History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., continued ...
Diary of William Colbraith., continued ...
Aug. 7th. — Very little firing to-day.
At 11 o'clock this evening the enemy came near the fort, called to our sentinels, telling them to come out again with fixed bayonets, and they would give us satisfaction for yesterday's work: after which they fired four small cannon at the fort.
We laughed at them and they returned to rest.
The four militia men who came in yesterday went off about 12 o'clock this night.
Two men deserted from us to the enemy this night.
Aug. 8th. — The enemy threw some shells at us to-day, but did no damage, and in order to return the compliment, they were saluted with a few balls from our cannon.
About 5 o'clock this evening Colonel Butler, with a British captain and a doctor from the enemy, came to the garrison with a flag, whose message from Gen. St. Leger was that the Indians, having lost some of their chiefs in a skirmish with our party that sallied out on the 6th inst., were determined to go down the Mohawk River and destroy the women and children, also that they would kill every man in the garrison when they got in; that Gen. St. Leger had held a council with them for two days in order to prevent them, but all to no purpose, unless we would surrender.
The general therefore, as an act of humanity, and to prevent the effusion of blood, begged we would deliver up the fort, and promised if we did, not a hair of our heads should be hurt.
A letter also came by them (as they say) from Mr. Fry and Colonel Bellinger, whom they took in the fray with the militia, begging us to surrender, telling us our communication was cut off, that the enemy had a large parcel of fine troops, and an excellent park of artillery, and further, that they expected General Burgoyne was in Albany, and could see no hopes of our having any succor, as the militia had many killed and taken.
The answer to the general's tender and compassioned letter was deferred until to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock, and a cessation of arms agreed to by both parties till then.
Late this evening a party was sent to get water for the garrison, with a guard.
One of the guards deserted from us, but left his firelock behind.
One of our sentinels fired at him but missed him.
Our guard heard the enemy's sentinels challenge him twice and fire on him.
Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell went out of the garrison at one o'clock in the morning on a secret expedition.
Aug. 9th. — Agreeable to the proposals of yesterday, between Colonel Gansevoort and Brigadier General St. Leger, a flag was sent out to him requesting him to send his demand in writing and the Colonel would send him an answer, which request he agreed to.
The demands in writing was the same in substance with that verbally delivered yesterday by Colonel Butler, to which the Colonel returned for answer: That he was determined to defend the fort in favor of the United States to the last extremity.
Upon receiving the answer hostilities again commenced by a number of shot and small arms on their side which were not suffered with impunity on ours.
This day the Colonel ordered all the provisions to be brought upon the parade for fear of shells setting fire to the barracks and destroying it; also all the public papers and money in the hands of Mr. Hansen and the papers in the hands of Mr. Van Veghten belonging to the paymaster to be lodged in the bomb-proof in the S. W. bastion.
The enemy began to bombard us at half past ten this evening and continued till daylight; their shells were very well directed.
They killed one man and wounded another, both of our regiment.
None killed or wounded through the day.
This day the enemy kept out of sight, except one or two who appeared about their battery doing nothing.
About three o'clock this afternoon three or four of them were seen running across a field near the garrison and setting fire to some cocks of hay standing there which soon consumed them.
This maneuver of the enemy led us to believe that the enemy's intention was to deceive us to imagine thereby that they were going off and put us off our guard and induce us to send out parties which they might fall on, and thereby diminish our strength, knowing us to be too many for them.
Was this their scheme, they fell far short of their conjecture.
Some of our officers imagined they were going off or they would not destroy the hay, it being out of our reach and much wanted by them for their troops to lay on, as it is certain they have nothing to shelter themselves from the weather except their blankets which they make tents of.
Fearing they meant to lull us to sleep and storm us in the night, the Colonel ordered the guard and piquet doubled and the troops to lay on their arms.
Between twelve and one o'clock tonight they bombard us and continues till daylight.
This night's work did us no other damage than breaking the thigh of a young man, an inhabitant.
This unfortunate young man was brought up in the same family with one of the girls that was killed and scalped on the 27th, and whose scalps we have now in the fort.
They were remarkably industrious and faithful, both orphans and were by consent of their former master to have been married very soon.
The young man died of his wound.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., continued ...
Diary of William Colbraith., continued ...
Aug. 11th. — This day the enemy having observed that we brought water from the creek altered its course so that it became dry.
This would have done us much damage had we not been able to open two wells in the garrison which with one we had already proved a sufficient supply.
The enemy kept out of sight and no firing from them of any kind.
They were seen by our sentinels drawing near the landing, by which we imagine a reinforcement is coming to our relief.
At twelve o'clock a shower of rain coming up the Colonel ordered a fatigue party to turn out with a subaltern's guard to bring in some barrels of lime, a number of boards and some timber lying at the foot of the glacis.
Which they effected without having a shot fired at them.
The enemy was seen to muster in the road below the landing while our men were out.
At sundown they gave us some shot and shells from their battery.
At midnight they sent four shells, but a thunder shower coming up at that instant they left off.
The night being very dark and excessive raining till day, the Colonel ordered the troops to their alarm posts lest the enemy should attempt to surprise.
Aug. 12th. — The enemy kept out of sight all day and no firing from them till noon, when they gave us some shot and shells, without doing any damage.
We imagined the enemy drew their forces in the daytime between us and Orisko, as we have not seen them so plenty these two or three days as we are used to do; neither do they trouble us all night, which gave our troops an opportunity of resting.
Aug. 13th. — The enemy were very peaceable all day till towards night, when they cannonaded and bombarded for two hours, during which time a shell broke a soldier's leg belonging to Colonel Mellon's detachment.
Aug. 14th. — Toward evening they were again at their old play, cannonading and bombarding us.
A shell bursting slightly wounded one of Colonel Mellon's men in the head.
No other damage was done.
One of Captain Gregg's company, Colonel Gansevoort's regiment, deserted his post to the enemy.
He was placed on the outside picket and deserted between ten and twelve o'clock at night.
Aug. 15th. — At 5 o'clock this morning the enemy threw two shells at us.
Did no damage.
The number of shells they have thrown at us is 137.
The enemy were very troublesome with their small arms this afternoon, by which we had one man of our regiment and one of Colonel Mellon's detachment slightly wounded.
In the evening they threw their shells at us and slightly wounded a woman and one of Captain Savage's artillerymen.
Aug. 16th. — This morning the enemy threw some shells horizontally at our works, but fell short.
One of those shells falling on the parade killed a man of Colonel Mellon's detachment.
They continued to throw them all day and some part of the night, but did no further damage.
A party of our men were ordered out this evening to bring in wood for the garrison, and being discovered by some skulking Indians near the garrison, gave the alarm to the rest.
They advanced near where our men were at work, but luckily our men had been called in before they came nigh enough to do any mischief.
They finding our men had got in began a most hideous shout.
A cannon being fired at them they departed.
The regular's drums were heard beating to arms after the cannon was fired.
We suppose they expected us to sally out again upon them with a field-piece.
At midnight they threw three shells at us, but did no damage.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., continued ...
Diary of William Colbraith., continued ...
Aug. 11th. — This day the enemy having observed that we brought water from the creek altered its course so that it became dry.
This would have done us much damage had we not been able to open two wells in the garrison which with one we had already proved a sufficient supply.
The enemy kept out of sight and no firing from them of any kind.
They were seen by our sentinels drawing near the landing, by which we imagine a reinforcement is coming to our relief.
At twelve o'clock a shower of rain coming up the Colonel ordered a fatigue party to turn out with a subaltern's guard to bring in some barrels of lime, a number of boards and some timber lying at the foot of the glacis.
Which they effected without having a shot fired at them.
The enemy was seen to muster in the road below the landing while our men were out.
At sundown they gave us some shot and shells from their battery.
At midnight they sent four shells, but a thunder shower coming up at that instant they left off.
The night being very dark and excessive raining till day, the Colonel ordered the troops to their alarm posts lest the enemy should attempt to surprise.
Aug. 12th. — The enemy kept out of sight all day and no firing from them till noon, when they gave us some shot and shells, without doing any damage.
We imagined the enemy drew their forces in the daytime between us and Orisko, as we have not seen them so plenty these two or three days as we are used to do; neither do they trouble us all night, which gave our troops an opportunity of resting.
Aug. 13th. — The enemy were very peaceable all day till towards night, when they cannonaded and bombarded for two hours, during which time a shell broke a soldier's leg belonging to Colonel Mellon's detachment.
Aug. 14th. — Toward evening they were again at their old play, cannonading and bombarding us.
A shell bursting slightly wounded one of Colonel Mellon's men in the head.
No other damage was done.
One of Captain Gregg's company, Colonel Gansevoort's regiment, deserted his post to the enemy.
He was placed on the outside picket and deserted between ten and twelve o'clock at night.
Aug. 15th. — At 5 o'clock this morning the enemy threw two shells at us.
Did no damage.
The number of shells they have thrown at us is 137.
The enemy were very troublesome with their small arms this afternoon, by which we had one man of our regiment and one of Colonel Mellon's detachment slightly wounded.
In the evening they threw their shells at us and slightly wounded a woman and one of Captain Savage's artillerymen.
Aug. 16th. — This morning the enemy threw some shells horizontally at our works, but fell short.
One of those shells falling on the parade killed a man of Colonel Mellon's detachment.
They continued to throw them all day and some part of the night, but did no further damage.
A party of our men were ordered out this evening to bring in wood for the garrison, and being discovered by some skulking Indians near the garrison, gave the alarm to the rest.
They advanced near where our men were at work, but luckily our men had been called in before they came nigh enough to do any mischief.
They finding our men had got in began a most hideous shout.
A cannon being fired at them they departed.
The regular's drums were heard beating to arms after the cannon was fired.
We suppose they expected us to sally out again upon them with a field-piece.
At midnight they threw three shells at us, but did no damage.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., continued ...
Diary of William Colbraith., continued ...
Aug. 17th. — The enemy were quiet all day and night; neither a shot or shell was fired at us during the twenty-four hours, although we fired several cannon at them.
Aug. 18th. — This morning one of our regiment was slightly wounded in the cheek by a musquet ball.
A black flag or coat was seen in enemy's bomb battery.
Aug. 19th. — The enemy threw some shells at us near noon.
They were busy in their trench all day.
At night they struck their trench towards the point of our northwest bastion, and by daylight had got within 150 yards of the ditch.
We fired some grape shot at them now and then all night.
At every shot we fired they threw shells at us but did no damage.
At midnight the colonel sent out one of his regiment and one of Colonel Mellon's detachment to meet Colonel Willett if possible, whom we expected was on his way to this place with a reinforcement, to make him acquainted with the enemy's maneuvers on the southwest side of the fort, that he might govern his attack accordingly.
Aug. 20th. — This morning one of Colonel Mellon's men was wounded by a musquet ball.
The enemy could work but little this day at their trench, it being so nigh that our small arms, as well as our cannon shot, was too hot for them.
In the evening they began their trench again and worked all night at it, under fire of our cannon and small arms, but did not approach any nearer.
Aug. 21st. — At two o'clock this morning a party was sent out to bring in firewood, who brought in a great quantity undiscovered.
They cannonaded and bombarded by turns all night.
A man of our regiment deserted this evening.
This morning we discovered that the enemy approach nearer to us and had begun a bomb battery, where they left off yesterday morning.
The artilleryman who was wounded in the knee with a musquet ball died on the 4th inst. of his wounds.
One of Colonel Mellon's men and the lad belonging to the inhabitants died likewise of their wounds.
The enemy kept working all day in their trench though not so close as last night.
No firing from their batteries.
This day our guard kept a constant fire at those at work in the trench, and in the evening twelve of the best marksmen were picked out to harass them when at work in the night, which galled them so much that their Indians were sent for to draw off our attention, who advanced near the fort, which caused a general alarm, by which a heavy and continued firing was kept up for near two hours, during which their cannon and mortars were playing on us very briskly, in which interim we had a man of the artillery wounded and a woman big with child wounded in the thigh.
A corporal and three privates deserted this evening of our regiment.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., continued ...
Diary of William Colbraith., continued ...
Aug. 17th. — The enemy were quiet all day and night; neither a shot or shell was fired at us during the twenty-four hours, although we fired several cannon at them.
Aug. 18th. — This morning one of our regiment was slightly wounded in the cheek by a musquet ball.
A black flag or coat was seen in enemy's bomb battery.
Aug. 19th. — The enemy threw some shells at us near noon.
They were busy in their trench all day.
At night they struck their trench towards the point of our northwest bastion, and by daylight had got within 150 yards of the ditch.
We fired some grape shot at them now and then all night.
At every shot we fired they threw shells at us but did no damage.
At midnight the colonel sent out one of his regiment and one of Colonel Mellon's detachment to meet Colonel Willett if possible, whom we expected was on his way to this place with a reinforcement, to make him acquainted with the enemy's maneuvers on the southwest side of the fort, that he might govern his attack accordingly.
Aug. 20th. — This morning one of Colonel Mellon's men was wounded by a musquet ball.
The enemy could work but little this day at their trench, it being so nigh that our small arms, as well as our cannon shot, was too hot for them.
In the evening they began their trench again and worked all night at it, under fire of our cannon and small arms, but did not approach any nearer.
Aug. 21st. — At two o'clock this morning a party was sent out to bring in firewood, who brought in a great quantity undiscovered.
They cannonaded and bombarded by turns all night.
A man of our regiment deserted this evening.
This morning we discovered that the enemy approach nearer to us and had begun a bomb battery, where they left off yesterday morning.
The artilleryman who was wounded in the knee with a musquet ball died on the 4th inst. of his wounds.
One of Colonel Mellon's men and the lad belonging to the inhabitants died likewise of their wounds.
The enemy kept working all day in their trench though not so close as last night.
No firing from their batteries.
This day our guard kept a constant fire at those at work in the trench, and in the evening twelve of the best marksmen were picked out to harass them when at work in the night, which galled them so much that their Indians were sent for to draw off our attention, who advanced near the fort, which caused a general alarm, by which a heavy and continued firing was kept up for near two hours, during which their cannon and mortars were playing on us very briskly, in which interim we had a man of the artillery wounded and a woman big with child wounded in the thigh.
A corporal and three privates deserted this evening of our regiment.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., continued ...
Diary of William Colbraith., concluded ...
Aug. 22d. — This morning the enemy bombarded very smartly.
The sergeant-major and two privates were wounded.
At noon a deserter came to us, whose examination was: that the enemy had news in the camp that Burgoyne's army was entirely routed and that three thousand men were coming up to reinforce us, and further that the enemy was retreating with great precipitation, and that he with another was conveying off one Lieut. Anderson's chest, when he had made his escape, and that most of the baggage was gone.
Upon which the commanding officer ordered all the cannon bearing on their works to fire several rounds to see whether they would return it, which partly confirmed the report of the deserter.
Some time after four men came in and reported the same, and that they had left part of their baggage.
Upon which the colonel ordered fifty men and two wagons under command of Captain Jansen to go to their camps, where they killed two Indians and took four prisoners; one of them was an Indian.
After they had loaded the wagons with what baggage they could carry, they returned, but night coming on, they could not return to fetch what baggage was still left in their camp.
At night, two men came in: one of them was assisting the first deserter in carrying off Lieutenant Anderson's chest, the other John (Han) Yost Schuyler, who informed the commanding officer that he was taken prisoner at the German Flats and confined at Fort Dayton five days.
That General Arnold had sent him to General St. Leger, commander of the King's troop, to inform him that 2,000 militia were on the march for this place to reinforce the garrison, that he had informed General St. Leger of it and in consequence of which he ordered his troops to strike their tents and pack up.
And further, after he had done his errand, he hid himself in the woods till night, and coming across the above men they came in together.
He likewise informed us that near seventeen Indians were at Fort Newport quite drunk; upon which the colonel ordered a party of men under the command of Major Cochran to go and take them, who in about an hour returned and informed the colonel he had been there and did not find any, and that he went to Wood creek and found eight new bateaux, which the enemy had left behind.
While they were out, the woman that was wounded with a shell last night was brought to bed in our southwest bomb-proof, of a daughter.
She and the child are like to do well, with the blessing of God.
Our blockade ended, and the garrison once more at liberty to walk about and take the free air we had for twenty-one days been deprived of.
At twelve o'clock this night the commanding officer sent off three of his regiment to inform General Arnold of the precipitate retreat of the enemy.
A deserter came in who said he had just left the enemy's cohorns below Wood creek bridge.
Aug. 23d. — This morning the colonel sent out a party under the command of Major Cochran to take them, who returned with three prisoners and four cohorns and some baggage, and reported there were seventeen bateaux lying there.
Another party was sent to the enemy's north camp to bring in the rest of the baggage left by us last night, consisting of ammunition, camp equipage and entrenching tools.
Another party was sent to the enemy's southeast camp, who brought in fifteen wagons, a three-pound field-piece carriage with all its apparatus.
Most of the wagon wheels were cut to pieces, as were the wheels of the carriage.
Several scouts were sent out to-day, one of whom took a German prisoner, who reported that the Indians had, when they got about ten miles from this fort, fallen on the scattering Tories, took their arms from, and stabbed them with their own bayonets.
And that for fear of said Indians, he and nine more German soldiers took to the woods.
The rest are not yet found.
Their design was not to come to the fort, as Butler and Johnson told them, when orders were given to retreat, that those who fell into our hand would be hanged immediately.
Another scout proceeded to Canada creek, found a carriage for a six-pounder and three boxes of cannon shot, which they brought in.
This afternoon the Honorable Major General Arnold arrived here with near a thousand men.
They were saluted with a discharge of powder from our mortars, formerly the enemy's, and all the cannon from the bastions, amounting in the whole to thirteen, attended with three cheers from the troops on the bastions.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., continued ...
Diary of William Colbraith., concluded ...
Aug. 22d. — This morning the enemy bombarded very smartly.
The sergeant-major and two privates were wounded.
At noon a deserter came to us, whose examination was: that the enemy had news in the camp that Burgoyne's army was entirely routed and that three thousand men were coming up to reinforce us, and further that the enemy was retreating with great precipitation, and that he with another was conveying off one Lieut. Anderson's chest, when he had made his escape, and that most of the baggage was gone.
Upon which the commanding officer ordered all the cannon bearing on their works to fire several rounds to see whether they would return it, which partly confirmed the report of the deserter.
Some time after four men came in and reported the same, and that they had left part of their baggage.
Upon which the colonel ordered fifty men and two wagons under command of Captain Jansen to go to their camps, where they killed two Indians and took four prisoners; one of them was an Indian.
After they had loaded the wagons with what baggage they could carry, they returned, but night coming on, they could not return to fetch what baggage was still left in their camp.
At night, two men came in: one of them was assisting the first deserter in carrying off Lieutenant Anderson's chest, the other John (Han) Yost Schuyler, who informed the commanding officer that he was taken prisoner at the German Flats and confined at Fort Dayton five days.
That General Arnold had sent him to General St. Leger, commander of the King's troop, to inform him that 2,000 militia were on the march for this place to reinforce the garrison, that he had informed General St. Leger of it and in consequence of which he ordered his troops to strike their tents and pack up.
And further, after he had done his errand, he hid himself in the woods till night, and coming across the above men they came in together.
He likewise informed us that near seventeen Indians were at Fort Newport quite drunk; upon which the colonel ordered a party of men under the command of Major Cochran to go and take them, who in about an hour returned and informed the colonel he had been there and did not find any, and that he went to Wood creek and found eight new bateaux, which the enemy had left behind.
While they were out, the woman that was wounded with a shell last night was brought to bed in our southwest bomb-proof, of a daughter.
She and the child are like to do well, with the blessing of God.
Our blockade ended, and the garrison once more at liberty to walk about and take the free air we had for twenty-one days been deprived of.
At twelve o'clock this night the commanding officer sent off three of his regiment to inform General Arnold of the precipitate retreat of the enemy.
A deserter came in who said he had just left the enemy's cohorns below Wood creek bridge.
Aug. 23d. — This morning the colonel sent out a party under the command of Major Cochran to take them, who returned with three prisoners and four cohorns and some baggage, and reported there were seventeen bateaux lying there.
Another party was sent to the enemy's north camp to bring in the rest of the baggage left by us last night, consisting of ammunition, camp equipage and entrenching tools.
Another party was sent to the enemy's southeast camp, who brought in fifteen wagons, a three-pound field-piece carriage with all its apparatus.
Most of the wagon wheels were cut to pieces, as were the wheels of the carriage.
Several scouts were sent out to-day, one of whom took a German prisoner, who reported that the Indians had, when they got about ten miles from this fort, fallen on the scattering Tories, took their arms from, and stabbed them with their own bayonets.
And that for fear of said Indians, he and nine more German soldiers took to the woods.
The rest are not yet found.
Their design was not to come to the fort, as Butler and Johnson told them, when orders were given to retreat, that those who fell into our hand would be hanged immediately.
Another scout proceeded to Canada creek, found a carriage for a six-pounder and three boxes of cannon shot, which they brought in.
This afternoon the Honorable Major General Arnold arrived here with near a thousand men.
They were saluted with a discharge of powder from our mortars, formerly the enemy's, and all the cannon from the bastions, amounting in the whole to thirteen, attended with three cheers from the troops on the bastions.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., continued ...
Here is an incident of the defense of Fort Stanwix, of a time probably after the Oriskany battle, from Judge Pomeroy Jones's "Annals [and Recollections] of Oneida County":
"A sentinel, posted on the northwest bastion of the fort, was shot with a rifle while walking his stated rounds in the gray of the morning; the next morning the second met the same fate, on the same post; the crack of the rifle was heard but from whence it came, none could conjecture, and the alarm being given, no enemy could be discovered."
"Of course, on the third night this station was dreaded as being certain death and the soldier to whose lot it fell, quailed and hung back; but, to the surprise of the whole guard, a comrade offered to take his place and was accepted."
"Towards morning, the substitute sentinel drove a stake into the ground at the spot where his predecessors had been shot, on which he placed his hat and watch coat and with the help of a cord and a well stuffed knapsack, he soon had a very good apology for a portly soldier, who stood to the life at 'support arms', with his trusty shining musket."
"Having thus posted his 'man of straw', he quietly sat down behind the parapet closely watching through an embrasure for coming events."
"At early dawn, the well known report of the same rifle was heard, and the column of smoke ascending from the thick top of a black oak tree some 30 or 40 rods distant, showed the whereabouts of the marksman."
"The sergeant of the guard was soon on the spot and the commandant notified that the perch of the sharpshooter had been discovered."
"A four pounder was quickly loaded with canister and grape, and the sound of this morning gun boomed over the hill and dale in the distance, immediately succeeded by a shout from the garrison, as they beheld one of Britain's red allies tumbling head foremost from the tree top."
"On examining the counterfeit sentinel, the holes through the various folds of the knapsack were more than circumstantial evidence that the aim was most sure, and that, had the owner stood in its place, he would have followed to his account those who had preceded him there."
"It is hardly necessary to add that the sentinels on the northwest bastion were not afterwards molested."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., continued ...
Here is an incident of the defense of Fort Stanwix, of a time probably after the Oriskany battle, from Judge Pomeroy Jones's "Annals [and Recollections] of Oneida County":
"A sentinel, posted on the northwest bastion of the fort, was shot with a rifle while walking his stated rounds in the gray of the morning; the next morning the second met the same fate, on the same post; the crack of the rifle was heard but from whence it came, none could conjecture, and the alarm being given, no enemy could be discovered."
"Of course, on the third night this station was dreaded as being certain death and the soldier to whose lot it fell, quailed and hung back; but, to the surprise of the whole guard, a comrade offered to take his place and was accepted."
"Towards morning, the substitute sentinel drove a stake into the ground at the spot where his predecessors had been shot, on which he placed his hat and watch coat and with the help of a cord and a well stuffed knapsack, he soon had a very good apology for a portly soldier, who stood to the life at 'support arms', with his trusty shining musket."
"Having thus posted his 'man of straw', he quietly sat down behind the parapet closely watching through an embrasure for coming events."
"At early dawn, the well known report of the same rifle was heard, and the column of smoke ascending from the thick top of a black oak tree some 30 or 40 rods distant, showed the whereabouts of the marksman."
"The sergeant of the guard was soon on the spot and the commandant notified that the perch of the sharpshooter had been discovered."
"A four pounder was quickly loaded with canister and grape, and the sound of this morning gun boomed over the hill and dale in the distance, immediately succeeded by a shout from the garrison, as they beheld one of Britain's red allies tumbling head foremost from the tree top."
"On examining the counterfeit sentinel, the holes through the various folds of the knapsack were more than circumstantial evidence that the aim was most sure, and that, had the owner stood in its place, he would have followed to his account those who had preceded him there."
"It is hardly necessary to add that the sentinels on the northwest bastion were not afterwards molested."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., concluded ...
After the raising of the siege of Fort Stanwix, by Arnold's American Army, supplies were sent westward to the fort.
Provisions and military supplies had run low during the three weeks' siege and the garrison was in need of food, ammunition and many other war-time necessities.
There were a number of Mohawk Valley soldiers in the garrison of Fort Stanwix.
When the enemy ran away, several women, wives of the Valley defenders, decided to visit the fort.
A drove of beef cattle was sent to the frontier post at about this time to furnish much needed provender for the garrison of 700 men.
A number of Valley women, who wished to visit their husbands in the fort, joined this supply train, riding westward on horseback.
Probably others went with other supply trains.
This particular supply train is known through one of those examples of simple humor, which characterize much of the Mohawk Valley Revolutionary anecdotal records.
It was told to Pomeroy Jones, the author of "Annals [and Recollections] of Oneida County", in 1850 by Nicholas Harter, a Revolutionary veteran, then 90 years old.
Harter was one of the pioneer settlers of Utica — members of the Weaver, Reall, Damoth and Harter families, who settled Deerfield Corners (North Utica) in 1773 and who resettled there in the spring of 1784.
As a boy of 17, Harter was at River ford in present Utica, when the train of cattle came up.
The drivers were on foot, while the women from the settlement who were going to see their warrior spouses at the fort, were riding horses.
"Upon arriving at the fording place in the Mohawk at the point named, and as one of the women was descending the steep bank to the river, a brawny Dutchman, who did not wish to wet his feet, jumped upon the horse's back behind the woman."
"The horse, offended either on account of this unceremonious accession to his load or else the reverse order in which his cargo was arranged, sprang forward and, by a well-directed effort, threw the Dutchman into the center of the stream, while the woman landed in safety."
As the account of the siege of Fort Stanwix shows, there were a number of settlers about the fort who took refuge there, on the approach of the enemy.
One of the girls who were killed and scalped, was engaged to one of the young settlers, who was killed in the fort by an enemy shell, a double tragedy offering a theme for a touching love story.
One of the settler's wives, who was struck by a shell, and severely wounded, gave birth to a child.
These incidents are recounted in Colbraith's diary.
Both mother and child evidently survived the siege.
Besides the women and children from the adjoining farms, who sought refuge in the fort, there were evidently several soldiers' wives in the Fort Stanwix, during the siege.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 64: 1777, Aug. 2-22, Siege of Fort Stanwix., concluded ...
After the raising of the siege of Fort Stanwix, by Arnold's American Army, supplies were sent westward to the fort.
Provisions and military supplies had run low during the three weeks' siege and the garrison was in need of food, ammunition and many other war-time necessities.
There were a number of Mohawk Valley soldiers in the garrison of Fort Stanwix.
When the enemy ran away, several women, wives of the Valley defenders, decided to visit the fort.
A drove of beef cattle was sent to the frontier post at about this time to furnish much needed provender for the garrison of 700 men.
A number of Valley women, who wished to visit their husbands in the fort, joined this supply train, riding westward on horseback.
Probably others went with other supply trains.
This particular supply train is known through one of those examples of simple humor, which characterize much of the Mohawk Valley Revolutionary anecdotal records.
It was told to Pomeroy Jones, the author of "Annals [and Recollections] of Oneida County", in 1850 by Nicholas Harter, a Revolutionary veteran, then 90 years old.
Harter was one of the pioneer settlers of Utica — members of the Weaver, Reall, Damoth and Harter families, who settled Deerfield Corners (North Utica) in 1773 and who resettled there in the spring of 1784.
As a boy of 17, Harter was at River ford in present Utica, when the train of cattle came up.
The drivers were on foot, while the women from the settlement who were going to see their warrior spouses at the fort, were riding horses.
"Upon arriving at the fording place in the Mohawk at the point named, and as one of the women was descending the steep bank to the river, a brawny Dutchman, who did not wish to wet his feet, jumped upon the horse's back behind the woman."
"The horse, offended either on account of this unceremonious accession to his load or else the reverse order in which his cargo was arranged, sprang forward and, by a well-directed effort, threw the Dutchman into the center of the stream, while the woman landed in safety."
As the account of the siege of Fort Stanwix shows, there were a number of settlers about the fort who took refuge there, on the approach of the enemy.
One of the girls who were killed and scalped, was engaged to one of the young settlers, who was killed in the fort by an enemy shell, a double tragedy offering a theme for a touching love story.
One of the settler's wives, who was struck by a shell, and severely wounded, gave birth to a child.
These incidents are recounted in Colbraith's diary.
Both mother and child evidently survived the siege.
Besides the women and children from the adjoining farms, who sought refuge in the fort, there were evidently several soldiers' wives in the Fort Stanwix, during the siege.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 65: 1778 — Mohawk Valley Raids.
1778 — Indian council at Johnstown, March 9 — Manheim, Garoga, Springfield, Andrustown, German Flats raids — Battle Cobleskill, May 30, 1778 — Cherry Valley Massacre, Nov. 11, 1778.
The Fairfield settlement, north of Little Falls was the first visited in the raids of 1778.
A party of Indians and Tories, traveling with snowshoes, attacked the place in the middle of March, 1778.
Cobus Mabee was then moving to the vicinity of Indian Castle with his family, consisting of his wife and four children.
Because of their exposed situation, many Fairfield settlers were going to more protected localities, a movement which was on foot during the earlier years of the war.
In the latter years, the settlers of the Mohawk and Schoharie valleys were mainly collected in or around the forts.
Mabee had gone to the new home, with his wife and two younger children, leaving his older children, John and Polly, to take care of their Fairfield home.
The raiders scattered over the Fairfield settlements and two Indians, who knew the Mabees, ran to their home to kill Mr. Mabee.
They found John cutting potatoes for cattle.
He called to his sister in Dutch, "Polly, take care of yourself, or —" and then he was struck down with a tomahawk and scalped.
Polly hid herself in some cornstalks and escaped death and capture.
Simms says:
"Returning to his former residence after the enemy left it, Mr. Mabee found his unfortunate son — then fifteen years of age — still alive and receiving the caresses of his sister, two years younger than himself."
"As stated, these children had been sent from home to school and had well improved their time."
"They were devotedly attached to each other and John was considered the most promising boy in the settlement."
"Placing his son upon the sled, where Polly again acted the nurse, he drove as carefully as possible to (his new home in) the Mohawk Valley, but soon after arriving at the Castle the boy was released from his suffering."
"Of the Fairfield settlers surprised and carried into captivity were Conrad, Jacob, Adam and Joseph Klock, Mabus Forbush, Robhold Ough, Adam and Rudolph Furrie, Henry Shafer and son, Henry Shafer, Junior."
"No females, it is believed, were either killed or captured in this settlement at this time, and the father of Forbush, who was too old to make the journey and too bald to afford a bounty paying scalp was, by some freak of humanity or some other motive, left behind."
"On leaving Fairfield the enemy crossed over to the east Jerseyfield road and there captured John Keyser and his sons, Michael and John, burned his buildings and, from his sheep and cattle, they replenished their larder."
"The prisoners received their share of suffering on their way to Canada and probably all came back."
"Some of the dwellings of the settlement, from motives of policy, were not burned until a later invasion of the enemy."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 65: 1778 — Mohawk Valley Raids.
1778 — Indian council at Johnstown, March 9 — Manheim, Garoga, Springfield, Andrustown, German Flats raids — Battle Cobleskill, May 30, 1778 — Cherry Valley Massacre, Nov. 11, 1778.
The Fairfield settlement, north of Little Falls was the first visited in the raids of 1778.
A party of Indians and Tories, traveling with snowshoes, attacked the place in the middle of March, 1778.
Cobus Mabee was then moving to the vicinity of Indian Castle with his family, consisting of his wife and four children.
Because of their exposed situation, many Fairfield settlers were going to more protected localities, a movement which was on foot during the earlier years of the war.
In the latter years, the settlers of the Mohawk and Schoharie valleys were mainly collected in or around the forts.
Mabee had gone to the new home, with his wife and two younger children, leaving his older children, John and Polly, to take care of their Fairfield home.
The raiders scattered over the Fairfield settlements and two Indians, who knew the Mabees, ran to their home to kill Mr. Mabee.
They found John cutting potatoes for cattle.
He called to his sister in Dutch, "Polly, take care of yourself, or —" and then he was struck down with a tomahawk and scalped.
Polly hid herself in some cornstalks and escaped death and capture.
Simms says:
"Returning to his former residence after the enemy left it, Mr. Mabee found his unfortunate son — then fifteen years of age — still alive and receiving the caresses of his sister, two years younger than himself."
"As stated, these children had been sent from home to school and had well improved their time."
"They were devotedly attached to each other and John was considered the most promising boy in the settlement."
"Placing his son upon the sled, where Polly again acted the nurse, he drove as carefully as possible to (his new home in) the Mohawk Valley, but soon after arriving at the Castle the boy was released from his suffering."
"Of the Fairfield settlers surprised and carried into captivity were Conrad, Jacob, Adam and Joseph Klock, Mabus Forbush, Robhold Ough, Adam and Rudolph Furrie, Henry Shafer and son, Henry Shafer, Junior."
"No females, it is believed, were either killed or captured in this settlement at this time, and the father of Forbush, who was too old to make the journey and too bald to afford a bounty paying scalp was, by some freak of humanity or some other motive, left behind."
"On leaving Fairfield the enemy crossed over to the east Jerseyfield road and there captured John Keyser and his sons, Michael and John, burned his buildings and, from his sheep and cattle, they replenished their larder."
"The prisoners received their share of suffering on their way to Canada and probably all came back."
"Some of the dwellings of the settlement, from motives of policy, were not burned until a later invasion of the enemy."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 65: 1778 — Mohawk Valley Raids., continued ...
Early in 1778 the alarming news came to the valley that the western Indian tribes were to unite with the Mohawks, Cayugas, Onondagas and Senecas in a war upon the frontier, instigated by the Johnsons, Claus and Butler.
Congress thereupon ordered a council held with the Six Nations at Johnstown in February and appointed Gen. Schuyler and Volkert P. Douw to conduct it together with a commissioner named James Duane, appointed by Governor Clinton.
The Indians showed little interest in the conference and delayed coming until March 9.
There were then present more than seven hundred of them, mostly friendly Oneidas and Tuscaroras and hostile Onondagas, with a few Mohawks, three or four Cayugas and not one of the Senecas, whose warriors outnumbered those of all the other Iroquois.
Instead of attending the council the Senecas sent a message expressing surprise that they were asked to come while the American "tomahawks were sticking in their heads, their wounds bleeding and their eyes streaming with tears for the loss of their friends," meaning at the battle of Oriskany, which shows the extent of the damage the patriots inflicted on that fateful day.
The Oneidas and Tuscaroras expressed their allegiance to the United States and predicted the extinction of the hostile tribes.
The rest of the Indians had little to say, excepting an Onondaga chief who hypocritically lamented the course of his tribe, laying it to the young and headstrong warriors.
Nothing was effected by the conference, except the satisfactory expression of allegiance on the part of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras.
The commissioners closed the council by warning the hostile Iroquois to look to their behavior as the American cause was just or a terrible vengeance would overtake them.
The Marquis de Lafayette, who was temporarily in command of the northern department was at the Johnstown council and considerably improved the frontier defences by ordering forts built at Cherry Valley and in the Oneida country, the three Schoharie forts garrisoned and armed and other border fortifications strengthened.
Learning among other Tory activities, Col. Guy Carlton, nephew of the governor of Canada, was on a spying tour in the neighborhood, efforts were made for his capture, Lafayette himself offering a reward of fifty guineas for his arrest.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 65: 1778 — Mohawk Valley Raids., continued ...
Early in 1778 the alarming news came to the valley that the western Indian tribes were to unite with the Mohawks, Cayugas, Onondagas and Senecas in a war upon the frontier, instigated by the Johnsons, Claus and Butler.
Congress thereupon ordered a council held with the Six Nations at Johnstown in February and appointed Gen. Schuyler and Volkert P. Douw to conduct it together with a commissioner named James Duane, appointed by Governor Clinton.
The Indians showed little interest in the conference and delayed coming until March 9.
There were then present more than seven hundred of them, mostly friendly Oneidas and Tuscaroras and hostile Onondagas, with a few Mohawks, three or four Cayugas and not one of the Senecas, whose warriors outnumbered those of all the other Iroquois.
Instead of attending the council the Senecas sent a message expressing surprise that they were asked to come while the American "tomahawks were sticking in their heads, their wounds bleeding and their eyes streaming with tears for the loss of their friends," meaning at the battle of Oriskany, which shows the extent of the damage the patriots inflicted on that fateful day.
The Oneidas and Tuscaroras expressed their allegiance to the United States and predicted the extinction of the hostile tribes.
The rest of the Indians had little to say, excepting an Onondaga chief who hypocritically lamented the course of his tribe, laying it to the young and headstrong warriors.
Nothing was effected by the conference, except the satisfactory expression of allegiance on the part of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras.
The commissioners closed the council by warning the hostile Iroquois to look to their behavior as the American cause was just or a terrible vengeance would overtake them.
The Marquis de Lafayette, who was temporarily in command of the northern department was at the Johnstown council and considerably improved the frontier defences by ordering forts built at Cherry Valley and in the Oneida country, the three Schoharie forts garrisoned and armed and other border fortifications strengthened.
Learning among other Tory activities, Col. Guy Carlton, nephew of the governor of Canada, was on a spying tour in the neighborhood, efforts were made for his capture, Lafayette himself offering a reward of fifty guineas for his arrest.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 65: 1778 — Mohawk Valley Raids., continued ...
Irruptions of scalping parties of Canadian Indians and Tories began in the Mohawk valley about 1778 and continued up to 1783, when a peace treaty was signed.
It is impossible to tell of each of these because they were so numerous, and records of all have not been preserved.
One of the first in the settlement of Manheim, occurred on April 3, 1778, under command of Captain Crawford, two weeks after the sacking of Fairfield, Herkimer county.
About 50 Indians and Tories raided the Mohawk valley in the settlement of Manheim, near Little Falls.
Among the Tories were L. Casselman, Countryman and Bowers, who had gone to join the British forces in Canada from the lower Mohawk.
The marauders captured the miller, John Garter and his boy John and Joseph Newman and Bartholomew Pickert, who happened to be at the mill.
At Windecker's place, James Van Slyck, his son-in-law, was sick in bed and, for a wonder, was unharmed by the savages.
The prisoners made here and in the vicinity were John House, Forbush, John Windecker, a boy of 13; Ganet [Garrett?] Van Slyck, another boy; John Cypher, Helmer, Jacob Uher, George Attle.
The two latter were rangers on a scout from Fort Snyder.
Garter's mill was burned, but no other dwellings were destroyed and no one was killed.
Four Whigs were captured in Salisbury, Herkimer county.
The march to Canada was made through the snow and great hardships were suffered.
Windecker's Indian captor proved very kind and carried him across several rapid streams on his back.
Windecker said afterward, concerning their scarcity of food, that "An Indian would eat anything except crow."
This raid was one of the earliest of the war and was not marked by the bloody ferocity which characterized the later ones.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 65: 1778 — Mohawk Valley Raids., continued ...
Irruptions of scalping parties of Canadian Indians and Tories began in the Mohawk valley about 1778 and continued up to 1783, when a peace treaty was signed.
It is impossible to tell of each of these because they were so numerous, and records of all have not been preserved.
One of the first in the settlement of Manheim, occurred on April 3, 1778, under command of Captain Crawford, two weeks after the sacking of Fairfield, Herkimer county.
About 50 Indians and Tories raided the Mohawk valley in the settlement of Manheim, near Little Falls.
Among the Tories were L. Casselman, Countryman and Bowers, who had gone to join the British forces in Canada from the lower Mohawk.
The marauders captured the miller, John Garter and his boy John and Joseph Newman and Bartholomew Pickert, who happened to be at the mill.
At Windecker's place, James Van Slyck, his son-in-law, was sick in bed and, for a wonder, was unharmed by the savages.
The prisoners made here and in the vicinity were John House, Forbush, John Windecker, a boy of 13; Ganet [Garrett?] Van Slyck, another boy; John Cypher, Helmer, Jacob Uher, George Attle.
The two latter were rangers on a scout from Fort Snyder.
Garter's mill was burned, but no other dwellings were destroyed and no one was killed.
Four Whigs were captured in Salisbury, Herkimer county.
The march to Canada was made through the snow and great hardships were suffered.
Windecker's Indian captor proved very kind and carried him across several rapid streams on his back.
Windecker said afterward, concerning their scarcity of food, that "An Indian would eat anything except crow."
This raid was one of the earliest of the war and was not marked by the bloody ferocity which characterized the later ones.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 65: 1778 — Mohawk Valley Raids., continued ...
The following, concerning the invasion of Ephratah in the Palatine district, in April, 1778, is abridged from Simm's "Frontiersmen of New York," Vol. II., pp. 146-151:
In 1773, 20 or more German families settled along Garoga creek in the present town of Ephratah and some at the present site of Kringsbush.
These Germans were part of a shipload of immigrants, mostly from the district of Nassau near Frankfort-on-the-Main, which landed at Baltimore in 1773.
Many of them settled in the Mohawk valley.
The immigration from Germany, and even from Holland, into New York state was practically continuous from the time of first settlement up to the Revolution.
On this voyage very rough weather was encountered on the Atlantic, the masts went by the board and the ship nearly foundered.
The settlement of Ephratah was so called after a place of that name in Germany.
Prominent among these settlers was Nicholas Rechtor, whose father, Johannes Rechtor, came from Hesse in Germany and settled at Niskautau, six miles below Albany.
These early Ephratah families all built log houses, except Rechtor, who put up a frame house and barn.
Simms says this house was still standing (in 1882), "just back of a public house in Garoga, so called after the creek passing through it — the original name still attaching to the settlement."
Rechtor was located about three miles west of the stone grist mill Sir William Johnson had built for the use of that region which was then known as Tilleborough.
Within a radius of five or six miles from Nicholas Rechtor's house the following were located: Jacob Appley, Jacob Frey, John Hurtz, Conrad Hart, John Smith, Henry Smith, John Cool, Jacob Deusler, Leonard Kretzer, Henry Hynce, Flander, Phye, John Spankable (now Sponable), John Winkle.
Among the settlers in the Kringsbush section were Matthias Smith, Leonard Helmer, Joseph Davis and his brother-in-law, John Kring, after whom the settlement was named.
In 1775, a small company of militia was organized among these settlers along the Garoga.
The officers were Nicholas Rechtor, Captain; John Williams, George Smith, lieutenants; John Sholl, ensign.
This company was in the Oriskany battle where Capt. Rechtor was thrown from and stepped on by his horse disabling him.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 65: 1778 — Mohawk Valley Raids., continued ...
The following, concerning the invasion of Ephratah in the Palatine district, in April, 1778, is abridged from Simm's "Frontiersmen of New York," Vol. II., pp. 146-151:
In 1773, 20 or more German families settled along Garoga creek in the present town of Ephratah and some at the present site of Kringsbush.
These Germans were part of a shipload of immigrants, mostly from the district of Nassau near Frankfort-on-the-Main, which landed at Baltimore in 1773.
Many of them settled in the Mohawk valley.
The immigration from Germany, and even from Holland, into New York state was practically continuous from the time of first settlement up to the Revolution.
On this voyage very rough weather was encountered on the Atlantic, the masts went by the board and the ship nearly foundered.
The settlement of Ephratah was so called after a place of that name in Germany.
Prominent among these settlers was Nicholas Rechtor, whose father, Johannes Rechtor, came from Hesse in Germany and settled at Niskautau, six miles below Albany.
These early Ephratah families all built log houses, except Rechtor, who put up a frame house and barn.
Simms says this house was still standing (in 1882), "just back of a public house in Garoga, so called after the creek passing through it — the original name still attaching to the settlement."
Rechtor was located about three miles west of the stone grist mill Sir William Johnson had built for the use of that region which was then known as Tilleborough.
Within a radius of five or six miles from Nicholas Rechtor's house the following were located: Jacob Appley, Jacob Frey, John Hurtz, Conrad Hart, John Smith, Henry Smith, John Cool, Jacob Deusler, Leonard Kretzer, Henry Hynce, Flander, Phye, John Spankable (now Sponable), John Winkle.
Among the settlers in the Kringsbush section were Matthias Smith, Leonard Helmer, Joseph Davis and his brother-in-law, John Kring, after whom the settlement was named.
In 1775, a small company of militia was organized among these settlers along the Garoga.
The officers were Nicholas Rechtor, Captain; John Williams, George Smith, lieutenants; John Sholl, ensign.
This company was in the Oriskany battle where Capt. Rechtor was thrown from and stepped on by his horse disabling him.
TO BE CONTINUED ...