History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
The enemy were followed by a number of patriots until they encamped for the night west of the village cemetery near Sloansville.
A strong guard was sent out in all directions that night in fear of the Indians returning.
The remainder of the fort had a jubilation and in their hilarity wandered up the valley with Captain Strubeck at their head and finished the work of destruction by burning the dwellings and all outbuildings that the Indians had left out of respect to the political sympathies of the owners.
Only the Lutheran Church parsonage and the residence of Hendricus Schaeffer remained on the morning of the 19th.
There were few families in the neighborhood who were deep-dyed Tories, but in the absence of any royal force they were pretended patriots.
When McDonald attempted his raid in 1777 they were with him but, not being successful, they returned to their homes and took the oath of allegiance and became penitent, to all appearances, until Johnson's invasion; then, out of deference to their oaths, they retired to the west side of the Schoharie River and witnessed the destruction of property.
Their property Captain Strubeck and company laid in waste and, as the morning of the 19th dawned, homes in ashes were but smoldering brands to mark the same spot, the storehouses that but the day before were bursting with plenty were but heaps of flaky cinders; horses and cattle had been ruthlessly butchered, in fact the accumulation of years swept away.
The following day Colonel Vrooman collected all the troops that dared to be spared from the forts and followed the enemy to the Mohawk.
Upon arriving there they were united with the force of Robert Van Rensselaer, whose disloyalty or cowardice restrained his army from gaining complete victory over the invaders near Stone Arabia where Colonel Brown fell.
Van Rensselaer's conduct upon that mission was, and should have been, a subject of censure as, by his dilatory maneuvers, the murderous clan was privileged to pass off to their rendezvous to gloat over their deeds and enjoy their spoils and be encouraged to again invade the happy and prosperous homes of struggling patriots.
On the day following the invasion of Schoharie Valley, while the soldiers were skirmishing in the rear of Johnson's force, a party of Indians and Tories led by Seth's Henry, a Schoharie Indian, and Philip Chrysler, a brother of Adam Chrysler, appeared along the Westkill in the present town of Seward and bathing their hands in the blood of Michael Murphy, his niece Catharine, besides two boys, they burned several buildings and led into captivity several inoffensive persons and passed off to follow the Charlotte trail to Niagara.
It was estimated that 100,000 bushels of wheat were that day destroyed.
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 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
In connection with this we might say that General Washington well knew the value that the Schoharie Valley represented as the following from a letter sent by him on November 7, 1780, to Congress indicates:
"The destruction of grain was so great as to threaten the most alarming consequences, in respect to the forming of magazines for the public service at the north."
"But for that event, the settlement of Schoharie, alone, would have delivered eighty thousand bushels of grain."
There were also destroyed hundreds of tons of hay that were stored in barns, barracks and stacks for the coming winter.
Leaving his camp, at present Sloansville, on the morning of October 18, 1780, Johnson and his raiders passed on down through the lower Schoharie Valley, killing and burning as they marched.
They entered that part of the lower course of the Schoharie River which flows through present Montgomery County for a distance of about ten miles, airline distance.
Johnson buried one mortar he had been using and his shells in a little "Vlaie" (natural meadow) in the town of Charleston.
In 1857 some of these shells were plowed up.
The Schoharie militia, under Col. Vrooman, followed Johnson's course toward the Mohawk, during which march the enemy took several prisoners and continued the looting and burning of houses and barns.
Johnson and Brant gave Fort Hunter a wide berth, passing that fortification at a distance of half a mile.
Here a Tory named Schremling was scalped and killed (his political leanings not being known) and a number of women and children of the Schremling, Young and Martin families were captured.
Here Johnson's raid along the Schoharie ended and he then began his devastation of the Mohawk for a distance of 26 miles westward.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
In connection with this we might say that General Washington well knew the value that the Schoharie Valley represented as the following from a letter sent by him on November 7, 1780, to Congress indicates:
"The destruction of grain was so great as to threaten the most alarming consequences, in respect to the forming of magazines for the public service at the north."
"But for that event, the settlement of Schoharie, alone, would have delivered eighty thousand bushels of grain."
There were also destroyed hundreds of tons of hay that were stored in barns, barracks and stacks for the coming winter.
Leaving his camp, at present Sloansville, on the morning of October 18, 1780, Johnson and his raiders passed on down through the lower Schoharie Valley, killing and burning as they marched.
They entered that part of the lower course of the Schoharie River which flows through present Montgomery County for a distance of about ten miles, airline distance.
Johnson buried one mortar he had been using and his shells in a little "Vlaie" (natural meadow) in the town of Charleston.
In 1857 some of these shells were plowed up.
The Schoharie militia, under Col. Vrooman, followed Johnson's course toward the Mohawk, during which march the enemy took several prisoners and continued the looting and burning of houses and barns.
Johnson and Brant gave Fort Hunter a wide berth, passing that fortification at a distance of half a mile.
Here a Tory named Schremling was scalped and killed (his political leanings not being known) and a number of women and children of the Schremling, Young and Martin families were captured.
Here Johnson's raid along the Schoharie ended and he then began his devastation of the Mohawk for a distance of 26 miles westward.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
An Indian and Tory detachment crossed the Mohawk to plunder and ravage the north side, while the main body continued westward through the town of Glen, on the south side highway, to a point, in the town of Root, a little east of the Nose, known on the Erie Canal as the Willow Basin, and there encamped for the night.
Nearly all the buildings on both sides along the Mohawk were burned and plundered from Fort Hunter to the Nose.
On this march British regulars guarded the prisoners to prevent the Indians from murdering them.
A little captive girl of ten years, Magdalena Martin, was taken up by Walter Butler and rode in front of him on his horse.
The evening being very bitter, Butler let the little maid put her cold hands in his fur-lined pockets and thus they journeyed to the camping ground.
One of the raiders asked Butler what he was going to do with the pretty girl.
"Make a wife of her," was his quick reply.
This small Revolutionary captive became the wife of Matthias Becker and the mother of ten children.
She died in Fort Plain, at the home of her son-in-law, William A. Haslett, in 1862, in her 93rd year.
So closely are we unknowingly linked with the past that there may be those who read this page who personally knew this old lady, who, as a little girl, rode with Butler and warmed her hands in his pockets on a chilly October night over a century and a quarter ago.
And such a strange and wayward thing is the nature of man that we look with wonder at the picture of this Tory murderer of women and little ones cuddling a small rebel child to keep her from the cold.
The next morning at the Nose, learning that a force of Albany and Schenectady militia were coming after him, Johnson allowed Mrs. Martin and her children to return home, with the exception of her 14-year-old son.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
An Indian and Tory detachment crossed the Mohawk to plunder and ravage the north side, while the main body continued westward through the town of Glen, on the south side highway, to a point, in the town of Root, a little east of the Nose, known on the Erie Canal as the Willow Basin, and there encamped for the night.
Nearly all the buildings on both sides along the Mohawk were burned and plundered from Fort Hunter to the Nose.
On this march British regulars guarded the prisoners to prevent the Indians from murdering them.
A little captive girl of ten years, Magdalena Martin, was taken up by Walter Butler and rode in front of him on his horse.
The evening being very bitter, Butler let the little maid put her cold hands in his fur-lined pockets and thus they journeyed to the camping ground.
One of the raiders asked Butler what he was going to do with the pretty girl.
"Make a wife of her," was his quick reply.
This small Revolutionary captive became the wife of Matthias Becker and the mother of ten children.
She died in Fort Plain, at the home of her son-in-law, William A. Haslett, in 1862, in her 93rd year.
So closely are we unknowingly linked with the past that there may be those who read this page who personally knew this old lady, who, as a little girl, rode with Butler and warmed her hands in his pockets on a chilly October night over a century and a quarter ago.
And such a strange and wayward thing is the nature of man that we look with wonder at the picture of this Tory murderer of women and little ones cuddling a small rebel child to keep her from the cold.
The next morning at the Nose, learning that a force of Albany and Schenectady militia were coming after him, Johnson allowed Mrs. Martin and her children to return home, with the exception of her 14-year-old son.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
News of the raid had reached Albany and the Schenectady and Albany militia quickly assembled and proceeded with great speed up the Mohawk to attack Johnson's men.
Gen. Robert Van Rensselaer of Claverack, commanded the pursuit and he was accompanied by Gov. Clinton.
On the evening of the 18th they encamped in the present town of Florida.
From there Van Rensselaer sent word to Col. Brown at Fort Paris and to Fort Plain (probably directed to Col. John Harper).
Brown was ordered to attack the enemy in the front the next morning, while Van Rensselaer's army fell on their rear.
On September 11, 1780, according to a state report, Col. Brown, at Fort Paris, had 276 men under him, and Col. John Harper (supposedly at Fort Plain then) commanded 146, and there were but 455 men to guard the frontier in the Canajoharie-Palatine districts.
These troops were then under the command of Brigadier-General Robert Van Rensselaer.
When Brown attacked Johnson at Stone Arabia he had but 150 American militiamen with him and it is probable the balance of the patriot force (then located at three posts) in this neighborhood were left to guard the forts or were on duty elsewhere.
The Fort Plain soldiers joined Van Rensselaer's force as later noted.
The valley people, warned of the enemy's approach, gathered in the local forts for safety and there were few or no casualties among them after Johnson left Fort Hunter on his march westward.
On the morning of October 19, 1780, Johnson's army crossed the Mohawk at Keator's rift (near Sprakers) and headed for Stone Arabia, leaving a guard of 40 men at the ford.
At almost the same time Col. Brown paraded his men, to the number of 150 and sallied forth from Fort Paris to meet the enemy.
The American commander, mounted on a small black horse, marched straight for the approaching foe.
He passed Fort Keyser, where he was joined by a few militiamen, and met Johnson's army in an open field about two miles east by north of Palatine Bridge.
Capt. Casselman advised Col. Brown, considering the overwhelming force and protected position of the enemy, to keep the Americans covered by a fence.
Without his usual caution, Brown ordered an advance into the open, where his men were subjected to a heavy fire.
The militia returned the fire, fought gallantly and stood their ground, although many of their number were being killed and wounded.
Seeing he was being outflanked by the Indians, at about ten in the morning, Col. Brown ordered a retreat, at which time he was struck down by a musket ball through the heart.
The pursuit of the enemy made it impossible for his men to bear off their commander's body and it was scalped and stripped of everything except a ruffled shirt.
Thirty Americans were killed and the remainder fled, some north into the forest and some south toward the Mohawk and Van Rensselaer's army.
Two of the Stone Arabia men took refuge in Judge Jacob Eacker's house and put up a defense until the Indians fired the building, after which the savages stood around and laughed at the shrieks of their burning victims.
The enemy's loss was probably less than that of the Americans on this field.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
News of the raid had reached Albany and the Schenectady and Albany militia quickly assembled and proceeded with great speed up the Mohawk to attack Johnson's men.
Gen. Robert Van Rensselaer of Claverack, commanded the pursuit and he was accompanied by Gov. Clinton.
On the evening of the 18th they encamped in the present town of Florida.
From there Van Rensselaer sent word to Col. Brown at Fort Paris and to Fort Plain (probably directed to Col. John Harper).
Brown was ordered to attack the enemy in the front the next morning, while Van Rensselaer's army fell on their rear.
On September 11, 1780, according to a state report, Col. Brown, at Fort Paris, had 276 men under him, and Col. John Harper (supposedly at Fort Plain then) commanded 146, and there were but 455 men to guard the frontier in the Canajoharie-Palatine districts.
These troops were then under the command of Brigadier-General Robert Van Rensselaer.
When Brown attacked Johnson at Stone Arabia he had but 150 American militiamen with him and it is probable the balance of the patriot force (then located at three posts) in this neighborhood were left to guard the forts or were on duty elsewhere.
The Fort Plain soldiers joined Van Rensselaer's force as later noted.
The valley people, warned of the enemy's approach, gathered in the local forts for safety and there were few or no casualties among them after Johnson left Fort Hunter on his march westward.
On the morning of October 19, 1780, Johnson's army crossed the Mohawk at Keator's rift (near Sprakers) and headed for Stone Arabia, leaving a guard of 40 men at the ford.
At almost the same time Col. Brown paraded his men, to the number of 150 and sallied forth from Fort Paris to meet the enemy.
The American commander, mounted on a small black horse, marched straight for the approaching foe.
He passed Fort Keyser, where he was joined by a few militiamen, and met Johnson's army in an open field about two miles east by north of Palatine Bridge.
Capt. Casselman advised Col. Brown, considering the overwhelming force and protected position of the enemy, to keep the Americans covered by a fence.
Without his usual caution, Brown ordered an advance into the open, where his men were subjected to a heavy fire.
The militia returned the fire, fought gallantly and stood their ground, although many of their number were being killed and wounded.
Seeing he was being outflanked by the Indians, at about ten in the morning, Col. Brown ordered a retreat, at which time he was struck down by a musket ball through the heart.
The pursuit of the enemy made it impossible for his men to bear off their commander's body and it was scalped and stripped of everything except a ruffled shirt.
Thirty Americans were killed and the remainder fled, some north into the forest and some south toward the Mohawk and Van Rensselaer's army.
Two of the Stone Arabia men took refuge in Judge Jacob Eacker's house and put up a defense until the Indians fired the building, after which the savages stood around and laughed at the shrieks of their burning victims.
The enemy's loss was probably less than that of the Americans on this field.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
The British regulars passed Fort Keyser without firing a shot.
Capt. John Zielie, with six militiamen and two aged farmers, were at the portholes, with muskets cocked and hats filled with cartridges at their sides, but held their fire for fear of an attack which would mean annihilation.
When the enemy were out of sight four of the militiamen from this post set out for the field of battle, found Col. Brown's body and bore it back in their arms to Fort Keyser.
The Tories, British and Indians after this ravaged, plundered and burned all through the Stone Arabia district, among other buildings, burning both the Reformed and Lutheran churches.
Few of the inhabitants were killed or captured, as all had taken refuge in the forts or in the woods.
After the burning and plundering, Johnson collected his men by bugle calls and the blowing of tin horns and pursued his way westward toward the Mohawk.
On the morning of the 19th, Gen. Van Rensselaer started his pursuit, from his Florida campground, at moonrise.
He reached Fort Hunter before daybreak and was there joined by the Schoharie militia.
Van Rensselaer came up to Keator's rift, shortly after Johnson had crossed.
It was probably here that his force was joined by Col. Harper, Capt. McKean with 80 men (probably from Fort Plain) and a body of Oneida Indians under their principal chief, Louis Atayataroughta, who had been commissioned a lieutenant-colonel by congress.
Col. Harper, probably then in command at Fort Plain (as S.L. Frey locates him there in September), was in chief command of the Oneidas.
Van Rensselaer's army was now double that of Johnson's.
Here the American commander halted, perhaps deterred from crossing the ford by the small rear guard of the enemy which was stationed on the opposite bank.
The firing at the Stone Arabia field, two miles distant, was plainly heard and here came fugitives fleeing from the defeated force, bringing news of the rout and of the killing of Col. Brown.
One of Brown's men, a militia officer named Van Allen, promptly reported to Gen. Van Rensselaer, with an account of the action, and asked the latter if he was not going to cross the river and engage the enemy.
The general replied that he did not know the fording place well enough.
He was told that the ford was easy and Van Allen offered to act as pilot.
Thereupon Capt. McKean's company and the Oneidas crossed the river.
Instead of supporting this advance party, in his promised cooperation with Col. Brown's men, it then being near noontime, Gen. Van Rensselaer now accompanied Col. Dubois to Fort Plain to dine with Gov. Clinton.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
The British regulars passed Fort Keyser without firing a shot.
Capt. John Zielie, with six militiamen and two aged farmers, were at the portholes, with muskets cocked and hats filled with cartridges at their sides, but held their fire for fear of an attack which would mean annihilation.
When the enemy were out of sight four of the militiamen from this post set out for the field of battle, found Col. Brown's body and bore it back in their arms to Fort Keyser.
The Tories, British and Indians after this ravaged, plundered and burned all through the Stone Arabia district, among other buildings, burning both the Reformed and Lutheran churches.
Few of the inhabitants were killed or captured, as all had taken refuge in the forts or in the woods.
After the burning and plundering, Johnson collected his men by bugle calls and the blowing of tin horns and pursued his way westward toward the Mohawk.
On the morning of the 19th, Gen. Van Rensselaer started his pursuit, from his Florida campground, at moonrise.
He reached Fort Hunter before daybreak and was there joined by the Schoharie militia.
Van Rensselaer came up to Keator's rift, shortly after Johnson had crossed.
It was probably here that his force was joined by Col. Harper, Capt. McKean with 80 men (probably from Fort Plain) and a body of Oneida Indians under their principal chief, Louis Atayataroughta, who had been commissioned a lieutenant-colonel by congress.
Col. Harper, probably then in command at Fort Plain (as S.L. Frey locates him there in September), was in chief command of the Oneidas.
Van Rensselaer's army was now double that of Johnson's.
Here the American commander halted, perhaps deterred from crossing the ford by the small rear guard of the enemy which was stationed on the opposite bank.
The firing at the Stone Arabia field, two miles distant, was plainly heard and here came fugitives fleeing from the defeated force, bringing news of the rout and of the killing of Col. Brown.
One of Brown's men, a militia officer named Van Allen, promptly reported to Gen. Van Rensselaer, with an account of the action, and asked the latter if he was not going to cross the river and engage the enemy.
The general replied that he did not know the fording place well enough.
He was told that the ford was easy and Van Allen offered to act as pilot.
Thereupon Capt. McKean's company and the Oneidas crossed the river.
Instead of supporting this advance party, in his promised cooperation with Col. Brown's men, it then being near noontime, Gen. Van Rensselaer now accompanied Col. Dubois to Fort Plain to dine with Gov. Clinton.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
Gen. Van Rensselaer, after leaving Keator's Rift, ordered the company of Lieut. Driscoll and his artillery to Fort Plain, possibly anticipating an attack by Johnson in that quarter.
He tried the ford opposite Fort Frey but found it impassable and ordered his men to cross at Walrath's ferry at Fort Plain.
They, however, made the passage of the Mohawk at Ehle's rift, near what was later Ver Planck's and is now called Nellis' island.
They stopped at the house of Adam Countryman on the Canajoharie side and here turned into the road which led to the ford, which existed in the river prior to the barge canal operations.
This was later the Ver Planck, later the Nellis farm and now (1925) the Chawgo farm.
Here the American troops began the passage of the Mohawk while their general was wasting valuable time in a lengthy dinner at "Fort Plain or Rensselaer."
Let us now take up the story as told by Thomas Sammons, a young militiaman from present Sammonsville, northwest of present Fonda.
He wrote his part in the pursuit and this valuable personal document is now a part of the Sammons papers in the possession of that family.
Thomas Sammons gathered a great deal of Mohawk valley Revolutionary history at first hand and he well deserves the title of our first valley historian.
He was a congressman from old Montgomery county, a member of the well known Sammons family (his father was the pioneer, Sampson Sammons) of the town of Mohawk, Montgomery county.
Col. Simeon Sammons, of the 115th New York Volunteer Regiment, was the son of Thomas Sammons.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
Gen. Van Rensselaer, after leaving Keator's Rift, ordered the company of Lieut. Driscoll and his artillery to Fort Plain, possibly anticipating an attack by Johnson in that quarter.
He tried the ford opposite Fort Frey but found it impassable and ordered his men to cross at Walrath's ferry at Fort Plain.
They, however, made the passage of the Mohawk at Ehle's rift, near what was later Ver Planck's and is now called Nellis' island.
They stopped at the house of Adam Countryman on the Canajoharie side and here turned into the road which led to the ford, which existed in the river prior to the barge canal operations.
This was later the Ver Planck, later the Nellis farm and now (1925) the Chawgo farm.
Here the American troops began the passage of the Mohawk while their general was wasting valuable time in a lengthy dinner at "Fort Plain or Rensselaer."
Let us now take up the story as told by Thomas Sammons, a young militiaman from present Sammonsville, northwest of present Fonda.
He wrote his part in the pursuit and this valuable personal document is now a part of the Sammons papers in the possession of that family.
Thomas Sammons gathered a great deal of Mohawk valley Revolutionary history at first hand and he well deserves the title of our first valley historian.
He was a congressman from old Montgomery county, a member of the well known Sammons family (his father was the pioneer, Sampson Sammons) of the town of Mohawk, Montgomery county.
Col. Simeon Sammons, of the 115th New York Volunteer Regiment, was the son of Thomas Sammons.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
Sammons's account of Johnson's great raid and the battles of Stone Arabia and Klock's Field, near present St. Johnsville, follow, taking up his narrative at Ehle's rift:
"In the meantime Gen. Van Rensselaer was on the south side of the river in the morning when he came opposite the forty men Johnson had left to guard the fording place; halted but made no attempt to cross the river."
"Van Rensselaer had with him a number of field pieces."
"William Harper rode to the banks of the river, was fired at by one of the enemy to whom he took off his hat, and returned on a walk."
"Van Rensselaer still remaining on the south side marched west when opposite to where Col. Brown had engaged Sir John the firing was distinctly heard as also the war-whoops of the Canada Indians."
"Van Rensselaer, about 11 o'clock a. m., halted opposite to Peter Ehle's [in present Nelliston village], three miles below where the Garoga creek enters into the Mohawk river."
"A few of Brown's men at this place came running to the river and, jumping in, forded to the south side."
"As they came to the bank Van Rensselaer enquired of them where they came from."
"One, Samuel Van Alter, a militia officer, answered: 'Escaped out of Brown's battle.'"
"'How has it gone?'"
"'Col. Brown is killed with many of his men.'"
"'Are you not a going there?'"
"'I am not acquainted with the fording place,' was Van Rensselaer's reply."
"He was answered that it was not difficult."
"Van Rensselaer then asked Van Alter if he could go before, who, though tired, said he could."
"Col. Louis Dubois at this moment rode up to Gen. Van Rensselaer who instantly mounted his horse and, as was understood, went to Fort Plain to take dinner with Col. Dubois."
"Col. Lewe and Capt. McKean marched the Indians and volunteers through the river to the north side, expecting Gen. Van Rensselaer would do the same."
"Van Rensselaer's baggage wagons were now driven into the river into a line and stopped, reaching most of the way across the river; his men then commenced crossing in a single line by getting on the back part of the first wagon, crossing over it, walking on the tongue between the horses, and thus to the next wagon and so on until they came to the end of the wagons; they then got into the river and forded to the north bank."
"In this manner they continued crossing until four o'clock in the afternoon when Gen. Van Rensselaer returned just as the last man was over."
"When Gen. Van Rensselaer came to the south bank Col. Louis shook his sword at him and called him a Tory and when he came to the north bank he was addressed by William Harper who thought by this unnecessary delay too great a sacrifice of property and lives had been made."
"Col. Louis Dubois marched his regiment of state troops into the river and crossed in a few minutes; the cannons were all left on the south side of the river."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
Sammons's account of Johnson's great raid and the battles of Stone Arabia and Klock's Field, near present St. Johnsville, follow, taking up his narrative at Ehle's rift:
"In the meantime Gen. Van Rensselaer was on the south side of the river in the morning when he came opposite the forty men Johnson had left to guard the fording place; halted but made no attempt to cross the river."
"Van Rensselaer had with him a number of field pieces."
"William Harper rode to the banks of the river, was fired at by one of the enemy to whom he took off his hat, and returned on a walk."
"Van Rensselaer still remaining on the south side marched west when opposite to where Col. Brown had engaged Sir John the firing was distinctly heard as also the war-whoops of the Canada Indians."
"Van Rensselaer, about 11 o'clock a. m., halted opposite to Peter Ehle's [in present Nelliston village], three miles below where the Garoga creek enters into the Mohawk river."
"A few of Brown's men at this place came running to the river and, jumping in, forded to the south side."
"As they came to the bank Van Rensselaer enquired of them where they came from."
"One, Samuel Van Alter, a militia officer, answered: 'Escaped out of Brown's battle.'"
"'How has it gone?'"
"'Col. Brown is killed with many of his men.'"
"'Are you not a going there?'"
"'I am not acquainted with the fording place,' was Van Rensselaer's reply."
"He was answered that it was not difficult."
"Van Rensselaer then asked Van Alter if he could go before, who, though tired, said he could."
"Col. Louis Dubois at this moment rode up to Gen. Van Rensselaer who instantly mounted his horse and, as was understood, went to Fort Plain to take dinner with Col. Dubois."
"Col. Lewe and Capt. McKean marched the Indians and volunteers through the river to the north side, expecting Gen. Van Rensselaer would do the same."
"Van Rensselaer's baggage wagons were now driven into the river into a line and stopped, reaching most of the way across the river; his men then commenced crossing in a single line by getting on the back part of the first wagon, crossing over it, walking on the tongue between the horses, and thus to the next wagon and so on until they came to the end of the wagons; they then got into the river and forded to the north bank."
"In this manner they continued crossing until four o'clock in the afternoon when Gen. Van Rensselaer returned just as the last man was over."
"When Gen. Van Rensselaer came to the south bank Col. Louis shook his sword at him and called him a Tory and when he came to the north bank he was addressed by William Harper who thought by this unnecessary delay too great a sacrifice of property and lives had been made."
"Col. Louis Dubois marched his regiment of state troops into the river and crossed in a few minutes; the cannons were all left on the south side of the river."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
"Gen. Van Rensselaer now appeared in much haste and, being assisted by Major Van Benschoten and Col. Dubois, the men were formed into three divisions, except the Oneida Indians and the volunteers under McKean, who continued by themselves without any regular order."
"Gen. Van Rensselaer marched two of his divisions on the flat ground and the third under command of Col. Dubois some distance above the road in the woods."
"The volunteers of McKean and the Oneida Indians, under command of Col. Louis [the friendly Oneida chieftain] were directly opposed to the Canadian Indians and Yagers."
"Sir John stood fast and Gen. Van Rensselaer advanced firing at a distance."
"The Canada Indians gave the war whoop and were answered by the Oneidas; they rushed simultaneously forward until near together."
"Col. Dubois had no one to oppose him."
"Some of his men came to the assistance of the Oneidas and volunteers."
"They then advanced upon the Canada Indians and Yagers who fled with greatest precipitancy crossing the road and running in the rear of Sir John's men on the flats to cover themselves."
"This was all the fighting that was done, for, as Johnson saw his Indians and Yagers running, he fled with them, leaving his men, crossed the river and escaped as fast as they could."
"It was now near evening."
"Major Van Benschoten of Col. Dubois' division was hastening to Gen. Van Rensselaer to request orders to fall upon the rear of the enemy."
"At this moment when Sir John had fled from his own men and they were thrown into perfect confusion, Gen. Van Rensselaer marched his three divisions to the road and, turning east, traveled back three miles to Foxe's Fort [at Palatine Church], where he encamped for the night."
"Col. Louis and Capt. McKean did not obey orders but remained that night in buildings that were near."
"After dark some of the Tryon county militia who had volunteered, as also some of the Indians, took some prisoners, a number of knapsacks, guns and the field piece."
"Johnson's Greens, finding their commander had deserted them, broke their ranks and hid in a cornfield and the regulars for some time remained in their ranks without doing anything and finally went in pursuit of their officer."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
"Gen. Van Rensselaer now appeared in much haste and, being assisted by Major Van Benschoten and Col. Dubois, the men were formed into three divisions, except the Oneida Indians and the volunteers under McKean, who continued by themselves without any regular order."
"Gen. Van Rensselaer marched two of his divisions on the flat ground and the third under command of Col. Dubois some distance above the road in the woods."
"The volunteers of McKean and the Oneida Indians, under command of Col. Louis [the friendly Oneida chieftain] were directly opposed to the Canadian Indians and Yagers."
"Sir John stood fast and Gen. Van Rensselaer advanced firing at a distance."
"The Canada Indians gave the war whoop and were answered by the Oneidas; they rushed simultaneously forward until near together."
"Col. Dubois had no one to oppose him."
"Some of his men came to the assistance of the Oneidas and volunteers."
"They then advanced upon the Canada Indians and Yagers who fled with greatest precipitancy crossing the road and running in the rear of Sir John's men on the flats to cover themselves."
"This was all the fighting that was done, for, as Johnson saw his Indians and Yagers running, he fled with them, leaving his men, crossed the river and escaped as fast as they could."
"It was now near evening."
"Major Van Benschoten of Col. Dubois' division was hastening to Gen. Van Rensselaer to request orders to fall upon the rear of the enemy."
"At this moment when Sir John had fled from his own men and they were thrown into perfect confusion, Gen. Van Rensselaer marched his three divisions to the road and, turning east, traveled back three miles to Foxe's Fort [at Palatine Church], where he encamped for the night."
"Col. Louis and Capt. McKean did not obey orders but remained that night in buildings that were near."
"After dark some of the Tryon county militia who had volunteered, as also some of the Indians, took some prisoners, a number of knapsacks, guns and the field piece."
"Johnson's Greens, finding their commander had deserted them, broke their ranks and hid in a cornfield and the regulars for some time remained in their ranks without doing anything and finally went in pursuit of their officer."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
"The following morning Col. Louis and McKean crossed the river to pursue the enemy."
"Between 8 and 9 o'clock Gen. Van Rensselaer came back upon the battleground."
"While McKean was waiting for Gen. Van Rensselaer to cross the river one of his volunteers [Thomas Sammons], hearing there were some prisoners in a small picket fort near by, called Fort Windecker, went to it where an Indian was shot the evening before trying to look into it."
"On going in he found nine prisoners and one of them he knew and had been a near Tory neighbor."
"On asking him how he got there he said he was ashamed to tell him."
The volunteer's statement was as follows:
"'I went into Windecker's to see the prisoners, and spoke to the prisoners, one of them having been a near neighbor of my father [by name] Peter Cass."
"He also informed me they had concealed themselves in a corn field till after dark before they crossed the river."
"I am satisfied if McKean and Louis had us, the volunteers and Indians, immediately out in pursuit of the enemy after Van Rensselaer's retreat they would have taken two or three hundred prisoners without much difficulty."
"How strange it is that such men as Dubois and Van Benschoten obeyed orders."
"[Said Cass]: Last night after the battle we crossed the river; it was dark; we heard the word 'lay down your arms.'"
"Some of us did so; we were taken and nine of us marched into this little fort."
"Seven militia took nine of us prisoners out the rear of about 300 of Johnson's Greens, who were running promiscuously through one another."
"'I thought Van Rensselaer's whole army was in our rear.'"
"'Why did you not take us prisoners yesterday after Sir John ran off with his Indians and left us?'"
"'We wanted to surrender.'"
"Sir John with the Indians and Yagers, thinking the rest of his forces had been taken prisoners, under cover of the woods, directed his course for the Onondaga Lake, where his boats had been concealed."
"Those he left behind after crossing the river, continued on the main road west until Herkimer, where, avoiding the fort, took to the woods and overtook Sir John before he reached Oneida."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
"The following morning Col. Louis and McKean crossed the river to pursue the enemy."
"Between 8 and 9 o'clock Gen. Van Rensselaer came back upon the battleground."
"While McKean was waiting for Gen. Van Rensselaer to cross the river one of his volunteers [Thomas Sammons], hearing there were some prisoners in a small picket fort near by, called Fort Windecker, went to it where an Indian was shot the evening before trying to look into it."
"On going in he found nine prisoners and one of them he knew and had been a near Tory neighbor."
"On asking him how he got there he said he was ashamed to tell him."
The volunteer's statement was as follows:
"'I went into Windecker's to see the prisoners, and spoke to the prisoners, one of them having been a near neighbor of my father [by name] Peter Cass."
"He also informed me they had concealed themselves in a corn field till after dark before they crossed the river."
"I am satisfied if McKean and Louis had us, the volunteers and Indians, immediately out in pursuit of the enemy after Van Rensselaer's retreat they would have taken two or three hundred prisoners without much difficulty."
"How strange it is that such men as Dubois and Van Benschoten obeyed orders."
"[Said Cass]: Last night after the battle we crossed the river; it was dark; we heard the word 'lay down your arms.'"
"Some of us did so; we were taken and nine of us marched into this little fort."
"Seven militia took nine of us prisoners out the rear of about 300 of Johnson's Greens, who were running promiscuously through one another."
"'I thought Van Rensselaer's whole army was in our rear.'"
"'Why did you not take us prisoners yesterday after Sir John ran off with his Indians and left us?'"
"'We wanted to surrender.'"
"Sir John with the Indians and Yagers, thinking the rest of his forces had been taken prisoners, under cover of the woods, directed his course for the Onondaga Lake, where his boats had been concealed."
"Those he left behind after crossing the river, continued on the main road west until Herkimer, where, avoiding the fort, took to the woods and overtook Sir John before he reached Oneida."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
"Gen. Van Rensselaer, having crossed to the south side, pursued in the direction of the enemy until he reached [Fort] Herkimer, where he was met by Gov. Clinton."
"He accompanied Van Rensselaer but did not assume the command."
"Col. Louis and Capt. McKean, being in the advance, received positive orders from Gen. Van Rensselaer to advance with all possible dispatch, overtake and engage Johnson's men and that he would close in the rear and support him."
"Col. Louis and McKean advanced and the next morning, coming where the trails of Sir John's Indians and his men that followed him met, they halted, knowing that they were some distance in advance of Gen. Van Rensselaer, until he should come nearer."
"A few were sent forward to reconnoitre."
"Col. Dubois came to bring orders from Gen. Van Rensselaer ordering McKean and Col. Louis to hasten forward, engage the enemy and assuring them of support."
"McKean and Louis hastened forward and soon came where the enemy had just decamped leaving their fires burning."
"The volunteers were anxious to engage, but the Oneidas for the first time hesitated."
"Col. Louis shook his head and, pointing in the direction of Gen. Van Rensselaer, refused to advance until he should come near."
"There was a halt for some time when a Doctor Allen came up stating that Gen. Van Rensselaer was returning and was at least four miles distant and if he had not overtaken them there would not have gone farther for he [Allen] was just on the point of going back."
"The night previous Gen. Van Rensselaer sent an express to Fort Stanwix ordering Capt. Vrooman to precede Johnson with 100 men and burn the boats which had been left at Onondaga Lake."
"Captain Vrooman immediately set out as directed."
"When he came to Oneida one of his men pretended to be sick and was left there."
"His object in staying was to inform Sir John of Capt. Vrooman's intention, which he did."
"Sir John soon came up with this wicked informer and, knowing the deplorable situation in which he would be left should his boats be burned, immediately sent forward his Indians and Butler's rangers with all possible despatch."
"At Caughnawaga [not the Montgomery county Caughnawaga, or Fonda, but a place of the same name in the Oneida country] they overtook Capt. Vrooman and came upon him when eating dinner, taking him and all his men prisoners without firing a gun."
"Sir John then proceeded unmolested on his return, which after much fatigue, he with difficulty effected, having lost about 100 of his men killed and taken prisoners."
"The news that Dr. Allen brought Capt. McKean and Col. Louis, who then had about 160 militia and Indians, caused them to retreat as fast as they could; overtook Gen. Van Rensselaer at Herkimer and encamped that night in the woods."
"The Tryon county militia were dismissed and the Oneida Indians returned to Schenectady, where they removed some time previous, and remained there until peace was declared."
"[They] were always ready in rendering many profitable services in repelling the frequent and destructive incursions of the enemy."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 69: Johnson's Great Raid., continued ...
"Gen. Van Rensselaer, having crossed to the south side, pursued in the direction of the enemy until he reached [Fort] Herkimer, where he was met by Gov. Clinton."
"He accompanied Van Rensselaer but did not assume the command."
"Col. Louis and Capt. McKean, being in the advance, received positive orders from Gen. Van Rensselaer to advance with all possible dispatch, overtake and engage Johnson's men and that he would close in the rear and support him."
"Col. Louis and McKean advanced and the next morning, coming where the trails of Sir John's Indians and his men that followed him met, they halted, knowing that they were some distance in advance of Gen. Van Rensselaer, until he should come nearer."
"A few were sent forward to reconnoitre."
"Col. Dubois came to bring orders from Gen. Van Rensselaer ordering McKean and Col. Louis to hasten forward, engage the enemy and assuring them of support."
"McKean and Louis hastened forward and soon came where the enemy had just decamped leaving their fires burning."
"The volunteers were anxious to engage, but the Oneidas for the first time hesitated."
"Col. Louis shook his head and, pointing in the direction of Gen. Van Rensselaer, refused to advance until he should come near."
"There was a halt for some time when a Doctor Allen came up stating that Gen. Van Rensselaer was returning and was at least four miles distant and if he had not overtaken them there would not have gone farther for he [Allen] was just on the point of going back."
"The night previous Gen. Van Rensselaer sent an express to Fort Stanwix ordering Capt. Vrooman to precede Johnson with 100 men and burn the boats which had been left at Onondaga Lake."
"Captain Vrooman immediately set out as directed."
"When he came to Oneida one of his men pretended to be sick and was left there."
"His object in staying was to inform Sir John of Capt. Vrooman's intention, which he did."
"Sir John soon came up with this wicked informer and, knowing the deplorable situation in which he would be left should his boats be burned, immediately sent forward his Indians and Butler's rangers with all possible despatch."
"At Caughnawaga [not the Montgomery county Caughnawaga, or Fonda, but a place of the same name in the Oneida country] they overtook Capt. Vrooman and came upon him when eating dinner, taking him and all his men prisoners without firing a gun."
"Sir John then proceeded unmolested on his return, which after much fatigue, he with difficulty effected, having lost about 100 of his men killed and taken prisoners."
"The news that Dr. Allen brought Capt. McKean and Col. Louis, who then had about 160 militia and Indians, caused them to retreat as fast as they could; overtook Gen. Van Rensselaer at Herkimer and encamped that night in the woods."
"The Tryon county militia were dismissed and the Oneida Indians returned to Schenectady, where they removed some time previous, and remained there until peace was declared."
"[They] were always ready in rendering many profitable services in repelling the frequent and destructive incursions of the enemy."
TO BE CONTINUED ...