USA > West Virginia > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, West Virginia : from the early days of Northwestern Virginia to the present > Part 15
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On the 4th of last month a party of Indians fired on a party of men, who were driving a drove of cattle to the Muskingum settlements and within five or six miles thereof, they killed four persons, took one prisoner and wounded one. One of the party only escaped, and he had several balls through his clothes.
A few days before they fell on this party they killed a man near
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Hock-Hocking, and took a negro boy from the Little Kanawha, who at the time of the attack on the drovers made his escape.
Sir, We have frequent information of hostilities being committed on some part of the Ohio or other. No protection is to be had from the Federal Government, they supposing the present expedition (St. Clair's) to be a protection to us, which is a mistaken idea, as I consider it as an injury rather than a protection at this time, as no doubt but they may suppose we are off our guard depending on the success of the campaign, which is truly the case.
There are at this time a number of scouts out, although without my authority, but your excellency will see the necessity of the measure by the enclosed papers.
I must beg leave further to inform you that in February 1790, I was called on by the frontiers of the county for protection, as there appeared to be great danger at that time, and for my own justification I called a council of the officers of Militia, whose result was that I should order out eight (8) scouts, which I accordingly did, and at the same time the council requested of me to go in person to the President at New York, which I also did, but received no instructions from the Board of War until the 2nd of May, therefore can receive no pay from the United States prior to that date for the said scouts. So that there is from the 1st of March until the 2nd of May, which I could wish your interference in order to get them paid, which favor will be greatly acknowledged by, Sir, Your Excellencies Most obedient and humble servant,
JOHN P. DUVALL.
RICHMOND, VA., DECEMBER 8, 1791.
To His Excellency the Governor of Virginia,
SIR :- The late murder which was committed by the Savages on the 4th of October last near to Muskingum, as well as the frequent depre- dations on the western frontiers, and in particular the County or Harri- son, and also the defeat of General St. Clair, which will encourage them to persist in their cruelty, I do therefore in behalf of my constituents take the liberty to request of your Excellency to grant for the protection of said County of Harrison a sufficient number of men, which may be thought necessary for to answer the purpose.
Sir, as to the ideas held out that the Federal troops are a protection to us is but a mere shadow without substance, and I am sure that your own knowledge and experience of a military life is sufficient to satisfy you that it is the case.
I should suppose that a company of men from the County would be sufficient, and I would wish to be called on by the Executive for fur- ther information.
I conceive also, that the counties of Ohio and Kanawha are in extreme danger, those three counties well defended I think will cover the whole. I hope your Excellency will take our distress under consideration and give us such relief as may appear to be right.
And have Sir the honor to be Your Excellency's most obedient servant, JOHN P. DUVALL.
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John P. Duvall, County Lieutenant of Harrison County to Governor Henry Lee, December 20, 1791.
SIR :- I could wish to have about twenty of the men to be raised for the defence of Harrison County, stationed on the Ohio, ten at Neal's Station, the Little Kanawha, and ten at or near the mouth of the Muskingum.
I could also wish your excellency to appoint some person to employ a person to prepare the arms belonging to the State in the Counties of Ohio, Monongalia, Harrison and Randolph, as they are much out of repair, and also wish you to appoint Colonel Benjamin Wilson to muster the men for the Counties of Harrison and Randolph.
And am Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, JOHN P. DUVALL.
The depredations of small parties of Indians on the settlements of Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky still continued and the pathetic appeals from the inhabitants for protection to the General Government at last had the effect of arousing Congress to placing adequate means in the hands of the President for the purpose of sending troops against these Indians and destroying them in their homes.
The troops were assembled in the Fall of 1791 at Fort Washington, now Cincinnati, and under the command of General Arthur St. Clair marched against the Indian villages.
Early on the morning of November 4, 1791, when the army was near the great Miami villages, it was attacked by a large body of Indians and completely defeated, suffering a loss in killed and missing of thirty- seven officers and five hundred and ninety-three privates, and in wound- ed of thirty-one officers and two hundred and fifty-two privates.
General St. Clair was an experienced officer of many years service on the frontier in Indian warfare, and great hopes were entertained of his conducting a successful campaign, and his disastrous defeat was re- ceived with consternation and alarm all along the western frontier, and brought sorrow and mourning in many an humble cabin for the unre- turning brave.
It is said that President Washington had particularly cautioned General St. Clair against a surprise, and when the report of the terrible calamity that had befallen the army reached him, that great man is said to have lost his temper and railled long and loud at the incompetency and neglect of its commander.
The defeat of General St. Clair encouraged and elated the Indians so much that they refused to make peace, and continued on the war path.
These reverses weighed heavily on the mind of President Washington and he decided to intrust the service of subduing the Western Indians to General Anthony Wayne, and early in the year 1792 he was appointed commander in chief of the Army. This appointment inspired the public with confidence which subsequent events proved not to be misplaced.
George Jackson to Governor Lee.
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HARRISON COUNTY, May 5, 1792.
To His Excellency Henry Lee, SIR :-
I received your Excellency's letter some time in the last of February past, also the inclosures, which I immediately attended to, though at some expense as Captain McMachan lives some distance near about 120 miles.
I observed you have given orders to Captain Lowther or at least to McMachan to order out two scouts for our county.
I wish the executive could have agreed to indulge our frontier counties with more scouts, as we have already experienced a troublesome spring by the savages, and by good information they are now on our frontiers. The Indians have committed hostilities on all four counties this season already, that is Ohio, Monongalia and Randolph.
I wrote to your Excellency last February respecting of my furnish- ing the provision to the Rangers of these four counties and paid a man to go by express to let you know in what situation I stood in, and from your Excellency's answer I did not conceive myself fully justified to augment the price of a ration from eight cents, though I am afraid I shall be under the necessity of doing it, for I can't get any person who will furnish them.
I submitted the matter to Captain Lowther and he once thought of discontinuing the Rangers from some of the Posts, but on consideration agreed not and had to give himself as security to pay the 712 per ration to have them found. There is another circumstance that did not appear to me when I accepted the appointment, viz: the Companies are distributed at different posts throughout our frontier for the safety of the County, and the undertakers have to pack the provisions to the posts as yet, though this is complained of so much, that if pay is not allowed or some other measure adopted, they will utterly refuse, the consequence I dread.
I can assure you that I have not for all the trouble I have been at, offered to ask anything for my trouble, and tell them they shall have what I am to receive. I hope that your Excellency will write me specially on the occasion.
And believe me to be with due respect,
Your most obedient and very humble servant, GEORGE JACKSON.
Colonel William Lowther writes to the Governor from Clarksburg under date of May 5th. 1792, accepting the Military Commission forward- ed to him, and stating that he had organized his company, but is afraid that on account of the low rate of pay allowed them and the difficulty of procuring provisions, he will have to discharge them.
He further says: "We have every reason to expect a very troublesome summer. There has been frequent discoveries already made of the ap- proach of the enemy and much mischief done in the neighboring counties."
He reports that two men have been killed in the limits of the County.
An Account of the Attack on the Waggoner Family, May 1792.
About the middle of May a party of savages came upon Jesse's Run, a branch of Hackers Creek and approached John Waggoner's cabin late
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in the evening and found him seated on a log in his clearing. In this party of Indians was the afterwards celebrated chief Tecumseh, who was de- tailed to shoot Waggoner. Placing his gun on a rail of the fence, he fired but missed, the ball passing through the sleeve of his shirt. Waggoner fled and got safely away.
In the meantime the rest of the party approached the cabin, killed a small boy in the yard, and made prisoners of Mrs. Waggoner and her six children and departed immediately with them. A party of whites followed on their trail, and about a mile from the house found the body of one of the children, a short distance further on lay Mrs. Waggoner and two others of her children.
The savages avoided pursuit and reached their towns in safety with the remaining prisoners-two girls and a boy.
The elder of the two girls soon escaped to the neighborhood of Detroit and remained there until Wayne's treaty in 1795. Her sister was retained with the Indians until the close of the war-and the boy, Peter, until the war of 1812, when he was recognized by one of his former neighbors and his father notified, who visited him, and with great difficulty persuaded him to return to the whites. Peter had an Indian wife and children, and left them with the greatest reluctance, promising to return.
Upon his return to his people, they, by kind treatment, induced him to remain until he married, had a family of children, and abandoned his savage life-but at times his heart yearned towards his children in the forest, and he seemed to regret that he had forsaken them.
At a County Court held on May 19, 1795 for Harrison County John Hacker, Jacob Cozad and John Wagoner came into Court and on motion informed that on the 20th of this instant, they intend to take their journey to the treaty to be held by General Wayne in June next, and that their in- tentions were to apply for certain persons captivated by the Indians in this County, and prays that as they are unknown to General Wayne and his principal officers, that the Court would lend their aid to assist them in the aforesaid application.
Ordered that the Clerk certify that the said Hacker, Cozad and Wag- oner reside in this County and that they are gentlemen of good character in whom General Wayne may confide as touching the said business.
General Anthony Wayne had defeated the Indian tribes who had scourged the Virginia Border on the 20th of August, 1794 on the Miami in Northern Ohio with such disastrous results that they agreed to come in to his camp at Greenville during the following June, hold a council and conclude a treaty of Peace, which was finally signed on August 7, 1795.
Before the assembling of the Council the various tribes were directed to bring in and surrender all white captives in their possession to General Wayne.
There is a pathos about this simple order of the Court, in it there is a touch of human nature that makes all the world akin. It certifies to the character of these fathers who, drawn by natural affections, were going on a long and dangerous journey through the wilderness in search of their children who were held in captivity by the savages.
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Tradition states that this party carried blankets trinkets and other ar- ticles with them to exchange for the captives.
Some of the Cozad and Waggoner children were recovered at this time and others afterwards. One of them had a gold ring as an ornament, in his nose.
It is not known whether Hacker went for the purpose of rescuing his own or some other captive children.
In the summer of this year a party of Indians stole a number of horses from the waters of the West Fork and got them safely over the Ohio River. They were pursued over into the Indian country by a detachment of the State Rangers stationed at the mouth of the Little Kanawha under Lieu- tenant Coburn and the horses re-captured.
In the Fall of 1792 as Henry Neal, William Triplett and Daniel Powell were ascending the Little Kanawha from Neal's Station to the mouth of Burning Spring Run for the purpose of hunting buffalo, they were fired upon by Indians, killing Neal and Triplett, who fell from their canoes into the river.
Powell was missed, but he plunged into the river and swam to the op- posite shore and escaped uninjured, the Indians shooting at him as he swam.
In June 1792 the Governor of Virginia sent Hon. James Wood prob- ably Lieutenant Governor to the frontier to investigate and report to him the condition of affairs.
He called a meeting of the County Lieutenants and Militia officers of Harrison, Monongalia and Randolph Counties to assemble at Morgantown and issued the following circular :
"MORGANTOWN, June 7, 1792.
James Woods has the honor of presenting his respectful compliments to the County Lieutenants and field officers of Monongalia, Harrison and Randolph now assembled.
He thanks them for their politeness and attention in attending agree- ably to his request.
Previous to their meeting in council today he begs they will be pre- pared to give him information on the following points :
The strength of the Militia of their respective Counties. Condition of Arms and ammunition, both public and private.
How the public property has been disposed of and what amount is on hand for public use ?
Number of Scouts employed and by whom appointed ?
How the Rangers are posted ?
Are they amenable to the County Lieutenants or Captain Lowther ?
How are the Rangers supplied and have the contractors entered into bond ?
Report of Strength of Militia.
Benjamin Wilson reports strength of Harrison County Militia at 400. Jacob Westfall reports strength of Randolph County Militia at 174 or 200.
John Evans reports strength of Monongalia County Militia at 730.
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Colonel Benjamin Wilson to The President of the United States.
HARRISON COUNTY, VA. Feby. 29, 1792.
SIR :- It would be intruding on you for me to call to your attention the disposition of the Indians when fired with conquest, or their dastardly way of war. Particularly their lying in wait about houses to take the advan- tage of helpless and defenseless women and children, their ambuscading roads, robberies, etc. It may suffice only to mention the situation of the exposed frontier and the present fears of the people.
Ohio County covers a part of Monongalia County and Harrison a part of Randolph County, and in my observations since the year 1774 Ohio and Harrison have stood on a similar footing in point of danger. The lament- able catastrophe that befell the Federal Army last fall has with fear so im- pressed the minds of the exposed people that it is pitable to hear their com- plaints, and sure I am that many of them would move from the exterior settlements was not their consolation a full confidence in your granting ex- tensive temporary relief, as well as to pursue the reduction of the Indians upon a more extensive scale than has been heretofore done. I wish not to trespass on your time or patience, but conceive it my duty to mention my adjoining Counties, viz: That Randolph may be favored with an addition of four scouts, and Monongalia four, Ohio I learn is by your Excellency provided for, with an additional number of those allowed by this State.
Sir, I am your humble and devoted servant,
BENJ. WILSON.
Sir :- If you condescend to answer the above, the way by Winchester is the swiftest and surest conveyance. B. W.
HARRISON COUNTY, Feby. 29, 1792.
SIR :- Yesterday a General Council of the Militia officers of this County was held in order to take into view the state of our frontiers most exposed to the incursions of the hostile Indians, the protection granted by your State government and what additional protection might be necessary in order to secure the inhabitants from the impending danger of the sav- ages, who consequently are much elated with their late success over the Federal army. "By the council unanimously ordered, that the presiding officers of this council make immediate application to the President of the United States for an additional number of eight scouts, and as many of the Militia to be called into active service as will, in addition to those already directed to be raised by our State Government, complete one Captain's Company, and the same is ordered accordingly.
Teste : JOHN HAYMOND, CLK.
CLARKSBURG, May 1, 1792.
To the Governor of Virginia,
SIR :- I have thought proper to accept of the Commission you were pleased to honor me with, viz: Captain of the Company of Rangers for the Counties of Harrison and Randolph and have accordingly enlisted the full complement of men. But the scarceness and consequently the dearness of
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provisions, I really fear will oblige me to discharge them. I perceive they cannot be found at any rate for the 8 cents. I have agreeably to your di- rections fixed at the mouth of the Little Kanawha 12 men and there was no alternative but either bringing them back or promise 71/2 pence per ra- tion at my own risque, the latter I venture to do, hoping your Excellency's influence will reimburse me. To dismiss the Company would, in my opinion, expose the Country to horrid devastations and ravages, for the savages have not discovered more evident signs of hostile intentions this several years, than they have already this spring. Therefor I hope you will take our case into your serious deliberation and grant us all the aid the powers vested in you will justify. I doubt not you will receive letters from all the Counties that are exposed to the same purport.
I am, sir, with due respect. Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant, WILLIAM LOWTHER.
PHILADELPHIA WAR DEPARTMENT, 7th. April, 1792.
Col. Benjamin Wilson,
SIR :- I am directed by the President of the United States to acknowl- edge the receipt of yours to him of the 29th February, 1792, and to inform you that his excellency, the Governor of Virginia, was authorized in behalf of the President of the United States to add as many scouts as he should judge expedient, at the general expense to to any part of the exposed not exceeding eight in number to any one County.
It is the disposition of the President of the United States that the most entire protection should be afforded the exposed Counties, that the nature of the case may require. The executive of Virginia must be presumed to be competent to judge of this matter, and they have made an arrangement upon this subject, but as some inconvenience may result from waiting for an application from the governor of Virginia, the counties of Randolph and Monongalia will be permitted the four scouts requested by your letter of the 27th February, together with such a sufficient num- ber of rangers upon the continental establishment as a temporary arrange- ment as shall be deemed indispensably necessary, not exceeding the Com- pany mentioned in your letter, until the executive of Virginia may make an application confirmative of the same for the season.
I am your humble servant,
H. KNOX.
HARRISON COUNTY, May 6th. 1792.
To the Governor of Virginia.
SIR :- In compliance to your instructions dated January 3, 1792, you have here enclosed a statement of the expenses which accrued for the defence of this County for the year 1791 as far as I am able to ascertain them. The County Lieutenant is about or has removed out of this County, and has put a number of imperfect papers in my hands, so that I can not render a full satisfaction to your excellency's requisition. I view it my duty and shall now take the liberty to give you an account of the state of the frontier of this County.
The depredations committed by the Indians and our present protection. The frontiers is much exposed, in great fear and daily looking for a heavy
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HISTORY
stroke from the savages. We had two men killed on the Little Kanawha River (as my acount in writing). The Indians have killed and cap- tivated eleven persons in Monongalia County near the Harrison County line, the number not yet certified to me, and all done last month, our protection is by your commission to Capt. William Lowther forty privates and two scouts with an addition of two scouts from the Secretary of War or yourself, which protection in itself is great, though very far from being a full security to the exposed inhabitants, when taking into view the great extent of our frontier the number of hills and mountains to search for the lurking places of the enemy, that lays between the Ohio River, and our West Fork settlements. I have been repeatedly applied to for two more scouts. I have not yet granted them, although I believe them to be absolutely necessary.
I wait your instructions in this matter and hope your direction for their appointment.
I am Sir, your most obedient servant, at command.
BENJ. WILSON.
General James Woods,
DEAR SIR :- Agreeable to your request as to my part as far as relates to my conduct, I will endeavor to give you as near as my memory will serve at present, which is as followeth, to-wit:
I have under by command from the Executive (in Harrison County) one Ensign, two sergeants, two corporals, and forty privates. I was also authorized to appoint two scouts by the executive, which I have complied with and by a letter received from Captain McMachan of Ohio County was to appoint one more in addition to the two Captains. McMachan also appointed one in conjunction with the one I appointed by his orders, which four scouts is now under my command, two of which I have at the mouth of the Little Kanawha, the other two on the frontier of the West Fork settlement. The Rangers I thought proper to submit the distribution of to a council of officers of Harrison, who advised me to station them in three detachments, which I have done along the West Fork settle- ments about forty miles with a small deviation, to-wit: The Little Kanawha being an exposed part of the County, and a small station near the mouth. I sent a sergeant and eleven men with the two spies or scouts, as above mentioned. In Randolph County I have under my command a Lieutenant, two sergeants, two corporals and twenty-five privates, the distribution of which I also left to a council of the Randolph County Officers, which they have done as followeth: The Lieutenant and fifteen privates, including the sergeant and corporal in the upper end of the valley, and sergeant and eleven men at Buckhannon settlement. The two scouts I was authorized to appoint for that County I have also made, and is now under my command, with the rest of the rangers of that place &c.
I have the honor to be sir, Your most obedient and humble servant. WILLIAM LOWTHER.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
Colonel Benj. Wilson to Hon. James Woods.
MORGANTOWN, June 7th. 1792.
In complying to the requisition of the Honorable James Wood the following return is made.
1st. The strength of the Militia I cannot ascertain, the County Lieu- tenant having recently resigned and has put no official papers into my hand to enable me to answer, but believes about the number of 400 effective men.
2nd. The private arms and ammunition, the property of the Militia are good, a number of arms are still wanting.
3rd. Public arms and ammunition have been received for the use of the County, but believes some lack in the quantity of powder. To this requisition I cannot fully answer for the reason aforesaid.
4th. The arms that fell into my hands hath been put into the hands of the poor Militia on the frontier, a part of the powder and lead have been distributed to the respective Captains with orders to preserve arms and ammunition and ready to render when called upon, unless expended in the public service. The flints were received and divided.
For want of papers from home I cannot state the full quantity of arms and ammunition received. Some powder was delivered to Captain Lowther by order of Colonel Duvall. Two scouts were appointed by orders of General James Wood.
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