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 25
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
now grown up with small wood, but the largest to be seen does not exceed six inches. It is supposed that eight men could cut out a mile in a day. After that there must be a cross-way for four or five miles, and some of the old bridges repaired, the root holes filled ; in places ditching would be very serviceable. The dis- tance is between ten and twelve miles. We left Le Bœuf about eight o'clock and were at Presqu' Isle about two. Spent the afternoon along the lake and looking round the old fort. The situation grand. A perfect sea- board prospect, and one of the most beautiful. The bank along the lake is high and dry, perhaps about forty feet. Six or eight feet of the bottom is a slate rock. For a mile and a half, the country round the fort has been cleared, but is now grown up with young chestnut timber. Even within the fort the brush is so thick that it is diffi- cult passing. There have been very fine gardens here ; parsnips, currant bushes and many other things growing wild. The old fort a regular pentagon ; about one thou- sand feet round the parapet, overlooking and command- ing the basin or harbor, and affording a boundless view of the lake. It has been a handsome but light work ; neither ditch nor parapet are sufficiently large. Five feet is about the base and height. The ditch perhaps three feet, and four in width. There must have been some other defense, pickets or fraising. The walls of the magazine are yet good, and the well wants nothing but cleaning out. The chimneys of the houses, some brick, others stone, are still standing; and the walls of a stone house, down by the old mill, are yet tolerably good.
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MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
19th .- Left Presqu' Isle about seven o'clock. Return. ed by the old cart road. Got back to Le Bœuf about two o'clock. The old road appears now to be dryer than the grubbed one. Indeed in many places where the cross-waying is, the ground does not appear to want it. The country upon both roads is wet; will make fine grazing farm. Many excellent plantations might be made. There is a variety of soil and timber. Some places and large bottoms, are as rich as any land that can be found; the timber, walnut, sugar-tree and shell- bark hickory. But the greater part is but middling, ex- cept for pasture; the timber, hemlock or spruce pine, and beech. Along the lake, for two or three miles back, the country is high and dry, a light soil, chestnut and oak of a large growth. Although we had severe frosts at Le Bœuf since the middle of last month, and almost constant, we could not discover that there had been any at Presqu' Isle, at least nothing appeared touched, not even the pea vine. This temperature of the weather must be owing to the large body of water which had re- ceived in the summer a degree of heat not easily chilled; consequently until that warmth in the lake is overcome, the air around will be influenced and kept temperate. The same cause is operating now upon the air. On the contrary, in the spring, keeps back the season and all vegetation. It is from this cause, I suppose, that apple orchards and some other fruits are so certain upon the lakes. Letters from Pitt inform us that in August Gen- eral Wayne had given the western Indians a severe
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
drubbing. This will be very apt to quiet the Six Na- tions, the instigations of the British to the contrary not- withstanding.
20th. - The French creek fallen near three feet since the last rains. Two men from the landing, ten miles down, left their boat and canoes there. They came up for assistance. The creek too low for their boat. The weather changing. Considerable rain fell this afternoon.
21st .- Rain, off and on, all night, with a strong south wind. About daylight shifted to the north-west. Thick squalls of snow all day, with hail.
22d .- Cold and like for snow. The creek rose last night a few inches. The keel boat, after putting part of her load into canoes, made out to reach this place.
23d. - Mr. Ellicott set out in the Mohawk boat for Fort Pitt.
24th .- Set in to snow early in the morning; continued all day, night, and the most part of next day.
25th .- In the afternoon changed to a light rain. Had the ground been frozen and the snow not so wet, we would have had it twelve or fourteen inches deep. It was six inches this morning.
26th. - Sunday. Very foggy, cold and wet.
27th. - The snow all gone; weather moderate; creek rising. Robert M'Near, with a party of men, came on to open the road to Presqu' Isle.
28th .- Cloudy and raw weather. The creek in excel- lent boating order.
29th .- Moderate rain all day and most part of the night.
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MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
30th .- Partly clear; no rain to-day.
31st .- Rained last night and moderately all day. The creek higher than we have ever seen it before.
Nov. 1st .- Cleared off pleasant.
2d. - Fine day.
3d .- Hard rain all last night, and violent storms of wind and rain all day. The creek over its banks.
4th .- A constant rain all day and night.
5th .- Cleared away-moderate.
6th .- Pleasant, dry day ; the creek beginning to fall.
7th .- Dry. The creek not yet within its banks.
8th. - A light rain off and on all last night; wet drizzling rain all day. The creek fell within its banks.
9th .- Sunday. Cloudy and raw.
10th .- Some snow and rain. This afternoon received in- structions from the Governor to re-enlist the detachment.
11th .- Read the Governor's letter to the men.
12th .- Find that the men don't incline to enlist for six months. They are naked and dispirited, and no money among us to tempt them. Concluded upon engaging volunteers for a month. Cold and snow.
13th .- Snowed hard all day. Find a difficulty in per- suading any of the men to stay even for one month.
14th .- Constant snow. Engaged as many as nineteen volunteers to stay and help the garrison until a relief comes on, which is promised before the 1st of January.
15th .-- Moderate, with some snow. The creek falling fast, owing to the frosty nights.
16th .- Sunday. Deep snow last night; snowed hard all day. Preparing to start down the river.
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MILITARY JOURNAL OF
17th .- Left Ensign Mehaffy, Quarter-master M'Cutch- eon, and nineteen men, and embarked with the rest of my command in boats for Pitt. Hard snow all day. The creek tolerably full of water and difficult to navi- gate, owing to the great number of trees which fill up the channel. Two of our canoes overset and a couple of rifles lost. The day very cold; many of the men wet, being obliged frequently to jump into the water, and some thrown out. Halted six miles short of Cussewago.
18th .- Got under way very early, and was at Cussewa- go for breakfast; remained all day fixing the craft and repairing a keel boat which we found necessary to take along.
19th. - Fine day. Took the detachment that was at Cussewago on board the keel boat, with myself and a few men out of the canoes, and left that place about nine o'clock ; got to Franklin about three without any diffi- culty.
20th .- Drew provisions at Franklin and cooked break- fast. The day very wet and cold. Got down within twelve or fifteen miles of Stump creek.
21st. - Very cold snowy day. The Allegheny high. Lay this night a few miles below Green's.
22d .- Reached Pittsburgh.
24th .- The Governor had left this but a few days. I found a new arrangement of the detachment intended for my command; that a Mr. Buchanan had been ap- pointed captain, and already recruiting; had raised a number of men for Le Bœuf. Doctor Kennedy appoint- ed surgeon to the detachment, and a flattering letter for
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MAJOR EBENEZER DENNY.
me, with the appointment of Major. This was pleasing information, as I had some doubts about getting recruits in time to relieve Ensign Mehaffy. Our leaving Le Bœuf so soon as we did, was that we might have the more time to enlist men, as we found it impossible to persuade any of them to engage there. No money to be had for the men.
25th and 26th .- Discharged the men.
Dec. 13th .- Started up Captain Buchanan for Le Bœuf with thirty-five recruits. The party lay four days on the opposite side of the river, waiting for pack horses ; four only were provided. Doctor Kennedy was obliged to remain behind for want of a conveyance for his baggage.
Jan. 4th, 1795. - Ensign Mehaffy and Ensign M'- Cutcheon, with the men left at Le Bœuf, arrived.
5th .- Discharged the remains of our command.
11th .- Lieutenant Hazlewood resigned his commission and took abrupt departure for Philadelphia.
Have leave of absence, with liberty, if necessary, to visit Philadelphia.
May 31st. - As every difficulty seems to have ceased, and my young family not in a situation to be left, have recommended the Governor to transfer the command and the duty of escorting the commissioners in laying out the towns, the only business now to be done, to Captain Buchanan, who appears well qualified for this service.
APPENDICES.
(411)
APPENDIX No. I.
LETTERS.
IN illustration of the foregoing Journal of Major Denny, it was thought that the letters of his friend and commander, written during the same period, on the same topics, might be interesting. With that view, the family of General Harmar kindly intrusted to us his whole military cor- respondence. Many letters were selected for publication for the reference they make to persons and occurrences there mentioned, and some indeed, for their own merit and their public value.
Lieut .- Col. Josiah Harmar to Thomas Mifflin, President of Congress. NEW YORK, January 19th, 1784.
SIR-I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I arrived here this day. I left Annapolis the morning of the 15th, in the stage. On my arrival in Baltimore, I hired a sleigh, which conveyed me that night as far as Leggett's. Here I found a stage. On the morning of the 16th I took passage in it, and that night gained the head of Elk. Fortunately I here met his Excellency the Minister of France, who delivered me his dispatches. On the morning of the 17th, before day, I left the head of Elk in the stage, and gained Philadelphia in the evening. I instantly waited upon the honorable Mr. Morris, and produced to him the act of Congress, directing him to supply me with cash to bear my necessary ex- penses. He gave me one hundred and three pounds fifteen shillings cash, and a credit upon Paris. I then waited upon his Excellency the Presi- dent of the State, and delivered him his letters. I engaged a sleigh to go on with me the next morning-lodged at your house that night-left
(413)
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APPENDIX NO. I.
the ladies, Mrs. Suckey and Miss Beccy well. Sarago awakened me before day on Sunday morning, the 18th, and the sleigh being at the door, I was conveyed by fresh horses with great celerity that night as far as Newark, eighty-six miles. On the 19th, in the morning, the day being excessively stormy, I left Newark, and with great difficulty in the passage of the North river, arrived in New York that evening. I then instantly went on board the French packet, and was introduced to Monsieur D' Aboville, the captain, the Minister having given me a letter to him. I shall use every exertion at L'Orient to get forward to Paris and deliver the ratifi- cation of the treaty in time.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest esteem and affection, Your Excellency's most obedient servant, Jos. HARMAR. His Excellency, THOMAS MIFFLIN, Esq., President of Congress, Annapolis.
Same to same.
PARIS, April 8th, 1784.
SIR-I had the honor of addressing your Excellency on the 21st of February last, the day we left Sandyhook. I now have the pleasure to inform you of my safe arrival at L'Orient on the 25th ult., after a rough and stormy passage of thirty-three days. When we were seventeen days out we were near Cape Finisterre, which gave us every reason to expect our voyage would be completed in twenty days; but on the European coast, the strong eastwardly winds set in, which detained us a fortnight longer. Immediately upon my landing at L'Orient, I hired a voiture and went day and night by post-arrived at Paris on the 29th-delivered the dispatches Congress was pleased to intrust me with to his Excellency, Doctor Franklin, that evening, and took the necessary receipt for the same, agreeably to the private instructions received from your Excellency. In conversation the day before yesterday with Doctor Franklin, I informed him that I should send your Excellency advice of the time of my arrival and delivery of the public dispatches, and begged to know whether he thought any difficulties were likely to arise on account of the treaty not being ex- changed agreeably to the stipulated time. The doctor gave me for answer, that he had written some time since to Laurens on the subject, and de- sired him to inform Mr. Hartley (the British commissioner) that the rea- son of the treaty not having arrived, must be owing to the inclemency of the season in America; and that if it should be judged necessary by the court of Great Britain, he thought that Mr. Laurens would do well to enter into an agreement for an extension of time. Mr. Hartley was ac-
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LETTERS.
cordingly informed of the above circumstances by Mr. Laurens, and his reply to Mr. Laurens was, that the court were satisfied with the reasons advanced, and that an extension of time was unnecessary. I therefore have the satisfaction to inform your Excellency all is well.
The Marquis de la Fayette intends sailing for America about the latter end of next month, and has very politely offered me a passage in the same vessel with him, which I shall embrace with pleasure. I had the honor of delivering your Excellency's letter to him; he desires me to present you his particular compliments.
For British politics, I beg leave to refer your Excellency to the inclosed papers, which the Marquis has been obliging enough to favor me with Mr. Pitt is prime minister, and Mr. Fox has gained the Westminster election.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
Jos. HARMAR.
P. S .- No intelligence as yet of the arrival of Lieut. Colonel Franks at London with the triplicate of the treaty.
Same to same.
LONDON, May 5th, 1784.
SIR-Colonel Franks, whom I left in Paris, arrived about twelve days after me, and delivered his dispatches in London. The attention of the British nation seems to be at present principally engaged in the issue of the Westminister election. Your Excellency will be pleased to receive the inclosed papers. Fox and no Fox, is all the cry.
In the letter which I had the honor of writing you from Paris, I in- formed your Excellency that Mr. Fox had gained his point; but I was then mistaken ; however, it is now beyond a doubt that he will succeed. I shall return to France the 12th of this month, and expect the Marquis de la Fayette, whom I shall accompany. Will be ready to sail about the 1st June. I have the honor to be, &c.,
Jos. HARMAR.
Same to John Dickinson, Esq.
FORT M'INTOSH, January 15, 1785.
SIR-A few days since the treaty commenced, and I believe will be satisfactorily concluded against the latter end of this mouth; although the chiefs of the Wyandots, Chippewas, Delawares and Ottawas (which are the nations that are assembled here), in a speech which they delivered at
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APPENDIX NO. I.
the council-fire yesterday, held out an idea to the continental commission- ers, that they still looked upon the lands which the United States held by the treaty with Great Britain, as their own. But the commissioners have answered them in a high tone ; the purport of which was, that as they had adhered during the war to the King of Great Britain, they were considered by us as a conquered people, and therefore had nothing to expect from the United States, but must depend altogether upon their lenity and generos- ity. This spirited answer, it is supposed, will have the desired effect.
The State commissioners will not have the least difficulty in transacting their business, which lays with the Wyandot and Delaware nations.
I have the honor, &c., Jos. HARMAR, Lt .- Col. Com'g. 1st Am. Reg't.
His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esq., President the Honorable the Supreme Execu- tive Council.
Same to John Armstrong, Secretary to Council, Philadelphia.
FORT M'INTOSH, May 24, 1785.
SIR-Inclosed be pleased to find a list of the officers who are willing to continue upon the present establishment.
Names and rank of the officers of the Pennsylvania line, who are at present in the service of the United States, and are willing to remain upon the establishment, agreeably to the Act of Congress of the 7th April, 1785.
NAMES.
RANK.
Josiah Harmar,
Lieut .- Colonel,
DATES OF APPOINTMENT. 12th August, 1784.
Walter Finney,
Captain, 12th August, 1784.
David Ziegler,
Captain,
12th August, 1784.
William M'Curdy,
Captain,
12th August, 1784.
Thomas Douglas,
Captain,
12th August, 1784.
Joseph Aston,
Lieutenant,
12th August, 1784.
Stewart Herbert,
Lieutenant,
12th August, 1784.
Ercureus Beatty,
Lieutenant,
12th August, 1784.
Thomas Doyle,
Lieutenant,
12th August, 1784.
John Armstrong,
Ensign,
12th August, 1784.
Ebenezer Denny,
Ensign,
12th August, 1784.
Nathan M'Dowell,
Ensign,
21st October, 1784.
John M'Dowell,
Surgeon, 12th August, 1784.
Richard Allison,
Mate,
12th August, 1784.
Your most obedient and very humble servant,
Jos. HARMAR.
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LETTERS.
Same to General Knox.
FORT M'INTOSH, June 1, 1785.
SIR-The Wyandot and Delaware nations have brought in their pris- oners (fifteen in number), agreeably to the treaty, and the hostages left in my possession are now dismissed. These nations are friendly. The Shawanees make great professions of peace. The Cherokees are hostile, and have killed and scalped seven people near the mouth of the Scioto, about three hundred and seventy miles from hence.
Speeches have been continually sending by the British, from Detroit to the Indians, since the treaty, and I have good intelligence that several traders have been amongst them, using all means to make them entertain a bad opinion of the Americans. One Simon Girty, I am informed, has been at Sandusky for that purpose.
Your most obedient servant,
Jos. HARMAR.
Same to Colonel Francis Johnston.
FORT M'INTOSH, June 21, 1785.
DEAR JOHNSTON-I am hourly expecting the arrival of the commis- sioners, as I understand a treaty is to be held at Post St. Vincent.
Between you and me, my dear Johnston, vain and ineffectual will all treaties be, until we take possession of the posts. One treaty held at De- troit would give dignity and consequence to the United States, and answer every purpose.
The British have been sending speeches among the Indians, continually, since the treaty was held at this place, the purport of which, you may be assured, was for no good. The first grand object, therefore (in my hum- ble opinion), would be to dispossess them, and then we shall have the Indians friendly to our interest. The nations down the river have killed and scalped several adventurers who have settled on their lands.
I wish you were here to view the beauties of Fort M'Intosh. What think you of pike of 25 lbs. ; perch of 15 to 20 lbs .; cat-fish of 40 lbs .; bass, pickerel, sturgeon, &c., &c. ? You would certainly enjoy yourself. It is very fortunate there is such abundance of fish, as the contractor for this place, some time past, has failed in his supplies of beef. This would be a , glorious season for Colonel Wood, or any extravagant lover of strawberries ; the earth is most luxuriantly covered with them-we have them in such plenty that I am almost surfeited with them; the addition of fine rich cream is not lacking.
Jos. HARMAR.
27
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APPENDIX NO. I.
Same to General Mifflin.
FORT M'INTOSH, June 25, 1785.
DEAR GENERAL-I am honored with your letter of the 7th May last, sent me by Major Prevost, of Pittsburgh. The pitiful reduction of the officers' pay, I am at a loss to account for.
The commissioners are daily expected for the treaty on the Wabash. In confidence, my dear General, I'll assure you, in my opinion, all these treaties will be ineffectual. Possessing the British posts ought to be the first grand object, then a treaty at Detroit would answer all purposes. The United States will never have either dignity or consequence among the Indians, until this is effected.
The official letter, inclosing you Dr. Franklin's receipt for the delivery of the treaty, &c., I hope you have received.
P. S .- The Indians down the river, viz., the Shawanees, Miamis, Chero- kees and Kickapoos, have killed and scalped several adventurers-settlers on their lands.
Same to General Knox.
FORT M'INTOSH, July 1, 1785.
SIR-The cockade we wear is the union (black and white.) Perhaps it will be necessary to have a national one; if so, be pleased to send me your directions about the color. And if you should approve of a national march (without copying French or British), I should be glad to be in- structed.
Same to same. FORT M'INTOSH, July 16th, 1785.
SIR-On the 11th instant, I was informed that three chiefs (and twen- ty-five Indians) of the Six Nations had arrived at Fort Pitt, and wished very much to speak with the commanding officer. Agreeably to their de- sire, I rode up to Pittsburgh and met them in council ; when to my great surprise the Cornplanter, the principal chief, had the original articles of the treaty which was concluded with them at Fort Stanwix, along with him, and toward the close of the speech, said they were burthensome, and wished to deliver them up. I have the honor to inclose to you their speech and my answer to it.
It is reported that a Mr. Brant has lately arrived from London, who (with the commanding officer of the British in that quarter) has informed the Six Nations that their lands were never ceded to the Americans by
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LETTERS.
the King of Great Britain. In consequence of which, these chiefs com- plain of being accused by their nations of treachery, and say they are in danger of their own people.
They have left Fort Pitt highly satisfied to appearance with the answer to their speech ; but as long as the British keep possession of the posts, it is very evident that all treaties held by us with the Indians, will have but little weight with them.
Your most obedient servant, Jos. HARMAR .. The Honorable Major-General KNOX, Secretary at War, New York.
Same to Hon. Arthur Lee.
PHILADELPHIA, December 28, 1785.
DEAR SIR-The bearer, Doctor Wilkins, has some thoughts of contract- ing to supply the regiment with rations. From the recommendation of General Irvine of Carlisle, who offers to be his security for the perform- ance of his engagements, I am induced to believe that he will use every exertion to please both officers and men. If, therefore, the terms which he may give in should be lower or as low as other applicants, I would beg leave to recommend him to your notice.
Same to General Knox.
PHILADELPHIA, May 7th, 1786.
I have just received the inclosed letters from Captain Finney at the Miami. The intelligence is truly alarming, and notwithstanding the fair reports of the commissioners concerning the peaceable disposition of the Indians, I am well convinced all their treaties are farcical, as long as the British possess the posts. The party of Indians alluded to in this letter as a reconnoitering party from Detroit, were discovered by Captain Strong near the garrison at M'Intosh. Upon a party being sent out, they fled, being about twenty in number. Duncan and Wilson's reports I have not inclosed, as they contain some reflections on General Butler, particularly mentioning his small influence among the different tribes of Indians. If you wish to see them, I shall inclose them per next opportunity.
Same to General Knox.
FORT PITT, July 3, 1786. SIR-One John Bull (called by the Indians Shebo,) informs me that
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APPENDIX NO. I.
he left Detroit on the 29th April, in company with one hundred Mora- vian Indians, men, women and children, and are at present about four miles from Cuyahoga-that they have crossed the lake with the intention to settle near their old towns on the Muskingum, where a party of the Indians were formerly massacred; but as they are too late in the season for planting, their intention is to remain and hunt near Cuyahoga until fall.
He further informs me, that on the 7th ultimo Commodore Grant, with Captain M'Kee, Simon Girty and Matthew Elliott, with forty Indians, among whom were the Half-King, Baubee, Koon and Gusheways, a chief of the Ottawas and Chippewas, sailed from the mouth of Sandusky river for Canada. They gave out that they were going as far as Quebec, with a design to purchase the lands on the north side of the lake from the In- dians, but it was generally supposed they were going no farther than Niagara to a treaty which Sir John Johnson (who was there) had in- vited them and the Six Nations to.
These Moravian Indians (among whom Bull resides), by what I can learn, have ever been friendly to the United States.
Same to Captain Finney, commanding officer of the Miami. FORT HARMAR, at the mouth of the Muskingum, July 27, 1786.
SIR-I intend to appoint Mr. Denny Adjutant to the regiment, for which purpose he must repair here as soon as possible.
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