any repairs. The officer and his command under great apprehension of an attack from the Indians, who were in considerable numbers about the place, and very insulting. There was good reason to fear mischief from the Six Nations. Two men were murdered the day before we arrived, eighteen miles on the road to Pittsburgh. They had left the fort, and it was supposed had been followed by some of the rascals who are now here. Sensible of the importance of the post, and the connection which we must necessarily have with it, could not think of advancing and leaving it in such bad condition. The garrison for some time past had suffered every inconvenience of a close siege; gates were kept locked day and night. But both gates and pickets served more to cover the enemy, than for any defense of the people within. Accordingly we set to work. A new set of pickets was brought from the woods, and in four days an entire new work erected round the block-house, which we left in tolerable de- fensible order. Lieutenant Polhemus, who commands here, is of opinion that General Knox intends the fort shall go to wreck-says he has often represented the con- dition of the place; but no provision had been made for repairing it. The block-house cannot last more than an- other year or two, and then it will be easier building upon the old British work (which ought to have been done at first) than to repair the present one.
21st .- Took up our march. Crossed French creek in
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canoes ; the water high and rapid. Marched twelve miles over a fine country. Forded Big Sugar creek waist deep. Encamped on a fine piece of ground.
22d. - Marched at seven. The road and land from Franklin to Cussewago excellent. Got to the settlement about three o'clock, where we found some people "forted," as it is called. This the only place where a settlement has been attempted this side of Pittsburgh.
23d .- The cattle strayed. Did not get all until eleven o'clock. Marched twelve miles. The country very level and rich.
24th .- Marched at eight through pine swamps and bad roads. Came upon French creek, seven miles below Le Bœuf; the country thence up beautiful, and the road good. Joined our people about four o'clock. The dis- tance from Fort Franklin to Le Bœuf, by way of Cusse- wago, about fifty-five miles. The first part may be made good, but the other will be very difficult until the coun- try is opened. A direct road north from Franklin to Le Bœuf, it is said, will not exceed forty-five miles ; but it is yet uncertain what kind of a road that route will afford. Ensign Mehaffy and his detachment we found fenced in. The quarters of the men who were here be- fore us, and the whole place, in the most abominable filthy condition, and one-third of the men ill with the flux. Boats had all been got up safe and unloaded. Stores of every kind deposited in a temporary warehouse. To our very great mortification, I received orders from the Governor suspending our march to Presqu' Isle, and to proceed for the present no farther. This circumstance
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he laments. The President of the United States has made a special request of it ; apprehensive of giving dis- gust to the Six Nations and extending the sphere of In- dian hostilities. Information communicated to the de- partment of war, by Israel Chapin, Indian Agent, stating the great probability of an immediate rupture with the Six Nations if we proceed to Presqu' Isle, has. produced this interposition of the President.
25th. - The evening of our arrival I received a letter from Israel Chapin, superintendent for the Six Nations, informing me that he had just landed at Presqu' Isle with William Johnson, a British agent, and sixteen chiefs and warriors-a deputation from the Buffalo council, and that they would be with us by two o'clock next day.
26th .- Lay encamped under cover of two block-houses. Chapin with his party came in, and saluted us as they passed. We returned the salute with a discharge of the small arms out of the block-houses, and one six-pounder. The Indians encamped down on the river bank.
27th .- Met the Indians to hear their message. It was from the Buffalo council "to the armed people at Presqu' Isle and Le Bœuf," and amounted to nothing more or less than an order to remove back. That if we did, they would consider us as friends, but if not, we would not be considered as such. I disliked the presence of Johnson, and felt a very strong disposition to take him into cus- tody. Abused Chapin for coming upon such business. Hc excused himself by declaring that he had been in a manner compelled. He is an old man. Johnson, the British and Indian agent, acted (slily ) as prompter to
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their old chief who spoke. They denied having sold their land. Told us that the paper (deed) which they signed at Fort Harmar, was thought by them then to be no more than a treaty of peace, and that the goods which were given them they considered as presents. Money, they say they never received any. They were very in- quisitive-wished to know if any surveyors were out, and told us to stop every person from going forward. They were told that we were ordered here by our great coun- cil, and could not remove from hence until orders came for that purpose.
28th. - Chapin and the deputation of Indians left us and returned to Presqu' Isle, where they had left their boats, and would proceed home to Buffalo by water, the way they came.
29th. - Wrote to the Governor; inclosed the Indian message and a return of the troops.
30th .- Commenced our fatigue with as many hands as we dare venture abroad, getting pickets and block-house logs.
July 1st. - Laid off ground on the old French and British site, and began a work sufficient for my com- mand. Four block-houses forming a square, fifty-four feet apart; lower story of house seventeen feet, upper story twenty feet, connected by stout pickets set two and a half feet in the ground and ten and a half out. The seam inside covered by a smaller picket six feet high. Sides of block-houses covered by an angle in the line of pickets extending from the centre of each curtain. Sides of the angles, eighteen feet. The ground handsomely
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elevated. Washed on the east by Le Bœuf creek, fifteen and twenty yards wide. An extensive cleared plain all around.
2d .- All hands at work. Erected another curtain.
3d. - Inclosed ourselves so as to secure us from any attempts the Indians could make.
4th. - Block-houses up to the square pickets planted on three sides. Rested this day from labor.
5th .- Mr. Nesbitt, Mr. Tannehill and Mr. Gibson, left us to return home. Wrote to the Governor. Employed in getting in timber, leveling the fort, &c.
6th .- Sunday. Rested from labor.
7th, 8th, 9th and 10th .- Employed in raising two build- ings ; one for the contractor and one for quarter-master's and military stores.
11th and 12th. - Pulled down some old buildings and got up our fourth line of pickets. Filled up two old French cellars that were within our work, and leveled the parade. An Indian express arrived from Franklin with a packet for Mr. Ellicott.
13th .- No fatigue.
17th .- Sent Lieutenant Murphy, the quarter-master, a sergeant and fifteen men, with a six ox team, to bring up our other twelve-pounder from where it was left, seven miles below on the creek. They returned in the after- noon.
18th. - An express came from Franklin with the pro- ceedings of the Buffalo council, held the 4th instant; sent by General Chapin.
19th .- Ensign Mehaffy, with six men, started for Pitts-
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burgh with dispatches, and with orders to bring us on a supply of provisions.
25th .- Obliged to stop our work for want of provisions.
26th. - Discovered three Indians viewing the fort. Sent out a couple of men with a white flag, but the fel- lows cleared off. This evening received letters from Pitt and one from the Governor, dated 13th of June.
27th .- Heard the report of two cannon toward Presqu' Isle. Sent two men on there to observe if there were any people at that place.
28th. - The men sent to Presqu' Isle returned after being all over the place. Made no discoveries.
Aug. 1st .- Dispatched Sergeant Holladay and two men to Pittsburgh, with letters and returns for the Governor. Sent along a draught of our fort, which is now nearly fin- ished. In the second story of each of the western block- houses is mounted a six-pounder ; and aloft on each of the eastern houses is a swivel. In the eastern angle, fronting the creek, constructed of heavy timber laid hor- izontally, we have a battery of two twelve-pounders. Around the curtains are erected banquettes of hewn tim- ber, for the men to mount on to fire through the ports. Men quarter in the block-houses. Officers have two small buildings, for quarter - master and contractor's stores, besides magazine and guard house.
2d. - Served the troops with a half a ration of meat only, and a ration and a half of flour. The weather re- markably warm and dry ; no rain since the 20th of July.
3d .- Extreme sultry weather. The creek totally use- less. In the evening appearance of rain at a distance,
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all round; only a few drops reached us. The wind has continued south-west during this dry spell.
5th .- Cloudy, with wind, but no rain.
6th. - Received a supply of cattle, thirteen head, but miserably poor.
7th .- Last night one of the sentries fired at an Indian very near the fort, about two o'clock in the morning. The garrison was alarmed and under arms.
9th .- The weather changed. Wind from the south-east.
10th .- A steady rain all last evening and this morning. An appearance of more.
11th .- Dry warm weather. A young Indian came ex- press from Cussewago, with information that a Mr. Dick- enson had, the day before, been fired upon within one hundred perches of the town, and was wounded in three places, a fourth shot cut the crown of his hat. One of the balls lodged in his body, but there were hopes of his recovery. David Mead begged for some protection.
12th .- Sent a trusty corporal and twelve men to Cusse- wago to remain there. A man of that place fired on within one hundred and fifty perches of the block-house, and wounded in three places. Nothing of the kind has yet occurred with us. Our sentries have twice in the night fired at objects which they took for Indians, and had us all at our stations. Have no doubt but they were frequently near us. A few days since three fellows ap- peared on the edge of the plain; I sent a sergeant with a flag toward them, but they made off.
17th. - Sherman Morrow, of the artillery, missing; supposed to have deserted. Our whiskey run out.
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18th. - Sent a party in search of Morrow; found no trace of him.
19th .- A further search made, but no trace or sign.
20th .- Set in to rain very early, and continued all day. The creek rose considerably. Morrow came in about two o'clock. Says he was lost ; traveled to Lake Erie, was at Presqu' Isle.
23d. - In the evening three canoes made out to bring us some flour from Cussewago. Each canoe had five barrels of flour.
24th .-- The people returned to Cussewago.
25th .- Last night a few of our fellows broke open the commissary store, outside the garrison, where the com- missioners had a cask of brandy, and carried off the barrel. The men were paraded early. George Depue, John Depue, Walker and Glenn, who were found drunk, were confined. A canteen of the brandy was found in Walker's berth, and a number of the men appeared to have had a small share. Mitchel, of the artillery, called out, that it was damned wrong these men should be con- fined. I ordered him to be secured. He snatched up a musket, and swore he would shoot the first man who would attempt to lay hands on him. The guard was backward. I advanced toward him; he snapped the piece at me and called to the' men to join him. Elliot, one of the prisoners, jumped up to his assistance, and hallooed, "Now's the time, my boys, let's join." Two of the other prisoners endeavored to escape out of the gate. In the mean time Mitchel was loading his piece, and had got it primed, but before it was charged Lieutenant
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Murphy, seconded by Sergeant Smith, jumped upon him and disarmed him with considerable difficulty. Mr. El- licott, who was at the gate at the time, prevented Glenn and Depue from running off. Elliot was the only one who offered to assist Mitchel, and coming up at the time Lieutenant Murphy was engaged with Mitchel, Mr. Mur- phy settled his business. The troops about this time were under arms, and as soon as possible we had Mitchel in irons. He, however, was not settled, but damned him- self if he would not shoot both Murphy and myself. Knowing him to be a dangerous fellow, and having no authority to punish so capital a crime, and keeping him confined with us would have been attended with some risk, I dispatched him off under a corporal and three men, to Fort Franklin, with a request to Captain Heth to keep him secured. The same party of rascals broke down the oven some time in the night, with a view of putting a stop to any more bread being issued.
Lieutenant Miller is blamed for encouraging the break- ing of the oven. He has been heard say that it was wrong not to let the men have flour, and went so far as to tell me the men ought to have flour. I mentioned at the time that if he would be answerable for any charge the contractor would bring against me, that his detach- ment should have flour ; but he would not agree to that. When the men have been talking to him of the hardness of the times, he would reply that "they were hard enough," and being exceedingly familiar with all ranks, eating and sleeping with his, sitting down and entering into social conversation with the meanest of them, and
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drinking with them upon all occasions, notwithstanding my repeated advice to him, this conduct led the other gentlemen to suspect him of being concerned. However, he was very quiet during our fray. About ten o'clock the barrel was found concealed under a heap of brush, with about half the liquor in it.
Lieutenant Hazlewood informs me, that Lieutenant Miller told him he was not doing right in suffering a man of the artillery detachment to bake bread-that he, Miller, would not allow one of his detachment to do so, if he had ever so many bakers; and mentioned that the man who baked had the curses of all the garrison. Upon further inquiry, we find there were no less than seven concerned in robbing the store.
27th. - Ensign Mehaffy, with his party, arrived with thirteen head of very small cattle, and a few horse loads of flour and whiskey-ten in number.
Sept. 3d. - Wrote to the Governor and inclosed re- turns, dated the 1st. Also wrote to General Harmar.
6th .- Received a small supply of flour from Cussewa- go in two canoes. A few days past considerable rain fell. The waters risen five or six inches.
7th .- Last night was very cold.
8th .- Still colder.
9th. - In the morning the whole country white with frost. The officers of the fort have all expressed a desire to see Presqu' Isle, and they have received some en- couragement, provided circumstances would allow it. A few days since a letter was received by Mr. Ellicott from Mr. Adlum, who had returned to Fort Franklin from the
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Cornplanter. The letter informs us that a treaty was to be held at Buffalo, on the 15th of this month, by the Six Nations, and commissioners appointed by the United States ; recommending it to us, by all means, to have a stock of provisions laid in ; that if the treaty did not ter- minate as the Indians wished, that war was inevitable, and that the Cornplanter desired him to tell us not to carry much provision to Le Bœuf, for fear we would have to run of and leave it before long. Before this in- formation came, I had told Mr. Hazlewood we would endeavor to let him go to Presqu' Isle soon. But since, being obliged to employ more of the men in strengthen- ing the fort, and not thinking it prudent to let him select sixteen men to go just upon the day he pleased, he made a formal tender to me of his commission, telling me it was to see the country that he came out, and if he could not have that liberty, he did not choose to serve any longer ; he wished to resign his appointment, he would then go where he pleased. I informed him that it was not in my power to accept it; but the next time that I wrote to the Governor, would mention it, and if he ap- proved of the resignation it would be well; but that it was impossible for him to quit until an answer came from the Governor. He replied, that his time would be out against then, and took back the commission.
Besides the information which has been mentioned as received from John Adlum, he tells us also, that a num- ber of Indians had come across the lake to guard the frontiers of the Six Nations. Now it is more than proba- ble that a party of these Indians are constantly about
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Presqu' Isle, that place being the grand point in question. And to suffer an officer and fifteen or twenty men to go there at this time, might precipitate a war, which is dreaded. The night after Lieutenant Hazlewood had shown me a list of sixteen men that he wanted to go to the lake with him, and before he wished to quit the ser- vice ; I took an opportunity of mentioning to him the impropriety of going at this time. Told him that I was as desirous of going as any person could be, but that I was determined never to do a thing that might disgrace me; that probably there was not much danger, but it was uncertain what would happen. That one or two men might not be discovered, but an officer and such a party as he wanted, would very likely be seen and in- tercepted. Any accident would injure me. He appear- ed satisfied with this ; but to my astonishment, next day he wanted to resign.
11th .- Received a letter from Ensign Vanhorn at Cus- sewago, complaining much of Mr. Wilkins having or- dered the two six-pounders from there to Franklin, and begging for some more men. Wrote by the two men to General Wilkins, and inclosed a letter to an inspector for fifty men to be kept at Cussewago; mentioned the hostile determination of the Six Nations, &c.
The pack horses in the employ of the contractor left us two or three days ago, with orders to load at Cusse- wago with flour, and return as soon as possible. I sent two men along with them, and ordered the corporal who is stationed there, to add four of his men to the party when they started for this place.
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15th. - No whiskey for the troops.
18th. - The pack horses not returned. Whiskey out. Beef very poor. Men complain. A board of officers inspect it, and judge a pound and a half to be no more than right. Sent a man to Cussewago to know what de- tains the horses.
20th .- The express returned from Cussewago and says that the pack horses had arrived there from Franklin the day before yesterday; that the one-half of them were lost; that but five were coming on. By the same express Mr. Mead informs us that on Sunday last he was at Franklin, where he learned that Governor Simco had marched with a party of British troops from Ni- agara to dispossess Captain Williamson of a handsome establishment which he had made on Lake Ontario, in the State of New York. Yesterday two spies were dis- covered viewing our fort. This evening the horses ar- rived. One lost on the road from Cussewago, and the load (salt) was left behind. Matthew Wilson, the ex- press from Cussewago to Pittsburgh, returned; only eight days gone. By him I received letters from the Governor and General Wilkins.
21st. - Sent a boat off for corn to Cussewago, and for some more flour. We have had some rain almost every day for three weeks past, but not to affect the creek un- til now; nor has there been any chance to employ boats since the 4th of July until the present time.
28th .- On the morning of this day the meat was com- plained of. A court was ordered to inspect it. They reported it poor and unwholesome; consequently not fit
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to be issued. Mr. Ellicott and myself looked at it, but could not agree with the court. The beef was put into store, the best meat picked out, and delivered without a murmur. Some of the officers who were on the court, particularly Lieutenant Miller, scolded his sergeant, and forbid the men taking it, telling them it was all con- demned. This encouraged others, and they thinking that the contractor and quarter-master were imposing upon them meat which had not passed inspection, refused the second time. I desired the court to go and give their opinion of what the contractor had selected. They did ; and Lieutenant Hazlewood reported that they were of the same opinion as before, that the meat was unfit for use. I examined it, with some other gentlemen, but ex- cepting a few pieces which had been taken out the first time, the rest was as sweet as any meat could be. I waited upon the court, and told them there was no re- source (it was all we had), that there might be a chance piece not so good, but that the commissary should pick it; and as I had understood from the men that the poor- ness was what they complained of, that a pound was not sufficient for the ration, if they would look at it again and report what additional quantity might be allowed, that I would order it. Lieutenant Miller cursed himself and said he would report no more about it, that if they had done right they would have thrown it into the creek. Lieutenant Hazlewood and Ensign Mehaffy were willing to make the report, while they thought that the others refusing, would prevent them. But upon my telling them that any two would be sufficient, or that Lieutenant
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Murphy should be ordered in the room of Lieutenant Miller, Lieutenant Hazlewood replied that he or they could not have anything more to do with it; that any other opinion now would be condemning the first report, and therefore declined. This was plain enough, that all the meat was looked upon by the court to be bad and unfit to be issued.
29th .- Two canoes came with seven barrels of whiskey and six barrels of flour. Cold rains. The creek in fine condition for boating.
30th .- Very cold for the season.
Oct. 1st .- Wrote to the Governor and inclosed a return of the troops. My communications to the Governor have been once a month, and oftener when necessary. Men are all in fine health and exercised every day. Our numbers the same as when we set out; that is, four subalterns, a quarter-master, seven sergeants, six corpo- rals, one drummer and ninety-six privates.
2d .- Cold raw east wind, with rain. The creek falls. 3d .- Cold, and considerable rain.
4th. - A light snow in the morning. The day clear and cold.
5th. - Last night a cold rain ; cleared up and changed to snow. The country covered about four inches. The woods around have a beautiful appearance. The creek keeps in good boating order. Received a supply of beef this afternoon in time to save the life of our milch cow.
6th. - Hard frost, clear and cold.
7th. - This morning woods white with frost. Consid- erable ice. The creek keeps up finely.
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8th .- Clear and moderate.
9th .- Cloudy and cold, with some rain. Received two messages lately from the Cornplanter. He pretends to be friendly, but says we must leave the place or we will be driven off. The Senecas, of whom he is chief, are a tribe of the Six Nations; they live high up the Allegheny river, and in case of hostilities are much exposed. John Adlum, a surveyor, who was lately at Cornplanter's town, writes from Franklin, and says that a number of the Indians from the British side were with the Corn- planter, and threaten this post. Our movements into this country no doubt have prevented these people from joining the western Indians, and a continuance of peace with them will depend altogether upon the success of General Wayne.
10th .- Very winter-like weather. A canoe with whis- key, flour and salt arrived this afternoon from Cussewa- go. About dark an express from Pitt, with letters from Mr. Wilkins and Governor Mifflin; a copy of an act for maintaining my command, which is to be increased to one hundred and thirty men ; orders to re-enlist.
11th .- Fine day.
12th. - A canoe with twelve barrels flour. Answered Mr. Wilkins' letter by Matthew Wilson.
13th. - Pleasant weather. The Indian summer here. Frosty nights. The creek begins to fall.
14th, 15th, 16th and 17th .- Remarkable fine days and clear, dry, frosty nights.
18th .- Set out with twelve men, accompanied by Mr. Ellicott, on a visit to Presqu' Isle. Went by what is
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called the grubbed road. It seems that after the French had opened the Indian path from Presqu' Isle to Le Bœuf, and wagoned considerably upon it, they found that it was some miles about, and that they had com- menced the road upon a wrong plan ; that it would take more labor to keep it in repair than would open one upon a straight line, notwithstanding, near five miles was cross-way'd, and no road can be had from the lake to French creek with less. However, the direct course was found, and they began with cutting it out forty feet in width, which was pursued from the ford on Mill creek all the way to Le Bœuf. They also erected several large bridges, thirty, forty, fifty feet in length, across hollow ways and deep runs, overlaid with puncheons about eighteen feet long. But there does not appear to have been any cross-way done. Though it will certainly want as much as the old road, yet there has been a vast deal of digging. The course being straight, the way una- voidably led up and down every little precipice that presented, but all these were leveled; every point and sidling ground was made easy, and is still so. But the bridging has decayed and fallen down in the centre. But what appears the most extraordinary is the grub- bing. The country through is covered with a vast deal of heavy timber, notwithstanding every tree, from one end to the other, has been taken up by the roots and rolled out. However, it does not appear that ever they made use of this road ; for when the trees were taken ur the holes were yet so deep as to make it bad for a horse." No doubt the road was intended for a grand way. It is
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