respects a happy one. The unanimity of the Assembly, the Council and the
Governor, gave an uninterrupted course to the prosperity of the
Province. The wisdom which guided her counsels was strongly portrayed in
her internal peace, increased population, improved morals and thriving
commerce. The death of Governor Gordon was equally lamented by the
Proprietaries and the people.
Upon the death of Governor Gordon, the administration of the government
again devolved on the Council, of which James Logan was president. He so
governed until August, 1738, when Sir George Thomas, a wealthy planter,
of the island of Antigua, was appointed by the Proprietaries. Governor
Thomas immediately devoted his energies toward the settlement of the
boundary dispute, by which it was mutually agreed, that matters should
rest along the border, until final settlement of the boundary lines.
The famous “Indian Walk” was performed by Edward Marshall, and others on
September 19, 1737. This walk, according to Charles Thomson, was the
cause of jealousies and heart burnings among the Indians, which
eventually broke out in loud complaints of injustice and atrocious acts
of savage vengeance. The very first murder committed by them after this
deception was on the very land from which they believed themselves
cheated.
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Colonel Bouquet Defeats Indians by Stratagem
at Bushy Run, August 6, 1763
In 1763 the savages, angered by the losses of the French and by finding
the English settlers pressing upon them, organized what has been called
a conspiracy under Pontiac. It nearly succeeded and many English forts
were captured.
In Pennsylvania there were many murders and burnings all around Forts
Pitt, Le Boeuf, Presque Isle and Ligonier; many were killed at Bedford
and Carlisle, and even Fort Augusta, on the Susquehanna at Sunbury, was
seriously threatened.
Colonel Henry Bouquet, an energetic and capable officer, took a
battalion of the Royal American Regiment and two companies of
Highlanders and English and started from Philadelphia for Fort Pitt.
Upon his arrival he found Carlisle crowded with fugitives, and learned
that Presque Isle, Le Boeuf and Venango, now English forts, had fallen.
Homes were burning all through the neighboring valleys.
With five hundred men Bouquet pushed over the mountain to Bedford and
Fort Ligonier, which he relieved from a siege just in time. At Bedford
thirty hunters with rifles joined him. He heard from Fort Pitt that the
commander and nine others had been wounded.
Bouquet resolved to leave behind the oxen and wagons, which formed the
most cumbersome part of the convoy. Thus relieved, the army resumed its
march August 4, taking with them 350 pack horses and a few cattle, and
at nightfall encamped at no great distance from Ligonier.
Within less than a day’s march lay the dangerous defiles of Turtle
Creek. Fearing that the enemy would lay in ambuscade at this place,
Bouquet determined to march on the following day as far as a small
stream called Bushy Run, to rest there until night and then, by a forced
march, to cross Turtle Creek under cover of the darkness.
On the morning of August 5, the tents were struck at an early hour, and
the troops began their march through a rough country, everywhere covered
with a tall, dense forest.
By noon they had advanced to within less than a mile of Bushy Run.
Suddenly the report of rifles from the front sent a thrill along the
ranks. The firing became terrific, while the shouts and whoops showed
that the advance guard was hotly engaged. The two foremost companies
were sent to support it, but far from abating, the fire grew so furious
that it revealed the presence of an enemy at once numerous and resolute.
The convoy was halted, the troops formed into line, and a general charge
ordered. Bearing down through the forest with fixed bayonets, they drove
the yelping savages before them, and swept the ground clear.
At this very moment of success, a fresh burst of whoops and firing was
heard from either flank, while noise from the rear showed that the
convoy was attacked. The column fell back for its support, drove off the
assailants, and formed in a circle around the terrified horses. No man
lost his composure, but each displayed implicit confidence in their
commander.
Now ensued a combat most discouraging. Again and again, now one side and
now on the other, a crowd of Indians rushed up, pouring in a heavy fire,
in their effort to break into the circle. A well directed volley met
them, followed by a charge of the bayonet. The Indians fled behind
trees, few of them were hurt, while the English suffered severely.
Thus the fight went on without intermission for seven hours, until
approaching night, when the Indian fire slackened, and the exhausted
soldiers found time to rest.
It was impossible to change their ground in the enemy’s presence, and
the troops were obliged to encamp where the combat had taken place,
though not a drop of water was to be found there.
Bouquet, doubtful of surviving the battle of the morrow, wrote to Sir
Jeffrey Amherst, in a few, clear, concise words, an account of the day’s
events.
The condition of the troops was deplorable. About sixty soldiers,
besides several officers, had been killed or disabled. A space in the
center of the camp was prepared for the care of the wounded, and
surrounded by a wall built of bags of flour. Here they lay upon the
ground, enduring agonies of thirst, as well as of pain.
The situation of those who hitherto escaped was not an enviable one. In
event of defeat, a fate inexpressibly horrible waited them, while even
victory did not assure their safety, since so many wounded comrades made
it difficult to transport them. On the other side the enemy were
exulting in the fullest confidence of success.
With the earliest dawn of day there broke out a general burst of those
horrid yells which form the prelude of an Indian battle. Instantly from
every side the fire poured in with deadly aim.
At each furious rush the savages were repulsed. The English, maddened
more by the torments of thirst than the fire of the enemy, fought
furiously. But the enemy saw their distress and pressed them closer and
more desperately.
The center of the camp was all confusion. The horses broke away a dozen
at a time and stampeded through the wounded troops. At ten o’clock the
circle was yet unbroken, but there had been many killed. If the day was
to be saved, the effort must be made at once and Bouquet was equal to
the emergency.
In the midst of the confusion he conceived a masterly stratagem. Could
the Indians be brought together in a body and made to stand their
ground, there could be little doubt of the result. Bouquet instructed
the men who were in the most exposed place to give way. The Indians
mistook this movement for a retreat. Confident that their victory was
sure, they leaped up on all sides and rushed headlong towards the spot.
Here they found themselves between two deadly fires and with the reserve
troops blocking their retreat they were utterly routed. The Highlanders,
with yells as wild as their own, fell on them with bayonet. The shock
was irresistible and they fled before the charging ranks, not a living
Indian remained near the spot. Among the dead were found several
prominent chiefs.
The battle of Bushy Run was the best contested battle ever fought
between white men and Indians. It was the most serious defeat ever
inflicted upon the savages down to that time.
With the loss of eight officers and 115 men, Bouquet reached Fort Pitt
August 10. It was a joyous moment both to the troops and the garrison,
which had been surrounded and hotly pressed by the Indians since July
28.
The next year Bouquet led an expedition beyond the Ohio, but the Indians
sued for peace and he compelled them to bring all their captives to Fort
Pitt, where their friends could identify them.
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Indian Council Between Governor Denny
and Tedyuskung Ended at Easton
August 7, 1757
The fact that the great Delaware King Tedyuskung was not present at the
important council at Lancaster in April, 1757, caused much more concern
in the Provincial Government than is usually the case when one person of
importance fails to attend. The Delaware Indians were still chafing
under the rebuke they received at the hands of Canassetoga, the great
Onondaga Chief Sachem, and the Six Nations, who ordered them from the
lands at the Forks of the Delaware River to the Wyoming and Shamokin
Valleys.
Soon as the Lancaster council was concluded, messengers were dispatched
to Tedyuskung and to the Seneca and Shawnee, inviting them to hold a
treaty with the English.
On June 16, Sir Wm. Johnson held a general conference with the Onondaga,
Cayuga and Seneca, of the Six Nations, at his estate “Fort Johnson,” in
which he strongly urged these tribes to come to the support of the
English in their warfare against the French. He severely censured
Tedyuskung and the Seneca for their conduct.
The Indian messengers, Nathanial and Zacharias, failed to find
Tedyuskung at Wyoming, and journeyed to the Seneca villages in New York
where they found the King and delivered the Governor’s message.
Tedyuskung and the messengers immediately set out for Pennsylvania, and
on their way met Joe Peepy, Shikellamy’s son, and Tapescawen, the two
messengers sent out by the Lancaster Council in quest of Tedyuskung.
Nathanial and Zacharias hastened on to advise the Governor that
Tedyuskung and his followers would set out from Tioga for Easton the
middle of June.
Tedyuskung and his retinue arrived at Fort Allen July 3, 200 strong and
waited there for the arrival of 100 Seneca. On July 8, 155 men, women
and children followed Tedyuskung out of Fort Allen toward Easton, and a
few days later 117 Seneca and other Six Nations’ Indians arrived at
Easton, via Wyoming; among the Seneca delegation were old King Nutimus
and “French Margaret.”
Governor Denny, accompanied by members of the Council, Board of Indian
Commissioners and a large number of citizens, including many Quakers,
arrived at Easton, July 20, and the next day the conference with the
Indians was formally begun. Colonel Conrad Weiser and Colonel George
Croghan were in attendance as interpreters and agents; there were more
than 300 Indians representing ten nations, and Tedyuskung claimed
authority over them all.
Tedyuskung demanded a clerk and refused to participate until furnished
one, when a long debate ensued, but the old king won his point and chose
Charles Thomson. Thomson exercised great influence over Tedyuskung and
was his counsel as well as clerk.
The conference proceeded in peace. Tedyuskung declared it was time to
declare mutual friendship and gave the Governor a belt of wampum. The
Governor rejoiced in this expression of alliance and gave the Delaware a
fine belt of wampum. This was a large belt with the figures of three men
worked in the wampum, representing King George, taking hold of the King
of the Five Nations with one hand, and Tedyuskung with the other, and
marked “G. R., 5 N and D. K.,” for King George, Five Nations and
Delaware King.
On Saturday, August 6, Paxinosa, with Abraham, the Mohegan Chief,
arrived at Easton, with about sixty of their people. The Governor
personally welcomed the newcomers to the council.
The most important matter broached by Tedyuskung touched on the future
home of the Delaware. He then asked that persons be sent to instruct
them to build permanent houses of a better class, and that other persons
be sent “to instruct us in Christian religion, and instruct our children
in reading and writing.”
Tedyuskung then expressed a desire that the Governor would send people
to Wyoming during the coming fall or nearly next Spring, that a little
fort might be built. The Indians would then move down from Tioga, about
the beginning of May.
The conference came to an end on Sunday, August 7. The Governor and his
attendants left for Bethlehem, enroute to Philadelphia. The following
day many Indians were escorted by Conrad Weiser and a detachment of
Provincials under Captain Jacob Arndt, towards Bethlehem.
The “Memorials of the Moravian Church” says, “Some of these unwelcome
visitors halted for a few days and some proceeded as far as Fort Allen
and then returned, undecided as to where to go and what to do. During
the month full 200 were counted—men, women and children—among them
lawless crowds who annoyed the Brethren by depredations, molested the
Indians at Manakasy, and wrangled with each other over their cup at “The
Crown.”
Tedyuskung, Abraham and Paxinosa set out from Fort Allen for Tioga,
August 17, the former with a new saddle and bridle, and a supply of
snuff, gingerbread, soap and other luxuries—in addition to the gifts he
had received at the treaty.
When near Tunkhannock, this company was met by three Indian messengers,
with a Peace Belt and four-fold string of wampum, for Tedyuskung from
the two principal chiefs in the Ohio region. The King gave the Peace
Belt he had received at Easton into the hands of one of his sons and
messengers, directing them to carry it with a message which he dictated
to the Ohio chiefs. Then he left his companions and started back to
Bethlehem, where he arrived August 25. Five days later he arrived in
Philadelphia and delivered the message from the Ohio Indians to the
Governor and Council.
Tedyuskung urged the prompt assistance of the government in helping them
locate at Wyoming, and a week later the Governor and Council decided to
send proper persons to build a fort and houses for the Delaware. After
much discussion it was decided to send John Hughes, one of the Indian
Commissioners, Edward Shippen, prothonotary of the Lancaster County
courts, and James Galbraith, also of Lancaster, and a prominent citizen
to undertake the journey to Wyoming. On October 5, 1757, they set out
and satisfactorily fulfilled the mission on which they were sent.
----------
Indians Surprise Reapers and Mortally
Wound James Brady August 8, 1778
During the first several years of the Revolution no section of
Pennsylvania suffered more from the incursions of the hostile Indians
than along both branches of the Susquehanna River, where nearly every
man capable of bearing arms responded to the call and left his home and
fireside in the care of aged men or young men of his family.
The Indians had taken a heavy toll along the West Branch, so small
numbers of local militia and a few provincials garrisoned the several
stockades erected as places of refuge for the inhabitants, when the
Indians were reported by the scouts to be approaching.
August 8, 1778, a party of Indians fell upon a number of reapers and
cruelly murdered young James Brady. The circumstances of the tragic
affair, and the prominence of the victim and his illustrious family make
the story one of value.
Colonel Thomas Hartley had been sent by General Washington to guard the
West Branch Valley, and after arriving at Fort Augusta with his command,
it was determined he should proceed to Muncy, erect a stockade, and from
that place distribute his soldiers to points where they were most
needed.
On the fatal day a corporal and three militiamen were ordered to go to
Loyalsock and protect fourteen reapers and cradlers who were assisting
Peter Smith, the unfortunate man who lost his wife and four children in
the massacre, at what is now Williamsport, June 10. Smith’s farm was on
Bull Run, nearly three miles east of Williamsport, and on the north side
of the river.
It was the custom in those days of unusual peril, when no commissioned
officer was present, for the company to select a leader, who was called
“Captain,” and to obey him accordingly. Young James Brady, on account of
his shrewdness, dash and well known bravery, was selected to take
command of the party.
“Captain” Brady stationed a few sentinels and the rest proceeded to the
work at hand on Friday, August 7. At sundown four of the party left and
returned to Fort Muncy. The balance of the detail commenced work early
the next day; the morning was foggy.
Not an hour had passed before the workers were surprised by the stealthy
approach of a large band of Indians, who were able to draw near under
the cover of the fog before being discovered.
The sentinels discharged their rifles at the savages and ran towards the
reapers. A panic ensued and they all fled with the exception of young
Brady, who ran for his rifle, closely pursued by three Indians. When
almost within reach of his gun, an Indian shot at Brady, who was
probably saved by his timely fall over a sheaf of wheat. When he grasped
for his rifle he was shot in the arm, but succeeded in killing the
Indian who fired at him.
Brady grabbed a second rifle and as quickly dispatched another Indian,
but the savages now closed in on him, and he fought bravely until a
warrior struck him with his tomahawk and another pierced him with a
spear, which felled him to the ground. Brady had no sooner fallen than
his scalp was torn from his head, and a young Indian was called upon to
strike him with his tomahawk. The Indians then fled in great haste.
Brady recovered consciousness, and succeeded by walking and creeping, in
reaching the cabin of an old man, named Jerome Vanness, near the bank of
the river, who had been employed to cook for Brady and his companions
while on this tour of duty.
Vanness heard the firing and had concealed himself, but on seeing Brady
approach, rushed to his assistance. Brady urged the aged man to fly for
his own safety, but he refused to leave his “captain,” and dressed his
terrible wounds as best he could.
Brady requested to be assisted down to the river, where he drank much
water, and lay until Vanness went back for his gun.
When the terrified reapers and militiamen reached Fort Muncy, Captain
Andrew Walker hurried a detail to Smith’s farm. On approaching the spot
where the gallant Brady lay weltering in his blood, he heard the relief
party, and supposing them to be Indians, immediately jumped to his feet,
cocked his rifle, and prepared to defend himself.
When Brady found the party to be friends, he requested to be taken to
his mother, who was visiting among relatives at Sunbury.
He was tenderly cared for, placed in a canoe, and taken rapidly down the
river. During the trip of nearly thirty miles he became delirious.
When the party arrived at Sunbury, although it was nearly midnight, his
mother met the canoe at the landing and assisted to convey her wounded
son to the house.
Brady presented a frightful appearance and the grief of his mother was
pitiable. He lived five days, dying in the arms of his devoted mother,
August 13, 1778.
On the day of his death his reason returned and he related with much
detail the bloody scene through which he had passed.
Some writers have stated that Chief Bald Eagle scalped him, and that his
brother, Captain Samuel Brady, afterwards avenged his death by shooting
Bald Eagle through the heart.
The unfortunate young hero was buried near Fort Augusta. He was mourned
by all who knew him.
James Brady was the second son of Captain John and Mary Brady, and a
younger brother of Captain Samuel Brady, the famous scout and Indian
killer. He was born in 1758, while his parents lived at Shippensburg,
Cumberland County, and was in his twenty-first year at the time of his
tragic death.
Many anecdotes of the Brady family have been handed down, and one
relating to James is interesting. The men of that time wore their hair
long, plaited and cued behind the head. James had a remarkably fine head
of fiery red hair. A neighbor remarked that she feared the Indians would
get this red scalp. James replied: “If they do, it will make them a
bright light of a dark night.” In less than a week the noble youth fell
beneath the cruel tomahawk and the savages had his red scalp.
His father, Captain John Brady, was murdered near Muncy by the Indians,
April 11, 1779, while home on a leave of absence from the Continental
Army.
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General John Bull, Distinguished Officer of
Revolutionary War, Died August 9, 1824
Among the early patriots of the Revolution was Colonel John Bull, and he
was quite as much a distinguished citizen and statesman. John Bull was
born in 1730, in Providence Township, now Montgomery County. He was
appointed captain in the Provincial service, May 12, 1758, and the
following month was in command of the garrison at Fort Allen.
In October the same year he accompanied General John Forbes’ expedition
for the reduction of Fort Duquesne, and rendered important service in
the negotiations with the Indians. The instructions to Captain Bull were
dated Easton, October 21, 1758, and are most specific. He and William
Hayes had volunteered to carry important messages to the Indians on the
Ohio.
Pesquetomen and Thomas Hickman, two Delaware Indians from the Ohio,
accompanied the provincial messengers, who set out in October, going by
way of Reading and Fort Henry to Fort Augusta, where they were equipped
and supplied with such articles as they needed. They carried belts of
wampum and even the outlines of the speeches they were to make to the
western Indians when in council. This mission was performed to the
entire satisfaction of the Provincial Government and John Bull became at
once a trusted official on important occasions.
In 1771 Captain Bull owned the Norris plantation and mill, and was
residing there at the opening of the Revolution. This is on the present
site of Norristown. He was a delegate to the Provincial Conferences of
January 23, 1775, and of June 18, 1775, and a member of the Provincial
Convention of July 15, 1776.
The First Pennsylvania Battalion was raised in pursuance of a resolution
of Congress, October 12, 1775. The field officers were elected by
Congress, November 25, and John Bull was commissioned a colonel.
On January 20, 1776, the Colonel resigned in a communication to Congress
setting forth that he was ill-treated by many of the officers and that
nearly one-half of them threatened to resign if he continued in command.
He also stated that this circumstance would not alter his conduct or
abate his zeal, and whenever called upon again to serve his country, he
would, with the greatest pleasure, obey the summons. Colonel Bull was
succeeded by Colonel John Philip DeHaas, of Lebanon, who was
commissioned two days later.
Colonel Bull served as one of the Commissioners at the important Indian
treaty held at Easton, January 30, 1777; in February he was in command
of the works at Billingsport.
The Supreme Executive Council created the Board of War, March 13, 1777,
and named Colonel John Bull as one of the original members. They
organized the following day.
On May 2, he was commissioned colonel of the State Regiment of Foot,
which was organized with the residue of the battalions of Colonels
Samuel Miles and Samuel J. Atlee, as a nucleus. June 2 this regiment was
stationed at Fort Mercer, under command of Colonel Bull, its strength
being four hundred and sixty-three.
As Colonel Bull was not an officer of either battalion, the other
officers claimed his appointment ruined their rank, and as the regiment
was put in the Continental service, June 10, 1777, the Supreme Executive
Council appointed Colonel Bull adjutant general of the militia of
Pennsylvania, and appointed Walter Stewart to the command of the
regiment, which participated at Brandywine and Germantown.
He was also colonel of the Sixth Battalion of Associators, of
Philadelphia, during 1777. During October of this year, Colonel Bull’s
barns, barracks, grain and hay were burned by the British, and his
wagons, horses, sheep and Negroes carried off, although General Howe had
given his word to Mrs. Bull that they would not be disturbed.
In December, Brigadier General James Irvine was wounded and captured in
the attempted surprise by the British at Whitemarsh, and Colonel Bull
succeeded to the command of the Second Brigade Pennsylvania Militia,
under command of General John Armstrong.