morning. We marched at half past nine, marched about 6 miles through a
flat level road at the end of which we entered a dark pine swamp,
which continued four miles with almost impassable hills and valleys
and arrived at 11 o'clock at night at Catharine's town.[78]
Thursday, 2d.--Laid still. Our line of march being confused by the
badness of the road the day before.
Friday, Sept 3d.--The signal gun fired at 7 o'clock, the army marched
off at 8 o'clock, marched about twelve miles and encamped in the wood
on the east side of the Seneca Lake.[79] The land good and well
timbered.
Saturday, ye 4th Sept.--The Gen'l beat at 9 o'clock in the morning.
The army marched at 10 o'clock, marched 4 miles and halted.[80]
Sunday ye 5th.--The Gen'l beat at half past 9 o'clock, the army
marched at 10 o'clock and encamped in a town called Candaya,[81] or
Appletown.
Monday, Sept 6th.--At two o'clock in the afternoon left Appletown and
marched about three miles and encamped in the wood.[82]
Tuesday ye 7th.--At 8 o'clock in the morning struck tents, marched off
and crossed the outlet of the Ceneca Lake, where we expected to meet
some opposition, but the enemy had left the town. We entered it, found
a white child[83] in the town, supposed to be about 4 years old, it
was supposed they had taken away from the frontiers, where they had
destroyed and burnt. The Ceneca Lake is supposed to be thirty-six
miles in length from south to north. The land along the east side
appears to be a rich soil and well timbered. At the north end is the
outlet which is a continual stream and considerable large. About three
miles and a half from the outlet is the town Cannadasago or Ceneca
Castle.[84]
Wednesday ye 8th Sept.--Laid still at Cannadasago.
Thursday ye 9th.--Marched from Cannadasago about 8 miles and encamped
in the wood.[85]
Friday 10th.--At 7 o'clock marched off about 7 miles and crossed the
outlet of a small lake, a few miles from which stood a Town called
Canandagui,[86] about 15-1/2 miles from Ceneca Castle, which we
entered, and encamped at 3 o'clock, about a mile north of the town in
a large cornfield.
Saturday ye 11th Sept.--Struck our tents at 9 o'clock and marched
about 9 miles through an open country, halted at 11 o'clock for
refreshment, moved at one o'clock, and arrived at a small town called
Honyuga.[87] At this town we left a small garrison of one Capt., one
Lieut. and fifty men, exclusive of invalids, with some flour, horses
and cattle.
Sunday 12th.--Left Haunyuga at 12 o'clock, marched about 11 miles and
encamped in the wood.[88]
[Illustration: Map _Showing the route of_ SULLIVAN'S ARMY AND
_GROVELAND AMBUSCADE_, September 13th, 1779.
THE HELIOTYPE PRINTING CO. 220 DEVONSHIRE ST. BOSTON.]
Monday, 13th.--At five o'clock in the morning marched about two miles
to a small town called Adjutoa,[89] from this place the Gen'l sent
out a scout of one Sub. and 19 men to reconnoitre a town that was in
front. On his return he was attacked by about 100 Indians and were all
killed but 2 men who had the good fortune to make their escape.[90]
The army remained in town till about 12 o'clock. Some were
employed in destroying corn and some in building a bridge (across a
mirey swamp and creek) for the artillery to pass. While we were so
employed the surveyor[91] had advanced a little in front of the
advanced guard, was fired upon by the Indians and had one of his party
wounded.[92] At 12 o'clock we left the town, and arrived at a town
called Cassawauloughly[93] 7 miles from Adjutoa, which we entered at
sunset.[94]
Tuesday, 14th Sept.--At one o'clock left the town crossed the Chenesee
flats and forded the River which was about four feet deep and about
thirty yards wide and arrived at the capital town of the Chinisees,
called the Chinisee Castle.[95] We entered the town about 6 o'clock,
found Lieut. Boyd and one soldier[96] whom they had murdered in an
inhuman manner. Said Boyd was one of the party that was sent to
reconnoitre a town as is mentioned before. The Chinisee Castle
consisted of about one hundred commodius dwelling houses compactly
built and pleasantly situated.
Wednesday, 15th Sept.--The whole army[97] (except the guards to which
I belonged) were employed in destroying corn from 6 o'clock in the
morning till two in the afternoon. In the meantime a white woman[98]
with a small child came to us who had been taken prisoner at Weyoming.
At about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, we set the town on fire, marched
off, re-crossed the River and encamped after sunset on the Chinicee
flats.
Thursday, 16th Sept.--Decamped at 11 o'clock, marched six miles and
encamped at the town of Adjutoa at half past five P.M.
Friday 17th.--Decamped at 6 o'clock, marched off and arrived at the
town of Haunyuga at one o'clock P.M.
Saturday, 18th Sept.--At 5 o'clock in the morning marched, at 7
o'clock crossed the outlet of a Lake at Cannandagui,[99] and encamped
at sunset on the east side of the outlet.
Sunday 19.--At seven o'clock in the morning struck tents, marched at 8
o'clock and arrived at sunset at Canadasago.[100]
Monday, 20th Sept.--At two P.M. struck tents, marched off at 3 o'clock
from Canadasago, crossed the outlet of Ceneca Lake and encamped at
sunset near the lake.[101] Previous to our march from Canadasago Col.
Butler of the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment was sent with a detachment to
the Kiyuga[102] Lake to destroy some Indian settlements that were
there. Col. Gansevort sent with one hundred men to fort Stanwix[103]
in order to send down some baggage which was left on the Mohawk River
by troops that had been stationed there the preceding year.
Tuesday, 28th.--Struck tents at 8 o'clock, marched at 9, left
Candaya[104] or Appletown about two miles in the rear, and encamped in
the wood, along the east side of the Ceneca Lake, about 4 o'clock in
the afternoon.
Wednesday 22d.--At 6 o'clock the Gen'l beat; marched at 8, halted at
one o'clock, about one hour for refreshments, and encamped at sunset
along the east side Ceneca Lake.
Thursday, 23d Sept.--Marched at 8 o'clock, left French Catharine about
3 miles in the rear, and encamped at sunset.[105]
Friday, 24th.--About 6 o'clock in the morning the Gen'l beat, marched
at 8 o'clock and arrived at the forks of the Tiyuga or Newton. At this
place there was a post established by order of General Sullivan, and
provision for the army at their return.[106]
Saturday, 25th Sept.--Laid still. An ox and 5 gallons of rum was given
to the officers of each Brigade.[107] A fu-de-joy was held in
consequence of the arrival of the news of Spain declaring us
Independent[108] with 13 rounds of cannon was discharged, followed by
two round of musketry interspersed with cannon. The evening was
celebrated in our camp with much joy and gladness.[109]
Sunday 26th.--Laid still.
Monday, 27th Sept.--A detachment under the command * * * was sent out
and returned at night.[110]
Tuesday 28th.--A detachment under the command of Col. Cortlandt was
sent up the Tiyuga[111] branch on purpose to destroy some corn. Col.
Butler with his detachment joined us. The invalids were sent to Tiyuga
in boats.
Wednesday, 29th Sept.--The Gen'l beat at 8 o'clock in the morning,
marched at 9 o'clock and encamped in the afternoon three miles below
Shemung.
Thursday 30th.--At nine o'clock in the morning marched off and arrived
at Tiyuga at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. At our arrival we were
saluted with a discharge of 13 cannon from the Garrison, and an
elegant dinner was prepared for the officers.
Friday, Oct. 1, 1779.--Laid still at Tiyuga.[112]
Saturday 2d.--Laid still. Orders were given to load the boat with
stores, artillery, &c., and to demolish the fort[113] the next day.
Sunday, ye 3d Oct.--Agreeable to the orders of the preceding day the
boats were loaded, the fort demolished and every thing got in
readiness to march the next morning.
Monday, 4th Oct.--At 7 o'clock in the morning the Gen'l beat, struck
our tents, the army marched at nine from Tiyuga. The boats with the
stores, artillery and sick set off at the same time, and encamped at
evening at Wysaukin creek.
Tuesday, the 5th Oct.--The main part of the army embarked on board the
boats, the best were mounted on horses, left Wysaukin about 7 o'clock
in the morning and arrived at Vanderlips'[114] farm, and stayed at
night.
Wednesday ye 6th Oct.--At 6 o'clock in the morning set off and arrived
at sunset at Lechawauny[115] about 10 miles from Weyoming.
Thursday, 7th Oct.--At 9 o'clock in the morning left Lechawauny and
arrived at Weyoming[116] about 1 o'clock in the afternoon.
Friday, Oct. ye 8th.--Laid still.
Saturday, ye 9th.--Remained at Weyoming, but received orders to march
at 6 o'clock the next morning.
Sunday, Oct. 10th.--At 6 o'clock next morning were ordered to march,
but on account of our pack horses being strayed we did not march till
2 o'clock in the morning, when we left Weyoming and arrived at
Bullock's[117] at dark.
Monday, 11th Oct.--At 9 o'clock in the morning decamped from Bullock's
and encamped about two miles through the Shades of Death.[118]
Tuesday, 12th Oct.--At 7 in the morning proceeded on our march. The
after part of the day rainy and windy weather, we arrived at White Oak
Run[119] at evening and encamped.
Wednesday 13th.--Decamped from White Oak Run at 8 o'clock in the
morning and arrived at Brinker's Mills[120] and encamped.
Thursday 14th.--Decamped from Brinker's Mills, marched from thence,
and arrived within 11 miles from Easton and encamped[121] on the side
of the road in a wood.
Friday, 15th Oct.--Decamped at 7 o'clock, marched for Easton[122] and
arrived there about 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
Saturday 16th.--Laid still.
Sunday 17th.--Laid still.
Monday, 18th Oct.--Capt. Bevier and myself set out from Easton at 11
o'clock for Marbletown,[123] traveled about twenty miles and put up at
the Widow Sweezer's.
Tuesday, 19th Oct.--At half past 7 o'clock in the morning, traveled
about 27 miles and put up at Cary's Tavern.
Wednesday 20th.--At 7 o'clock A.M., left Cary's, dined at Bard's in
Warick,[124] set out from thence and put up at Bruster's Tavern about
11 miles from New Windsor.[125]
Thursday, 21st.--Left Bruster's at 8 o'clock in the morning and
arrived at Newburgh, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
Friday 22nd.--Set out from Newburgh at 8 o'clock in the morning and
arrived at the Poltz[126] and staid that night.
Saturday, 23d Oct.--At three o'clock in the afternoon set out and
arrived home the same night.
From the 23d Oct., 1779, I remained home till the 9th of Dec., when I
set out to join the Reg't, which I did on the 15th, and found them
employed in building huts for winter quarters, about 3 miles from
Morristown.
(The Hardenbergh Journal here closes. The Nukerck Journal
continues the history of the regiment for the year 1780 and
until the five regiments were consolidated near the close of
that year.)
FOOTNOTES:
[9] WAWARSING--An Indian word, said to signify "a black bird's nest,"
the name of a town and village in south-west part of Ulster County,
N.Y., containing a post village of same name, located on Rondout Creek
on the line of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. The surface of the town
is mostly mountainous uplands, intersected by deep valleys. The
Shawangunk Mountains extend along the east border, and spurs of the
Catskills occupy the central and west parts, the highest peaks being
from 2,000 to 3,000 feet above tide. The eastern and north-western
parts are rocky and precipitous, and unfit for cultivation. There was
a stone fort in the village on the site of B.C. Hornbeck's house. On
Aug. 12, 1781, a large party of tories and Indians under one Caldwell,
appeared in the town with a design of falling upon Napanock, but being
informed that the place was defended by cannon they came to Wawarsing
before the inhabitants were up in the morning. Two men and a young
woman discovered the enemy before they reached the fort, and the young
woman succeeded in closing the door just in time to prevent it from
being burst open by the savages. Finding further attack to be
dangerous they dispersed and burned and plundered the out settlements,
and next day withdrew laden with spoils. Several lives were lost on
both sides and much property destroyed.--The Indians--or Narratives of
Massacres and Depredations on the frontiers of Wawarsink and Vicinity,
p. 21.
[10] FANTINE KILL, a settlement, on a stream of that name, about a
mile from the present village of Ellenville, in the town of Wawarsing,
Ulster County. The attack was made at day-break by a party of thirty
or forty Indians under Brant, who came by the way of the Indian trail
to Grahamsville, and from thence through the woods to the settlement.
Widow Isaac Bevier and two sons were killed, also the entire family of
Michael Socks, consisting of the father, mother, two sons who were
young men, two children, and one or two others. They attacked the
house of Jesse Bevier, but the inmates being good marksmen and having
plenty of ammunition succeeded in defending themselves until Col. Van
Cortlandt came to their relief.
"As I was about marching from my encampment, having called in my
guard, I discovered smokes rising from the village about six miles
south, and a lad sent from its vicinity informed me that the Indians
were there burning and destroying. It was occasioned by two of my men
deserting in the mountains, when I received the order to return; for
they went to Brant and informed him that I was ordered away, and he
expected that I was gone. * * * On my approach Brant ran off. He had
about one hundred and fifty Indians, and as I approached him, he being
on a hill, and seeing me leaning against a pine tree waiting for the
closing up of my men, ordered a rifle Indian to kill me, but he
overshot me, the ball passing three inches over my head."--Col. Van
Cortlandt's manuscript statement, 1825.
"General, while you were standing by a large tree during that battle,
how near to your head did a bullet come, which struck a little above
you?"
The General paused for a moment, and replied--"About two inches above
my hat."
Brant then related the circumstances. "I had remarked your activity in
the battle," said he, "and calling one of my best marksmen, pointed
you out and directed him to bring you down. He fired and I saw you
dodge your head at the instant I supposed the ball would strike. But
as you did not fall, I told my warrior that he had just missed you,
and lodged the ball in the tree." Conversation between Brant and
General Van Cortlandt--Stone's life of Brant, II., 460, incorrectly
located at the battle of Newtown.
[11] "Col. Cantine commanding a regiment of militia arrived during the
day. I then pursued but could not overtake him, as he ran through a
large swamp beyond the hill; and Col. Cantine being also in pursuit, I
returned, not having any prospect of overtaking him."--Col. Van
Cortlandt's statement, 1825.
[12] "The second day after, pursued my march to Fort Penn as ordered
by the commander-in-chief, and there received General Sullivan's
orders to make a road through the wilderness."--Col. Van Cortlandt's
statement, 1825.
[13] The present name of a stream flowing south-easterly two miles
south of Ellenville.
[14] On the Lurenkill two miles south of Ellenville.
[15] Present WURTZBORO in town of Mamacating on Sauthier's Map of
1779, said to have been named in honor of an Indian chief, is about
fourteen miles south-west of Wawarsing. A block house was here
occupied during the revolution.
[16] WEST BROOKVILLE, formerly called Bashusville, near the southern
line of town of Mamakating in Sullivan County. So called from a squaw
named Bashe, who lived on the bank of the creek. The first house built
was of stone and used as a fort.
[17] MAHACKAMACK or Neversink River, the crossing appears to have been
near Cuddebackville in the town of Deer Park.
[18] DEWITT--A brother of Mrs. James Clinton, the mother of DeWitt
Clinton; where he is said to have been born, March 2, 1769, while Mrs.
Clinton was on a visit with her brother. General James Clinton in 1763
raised and commanded a corps of two hundred men, called the Guards of
the Frontier. This position called Fort De Witt was one of the posts
occupied. Other accounts say he was born at the homestead of the
Clinton family at Little Britain.
[19] NOW PORT JERVIS, formerly called MOHOCKAMACK FORK, at the
junction of the Neversink and Delaware Rivers. The route taken appears
to have been over the "_old mine road_" as it was called, constructed
by the early Dutch settlers of Esopus to reach a copper mine in
Walpack Township, Warren Co., N.J. It follows the Mamakating Valley,
the first north of the Shawangunk mountains, and continues in that of
the Mahackamack branch of the Delaware river, and penetrates the
Minnisinks east of that river. The mine was about three miles
north-west from Nicholas Depew's house.
[20] John Adams, while attending Congress during its session at
Philadelphia, as late as 1800, passed over this same "Mine Road" as
the most eligible route from Boston to that city. He was accustomed to
lodge at Squire Van Campen's in the Jersey Minnisinks.
[21] DECKER'S FERRY at Flatbrookville, about thirteen miles from Fort
Penn at Stroudsburg.
[22] SAMUEL DEPEW'S, in the town of Smithfield, Monroe Co., Pa., on
the west side of the Delaware, three miles above the Water Gap, where
he settled prior to 1730. He was one of the Walloons who came to New
York about 1697. Rev. H.M. Muhlenberg, who lodged at his house in
1750, states he had been Justice of the Peace, was a prominent man in
Smithfield, and at that time advanced in life. The river is fordable
at the head of Depew's Island, a little above the house. The old
homestead is still in the Depew family; Nicholas, one of Samuel's
sons, is well known in provincial history between 1750 and 1770. On
the Pennsylvania side of the river on Depew's land, stood the
_Smithfield_ or old _Shawne_ church, removed about 1854.
[23] Ft. Penn, at Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pa., built in 1763, on
the site previously occupied by Ft. Hamilton, built in 1755.
[24] LARNED'S log tavern, north-west of Stroudsburg, twenty-eight
miles from Easton. The main army encamped here June 19th, at camp
called Pocono Point. This was the last house on the road between
Easton and Wyoming. On the 3d of July, 1781, Mr. Larned was shot and
scalped near his house, as also was his son George. Another son, John,
shot one of the Indians who was left on the spot where he fell. The
Indians carried off George Larned's wife, and an infant four months
old, but not wishing to be encumbered with the child, dashed out its
brains.
[25] The 2d New York Regiment, Col. Van Cortlandt, and Col. Spencer's
N.J. Regiment were ordered to precede the army and construct a road
over the mountains to Wyoming. They followed the well known Indian
trails mainly, one of which led from Easton by way of the Wind Gap,
directly north, along the high lands between the Delaware and
Susquehanna rivers, to New York State line near Oghquaga; the other
leaving Fort Penn at Stroudsburg, passed through the townships of
Pocono, Tunkhanna, Tobyhanna, Buck, Bear Creek, to Wyoming. Much of
this road is still in use and is known as the "old Sullivan road." At
Easton Gen. Sullivan published the following order:
HEAD-QUARTERS, Easton, May 31, 1779.
* * * The commander-in-chief returns his most sincere thanks to
Colonels Cortlandt and Spencer, and to the officers and soldiers under
their command for their unparalleled exertions in clearing and
repairing the road to Wyoming. He cannot help promising himself
success in an expedition, in which he is to be honored with the
command of troops who give such pleasing evidence of their zeal for
the service, and manifest so strong a desire to advance with
expedition against the inhuman murderers of their friends and
countrymen. * * * *
Order Book Lieu.-Col. GEORGE C. BARBER, of 3d N.J. Regt.,
Adjutant Gen'l of the Western Army.
[26] COL. OLIVER SPENCER, Commanding the Independent regiment, 5th
Continental of New Jersey.
[27] General Sullivan reached Wyoming with the main body of the army
June 23d; the following appeared in orders on the 25th:
HEAD-QUARTERS, WYOMING, June 25, 1779.
* * * At a general court martial held on the eighth instant, whereof
Major Fish was president, Oliver Arnold of the 2nd New York regiment,
was tried for desertion, found guilty, and sentenced to be shot to
death; the General approves the sentence and orders it to be executed
at the head of the regiment to-morrow afternoon at six o'clock. Edward
Tyler of the same regiment tried by the same court for desertion,
found guilty and sentenced to run the guantelope through Cortlandt's,
Spencer's and Cilley's regiments, with a centinel at his breast to
regulate his pace; the General approves the sentence and orders it
executed to-morrow afternoon at five o'clock. John Stevens of the same
regiment, tried for desertion, found guilty and sentenced to receive
one hundred lashes; the General approves the sentence and orders it
executed at the head of the regiment, to-morrow afternoon at six
o'clock. * * *
Order Book, Lieu.-Col. GEORGE C. BARBER,
Adjutant Gen'l of the Western Army.
[28] Near the west line of Pocono Township, also called Rum bridge.
[29] There were three paths leading eastward from Wyoming; the
southern, called the "warriors' path," by way of Fort Allen and along
the Lehigh to the Delaware Water Gap at Easton; the northern, by way
of the Lackawana at Capouse Meadows, through Cobb's Gap and the
Lackawaxen, to the Delaware and Hudson; the middle one, along which
this military road was constructed, led through the Wind Gap to
Easton. The massacre of Wyoming in 1778 had filled the forests along
this central trail with hundreds of helpless fugitives; some estimate
the number about two thousand, mostly women and children; many sunk
under the tomahawk, others died of excitement, fatigue, hunger and
exposure; many were lost and perished in the woods, while hundreds
were never seen or heard of after their precipitate flight. At this
time small parties of Indians still hovered around Wyoming. They
watched the passes, and occasionally exhibited extraordinary instances
of courage and audacity. Major Powell, with two hundred men of a
regiment that had suffered severely at the battle of Germantown,
having been ordered to Wyoming, arrived at Bear Creek about ten miles
from that point, on the 19th of April. Deeming themselves out of
danger from a surprise by the Indians, officers and men arrayed
themselves in their best apparel, burnished their arms and put
everything in shape for a respectable appearance on entering the
Valley. According to the fashion of the day the officers donned their
ruffles, powdered their hair, and with enlivening strains of music,
advanced toward their destination. The advance guard reported having
seen some deer, and Captain Davis, Lieutenant Jones and others,
started in pursuit; near the summit of the second mountain by the
Laurel Run, and about four miles from the fort, a fire was opened upon
them by the Indians in ambush. Davis, Jones, Corporal Butler and three
soldiers were killed and scalped. Chaplain Rogers says: "Scalped,
tomahawked and speared by the savages, fifteen or twenty in number;
two boards are fixed at the spot where Davis and Jones fell, with
their names on each. Jones's being besmeared with his own blood. In
passing this melancholy vale, an unusual gloom appeared on the
countenances of both officers and men without distinction, and from
the eyes of many, as by a sudden impulse, drops the sympathizing tear.
Colonel Proctor, out of respect to the deceased, ordered the music to
play the tune of Roslin Castle, the soft and moving notes of which,
together with what so forcibly struck the eye, tended greatly to fill
our breasts with pity, and to renew our grief for our worthy departed
friends and brethren." The bodies of the two officers were exhumed a
few weeks after this and re-interred at Wilkesbarre, with military and
masonic honors by the officers of Sullivan's army.
[30] Barnardus Swartwout, an Ensign in first company of Col. Van
Cortlandt's regiment.