A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
The year before, a military work known as a star fort, had been erected on a hill on the Vermont side of the lake opposite to Ticonderoga, which in honor of the declaration of our liberties was named Mount Independence.
Here the general hospital had been established by Dr. Potts, while the small pox cases were despatched to the head of Lake George.
This post was connected with that of Ticonderoga by a floating bridge of massive structure supported by piers and protected on the north by a heavily ironed boom which it was thought sufficient to prevent the passage of shipping from the north.
Immediately upon the discovery that the British were in possession of Mount Defiance, Gen. St. Clair called a council of war, by whom an evacuation of the fort and retreat was determined upon.
This was not made known to the troops until the following midnight, when orders were issued to embark the women, the sick and wounded on board two hundred long boats gathered for the purpose.
"The boats were then loaded deep with cannon, tents, and provisions, and at three o'clock in the morning, started for Skenesborough, accompanied by five armed galleys and a guard of six hundred men, under command of Col. Long, of the New Hampshire troops." 8
As soon as this detachment was fairly under way, St. Clair with the main body of the army crossed the bridge, and retired in the direction of Castleton.
During this retreat, a continued cannonade was kept up in the direction of Mount Hope to distract the attention of the enemy and distract suspicion.
At the same time the intrenchments at Mount Independence were evacuated.
The conflagration of General de Fermoy's quarters who had command here, and who set fire to them, in contravention of express orders, gave the enemy the first intimation of the retreat.
Commodore Lutwych immediately set sail, and forcing his way through the boom, bridge, and other obstructions, gave chase to the retreating craft, a portion of which were overtaken and captured, some of the boats beached and burned with their contents to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. 9
The remainder made their way to the head of the lake at Skenesborough, where, within the protection of the recently erected batteries, the fugitives had a brief rest.
In a few hours, however, the approach of the enemy, whose vessels had passed up South bay and lauded their forces, made it necessary to resume their retreat, and some in boats up Wood creek, and some by land escaped to Fort Anne, and thence to Fort Edward.
The retreating army was followed from Mount Independence by the columns of Fraser and Riedesel.
The rearguard under Colonels Warner and Francis was overtaken by Fraser at Hubbardton on the morning of the 6th when a sharp and sanguinary engagement took place, 10 in which Col. Francis was killed at the head of his regiment, and the Green mountain boys under Warner were badly cut up.
8 Palmer's History of Lake Champlain, p. 141.
9 "The loss to the Americans, by the evacuation of Ticonderoga, was very great; no less than one hundred and twenty-eight pieces of cannon, together with all the boats, provisions, stores, and magazines were either destroyed or fell into the hands of the British. Among the trophies of the day was the continental standard, which the Americans had neglected to take with them on their retreat. The evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence was condemned through the country. The people were not prepared for so disastrous an event, for it was generally believed that the works on Lake Champlain were in a condition to resist any attack of the enemy. Both Schuyler and St. Clair were severely and unjustly censure'd; the former for not sending reinforcements when he had none to send, and the latter for omitting to fortify Mount Hope and Mount Defiance, when his whole force was insufficient to man the defences of the forts themselves." — Palmer's History of Lake Champlain, p. 144.
10 Colonels Jessup and Peters had command of battalions in this action. David Jones was one of a company of tory scouts assigned to Fraser's division at this time. The veritable Baron Munchausen was also present, attached to Riedesel's corps, as a subaltern. — Correspondence of the late Judge Hay.
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Holden's History of Queensbury
Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
On the 8th the battle of Fort Anne ensued, in which Col. Long of the new Hampshire contingent, after a prolonged and desperate resistance, continued until his ammunition was entirely exhausted was obliged to evacuate the post and retreat to Fort Edward.
It is to be remembered that Col. Long's force consisted of cripples, convalescents enfeebled by disease, and raw militia; while the attacking force commanded by Colonel Hill, consisted of the 9th British regiment, and another detachment of regulars, already flushed with victory, and confident in their success. 11
The remains of Cols. Francis and Warner's regiments, effected a junction on the route of retreat with the main army under St. Clair, and all arrived at Fort Edward on the 12th, where General Schuyler was posted 12 with a small force, and awaiting with anxiety intelligence from the scene of hostilities.
These rapid successes of Burgoyne had almost paralyzed the country.
Fort Ticonderoga was popularly considered impregnable.
A favorite theory of General Washington which had obtained in some way general acceptance, was, that no attack would be made by the way of Lake Champlain.
The successive evacuation and loss of these frontier posts, was speedily followed by general distrust and unwarranted charges of treachery and collusion with the enemy against Schuyler, and St. Clair, two of the purest and most patriotic men in the service.
During the progress of events herein narrated, General Schuyler had not been inactive.
He had gathered up and swept before him for the use of his little army, or to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, all the resources of the surrounding country.
A despatch to General Ten Broeck on the 10th, announced that he had already saved about forty pieces of cannon, and fifteen tons of gunpowder by removing them from Fort George.
In a letter written about the middle of the month, he states, "if the enemy will permit me to pass unmolested, three days longer to Fort George, I shall be able to bring away all the stores from thence and then draw off the few troops we have there."
11 Silliman's Tour, p. 165. "8th July. The enemy after an attack of three hours, were totally repulsed, and fled towards Fort Edward, setting fire to Fort Anne, but leaving a saw mill, and a block house in good repair, which were afterwards possessed by the king's troops." — Burgoyne's State of the Expedition, Appendix,
XIX.
12 In a letter dated at Fort Edward the 9th of July, 1777, Gen. Schuyler says, "I have not been able to learn what is become of General St. Clair, and the army. The enemy followed the troops that come to Skenesborough as far as Fort Anne, where they were yesterday repulsed; notwithstanding which, Colonel Long, contrary to my express orders, evacuated that post. I am here at the head of a handful of men, not above fifteen hundred, without provision, with little ammunition, not above five rounds to a man, having neither balls, nor lead to make any; the country in the deepest consternation; no carriages to remove the stores from Fort George, which I expect to learn every moment is attacked." — Washington Correspondence, vol. IV, p. 192, Note.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
On the 8th the battle of Fort Anne ensued, in which Col. Long of the new Hampshire contingent, after a prolonged and desperate resistance, continued until his ammunition was entirely exhausted was obliged to evacuate the post and retreat to Fort Edward.
It is to be remembered that Col. Long's force consisted of cripples, convalescents enfeebled by disease, and raw militia; while the attacking force commanded by Colonel Hill, consisted of the 9th British regiment, and another detachment of regulars, already flushed with victory, and confident in their success. 11
The remains of Cols. Francis and Warner's regiments, effected a junction on the route of retreat with the main army under St. Clair, and all arrived at Fort Edward on the 12th, where General Schuyler was posted 12 with a small force, and awaiting with anxiety intelligence from the scene of hostilities.
These rapid successes of Burgoyne had almost paralyzed the country.
Fort Ticonderoga was popularly considered impregnable.
A favorite theory of General Washington which had obtained in some way general acceptance, was, that no attack would be made by the way of Lake Champlain.
The successive evacuation and loss of these frontier posts, was speedily followed by general distrust and unwarranted charges of treachery and collusion with the enemy against Schuyler, and St. Clair, two of the purest and most patriotic men in the service.
During the progress of events herein narrated, General Schuyler had not been inactive.
He had gathered up and swept before him for the use of his little army, or to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, all the resources of the surrounding country.
A despatch to General Ten Broeck on the 10th, announced that he had already saved about forty pieces of cannon, and fifteen tons of gunpowder by removing them from Fort George.
In a letter written about the middle of the month, he states, "if the enemy will permit me to pass unmolested, three days longer to Fort George, I shall be able to bring away all the stores from thence and then draw off the few troops we have there."
11 Silliman's Tour, p. 165. "8th July. The enemy after an attack of three hours, were totally repulsed, and fled towards Fort Edward, setting fire to Fort Anne, but leaving a saw mill, and a block house in good repair, which were afterwards possessed by the king's troops." — Burgoyne's State of the Expedition, Appendix,
XIX.
12 In a letter dated at Fort Edward the 9th of July, 1777, Gen. Schuyler says, "I have not been able to learn what is become of General St. Clair, and the army. The enemy followed the troops that come to Skenesborough as far as Fort Anne, where they were yesterday repulsed; notwithstanding which, Colonel Long, contrary to my express orders, evacuated that post. I am here at the head of a handful of men, not above fifteen hundred, without provision, with little ammunition, not above five rounds to a man, having neither balls, nor lead to make any; the country in the deepest consternation; no carriages to remove the stores from Fort George, which I expect to learn every moment is attacked." — Washington Correspondence, vol. IV, p. 192, Note.
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Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
Burgoyne corroborates this in a letter to Lord George Germaine, in the following words.
"The enemy are laboring to remove the magazines from Forts George and Edward, and everywhere destroying the roads, and preparing to drive and burn the country towards Albany." 13
On the 15th of July, during the interim of Burgoyne's slow and toilsome progress from Skenesborough to Fort Edward, the records of the provincial congress show that Col. John Ashley was in command of a military station at the five mile run in the town of Queensbury.
His force was sufficient to enable him to detach forty men as an escort for wagons to Fort George, and another party of half that number as a scout to South bay.
About the same time a large fortified encampment was established on the height of ground across the Hudson at South Glen's Falls.
Fort George was destroyed July the 16th. 14
On, or about the same date, General Nixon with his brigade, supported by about six hundred militia, was sent to Fort Anne to fell trees into Wood creek, and obstruct the roadway in the same manner so as to delay the advance of the enemy. 15
Previous to the advance of Burgoyne from Canada, it was well known to the committee of safety, that a regular system of communication had been established between the British leaders at the north and south.
To intercept these despatches became an object of such vital importance to the success of the campaign, that General Schuyler was privately instructed to make careful and diligent inquiry, for some active, shrewd, intelligent, and courageous person both competent, self reliant, and above all, of thoroughly assured fidelity to the cause, who would take upon himself the delicate, difficult, and dangerous task of acting the part of a double spy.
While casting about for a suitable person to discharge this important trust, he fell in company with an active, ardent whig by the name of Fish, who resided in what is now the town of Easton, Washington county, N.Y., who recommended to him Moses Harris 16 of Dutchess county, a young man of education, resources, self dependence, and great personal courage, as a most suitable person for the position.
13 Lossing's Life of Schuyler, vol. II, p. 231.
14 Letter from Gouverneur Morris, quoted in the journal of the provincial congress.
15 Letter from Schuyler to Washington, Washington Correspondence, vol. I, p. 399.
16 The name of Moses Harris jr. appears attached to the articles of association for Amenia precinct, Dutchess county, New York June and July, 1775. — Rev. Papers, vol. 1, p. 75. The name of Moses Harris, and most probably the father of the person herein mentioned, is spoken of in connection with the development and working of a lead mine in Dutchess county, August 17th, 1776. — Idem., vol. II, p. 101. Moses Harris jr., whose name frequently appears in the town records of Queensbury after the close of the revolutionary war, was a surveyor by profession, and a large percentage of the early road surveys of the town were made by him. A monument to his memory (erected by his grandson, the late John J. Harris) stands in the rural burial ground attached to the Episcopal church at Harrisena on which are engraved the following inscriptions:
West Side. MOSES HARRIS. Died Nov, 13, 1838. Aged 89 years, 11 Mo's and 24 Days.
North Side. In June, 1787, I moved with two of my brothers, William and Joseph Harris, on to the John Lawrence Patten, as you may see by the records in the Living's office of the county at that age in 1786. But now I am done with this world and race, and none but God shall say, where shall be my abiding place.
South Side. He was a man that was true to his friends and his country. He was the man that carried the package for Gen. Schuyler and from Gen. Schuyler to Gen. Washington. It went, and without doubt was the instrument that put Gen. Burgoyne's journey to an end. He it was that bought the Patten granted to John Lawrence and others when wild; and settled the same, being two thousand acres, to the benefit of his children and grandchildren. For which I think I ought to do something to his memory, — J.J. II Grandson.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
Burgoyne corroborates this in a letter to Lord George Germaine, in the following words.
"The enemy are laboring to remove the magazines from Forts George and Edward, and everywhere destroying the roads, and preparing to drive and burn the country towards Albany." 13
On the 15th of July, during the interim of Burgoyne's slow and toilsome progress from Skenesborough to Fort Edward, the records of the provincial congress show that Col. John Ashley was in command of a military station at the five mile run in the town of Queensbury.
His force was sufficient to enable him to detach forty men as an escort for wagons to Fort George, and another party of half that number as a scout to South bay.
About the same time a large fortified encampment was established on the height of ground across the Hudson at South Glen's Falls.
Fort George was destroyed July the 16th. 14
On, or about the same date, General Nixon with his brigade, supported by about six hundred militia, was sent to Fort Anne to fell trees into Wood creek, and obstruct the roadway in the same manner so as to delay the advance of the enemy. 15
Previous to the advance of Burgoyne from Canada, it was well known to the committee of safety, that a regular system of communication had been established between the British leaders at the north and south.
To intercept these despatches became an object of such vital importance to the success of the campaign, that General Schuyler was privately instructed to make careful and diligent inquiry, for some active, shrewd, intelligent, and courageous person both competent, self reliant, and above all, of thoroughly assured fidelity to the cause, who would take upon himself the delicate, difficult, and dangerous task of acting the part of a double spy.
While casting about for a suitable person to discharge this important trust, he fell in company with an active, ardent whig by the name of Fish, who resided in what is now the town of Easton, Washington county, N.Y., who recommended to him Moses Harris 16 of Dutchess county, a young man of education, resources, self dependence, and great personal courage, as a most suitable person for the position.
13 Lossing's Life of Schuyler, vol. II, p. 231.
14 Letter from Gouverneur Morris, quoted in the journal of the provincial congress.
15 Letter from Schuyler to Washington, Washington Correspondence, vol. I, p. 399.
16 The name of Moses Harris jr. appears attached to the articles of association for Amenia precinct, Dutchess county, New York June and July, 1775. — Rev. Papers, vol. 1, p. 75. The name of Moses Harris, and most probably the father of the person herein mentioned, is spoken of in connection with the development and working of a lead mine in Dutchess county, August 17th, 1776. — Idem., vol. II, p. 101. Moses Harris jr., whose name frequently appears in the town records of Queensbury after the close of the revolutionary war, was a surveyor by profession, and a large percentage of the early road surveys of the town were made by him. A monument to his memory (erected by his grandson, the late John J. Harris) stands in the rural burial ground attached to the Episcopal church at Harrisena on which are engraved the following inscriptions:
West Side. MOSES HARRIS. Died Nov, 13, 1838. Aged 89 years, 11 Mo's and 24 Days.
North Side. In June, 1787, I moved with two of my brothers, William and Joseph Harris, on to the John Lawrence Patten, as you may see by the records in the Living's office of the county at that age in 1786. But now I am done with this world and race, and none but God shall say, where shall be my abiding place.
South Side. He was a man that was true to his friends and his country. He was the man that carried the package for Gen. Schuyler and from Gen. Schuyler to Gen. Washington. It went, and without doubt was the instrument that put Gen. Burgoyne's journey to an end. He it was that bought the Patten granted to John Lawrence and others when wild; and settled the same, being two thousand acres, to the benefit of his children and grandchildren. For which I think I ought to do something to his memory, — J.J. II Grandson.
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Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
Harris was sent for, and had an interview with General Schuyler at Albany, and after considerable solicitation, he finally consented to undertake the arduous, and dangerous duty.
A suitable outfit was provided for him, and having received his instructions, he entered upon the accomplishment of his task.
One of the earliest settlers on the Bradshaw patent, was Gilbert, familiarly and traditionally called Gil. Harris.
He was the owner of the well known Colvin, or thousand apple tree farm, which originally embraced one square mile of the rich and fertile farm land in the north part of the town of Kingsbury.
He was a bitter, uncompromising royalist, and, although he was careful not to commit himself publicly by any overt action, he was one of the most efficient and energetic of the secret agents employed by the British authorities for obtaining, and transmitting intelligence through the American lines to the officers commanding the royal armies both north and south.
He had been a militia man at the capture of Port Royal, and consequently familiar with soldier life and discipline.
This man was Moses Harris's uncle.
Before the war they had been on quite friendly terms; had hunted and fished together at Lake George, and prospected in its neighborhood for the location of bounty lands, and soldiers' claims.
To him Moses proceeded, and securing his confidence, gave him to understand that he had changed his views, that he was tired of the troubled and disturbed state of the country; and dissatisfied with the course pursued by the whigs, and, believing that the rebellion would be crushed out sooner or later, he had about come to the conclusion to join the British array, unless some more congenial employment was offered. 17
At this stage of affairs the notorious Joseph Betteys seems to have been consulted, and to have completed the negotiations and arrangements by which Harris was to act as a courier in conveying despatches between this point and Albany.
He was conducted to a tory rendezvous on the Half-way brook in the vicinity of the settlement now known as Tripoli, where in an underground apartment, amply furnished with arms, ammunition and provisions, he was sworn to secrecy and fidelity, and the despatches here concealed, were delivered to him for transmission to one William Shepherd, a tory who occupied by arrangement an old tenement on the Patroon's creek, near the old Colonie in Albany, and who in turn, was to forward them to their destination for the British authorities down the river.
17 The main portions of this narrative were communicated to the author on the 11th of August, 1850, by Moses Harris, a son of the spy, who then stated his own age to be seventy-five years. It has been largely supplemented by information derived from Judge Hay who years before had reduced to writing the local traditions and legends of this vicinity, and whose memory was usually good authority upon questions relating to American history.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
Harris was sent for, and had an interview with General Schuyler at Albany, and after considerable solicitation, he finally consented to undertake the arduous, and dangerous duty.
A suitable outfit was provided for him, and having received his instructions, he entered upon the accomplishment of his task.
One of the earliest settlers on the Bradshaw patent, was Gilbert, familiarly and traditionally called Gil. Harris.
He was the owner of the well known Colvin, or thousand apple tree farm, which originally embraced one square mile of the rich and fertile farm land in the north part of the town of Kingsbury.
He was a bitter, uncompromising royalist, and, although he was careful not to commit himself publicly by any overt action, he was one of the most efficient and energetic of the secret agents employed by the British authorities for obtaining, and transmitting intelligence through the American lines to the officers commanding the royal armies both north and south.
He had been a militia man at the capture of Port Royal, and consequently familiar with soldier life and discipline.
This man was Moses Harris's uncle.
Before the war they had been on quite friendly terms; had hunted and fished together at Lake George, and prospected in its neighborhood for the location of bounty lands, and soldiers' claims.
To him Moses proceeded, and securing his confidence, gave him to understand that he had changed his views, that he was tired of the troubled and disturbed state of the country; and dissatisfied with the course pursued by the whigs, and, believing that the rebellion would be crushed out sooner or later, he had about come to the conclusion to join the British array, unless some more congenial employment was offered. 17
At this stage of affairs the notorious Joseph Betteys seems to have been consulted, and to have completed the negotiations and arrangements by which Harris was to act as a courier in conveying despatches between this point and Albany.
He was conducted to a tory rendezvous on the Half-way brook in the vicinity of the settlement now known as Tripoli, where in an underground apartment, amply furnished with arms, ammunition and provisions, he was sworn to secrecy and fidelity, and the despatches here concealed, were delivered to him for transmission to one William Shepherd, a tory who occupied by arrangement an old tenement on the Patroon's creek, near the old Colonie in Albany, and who in turn, was to forward them to their destination for the British authorities down the river.
17 The main portions of this narrative were communicated to the author on the 11th of August, 1850, by Moses Harris, a son of the spy, who then stated his own age to be seventy-five years. It has been largely supplemented by information derived from Judge Hay who years before had reduced to writing the local traditions and legends of this vicinity, and whose memory was usually good authority upon questions relating to American history.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
The route pursued by Harris, took him at night to the house of Fish in Easton, who lived about two miles from the river.
Here the papers were transferred to Fish, hastened with them to Albany, where they were submitted to General Schuyler when present, and to his private secretary when absent, by whom they were carefully opened, examined, transcribed, sealed up and returned to Harris, who then resumed his journey, and deposited the papers in Shepherd's hands, receiving at the same time his return message when there was one.
Harris, in the meantime by his uncle's advice, stopped for refreshments at a tavern in the city, where he was on the best of terms with the partisans of freedom.
This system was followed up for several weeks, when the British leaders finding their plans discovered and thwarted, suspicion fell upon Harris, and he was arrested at his uncle's house, taken to another of the secret rendezvous of the royalists, on an island in the big swamp east of Sandy Hill, where he was charged with his treachery and his life threatened; but his cool self possession never for a moment forsook him, and he succeeded in persuading them that they had done him great injustice, after which he resumed his duties.
On another occasion, by previous arrangement and understanding with General Schuyler for the purpose of averting suspicion, he was arrested and thrown into jail in Albany, where he remained for several days, whence by collusion with the keeper who had his private instructions, he was permitted to escape, and went to Canada, where he was handsomely rewarded, and made much of by the authorities, and renegade tories.
On this occasion he communicated false and deceptive intelligence, agreed upon in Albany, and which was near bringing him into trouble.
On his return from St. Johns, he was again entrusted with despatches, which in consequence of the sickness of Fish, he was obliged to take to Schuyler in person, and thence by his orders to Gen. Washington.
Whether he was dogged by spies or by reason of previous suspicions, Shepherd attempted to poison him for his defection; and Jo. Betteys having entrapped him he was obliged to flee for his life.
He at this time took refuge with one Dirk, or Diedrich Swart, a whig living at Stillwater, a friend of General Schuyler, who had requested him to afford Harris aid and protection in case of trouble.
To complicate his dangers at this time, Swart informed him that one Jacob Bensen, a whig, had threatened to "put a ball thorough the cussed tory" under the supposition that he was a loyalist, and that he was lying in wait for him, for that purpose in the adjacent woods.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
The route pursued by Harris, took him at night to the house of Fish in Easton, who lived about two miles from the river.
Here the papers were transferred to Fish, hastened with them to Albany, where they were submitted to General Schuyler when present, and to his private secretary when absent, by whom they were carefully opened, examined, transcribed, sealed up and returned to Harris, who then resumed his journey, and deposited the papers in Shepherd's hands, receiving at the same time his return message when there was one.
Harris, in the meantime by his uncle's advice, stopped for refreshments at a tavern in the city, where he was on the best of terms with the partisans of freedom.
This system was followed up for several weeks, when the British leaders finding their plans discovered and thwarted, suspicion fell upon Harris, and he was arrested at his uncle's house, taken to another of the secret rendezvous of the royalists, on an island in the big swamp east of Sandy Hill, where he was charged with his treachery and his life threatened; but his cool self possession never for a moment forsook him, and he succeeded in persuading them that they had done him great injustice, after which he resumed his duties.
On another occasion, by previous arrangement and understanding with General Schuyler for the purpose of averting suspicion, he was arrested and thrown into jail in Albany, where he remained for several days, whence by collusion with the keeper who had his private instructions, he was permitted to escape, and went to Canada, where he was handsomely rewarded, and made much of by the authorities, and renegade tories.
On this occasion he communicated false and deceptive intelligence, agreed upon in Albany, and which was near bringing him into trouble.
On his return from St. Johns, he was again entrusted with despatches, which in consequence of the sickness of Fish, he was obliged to take to Schuyler in person, and thence by his orders to Gen. Washington.
Whether he was dogged by spies or by reason of previous suspicions, Shepherd attempted to poison him for his defection; and Jo. Betteys having entrapped him he was obliged to flee for his life.
He at this time took refuge with one Dirk, or Diedrich Swart, a whig living at Stillwater, a friend of General Schuyler, who had requested him to afford Harris aid and protection in case of trouble.
To complicate his dangers at this time, Swart informed him that one Jacob Bensen, a whig, had threatened to "put a ball thorough the cussed tory" under the supposition that he was a loyalist, and that he was lying in wait for him, for that purpose in the adjacent woods.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
Another danger almost as formidable arose from competition among the tories for the position of spy and messenger, and the enhanced pay that went with it, together with the consequence and consideration that the position gave.
Among the rivals floated to the surface by the turbid current, were two loyalists named Caleb Closson and Andrew Rakely living in Kingsbury, and David Higginbottom, who had been a sergeant in the 31st British regiment.
On his last excursion, he was weakened by a wound he had received in one of his adventures, and exhausted by the pain and fatigue, he was forced to halt at brief intervals, stopping first with one Humighaus, a tory living on the south line of Fort Ann, and next at the house of Peter Freel at Fort Edward.
From here he proceeded toward Fort Miller, but on the way was pursued by a scouting party of whigs, and compelled to seek safety in flight across the river, and shelter in the house of Noah Payn, a whig who resided opposite to the block house at Fort Miller.
His danger was so imminent that he was obliged to make known to the latter his relations to General Schuyler and the American army.
His secret was faithfully kept, and Payn afforded him the needed protection, and rest, and assisted him on the way to Easton, giving him at the same time a letter of recommendation to Gen. Putnam a former townsman, neighbor, and friend of Payne. 18
After the battle of Stillwater, and Burgoyne's surrender, Harris received (so runs the family tradition) a purse of one hundred guineas from General Schuyler for services, and after the close of the war a pension of ninety-six dollars per annum was awarded him by the government.
After the war he returned to his favorite hunting haunts in the vicinity of Lake George, where he purchased a tract of two thousand acres of land 19 to which, and the adjacent territory, the name of Harrisena was given, where the remainder of his life was passed amidst the tranquility of peaceful scenes, and where many of his descendants still reside.
18 Alexander Bryant, who subsequently settled at Saratoga Springs, was substituted as a confidential spy for Burgoyne's camp after the advance of the invading army to Fort Edward, where, as a pretended loyalist, he obtained valuable information, which was communicated to the officers of the American army by signals. Judge Hay, in a communication to the author, states in some of his manuscripts that he had seen a certificate which was given to Moses Harris by General Schuyler, setting forth his faithful and important services and honorable discharge. That Schuyler liberally rewarded him, and referred him to congress for further compensation; and further tendered him a letter of recommendation to General Washington for a position in the southern army. This, however, was declined, Harris asserting that all the tories this side of ___________, should not drive him an inch. He was very near being made a prisoner with other residents of Queensbury at the time of the northern invasion in 1780.
19 Mr. Benjamin Harris states that there were 21 corners to this lot, that he bought of Lawrence, Boel and Tuttle, who had a king's patent which was surveyed by him in 1775. The three brothers Moses, Joseph and William came to settle on this tract in 1786. In the Calendar of N.Y. Land Papers there is record of 16 certificates of location for about 5000 acres of land in small parcels — adjoining the other main tract: all in favor of Moses Harris jr., occurring from 1786 to 1789. In the same authority p. 506, there is a return of survey Oct. 13, 1770, for two tracts of land of 3000 acres each within the bounds of the Robert Harpur patent surrendered to the crown, lying partly in Queensbury and partly in Fort Anne, to John Lawrence, Henry Boel and Stephen Tuttle.
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HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
Another danger almost as formidable arose from competition among the tories for the position of spy and messenger, and the enhanced pay that went with it, together with the consequence and consideration that the position gave.
Among the rivals floated to the surface by the turbid current, were two loyalists named Caleb Closson and Andrew Rakely living in Kingsbury, and David Higginbottom, who had been a sergeant in the 31st British regiment.
On his last excursion, he was weakened by a wound he had received in one of his adventures, and exhausted by the pain and fatigue, he was forced to halt at brief intervals, stopping first with one Humighaus, a tory living on the south line of Fort Ann, and next at the house of Peter Freel at Fort Edward.
From here he proceeded toward Fort Miller, but on the way was pursued by a scouting party of whigs, and compelled to seek safety in flight across the river, and shelter in the house of Noah Payn, a whig who resided opposite to the block house at Fort Miller.
His danger was so imminent that he was obliged to make known to the latter his relations to General Schuyler and the American army.
His secret was faithfully kept, and Payn afforded him the needed protection, and rest, and assisted him on the way to Easton, giving him at the same time a letter of recommendation to Gen. Putnam a former townsman, neighbor, and friend of Payne. 18
After the battle of Stillwater, and Burgoyne's surrender, Harris received (so runs the family tradition) a purse of one hundred guineas from General Schuyler for services, and after the close of the war a pension of ninety-six dollars per annum was awarded him by the government.
After the war he returned to his favorite hunting haunts in the vicinity of Lake George, where he purchased a tract of two thousand acres of land 19 to which, and the adjacent territory, the name of Harrisena was given, where the remainder of his life was passed amidst the tranquility of peaceful scenes, and where many of his descendants still reside.
18 Alexander Bryant, who subsequently settled at Saratoga Springs, was substituted as a confidential spy for Burgoyne's camp after the advance of the invading army to Fort Edward, where, as a pretended loyalist, he obtained valuable information, which was communicated to the officers of the American army by signals. Judge Hay, in a communication to the author, states in some of his manuscripts that he had seen a certificate which was given to Moses Harris by General Schuyler, setting forth his faithful and important services and honorable discharge. That Schuyler liberally rewarded him, and referred him to congress for further compensation; and further tendered him a letter of recommendation to General Washington for a position in the southern army. This, however, was declined, Harris asserting that all the tories this side of ___________, should not drive him an inch. He was very near being made a prisoner with other residents of Queensbury at the time of the northern invasion in 1780.
19 Mr. Benjamin Harris states that there were 21 corners to this lot, that he bought of Lawrence, Boel and Tuttle, who had a king's patent which was surveyed by him in 1775. The three brothers Moses, Joseph and William came to settle on this tract in 1786. In the Calendar of N.Y. Land Papers there is record of 16 certificates of location for about 5000 acres of land in small parcels — adjoining the other main tract: all in favor of Moses Harris jr., occurring from 1786 to 1789. In the same authority p. 506, there is a return of survey Oct. 13, 1770, for two tracts of land of 3000 acres each within the bounds of the Robert Harpur patent surrendered to the crown, lying partly in Queensbury and partly in Fort Anne, to John Lawrence, Henry Boel and Stephen Tuttle.
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PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
In a communication from Gouverneur Morris 20 at Saratoga dated July 17th to the council of safety, he says, "I left Fort Edward with General Schuyler at noon, and shall return thither some time to-morrow morning."
"Fort George was destroyed yesterday afternoon, previous to which, the provisions, stores, batteaux, &c., were removed, and this morning at ten o'clock the last of them passed us about three miles to the northward of Fort Edward, 21 at which place all the troops from the lake have arrived, and these, together with some others, form an advanced post towards Fort George; 22 about twelve hundred, perhaps more are somewhat further advanced upon the road to Fort Anne."
"The enemy have not yet made any motion that we know of, nor indeed can they make any of consequence until they shall have procured carriages, and then they may find it rather difficult to come this way, if proper care be taken to prevent them from procuring forage."
"For this purpose I shall give it as my opinion to the general, whenever he asks it, to break up all the settlements upon our northern frontier, to drive off the cattle, secure or destroy the forage, etc.; and also to destroy the saw mills."
20 Journal of the New York Provincial Congress, vol. II, p. 508. A letter from Matt Visscher at Albany, quoted on the same page dated on the 17th, stated that the stores from Fort George all are safely brought to Fort Edward, and that Major Yates with about 700 still possesses the former.
21 On the 26th of July Gen. Schuyler writes to General Washington as follows: "I find by letters from below, that an idea prevails that Fort Edward is a strong and regular fortification. It was once a regular fortification, but there is nothing but the ruins of it left, and they are so utterly defenceless that I have frequently galloped my horse in on one side and out at the other. But when it was in the best condition possible, with the best troops to garrison it, and provided with every necessary, it would not have stood two days' siege after proper batteries had been opened. It is situated in a bottom on the banks of the river, and surrounded with hills from which the parade may be seen within point blank shot. I doubt not that it will be said that Fort Miller, Fort Saratoga, and Stillwater are considerable fortifications, of neither of which is there a trace left although they still retain their names." — Lossing's Schuyler, vol. II, pp. 248-9.
22 Gen. Washington having stated in a letter to Gen. Schuyler as follows: "They say, that a spirited, brave, judicious officer with two or three hundred good men, together with the armed vessels you have built, would retard General Burgoyne's passage across the lake for a considerable time." General Schuyler replies June 18th as follows: "The fort was part of an unfinished bastion of an intended fortification. The bastion was closed at the gorge. In it was a barrack capable of containing between thirty and fifty men; without ditch, without wall, without cistern; without any picket to prevent an enemy from running over the wall; so small as not to contain over one hundred and fifty men; commanded by ground greatly overlooking it, and within point blank shot; and so situated that five hundred men may lie between the bastion and the lake from this extremely defensible fortress. Of the vessels built there, one was afloat and tolerably fitted, the other still upon the stocks; but, if the two had been upon the water, they would have been of little use without rigging or guns." — Sparks's Life and Writings of Washington, vol. IV, p. 494.
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A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
In a communication from Gouverneur Morris 20 at Saratoga dated July 17th to the council of safety, he says, "I left Fort Edward with General Schuyler at noon, and shall return thither some time to-morrow morning."
"Fort George was destroyed yesterday afternoon, previous to which, the provisions, stores, batteaux, &c., were removed, and this morning at ten o'clock the last of them passed us about three miles to the northward of Fort Edward, 21 at which place all the troops from the lake have arrived, and these, together with some others, form an advanced post towards Fort George; 22 about twelve hundred, perhaps more are somewhat further advanced upon the road to Fort Anne."
"The enemy have not yet made any motion that we know of, nor indeed can they make any of consequence until they shall have procured carriages, and then they may find it rather difficult to come this way, if proper care be taken to prevent them from procuring forage."
"For this purpose I shall give it as my opinion to the general, whenever he asks it, to break up all the settlements upon our northern frontier, to drive off the cattle, secure or destroy the forage, etc.; and also to destroy the saw mills."
20 Journal of the New York Provincial Congress, vol. II, p. 508. A letter from Matt Visscher at Albany, quoted on the same page dated on the 17th, stated that the stores from Fort George all are safely brought to Fort Edward, and that Major Yates with about 700 still possesses the former.
21 On the 26th of July Gen. Schuyler writes to General Washington as follows: "I find by letters from below, that an idea prevails that Fort Edward is a strong and regular fortification. It was once a regular fortification, but there is nothing but the ruins of it left, and they are so utterly defenceless that I have frequently galloped my horse in on one side and out at the other. But when it was in the best condition possible, with the best troops to garrison it, and provided with every necessary, it would not have stood two days' siege after proper batteries had been opened. It is situated in a bottom on the banks of the river, and surrounded with hills from which the parade may be seen within point blank shot. I doubt not that it will be said that Fort Miller, Fort Saratoga, and Stillwater are considerable fortifications, of neither of which is there a trace left although they still retain their names." — Lossing's Schuyler, vol. II, pp. 248-9.
22 Gen. Washington having stated in a letter to Gen. Schuyler as follows: "They say, that a spirited, brave, judicious officer with two or three hundred good men, together with the armed vessels you have built, would retard General Burgoyne's passage across the lake for a considerable time." General Schuyler replies June 18th as follows: "The fort was part of an unfinished bastion of an intended fortification. The bastion was closed at the gorge. In it was a barrack capable of containing between thirty and fifty men; without ditch, without wall, without cistern; without any picket to prevent an enemy from running over the wall; so small as not to contain over one hundred and fifty men; commanded by ground greatly overlooking it, and within point blank shot; and so situated that five hundred men may lie between the bastion and the lake from this extremely defensible fortress. Of the vessels built there, one was afloat and tolerably fitted, the other still upon the stocks; but, if the two had been upon the water, they would have been of little use without rigging or guns." — Sparks's Life and Writings of Washington, vol. IV, p. 494.
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PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
"These measures, harsh as they may seem, are, I am confident, absolutely necessary."
"They ought undoubtedly to be taken with prudence, and temperately carried into execution."
"But I will venture to say, that if we lay it down as a maxim never to contend for ground but in the last necessity, to leave nothing but a wilderness to the enemy, their progress must be impeded by obstacles which it is not in human nature to surmount; and then, unless we have, with our usual good nature, built posts for their defence, they must at the approach of winter retire to the place from whence they at first set out."
"The militia from the eastward come in by degrees, and I expect we shall soon be in force to carry on the petite guerre to advantage, provided, always, Burgoyne attempts to annoy us, for it is pretty clear that we cannot get at him."
At the near approach of the enemy, the women and children had been collected under escort, and sent forward within the American lines to places of quiet and security for protection.
Most of the residents of Queensbury, who desired to avail themselves of the privilege, took refuge in Dutchess county.
Some few remained behind, depending for safety upon their principles of non-resistance and their faith and reliance in God's protection.
The scene of this general flitting, expedited by the frequent appearance of small bands of armed savages, is thus graphically portrayed by another. 23
"The roads were filled with fugitives; men leading little children by the hand, women pressing their infant offspring to their bosoms, hurrying forward in utmost consternation, from the scene of danger."
"Occasionally passed a cavalcade, two and even three mounted on a single steed, panting under its heavy load; sometimes carrying a mother and her child, while the father ran breathless by the horse's side."
"Then came a procession of carts drawn by oxen, laden with furniture hastily collected; and here and there, mingling with the crowd of vehicles, was seen many a sturdy husbandman followed by his household and driving his domestic animals before him."
23 Wilson's Life of Jane McCrea, p. 80.
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PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
"These measures, harsh as they may seem, are, I am confident, absolutely necessary."
"They ought undoubtedly to be taken with prudence, and temperately carried into execution."
"But I will venture to say, that if we lay it down as a maxim never to contend for ground but in the last necessity, to leave nothing but a wilderness to the enemy, their progress must be impeded by obstacles which it is not in human nature to surmount; and then, unless we have, with our usual good nature, built posts for their defence, they must at the approach of winter retire to the place from whence they at first set out."
"The militia from the eastward come in by degrees, and I expect we shall soon be in force to carry on the petite guerre to advantage, provided, always, Burgoyne attempts to annoy us, for it is pretty clear that we cannot get at him."
At the near approach of the enemy, the women and children had been collected under escort, and sent forward within the American lines to places of quiet and security for protection.
Most of the residents of Queensbury, who desired to avail themselves of the privilege, took refuge in Dutchess county.
Some few remained behind, depending for safety upon their principles of non-resistance and their faith and reliance in God's protection.
The scene of this general flitting, expedited by the frequent appearance of small bands of armed savages, is thus graphically portrayed by another. 23
"The roads were filled with fugitives; men leading little children by the hand, women pressing their infant offspring to their bosoms, hurrying forward in utmost consternation, from the scene of danger."
"Occasionally passed a cavalcade, two and even three mounted on a single steed, panting under its heavy load; sometimes carrying a mother and her child, while the father ran breathless by the horse's side."
"Then came a procession of carts drawn by oxen, laden with furniture hastily collected; and here and there, mingling with the crowd of vehicles, was seen many a sturdy husbandman followed by his household and driving his domestic animals before him."
23 Wilson's Life of Jane McCrea, p. 80.
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A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
After the engagement at, and the evacuation of Fort Anne, an interval of nearly three weeks elapsed before Burgoyne commenced making his advance to Fort Edward.
This delay 24 was fatal to his success.
It gave the Americans time to rally from the stupefying blow of defeat.
Washington issued his proclamation to the militia of western Massachusetts and Connecticut for help.
It was read from pulpits and market places of New England, and thousands responded to the call.
Various reasons have been assigned for this neglect on the part of Burgoyne to improve his first brilliant successes.
The following is given by an English writer, 25 who strives to make all the events of the campaign enure to the credit of the British arms.
"It may not be improper to relate here one of those stratagems in which the genius of the Americans, during the whole course of the war, was remarkably fertile."
"Schuyler took out of a canteen with a false bottom, a letter from a person in the interest of the provincials to General Sullivan, and prepared an answer to it, drawn up in such a strain as to perplex and distract Burgoyne, and leave him in doubt what course
to follow."
"This letter, which fell, as was intended into the English general's hand, had the desired effect, for he was completely duped and puzzled by it for several days, and at a loss whether to advance or retreat."
24 Although this interval, as has been stated in the text, was actively improved by the Americans in placining obstructions in the streams and roadways, it appears by the testimony given by Earl Balcarras on the court martial which investigated this affair, that the British army was about six or seven days in making the road from Skenesborough to Fort Anne; that the advance of the army was not delayed an hour on account of the roads; that the rebels had made a very good road from Fort Anne to Fort Edward the year before; and, that the few obstructions placed on the route were removed by the provincials of the British army in a few hours. Burgoyne's despatches show that his head quarters were at Skenesborough during this interval; and there are traditions related of high revel and debauch, which rendered him unfit for his position. and the proper discharge of his duties. — See State of the Expedition, Appendix XLII.
25 Stedman's American War, vol. I, p. 326.
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A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
After the engagement at, and the evacuation of Fort Anne, an interval of nearly three weeks elapsed before Burgoyne commenced making his advance to Fort Edward.
This delay 24 was fatal to his success.
It gave the Americans time to rally from the stupefying blow of defeat.
Washington issued his proclamation to the militia of western Massachusetts and Connecticut for help.
It was read from pulpits and market places of New England, and thousands responded to the call.
Various reasons have been assigned for this neglect on the part of Burgoyne to improve his first brilliant successes.
The following is given by an English writer, 25 who strives to make all the events of the campaign enure to the credit of the British arms.
"It may not be improper to relate here one of those stratagems in which the genius of the Americans, during the whole course of the war, was remarkably fertile."
"Schuyler took out of a canteen with a false bottom, a letter from a person in the interest of the provincials to General Sullivan, and prepared an answer to it, drawn up in such a strain as to perplex and distract Burgoyne, and leave him in doubt what course
to follow."
"This letter, which fell, as was intended into the English general's hand, had the desired effect, for he was completely duped and puzzled by it for several days, and at a loss whether to advance or retreat."
24 Although this interval, as has been stated in the text, was actively improved by the Americans in placining obstructions in the streams and roadways, it appears by the testimony given by Earl Balcarras on the court martial which investigated this affair, that the British army was about six or seven days in making the road from Skenesborough to Fort Anne; that the advance of the army was not delayed an hour on account of the roads; that the rebels had made a very good road from Fort Anne to Fort Edward the year before; and, that the few obstructions placed on the route were removed by the provincials of the British army in a few hours. Burgoyne's despatches show that his head quarters were at Skenesborough during this interval; and there are traditions related of high revel and debauch, which rendered him unfit for his position. and the proper discharge of his duties. — See State of the Expedition, Appendix XLII.
25 Stedman's American War, vol. I, p. 326.
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PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
At length this unnatural quiet was broken.
Burgoyne, who, on the 21st, had gone forward in person on a reconnoitering expedition in the direction of Fort Edward, having received intelligence of the arrival of his long expected supplies from England, finally ordered a forward movement.
The right wing under Fraser advanced on the 22d, and went into camp near Gordon's house at Kingsbury street.
On the 26th Riedesel sent back from Skenesborough to Ticonderoga the bateaux loaded with the sick and disabled, the superfluous baggage and stores, the former of which were to be consigned to hospital at the fort; the latter with the boats to be transported across the portage, and shipped to the head of Lake George.
To expedite the march, boats were sent forward with necessary baggage by the way of Wood creek to Fort Anne.
On the morning of the same day, the outposts of the American array stationed at Moss street, three miles north of Sandy Hill, were driven in, and a sharp skirmish ensued at that place, with an advanced party of British, provincials and Indians, in which several of the Americans were killed and wounded.
The survivors, with the remaining outposts and picket guard, retreated to Fort Edward, to seek such shelter as its crumbled embankments could afford.
At noon the family of John Allen 26 of Argyle (a loyalist), consisting of himself, his wife and her sister, three children, and three negroes, slaves owned by his father-in-law Gilmore, nine persons in all, were butchered while at dinner by a party of savages under the command of Le Loup, a Wyandot chief, who headed a force of Burgoyne's dusky allies. 27
On the same day, and in the same neighborhood, a family by the name of Barnes was massacred. 28
Also the same day and by the same hands John White was murdered on their route from Allen's house to Fort Edward. 29
The following morning occurred the famous Jane McCrea tragedy, in which by the same ruthless, bloodthirsty hand, that hapless maiden was killed, and Lieut. Van Vechten and several soldiers stationed on Fort Edward hill as an advanced picket post were shot.
The scalps of all were taken. 30
The bodies of the two former were stripped of their clothing, and rolled part way down a hill descending to a ravine toward the river.
Here the bodies were found the following morning by a file of soldiers sent out in search.
26 "The massacre at Allen's was caused by his endeavor to prevent the savages from appropriating to their own use the food that had been prepared for his family's dinner. Such murders were not confined to copper colored savages, for about that time, at Fort Miller, Israel Fuller was slain by John Newell, who was [in turn] killed, as well as Capt. Sherwood, and many more like them [being a part of the detachment of Col. Baum] at Walloomschaick."— Judge Hay's Narrative.
27 Before the campaign was over Burgoyne said he "would have given all his Indians, provincials, and volunteers, for fifty British troops." — Lossing's Life of Schuyler, vol. II, p. 384.
28 Wilson's Life of Jane McCrea, p. 106.
29 Manuscript of Judge Hay
30 William Griffling, a tory, who lived a short distance east of the Baker and Hoffnagle place on Sandy Hill, kept a tavern which was quite a place of resort for the tories during the war. Here the exultant party of Indians brought and exhibited the reeking scalp of Jane McCrea. — Relation of Miss Keziah Baker.
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A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XII., continued ...
At length this unnatural quiet was broken.
Burgoyne, who, on the 21st, had gone forward in person on a reconnoitering expedition in the direction of Fort Edward, having received intelligence of the arrival of his long expected supplies from England, finally ordered a forward movement.
The right wing under Fraser advanced on the 22d, and went into camp near Gordon's house at Kingsbury street.
On the 26th Riedesel sent back from Skenesborough to Ticonderoga the bateaux loaded with the sick and disabled, the superfluous baggage and stores, the former of which were to be consigned to hospital at the fort; the latter with the boats to be transported across the portage, and shipped to the head of Lake George.
To expedite the march, boats were sent forward with necessary baggage by the way of Wood creek to Fort Anne.
On the morning of the same day, the outposts of the American array stationed at Moss street, three miles north of Sandy Hill, were driven in, and a sharp skirmish ensued at that place, with an advanced party of British, provincials and Indians, in which several of the Americans were killed and wounded.
The survivors, with the remaining outposts and picket guard, retreated to Fort Edward, to seek such shelter as its crumbled embankments could afford.
At noon the family of John Allen 26 of Argyle (a loyalist), consisting of himself, his wife and her sister, three children, and three negroes, slaves owned by his father-in-law Gilmore, nine persons in all, were butchered while at dinner by a party of savages under the command of Le Loup, a Wyandot chief, who headed a force of Burgoyne's dusky allies. 27
On the same day, and in the same neighborhood, a family by the name of Barnes was massacred. 28
Also the same day and by the same hands John White was murdered on their route from Allen's house to Fort Edward. 29
The following morning occurred the famous Jane McCrea tragedy, in which by the same ruthless, bloodthirsty hand, that hapless maiden was killed, and Lieut. Van Vechten and several soldiers stationed on Fort Edward hill as an advanced picket post were shot.
The scalps of all were taken. 30
The bodies of the two former were stripped of their clothing, and rolled part way down a hill descending to a ravine toward the river.
Here the bodies were found the following morning by a file of soldiers sent out in search.
26 "The massacre at Allen's was caused by his endeavor to prevent the savages from appropriating to their own use the food that had been prepared for his family's dinner. Such murders were not confined to copper colored savages, for about that time, at Fort Miller, Israel Fuller was slain by John Newell, who was [in turn] killed, as well as Capt. Sherwood, and many more like them [being a part of the detachment of Col. Baum] at Walloomschaick."— Judge Hay's Narrative.
27 Before the campaign was over Burgoyne said he "would have given all his Indians, provincials, and volunteers, for fifty British troops." — Lossing's Life of Schuyler, vol. II, p. 384.
28 Wilson's Life of Jane McCrea, p. 106.
29 Manuscript of Judge Hay
30 William Griffling, a tory, who lived a short distance east of the Baker and Hoffnagle place on Sandy Hill, kept a tavern which was quite a place of resort for the tories during the war. Here the exultant party of Indians brought and exhibited the reeking scalp of Jane McCrea. — Relation of Miss Keziah Baker.
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