proceeded down the river 3 miles to one of the Tuscarora towns, which
was burnt by one of our Detachments last fall, here waded the river
about 4 feet deep to the west side, went on one Mile when we came to
another of the Tuscarora towns called Shawhiangto[134] consisting of
10 or 12 houses which we burnt, then marched on over a very barren
mountainous country 10 or 12 Miles, came to a Tuscarora settlement
called Ingaren[135] consisting of 5 or 6 houses, but a good deal
scattered, encamped at the lower end of the settlement after burning
the houses, here they had planted a good deal of corn, potatoes, &c.,
which we destroyed, a few yards in front of our comp'ys encamping
ground there was a tanfat farm with several Hides at a tannery which
the soldiers got, and close by it they discovered in a little hole, a
man which was laid there and a little dirt thrown over him just to
cover him. We had his head uncovered, but he was too putrified, we
could not discover whether he was a white man or Indian but supposed
to be a white man, as there was a Scotch Bonnet found near him.
Marched to-day 15 miles.
Wednesday 18th.--Marched off from Ingaren 7 o'clock through a very
fine rich country very well timbered but poorly watered, scarce any;
arrived at Chinango River at 4 o'clock where we forded it about 4 feet
deep, and almost as wide as the Susquehanna but not so deep, as soon
as we got over we halted and Major Parr with 100 men went up the River
to destroy the Chinango town[136] which lay 4 miles up the River, but
when we came there, we found the town was burnt, which consisted of
about 20 houses. It seems when the Indians evacuated it last winter
they destroyed it, therefore we Returned and found the army encamped 2
Mile below the Chinango River. Marched to-day 22 miles, and burnt
several Indian houses on the road. This evening came up the River 2
Runners who informed us that Gen'l Poor with 1000 Men was within 9
miles of us coming to meet us and that Genl. Sullivan lay at the mouth
of the Tyoga and that he had sent part of his army up to Shamong which
they had destroyed, and had returned to Gen'l Sullivan with the loss
of 9 men killed and some more wounded, which was in small
skirmishing. The Indians had taken off all their [property] from
Shamong, except a few cattle which our people got.
Thursday 19th.--Marched this morning 7 o'clock, went 2 Miles where we
burnt 7 or 8 houses on the East side of the River, 4 miles further at
the Chuggnuts[137] we fell in with Gen'l Poor's army who was ready to
march, they had burnt this settlement which lies on the East side of
the River about 20 houses, made no halt here but went on 4 mile, Gen'l
Clinton's army in front and Gen'l Poor's in the rear. Came to a
middling large Creek where we made a halt for one hour, then marched
on 12 Miles without halting and arrived at Owego[138] about sundown
after a very fatiguing march of 22 Miles. This afternoon fell a small
shower of Rain.
Friday 20th.--Rained a little last night, and successively all this
day therefore did not move, went a party down to Owego town which lies
one mile lower down and burnt it, consisted of about 20 houses.
Saturday 21.--Clear weather this morning but a very heavy fog, marched
a little after 7 o'clock, forded Owego creek which is about * * * one
third of the Susquehanna, at this place it was about three feet deep
and about 50 yards wide--Went thro. the * * * of Owego town, crossed a
pretty large brook, went 12 miles, halted at a small brook one hour
for refreshment. Proceed on 3 Miles further when we encamped at 4
o'clock opposite Fitzgerald's farm[139] in the woods, it is a very
fine farm but no house on it, nor any body living on it. On this
ground where we encamped Mr. Sawyers a man who was made prisoner by
Indians, along with his Neighbor Mr. Cowley who both lived on the head
of the Delaware, after the Indians having them so far on their
Journey, they rose in the Night killed the Indians which was 3 or 4
and made their escape, we saw the * * * of the Indians * * * when we
came on the ground. To-day we met with a bad accident, two of our
Boats of Ammunition overset in the River and Damaged a good many boxes
of cartridges and a few casks of powder, to-night went on Guard.
Sunday 22d.--Marched off this morning 7 o'clock, proceeded on, we
crossed two middling large brooks. Arrived at Tyoga 11 o'clock, where
we found Genl. Hand's Brigade encamped one Mile above the mouth of the
Tyoga where they was building 4 Block houses, the other troops was
encamped over the point which was Gen'ls Poor's and Maxwell's
Brigades, we encamped on the Right of the whole. On our coming into
camp we was saluted by 13 Pieces of cannon which was Returned by our
two little pieces on the River. We found Gen'l Hand's Brigade under
arms with a Band of Music which played Beautiful as we passed by them,
We encamped on a very * * * pretty piece of ground and spent the
Remainder of the day in seeing our friends in the different Regiments,
likewise when we arrived here our Infantry was disbanded and ordered
to join their respective Regts. Very heavy shower of rain this
afternoon. Marched 7 miles to-day.
FOOTNOTES:
[127] JOACHIM VAN VALKENBERG, afterwards killed in battle near Lake
Utsayunthe in 1781.
[128] Van Hovenberg's Journal says Burris Farms.
[129] ALBOUT.--A Scotch, tory settlement on the east side of the
Unadilla river, five miles above Unadilla, was burned Aug. 12, 1779,
by Clinton's detachment. Most of the Scotch Settlers went to Canada at
the beginning of the difficulties; those who remained were more in
sympathy with the British than with the Americans.
[130] CONIHUNTO, called Gunnagunter by Van Hovenberg, an Indian town
14 miles below Unadilla, destroyed by Col. William Butler in 1778. It
appears to have been on the west side of the river.
[131] UNADILLA, an Indian town at the junction of the Unadilla with
the Susquehanna, destroyed by Col. William Butler in 1778. "Returning
to Unadilla, that settlement, on both sides of the river was burned,
as also a grist-mill and saw-mill, the only ones in the Susquehanna
Valley."--_Letter of Col. William Butler._
[132] ONOQUAGA, an Indian town on both sides of the Susquehanna river,
eight miles below Conihunto near present Ouaquaga in the town of
Colesville, Broome Co. When destroyed by Col. Butler in 1778 he
mentions a lower or Tuscarora town three miles below, this would be
near present Windsor. The old fort mentioned is probably one built for
the Indians by Sir William Johnson in 1756. Rev. Gideon Hawley was a
missionary here at an early date.
[133] Col. Pawling, commanding a regiment of New York levies, was to
meet Clinton at this point, but arriving after the army had passed,
they returned to Wawarsing.
[134] SHAWHIANGTO, a small Tuscarora town four miles below Onoquago,
burned by General Clinton August 17, 1779; it contained ten or twelve
houses, located on the west side of the river, near present Windsor in
Broome County.
[135] INGAREN, a small Tuscarora town, at or near Great Bend in
Susquehanna county, Penn. It was called Tuscarora by Van Hovenberg,
and described as being sixteen miles from the camp, four miles below
Chenango river; and twelve miles by land and twenty by water, from
Onoquaga, where the army encamped on the 16th. Was destroyed by
General Clinton, August 17, 1779.
[136] CHENANGO, also called Otsiningo, an important Indian town
located four miles north of Binghamton on the Chenango river, in
present town of Chenango, near the present village of the same name.
The twenty-two miles travel mentioned, evidently includes the march up
the Chenango to this town, and from thence to the camp. Van Hovenberg
estimates the day's march of the army at 16 miles. Many writers
incorrectly locate this town at Binghamton.
[137] CHOCONUT, or _Chugnutt_, an important Indian town of fifty or
sixty houses, mostly on the south side of the Susquehanna at the mouth
of Big Choconut creek, on the site of the present village of Vestal,
in town of Vestal, Broome county. Burned Aug. 19, 1779, by Gen. Poor's
detachment which encamped on the north side of the river near present
Union where the two detachments united. Gen. Clinton's camp the same
night, was six miles distant up the river.
[138] OWAGEA, an Indian town of about twenty houses. Occupied in 1779,
located on Owego creek about a mile from the Susquehanna near the
present village of Owego in Tioga County. Gen. Poor's detachment
encamped Aug. 17th on the site of present village, where was a small
Indian Hamlet. Owagea was burned Aug. 19.
[139] MANCKATAWANGUM, or Red Bank, here called Fitzgerald's Farm,
appears to have been on the south side of the Susquehanna, in the town
of Nichols, nearly opposite the village of Barton. Major Norris'
Journal, in going up, says on the 16th the detachment "encamped near
the ruins of an old town called MACKTOWANUCK" (see p. 41); Lieut.
Jenkins' Journal; says "10 miles from Tioga at a place called
MANCKATAWANGUM or _Red Bank_," and mentions encamping at same point on
the return march. A table of distances in Canfield's Journal says
"from the mouth of the Tioga (Chemung) to Mackatowando 10 miles." This
would locate the Indian town at or near present Barton. On the Tioga
county map, Mohontowonga Farm appears on the south side of the river
opposite Barton, and an island in the river named Mohontowango.
Early in the spring of 1779, two men named Sawyer and Cowley were
captured near Harpersfield, by four Schoharie Indians, named Han
Yerry, Seth's Henry, Adam and Nicholas. One of the captives was an
Irishman, the other a Scotchman. They were refugees from Harpersfield,
who had sought safety in Schoharie at the beginning of the
difficulties. The prisoners could not speak Dutch, which the Indians
understood, nor could the Indians understand English. When captured,
they claimed by signs to be friends of the King, and were not only
willing, but anxious to accompany their captors. The prisoners set off
with such apparent willingness on the journey, that the Indians did
not think it necessary to bind them, but permitted them to procure
wood and water. They had been captives eleven days without finding a
favorable opportunity for escape, but on arriving at a deserted hut at
this point, the captives were sent to cut wood a few rods distant,
using for this purpose an ax belonging to one of the prisoners. On
such occasions, usually one cut and the other carried to the camp
fire; but this time, while Cowley was chopping, and Sawyer waiting for
an armful, the latter took from his pocket a newspaper, and pretended
to read its contents to his fellow, but really proposed a plan for
regaining their liberty. After procuring a sufficient quantity of
wood, and partaking of a scanty supper, they laid down for the night
as usual, a prisoner between two Indians. When the Indians were sound
asleep, the prisoners arose, secured the guns, shaking the priming
from them, Sawyer securing the tomahawk of Han Yerry, and Cowley the
ax. At a given signal, the blows descended, and the weapons sank deep
into the brain of their victims, but unfortunately, Sawyer in
attempting to free his weapon from the skull, drew the handle from its
socket. These two Indians were killed, but the noise awoke the others,
who instantly sprung to their feet; as Seth's Henry arose, he received
a blow partially warded off by his right arm, but his shoulder was
laid open and he fell back stunned; the fourth, as he was about to
escape, received a heavy blow in the back from the ax; he fled to a
swamp near by and died. On returning to the hut and consulting as to
what course they should pursue, Seth's Henry, who had recovered, but
feigned death, again sprang to his feet, caught his rifle and snapped
it at one of the prisoners, ran out of the hut and disappeared. The
two friends primed the remaining guns and kept vigilant watch until
daylight to guard against surprise. They set out in the morning to
return, but did not dare to pursue the route they came, very properly
supposing there were more of the enemy in the vicinity, to whom the
surviving Indian would communicate the fate of his comrades. They
re-crossed the river in a bark canoe which they had used the preceding
afternoon, and then directed their course for the frontier
settlements. On the first night, Cowley, carried away by the
excitement was deranged for hours, and his companion was fearful that
his raving would betray them, but reason returned with daylight. As
they had feared, a party of Indians was soon in hot pursuit--from a
hill they saw ten or a dozen in the valley below; but they concealed
themselves beneath a sheltering rock, and remained there one night and
two days. When there an Indian dog came up to them, but after smelling
for some time, went away without barking. On the third night they saw
the enemy's fires literally all around them. They suffered much from
exposure to the weather, and still more from hunger, but finally
arrived at a frontier settlement in Pennsylvania, and afterward
returned to Schoharie, where they were welcomed as though risen from
the dead. Sawyer is said to have died many years after in Williamstown,
Mass., and Cowley in Albany.--_Symm's Schoharie_, 291, 2, 3.
EXPEDITION AGAINST THE CAYUGAS.
MARCH OF COLONEL BUTLER ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF CAYUGA LAKE.
On the return march, when the army reached Kanadaseaga on September
20, Lieutenant Colonel Butler commanding the Fourth Pennsylvania
regiment was detached with six hundred men, with orders to proceed
around the north end of Cayuga lake, and devastate the country of the
Cayugas on the east side of the lake. At the same time a force under
Lieutenant Colonel Henry Dearborn was ordered to move along the west
side, the two detachments to unite at the head of the lake and from
thence to join the main army at Catharinestown.
WILLIAM BUTLER was the second of five brothers, all of whom served
with distinction in the Revolution and the succeeding wars. Their
names were Richard, William, Thomas, Percival and Edward. Thomas, the
third brother, is said to have been born in Pennsylvania in 1754, and
Richard the elder in Ireland, so that William was either born in
America, or came here from Ireland when very young. He was
commissioned Lieutenant Colonel October 25, 1776, on the organization
of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment. Immediately after the battle of
Monmouth, in which he bore an important part, his regiment and six
companies of Morgan's riflemen were sent to Schoharie County, New
York, where he was actively engaged in protecting the frontier
settlements from the marauding parties of tories and Indians. After
the Wyoming massacre in 1778, as a part of the aggressive policy
determined on by Washington, he marched to the Delaware, and descended
that stream for two days, and from thence moved across the country to
the Susquehanna at Unadilla in pursuit of the enemy, who fled at his
approach. From here he moved down to Onoquaga, which was a well built
town, with many good farm houses in the vicinity belonging to the
tories, located on both sides of the river. He destroyed Onoquaga, and
a Tuscarora town lower down, Conihunto eight miles above, and
Unadilla, with the grist and saw mill there, the only ones in the
valley, and forced the enemy to remove westward to the Chemung where
they were found by Sullivan the next year. He was in garrison in the
Middle fort of Schoharie during the winter, and in August, 1779,
accompanied Clinton down the Susquehanna to Tioga point where he was
transferred to General Hand's Brigade August 23d of that year. This
was the Colonel Butler to whom General Sullivan entrusted the
responsible duties of conducting this important expedition, second
only in importance to that of the main army. Two journals give an
account of Colonel Butler's march, viz., Thomas Grant, who appears to
have been one of the surveying party under Captain Lodge, and George
Grant, Sergeant Major of the Third New Jersey regiment, the latter
evidently copied from some other journal.
PART OF THOMAS GRANT'S JOURNAL.
Sept. 20.--This day a detachment of six hundred men with a sufficiency
of officers under the command of Col. Wm. Butler were sent into the
Cayuga country, with which detachment I was ordered. They marched from
Cannadesago at 3 o'clock P.M. Marched this day 8 miles to an Indian
town by the name of Scawyace[140] where about 8 acres of corn was
destroyed.
Sept 21.--The detachment marched this morning at 7 o'clock A.M. 16-1/2
miles to a small Indian settlement[141] 1-1/2 miles short of Cayuga
Castle, where we encamped for the night. At 8-1/2 miles crossed the
outlet of Cayuga, which in breadth was about 70 perches, and more than
middle deep to the men. Near the outlet we destroyed two Indian
houses. The name of the place Choharo[142] and destroyed on the lake
in different places * * * houses and * * * acres of corn, but saw no
enemy. The general course since we crossed the outlet, nearly south,
the road not more than half a mile from the lake at furthest, the land
middling.
Sept. 22, 1779.--Marched this day at 6 o'clock A.M. 2 miles to the
Cayuga Castle,[143] an Indian town of that name containing in number
about 15 very large square log houses. I think the building superior
to any yet have seen. [Here] cattle were killed and three days beef
issued to the troops. The fatigue parties were sent to destroy the
corn to the amount of about 110 acres, though not all destroyed this
day. Two other towns were discovered, one 23-1/2 miles from the Seneca
Lake, which we called Upper Cayuga,[144] containing 14 large houses,
the other about two miles east of the Castle which we called
Cayuga,[145] containing 13 houses. The troops were all employed this
day in destroying corn till after dark. We found at this town apples,
peaches, potatoes, turnips, onions, pumpkins, squashes, and vegetables
of various kinds and great plenty.
Sept. 23, 1779.--This day the troops were employed till 3 o'clock P.M.
in finishing the destruction of the corn and burning the
aforementioned towns within. Marched 5 miles to an Indian town by the
name of Chandot[146] or Peach Town, remarkable for a large Peach
orchard containing * * * hundred fine thriving peach trees, likewise
* * * acres of corn. This town contained about 12 or 14 houses chiefly
old buildings. Part of the corn was destroyed this evening.
Sept. 24, 1779.--This morning the troops were employed in finishing
the destruction of the corn and peach trees. At 10 o'clock A.M. fire
was set to this town and the detachment went off the ground. Marched
this day 16-1/2 miles and encamped on a pleasant hill[147] near a fine
creek about one hour after dark. The land we passed this day well
timbered, and the soil very good, but very scarce of water. 9 miles
from Chondote we crossed a stream of water which fell over rocks 80
feet perpendicular. 3 miles from [this] we crossed a second
stream[148] which fell about 50 feet perpendicular, which empty
themselves into Cayuga lake. Saw no enemy this day. The general course
S. 30 deg. E.
Sept. 25, 1779.--Marched this morning about 6 o'clock and encamped at
an Indian town 3-1/2 miles above Cayuga Lake. The town appeared to be
just consumed, supposed to be burnt by a detachment from Gen'l
Sullivan's army.[149] The town was situated on a rising ground in a
large, beautiful valley. The soil equal to or rather superior to any
in the country, through which runs several fine streams of water, the
first a creek about 4 poles wide, which falls from the mountain on the
east side of the valley about 120 feet perpendicular into which creek
three other fine streams empty, the second creek is the principal
supply of the Cayuga Lake navigable for large canoes or boats to the
town.
[The journal here ends abruptly]
PART OF GEORGE GRANT'S JOURNAL.
Sept. 20, 1779.--I return to the 20th to follow Col. Butler, who left
us at Kanadasago, and proceeded along the outlet of Seneca Lake for 8
miles and halted at Schoyerre, formerly destroyed by Col. Harper.
Sept. 21.--Early this morning a party of 200 men under the command of
Maj. Scott was despatched to destroy corn, &c., the remainder with
Col. Butler, proceeded on forward. Seven miles of the road was very
bad, the land poor and barren, and no water. They then entered on an
excellent swamp which produces fine timber, the soil exceeding rich
and fertile. This extends for 4 miles, when they reached Caiuga Lake.
This they crossed at a place wading it to their breasts in water,
where they halted waiting for Maj. Scott and his party. As soon as
they had joined, they proceeded along the side of the lake side, the
land excellent, the timber large and the country level and well
watered. Came to a habitation within one mile of Caiuga town and
encamped 18 miles from Scoyerre.
Sept. 22.--Marched to Caiuga[150] one mile distant. This town is large
and commodius, consisting of 50 houses mostly well built. The party
went immediately to destroying corn, &c., with which this place
abounds, but the water very bad and scarce. Here was found some salt
of the Indians making from the Salt Springs[151] which are in this
country. Found several muskets here, branded with the brand of the
United States; also a few Regimental coats, blue, faced with white.
Sept. 23.--The most part of the day taken up in destroying scattering
towns, corn, &c., within 2 or 3 miles all around this town. About 4
o'clock marched for another town[152] distant 4 miles but could not
learn any name for it, and here halted for the night.
Sept. 24.--This morning went to destroying corn, beans, and orchards.
Destroyed about 1500 Peach Trees, besides apple trees and other fruit
trees. This town consisted of 13 houses. Then marched for 18 miles,
the first 12 the land exceeding good, the other six not extraordinary.
Sept. 25.--Marched for 10-1/2 miles the road mostly bad, having to
ascend and descend extreme steep and difficult mountains, then through
thick and difficult swamps. Passed the end of Caiuga Lake and halted
at De-ho-riss-kana-dia[153] which they found burnt and the corn partly
destroyed. Here was found the Rev. Dr. Kirkland's horse, supposed to
be left here by the party who destroyed the corn, &c.
Sept. 26.--Marched for 8-1/2 miles through the Great Swamp.
Sept. 27.--Marched for 17 miles, 15 of which was through the above
swamp. Most part of the way, they had to steer by the sun, there not
being the least semblance of a road or path. A man of this party died
suddenly.
Sept. 28.--Marched for one mile and crossed the outlet (inlet) of
Caiuga Lake, and came upon ground occupied by the army on the night of
the 31st of August, from there to Kanawaholee,[154] where they joined
the main body of Sullivan's army.
FOOTNOTES:
[140] SCAWYACE or _Long Falls_, an important Indian town of eighteen
houses, located on the north bank of Seneca river at present site of
Waterloo, in Seneca County. It was partially destroyed on August 8,
during the advance of the army by a party of volunteers under Colonel
Harper. George Grant mentions the fact of "several fish ponds
abounding opposite the town." These were circular enclosures of stone
from thirty to forty feet in diameter, built up on the rocky bed of
the stream, where the water was neither very deep or rapid, so
constructed as to permit the water to pass through, but to retain the
fish.
[141] GEWAUGA, a small hamlet on the present site of Union Springs in
the town of Springport, on the east side of Cayuga lake.
[142] CHOHARO.--This was the Tichero or St. Stephen of the Jesuit
Relations, said to signify _the place of rushes_, located at the foot
of Cayuga lake on the east side, at the exact point where the bridge
of the Middle Turnpike left the east shore. The trail across the marsh
followed the north bank of an ancient channel of the Seneca river,
which at an early day took that course. The turnpike afterward
followed substantially the line of the trail and crossed the present
line of the Cayuga and Seneca canal three times between Mud Lock and
the old Demont tavern on the opposite side of the marsh. The salt
springs mentioned by Father Raffeix in 1672, were on the west side of
the marsh about half a mile north of the N.Y.C. Rail Road bridge, and
on the bank of the ancient river channel.