Battles and Raids in the Province and State of New York, 1609-1814, continued ...
John C. Devendorf
67. Gen. Grey, with some light infantry and other troops, was sent, at night, to approach Tappan on the west, while a corps from Kuyphausen's division was to approach from the east, and thus, surround and capture not only the sleepers in Baylor's camp, but a body of militia, under Wayne, who were stationed near.
Some deserters from the enemy gave the militia timely warning; but Baylor's troops who lay unarmed in barns, were not appraised of the proximity of the enemy.
At midnight, Grey approached silently, cut off a sergeant's patrol of twelve men without noise, and completely surprised the troop of horse.
Unarmed, and in the power of the enemy, they asked for quarter, but this was inhumanly refused by Grey, who like Tryon, was a famous marauder during the war.
On this occasion he gave special orders not to grant any quarter.
Many of the soldiers were bayoneted in cold blood.
Out of one hundred and four persons, sixty-seven were killed or wounded.
Col. Baylor was wounded and made prisoner, and seventy homes were butchered. "A"
68. The next spring Indians from the Susquehanna raided the south side of the valley, and others from Canada assailed Stone Arabia on the north.
These were small affairs. 1779.
69. With the destruction of Cherry Valley all hostile movements ceased in Tryon county, and were not resumed until the following spring, when an expedition was sent against the Onondagas by Gen. Clinton.
In April he dispatched a portion of the regiments of Cols. Gansevoort and Van Schaick, under the latter officer, against the Onondagas.
The party consisted of 558 strong men.
Van Schaick was instructed to burn their castle and villages in the Onondaga Valley, destroy all their cattle and other effects, and take as many prisoners as possible.
He was further instructed to treat the women that might fall into his hands with all the respect due to chastity.
The expedition went down Wood Creek and Oneida Lake and thence up the Oswego River to the point on Onondaga Lake where Salina is now.
A thick fog concealed their movements and they had approached to within four or five miles of the valley before they were discovered.
As soon as the first village was attacked, the alarm spread to the others.
The people fled to the forests, leaving everything, even their arms behind them.
Three villages, consisting of about fifty houses, were destroyed, twelve Indians were killed, and thirty-three were made prisoners.
A large quantity of provisions, consisting chiefly of beans and corn, were consumed.
The council-house or castle, was not burned, but the swivel in it was spiked.
All the horses and cattle in the vicinity were slaughtered; and when the work of destruction was ended, the expedition returned to Fort Schuyler, after an absence of only six days, and without the loss of a man. "A"
70. Following the raid on the Onondaga village, three hundred braves were immediately sent upon the warpath, charged with the vengeance of the nation.
Guided by a Tory, they came down fiercely upon the settlement at Cobleskill, murdering, plundering, and burning.
The militia turned out to repulse them, but, being led into an ambuscade, a number of them were killed.
They fought desperately, and while the militia was thus contending, and beating back the savages, the people fled in safety to Schoharie.
Seven of the militia took post in a strong house, which the savages set fire to, and these brave young men all perished in the flames.
The whole settlement was then plundered and burned.
The patriots lost twenty-two killed and forty-two who were made prisoners. "A"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE POT BELLY STOVE ROOM
Re: THE POT BELLY STOVE ROOM
Battles and Raids in the Province and State of New York, 1609-1814, continued ...
John C. Devendorf
71. The Battle of Newton, was fought near present Elmira, Aug. 29, 1779.
72. After the Battle of Newtown the work of Sullivan's expedition was that of destruction.
The following places were destroyed on 31st. Aug., Middletown, having eight houses, three miles above Newtown; Kanawaholla, with 20 houses, near Elmira; Runonvea, with 30 or 40 houses near Big Flats.
Sheoquaga, or Catherine's Town, on the site of the village of Havana, was burned on Sept 1st, 40 houses all well built on Sept. 3rd. a place known as Peach Orchard on the lake shore about 12 miles from Catherine's Town.
The next day, Condawhaw, now North Hector, was burned.
The following day the troops destroyed Kendaia, or Appletown, a place a few miles north of Condawhaw, 20 houses.
On Sept. 7th, Kanedesaga, capitol of the Seneca Nation.
Site of present Geneva.
In 1756, Sir William Johnson, built a stockaded fort at this place.
Col. Harper went about 8 miles down the Seneca River and destroyed Skoi-aso, a place of 18 houses, on the site of Waterloo, Maj. Parr, went 7 miles up the west side of Seneca Lake and destroyed Shenanwaga, a town of 20 houses on Sept 10th he reached Kanandaigua a town of 23 "elegant houses" some of them framed.
The next day a march of 14 miles to Haneyaye, 20 houses at the foot of Honeoye Lake, village of Honeoye.
Kanaghsaws, also called Adjuton, was reached on the 13th., 18 houses near Conesus Lake and about a mile northwest of Conesus Center.
Gathtsegwarohare, a place of 25 houses mostly new, on the east side of Canaseroga Creek, about 2 miles above its junction with the Genesee.
It was surrounded by corn fields so extensive it took 2000 men six hours to destroy them.
Sept. 15th. arrived at Little Beards Town, or Great Genesee Castle, or Chenanidoanes, 128 houses "most of which were large and elegant" near Cuylersvffle in the town of Leicester.
After the destruction of this place, Sullivan began his homeward march.
Col. Butler was detached to pass along the east shore of Cayuga Lake, Sept. 21, he destroyed Choham, a small town at the foot of the lake.
The next day he burned Gewauga, now the village of Union Springs.
Sept. 22, he reached Cayuga Castle with 15 large, square loghouses on the east shore of the lake.
One mile south of the Castle was Upper Cayuga, 14 houses, and a mill.
To the northeast was East Cayuga, or Old Town, 13 houses.
Chonodote, 14 houses on the east shore, now Aurora, was destroyed on the 24th.
Here were great orchards, 1500 peach trees, and many apple trees.
On the 21st. Col. Dearborn, was detached to lay waste to the country on the west side of Lake Cayuga.
He burned six small towns.
One in Fayette, four miles from the lake; a second a mile north of Canoga Creek; a third on the south bank of Cayuga Creek, one half mile northeast of Canoga village; the fourth a mile south of the last place; the fifth in the northeast comer of the town of Romulus; and the sixth three miles from the head of the lake on Cayuga inlet.
Forty Indian villages had been burned, 200,000 bushels of corn destroyed, the stands of fruit trees cut or girdled, all gardens laid waste, and all horses and cattle and hogs killed. "R"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
John C. Devendorf
71. The Battle of Newton, was fought near present Elmira, Aug. 29, 1779.
72. After the Battle of Newtown the work of Sullivan's expedition was that of destruction.
The following places were destroyed on 31st. Aug., Middletown, having eight houses, three miles above Newtown; Kanawaholla, with 20 houses, near Elmira; Runonvea, with 30 or 40 houses near Big Flats.
Sheoquaga, or Catherine's Town, on the site of the village of Havana, was burned on Sept 1st, 40 houses all well built on Sept. 3rd. a place known as Peach Orchard on the lake shore about 12 miles from Catherine's Town.
The next day, Condawhaw, now North Hector, was burned.
The following day the troops destroyed Kendaia, or Appletown, a place a few miles north of Condawhaw, 20 houses.
On Sept. 7th, Kanedesaga, capitol of the Seneca Nation.
Site of present Geneva.
In 1756, Sir William Johnson, built a stockaded fort at this place.
Col. Harper went about 8 miles down the Seneca River and destroyed Skoi-aso, a place of 18 houses, on the site of Waterloo, Maj. Parr, went 7 miles up the west side of Seneca Lake and destroyed Shenanwaga, a town of 20 houses on Sept 10th he reached Kanandaigua a town of 23 "elegant houses" some of them framed.
The next day a march of 14 miles to Haneyaye, 20 houses at the foot of Honeoye Lake, village of Honeoye.
Kanaghsaws, also called Adjuton, was reached on the 13th., 18 houses near Conesus Lake and about a mile northwest of Conesus Center.
Gathtsegwarohare, a place of 25 houses mostly new, on the east side of Canaseroga Creek, about 2 miles above its junction with the Genesee.
It was surrounded by corn fields so extensive it took 2000 men six hours to destroy them.
Sept. 15th. arrived at Little Beards Town, or Great Genesee Castle, or Chenanidoanes, 128 houses "most of which were large and elegant" near Cuylersvffle in the town of Leicester.
After the destruction of this place, Sullivan began his homeward march.
Col. Butler was detached to pass along the east shore of Cayuga Lake, Sept. 21, he destroyed Choham, a small town at the foot of the lake.
The next day he burned Gewauga, now the village of Union Springs.
Sept. 22, he reached Cayuga Castle with 15 large, square loghouses on the east shore of the lake.
One mile south of the Castle was Upper Cayuga, 14 houses, and a mill.
To the northeast was East Cayuga, or Old Town, 13 houses.
Chonodote, 14 houses on the east shore, now Aurora, was destroyed on the 24th.
Here were great orchards, 1500 peach trees, and many apple trees.
On the 21st. Col. Dearborn, was detached to lay waste to the country on the west side of Lake Cayuga.
He burned six small towns.
One in Fayette, four miles from the lake; a second a mile north of Canoga Creek; a third on the south bank of Cayuga Creek, one half mile northeast of Canoga village; the fourth a mile south of the last place; the fifth in the northeast comer of the town of Romulus; and the sixth three miles from the head of the lake on Cayuga inlet.
Forty Indian villages had been burned, 200,000 bushels of corn destroyed, the stands of fruit trees cut or girdled, all gardens laid waste, and all horses and cattle and hogs killed. "R"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE POT BELLY STOVE ROOM
Battles and Raids in the Province and State of New York, 1609-1814, continued ...
John C. Devendorf
73. Sullivan's expedition was made up of three brigades, the first consisting of four New Jersey regiments under the command of Gen. William Maxwell.
The New Jersey troops marched from Elizabethtown, N. J. to Easton, where they were joined by Gen. Enochs Poor's brigade made up of three New Hampshire and one Massachusetts regiment.
The New Hampshire troops marched from Soldier's Fortune on the Hudson, about six miles above Peekskill, to Easton, crossing the Hudson at Fishkill and marching from Newburg to the New Jersey line, passing thru New Windsor, Bethleham, Bloominggrove Church, Chester, Warwick and Hardiston, a distance of 38 miles.
All the places named are in the county of Orange.
From Hardiston the troops crossed into New Jersey, and marched to Easton, fifty-eight miles, further on.
On Aug. 9, 1779, the dam was cut and Clinton embarked an his passage down river.
Ouleout, a Scotch Tory settlement on the east side of the Susquehanna, five miles above the present village of Unadilla; Conihunto, an Indian town 14 miles below Unadilla on the west side of the river.
Unadilla, at the junction of the Unadilla and Susquehanna Rivers, Onoquaga, an Indian town situated on both sides of the river about 20 miles below Unadilla, Shawhiangto, a Tuscarora village near the present village of Windsor, Broome county; Ingaren, a Tuscarora hamlet where is now the village of Great Bend; Otsiningo, sometimes called Zeringe, near the site of the present village of Chenango; Chenango, on the Cherrango River, 4 miles north of Binghamton; Choconut, on the south side of the Susquehanna, at the site of the present village of Vestal, in Broome county; Owegy, or Owagea, on the Oswego Creek about a mile above its mouth, and Mauckatawangum, near Barton.
74. While this expedition was in progress, scalping parties appeared at the different points in the lower section of the Mohawk, and the settlements were menaced with the fate of Cherry Valley.
On the south side of the Mohawk a party fell upon the Canajoharie settlement, took three prisoners, captured some horses, and drove the People to Fort Plain.
On the same day another party attacked a small settlement at Stone Arabia, burned some houses, and killed several people.
A party of Senecas appeared at Schoharie on the same day, drove the people to the fort plundered the houses, and carried away two men prisoners.
These simultaneous attacks were part of a plan for cutting off the settlement in detail.
The Indians on the south of the Mohawk were from the Seneca country, and those on the, north from Canada, both, doubtless, advanced parties of larger forces. "A"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
John C. Devendorf
73. Sullivan's expedition was made up of three brigades, the first consisting of four New Jersey regiments under the command of Gen. William Maxwell.
The New Jersey troops marched from Elizabethtown, N. J. to Easton, where they were joined by Gen. Enochs Poor's brigade made up of three New Hampshire and one Massachusetts regiment.
The New Hampshire troops marched from Soldier's Fortune on the Hudson, about six miles above Peekskill, to Easton, crossing the Hudson at Fishkill and marching from Newburg to the New Jersey line, passing thru New Windsor, Bethleham, Bloominggrove Church, Chester, Warwick and Hardiston, a distance of 38 miles.
All the places named are in the county of Orange.
From Hardiston the troops crossed into New Jersey, and marched to Easton, fifty-eight miles, further on.
On Aug. 9, 1779, the dam was cut and Clinton embarked an his passage down river.
Ouleout, a Scotch Tory settlement on the east side of the Susquehanna, five miles above the present village of Unadilla; Conihunto, an Indian town 14 miles below Unadilla on the west side of the river.
Unadilla, at the junction of the Unadilla and Susquehanna Rivers, Onoquaga, an Indian town situated on both sides of the river about 20 miles below Unadilla, Shawhiangto, a Tuscarora village near the present village of Windsor, Broome county; Ingaren, a Tuscarora hamlet where is now the village of Great Bend; Otsiningo, sometimes called Zeringe, near the site of the present village of Chenango; Chenango, on the Cherrango River, 4 miles north of Binghamton; Choconut, on the south side of the Susquehanna, at the site of the present village of Vestal, in Broome county; Owegy, or Owagea, on the Oswego Creek about a mile above its mouth, and Mauckatawangum, near Barton.
74. While this expedition was in progress, scalping parties appeared at the different points in the lower section of the Mohawk, and the settlements were menaced with the fate of Cherry Valley.
On the south side of the Mohawk a party fell upon the Canajoharie settlement, took three prisoners, captured some horses, and drove the People to Fort Plain.
On the same day another party attacked a small settlement at Stone Arabia, burned some houses, and killed several people.
A party of Senecas appeared at Schoharie on the same day, drove the people to the fort plundered the houses, and carried away two men prisoners.
These simultaneous attacks were part of a plan for cutting off the settlement in detail.
The Indians on the south of the Mohawk were from the Seneca country, and those on the, north from Canada, both, doubtless, advanced parties of larger forces. "A"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE POT BELLY STOVE ROOM
Battles and Raids in the Province and State of New York, 1609-1814, continued ...
John C. Devendorf
75. On Sept. 5 1779 the Continental troops capture the British stronghold at Lloyd's Neck. "D"
76. The British post of Fort George, at South Bay, on Smith's Manor was captured by the American forces under Maj. Tallmadge, on Nov. 23, 1779.
The American forces also destroyed the British stores at Coram, on the same day. "D"
In May 1780, Capt. Crawford, with 3 officers and 71 Indians, left Fort Carleton for the Mohawk river in high spirits, and was joined by 105 soldiers.
The Onondagas and Cayugas, however, refused to go anywhere but to Fort Stanwix and the party returned.
That month Brant brought in ten prisoners and four scalps, and the Canadian Archives add: "They have been bringing prisoners and scalps all winter."
We are left to conjecture the reason for bringing in the latter.
Incursions never ceased, but parties were usually small, mere scalp hunters.
Col. Stone thought the burning of the Oneida fort and village was early in this year, but could get no date.
Under that of Aug. 11, at Niagara, the Archives speak of "Brant's success on the Mohawk; destroyed the Oneida village and fort; recently destroyed a rich settlement and two small forts, about 100 houses, etc."
"Brant thinks it the finest opportunity to destroy Fort Stanwix."
77. Nothing more was heard of the enemy until Sunday night the 21st. of May, 1780, when Sir John Johnson, at the head of about five hundred troops, British, Indians and Tories, entered Johnstown settlements from the expected northern route.
78. About midnight on Sunday, 21 of May, 1780, Sir John, with a force of 500 Tories and Indians, who had penetrated the country from Crown Point to the Sacandaga River, appeared at Johnson Hall without being seen by any but his friends.
His forces were divided into two detachments, and between midnight and dawn he began to devastate the settlement by burning every building, except those which belonged to Tories.
One division was sent around an easterly course, so as to strike the Mohawk at Tribes Hill, below Caughnawaga (Fonda), whence it was ordered to proceed up the valley, destroy Caughnawaga, and form a junction with the other division at the mouth of the Cayudutta Creek.
This march was performed; many buildings were burned and several lives were sacrificed.
Sir John, in the meanwhile, at the head of one division, proceeded through the village of Johnstown unobserved by the sentinels at the small picketed fort there, and before daylight was at the hall, once his own, where he secured two prisoners. "A"
Towards sunset with his prisoners, slaves and much booty, he directed his course towards the Sacandaga.
He kept upon the Indian paths through the wilderness west of the Adirondack Mountains, an escaped. "A"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
John C. Devendorf
75. On Sept. 5 1779 the Continental troops capture the British stronghold at Lloyd's Neck. "D"
76. The British post of Fort George, at South Bay, on Smith's Manor was captured by the American forces under Maj. Tallmadge, on Nov. 23, 1779.
The American forces also destroyed the British stores at Coram, on the same day. "D"
In May 1780, Capt. Crawford, with 3 officers and 71 Indians, left Fort Carleton for the Mohawk river in high spirits, and was joined by 105 soldiers.
The Onondagas and Cayugas, however, refused to go anywhere but to Fort Stanwix and the party returned.
That month Brant brought in ten prisoners and four scalps, and the Canadian Archives add: "They have been bringing prisoners and scalps all winter."
We are left to conjecture the reason for bringing in the latter.
Incursions never ceased, but parties were usually small, mere scalp hunters.
Col. Stone thought the burning of the Oneida fort and village was early in this year, but could get no date.
Under that of Aug. 11, at Niagara, the Archives speak of "Brant's success on the Mohawk; destroyed the Oneida village and fort; recently destroyed a rich settlement and two small forts, about 100 houses, etc."
"Brant thinks it the finest opportunity to destroy Fort Stanwix."
77. Nothing more was heard of the enemy until Sunday night the 21st. of May, 1780, when Sir John Johnson, at the head of about five hundred troops, British, Indians and Tories, entered Johnstown settlements from the expected northern route.
78. About midnight on Sunday, 21 of May, 1780, Sir John, with a force of 500 Tories and Indians, who had penetrated the country from Crown Point to the Sacandaga River, appeared at Johnson Hall without being seen by any but his friends.
His forces were divided into two detachments, and between midnight and dawn he began to devastate the settlement by burning every building, except those which belonged to Tories.
One division was sent around an easterly course, so as to strike the Mohawk at Tribes Hill, below Caughnawaga (Fonda), whence it was ordered to proceed up the valley, destroy Caughnawaga, and form a junction with the other division at the mouth of the Cayudutta Creek.
This march was performed; many buildings were burned and several lives were sacrificed.
Sir John, in the meanwhile, at the head of one division, proceeded through the village of Johnstown unobserved by the sentinels at the small picketed fort there, and before daylight was at the hall, once his own, where he secured two prisoners. "A"
Towards sunset with his prisoners, slaves and much booty, he directed his course towards the Sacandaga.
He kept upon the Indian paths through the wilderness west of the Adirondack Mountains, an escaped. "A"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE POT BELLY STOVE ROOM
Battles and Raids in the Province and State of New York, 1609-1814, continued ...
John C. Devendorf
79. A raid had already taken place in May, 1780 Sir John Johnson coming to his old home by way of Lake Champlain, with 500 men, perhaps one-fourth Indians.
The usual barbarities followed, though the baronet showed some slight consideration for a very few old friends.
At this time Jacob Sammons was made a prisoner, and had a pathetic tale to tell after his escape.
Later he became an efficient officer in the valley warfare.
He died in Syracuse, Nov. 2, 1815, and I have often seen his grave.
His son was in the War of 1812, and a later descendant served in our Civil War.
Receiving timely notice of this, from his (Sir John's) tory friends in Albany, he hastily assembled a large number of his tenants and others, and prepared for a retreat, which he successfully accomplished, taking to the woods and avoiding the route of Lake Champlain, from fear of falling into the hands of the Continentals, supposed to be assembled in that direction, he struck deeper into the woods, by way of the head waters of the Hudson and descended the Raquette River to Canada.
In August following, Maj. Ross and Walter Butler came from Canada by the way of Sacandaga to Johnstown, with 607 men - 477 British and Tories, and 130 Indians.
They encamped on the elevated ground a little to the north of Johnson Hall. "B"
80. This place (Fort Plain) was included in the Canajoharie settlement, and in 1780 felt severely the vengeance of the Tories and Indians, inflicted in return for the terrible desolation wrought by an army under Sullivan, the previous year, in the Indian country west of the white settlements.
The whole region on the south side of the Mohawk, for several miles in this vicinity, was laid waste.
The approach of the dreaded Thayendanegea along the Canajoharie Creek, with about 500 Indians and Tories, to attack the settlements at Fort Plain, was announced to the people, then engaged in their harvest fields by a woman who fired a cannon at the Fort, Aug. 2, 1780.
Fifty-three dwellings and as many barns were burned, 16 slain, and between 50 and 60 chiefly women and children made captive. "A"
81. As early as Aug. 1780, Crysler, according to his own official report, led a party of Oquaga Indians into "Vroman's land took five scalps, two prisoners and burnt some houses and barns".
The upper settlement had not recovered from this blow when in Oct. of the same year the main incursion of all this period was made.
82. A party of Tories and Indians in 1780 joined in an expedition to destroy the mills, (Ellis's at Little Falls) and thus cut the supply of flour for the Whig garrisons.
They made a stealthy descent, under the cover of the night.
The mill was garrisoned by about a dozen men but so sudden and unexpected was the attack, that only a few shots were exchanged, and one man killed, before its defenders fled for safety. "A"
On the 24th, many of the homeless Oneidas came to Niagara, about 500 being then on the royal side.
Under date of Aug. 14, beside Brant's attack on Oneida town, there follows, "his proceedings on the Mohawk River, where they burned 100 houses, 2 mills, 1 church and 2 forts; took 300 cattle, 200 horses, besides sheep, etc.; and 45 prisoners and killed."
The raiders sometimes ate all the cattle.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
John C. Devendorf
79. A raid had already taken place in May, 1780 Sir John Johnson coming to his old home by way of Lake Champlain, with 500 men, perhaps one-fourth Indians.
The usual barbarities followed, though the baronet showed some slight consideration for a very few old friends.
At this time Jacob Sammons was made a prisoner, and had a pathetic tale to tell after his escape.
Later he became an efficient officer in the valley warfare.
He died in Syracuse, Nov. 2, 1815, and I have often seen his grave.
His son was in the War of 1812, and a later descendant served in our Civil War.
Receiving timely notice of this, from his (Sir John's) tory friends in Albany, he hastily assembled a large number of his tenants and others, and prepared for a retreat, which he successfully accomplished, taking to the woods and avoiding the route of Lake Champlain, from fear of falling into the hands of the Continentals, supposed to be assembled in that direction, he struck deeper into the woods, by way of the head waters of the Hudson and descended the Raquette River to Canada.
In August following, Maj. Ross and Walter Butler came from Canada by the way of Sacandaga to Johnstown, with 607 men - 477 British and Tories, and 130 Indians.
They encamped on the elevated ground a little to the north of Johnson Hall. "B"
80. This place (Fort Plain) was included in the Canajoharie settlement, and in 1780 felt severely the vengeance of the Tories and Indians, inflicted in return for the terrible desolation wrought by an army under Sullivan, the previous year, in the Indian country west of the white settlements.
The whole region on the south side of the Mohawk, for several miles in this vicinity, was laid waste.
The approach of the dreaded Thayendanegea along the Canajoharie Creek, with about 500 Indians and Tories, to attack the settlements at Fort Plain, was announced to the people, then engaged in their harvest fields by a woman who fired a cannon at the Fort, Aug. 2, 1780.
Fifty-three dwellings and as many barns were burned, 16 slain, and between 50 and 60 chiefly women and children made captive. "A"
81. As early as Aug. 1780, Crysler, according to his own official report, led a party of Oquaga Indians into "Vroman's land took five scalps, two prisoners and burnt some houses and barns".
The upper settlement had not recovered from this blow when in Oct. of the same year the main incursion of all this period was made.
82. A party of Tories and Indians in 1780 joined in an expedition to destroy the mills, (Ellis's at Little Falls) and thus cut the supply of flour for the Whig garrisons.
They made a stealthy descent, under the cover of the night.
The mill was garrisoned by about a dozen men but so sudden and unexpected was the attack, that only a few shots were exchanged, and one man killed, before its defenders fled for safety. "A"
On the 24th, many of the homeless Oneidas came to Niagara, about 500 being then on the royal side.
Under date of Aug. 14, beside Brant's attack on Oneida town, there follows, "his proceedings on the Mohawk River, where they burned 100 houses, 2 mills, 1 church and 2 forts; took 300 cattle, 200 horses, besides sheep, etc.; and 45 prisoners and killed."
The raiders sometimes ate all the cattle.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE POT BELLY STOVE ROOM
Battles and Raids in the Province and State of New York, 1609-1814, continued ...
John C. Devendorf
83. At this time 100 Oneida warriors joined Brant in his raid.
That chief also burned 20 houses in Schoharie and near Norman's Kill, taking and killing 12 persons.
He had shrewdly circulated rumors that he would attack Fort Stanwix, and it was reinforced.
When his foes were assembled there, he passed around them and fell on the defenseless settlements near Canajoharie and Fort Plain.
Capt. Nellis took part in this raid and also those Oneidas, though a few of the latter still adhere to the Americans.
These were placed near Schenectady, and Brant planned to destroy them but failed to do so. "F"
Canajoharie, Aug. 5, 1780
"Sir, I here send you an account of the fate of our district."
"On the second day of this inst., Joseph Brant, at the head of about four or five hundred Indians and Tories, broke in upon the settlements, laid the best part of the district in ashes, and killed sixteen of the inhabitants that we have found; took between fifty and sixty prisoners, mostly women and children, twelve of whom they have sent back."
"They have killed and drove away with them upwards of three hundred head of cattle and horses; have burnt fifty-three dwelling houses, beside some out houses, and as many barns, one very elegant church, and one grist-mill, and two small forts that the women fled out of."
"They have burnt all the inhabitant's weapons and implements for husbandry, so that they are left in a miserable condition."
"They have nothing left to support themselves, but what grain they had growing, and that they cannot get saved for want of tools to work with, and very few to be got here."
(Part of a letter from Col. Samuel Clyde to Gov. George Clinton.)
In Aug. 1780 a party of seventy-three Indians and five Tories, commanded by Brant, suddenly swept down the valley and attacked the Upper Fort. "W"
84. Carleton's Raid was undertaken in the autumn of 1780 in accordance with the policy of the British to harass and devastate the colonies at every possible point.
Maj. Carleton, with a considerable force of Regulars, Tories and Indians, set out from Canada and proceeded up Lake Champlain to Crown Point and Ticonderoga.
He captured and burned Fort Ann and sent out marauding parties in the direction of Fort Edward.
He marched across country to the head of Lake George, took possession of Fort George, and captured and burned Fort Amherst, which stood near Half-Way Brook, just outside the City of Glens Falls.
A portion of his force had been dispatched to advance through the wilderness and attack Schenectady but they contented themselves with the devastating the settlement of Ballston.
85. Oct. 17, 1780, Sir John Johnson and Brant, with one thousand British, Indians and Tories attacked the Middle Fort. "W"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
John C. Devendorf
83. At this time 100 Oneida warriors joined Brant in his raid.
That chief also burned 20 houses in Schoharie and near Norman's Kill, taking and killing 12 persons.
He had shrewdly circulated rumors that he would attack Fort Stanwix, and it was reinforced.
When his foes were assembled there, he passed around them and fell on the defenseless settlements near Canajoharie and Fort Plain.
Capt. Nellis took part in this raid and also those Oneidas, though a few of the latter still adhere to the Americans.
These were placed near Schenectady, and Brant planned to destroy them but failed to do so. "F"
Canajoharie, Aug. 5, 1780
"Sir, I here send you an account of the fate of our district."
"On the second day of this inst., Joseph Brant, at the head of about four or five hundred Indians and Tories, broke in upon the settlements, laid the best part of the district in ashes, and killed sixteen of the inhabitants that we have found; took between fifty and sixty prisoners, mostly women and children, twelve of whom they have sent back."
"They have killed and drove away with them upwards of three hundred head of cattle and horses; have burnt fifty-three dwelling houses, beside some out houses, and as many barns, one very elegant church, and one grist-mill, and two small forts that the women fled out of."
"They have burnt all the inhabitant's weapons and implements for husbandry, so that they are left in a miserable condition."
"They have nothing left to support themselves, but what grain they had growing, and that they cannot get saved for want of tools to work with, and very few to be got here."
(Part of a letter from Col. Samuel Clyde to Gov. George Clinton.)
In Aug. 1780 a party of seventy-three Indians and five Tories, commanded by Brant, suddenly swept down the valley and attacked the Upper Fort. "W"
84. Carleton's Raid was undertaken in the autumn of 1780 in accordance with the policy of the British to harass and devastate the colonies at every possible point.
Maj. Carleton, with a considerable force of Regulars, Tories and Indians, set out from Canada and proceeded up Lake Champlain to Crown Point and Ticonderoga.
He captured and burned Fort Ann and sent out marauding parties in the direction of Fort Edward.
He marched across country to the head of Lake George, took possession of Fort George, and captured and burned Fort Amherst, which stood near Half-Way Brook, just outside the City of Glens Falls.
A portion of his force had been dispatched to advance through the wilderness and attack Schenectady but they contented themselves with the devastating the settlement of Ballston.
85. Oct. 17, 1780, Sir John Johnson and Brant, with one thousand British, Indians and Tories attacked the Middle Fort. "W"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE POT BELLY STOVE ROOM
Battles and Raids in the Province and State of New York, 1609-1814, continued ...
John C. Devendorf
86. In the fall of 1780 the enemy, about 800 strong, under Sir John Johnson, made preparations for destroying the Schoharie and the Mohawk Valleys.
The forces consisting of British regulars, loyalists, and Tories, assembled on the Tioga, and marched thence up along the eastern branch of the Susquehanna, and crossed thence to Schoharie.
Col. Harper, with a small body of troops annoyed them on their march, watched their movements, and gave notice of their approach.
On the 16th of Oct., they encamped four miles from the Upper Fort. "B"
87. The plan agreed upon by the invaders was to proceed along the Charlotte River, the east branch of the Susquehanna, to "it's source, thence across to the head of the Schoharie, sweep all the settlements along it's course to it's junction with the Mohawk."
88. Having executed his mission in Schoharie so far as he found it practicable, Sir John Johnson encamped for the night near Harman Sidneys, the present residence of John C. Van Vechten, nearly six miles north of the Lower Fort.
In the morning Col. Johnson sank his mortar and shells in a morass, and directed his course to Fort Hunter.
89. A more formidable raid came early in Oct., from the west.
Sir John Johnson left Oswego with 500 troops and some Indians , and was on the Onondaga River - now Oneida - on the 6th, Capt. Nellis joined him there.
At Unadilla, Cornplanter was waiting, with a large body of Senecas and others, eager to avenge the desolation of Sullivan's campaign in '79.
Thoroughly did they do this, suddenly entering the Schoharie valley from the south.
Beside other devastation Sir John said they destroyed, in this and the Mohawk Valley, 600,000 bushels of grain.
Their conduct was highly praised.
The Senecas were then the most barbarous of the Five Nations, and had seen most of their own villages burned and the crops destroyed the year before.
Naturally they were ready for thorough work, but the forts escaped.
It was in this raid that Col. Brown fell at Stone Arabia with many of his men.
He occupied Fort Paris and sallied forth to attack the raiders, but his 150 men were too few.
Nearly a third were killed, the rest escaped by flight.
An inscribed boulder marks the spot. Oct. 19, 1780.
90. Collecting a few loyalists and leaving desolation behind, Sir John was now in full retreat up the Mohawk Valley, closely pursued.
The battle at Klocks Field followed (At the eastern boundary of St. Johnsville).
A little more dash and promptness on the part of his pursuers would have overwhelmed him, but many reverses had taught caution.
The golden moment passed, and he went off triumphant to his boats. "F"
Near this Sir John had moored his boats, which Capt. Vrooman was sent to destroy.
Ill luck attended him.
According to the records of Fort Stanwix and others, he was surprised and captured on the way, so that the boats were unharmed.
A more popular story is that he occupied the fort and destroyed some boats, but was surprised there by Johnson, and his party made prisoners.
The destruction of boats came later. "F"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
John C. Devendorf
86. In the fall of 1780 the enemy, about 800 strong, under Sir John Johnson, made preparations for destroying the Schoharie and the Mohawk Valleys.
The forces consisting of British regulars, loyalists, and Tories, assembled on the Tioga, and marched thence up along the eastern branch of the Susquehanna, and crossed thence to Schoharie.
Col. Harper, with a small body of troops annoyed them on their march, watched their movements, and gave notice of their approach.
On the 16th of Oct., they encamped four miles from the Upper Fort. "B"
87. The plan agreed upon by the invaders was to proceed along the Charlotte River, the east branch of the Susquehanna, to "it's source, thence across to the head of the Schoharie, sweep all the settlements along it's course to it's junction with the Mohawk."
88. Having executed his mission in Schoharie so far as he found it practicable, Sir John Johnson encamped for the night near Harman Sidneys, the present residence of John C. Van Vechten, nearly six miles north of the Lower Fort.
In the morning Col. Johnson sank his mortar and shells in a morass, and directed his course to Fort Hunter.
89. A more formidable raid came early in Oct., from the west.
Sir John Johnson left Oswego with 500 troops and some Indians , and was on the Onondaga River - now Oneida - on the 6th, Capt. Nellis joined him there.
At Unadilla, Cornplanter was waiting, with a large body of Senecas and others, eager to avenge the desolation of Sullivan's campaign in '79.
Thoroughly did they do this, suddenly entering the Schoharie valley from the south.
Beside other devastation Sir John said they destroyed, in this and the Mohawk Valley, 600,000 bushels of grain.
Their conduct was highly praised.
The Senecas were then the most barbarous of the Five Nations, and had seen most of their own villages burned and the crops destroyed the year before.
Naturally they were ready for thorough work, but the forts escaped.
It was in this raid that Col. Brown fell at Stone Arabia with many of his men.
He occupied Fort Paris and sallied forth to attack the raiders, but his 150 men were too few.
Nearly a third were killed, the rest escaped by flight.
An inscribed boulder marks the spot. Oct. 19, 1780.
90. Collecting a few loyalists and leaving desolation behind, Sir John was now in full retreat up the Mohawk Valley, closely pursued.
The battle at Klocks Field followed (At the eastern boundary of St. Johnsville).
A little more dash and promptness on the part of his pursuers would have overwhelmed him, but many reverses had taught caution.
The golden moment passed, and he went off triumphant to his boats. "F"
Near this Sir John had moored his boats, which Capt. Vrooman was sent to destroy.
Ill luck attended him.
According to the records of Fort Stanwix and others, he was surprised and captured on the way, so that the boats were unharmed.
A more popular story is that he occupied the fort and destroyed some boats, but was surprised there by Johnson, and his party made prisoners.
The destruction of boats came later. "F"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE POT BELLY STOVE ROOM
Battles and Raids in the Province and State of New York, 1609-1814, continued ...
John C. Devendorf
91. David Ogden's account of his own capture by raiders in March 1781, shows characteristic Indian humor.
It was an old Indian custom to leave some record of results.
The snow was three feet deep, and Brant took the shoe buckles of his sixteen prisoners, arranging them in pairs by the path to show the number.
Winter was no hindrance to attacks, and they soon met a band of 50 loyalists and 100 Indians.
The squaws feasted them on succotash.
At the burned Oneida village they dug unhusked corn from the snow, and prepared it for the long journey to Niagara. "F"
92. The day after the destruction of Schoharie, a party of 18 Indians and 3 Tories, led by Seth's Henry and Philip Crysler, killed and scalped Michael Marckley and his niece, Catherine. Oct. 18, 1780. "M"
93. On the 2nd. of March, 1781, Brant attacked wood choppers at Fort Schuyler, retreated southwest from Utica. "D"
94. In May 1781, Fort Stanwix, being almost ruined, was burned and evacuated, leaving Fort Herkimer and Fort Dayton on the frontier.
Col. Willett was in command in the valley, and made his head quarters at Fort Rensselaer, a quaint building still standing in the village of Canajoharie.
95. Following the attack on Currytown in June, by a large Indian party, came their defeat by Willett, with great loss to the Indians.
Affairs were now more hopeful, though an attack on Palatine soon followed, with others at German Flats.
The many fortified houses, after called forts, enabled many to maintain a hold on their lands, in the face of constant attacks. "F"
96. During the early part of the summer of 1781, a constant warfare was carried on in the vicinity of the forts; small parties of Indians hovered about Fort Plain, and cut off every soldier or inhabitant who was so careless as to stray beyond its walls. "B"
97. On the 9th. of July, 1781 nearly 500 Indians, and a few Loyalists, commanded by a Tory named Doxtader, attacked the settlement of Currytown, murdered several of the inhabitants, and carried others away prisoners.
The house of Henry Lewis was picked and used for a fort.
The settlers, unsuspicious of danger, were generally at work in their fields, when the enemy fell upon them.
It was toward noon when they emerged stealthily from the forest, and with torch and tomahawk commenced the work of destruction. "A"
98. About the first of September, 1781, a party of twenty or thirty of the enemy, mostly Indians, by whom I have not been able to learn, entered the lower part of the Cobleskill settlement which took in that part of the town now known as Cobleskill village or The Churches.
The enemy then disappeared pursing the usual southwest route to Niagara. "D"
99. The great raid of '81 was that of Ross and Butler in October, with 700 men, of whom 130 were Indians.
It was organized at Fort Carleton, but Maj. Ross said the "promised succor of the Indians is a mere illusion; they use the refuse of different tribes with no leader."
The route was from Fort Carleton to Oswego by water; thence to Oneida and Chittenango Creek as usual.
The boats were left at the old Canaseraga fort under guard.
The party passed Fort Rensselaer unobserved, reaching and destroying Warrensburg near Schoharie Creek, where both sides of the Mohawk were ravaged.
100. Col. Willett reached Fort Hunter next morning, but the raiders were then at Johnstown, whither he followed.
It was a varied contest there as regards success, but he followed up the final retreat.
A party was then sent to Canaseraga to destroy the boats, but failed to do this, though the retreat in that direction was cut off.
Thus the raiders fled up West Canada Creek, the nearest route to Fort Carleton, though difficult.
For up this valley, on the west side Capt Walter N Butler was killed by an Oneida Indian.
101. Brought up in the valley he had been one of its worst enemies.
Others fell, but most of the raiders escaped.
Col. Willett returned down the creek to Fort Dayton near its mouth, and thence to headquarters.
102. The guard remained with the boats for a reasonable time, but at Fort Carleton, Nov 22 Maj. Ross wrote of the "safe arrival of the parties and prisoners left at Canaseraga; destruction of old bateaux left there; they had merely been patched up for the expedition; the good ones are all at the Island and Niagara."
He also spoke of "the humanity of the expedition, nor did the Indians hurt a woman or child."
They had little time for this, but his opinion of them had improved.
103. In the popular mind the two boat expeditions are confused, and so a strong belief was there that Sir John's treasure was sunk in the boats, that I have seen coffer dams built to raise or search some of them.
This was a little below the old fort.
Not long since treasure seekers often dug by night in the adjacent fields, looking for Sir John's money. "F"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
John C. Devendorf
91. David Ogden's account of his own capture by raiders in March 1781, shows characteristic Indian humor.
It was an old Indian custom to leave some record of results.
The snow was three feet deep, and Brant took the shoe buckles of his sixteen prisoners, arranging them in pairs by the path to show the number.
Winter was no hindrance to attacks, and they soon met a band of 50 loyalists and 100 Indians.
The squaws feasted them on succotash.
At the burned Oneida village they dug unhusked corn from the snow, and prepared it for the long journey to Niagara. "F"
92. The day after the destruction of Schoharie, a party of 18 Indians and 3 Tories, led by Seth's Henry and Philip Crysler, killed and scalped Michael Marckley and his niece, Catherine. Oct. 18, 1780. "M"
93. On the 2nd. of March, 1781, Brant attacked wood choppers at Fort Schuyler, retreated southwest from Utica. "D"
94. In May 1781, Fort Stanwix, being almost ruined, was burned and evacuated, leaving Fort Herkimer and Fort Dayton on the frontier.
Col. Willett was in command in the valley, and made his head quarters at Fort Rensselaer, a quaint building still standing in the village of Canajoharie.
95. Following the attack on Currytown in June, by a large Indian party, came their defeat by Willett, with great loss to the Indians.
Affairs were now more hopeful, though an attack on Palatine soon followed, with others at German Flats.
The many fortified houses, after called forts, enabled many to maintain a hold on their lands, in the face of constant attacks. "F"
96. During the early part of the summer of 1781, a constant warfare was carried on in the vicinity of the forts; small parties of Indians hovered about Fort Plain, and cut off every soldier or inhabitant who was so careless as to stray beyond its walls. "B"
97. On the 9th. of July, 1781 nearly 500 Indians, and a few Loyalists, commanded by a Tory named Doxtader, attacked the settlement of Currytown, murdered several of the inhabitants, and carried others away prisoners.
The house of Henry Lewis was picked and used for a fort.
The settlers, unsuspicious of danger, were generally at work in their fields, when the enemy fell upon them.
It was toward noon when they emerged stealthily from the forest, and with torch and tomahawk commenced the work of destruction. "A"
98. About the first of September, 1781, a party of twenty or thirty of the enemy, mostly Indians, by whom I have not been able to learn, entered the lower part of the Cobleskill settlement which took in that part of the town now known as Cobleskill village or The Churches.
The enemy then disappeared pursing the usual southwest route to Niagara. "D"
99. The great raid of '81 was that of Ross and Butler in October, with 700 men, of whom 130 were Indians.
It was organized at Fort Carleton, but Maj. Ross said the "promised succor of the Indians is a mere illusion; they use the refuse of different tribes with no leader."
The route was from Fort Carleton to Oswego by water; thence to Oneida and Chittenango Creek as usual.
The boats were left at the old Canaseraga fort under guard.
The party passed Fort Rensselaer unobserved, reaching and destroying Warrensburg near Schoharie Creek, where both sides of the Mohawk were ravaged.
100. Col. Willett reached Fort Hunter next morning, but the raiders were then at Johnstown, whither he followed.
It was a varied contest there as regards success, but he followed up the final retreat.
A party was then sent to Canaseraga to destroy the boats, but failed to do this, though the retreat in that direction was cut off.
Thus the raiders fled up West Canada Creek, the nearest route to Fort Carleton, though difficult.
For up this valley, on the west side Capt Walter N Butler was killed by an Oneida Indian.
101. Brought up in the valley he had been one of its worst enemies.
Others fell, but most of the raiders escaped.
Col. Willett returned down the creek to Fort Dayton near its mouth, and thence to headquarters.
102. The guard remained with the boats for a reasonable time, but at Fort Carleton, Nov 22 Maj. Ross wrote of the "safe arrival of the parties and prisoners left at Canaseraga; destruction of old bateaux left there; they had merely been patched up for the expedition; the good ones are all at the Island and Niagara."
He also spoke of "the humanity of the expedition, nor did the Indians hurt a woman or child."
They had little time for this, but his opinion of them had improved.
103. In the popular mind the two boat expeditions are confused, and so a strong belief was there that Sir John's treasure was sunk in the boats, that I have seen coffer dams built to raise or search some of them.
This was a little below the old fort.
Not long since treasure seekers often dug by night in the adjacent fields, looking for Sir John's money. "F"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE POT BELLY STOVE ROOM
Battles and Raids in the Province and State of New York, 1609-1814, continued ...
John C. Devendorf
103. On the 24th of Oct. 1781, Maj. Ross and Walter Butler at the head of about one thousand troops consisting of regulars, Indians and Tories, approached the settlement (Johnstown) so stealthily that they reached Warren Bush (not far from the place where Sir Peter Warren made his first settlement, and the place of residence of Sir William Johnson on his arrival in America) without their approach being suspected.
The settlement was broken into so suddenly that the people had no chance for escape.
Many were killed and their houses plundered and destroyed.
As soon as Col. Willett, then stationed at Fort Rensselaer, was informed of this incursion, he marched with about 400 men, for Fort Hunter, on the Mohawk.
Col. Rowley, of Mass. with a part of his force, consisting of Tryon County Militia, was sent round to fall upon the enemy in the rear, while Willett should attack them in front.
The belligerents met a short distance above Johnson Hall, and a battle immediately ensued.
The militia under Willett soon gave way, and fled in great confusion to the stone church in the village; and the enemy would have had an easy victory - had not Rowley emerged from the woods at that moment, and fallen upon their rear.
It was then four o'clock in the afternoon, and the fight was kept up with bravery on both sides until dark, when the enemy retreated, or rather fled in great disorder, to the woods.
During the engagement and while Rowley was keeping the enemy at bay Willett succeeded in rallying the militia, who returned to the fight.
The Americans lost about forty killed and wounded.
The enemy had about the same number killed, and fifty made prisoners. "A"
104. On the afternoon of Oct. 24, 1781, a body of the enemy, consisting of nearly seven hundred British and Royalist troops and Indians, under Maj. Ross, who was accompanied in the expedition by Maj. Walter Butler, of Cherry Valley memory, entered the Mohawk river settlements, making their first appearance in Currytown.
Passing through that ill-starred place, which had been pretty effectually destroyed the preceding July, they avoided the little fort and did not fire the buildings then standing, from fear of frustrating part of their enterprise. "A"
105. Col. Willett moved from Fort Plain with about 300 levies.
On the 22 of Aug. he determined to attack the enemy in their camp.
He detached 100 men under Col. Harper to make a circuit through the woods and fall upon the enemy's rear while he should attack them in front.
A short distance from the Hall, Col. Willett was met by Ross with all his force, and his men on the first fire gave way and retreated.
Willett endeavored to rally them at the Hall, but failed.
At the village he succeeded in stopping them.
Here he was joined to by 200 militia just arrived.
The detachment under Harper gained the rear, and now opened fire upon the enemy.
The attack was now renewed by Col. Willett, and the enemy was finally driven from their ground with loss.
Thirteen Americans and seventeen British and Indians were killed. "B"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
John C. Devendorf
103. On the 24th of Oct. 1781, Maj. Ross and Walter Butler at the head of about one thousand troops consisting of regulars, Indians and Tories, approached the settlement (Johnstown) so stealthily that they reached Warren Bush (not far from the place where Sir Peter Warren made his first settlement, and the place of residence of Sir William Johnson on his arrival in America) without their approach being suspected.
The settlement was broken into so suddenly that the people had no chance for escape.
Many were killed and their houses plundered and destroyed.
As soon as Col. Willett, then stationed at Fort Rensselaer, was informed of this incursion, he marched with about 400 men, for Fort Hunter, on the Mohawk.
Col. Rowley, of Mass. with a part of his force, consisting of Tryon County Militia, was sent round to fall upon the enemy in the rear, while Willett should attack them in front.
The belligerents met a short distance above Johnson Hall, and a battle immediately ensued.
The militia under Willett soon gave way, and fled in great confusion to the stone church in the village; and the enemy would have had an easy victory - had not Rowley emerged from the woods at that moment, and fallen upon their rear.
It was then four o'clock in the afternoon, and the fight was kept up with bravery on both sides until dark, when the enemy retreated, or rather fled in great disorder, to the woods.
During the engagement and while Rowley was keeping the enemy at bay Willett succeeded in rallying the militia, who returned to the fight.
The Americans lost about forty killed and wounded.
The enemy had about the same number killed, and fifty made prisoners. "A"
104. On the afternoon of Oct. 24, 1781, a body of the enemy, consisting of nearly seven hundred British and Royalist troops and Indians, under Maj. Ross, who was accompanied in the expedition by Maj. Walter Butler, of Cherry Valley memory, entered the Mohawk river settlements, making their first appearance in Currytown.
Passing through that ill-starred place, which had been pretty effectually destroyed the preceding July, they avoided the little fort and did not fire the buildings then standing, from fear of frustrating part of their enterprise. "A"
105. Col. Willett moved from Fort Plain with about 300 levies.
On the 22 of Aug. he determined to attack the enemy in their camp.
He detached 100 men under Col. Harper to make a circuit through the woods and fall upon the enemy's rear while he should attack them in front.
A short distance from the Hall, Col. Willett was met by Ross with all his force, and his men on the first fire gave way and retreated.
Willett endeavored to rally them at the Hall, but failed.
At the village he succeeded in stopping them.
Here he was joined to by 200 militia just arrived.
The detachment under Harper gained the rear, and now opened fire upon the enemy.
The attack was now renewed by Col. Willett, and the enemy was finally driven from their ground with loss.
Thirteen Americans and seventeen British and Indians were killed. "B"
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE POT BELLY STOVE ROOM
Battles and Raids in the Province and State of New York, 1609-1814, continued ...
John C. Devendorf
I have had the pleasure of exploring West Canada Creek with Mr. Pierpont White, of Utica, N. Y., seeking the point between Ohio City and Russia, above the junction with the Black River, where the action is believed to have occurred.
There are two possible fords which may have been used but local opinion inclines, and I believe it to be correct, to the ford known to local fishermen as Hess's Rift.
To a certain degree, dams and reservoirs have changed the look of West Canada Creek since the Revolution.
It is a mistake to think of it only as a creek.
It is a deep brown flood-like, "Is here rolling rapidly".
The action referred to above was on the West Canada Creek where Walter Butler was slain.
Sometimes called Butler's Ford.
This was the last important raid in the valley.
Great or small they accomplished no great end, and were usually scenes of useless bloodshed and destruction.
In early days DeTracy's inroad did bring peace, and the siege of Fort Stanwix was part of a great and shrewd plan.
Yet the Americans' attack on the Onondaga towns had decidedly barbarous features, and Sullivan's campaign might have rivaled any Indian raid in the Mohawk Valley, had not the Indians kept out of sight.
The ravaged fields and burned towns were alike in kind.
No wonder the Senecas called Washington, Ha-no-da-ga-ne-ara, (Town Destroyer), still the name of every president of the United States. "F"
106. About the first of November, 1781, a party of the enemy under Joseph Brant, and Capt. Adam Crysler, a former resident of that vicinity, entered Vrooman's Land in the early morning, near the residence of Peter Vrooman. "D"
107. Late in 1781 a small party of Tories from New Rhinebeck, whose fields and dwellings had frequently been drawn upon by the militia and citizens of Cobleskill, retaliated by entering the latter settlement at an opportune time and burning buildings, driving away cattle, taking prisoners and killing at least one person.
As late as July 26, 1782, Tories and Indians made an attack upon the inhabitants of Fox's Creek.
108. In June 1782, an Indian War party came to little Falls and attacked and burned Daniel Petrie's mill and dwelling.
Petrie was killed and several soldiers and farmers in the mill were captured and taken to Canada.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
John C. Devendorf
I have had the pleasure of exploring West Canada Creek with Mr. Pierpont White, of Utica, N. Y., seeking the point between Ohio City and Russia, above the junction with the Black River, where the action is believed to have occurred.
There are two possible fords which may have been used but local opinion inclines, and I believe it to be correct, to the ford known to local fishermen as Hess's Rift.
To a certain degree, dams and reservoirs have changed the look of West Canada Creek since the Revolution.
It is a mistake to think of it only as a creek.
It is a deep brown flood-like, "Is here rolling rapidly".
The action referred to above was on the West Canada Creek where Walter Butler was slain.
Sometimes called Butler's Ford.
This was the last important raid in the valley.
Great or small they accomplished no great end, and were usually scenes of useless bloodshed and destruction.
In early days DeTracy's inroad did bring peace, and the siege of Fort Stanwix was part of a great and shrewd plan.
Yet the Americans' attack on the Onondaga towns had decidedly barbarous features, and Sullivan's campaign might have rivaled any Indian raid in the Mohawk Valley, had not the Indians kept out of sight.
The ravaged fields and burned towns were alike in kind.
No wonder the Senecas called Washington, Ha-no-da-ga-ne-ara, (Town Destroyer), still the name of every president of the United States. "F"
106. About the first of November, 1781, a party of the enemy under Joseph Brant, and Capt. Adam Crysler, a former resident of that vicinity, entered Vrooman's Land in the early morning, near the residence of Peter Vrooman. "D"
107. Late in 1781 a small party of Tories from New Rhinebeck, whose fields and dwellings had frequently been drawn upon by the militia and citizens of Cobleskill, retaliated by entering the latter settlement at an opportune time and burning buildings, driving away cattle, taking prisoners and killing at least one person.
As late as July 26, 1782, Tories and Indians made an attack upon the inhabitants of Fox's Creek.
108. In June 1782, an Indian War party came to little Falls and attacked and burned Daniel Petrie's mill and dwelling.
Petrie was killed and several soldiers and farmers in the mill were captured and taken to Canada.
TO BE CONTINUED ...