i'lipi;' mmmmm^^ 4 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM 3 1924 095 654 384 OLIN ^'^■MWB^^TION J.^^TT'T*^ r^ ^ ^.- |||i-|-|grtlj||( P^^^^i^gQO/t AWW4 GAYLOftO PRINTED IN U.S A. 4 Cornell University j Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924095654384 .^/v y o^c ft, I ..-iTaTC ] ~ eCYS T : ,■ ,/ OF THE jtaryExpepit e/IS<^IRST THE ;a!i0RS ef iRdia IM 17T9 WixhRecords of PREPARED PURSUANT TO GMJIP^ER 36I,L^WS OF TtlE gT^-^E OFjNfEW YORKo, OE 1885, :e- FREDEI^ICK COOK, <§ECRETi1RY OP (§lP.P.FECK.S^TH0iyi60N' PRINTERS' ■J887- /? Z3^ 72^ ORNEi UNfVERr.TYf TABLE OF CONTENTS. ^ ( See Addresses, Biographical Notes, Letters and Poems at Page vi to viii hereof.) PAGE INTEODUCTION, ........ xi JOURNALS OF OFFICERS, - 1-3 12 Barton, William, Lieut., Gen. Maxwell's N. J. Brigade, 3 Beatty, Erkuries, Lieutenant, 4th Pennsylvania Reg't, 15 (i). Expedition to Onondaga, April, 1779, - 16 (2). General Sullivan's Expedition, - jg ' I Blake, Thomas, Lieutenant, ist New Hampshire Reg't, 38 Burrowes, John, Major, Spencer's sth N. J. Regiment, 42 Campfield, Dr. Jabez, Surgeon, Spencer's 5th N. J. Reg't, 52" Dearborn, Henry, Lt. Col., commanding 3rd N. H. Rtg't, 62 Elmer, Dr. Ebenezer, Surgeon, 2nd N. J. Regiment, . 80 : Fellows, Moses, Sergeant, 3rd New Hampshire Regiment, 86 Fogg, Jeremiah, Major, 2nd New Hampshire Regiment, 92 -f 1 GooKiN, Daniel, Ensign, 2nd New Hampshire Regiment, 102 Grant, George, Sergeant Major, 3rd N. J. Regiment, 107 Grant, Thomas, of Surveyor's party, - - 137 Hardenbergh, John L., Lieut., 2nd N. Y. Regiment, With Notes and Maps of Battle-Fields, by General John S. Clark, uc HuBLEY, Adam, Lieut. Col., commanding nth Pa. Reg't, 145 Jenkins, John, Pa., Lieutenant and Guide, - • 168 LivERMORE, Daniel, Captain, 3rd N. H. Regiment, 178 Machin, Thos., Capt., Col. Lamb's 2d N. Y. Art'ly Reg't, (i). Col. Van Schaick's Expedition against the Onondagas, iq2 (2). Table of Distances of March of General Sullivan's Army, igj. Roster of Officers of ist N. Y. Regiment, - - 195 McKendry, Wm., Lt. and Qr. Master, 6th Mass. Reg't, 198 Nukerck, Chas.,.Capt. Lieutenant, 2nd N. Y. Regiment, 213 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS. JOURNALS OP OFFICERS.— Continued. NoRRis, James, Major, 3rd N. H. Regiment, 223 Roberts, Thomas, Sergeant, 5th New Jersey Regiment, 240 Rogers, Rev. William, D. D.,. Chaplain, Hand's Brigade, 246 Rogers, William, Qr. Master's Serg't, 2nd N. Y. Reg't, 266 Shute, Samuel, Lieutenant, 2nd New Jersey Regiment, 267 Van Hovenburgh, Rudolphus, Lieut., 4th N. Y. Reg't, 275 Webb, Nathaniel, Serg't Major, 2nd N. Y. Regiment, 285 MAP AND LETTER OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM GRAY, Survey of Colonel William Butler's line of march, Oct. 2 to Nov. 16, 1778, 288 MAPS IN THE DE WITT COLLECTION, List of MSS. Surveys by Captain Gray, 1778, and Lieu- tenant Benjamin Lodge, of the Sullivan Expedition, made 1779, by order of Robert Erskine, Geographer "^^.^^^^ to the American Army, now in the Library of the New York Historical Society entitled DeWitt Maps, 291 J-etterli of General John S. Clark, describing the same jfrith an account of fac similes made by him for. this publication, 29^ Simeon DeWitt, appointment as Geographer to the army, in place of Robert Erskine, deceased, 294 MAJOR GENERAL JOHN SULLIVAN'S Final Official Report of Expedition, 296 COLONEL DANIEL BRODHEAD'S Official Report, Allegany Expedition, - - .,06 LIST OF JOURNALS, no copies of whicli are now to be found. 3 1 o Letter of Major Adam Hoops, (3rd A. D. C. to Gen- eral Sullivan), Sept. 18, 1841, ,10 LIST OF NARRATIVES, written since the Sullivan Expe- dition, ROSTER OF OFFICERS, inMaj. Gen. Sullivan's Expedition, by Hon. Charles P. Greenough, Boston, Mass. 312 31, TABLE OF CONTENTS. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS. HTSTORICAL ADDRESS, by Rev David Cbaft, 331-388 Comprising a full history of the Expedition against the Indians in 1779, to which is prefixed a Biographical Sketch of Major General John Sullivan, ^^^ APPENDIX TO ADDRESS, Containing an account of the loss of men, towns destroyed, also General Washington's instructions to General Sul- livan, and Biographical Sketches, - - 380 Clinton, James, Brigadier General, Biographical Sketch, 387 ELMIRA. CELEBRATION AT NEWTOWN, 389-477 NEWTOWN MONUMENT ASSOCIATION, 391 Centennial Committees and Officers, 301 The Monument — Inscription on Tablet, 303 Dedication of Monument — Masonic Ceremonies, 304 Masonic Ode by Hon. A S. Thursto.v, ■ - ^gQ Masonic Historical Address by C. N. Shipman. Esq., ^g-i PUBLIC CELEBRATION. Opening Address by Judge Hiram Gray, 400 Verses of Welcome by Ausburn Towner, Esq., 400 Poem by Hon. Guv H. McMaster, - 402 Address by Hon. Erastus Brooks, 410 Letter from Ex-Governor Horatio Seymour, 423 Address by Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, " " General William T. Sherman, " General H. W. Slocum, " " Hon. George W. Clinton, 443 " Hon. E. L. Dana, Wilkesbarre, Pa.,- 445 " " Governor H. M. Hoyt, of Pennsylvania, 449 " " Governor Nat. Head, New Hampshire, 450 " " Hon. Steuben Jenkins, 451 " " Major Douglass Campbell, 4C7 425 439> 44° 442 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS. PUBLIC CELEBEATION.— Continued. Biographical Sketch of Gen. John Sullivan by Hon, Sylvester Dana, N. H., 471 General Sullivan's Official Report of Battle of Newtown, 473 Names of Persons Responding to Invitations, 477 Biographical Sketch of Col. Peter Gansevoort, 479 SENECA COUNTY. CELEBRATION AT WATERLOO. 481-53S History of, - 483 Committees and Officers, 485 The Log Cabin, 487 Patrons of Husbandry — Veteran Soldiers, - - 488 Exploring Expedition, - 489 Decorations on Centennial Day, 490 The Outpouring of the Masses, - 493 Procession and Order of March, - 495 EXERCISES AT THE FAIR GROUND, Address of Welcome by Jno. Reamer, Pres't of the Village, 498 " " General Josiah T. Miller, Pres't of the Day, 499 " " Ex-Lieac. Gov. William Dorsheimer, - 501 Poem " Rev. Dwight Williams, - - 506 Letters from invited Guests : Jeptha R. Simms, - . - ... 571 W. C. Watson, - - - 512 M. M. Jones, - - . - 5^3 Names of others responding to invitations, - - - 514 THE COLLATION. Responses to Sentiments and Toasts, - - - 515 Remarks by D. B. Lum, . . 518 " " Rev. D. Willers, D. D. - - - 519 SKOI-YASIl MONUMENT. History, Description and Dedication of, - - 489, 520 Address by Hon. A. L. Childs, - .... 522 " Judge B. F. Hall, 523 TABLE OF CONTENTS v SKOI-YASE MONUMENT. Fire- Works and Illuminations, - - - - 5^4 Reception in the Evening, - - - - 525 Veterans and Pioneer Settlers, - - - - Young Ladies in .the Procession, — Grangers Represented, 525 Military at Celebration, - - 527 Historical Paper by S. R. Welles, M. D., 528 Biographical Sketch of Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt. 537 LIVINGSTON COUNTY. CELEBRATION AT GBNESEO, - S39-563 History of Preliminary Arrangements, - 541 Committees and Officers, - 543 Decorations and Processions, - 544 EXERCISES AT FAIR GROUNDS, - 548 Introductory Address by Norman Seymour, 548 Poem by Hon. A. L. Childs, - - 549 Address by Hon. Wm. H. BoGART, - - - 552 " General A. S. Diven, ... 553 " " G. W. Patterson, .... ^gg Removal of the Remains of Boyd and Parker, By Geo. H. Harris, .... 5^5 CAYUGA COUNTY. CELEBRATION AT AURORA, ■ 565-579 Decorations of the Village, - - 567 The Procession, 568 EXERCISES AT THE " OLD FOUNDATION,' - 568 Remarks by Col. E. B. Morgan, - * - 568 " " Rev. W. S. Franklin, - - 569 EXERCISES AT ACADEMY HALL, - 569 Letter from Ex-Governor Horatio Seymour, - 570 Letters from D. M. Osborne and others, - 571 Address by Rev. Charles Hawley. D. D., 571 " " Hon. Wm. H. Bogart, - - 578 The Illumination — Notes, - - 579 i TABLE OF CONTENTS. ADDRESSES, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, LETTERS AND POEMS. ADDRESSES AT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS. BoGART, Hon. Wm. H. - 552, 570 Brooks, Hon. Erastus 410 Campbell, Maj. Douglass - - 457 Childs, Hon. Albert L. - 522 Clinton, Hon. Geo. W. - 443 Craft, Rev. David - - 336 Dana, Hon. E. L. - 445 Dana, Hon. Sylvester - 471 DivEN, Gen. Alex S. . . ■ . 552 Dorsheimer, Hon. Wm. - - 501 Franklin, Rev. VV. S. - - - 569 Gray, Hon. Hiram - - 400 Hall, Hon. Benj. F. 523 Hawley, Rev. Dr. Charles ... . . 571 Head, Hon. N 450 HoYT, Hon. Henry M. 449 Jenkins, Hon. Steuben 451 LuM, David B. 518 Miller, Hon. Josiah T 499 Morgan, Col. E. B 568 Patterson, Hon. Geo. W. ..;... 555 Reamer, John ... 498 Roberts, Hon. Ellis H. . .... 425 Seward, Hon. Wm. H. 563 Seymour, Norman 548 Sherman, Gen. Wm. T. ...... 439, 440 Shipman, Chauncey N . . 307 Slocum, Gen. Henry W. . . .... 442 Van Campen, Maj. Moses . . . . 561 Welles, Hon. Samuel R. . . . . 528 Willers, Rev. Dr. Diedrich . . . rig TABLE OF CONTENTS. vi: BIOGRA.PHI0AL SKETCHES AND NOTES, Beatty, Lieutenant Erkuries Blake, Lieutenant Thomas Boyd, Lieutenant Thomas Brodhead, Colonel Daniel Burrowes, Major John Butler, Colonel William Cilley, Colonel Joseph Clinton, Brigadier General James CuMMiNGs, Captain John N. Dayton, Colonel Elias Dearborn, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Dubois^ Colonel Lewis ... Evans, Rev. Israel - - - - Fish, Major Nicholas Fogg, Major Jeremiah Franklin, Captain John Gang, Rev. John . . . Gansevoort, Colonel Peter GooKiN, Ensign Daniel Hand, Brigadier General Edward Hardenbergh, Lieutenant John L. Harper, Colonel John Hartley, Colonel Thomas Hubley, Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hunter, Rev. Andrew Jenkins, Lieutenant John Kirkland, Rev. Samuel - . » Livermore, Captain Daniel Machin, Captain Thomas McKendry, Lieutenant William Maxwell, Brigadier General William Montour, Catherine Nukerck, Captain Charles Poor, Brigadier General Enoch Proctor, Colonel Thomas Queen Esther IS 38 369 306 42 373 348 387 350 363 62 384 346 383 92 35° 3^5 479 102 342 IIS 386 339 145 346 168 38s 178 194 198 341 363 213 341 342 35° viii TABLE OF CONTENTS. BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES AND NOTES.— Continued. Reid, Colonel George - 360 Rogers, Rev. William D. D., ... - 246 Scott, Major William - - - 373 Shreve, Colonel Israel - - 378 Shute, Lieutenant Samuel - - - 267 Simpson, Captain Michael - - - - 37 1 Spalding, Captain Simon - - - 377 Sullivan, Major General John - 333, 446, 471 VanCortlandt, Colonel Philip - - - 537 Van Schaick, Colonel Goose - 196 Van Hovenburgh, Lieutenant Rudolphus - 275 Weissenfels, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick - - 384 Willers, Rev. Diedrich, D. D., .... ^jq Willett, Lieutenant Colonel Marinus - - - J96 LETTERS. . Brodhead, Col. Daniel . . . . . 306 Clark, Gen. J. S 293 Gansevoort, Col. Peter 372 Hoops, Maj. Adam , .,,,.. 310 Jones, Maj. Morven M 513 Osborne, Hon. D. M. . . , ... 571 Schuyler, Gen. Philip 372 Seymour, Hon. Horatio 423, 570 SiMMS, Jeptha R. 511 Sullivan, Gen. John 296, 473 Washington, Gen. Geo. . . . j . . 341, 382 Watson, Hon. Winslow C 512 POEMS AT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS. Childs, Hon. Albert L. 549 McMaster, Hon. Guy H. 402 Thurston, Hon. Ariel S . . . . . . 396 Towner, Ausburn , , . . ... 400 Williams, Rev. Dwight .... . 509 ILLUSTRATIONS. STEEL PLATE BNGEAVINGS. Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, from a portrait by Otis, Frontispiece Brigadier General James Clinton, Page 387 Colonel Peter Gansevoort, from a portrait by G. Stuart, " 479 Colonel Philip Yan Cortlandt, from a minature, " 537 MAPS AND PLANS. (IN POCKET OF COVER) Route of the Western Army under General Sullivan in 1779. ^. 1. From Easton over the mountains to Wyoming, 2. From Sunbury to Nanticoke Creek, 3. From Nanticoke Creek to Chemung, - 4. From Chemung to Kanadesaga including Seneca and Cay- uga Lakes and Col. Butler's route along, the eaet shore of Cayuga Lake, 0. From Kanadesaga to the Genesee Castle. (BOUND OH FEINTED IN BOOK.) Draft of a part of Schoharie and the west bank of the Delaware, with CoL Wm. Butler's line of march, Oct, and Nov., 1778. Page 288 General Sullivan's Order of March, " 66 " " " " Battle, - " 67 Map of Battlefield of Newtown, - - " 127 " " Groveland Ambuscade, ■ •' 131 Map of Tioga, ( now Athens), Pa., - " 580 INTRODUCTION, State of New York, ) Office of Secretary of State. )- Albany, March 10, 1887. ) The Legislature of this State, at its annual session in 1885, passed an act, (Chapter 361, Laws of 1885,) devolving, certain duties jipon the Secretary of State, to-wit : " Section i. All the journals extant kept by, the officers and soldiers, of General Sul- livan's army during the campaign of seveiiteen hundred and seventy-nine, against the Six Nations, shall be collected and published under the direction and supervision of the Sec- retary of State, embracing records of the battle of Newtown, as celebrated on the battle ground, on the twenty-ninth day of August, eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, including the address of General William T. Sherman, made at the dedication of a monument completed on the battle-field, to the memory of the heroic dead ; also the centen,nial cele- bration held at Waterloo, New York, September third ; at Geneseo, September sixteenth, and at Aurora, September twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and seventy-nine. § 2. The Secretary of State shall cause to be prepared and published a full and cor- rect record of the proceedings of said centennial celebrations, including the official action of the authorities under whose direction the same were conducted, with a record of the military exercises and organizations of those who took part therein, and the historical sketches and addresses prepared and delivered at the centennial celebrations, herein named. § 3. Five thousand copies of the papers prepared and published as' aforesaid, shall be printed, of which ten copies shall be furnished and distributed by the Secretary of State, to each Senator and Member of Assembly of the year eighteen hundred and eighty-five ; ten copies shall in like manner be furnished and distiributed to each Senator and Member of Assembly of the year eighteen hundred and eighty-six, who was not a Member of the Legislature of eighteen hundred and eighty-five, and ten copies shall also in like maimer, be furnished and distributed to each Member of Assembly for eighteen huiidred and eighty-seven who was not a Member of the Legislature of eighteen hundred and eighty- five or eighteen hundred and eighty-six^ and the remainder of said copies'shall be dis- tributed as follows : To the Secretary of State for distribution to the several incorpora'ed historical societies and incorporated libraries of the State, to the persbhs who made xii INTRODUCTION. addresses at such centennial celebrations aforesaid, or to persons ofEcially connected there- with, and to such other persons or institutions as he may deem proper, one thousand copies, and the residue of said copies to be delivered by the Secretary of State to the Regents of the University for exchanges, and for distribution to public libraries or socie- ties outside of this State. » * » * (As amended by Chapter 54, Laws of 1887.) The appropriation made in the fourth section of said act of 1885 hav- ing been found inoperative and defective, the Legislature at its annual session in 1886 made an appropriation to carry said act into efEect (Chapter 330, Laws of 1886, Page 527, Session Laws of 1886.) The labor of collecting and preparing for publication the several jour- nals and proceedings of the centennial celebrations required to be pub- lished by the act of 1885, was one of such magnitude, that the Secretary of State deemed it necessary to appoint a competent person to specially prepare the compilation for publication. Such a compiler was found in the person of George S. Conover, Esq., of Geneva, and its former chief magistrate, a gentleman who has devoted much study to the early history of this State, and particularly that of Central and Western New York and the Sullivan Campaign of 1779, and who is a well known authority in Indian Archaeology, as also of the history of the locality traversed by General Sullivan in his expedition in 1779. The plan and methods pursued in collecting and preparing the jour- nals and the records of the centennial celebrations for publication, are fully set forth in the following letter of Mr. Conover, submitting the compilation : Geneva, N. Y., December 6, i886. Dear Sir ; — The work of copying, compiling and preparing for publication "All the journals extant kept by the officers and soldiers of General Sullivan's army during the campaign of 1779," together with "The record of proceedings of the centennial celebrations thereof," has been one of much labor, but withal has been much lightened by the kind encouragement received from all quarters. General John S. Clark of Auburn, N. Y., and Rev. David Craft of Wyalusing, Pa., who had made copies of nearly all the journals of General Sul- livan's Campaign extant, up to the time of the centennial celebrations, kindly placed all their material at my disposal and freely gave such information as was of material assistance. Similar courtesies were received from the New York Historical Society, the Massachu- setts Historical Society, the Buffalo Historical Society, the Waterloo Library and Histori. cal Society, Charles P. Greenough, Esq., and Thomas C. Amory, Esi^., Boston, Mass., INTRODUCnON. xiii Sidney S. Rider, Esq., Providence, R. I., William C. Bryant, Esq., Buffalo, N. Y., Hon. John B. Linn, Bellefonte, Pa., Geo. H. Harris, Esq., Rochester, N. Y., General William S. Stryker, Adjutant General of New Jersey, Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, New York city, Hon. Diedrich Willers, Jr., of Varick, N. Y., and others, due acknowledge- ments for which have been made in the proper places. Great pains have been taken to procure copies of all the journals of the officers and soldiers of General Sullivan's army that are extant, and some new ones have been procured that have not hitherto been published. In all cases, where possible, the text of the origi- nal journal has been literally followed (in orthography, punctuation and use of capitals) and much care has been taken to make the copies exact. The propriety of such a course may possibly be questioned by some ; but to the antiquarian and the diligent student of early history, any alteration of text, (written perhaps in some cases, by men of limited education) might involve a serious change of meaning on some point, however trifling it may appear at the time, and might be the means of changing the idea originally intended to be conveyed, and thus the object of perpetuating a fact or circumstance as narrated, would in a great measure be frustrated. While the promiscuous use of capital letters and the lack of proper attention to punctuation (one prominent journal not being punctuated at all) may tend in some instances to ambiguity or to mislead the casual reader, yet it is often the case that some obscure point of history can only be elucidated by a ref- erence to the original document, however imperfectly written or quaint it may have been. The reader will not overlook the fact, that the keeping of a daily journal while an army ■ >s upon the march, must at best be surrounded with many difficulties. In some cases, the original journals having been destroyed, it has been necessary to follow the copy which has been published, and while in such cases the language may be found to be more grammatical, it has undoubtedly been made so by the editor. Some of the journals so published, are accompanied with foot notes by their editors, and as some of these are now known to be erroneous, and others quite likely to mislead, they have all been omitted. One exception, however, has been made. The journal of Lieutenant John L. Hardenbergh, with small portions of some other journals, published in 1879, by the Cayuga County Historical Society, has appended thereto copious foot notes by General John S. Clark, and as these were the result of a two years' patient investigation, and a personal and critical inspection and examination of all the points, by one thoroughly competent for the task, it has been thought best to retain the same in full. The addresses, poems, etc., delivered at the several centennials have, wherever practi- cable, been submitted to the several authors for revision and correction, and the historical addresses of Rev. David Craft have been by him thoroughly revised, consolidated, and amplified, and every part carefully verified by the statements made in the journals. The matter for the records of proceedings of centennial celebrations held in August and September, 1879, and required to be published with the journals, has in each case been furnished by responsible local committees, and the only regret is, that in the work of compilation, much valuable information of a local character had to be omitted, to bring the several accounts under a uniform plan, and to avoid detail which might not be inter- esting to the general reader. Yours truly, GEORGE S. CONOVER. The Secretarjf of State, Albany, N. Y. xiv INTRODUCTION. In the preparation of this compilation as will be seen from the fore- going letter and the "Table of Contents" — the general plan outlined in the act of 1885, has been observed — -and the journals of General Sullivan's Expedition to the number of twenty-six, have, with brief biographical notes by the compiler, been given the first place. To these have been added the official reports of General Sullivan and a complete Roster of the officers of the expedition. The journals, it will be seen, cover not only General Sullivan's Expe- dition but also some account of Col. Van Schaick's Onondaga Campaign in the spring of 1779, as also the official report of Col. D. ■ Brodhead's Allegany Campaign in the summer of 1779, both of which campaigns may be regarded as closely associated with General Sullivan's Expedition. The second place in the compilation has been given to the records of the centennial celebrations of 1879, at Newtown, (Elmira), "Waterloo, Gen- eseo and Aurora, to which has been prefixed an historical address with a very full narrative of the campaign by Eev. David Craft and with a biographical sketch of General Sullivan. The maps showing the entire line of march from Easton, Pa., to Liv- ingston County in this State and return, accurately copied by General John S. Clark from the- original maps made by the surveyor of the expedition, and now remaining ou file with the New York Historical Society, together with certain other maps and plans prepared with great care by General Clark, and produced upon a reduced scale, will, it is believed, add greatly to the interest of the reader of the journals of the expedition, and serve as an explanation thereof. The illustrations, include steel engravings of Major General John Sullivan, the commander of the expedition. Brigadier General James Clinton, the only brigade commander selected from the State of New York, and Colonel Philip "Van Cortlandt and Colonel Peter Gansevoort, the only regimental commanders of New York regiments in the expedi- tion of whom portraits could be found, and acknowledgments are due to the relatives of all the persons named, for requisite assistance in carry- ing out this feature of the work. INTRODUCTION. xv The Secretary of State, desires to unite also with the compiler, in returning thanks to the persons named in his letter and elsewhere in the compilation, for kindly co-operation and assistance in the procurement of material, and for assistance rendered in the preparation thereof for the compilation. In conclasion, the Secretary of State takes pleasure, in bearing testi- mony to the care, industry and energy displayed by the compiler, Mr. Geo. S. Conover, in the preparation of this work. FEBDERICK COOK, Secretary of State. lotttnals 0f Mlxtm. Expedition of Major General John Sullivan against the Western Indians (N. Y.) 1779. JOURNAL OF LIEUT. WILLIAM BARTON. William Babton, Lieutenant in General Maxwell's New Jersey Brigade. Journal published in the Proceedings of the New Jersey His- torical Society, Vol II, 1846-7. The editor states that the journal commences on the 11th May, 1779, "but as Lieut Barton passed the greater part of the succeeding three weeks on furlough at his own home, there is little recorded in it during that period of general interest, and that portion is consequently omitted. What follows embraces the remainder part of the manuscript, except some unimportant or uninteresting details." From June 8 to October 9, 1779. JOURNAL. Tuesday, June 8th, 1779. — Took leave of my friends and set out to join the regiment then at Wyoming : arrived at Easton the same evening where I found the second and third Jersey Regiments and one company of our Regiment which was left behind to take care of the baggage belonging to it, and was the next day to proceed with it on horses to Wyoming. Wednesday, gth, i p. m. — All set out : went but five miles and staid the night. Thursday, loth. — Went to Brinker's Mills where we were detained until late in the afternoon on account of drawing provisions, then proceeded within three miles of Lar- nards, where myself and L'>octor Harris staid the night. The company with baggage before mentioned, went on to Larnards the same night. Friday, nth. — Set out very early in prosecution of my journey, thinking to come up with those before mentioned at the place they lodged, as it was the last house in Wyoming, and thought dangerous travelling without an escort. On our arrival there found they were all gone sometime ; we then got breakfast and went on for Wyoming. Overtook the Company at Locust Hill, so called on account of being entirely timbered with it for 23 miles where they had stopped to refresh. We all proceeded on our journey again until within six miles of Wyoming where we fell in with a detachment composed of severa, regts. which had been cutting a road through from Larnards to Wyoming, as there wasl was never any before, only an old Indian path, Saturday, 12th. — Went on again for our destined place, and arrived 11 o'clock A. m. : found the regiment lying in bush huts on the bank of the river Susquehannah. On our way from Larnards to this place, passed through the great swamp which is twenty miles in length and fourteen in breadth, the land as far as the swamp cold, and great part entirely barren, but the bottom land much the best : it is impossible to cultivate that of the swamp before mentioned from the great quantity of stone. Its timber is white pine hemlock, and spruce, of amazing size and height. 4 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. « From Easton to Pokono, inhabitants few, buildings mean and mostly of logs. Wyoming is situated on the east side of the river Susquehannah, once a considerable town but destroyed in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight by the sav- ages massacring three hundred men. The town is said to have consisted of 300 houses, n)iny of which were frame, but mostly of logs. The inhabitants were from the State of Co.inecticut claiming then a right, by a grant from the King of Great Britain to the pro- prietor of the same State. The Pennslyvanians also claimed it under Penn ; but the New Engl.inders being more numerous than the others have retained it — now said to be referred to Cortgress for determination. The land level, but not so good where on the town stood, as in many other places adjacent. It is on the eastern branch of the river, sixty-six miles above Sunsbury and Shamoken, and one hundred below Tioga, an Indian settlement. This branch is an exceeding fine, pretty river, and opposite the town in midsummer five or six fathom of water, as clear as it can be ; some places, below and above shoal enough to be forded, about one hundred and fifty yards wide ; and in times of great freshets said to rise fifteen feet, overflowing great part of the low lands. It springs from the lake, Otsago, nine miles long and five wide ; three hundred and sixty miles N. E. from this, running about N. W. falling in with the western branch at Sunsbury — The mornings and evenings at this place very cool, and notwithstanding heavy fogs till 8 and g o'clock in the morning, yet the place is said to be very healthy. 23d. May — Major General Sullivan arrived with all the troops from Easton in six days. 24th. — The regiment began a march for Fort Jenkins, thirty-five miles down the river, ■ marched to Shawnee Flats four miles, halted and took some little refreshment. Shawnee was once an Indian town, since settled by New.Englanders, consisting of one hundred houses, but all destroyed in June '78, by the savages, except a few log huts. — The flatts are very large, supposed to contain above a thousand acres already clear, which is exceed- ing rich and fertile, and the most level body of land I have ever seen. Proceeded that night as far as Stewart's house, six miles from Shawnee, where we took lodging for that night, it then being sunset. 25th. — Marched at day break. * * * * ^^ sunset arrived at the fort, where we lay that night near the river. * * * * Fort Jenkins is a stock- ade, containing about half quarter of an acre, one very good dwelling house, the best I have seen since left Easton. The garrison commanded by Capt. Claypole, of Lieut. Col. Hubley's Regt., consisting of about one hundred men ; artillery none, excepting one cdhorn. The fort situated on a height very pleasant and advantageous. 26th, 8 A. M. — The boats we were to convoy got under way ; about sixty in number. We soon began our march on return to Wyoming ; marched to Naskepack Falls, five miles, where we were detained that day and part of the next in getting the boats up the falls. 27th, ID o'clock, A. M. — The boats being all got up with much difficulty, and under way, (as the water falls about ten or twelve feet gradually,) we again resumed our march ; but on account of some shoals in the river which retarded the boats, we marched but a short distance until the afternoon, when we proceeded to a place called Orchard Farm, on account of there being a considerable number of fruit trees, and don't recol- lect to have seen any since our first day's march from Easton till here — distance nine miles. ?.^'h. — Marched early in the morning. At Nantecoke Falls, was detained two hours in j,etting up the falls, which are very rapid, though small. Marched immediately on, the boats getting up to Shawnee, (three miles), where we stayed the night. From Wji /ming to Fort Jenkins, a considerable of very good bottom land on the river, but '.\e rp-land appears to be barren. After leaving Shawnee, there is not one single nhi'bitant to be seen to Fort Jenkins, being killed and driven off by the Indians. 29th, — morning. — Marched to Wyoming — arrived about 10 A. M. 30th. — Men were employed in cleaning themselves and arms. Jui.Y 1st. — The army attended the execution of Michael Rousburge and Lawrence Miller, from Phillipsburg, near Easton, condemned for attempting to convey some sol- diers to the enemy. The former was hanged at 4 o'clock P. M., the latter reprieved. LIEUT. WILLIAM BARTON. 5 24th. — The boats arrived from Sunbury with stores, in number about one hundred and seventeen. 25th. — Five prisoners of the German Regiment were to have been executed, and a number of others to run the gauntlet through the wliole line but were reprieved. 2gth. — The masons re-interring two brothers, Capt. Davis and D. Jones, killed by the Indians in April last ; the afternoon very rainy, otherwise the appearance would have been tolerably grand, as they all marched in order with the band of music playing. This day orders issued for marching on the thirty-first. 31st. — The army marched at 12 o'clock, after signals being given by :i discharge of cannon from the fort, which were immediately answered from the boats, which carried all the artillery and stores, excepting some kegs of flour, which were carried on horses — Gen. Hand having previously advanced about one mile being appointed to the light corps on this expedition. The whole proceeded, only our Regiment, which composed the rear guard — having in charge stragglers, cattle, etc., which occasioned us to march very slow. After a tedious march, came to some cleared fields one mile distant from I.ackawannah, then II 1'. M. * * * * Auci'ST 1st. — We marched at 8 A. M. one mile. Joined the army at I.ackawannah, once a small town settled by New Englauders ; a very rich, flat land, divided by a very beautiful creek which empties into the Susquehannah. It is very shoal, but of consider- able breadth. The flat is said to contain seven hundred acres, having formerly a small stockade fort, which .surrendered to Butler in '78. Most of the captives were preserved in consequence of capitulation, but the buildings and fort, according to custom, were all destroyed. At 2 v. M. the usual signal was given to march — Proceeded and arrived at Quialtimmack about 10 o'clock at night, the path continuing bad, country mountainous — distant eight miles. Baggage arrived about I .v. M., when we encamped. 2d. — We did not march on account of parties being sent out to collect and bring on flour, &c., which had fallen from the horses the night before, and broke many of the kegs. The land is rich, fertile, and flat as any I have seen ; surrounded by mountains, the inhabitants driven off and buildings destroyed. 3d. — Proceeded to Phillips's farm (9 miles) and halted one hour. Marched again for Tunkhannack, fording a creek, one and a half miles before we arrived there, which was at four P. M. This place, as usual, is situated on the river ; the few former huts destroy- ed ; land as usual, bottom. This place very remarkable for deer, bears, turkeys, several of which were taken by the troops without firing a single gun, there being positive orders to the contrary ; otherwise might have killed many more during our halt. 4th. — Arrived at Vanderlip's farm, or Walnut Bottom, about 5 i'. M. Crossed Mashaw creek about two miles before we came to the farm above mentioned. The flat very rich, timber chiefly black walnut, of uncommon size ; the country round continues mountainous. 5th. — I being that day ordered on the rear flank, did not march until ten. Was obliged to march on the top of the mountains, which rendered the dav's march very fatiguing and disagreeable. At 5 o'clock p. .m., came into the path the whole army had marched. Soon crossed a very high mountain on the side of the river ; prospect the most beautiful I have seen. At 6 p. M., arrived at Wyalucing, formerly settled b\' the Moravians, who were obliged to leave it on account of the Indians, (but some say they have joined them) who destroyed it in '78. It is the best part of the country I have seen since 1 left Wyom- ing. The houses were built regularly, numbering about eight)', with a church, priest, ivc. Timber chiefly black walnut, with some button wood trees, which are eight and ten feet through. 6th and 7th. — Continued at Wyalucing to refresh. 8th. — After marching two miles, forded a considerable creek. Continued our march until 3 P. M., when we arrived at Standing Stone Bottom, which is large and level, and newly cleared, where we pitched for the night. 9th. — Arrived at four in the afternoon at a large flat called (^ueen Esther's Flats, once an Indian town, but now covered with wild grass of amazing length. This is within four miles of Tioga. Out of provision, and very faint for want of it ; the boats which carry 6 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. it did not arrive until nine or ten o'clock the next morning'; having marched fourteen miles with very little to eat. The woods for some distance before we came to this place, are chiefly white oak, and very open, grown up with wild pea vines, &c. In this day's march we had several cattle killed by falling from a precipice, having about half a mile to pass along one of two hundred feet, and the path very bad. At the bottom, luckily, was the river ; the boats on coming up had them dressed. loth. — The Regiment with two others marched at 12 o'clock as an escort to the Gener- als, &c., opposite Tioga. Our Regiment being the right flank, was obliged to raise a very high mountain (being very hot, rendered it truly fatiguing) to scour the woods. We returned in a short time to our camp, where we remained the night. nth. — Marched at 7 A. M., for Tioga. The army at nine began to ford the Susque- hannah, having first fired a few cannon in the wood on the other side fearing there might be some of the enemy to oppose us crossing the river ; a little more than waist deep, very rapid, which made it difficult crossing, the force of the current carrying several down ; happily none were drowned. Proceeded after landing about one and a half miles, when we came to *Kihuga creek, which we forded, and encamped in the forks formed by the Susquehannah and Kihuga, on the ground where the town of Tioga formerly stood. Soils very rich, etc. I2th. — On fatigue, cutting timber to build block houses. About 6 P. M., was ordered to join the Regiment. At night in the evening the army was in motion and began their march to surprise fShamong, an Indian town on the river Kihuga. Marched very slowly on the whole night, sometimes setting down for a few minutes, and up again eight or ten yards until daylight began to appear, when we took a start and were obliged to run a great part of the way, on account of its being farther than was apprehended, and our Regiment in the rear. Arrived about half past six o'clock A. M. at Shamong and found to our mortification the town entirely evacuated. About one hour after our arrival * ***■**'* Gen. Hand, commanding the light troops was fired upon from a scout of theirs who lay concealed in the bushes. They killed six or seven and wounded nine ; among the latter were two officers of Hubley's Regiment. Our troops immediately returned the fire and charged upon them, but as they lay on a hill, they had time to get off their killed ; supposed to be one or two from the blood where they were posted. The country from Tioga to .Shamong the most level land I have seen marching. On the bottom bordering on the creek, large medows several miles in length, rich, fertile, and easy to be cultivated. Its timbers on the low lands, nut and oak ; on the highlands chiefly pine ; soil very indifferent. Shamong an Indian town lying on the north of the creek, consisting of about thirty huts covered with bark. The Indians who inhabit it raise large fields of corn, beans, squashes, potatoes and pumpkins in abundamce, which they subsist on in the winter season, with what deer and bears they kill, with other beasts of the wood. Our troops after destroying their huts and fields of corn (which we suppose to contain about a thou- sand bushels) returned unmolested to Tioga. 14th, — The troops lay by to refresh themselves. 15th. — The Indians skulking round our camp. Killed and scalped one man, who was driving up some horses, and wounded another. i6th. — An escort of nine hundred troops commanded by Gen. Poor, marched to join Gen'I. Clinton, who is on his way from Otsego to join us, he having a large quantity of provision. 17th. — One man killed and scalped, and one other wounded. i8th. — A funeral sermon preached by Dr. Rogers,:); prepared for the occasion, was to have been delivered at the re-interring of Capt. Davis, &c., but was postponed, on account of a rain coming on, until now, when the masons all gave their attendance. 20th. — This morning arrived an officer and nine men from Gen'I. Clinton who reported him, together with Gen'I. Poor, about twenty miles distant. * Cayuga. - ^ ' ' t Chemung. $ Rev. John Rodgers, D. D., of New York City.' LIEUT. WILLIAM BARTON. 7 22d. — At 10 A. M. arrived Gen'l. Clinton with his boats, stores, &c., when there was a discharge of thirteen pieces of cannon ; boats in number, 210. At retreat beat this evening, two soldiers of ist Regiment run the gauntlet through the whole brigade, who were pro- videdwith each a good whip for that purpose — the line abou.t half a mile. 23d. — This day orders issued for marching the 25th. About 12 o'clock, an accident happened to a Captain of Gen'l. Poor's Brigade. He was shot dead from a soldier's at- tempting to snap a gun, not knowing it was loaded. It webt off and killed him on the spot. 25th. — The fore part the day employed in getting in readiness, expecting to march in the afternoon. We leave here a great part of our baggage with the garrison. It consists of 250 men with two six pounders, commanded by Col. Shrieve. In the afternoon it rained hard which prevented our marching. 26th. — At half past I2 r. M. began our march with several pieces of cannon, which caused us to move very slowly, as we had formed a hollow square, in which the pack horses and cattle were all driven, together with the cannon. This day received information that Col. Broadhead, with six hundred troops, was within forty miles'of the *Senakee castle, and had destroyed almost one whole tribe of Indians by stratagem ; he painted his men like In- dians, with cutting their hair, &c. We this day likewise received intelligence of Count De Estaing's victory over the British fleet, and.having taken the island of St. Vincents. This day marched about four miles and encamped at 5 P. M. near a large flat, on the north-east side of Cahuga creek. This day's march through a level land, but very poor, excepting the flats, which are ^ood, grown up with grass of great height. Friday, 27th. — At half past eight began marching, and proceeded two miles in the order of the day before. Halted in consequence of there being a defile, which our artil- lery, horses, &c., could not pass until repaired, from II o'clock A. m. till 4 in the after- noon. We passed the defile, and after marching a quarter of a mile our regiment was orderded back to assist the horses in passing, till 11 o'clock i'. m. the whole having got up, though not without considerable destruction of the bags with flour and other stores. Then proceeded about three miles and halted with the army, about one o'clock in the morning, about three miles from Shamong, on an old Indian settlement near some large fields of corn, said to have been planted at the expense of the King of Britain, an! many smaller ones said to belong to the Indians ; with beans, squashes, potatoes, &c. , on which our soldiers feasted sumptuously, it being a good substitute for bread, which \v is a scarce arti- cle with us. Distance about six miles. Course of march through this day, N. N. W. The country as level as any I have marched through, except the defile ; chiefly woods but indifferent. Sati;rday, 28th. — Continued marching until 3 p. M. ; some ammunition wagons being- broke and left behind for the purpose of gathering the corn and destroying what we did not make use of. Proceeded one mile and forded the Cahuga creek" at crotch deep— very rapid. Marched half a mile farther and recrossed the creek again, where it was some- thing deeper than at the other place, and extremely rapid, so as to carry down some of our men, and many of our pack horses, with the loss of three of the latter drowned-, and a very considerable loss of flour, baggage, &c. At sunset arrived at Shamong ; at nine our baggage came up. Here we encamped for the night ; distance three miles. On the march between the places of fording, some Indians were seen and fired on by our flanks, when they run off. This day the army was allowed no flour on account of the great quantity of corn, be.ins, &c. Course northwest. Sunday, 2gth. — Proceeded very slowly two miles, occasioned by the roughness of the way, which we had to clear for the artillery, baggage, &c., to pass. Here we halte ford one hour and a half, until the artillery, &c., should raise a difficult height, at which time an advanced party of our riflemen discovered the enemy throwing up some works on the other side of a morass, and a difficult place through which we had to pass. It appears this was intended for an ambuscade, it being on a small height, where some logs, &c., were laid up, covered with green bushes ; which extended half a mile. On the right was * Seneca. 8 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. a small towh which they had destroyed themselves, making- use ot the timber, &c., in the above works. Af;er the groimil was well reconnoitered, the artillery was advanced on their left. At the same time Gen'l. Poor with his brigade was endeavoring to gain their rear around their left ; Gen'l. Hand's brigade was following in rear of Poor. Our brig- ade was kept as a reserve, as also Gen'l. Clinton's until their rear should be gained ; but they having a party posted on a very considerable height, over which our right flank had to pass, we were discovered by them. I'revious to this, some shells and round shot were thrown among them in their works, which caused them to give several yells, and doubtless intimidated them much. But at this discovery they gave a most hideous yell and quit their works, endeavoring to prevent Gen'l Poor's ascending the height, bj'a loose scattering fire ; but our troops pressing forward with much vigor, made them give way, leaving their dead behind, (amounting to eleven or twelve) which were scalped immediately. We likewise took one white man, who appeared to be dead, and was stripped, when an officer came up and e.' days before our arrival. He likewise said they had a reinforcement at this place of two- or three hundred, who were very anxious to fight us ; the others said they had fought enough and did not choose to do any more. In the evening the whole army discharged their firelocks by order. Monday, 6th. — I was sent out with a detachment under Maj. HoUinshead, for the purpose of collecting horses, cattle, &c., many of them having strayed the night before, on account of whichthe army was detained until 2 p. M., when we proceeded three miles, land continuing rich and fertil as before ; encamped in the woods near the lake. Here a great plenty of pea vines, which our horses and cattle feed on. This day have intelli- gence that the garrison at Powles Hook was surprised and taken. Tuesday, 7th — Proceeded about eight miles, halting near the outlet of the lake for one hour and a half, then crossed it near middle deep. The lake is said to be forty miles in length and from two to five in breadth, very beautiful, without a single island in it, itr course N. W. and S. E. After crossing as before, proceeded one mile and halted one hour s. having a long defile to pass, was expecting an attack. From thence proceeded two miles, through a very thick wood, and came on the back of a town a little after sundown, called Cunnusedago, still expecting they would defend their town, it being the capital of their nation, but they were all fled. The town consists of fifty or upwards very good huts, regular and compact much more than any we have seen before. Here was found a white male child about three years of age, supposed to have been taken from our frontiers. It can speak Indian very well and understand English, but not talk it. Vituals being given, it ap- peared to have been nearly starved, and would doubtless have injured itself had it not been restrained. An officer of ours has taken it with the intention to bring it up. This: lake runs into lake Kihuga, and from thence into St. Lawrence river. Wednesday, 8th. — Continued for the purpose of gathering corn, beans, &c. Thursday, gth. — Proceeded one mile through a very thick swamp, when we came to some upland, which appeared to have been cleared, and was grown up with Indian grass and some ash bushes, over which we travelled for two or three miles, when we again entered a swamp, which we travelled through for five miles and halted on a piece of high ground for the night. This morning a detachment was sent down to Tioga consisting- of fifty men, who were to escort all the sick, invalids, &.c. and likewise all the horses that were not able to carry packs. Thirty odd were nevertheless left at this place that could not be got farther. Friday, loth. — Came to a lake called by some Genessee, which is from one to three miles in width, and about ten in length, and very shallow. Proceeded and crossed the outlet at half leg deep, and twenty yards across. It lies nearly north and south. After crossing had a long defile to pass and came to a considerable town of about twenty huts, which were all on fire when we came in sight ; marched one mile past the town and encamped for the night, near some corn-fields, at 4 P. M. Distance of Ihis day's march about ten miles, ('ourse west. Saturday, nth. — Passed many defiles, the ground being rougher than any we have yet passed since we left Catharine, and the up-land more indifferant. Arrived at four o'clock at Onyauyah, where was a large quantity of corn. Insight of this town is a lake ■ lying to the south ; here we encamped. Marched fourteen miles this day, course nearly west. Here was left a small garrison, with most of our baggage, horses, Cv:c. LIEUT. WILLIAM BARTON. 11 Sunday, 12th. — Came to a small lake from a quarter to half a mile wide and three in length ; distance about five miles. Crossed the outlet at knee deep, (fifteen yards across) went five and a half miles farther an encamped for the night on a high ground newly- cleared. Monday, 13th. — At half past four, morning, proceeded one mile and a half ; came to a considerable town, Canesaah, consisting of from sixteen to twenty huts and halted for the troops to get some refreshment and to build a bridge across a creek ; meantime a party of twenty-six men, commanded by Lt. Boyd, was sent out to a town about six miles for discovery, at which place he arrived without molestation. Here an Indian was killed and scalped by his party. He then dispatched two men to inform us what had happened ; after they had gone two miles they saw five Indians. They immediatelj- ran back and told the Lieutenant what they had seen, who marched on to the place with all speed, when he discovered some few of them who retreated ; he pursued and killed one of them. The men then went to scalp him, which caused some dispute who should have it ; at the same instant the enemy rose up from their ambuscade, when the action com- menced, but they being much superior in numbers, caused him and one or two others to surrender, though not until the rest were all killed and got off. About the same time, Capt. Lodge, surveyor, of the road, with a small party was discovered about one mile beyond, virhere the party was building a bridge. They were fired on by the Indians and one of his men wounded. The rest ran off and were pursued so closely that one of them drew out his tomahawk and was close on the heels of one of our men, when a sentinel from the the party at the bridge fired at the Indian, which caused them all to run off. Major Poor immediately pushed on, hearing the firing, and found the knapsacks, &c. of the Indians, who had all run off on his approach. At two o'clock the bridge being corn- pleted, we marched on to a town, Casawavalatetah, where we arrived about dark, in expectation of an attack, and encamped. Land continuing very fertile ; at both of these places was a large quantity of corn, at the former we did not destroy all. Tuesday, 14th. — Early in the morning was ordered to destroy the corn, which we did by throwing the ears into the creek, which runs close to the town and is a branch of the * Canisee river, which empties into the Lake Ontario about fourteen miles hence. At 2 r. M, marched and crossed the creek, and forded the main branch of Canisee and proceeded four miles down to the Chenisee cas,tle, where we arrived about four P. M. At this place was Lieut. Boyd and one soldier found, with their heads cut off ; the Lieut'nts head lay hear his body ; his body appeared to have been whipped and pierced in many different places. The others head was not found. A great part of his body was skinned, leaving the ribs bare. Wednesday, 15th. — The whole army employed until 3 o'clock in gathering the corn, and burning it in their huts, which were in number about eighty or a hundred, and much the largest quantity of corn I have yet seen in any one place since I have been out. Here came in a white woman with a young child, who was almost starved, having made her escape two or three nights before from the enemy. She informs us they were in great confusion, the Indians some times agreeing to treat with us, but it was made void by Butler and Johnson, who promised to supply them with provisions. One of the Indi- ans at this cocked his gun and was about to shoot Johnson, but was prevented. This woman was taken from Wyoming in '77, where her husband was killed. At half past two P. M. we began our march for returning, and proceeded as far as the fording place of the creek, crossed onto, encamping near the town Casawavalatetah. This place very rich and good. Distance from here to Niagaree said to be about eighty miles, whither the Indians carry all their furs, &c. for sale. They go and return in canoes in five or six days. Thursday, i5th. — I was ordered out on the advance party, under the command of Major Cochran, consisting of one hundred men. Proceeded and crossed the second branch of the Canisee river, where we remained until the army had all crossed, which was 10 A. M., part of the troops being employed in destroying some corn that we left when * Genesee. 12 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. there before. We then proceeded to Canexah, and encamped about four v. M. The arm)' was again sent out destroying corn that was omitted before. In the evening we joined our respective Regiments for the night, and were to repair to the front of the army at the general beat in the morning. Friday, 17th. — Marched at sunrise. Arrived at Onyauyah at twelve o'clock. There was one large hut left standing, round which the garrison had laid up the kegs of flour, boxes of ammunition and bags of flour, so as to make it a very considerable fort. Round it were likewise batteries. This cautiousness was occasioned by prisoners having been taken, and it was apprehended they would extort from them our situation ; and they might probably attack that place in our absence, as the garrison left was very inconsiderable, a captain and fifty men, exclusive sick, lame and lazy, with one three pounder. This by us was called Fort Cumraings, Capt. Cummings having the command here. Saturday, i8th. — Proceeded to the Genessee lake and crossed the outlet, and encamped on the side of it for the night, passing through Kennendauque. On our march met three Onnida Indians, who came in five days from Fort Schuyler, and brought intelligence of New York being evacuated and burnt.. Si NDAY, igth. — Proceeded to Kennesdago. On our way thither, met three soldiers from Tioga, two days and a half from Newtown, where they informed us is a plentiful supply of stores for us, with a garrison from Tioga. F.ncamped for the night. Mo.NDAY, 20th. — Remained until 4 p. M. in consequence of a detachment being sent down the south of Senakee lake to destroy a town there, and another down the north side Kihuga to destroy a chain of towns, part of which is to proceed to Fort Schuyler, and con- duct the baggage of Gen. Clinton's brigade down to headquarters, by way of Albany, when we proceeded and crossed the outlet of the Genessee lake and encamped at Sunset, having marched 4 miles. At head of the Kihuga is a remarkable salt spring, where the Indians all get a supply of salt. Tuesday, 21st. — Marched at six a, m. and proceeded three miles from Kendoha, and encamped in a wood at the side of the lake at three o'clock afternoon. This morning was a detachment sent down the south side of Kihuga, for the purpose of destroying some towns there. It is said that twelve quarts of water will produce one of cleer salt. Wednksday, 22nd. — Proceeded about fourteen or fifteen miles and encamped at 5 o'clock P. M. three-quarters of of a mile from the lake and seven from Appletown, at a defile. Thursday, 23rd. — Proceeded to Catharine town, at which place we arrived at twelve o'clock, finding the old squaw here which was left as we went up, with a paper that had many lines of Indian wrote underneath a protection that was given her by the General, the contents of which I did not hear. We likewise found the corpse of a squaw who appeared to have been shot three or four days, which lay in a mud hole ; supposed to have came there since our departure to take care of the old brute. Who killed her, I cannot ascertain, but it is generally believed to be three men of ours who were sent up from Tioga express a few days before. At our departure from here the General ordered there should be left a keg of pork and some biscuit, &c. for the old creature to subsist on, al- though it was so scare an article that no officer under the rank of a field officer had tasted any since leaving Tioga, and a very scant allowance of half a pound of poor beef and a like quantity of flour. Proceeded at two o'clock about three miles through a swamp of exceeding bad road for the pioneers to repair them and halted for the army's arrival, which at was five o'clock i'. M. ; on a small flat of cleared ground, and encamped. Distance of day's march from 16 to 18 miles. This evening we, the advance guard, had orders to march at reveille for the purpose of having the roads repaired through a most notorious swamp of five miles, and appearance of rain, which would render the swamp almost impassable. Friday, 24th — .\ccording to order marched at daylight and proceeded through the swamp, though not without several halts for the Pioneers, when we made a more gen- eral halt, for the army to come up, after having got through, of about one hour ; then re- ceived orders to proceed again to a bad defile, and there halt for the pioneers to build a LIEUT. WILLIAM BARTON. 13 bridge, which was three miles from the place were our stores were, with a small garrisori. At three the army appeared in sight, when we again resumed our march, and on our approach the garrison fired thirteen cannon, which was immideately followed with a like number from our advance piece, and then gave three cheers and encamped, thinking our- selves happy to arrive where we could once more fully satisfy our appetites, after fourteen miles march, pretty much fatigued. Saturday, 25th. — Remained at F'ort Reed for those detachments before mentioned to have been sent out, to return. In the forenoon the army all discharged their muskets, with orders to parade at five in the afternoon, each man furnished with one blank cartridge. According to orders the whole paraded in a line to five a feu de joie, when thirteen round of cannon was fired. Then began a running fire of muskets from the right through the whole ; this not being performed to the General's liking, he ordered the whole to again charge ; after this was done he ordered the whole to be put in readiness and not a man to fire until he should come opposite him. All being in readiness, he put his horse off at full . speed and rode from right to left with whip and spur, men all firing according to orders, which made it very grand and caused the General to say it went like a hallelujah. After three cheers given for the Congress in consequence of thei" resolutions of the i8th August,* and then three for the United States, and thirdly for the King of Spain, our new ally, and thus the day ended with joy, the officers of each brigade being furnished with one of the best bullocks there was, extra. Sunday, 26th. — Still remained at Fort Reed. In the morning there was a detachment of three hundred men ordered to be sent up the river Kihuga for the purpos of destroying a town or two, but was defered by' reason of rain coming. At one in the afternoon the detachment under Col. Durbin, that came down the south of the Kihuga lake, arrived with two squaws, and inform us they burnt three or four towns. They likewise say the found one Indian and one other squaw, the latter so old as not to be able to be brought off ; the Indian man young but decrepid to such a degree that he could not walk. I have since heard it said, the Colonel left one house standing for them to stay in, and would not suffer them to be hurt, but some of the soldiers taking an opportunity when not observed set the house on fire, after securing and making the door fast. The troops having got in motion and marched some distance, the house was consumed together with the savages, in spite of all exertions. Monday, 27th. — The morning clear. The detachment yesterday detained by rain has gone out with an addition of two hundred men more, and divided into two parties, one under the command of Col. Courtland, and the other under Col. D' Hart ; one going up the north side, and the other the south of the Kihuga Creek. In the evening the detach- ments cam in, after destroying a considerable quantity of corn, &c. Tuesday, 28th. — The same detachment again sent out on account of a small party being sent farther up, who say there is a large quantity of corn yet standing on the creek. About ten o'clock a. m. the detachment under Col. Butler came in from the north of Kihuga lake, who say they have destroyed vast quantities of corn and several rery.,con- siderable of their towns. Wednesday, 2gth. — Marched at 7 o'clock ; the chief of our stores were sent in boats from Fort Read, it being i 1 -the forks of the Kihuga and Tioga creeks. This fort was built by a small detachment sent from Tioga with stores for us by order of Gen. Sullivan, the detachment under the command of Capt. Read, which occasioned its being called after him. We proceeded to Chemung, where we arrived at i o'clock, p. M. and halted for one and half hour for refreshment ; then marched and proceeded three miles to our old encamping ground as we went up, where we remained for the night, much fatigued, having marched over rough ground. Thursday, 30th. — Proceeded to a very difficult defile, there being no possibility of passing more than one man abreast, on the side of the river, and a very high mountain on the other, near three quarters of a mile from top to bottom over which I had to pass, which rendered the day very fatigueing. At 3 o'clock P. M. arrived at Fort Sullivan at * Increasing pay of officers, &c. 14 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. Tioga, when we were saluted from the garrison by thirteen rounds of cannon and three cheers, and immidiately was a return given from the advanced pieces of cannon. * * * The fort is a fine stockade, » * * * block-houses on the river Susquehannah, and one other on the Kihuga ; within three hundred yards of each was an old carrying place about half a mile from the forks of the two rivers. The army all passed the fort and encamped on our old ground. Soon after the officers were in- vited to the garrison, where was a dinner provided for them. Joy appearing in every face at our so happy return, having marched three hundred miles into the Indian country with so very inconsiderable loss, having completed all that was intended us at the first formation of the expedition, and much more than was expected when we set out, on ac- count of provisions being so very short, which must inevitably have been the case if we had not unanimously agreed to bring ourselves on half allowance, on which we continued until our arrival at Fort Read, Monday, 4th. — Was ordered on the advance guard, marched about half after eight and proceeded as far as Queen Esther's Plains, about four miles, when we halted by orders of the Commander-in-Chief until the army should come up, not being determined whether to march farther or not, the weather appearing suspicious and wets a little. On the arri- val of the army,, it- clears away a little, when the General orders us to march as far as Wigsaugking creek and there to encamp himself ; going in a boat we arrived at 5 P. M. The whole of the army did not arrive until after dark, when comes on very hard rain and continues the night, and I on guard. Tuesday, 5th. — The morning continues cloudy ; orders for the whole army to go down in boats and on horseback ; I came on a horse, as far as Wyalucing and staid the night ; this day killed a great number of horses. Wednesday, 6th. — Marched at nine A. m. and proceeded as far as Tunkhannoch, and encamped for the night. This' day orders came to leave all horses that could not be got on, and for none to be killed. Thursday, 7th.- I proceeded for Wyoming at daylight, having obtained leave over night, and arrived at Wyoming at 3 P. M. The boats having came in at 10 A. M. an en- tertainment was provided for the officers of the Jersey Brigade and those of Proctor's artillery. At half-past 3 a cannon was fired for the assembling of the officers, and one for every toast, thirteen of which were drank. Friday, 8th. — In the morning, at 10 a. m., came in the whole party of horses. Saturday, gth. — This day orders for marching in the morning at 6 o'clock for Easton. JOURNAL OF LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY, OF THE 4TH PENN LINE. Lieut, afterward Major) Erkueies Beatty, was born October ,9, 1759, son of Eev. Charles Beatty, who came to America from Ireland in 1729. He was an apprentice in Elizabethtown, N. J., at the beginning of the revolution, and served with the Jersey troops ; was at long Island August 9, 1776, under General Sterling, and served as a Sergeant at White Plains, October 28. He was commissioned an Ensign in the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment, with rank from January 3, 1777 ; was promoted to Lieutenant May 2, and was engaged in the battle of Brandywine, September 11th, of the same year. He was badly wounded at German- town, but rejoined his regiment at Valley Forge in January, 1778. He was at Monmouth June 28 of that year, and shortly after accompanied his regiment to Schoharie, N. Y. He was with Colonel Van Schaick in his expedition against the Onondagas in June, 1779, and with his regi- ment accompanied General Clinton down the Susquehanna to participate in Sullivan's campaign. He was at the surrender of Cornwallis October 19, was mustered out of service November 3, 1783 ; then acted as clerk in the war office for several years ; 1786-8, was Paymaster to the west- ern army ; 1789-90, commanded at Vincennes, on the Wabash ; Major under St Clair but sent back with a detachment before the defeat; resigned January 11, 1793 ; . he married the widow of Major AVilKam Ferguson', who was killed at St. Clair's defeat ; resided thereafter at Princeton, K J., where he died February 3, 1823. His son, Charles Clinton Beatty, LL.D., founder of Steuben ville Female Seminary, was still living in 1880. The original journals of these expeditions are now in the archives of the New York Historical Society, New York City, which society has kindly furnished the following literal copies for pub- lication in this volume. 16 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. J O U R N A L— P ART FIRST. Expedition to Onondaga, April 6th, lyjg. SCHOHARY MIDDLE FORT. Journal of an Expedition to Onondaga, April 6th, 1779. Marched of from the Middle fort with a Comp'y. from the 4th P. Reg't. and a Comp'y- from the Rifle Corps about g o'clock proceeded on to Cobus Kill 12 Miles from Schohary arrived there at 4 o'clock when we was Joind by Capt Johnston Compy of Col. Dubois's Regt. from the lower fort Schohary when he took the Comd. staid here all Night. Next morning we proceeded on with the 3 Companies to Mohawk River to Conogoharie 25 Miles where we staid all Night. Nothing material happend. on our March, the next day marchd on to fort plank 6 miles where we got waggons sufficient to Carry our m[ensj packs, then proceeded on within 4 Miles of Fort Herkimer where we staid all Night. Next morning started early arrived at Fort Herkimer where we Join'd Capt. Bleeker Compy. from Col. Gansevorts Regt. Capt. Fowlers Compy. from Col. Livingstons Regt. & Capt. Lane's Compy. from Col. Aldens Regt. staid here & got breakfast then Marched of of Capt. Bleeker taking the Command, marched on 13 Miles when we encamped all Night in the woods, the next morning got of early went on to old fort Stanwix 6 Miles where we breakfasted, then proceeded on to Fort Schuyler 16 Miles where we arrived about 5 o'clock and was saluted with three pieces of Cannon from the fort four Companies Encampd on the Glacis and the other two quartered in two houses that was there. The officers quar- tered in the Garrison which consisted of Col. Vanschaiks Regt. & a Compy. of Artillery. Fort Stanwix alias Fort Schuvler. April 14th, 1779. — Rested all this Day nothing material happening — 15th. — This day about 63 Oneida Indians came into the fort with their baggage & squaws they all fired coming in cSt was saluted with 3 pieces of cannon from the fort after some Ceremony they went out and lay about J( of a Mile from the fort. i6th. — This Morning the Sachems apply to Col. Van Schaick to go on the Expedition with us but the Col. told them that we was not going on any Expedition which almost sat- isfied them, this afternoon about 20 More came in of the Tuskeroras & Oneidas. 17th. — It snowed last Night and partly all this Day nothing material happening. i8th. — Snow'd by spells this day The Indians applyd to Col. for to go on an expedition by themselves which was granted them and they Drawed provision, then they petitioned for two officers to go with them but no Men, which was granted them Lt. IMcClellan of Col, Gansevorts Regt. and, Ensign Hardenburg of Col. Van Schaicks Regt. was ordered to go with each to take a Sergt. and 20 Days provision with them and they marched of about I o'clock about 60 of them leaving their Sachems & Squaws behind them, this Day arrived at the Fort 30 Batteaus with stores from Schenectady We Reed, orders to Draw 3 Days provision and hold our selves in Readiness to march to morrow morning at Day Break. igth. — last night the Batteaus was carried into wood creek about ^/j, of a Mile from the fort and this morning flights of snow fell but we march'd of about sunrise with 3 Compa- nies from Col. Van Schaicks Regt. when Col. Van Schaick took the Comd. with his other field officers Lt. Col. Willet & Magor Cochran sent a proper Guard with the batteaus and we proceeded down wood creek by land till we arrived within about 2 Miles of Lake Oneida 22 Miles from the fort staid here 3 or 4 hours for the boats where they Arrived about 3 o'clock when we immediately embarked & proceeded into the Oneida lake the wind blowing very high all Night, about day break we stopt and Collected our boats then LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY. 17 proceeded on till about i o'Clock when we stopt about 2 hours & Drawd provisions then proceeded on to the Onandaga landing at the farther end of the lake which is across 33 Miles and in breadth 13 Miles where we arrived about 3 o'Clock. Immediately Disem- barked, Drawed Rum, turned out a sufficient Guard to leave with the boats then formed the line of March Viz The Men to March in two Columns about the Distance of 100 Yards each Capts. Graham, Gray, Hicks & Renshaw with their Companies to form the Right & Capts. Louie's, Johnston Fowler & Bleeker to form the left and the Rifle Compy. to divide upon each flank The Main body to march two deep and in case of intiruption to file of to Right and left and Join the line and the Rifle men to keep on the flanks, in this Manner we march'd of thro the woods with the greatest silence about 14 Miles when we stopt about dark and laid down without any fires and the strictes orders to keep silence, 2ist. this morning set of about Day Break on the same line of march and went about 6 Miles when we halted, Capt. Graham with his Compy. was sent forward as an advance party then proceeded on to the Onandaga lake about 8 Miles in length & 4 in Breath waded an arm of it about 4 foot deep and 200 yards wide and came to Onandaga creek, small but deep, had to cross it on a log. Capt. Grahams Co Just as he had crossed the creek caught an Indian who was shooting IHdgeons & made him prisoner, And we got some Information from him, then proceeded on till we come within about one Mile of the Town when we Reed, word from Capt. Graham that he had caught one Squaw and killed one and had taken two or three Children and one White man and one or two made their escape and alarmed the town The Col Immediately sent me forward to order him on as quick as possible and make as many, prisoners as he could & he would support him with the main body. I overtook him at the first town and delivered my orders and he Imme- diately pushed on about two miles to the Next town where he made a small halt and took a great many prisoners, soon after Magor Cochran with Capt. Grays Compy. came up and ordered me to stay with the prisoners and their two Compys. to push on to the next town about one mile forward which they did and made more prisoners and killed some particularly a Negro who was their Dr. they then plundered the houses of the most valua- ble things and set fire to them and Returned to the middle town where I was. Capt. Bleekers Compy. had come .up by this time and left the main body at their first town we then collected all our prisoners plundered this town and sett fire to it then marched of to the main body which lay at the first town, we stayd there about 8 hours and killect some five horses and a Number of Hogs & plunderd their houses and set fire to them and' Marched of about 4 o'Clock in the same line of march as we came only the front changed, and a Compy. to guard the prisrs. who was to march between they two Colums marched on about 2 Miles from the town down the Onand'ga creek when about 20 Indians who Lar concealed on the oppisite side of the Creek fird upon us, but the Rifle Men soon Dispersed them killing one of them, we then march'd on and crossd the Onandga Creek in two^ places for fear the enemy should attack us but we met with no interruption, crossed the- arm of the lake and encamped by the side of the lake about 8 Miles from the town — We killed about 15 took 34 Prisoners, Burned about 30 or 40 Houses, took 2 stand of Coulors„ and we had not one man killed or wounded — 22nd. Marched of early this morng and arrived at the boats about 4 oClock stopt about one hour to Draw rum then embarked and went 7 Mile to a large Island in the lake where we encamped and Drew provision. 23d. The next morng the wind blowing we did not sett of till about 9 oClock but the wind begin to Lull and we arrived into wood creek about 4 oCIock when we Disembarked, left 2 Compys. to guard the boats up the Creek & we proceeded on to Fish Creek about 7 Miles where we Encamped. 24th — Rained a little last Night set of early this morning small showers of Rain fell to day we arrived at fort Schuyler about 12 o'clock when we were saluted by 3 Pieces of Can- non from the fort and each Compy. took their old Quarters. 25th. This Day we was busy in collecting the plunder and making an equal Distribu- tion of it to each Comy. and Reed, orders to hold ourselves to embark tomorrow morning: early to go down the mohawk River — 3 18 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. 26th. This Morning Capt. Louies & Capt. Fowlers Compy. was ordered to march down to Fort Herkimer to guard some waggons and afterwards to join^heir Regt. the other 4 Companies embarked with the prisoners about sunrise and proceeded down the River to fort Herkimer where we arrived about dark, part of the boats was ordered to go forward ■6 Miles to the carrying place and wait there in the morning till the Rest came up. 27th. set of early this morning and went to the carrying place, some showers of Rain falling, had our boats carried over as Quick as Possible and proceeded down the River as tar as Major Funda's within 24 Miles of Schenety where we stayed all night. 28th. set of early this morning and arrived at Schenectady about 12 oClock when each 'Compy. Reed, orders to Join their Regts. as soon as possible, put the men in the barracks .& staid all Night. 29th. This morning about day break set of with Capt. Grays compy. and the Rifle •compy. leaving the prisoners with Capt. Bleeker to Guard to Albany, proceeded on till we arrived at middle Fort Schohary Just being out 3 Weeks. E. BEATTY. J O U R N A L— P ART SECOND. Sullivan's Expedition, June nth, to Oct. 22d, lyyg. Journal of an E-xpedition to the Indian Towns, June mh, 1779. Friday.- -Marched from Schohary with 4th P. Regt. & Rifle corps 8 o'Clock leaving 15 Men from each Corp with proper officers for the safety of the Place the rest arrived at Schenectady at Sundown where we encamped — Saturday 12th. — Lay encamped all day. , Sunday 13th.' — Crossed over the River encamped oppisite Schenectady and was sup- plyed with 36 Batteaus to go up the Mohawk River with a quantity of provision, Small Showers of Rain fell today. Monday 14th. — Showers of rain almost all day embarked in our boats at 2 o'Clock, proceeded up they River very strong water, went 3 Mile up when we encamped on the shore. Tuesday 15th. — Rained all Last Night which made it very disagreeable in our tents embarked this Morning 8 o'Clock proceeded on 10 Mile midling strong water encamped on the shore. Wednesday i6th. — Embarked this morning at Sunrise went on 13 Miles to Major Fundas where we encamped. Thursday 17th. — Embarked this morning sunrise went up very good water all day atrived at Conojoharie at Sundown 17 Miles where we found Col Gansevorts Reg't. en- camped we immediately unloaded our Boats and encamped on the left of Col. Gansevorts Regt. Friday i8th. — lay in camp very Quiet all day Nothing Material happening. Saturday 19th. — Struck Tents very early Marched of for Springfield very bad road passed on the road a Number of Waggons with Batteaus & provision going on to the .l,ake likewise a New York Regt. which was encamped on the Road side 6 Miles from Conojohaira arrived at Springfield 4 o'clock p M 17 Miles which had formerly been a pretty little Settlement but the Indians at the distruction of Cherry Valley had Hkewise Dis- troyed it, it lies within 4 Miles of lake Osego and about 6 or 8 from Cherry Valley here we encamped in a very pleasant place — Sunday 20th. — lay in camp all day nothing material happening great Number of Wag- gons passing all day to the lake with provision & Batteau — Came here this evening & en- LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY. 19 camped two Companies of Col. Aldens Regt. N. E. on their way to join their Regt. laying at the Lalce. Monday 21st. — This morning Major Parr with near 100 men properly officered went on ■a 3 Days scout liiiewise to clear out the branch of the Susquehana which comes out of the Lal; about sun Down after a very fatiguing march of 22 Miles, this afternoon fell a Small Shower of Rain Friday 20 Raind a little last night and Succesively all this Day therefore did not move : went a party down to Owego town which lies one mile lower down and burnt it consisted of about 20 houses Saturday 21st — Clear weather this morning but a very heavy fog, marched of a little after 7 oCIock forded Owego Creek which is reckoned one third of the Susquehana at this place, it was about three feet Deep & about 50 Yards Wide went thro' the ruins of Owego town crossed a pretty large brook went 12 Miles halted at a Small brook one hour * Ingaren, a small Tu.scai-ora town, at or near Great Bend, in Susquehanna county, Pa. It was called Tuscarora by Van Hovenburgh, and described as being sixteen miles from the camp, four miles below Chenango river ; and twelve miles by land and twenty by jwater, from Onoquago, where the army encamped on the 16th. Was destroyed by General Clinton, August 17, 1779. t Chenanro, also called Otsiningo, an important Indian. town located four miles north of Bing- hamton on the Chenango river, in present town of Chenango, near the present village of the same name. The twenty-two miles travel mentioned, evidently includes the march up the Chenango to this town, and from thence to the camp. Van Hovenburgh estimates the day's march of the army at 16 miles. Many writers incorrectly locate this town at Binghamton. * Chociinut, or Cliugnntt, an important Indian town of fifty or sixty houses, mostly on the south side of the Susquehanna at the mouth of Big Choconut ereek, on the site of the present village of Vestal, in town of Vestal, Broome county. Burned Aug. 19, 1770. by Gen, Poor's detachment which encamped on the north side of the river near present Union where the two detachments united. Gen. Clinton's camp the same night, was six miles distant up the river. §()WAriEA, an Indian town of about twenty houses occupied in 1779: located on Owego creek about a mile from the Susquehanna near the (present village of Owego, in Tioga county. Gen. Poor's detachment encamped Aug. 17th, on the site of present viUa.tje. where was a small Indian Hamlet. Owagea was lim-ned Aug. 10. LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY. 25 for refreshment. Proceeded on 3 Mile further when we encamped at 4 oClock Opposite Fitzgeralds farm * in the woods it a very fine farm but no house on it nor any body livinj^ on it— On this ground where we encamped Mr. Sawyers a Man who was made prisoner by Indians Along with his Neighbor Mr. Cowley who both lived on ihe head of the Deleware, After the Indians having them so far on their Journey they rose in the Night killed the Indians which was 3 or 4 »S: made their Escape, we saw the bones of the Indians. Since we came on the ground to day we met with a bad Accident, two of our Boats of Amuni- tion over set in the River tS; Damaged a good many boxes of Catridges & a few Casks of Powder — to Night went on Guard Sunday 22d. Marched of this morning 7 oClock, proceeded on crossed to midling large brooks Arrived at Tyoga 11 oClock where we found C.enl. Hands Rrigade encamped one Mile above the mouth of the Tioga where the was building 4 Block houses they other troops was encamped on the point which was Genls. Poors ^: Maxwells Brigades we ■encamped on the Right of the whole, on our coming in to Camp we was saluted by 13 Pieces of Cannon which was Returned by our two little pieces, on the River we found * Manckatawangum, or Red Bank, here (-ailed Fitzgerald's Farm, appears to have been on the ^outh side of the Susquehanna, in the town of Nichols, nearly opposite the village of Barton. Major Norris' Jonrnnl, in going up, says on the 16th the detachment '' encamped near the ruirs of in old town caller, itfACKTOWANucK."' Lieutenant Jenkins' Journal says "10 miles frcm Tioga at a place called Manokatawangum or Red Bank,'' and mentions encamping at same point on the retm-n march. A table of distances in Canfield's Journal says " from the mouth of the Tioga (Chemung) to Mackatowando 10 miles." This would locate the Indian town at or near present Bar- ton. On the Tioga county map. Mohontowonga Farm appears on the south side of the river oppo- site Barton, and an island in the river named Mohontowango. Early in the spring of 177fl, two men named Sawyer and Cowley were captured near Harpersfield by four Schoharie Indians, named Han Yerry, Seth's Henry. Adam and Nicholas. One of the cap- tives was an Irishman, the other a Pcotchman. They were refugees from Harpersfield, who had sought safety in Schoharie at the beginning of the difficulties. The prisoners cou'd not speak Dutch, which the Indians understood, nor could the Indians understand English. When captured, they claimed by signs to be friends of the King, and were not only willing, but anxious to accom- pany their captors. The prisoners set off with such apparent willingness on the journey, that the Indians did not think it necessary to bind them, but permitted them to procure wood and water They had been captives eleven days without finding a favorable opportunity for escape, but on arriving at a deserted hut at this point, the captives were sent to cut wood a few rods distant, using for this pui-pose an ax belonging to one of the prisoners. On such occasions, usually one cut and the other carried to the camp fire ; but this time, while Cowley was chopping, and Sawyer waiting for an armful, the latter took from his pocket a newspaper, and pretended to read its con- tents to his fellow, but really proposed a plan for regaining their liberty. After procuring a suffi- cient quantity of wood, and partaking of a scanty- supper, they laid down for the night as usual, a prisoner between two Indians. When the Indians were sound asleep, the prisoners arose, secured the guns, shakingthe priming from them, Sawyer securing the tomahawk of Han Yerry, and Cow- ley the ax. At a given signal, the blows descended, and the weapons sank deep into the brain of their victims, but unfortunately Sawyer in attempting to free his weapon from the skull, drew the handle from its socket. These two Indians were killed, but the noise avi'oke the others, who in- stantly sprung to their feet ; as Seth's Henry arose, he received a blow partially warded off by his right arm, but his shoulder was laid open and he fell back stunned : the fourth, as he was about to escape, received a heavy blow in the back from the ax ; he fled to a swamp near by and died. On returning to the hut and consulting as to what course they should pursue. Setirs Henry, who had recovered, but feigned death, again sprang to his feet, caught his rifle and snapped it at one of the prisoners, ran out of the hut and disappeared. The two friends primed the remaining guns and kept vigilant watch until daylight to guard against surprise. They set out in the morning to return, but did not dare to pursue the route they came, very properly supposing there were more ■of the enemy in the vicinity, to whom the surviving Indian would communicate the fate of his comrades. They re-crossed the i-iver in a bark canoe which they had used the preceding after- noon, and then directed their course for the frontier settlements. On the fii'st night, Cowley, car- ried away by the excitement was deranged for hours, and his companion was fearful that his rav- ing would betray them, but reason returned with daylight. As they had feared, a party of Indiana was soon in hot pursuit— from a hill they saw ten or a dozen in the valley below ; but they con- cealed themselves beneath a sheltering rock, and remained there one night and two days. When there an Indian dog came up to them, but after smelling for some time, went away without bark- ing. On the third night they saw the enemy's fires literally all around them. They suffered much from exposure to the weather, and still more from hunger, but finally arrived at a frontier settle- ment in Pennsylvania, and afterward returned to Schoharie, where they were welcomed as though risen from the dead. Sawyer is said to have died many years after in Williamstown, Mass., and Cowley in Albany.— Sim ins'' Srhohari>'., 291, 2, 3. 4 26 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. Genl. Hands Brigade under arms with a Band of Musick which played Beautiful as we passed by them we encamped on a very pretty piece of ground and Spent the Remainder of the day in seeing our friends in the Different Regts., likewise when we arrived here- our Infantry was Disbanded & ordered to join their Respective Regts., very heavy Show- ers of Rain this afternoon Marched 7 Miles 10 day Monday 23d. to day we lay at Tyoga Spint the day in seeing our friends — to Day- a Capt. of Genl. Hands Brigade was Shot by Accident dead Tuesday 24th. Drew some Cloathing for the men went to day to see an old Indian burying ground which lay just by our Camp there was about 100 Graves some of which our men had Dug up, they bury their Dead very curious after this manner. The dig a hole the length of the person' the are to bury & about 2 feet Deep, they lay him on his. back in the grave with an old Blanket or blanket Coat round him and lay Bark over the Grave even with the Surface of the Earth so as to prevent the earth from touching the- body, then the heap up the dirt on the top of the Grave in a round heap which is from 4 to 6 feet high, but the graves is very old and a number of them as this formerly was a very Capital town, but a few Years ago they Moved up the Tyoga to Shamong where the built that town & there is no houses here now but very pretty land — This afternoon our Regt. move up the River & joined Genl. Hand's Brigade with 4 Companies from the other Regts cS: had orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march to morrow — Tyoga Branch Wensday 25th. Raind almost all Day had all our heavy Baggage Stored in the Garrison. Reed, orders to march to morrow morning 8 oClock the Rain Raised the River very much, I heard that three Oneida Indians arrived at Hed Qrs. this, evening from Oneida Castle, but what News the brought I don't know Thursday' 26th. This morning: they freshet in the River had carried away s number of our boats down the River-- marched of about 11 oClock leaving all our heavy baggage 6 woman at the Garrison, carried on pack horses 27 Day provision likewise went with us 7 Pieces of Ordinance with three Amunition Waggons, four boats came up the River marched two mile up the Tyoga where we encamped 4 Mile from the mouth of Tj-oga. on very good ground but woods Friday 27th. Marched of this morning 8 oClock in the following line of march viz : Genl. Hands Brigade of Light Infantry in front in 6 Colums each. coUim 2 Deep and 2. or 300 Yards distance from eachi* Genl. Poors brigade on the right in one Column by Pla- toons following Genl Hands right column. Genl Maxwells Brigade on the left in one column by platoons following Genl. Hands left Colum. Genl. Clintons Brigade fetching up the rear in the same line of March and Genl. Hands Artillery & Pack horses in the Centre. Col Ogden on one flank and 200 Men & Col. Dubois on the other with the same Number in order to gain the Enemys rear in case of an Attack ; the Rifle Men in front of the whole reconoiting Mountains, roads. Defiles &c — Marched this Day 6 Miles within a Miles of Shomong where they had planted a great deal of Corn beans &c which we feasted very heartily on, there was several Indians saw on our March to day, but they made their escape, likewise Major Parr who was Advanced with the Rifle men saw a num~ ber of fires 5 or 6 mile a head which he supposed the Indians was at. went on Guard to. night Saturday, 28. Very heavy Dew this morning did not move to day till 2 oClock occasioned by our Amunition waggons breaking Yesterday & had to mend them before we started. Just as the Genl. beat there was a few of our N'olunteers went across the river to burn a house they was fired on by 6 or 7 Indians, they imediately recrossed the river in a fright without even returning a Shot The Artillery Pack horses & Some troops crossetl the river here to escape a very large hill which there was to cross and crossed at Shamong where the army encamped 2 Miles from where we came from to day this town was very beautifully Situated on the bank of the Tyoga but a good deal Scattered the land E.\cellent it lies near a West course from Fort .Sullivan but a little to the North of West, it was burnt by Genl. Sullivans army Just after their Arrival at Tyoga which I before Mentioned Sunday, 2gth. Marched this morning g oClock, went about 3 Mile when we found the Enemy strongly Entrenched with Logs Dirt brush &c the firing Imidiately begun in front LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY. ' 27 with the Rifle Corp & the Indians made great halooing, orders was given then for the troops to form in line of battle which was done. Genl. Hands brigade in front but none of the troops advanced as we discovered the main body of the Enemy was here and had their front secured by a large Morass & brook, their right by the River & on their left partly in the rear was a very large hill, their lines extended upwards of a Mile the firing was kept up very briskly by the Rifle men & a company who was sent to reinforce them, likewise the Indians returned the fire very brisk with many shouts for about 2 hours while a disposition was made for to attack them. Genl. Clintons & Poors brigades was sent of round their left flank to take possession of the hill in th^ Enemys rear and extend their line intirely round them if Possible. after the had gone about half an hour Genl. Hands brigade advanced in a line of- battle with all our Artillery in the Centre within about 300 Yards of the Enemys works but in full View of them a very heavy canonade began & throwing of Shells the enemy returned the fire very brisk for about half an hour when the Enemy retreated up the hill in a great Disorder & as the got near the top received a very heavy fire from Cienl. Poors brigade : the enemy then took round Genl, Poors right flank by the river which Clenl. Poors had not guarded as he had not time to, therefore they made their Escape leaving a number of their dead behind them. As soon as the Enemy left their works Genl. Hands brigad pursued them up the hill as far as where Genl. Poor was when we made a halt, the rifle men pursued them about one Mile farther and made a Negro prisoner, likewise saw some of their wounded going up the river in Canoes they fired on them but the All made their Escape wounded and all. The Army then returned down the hill & encamped about 2 Mile above the Enemys works, our loss about 40 killed X wounded among which is three Officers one of which is since Dead, their loss cannot be ascertained as they all carry their dead & wounded of, but there was lo or 12 Scalps taken which was killed by Genl. Poors brigade on the hill, likewise made one white man prisoner & one Negro who informed us that their force was about 400 Indians and 300 Tories their chief commander Old Butler, other officers Young Butler, Brant & McDonald the others Indian Chiefs. Up the brook about one Mile from where the Indians had their works was a New Indian town midling large but poorly built, which was burnt by Genl. Clmtons Brigade the most all Hutts. The Enemy left very little plunder behind but had Genl, Poor had a little more time to extend his Army round their rear to the river they would undoubtedly all been made Prisoners, or our Victory been a great deal more com- pleat, but it is generally believed the Enemys loss is very considerable — Monday, 30th. Raind a little last night and partly all this day by Showers near half the Army out to day cutting up Corn which is in great Abundance here ; the party out of our Brigade went over the River where the corn Chiefly grows, went up the River about 2 Miles then took up a large branch of the River (which bears near S. \V.)one Mile burnt 5 houses and destroyed all the corn in our way. Our Brigade Destroyed about 150 Acres of the best corn that Ever I saw (some of the Stalks grew 16 feet high) besides great Quan- tities of Beans, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Cucumbers, Squashes i.\: Watermellons, and the Ene- my looking at us from the hills but did not fire on us. The Army lay on this ground all day and draw'd 16 Days flower and the Army was put on half allowance of provi ^ion which the men submitted to with a great deal of chearfullness. Tuesday 31st. This morning all the boats was sent down the River likewise in the boats the Amunition waggons & all the Artillery excepting four three Pounders and a little Cow horn the wounded & sick went down among which was Capt. Tuda which was very sick ; the Army moved this morning 9 oClock fair weather proceeded on to Newtown which consists of between 20 & 30 houses very well built but very much scattered ; halted at the Upper end of the town 6 Miles from where we encamp'd for refreshment by a large Creek which empties it self in the River here & runs about N: W; here the Rifle men was Detatched Col. Daytons Regt. & a company from our Regt. up the River to take some boats that was reported was seen in the River we went up the River about 7 Miles saw no Boats nor no sign of any & night coming on we turned about returned one Mile down the River and lay in a Corn field all Night ; the Army left the River and went about 28 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. a N: W; course up the Creek I mentioned about 5 Mile where we encamped, midling good road for the Artillery to day and a very good path. Wensiiay .September 1st. lay very bad last night without any Blanket or Provision but roasted Corn, we Arose about Day break & Destroyed the field of Corn marched of about sunrise down the river one Mile & a half where we destroyed another field of corn, then ■Struck of a North course thro' the woods till we came on the path of the Army proceeded on and came to where the Army was encamped all Night, after marching about 7 Miles found the rear of the Army Just a moving of the ground kept on marching till we over took the Army about n oClock, when each corps fell into their Respective places in their line of march with the Army and went round the head of the Creek proceeded on over mountains, crossed some small branches of the Seneca waters then fell on pretty large Creek which empties into Tyoga Lake runs North course ; went down this creek and crossed it 9 times as the Valley was very Narrow ; at Dark we arrived within J^ Mile of Katarina town or Catharines town where we made a halt got our troops in good order as we expected the, Enemy was yet in the town for we heard the Dogs bark & saw fires, but we proceeded into the town without any Interuption but very dark crossed the creek again to the East side and encampd, pulled down the houses for firewood in what situ- ation the town lay in we could not see ; the Soldiers catched 2 or 3 horses a cow or two some Calves & hogs and some trifles of other plunder the troops all encamp'd here except- ing Genl. Clintons Brigade who lay about 3 Mile from here in the rear of all the Pack horses — the Army marched 13 Miles to day Thursday 2d. This morning rose up and found our Brigade lying in the lower part of the town which consisted of between 30 & 40 houses on each side of the river very well built and on good land and midling compact ; we burnt the chief of the houses last night for firewood the Pack horses began to come up & some of them had lost a great deal of provision & some horses was killed on the Road with fatigue of Yesterdays march this morning a very aged Squaw was found in a Corn field who was not able to get of with Age she was brought in and She told us that the warriors had stayed m the town till Near night before they went away likewise told us that a great many Squaws & Children was over a hill somewhere near .Seneca lake 4 or 5 Mile of in consequence of which Col. But- ler with a Detachment of 3 or 400 Men and the Cohorn went of about 12 oCIock in pur- suit of them and returned in the evening with[out] seeing anything of them there was another Squaw found in the woods who pretended she was lame lS: the Soldier came home to get some others to help fetch her in & when they returned the Squaw had hid away >& the could not find her • the old Squaw after She was examined at Hd. Quarters they was going to .send her to" the Indians but she was so old she could not ride, from her looks and what we could learn she must be I think above 120 ygars old. Our Indians built a house for her & we Gave her provision & left her. This Day we Spent here in refreshing our Men and getting up our provision but a great deal was lost, likewise Gen. Clintons Bri- gade came in about 12 oClock this town lies on what the Call Seneca Creek Ekiday 3d. Marched this morning 8 oClock left the Seneca Creek a little on our left and in about 3 Mile came to the head of the Seneca Lake which is a very pretty Lake they tell me it is 3 Mile wide and about 30 Mile long, we kept on the East side of the Lake & great part of the time had a pretty view of it from the hills and keep near it all the way-- marched 12 Mile and encamped about 4 oClock past over 3 brooks to day runnitrg into the lake midling large the first was a beautiful brook falhng down the hill from rock to rock from great hights the other two was near togathcr, most part of the land to day was Excel- lent we passed over ; an Indian was seen by our Advanced Guard to day but made his Elscape about one Mile in front of our Camp was a house the Indians had Just left & left their kettles on the fire boiling fine Corn & beans which we got but what is most remark- able the corn was all purple — came North course to day — great many large rattlesnakes was killed to day •SATURDAY 41h. Kecd. orders last night to march to day 5 oClock without th; usual Signals of Guns firing but it Raind last night & a little this morning which prevented our marching till 10 oClock when we Struck tents and marched keeping the Lake Just on LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY. 29 our left, marched 13 Miles & encampd on a Small brook at Dark within site of the lake ; came near a North course but most Part to the East and last 2 Mile to the West ; Destroyed several Indian houses & Corn fields to day on our march, passed 4 Brooks 3 of which was within 3 Mile of where we Started Extraordinary fine land we came over to dav went on Guard to night Sunday 5th. Had a very Disagreeable guard last night unloading Packs till near 11 oClock. Very fine day but did not march till 10 oClock as we was 2 or 3 Mile in front of the Army & all our I^ack horses did not come till this morning marched to Kandaia twixtr 3 Mile Destroying two houses and 2 corn fields on our March. The Rifle men on entring the town retook one of our Prisoners who was taken at Wyoming last summer who informed us that the Indians left this place Thursday and he thinks there was about 1000 & he heard them say they intended to fight us at the next town. Just after they had taken him they was fired on by an Indian who knocked a Stick out of one [of] their hands with the bullet but he made his escape without receiving a Shot. This town is very well built chiefly sqr and Logs and midling compact got a great deal of Corn & beans here for the Army to eat, we encamped here about I oClock & chief of the houses was pulled down for firewood. Came over very good land to day Course North West by North near the lake all the way Monday 6th. Last night the whole Army Discharged their Pieces. This morning went very early round to see the Situation of the place the houses was chiefly all pulled down for firewood the Appletrees which is a good number & very old was either cut down or killd, likewise the peach trees but there were not many of them ; among number of other Curiosities I went to see their burying ground which some of the graves is very curi- ous, one in particular which I believe was some Chief or great man & was buryed in this manner ; the body was laid on the surface of the earth in a Shroud or Garment, then a large Casement made very neat with bords something larger than the body & about 4 foot high put over the body as it lay on the earth and the outside & top was painted very curi- ous with great many Coulours, in each end of the Casement was a small hole where the friends of the Deceased or any body might see the corps when they pleased, then over all was built a large shed of bark so as to prevent the rain from coming on the Vault, the chiefs of the [mss. torn] in the manner I described before. The town dont lay quite on the banks of the lake but about j4 Mile from it on a very pretty plain •& about 20 houses named Kandaia & a small brook running thro it ; Orders came out for a Regt. from every Brigade to go 3 or 4 Mile in front of their Brigades in search of Pack horses and Cattle as there was a great number run of last night frohi the firing & got straggled away bt't I believe Chief of them was found after a long hunt which prevented the Army from marching till between 2 & 3 oClock when we marched 3 Mile and encamped close along the edge of the lake in a Beautiful situation and opposite to us on the West side of the Lake we could perceive a small Indian town but the Name I dont know. This Evening 1 came up 4 or 5 Pack horse Men which lost themselves Yesterday and told us that Yester- day they took the wrong path and went on till near night when they came to a Small Indian town on the Cauga Lake which the Indians had Abandoned, there they found there Mistake & came to us as soon as Possible after burning the houses they got like- wise a very fine horse and a great number of Peaches & Apples which they brought to Camp. There was a Express Arrived from Tyoga before we left Kandaia and brought letters and News which Informed us that Congress had passed a resolve to allow the Officers 100 Dollars for each Retaind Ration in lieu of 10 which they formerly had ■ likewise that the sodiers Pay was raised. Tuesday 7rh marched this morning 7 oClock thro a very fine level Country as Usual and the same course as formerly about North for near nine Mile when we came near the foot of the lake and outlett which I understand empties into Cauga Lake, here we halted as we expected the enemy to Attack us and reconoitered the Ground very well before we proceeded but found no Enemy there, we had to file off from our left and keep Close on the Banks of the lake Occasioned by a bad Marsh which was on our right likewise to cross the fording of the Outlett which is about 20 Yards wide — but Midling deep & Rapid 30 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. after we Crossed keep near West Corner along the Beach of the I,ake for near a mile, where we found our Colums but soon finding a marsh in our front had again to file off from our left & march again along on the Beach for about Yz Mile when we again got in to our former position in Colums and then waited till the Army had time to Cross and came up when we marched on a little way & came to another marsh in front which pre- vented our marching any longer in Colums we again filed of to the left and marched along the Beach till we [camej to Butlers building which is two or three houses on the banks of the Lake in a very beautiful Situation here we again formed Colums and marched thro a Corn field near where the Men had orders to pluck Corn as they marched thro which the did ; we then proceeded on towards the town near S. W. Course but our Guides being very bad the whole Armv Got into the town before we did and was near Dark before we got in & quite Dark before we encamped. This is the Chief town in the .Seneca Nation it lies about i^ Mile from the Lake and about a West course, it lies on a pretty level spot but no good Stream of Water near it, only one small Brook running thro it which affords but very little water, there is about 70 or 80 houses in it and built very Compact and the chief of the houses very good, likewise I heard there was 2 or 3 old Block houses in it but I did not see them as it was Dark when we came in and the men began Imediately to pull down the houses for firewood. I believe the Indians had left it several Days as there was not much appearance of their being here lately ; on the first entrance of our Brigade a young Child I believe about 3 year old found running about the houses which One of our Officers pickt up and found it to be a White Child but it was so much tand & smoaked that we could hardly Distinguish it from a Indian Child and was Exceeding poor scarcely able to walk it could talk no English noth'g but Indian & I believe but little of that the Officer took great care of it and Cloathed it as it was naked when he found it & could give no Account of itself only said " his mamy was gone " The men got very little plunder The men got very little plunder or anything [in] the town as the Indians had taken everything almost with them the Chief [thing] the got I believe was one or two horses The name if this town is Kanadasago Marched to day 13 Miles Kanadasago Wensday 8th. This morning came out orders that the men was to remain here all Day & for the Men to Clean their pieces likewise for all the sick lame &c to return to Tyoga properly offigered ; aft. 10 oClock Major Parr with the Rifle Corps & the Cohoun was going up the lake to a little town called Kushay to Destroy it. I with a num- ber of others went Volunteers and got there about 12 oClock found it about 8 Miles from Camp and the town opposite to where we lay two nights ago, the town consisted of about 15 houses tolerable well built and all together we got here 5 horses and a great number of Potatoes Apples Peaches cucumbers watermelons fowls &c and found a great Quantity of corn here which we went about to Destroy, after burning the houses, but our party being to Small Major Parr sent for a Reinforcement to camp we all lay under a bark hutt to Night or shed — I believe the Indians had left it the samctime they left Kanadasago it lies on the Banks of the lake very prettyly situated which is 4 Mile wide here. Thursday gth. Kushay Last night very hard thunder and lightening and Rain but Cleard up towards morning about 6 oClock the Reinforcement arrived consisting of 200 Men & informed us the Army was going to march this morning the Volunteers Ime- diately set for camp leaving Major Parr and the rest to Cut the corn, and Just as we got to Kanasdasago about ii oClock the Army was Just a marching of after Destroying all the houses which remained & corn we marched a West course from Kanadasago thro most part [of] a Low swamp encamped about 5 oClock on a very pretty brook after marching 7 Miles ; in the evening Major Parr Joined us from Kushay Eriday loth, Marched this morning 6 oClock each brigade was Ordered to leave a small Detachment behind to bring our Straggled horses & cattle, we marched thro a very low swamp chiefly timbered with Maple & beach about 5 Mile when we came to upland pretty good great part of it no trees on but great quantities of Wild Grapes growing, 3 Mile far- ther we came to a Small lake called Kanandaqua which is I believe about 5 Mile long & one wide runs N ; & S : we crossed over the outlett which was about 3 foot Deep & about 20 LIEUT. ERKURIES BEATTY. , 31 \'ards wide, soon after we came to Kanandaqua town, which I believe the Enemy had Just left as the fire was Vet burning we halted here about an hour & burnt the houses which was about 25 and very Compact & Neatly built but no good water near it then the Lake, we went about one Mile farther to a number of cornfields and encampmed about 4 ■oClock came 10 Miles to day and about N ; W ; Course, went on Guard to Night — Hun- :gry bellies and hard Duty now which I think we may call hard times — The Seneca lake I was told by the Surveyor is Just 3b Miles long and 4 Mile wide. Saturday nth. had the provision Guard last night which was very Disagreeable, this morning the troops marched at 7 oClock went back to the town & took another road, I remained on the ground with my guard to further on the stores till II oClock when I had leave several Boxes of Amunition behind which I hid, did not overtake the Army till they Avas encamped at Planyaye about 5 oClock after marching 14 Miles near West Course ■Some part of the land to day good and some but Midling Hanyaye is a pretty little { the revolutionary period, scat- tered to the four winds by a sale at public auction. The seven volumes, containing no autographs, were reserved at the sale and remain intact In one of these is the Journal kejjt during Sullivan's campaign, as LIEUT.-COL. HENRY DEARBORN. 63 arranged by the son, but this copy differs from the original in many par- ticulars, and includes much matter evidently obtained from other sources. The original- manuscript Journal of Sullivan's campaign, together Tvith many other valuable original documents, are now in the possession •of Charles P. Grreenough, Esq., of Boston, Massachusetts, who intends to present them, through his brother William Greenough, Esq., of JSTew York city, to the Waterloo Library and Historical Society, of Waterloo, .Seneca county, N. Y. With the consent and approbation of that Soci- ety, a literal copy of the original journal has been obtained through the kindness and courtesy of Mr. Greenough, who has taken great pains to make the copy accurate, and sincere acknowledgments are due to him and also to the AVaterloo Library and Historical Society, for the great favors so cheerfully bestowed. JOURNAL. Easton June 17 1779 Genls Maxwells & Poors Brigades with Cols Procters Regt of Artillery ware order'd to march this day for Wyoming under the Command of the Honble Majr Genl Sullivan on ■an Expedition against the Savages between Wyoming & Niagara i8th The Army march'd at Sunrise proceeded 12 miles to Hilliers tavern & encamp'd Kjur course to day about north igth March'd at 4 o'c'oci A M proceeded 7 miles to Brinker's Mills where there is a Magazine of Provisions kept Here we halted & drew provisions We passed this morning ■what is Call'd the Wind Gap of the blue mountains a narrow pass that appears as if Nature ■ design'd it for a road into the country as it is the only place that this ridge of mountains -can be passed for a very great distence After drawing provisions we march'd 9 miles to Learns tavern & encamp'd Our course to day about north 2oth March'd at 9 o'clock pass'd the end of a mountain call'd Dogon point proceeded •-about 5 miles & encamp The hous we left this morning is the last we shall see until we .git to Wyoming 2ist Enter'd what is Call'd the Great Swamp proceeded 20 miles thro' a horrid rough : gloomey country the land cover'd with pine Spruce lawrel bushes c& hemlock We eat breakfast at a streem call'd Tunkhannah we pass'd another call'd Tobehannah & an • other the Leahigh We likewise pass'd what is called the Shades of Death a very gloomy ■ thick part of the Swamp 22'nd. We March'd but 5 miles to a dessolate farm 7 miles from Wyoming 23'd We March'd to the Fort at Wyoming 7 miles where we found several reg'ts incamp'd which are part of our army our course the 2 last days has been about N. West The whole Country from Easton to Wyoming is very poor & barren & I think Such as will never be Inhabited it abounds with dear & Rattle Snakes The land at Wyoming on both : sides the river is very fine & was very thickly Inhabited before they ware cut off by the savages 20 miles up & down the river after the Battle at this place last year in which more than 200 of the Inhabitants were Kill'd the Savages burnt & destroyed the whole country ■ & drove off the cattle & horses & strip'ed the women & children of every comfort of life we are now incamp'd on the bank of the Susquehannah river this river is at this place -about 50 rods wide & abounds with fish of various kinds Such as Shad Bass, pike, trout ■&C &c &c 24th We are laying still some skattering Indians are-skulking about us 25th Nothing New 26th as yesterday 64 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. ■: i-\ the 2n'd & 3'd N. Hampshire regt cross'd the river & mov'd 3 miles up to a place call d Forty Fort on Abrahams plains & incamp'd here in the remains of a stockhead fort about 3 miles above this Fort the Battle was fought between the 2 Butlers viz Col Butler Wyoming & the inhuman savage Butler that corhmanded the Indians & Tories in which ^50 men were Killed & Skelp'd on our side & about 40 or 50 on the Enimies side The next day after the battle the Enimy contrary to their ingagements at the Capitulation of Forty Fort (in which was about 500 women & Children) burnt and destroyed the whole settlement. 28th We are erecting some small works for the security of our guards 29th as yesterday 30th nothing new July ist the two Tories who ware condemn'd at Easton ware orderd to be executed to day I of them was hung the other was pardon'd under the Gallows A number of us discover'd a fine buck to day on an Island which we surrounded & killed The army is waiting for provisions that are coming up the River. 2nd I went with Gen 1 Poor and several other Gentlemen to day to vew the feild of action where the Battle between the 2 Butlers was fought: We found a great number of bones at & near the field of battle Among a number of skul bones that we found none was without the mark of the tommahok I saw one Grave where 73 of our men ware bur- ied & was shewn a place wher 17 of our men after being taken ware made to set down in a ring 16 of whom they Immediately tommahawk'd the other leap'd over the ring and made his escape 3'd This is anniversary of the Battle of the two Butlers mentioned above. 4th This is the Anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence but as it is Sunday we take no other notice of it than that of having a Sermon adapt to the Occasion Col Cilley's & Courtlandt's reg'ts cross'd the river and Join'd us to day Several dear & wild turkeys have been kill'd within a day or two with which this Country abounds Monday July 5th Genl Poor made an Entertainment for all the Officers of his Bri- gade to celebrate the Anniversary of the declaration of American Independence 87 Gen- tleman ware present at dinner after which the 13 following toasts ware drank i — 4th of July 76 the ever Memorable Patriotick Eara ol American Independence 2nd The United States 3d The Grand Counsel of America 4th Gen'l Washington & the Army 5th The King & Queen of France 6th Genl Lincoln & the Southern Army 7th Genl Sullivan & the Western Army 8th May the Counsellors of America be wise and her Sol- diers Invincible gth A Successful & decisive Campaign loth Civilization or death to all American Savages nth the Immortal Memory of those heroes that have fallen in defence of American Liberty 12th May this New World be the last Asylum for freedom and the Arts. 13th May the Husbandman's house be bless'd with peace & his fields with plenty. The whole was conducted with such Joy & festivity as demonstrated an Independent Elevation of Spirit on this Important & enteresting Occasion. 6th One Winslow a Soldier in the 3d N. Hampshire regt was drown'd this morning by going into bathe a very severe shower of thunder hail rain & wind came on at abt i ?. M. many peices of the hail ware as large as hens Eggs but of a very erregular form 1 7th I eat part of a fryed Rattle Snake to day which would have tasted very well had it not been sn^ke 8th Nothing extraordinary loth A detachment of 150 men was sent from the 2nd & 3'd N Hampshire regt under the command of Col Reid towards Easton to repare the rode & to help forward some wag- gons with provisions. nth. we receiv'd our New Commissions upon the new Arrangement to day which we have been expecting for Eighteen Months I rec'd several letters from N Hampshire to day in one of which I am inform'd of being married but have not learnt to whome 1 2th nothing new 13 Col. Butler Misses Butler and a number of the ladies honour'd us with a visit from town this afternoon with whom we spent a very agreeable afternoon 14th nothing new LIEUT.-COL. HENRY DEARBORN. 65 15 we hear the Main body of the Enimy have retir'd from Kings ferry on the Hudson river but have left a post there. i6th I went with Generals Sullivan Maxwell & Poor together with a number of other Gentlemen to vew the ground where the Battle of the Butlers was fought 17th we hear the enimy are pursueing their savage plan of burning plundering & des- troying defenceless towns that they have burnt fairfield Norwalk & a part of New Haven in Connecticut & Bedford in N York State These things we may thank our good friends the tories for what will not those hell hounds doo us There was a very striking instance of their more than savage barbarity in the battle of the 2 Butlers One Henry Pencel of Wyoming who was fortunate enough to make his escape from the field of Battle on to an Islarid in the river with one or two more without their arms near night a small party of the enimy came on to the Island the foremost of which was John Pencel brother to s'd Henry who upon discovering his brother call'd him a damned rebel & threten'd to kill him. Henry fell on his knees & begged for his life saying brother John I am in your hands I'll be your slave I'll go with you but pray spare my life we have differ'd in sentiment & have met on the field of Battle but as I am now fully in your power for God's sake don't kill me but his unatural & more than savage brother Cain like deef to all his cries & Intreaties damn'd him for a rebel deliberately charg'd his gun & shot his brother then tommahawk'd and skelped him Immediately some savages cam up and ask'd him what he had done he told them he had kill'd his brother Henry a dam'd Rebel These savages curs'd his unnat- ural behaveyer & threten'd to serve him the same way The above account I have from one Mr. Slocum a young fellow belonging to Wyoming who lay in the bushes so near Pencel as to hear all that passed i8th nothing extraordinary igth do 20th Do 2ist We are informed by a letter from one of Genl Washington's Aids that GenI Wain with a body of Light Infantry on the night of the 15th Inst surprised & took a small Garrison near Kings ferry on Hudsons River call'd Stoney Point the particulars have not come to hand but it is said the number of men kill'd and taken is about 600 & a quantity of Artillery & .Stores &c. 22nd we h:ive a confirmation of the news of yesterday 23d I went with several other Gentlemen S miles up the River to an old Settlement call'd Lackawane to fish and hunt dear where we stayed over night. 24th (Jame home with but few fish 70 boats ariv'd from Sunsbury with provisions and stores to day. 25th Seven men belonging to what is call'd the German regt ware sentenced by a Gen- eral Court Martial to suffer death for desertion 26th we are Informed that Genl Parsons has had an Ingagement with a body of the Enimy near Wilton 7 miles from Norwalk in Connecticut and finally repuls'd them. 27th Genl Poors Brigade moov'd down the river & Join'd the Main army at what is called the town The above mentioned deserters that ware order'd to be executed to dav are pardoned by the Genl who has declar'd he never will pardon another man in like cir- cumstances 28th Col Reid arriv'd with 80 waggons with provisions and Stores from Easton, The pack Horses are destributed in the several Brigades & mark'd 29th we are inform'd that a party of Savages with some british troops have taken a small fort on the west branch of the Susquehannah near Sunsbury have plunder'd the Inhabitents of their cattle, horses & every other thing they could carry off and another party has been down to a place call'd the Minnisinks on the deleware river and have had an action with a party of our Millitia in which the Millitia were rather worsted & and lost a number of men but the Millitia being reinfors'd the enimy ware oblig'd to retreet we likewise are inform'd that Genl Clinton has moov'd up from New York & taken possession of Kings ferry again with his main body 30th the army under Genl Sullivan is order'd to March to Morrow Morning towards the Indian Settlements A very severe campaign I expect we shall have Genl Sullivan's army at Wyoming consists of the Troops following viz Maxwells 66 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. Brigade consisting of Ogdens Datens Shreefes and Spencers regts — Poors Brigade con- sisting of Cilleys Reids Scammel's & Courtlands regts — Hands Brigade consisting of the German regt Shot's Corps Spoldens Independant Ccmpany & Hubley's regt from Pensel- vania Wyoming July 31st 1779 This day the army Marches for Teoga in the following order ©I^PER^RMai^fH LIGHT TROOP5 COMM/INPEC? BY GEN'"- H/1MP Z > D )£. Z »- Q y Q 2 Z Z o o I- o K _l bJ Z 3 o u <^ Z IS D 10 l/\ 1; -f^ > ("^ a. D z 2 _j 1 "1 •5: k. a _i Li ii_ CLINT0N5 brig/ipe: LIEUT.-COL. HENRY DEARBORN. 67 -OI^DEl^ofBTITTLE LIGHT CORP'SCOMM/INIPEP BY GENER/qL H/1ND ^ %f- t 1 \< > zf 1 100 MEW n [ MW n ■ n 100 MEN 2 (/> PROCTOR'j 2 i lA lA flRTIULELRY Z > K 7v 7; X ^ I ?0 z Z VI ii: £- - .\A < CLIN-rON^BRIS. 1 >yl _i 1 IUin)IliI!l)llJ[llll[lllli iiiruiiiiiiiiiiiiimifnni 1 z 50 MEN 50 MEN Note— The foregoing sketches of Order of March and Order of Battle are just as found iu the journal and are as originally issued ; 1 y Genl, Sullivan's order of the 24th August the Brigades of Poor and Maxwell changed places in conformity to a previous arrangement. 68 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. Head Quarters Easton May 24, 1779 When the army shall be fully assembled the following Arrangements are to take place Light corps commanded by Genl Hand consisting of Armandts corps Sholts Do 6 com- panies of Rangers Wm. Butlers regt Morgans Corps and all volunteers that may Join the army Maxwells Brigade ( Ogdens Daytons ( „ to consist of ( Shreeves & Spencers f *■ and form the left of the front line Poors Brigade ( Cilleys Reids ) „ to consist of ( Scammels & Cortlandts ) * to form the right of the front line Clintons Brigade S late Livingstons Dubois i to consist of i Ganseworths & Oldens ' Regts to form the 2nd line or Reserve The right of the first line to be cqver'd by 100 men draughted from Maxwells Brigade the left to be covered by 100 men draughted from Poors Brigade Each flank of the 2nd line to be cover'd by 50 men draughted from Clinton's Brigade The Flanking divi- sion on the right to consist of Hartlies & Dattens regt with a draught from the line of 100 men The flanking division on the left to consist of the German Batln & 100 men draughted from the line. The order of Battle & the Order of March are represented On the Annexed plan and are to be adher'd to at all, times when the situation of the Country will possibly admit & where a deviation takes place it must be carried no further than the necessity of that time requires The Order of March the light corps will advance by the right of Companies in files & keep at least one mile in front Maxwells Brigade will advance by its right in files sections or platoons as the country will admit Poors Brigade will advance by its left in the same manner Clintons Brigade will advance by the right of regts by platoons, sections or files as the Country will admit. All the covering parties and flanking divisions on the right will advance by the left & those on the left by the right. The Artillery & pack horses will March in the Center Should the Army be attacked in front while on its march the light Corps will Immediately form and repulse the Enimy. The flanking divisions will Indeavor to gain the flank & rear of the Enimy while the line is forming The pack horses will in all cases fall into the position represented on the annexed plan Should the Enimy attack on either flank the flanking division attacked will form a front and sustain the attack til reinforced in which case a part of the light troops is to be Immediately delach'd to gain the Enimies flank & rear the covering parties of the 2'nd line will moove to gain the other flank Should the Enimy attack our rear the 2nd line will face & form a front to the Enimy the covering parties of the ist. line will moove to sustain it while the flanking Divisions face about and Endeavour to gain their flanks & rear Shoould the light troops be driven back they will pass thro the Intervals of the main Army & form in the rear Should the Enimy in an Ingagement with the army when form'd endeavour to turn either flank the covering parties will moove up to lengthen the line and so much as may be found necessary from the flanking divisions will display outwards to prevent the attempt of the Enimy from succeeding the light Corps will have their advance & flank guards at a good distance from the Main body the Flanking Divisions will furnish flank guards & the 2'nd Hne a Rear Guard for the Main Army When we find the light Corps engag'd with the Enimy in front the front of the pack horses will halt and the rear close up while the coUumns moove in a small distance Close & display Columns which will bring the horses in the position represented in the plan for order of Battle Should the attack be made on either flank or Rear the horses rnust be kept in the position they are in at the commencement of the attack unless other orders are then given July 31 1779 After passing the forenoon at very severe fatigue in loading the boats & pack horses the army movd from Wyoming at 2 o'clock p. M with 120 boats about 1200 pack horses & 700 beef cattle We proceeded to l.achawanea 10 miles & Encamp'd here LIEUT.-COL. HENRY DEARBORN. 69 has been a very pleasant settlement the land is very fertile & level the Inhabitants being drove off & the place dessolated by the Savages last year it is now uninhabited We have had a remarkable rainey time for lo days past & still continues August ist Sunday As the boats didnt get up last night the army did not march till 4 o clock p M Proceeded 7 miles the way most horribly rough we found great difficulty in getting forward the pack horses it was late in the evening before we arriv'd at our In- camping ground Our rear Cuard did not arive til near day brak? We incamp'd on a fine peice of Intervale which has been Inhabited but shared the fate of Wyoming last year This place was Formaly Inhabited by savages was called Quilutimack 2nd The army lay still to repair the pack sadles &c &c We took a number of fine fish with a sean to day Such as bass pike chubbs &c &c 3'd The army march'd at 7 o'clock proceeded 12 miles to some dessolated fields at the mouth of a creek called Tunkhannunk we had much better marching to day 4th Marched at 6 o'clock proceeded 17 miles to a dessolated farm call'd Vanderlips which is an excellent tract of land we passed several dessolated farms to day one of which was on a Streem 5 miles from where we incamp'd last night call'd Meshoping the land we have marched over to day is very Mountainous 5th Marched at 10 o'clock proceeded to Wyolusing 10 miles This has been an old Indian Town Situate on an Excellant tract of Intervale land about 80 families of this town were christianis'd by a Moravian parson & form'd into a regular town in the center of which they had a chappel The land on this River being purchas'd by the Connecticut Company in the year 1770 or 71 the savages moov'd off further westward & left this place in possession of a few Americans who sence the commencement of this war have left it & Join'd the Enimy. This Town stood on a point of land round which the river makes a very large bow or turn above the town a large streem emties into the river called Wyolusing The land here is covered with a very large burthen of English Grass on the Intervale near this place are much the largest trees I ever saw the growth is Black walnut & buttenwood. 6th we remain at Wyolusing to day to recruit our horses and cattle 7th The weather being rainey we lay still 8th The Army march'd at 6 o'clock I had the flank Guard passed Several high moun- tains & several dessolate farms proceeded to what is call'd the Standing Stone bottom where there is a learge body of excellent land that has been Improv'd Genl Sullivan is so unwell that he is not able to command the army and is oblig'd to proceed by water gth March'd at 7 o'clock proceeded 3 miles to a dessolate farm on the mouth of a streem call'd Wesawking here we halted an hour then proceeded 12 miles to a large body of clear Intervale cover'd with high Grass & incamp'd This place is within 4 miles of Tiogea & has been inhabited by both white People & Savages & is Call'd Sheshekonunk The land we march'd over this day is very fine indeed Genl Sullivan is not so unwell as he has been & has resumed the command of the army again The weather being very warm & our march very severe many of our men falter'd to day lOth The army lay still The Genl & a number of field Officers are reconnoitering the country and endeavoring to find a place where the army can ford the river. The General Course from Wyoming to Tiogea is near North nth The Army forded the river where the water was so deep and rappid that we found great difficulty in fording After fording the river proceeded 3 miles & crossing the west branch of the river called the Tiogea branch ariv'd at Tiogea Setuate on the point where the west branch forms a Junction with the Susquehannah On both sides of the Teogea branch are very large bodies of clear Intervale cover'd with high-grass where there has been a learge Indian Settlement and where Queen Hester (Queen of the Six Nations) resided until last autumn Col Hartley with a party of troops burn'd her palace Genl Sullivan has been fortunate enough to reach this place with his Army without any considerable accident happening. I2th We are beginning to erect works for the security of the troops & Stores to be left at this place The Genl receiv'd intelligence this afternoon by a Small party that had been 70 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. sent to make discoveries that the Enimy appeer to be in great confusion & about mooving- from Chemong an Indian town I2 m up the Tiogea branch in consequence of which the whole army fit for duty march'd at 8 o clock P M in order to Surprise the enimy at Che- mong On our march we pass'd several very difficult defiles & as the night was very dark & the path but little us'd we found great difficulty in proceeding Genl Hand with his Brigade was to go round & fall into the rode that leads from the town up the river while Genl Poor moov'd directly to the town & made the attack if he found the enimy in posses- sion of the town at day brake we ariv'd at the Town but found it deserted only two or three Indians were seen running from the town The Town consisted of about 30 houses situate on the bank of the Tiogea Their houses ware biult with split and hew'd timber cover'd with bark There were 2 large buildings which ware said to be Publick houses There was very little left in the houses except baskets buckets & skins the houses had no chimney or flooers & ware very dirty & smookey about sun rise all the buildings ware set on fire On examination we found that a party of the enimy incamp'd about 60 rods from the town last night and from all appeerence the enemy left the town last evening Genl Hand with his brigade pursu'd the enimy about 2 miles & was fired on by a party of Indians from the top of a hill who run off as soon as the fire was return'd Genl Hand had 6 men kill'd & seven wounded three of the latter ware ofilicers The^ enimy ware pur- sued by our troops but not overtaken We found a number of very large fields of corn in the whole about 40 acres about fit to roast which we cut down and destroy'd in doing which a party of our men ware fir'd on by a party of tories & Indians across the river who kill'd one man & wounded 4 After complecting the distruction of the corn Town &c we return'd to Tiogea where we ariv'd at dark very much fategue'd having march'd not less than 30 miles & the weather very warm Chemong; lays about N West from Tiogea 14th Nothing new 15th 1000 chosen men under the command of Gen'l Poor ar order'd to march to mor- row morning up the river to meet Genl Clinton who is in his way to Join us with his Bri- gade & is in danger of being attackt by the Enimy before he can form a Junction with our main army I am order'd on this Command This afternoon a small party of Indians fir'd on some men who were without our guards after horses & cattle kill'd & Scalp'd one man and wounded another A party was sent out in pursute of them but could not come up with them i6th Genl Poor march'd with his detachment at 10 o'clock A M proceeded in 2 col- lumns 13 miles up the Susquehanna over very rough ground We encamp'd near the ruins of an old Indian Town call'd Macktowanunk The land near the river is generally good. 17th We march'd early this morning proceeded 12 miles to Owagea an Indian Town- which was deserted last Spring after planting About the town is a numbar of fruit trees & many plants & hearbs that are common in our part of the country here is alearge body of clear Intervale cover'd with Grass Our march to day has been very severe & fategueng especially for the left Column (to which I belong) as we had to pass several diflScult steep hills & bad Morasses 1 8th We march'd early this morning proceeded 14 miles to Chaconnut the remains of a learge Indian town which has been likewise abandoned this summer Here we found plenty of cucumbers squashes turnips &c we found about twenty houses which we burnt Our days March has been more severe than yesterday as we had besides hills & common swamps one swamp of about 2 miles so covered with learge pines standing & lying which appeared as tho several hurricanes had been very busey among them since which a tremen- dious groath of bushes about 20 feet high has sprung up so very thick as to render pass- ing thro' them Impracticable by any troops but such as nothing but death can stop At sunset we ware very agreably allarm'd by the report of a Cannon up the river which we suppos'd to be Genl Clintons Evining Gun. 19th Our troops ware put in motion very early this morning after marching about one mile Genl Poorreceiv'd an express from Genl Clinton informing him that the latter expect'd LIEUT.-COL. HENRY DEARBORN. 71 to be here by lo o'clock a M in consequence of which we return'd to our old incamp- ment where Genl Clinton Joined us at lo o'clock with 2000 men Including Officers boat- men &c He has 208 batteaux with provisions Ammunition etc after mutuil congratula- tions & Complyments the whole proceeded down the river to Owagea & incamp'd This evining the town of Owagea was made a bone fire of to grace our meeting Our general course from Tiogea to Choconut is about N East 20th We have a very heavy rain to day & no tents but we are obliged to ride it out 2ist We marched early proceeded within 10 miles of Tiogea 22nd March'd at 6 oclock & at 11 ariv'd in Camp where we were Saluted with 13 Cannon & a tune on Col Proctor's band of Musick. 23d We are prepareing to march with all possible expedition about 5 oclock this after- noon a very shocking accident happened in our Brigade A Soldier very accidentally dis- charg'd a musket charged with a ball & several buckshot 3 of which unfortunately struck Capt Kimbal of Col Cilley's regt who wasstanding at some distence in a tent with several other officers in such a manner that he expired within 10 or 15 minutes as universelly lamented as he was esteem'd by all who knew him One of the shot wounded a soldier in the leg who was setting at some distence from the tent Capt Kimbal was in 24th The remains of the unfortunate Capt Kimbal was Inter'd at II Oclock A M with the honours of war attended by Genl Poor & almost all the Officers of the Brigade with Col Proctors Band of Musick The Army is very busey in prepareing to march 25th We find great difficulty in getting ready to moove for want of a sufficiant number of horses to Carry our provisions Ammunitions Stores &c however we are to morrow with- out fail with 27 days flower & live beef Our whole force that will march from here is about 5000 men Officers included with nine peices of Artillery Three of the Anyda Warriers ariv'd in camp this afternoon who going on with us as guides two runners ariv'd from Col. Broadhead at Fort Pitt Informing that Col Broadhead is on his way with about 800 men against the western Indians. 26th Our Army March'd at 12 oclock in the order laid down in the plan of order of March & Battle A garrison of about 300 men is left at this place under the Command of Col Shreeve The army proceeded about 4 miles & incamp'd Mr. Lodge a Gentleman who survay'd and Measur'd the rode from Easton to this place goes on with in order lo take an actual survay of the country who measures the rode as we go on 27th The Army March'd at 8 o'clock Our march were very much Impeeded by the Artillery & Ammunition wagons which we have to clear a rode for thro the thick woods and difficult defiles The army was obliged to halt 7 hours at one defile to day for the artillery and baggage at 10 p M we ariv'd our incarriping ground a learge body of clear Intervale where we found about 70 or 80 acres of fine corn our march has not been more than 5 miles to day 28th As we had the corn to destroy before we could march it was 2 oclock p M before we moov'd off the ground By reason of a high mountain that shuts down to the river so as render passing with the artillery impractacable we ware oblig'd to ford the river twice before we got to Cheraong with the artillery pack horses and i Brigade The water was so high as render'd fording very difficult & dangerous A considerable quantity of flower Ammunition & baggage was lost in the river at 10 in the eveaiing the rear of the army ariv'd at Chemong where we incamp'd Our march to day has not been more than 3 miles A small scout of ours return'd to day which informs that they discover'd a learge incamp- ment about 6 miles from Chemong A small party of Indians fired on a party of our men to day that ware setting fire to some houses over the river but did no dammage 2gth The army march'd at g o clock A 11 proceeded about 5 miles when our light troops discover'd a line of brestworks about 80 rods in their front which after reconnoy- tering ware found to extend about half a mile in length on very advantageous ground with a learge brook in front the river on their right a high mountain on their left & a learge settlement in their rear called New Town Their works ware very artfully mask'd with green bushes so that the discovering them was as accidental as it was fortunate to us Skirmishing on both sides commenc'd soon after we discover'd their works which con- 72 JOURNALS OF OFFICERS. tinued until our Disposition was made whicli was as foliowetli viz The Artillery to form in front of their works cover'd by Genl Hands Brigade Genl Poors Brigade and riflemen to turn the Enimies left & fall in their rear supported by Genl Clintons Brigade Gen'l Maxwells Brigade to form a Corps de reserve the left flanking division & light Infantry to pursue the Enimy when they left their works At 3 P M Genl J^oor began his rout by CoUums from the right of Regts by iiles we pass'd a very thick swamp so cover'd with bushes for near a mile that the CoUnmns found great difficulty in keeping their order but by Genl Poors great prudence & goqd conduct we proceeded in much better order than I expected we possibly could have done After passing this swamp we inclin'd to the left crossed the creek that runs in front of the enimies works On both sides of this creek was a learge number of new houses but no land cleared soon after we pass'd this creek we began to assend the mountain that cover'd the Enimies left Immediately after we began to Assend the Mountain We ware saluted by a brisk fire from a body of Indians who ware posted on this mountain for the purpos of pre- venting any troops turning the left of their works at the same Instant that they began their fire on us they raised the Indian yell or war whoop The riflemen kept up a scattering fire while vi^e form'd the line of Battle which was done exceeding quick we then advanced rappedly with fix'd bayonets without fireing a shot altho they kept up a steady fire on us until we gain'd the summet of the Mountain which is about half a mile We then gave them a full volley which oblig'd them to take to their wheels Col Reids Regt was on the left of the Brigade was more severely attackt than any other part of the Brigade which prevented his advancing as far as the rest After we had scower'd the top of the mountain (in doing which Lt Cass of our regt tommohawked an Indian with the Indians own tommahawk that was slightly wounded) I being next to Col Reid on the left finding he still was very severely ingag'd nearly on the same ground he was first attackt on thought proper to reverse the front of the Regt & moove to his assistence I soon discover'd a body of Indians turning his right which I turn'd about by a full fire from the regt This was a very seasonable releaf to Col Reid "who at the very moment I fir'd on those that ware turning his right found himself so surrounded that he w^s reduc'd to the nessessaty of retreeting or making a desparate push ^'ith the bayonet the latter of which he had began to put in executien the moment I gave him releaf The Enimy now all left the field of action with precepitation & in great con- fusion pursued by our light Infantry about 3 miles They left n number of their packs tlankets &c on the ground Half an hour before the action became serious with Genl Poors Brigade the Artillery open'd upon their works which soon made them works too -warm for them We found of the Enimy on the field of action 11 Indian warders dead ■& one Squaw took one white man & one negro prisoners from whom we learnt that Butler Commanded here that Brandt had all the Indians that could be mustered in the five Nations that there was about 200 whites a few of which were British regular troops It seems their whole force was not far from 1000 These prisoners inform us their loss in killed & wounded was very great the most of which they according to custom carried off •Our loss in Genl Poors Brigade kill'd and wounded is Kill'd Wounded I Major Titcomb' I Capt Clays I I.t. McCawley died the same night. 29 Our loss in Kill'd & wounded in the whole Army except Genl Poors Brigade was J