REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
TO LOCATE THE SITE OF THE FRONTIER FORTS
OF PENNSYLVANIA, Volume One.
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REPORT OF
THE COMMISSION OF THE FRONTIER FORTS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Volume
One.
FORT HENRY.
(See
Map of Site of Fort Henry, Berks County.)
Following the
plan of defense which had been laid out, the next fort along the
mountains was placed some 14 miles to the east of Fort Swatara, and
called Fort Henry. Sometimes it is mentioned as Busse's Fort, from
the name of its commanding officer. It was the most important fort
between the Susquehanna and Lehigh Rivers, owing to the fact that it was
about equally distant from each, and also because it was on the main
road to Shamokin (Sunbury) and protected the most populous portion of
the entire region. It lay near no village, nor any prominent
stream from which it might derive a name or location; neither did it
stand at any gap in the mountain, of which none exists between Swatara
Gap and that at Port Clinton, so that it could not be named or located
with reference to any such pass. It did, however, practically
command the connecting roads between the Swatara or Tolihaio Gap, and
the numerous settlements near it, as the savages were obliged to come
through the former to reach the latter. It is, therefore,
occasionally referred to as "Fort Henry at Tolihaio," using the name "Tolihaio"
in a general sense to apply to the surrounding country, not necessarily
right at Tolihaio or Swatara Gap itself. This subject has already
been discussed and is only mentioned at this time to impress upon the
reader the fact that no matter what may be said of Fort Henry, or under
what conditions the name "Fort Henry" may be used, it invariably refers
to the one now under discussion. It is also called, sometimes, the
"Fort at Dietrich Six's" or "at Six's," because the murders which took
place, at the outbreak of hostilities, near Dietrich Six's house, had
much to do with the selection of its site on his farm.
The history of
Fort Henry is very appropriately introduced by this letter of Conrad
Weiser written, November 19th, 1755, to Gov. Morris:
"Honored Sir:
On my
return from Philadelphia I met in the township of Amity, in Berks
County, the first news of our cruel enemy having invaded the country
this side of the Blue Mountain, to wit, Bethel and Tulpenhacon.
I left the papers as they were in the messengers hands, and
[hastened] to Reading, where the alarm and confusion was very great.
I was obliged to stay that night and part of the next day, to wit,
the 17th of this instant, and set out for Heidleberg, where I
arrived that evening. Soon after, my sons Philip and Frederick
arrived from the pursuit of the Indians, and gave me the following
relation, to wit, that on Saturday last about 4 o'clock in the
afternoon, as some men from Tulpenhacon were going to Dietrich Six's
place under the hill on Shamokin Road to be on the watch appointed
there, they were fired upon by the Indians but none hurt nor killed.
(Our people were but six in number, the rest being behind.) Upon
which our people ran towards the watch-house which was about
one-half a mile off, and the Indians pursued then, and killed and
scalped several of them. A bold, stout Indian came up with one
Christopher Ury, who turned about and shot the Indian right through
his breast. The Indian dropped down dead, but was dragged out of the
way by his own companions. (He was found next day and scalped by our
people.) The Indians divided themselves in two parties. Some
came this way to meet the rest that was going to the watch, and
killed some of them, so that six of our men were killed that day,
and a few wounded. The night following the enemy attacked the house
of Thomas Bower, on Swatara Creek. They came to the house in the
dark night, and one of them put his firearm through the window and
shot a shoemaker (that was at work) dead upon the spot. The
people being extremely surprised at this sudden attack, defended
themselves by firing out of the windows at the Indians. The
fire alarmed a neighbor who came with two or three more men; they
fired by the way and made a great noise, scared the Indians away
from Bower's house, after they had set fire to it, but by Thomas
Bower's diligence and conduct was timely put out again, so Thomas
Bower, with his family, went off that night to his neighbor Daniel
Schneider, who came to his assistance. By 8 of the clock
parties came up from Tulpenhacon and Heidleberg. The first
party saw for Indians running off. They had some prisoners whom they
scalped immediately, three children lay scalped yet alive, one died
since, the other two are like to do well. Another party found a
woman just expired, with a male child on her side, both killed and
scalped. The woman lay upon her face, my son Frederick turned
her about to see who she might have been and to his and his
companion's surprise they found a baby of about 14 days old under
her, wrapped up in a little cushion, his nose quite flat, which was
set right by Frederick, and life was yet in it, and recovered again.
Our people came up with two parties of Indians that day, but they
hardly got sight of then. The Indians ran off immediately.
Either our people did not care to fight them if they could avoid it,
or (which is most likely) the Indians were alarmed first by the loud
noise of our people coming, because no order was observed. Upon the
whole, there is about 15 killed of our people, including men, women
and children, and the enemy not beat but scared off. Several
houses and barns are burned; I have no true account how many.
We are in a dismal situation, some of this murder has been committed
in Tulpenhacon Township. The people left their plantation to within
six or seven miles from my house (located at the present town of
Womelsdorf) against another attack.
Guns and
ammunition [are] very much wanted here, my sons have been obliged to
part with most of that, that was sent up for the use of the Indians.
I pray your Honor will be pleased, if it lies in your power, to send
us up a quantity upon any condition. I must stand my ground or
my neighbors will all go away, and leave their habitations to be
destroyed by the enemy or our own people. This is enough of such
melancholy account for this time. I beg leave to conclude, who
am,
Sir,
Your very obedient,
CONRAD WEISER.
Heidleberg,
in Berks County,
November
19th, 1755.
P.S. - I
am creditably informed just now that one Wolf, a single man, killed
an Indian the same time when Ury killed the other, but the body is
not found yet. The poor young man since died of his wound
through his belly." (Penn. Arch., ii, p. 503.)
To
Governor Morris.
______
The first and violent onslaught of the Indians took place, as has been
noted, in the vicinity of Dietrich Six's House, located near what is now
the village of Millersburg, in Bethel Township, Berks County, where
already a watch-tower seems to have been erected.
The excitement
amongst the settlers, caused by the depredations of the savages, was of
such a character and brought about such action on their part, that it
dare not be passed by in this recital, and will be here given before
taking up further matters pertaining directly to Fort Henry.
All was alarm
and confusion. In the absence of Weiser who had just been commissioned a
colonel at Philadelphia, where he was doubtless arranging the plan of
campaign with the governor, the farmers arranged to meet again at
Benjamin Spickers, near the present Stouchsburg, just as they did in the
previous month of October at the time of the alarm at Swatara Gap, and
there organize for defense. Just then Mr. Weiser returned, and the
following letter written by him to the governor, immediately after the
one given above, and of the same date, well portrays what happened:
"May it
please the Governor:
That night
after my arrival from Philadelphia, Emanuel Carpenter and Simon Adam
Kuhn, Esqs., came to my house, and lodged with me. They
acquainted me that a meeting was appointed (of the people of
Tulpenhacon and Heidleberg and adjacent places) in Tulpenhacon
Township (then occupying the whole northwestern part of Berks
county, - Author), at Benjamin Spicker's early next morning. I made
all the haste with the Indians I could, and gave then a letter to
Thomas McKee, to furnish them with necessaries for their journey.
Scarujude had no creature to ride on. I gave him one. Before I
could get done with the Indians three or four men came from Benjamin
Spicker's to warn the Indians not to go that way, for the people
were so enraged against all Indians, and would kill them without
distinction, I went with them; so did the gentlemen before named.
When we came near Benjamin Spicker's I saw about 400 or 500 men, and
there was a loud noise, I rode before, and in riding along the road
(and armed men on both sides of the road) I heard some say, why must
we be killed by the Indians and we not kill them! Why are our hands
so tied? I got the Indians to the house with much ado, where I
treated them with a small dram, and so parted in love and
friendship. Capt. Diefenback undertook to conduct then (with five
other men) to Susquehanna. After this a sort of counsel of war
was held by the officers present, the before named and other
freeholders. It was agreed that 150 men should be raised immediately
to serve as out scouts, and as guards at certain places under the
Kittitany Hills for 40 days. That those so raised to have two
shillings a day, and two lbs of bread, two lbs of beef and a gill of
rum, and powder and lead. (Arms they must find themselves).
This scheme was signed by a good many freeholders and read to the
people. They cried out that so much for an Indian scalp they would
have (be they friends or enemies), from the Governor or Assembly.
They began, some to curse the Governor; some the Assembly; called me
a traitor of the country, who held with the Indians, and must have
known this murder beforehand. I sat in the house by a low window,
some of my friends came to pull me away from it, telling me some of
the people threatened to shoot me. I offered to go out to the people
and either pacify them or make the King's Proclamation; but those in
the house with me would not let me go out. The cry was, "The land
was betrayed and sold." The common people from Lancaster (now
Lebanon) County were the worst. The wages they said [were] a trifle
and said somebody pocketed the rest, and they would resent it.
Somebody had put it into their heads that I had it in my power to
give them as much as I pleased. I was in danger of being shot
to death. In the meantime a great smoke arose under Tulpenhacon
Mountain, with the news following, that the Indians had committed
murder on Mill Creek (a false alarm) and set fire to a barn, most of
the people ran, and those that had horses rode off without any order
or regulation. I then took my horse and went home, where I
intend to stay, and defend my own house as long as I can.
There is no doings with the people without a law or regulation by
the Governor and Assembly. The people of Tulpenhacon all fled; till
about six or seven miles from me some few remain. Another such
attack will lay all the country waste on the west side of
Schuylkill.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient," * * * * (Penn. Arch., ii, p. 504.)
Although I can
trace a quiet touch of sarcasm in Mr. Weiser's account of how the people
fled upon the first rumor of danger, after their threats against him,
yet the gravity of the situation cannot be questioned. It was so
great, indeed, that some of the more prominent gentlemen present deemed
it best to draw up a paper to be sent the governor. On November
24th the following statement was forwarded:
"Honored
Sir:
We the
subscribers hereof, being met together to think on means how to
withstand our cruel Indian enemy, thought fit to acquaint your Honor
of the miserable condition the back inhabitants of these parts are
in:
(1st)
Since the last cruel murder committed by the enemy, most of the
people of Tulpenhacon have left their habitation; those in
Heidelberg moved their effects. Bethel Township is entirely
deserted.
(2d) There
is no order among the people, one cries one thing, and another
another thing. They want to force us to make a law, that they should
have a reward for every Indian which they kill; they demanded such a
law of us, with their guns cocked, pointing it towards us.
(3d) The
people are so incensed, not only against our cruel enemy the
Indians, but also (we beg leave to inform your Honor) against the
Governor and Assembly, that we are afraid they will go down in a
body to Philadelphia and commit the vilest outrages. They say
they will rather be hanged than to be butchered by the Indians, as
some of their neighbors have been lately, and the poverty that some
are in is very great.
(4)
Yesterday we sent out about 70 men to the mountains to take
possession of several houses, and to range the woods along the
mountain in Berks County, on the west side of Schuylkill. The
same number are sent to the back parts of Lancaster (Lebanon
County), we promised them two shillings a day, two lbs of bread, two
lbs of beef, and a gill of rum a day, and ammunition, and that for
40 days, or till we shall receive your Honor's order. We persuaded
ourselves your Honor will not leave us in the lurch; we must have
done such a thing or else leave our habitation. If no worse;
and all this would not do, we and others of the freeholders have
been obliged to promise them a reward of four pistols for every
enemy Indian man they should kill. Many things more we could
mention but we don't care to trouble your Honor any further, do
therefore conclude, and beg leave to subscribe ourselves,
Honored
Sir,
Your very
humble servants,
CONRAD
WEISER,
EMANUEL
CARPENTER
ADAM SIMON
KUHN.
P.S. - I
cannot forbear to acquaint your Honor of a certain circumstance of
the late unhappy affair: One ____ Kobel, with his wife and eight
children, the eldest about 14 years and the youngest 14 days, was
flying before the enemy, he carrying one, and his wife and a boy
another of the children, when they were fired upon by two Indians
very nigh, but hit only the man upon his breast, though not
dangerously. They, the Indians, then came with their
tomahawks, knocked the woman down, but not dead. They intended to
kill the man, but his gun (though out of order so that he could not
fire) kept them off. The woman recovered so far, and seated
herself upon a stump, with her babe in her arms, and gave it suck,
and the Indians driving the children together, and spoke to them in
high Dutch, be still we won't hurt you. Then they struck a
hatchet into the woman's head, and she fell upon her face with her
babe under her, and the Indian trod upon her neck and tore off the
scalp. The children then ran; four of them were scalped, among which
was a girl of eleven years of age, who related the whole story; of
the scalped, two are alive and like to do well. The rest of
the children ran into the bushes and the Indians after them, but our
people coming near to them, and hallooed and made noise; the Indians
ran, and the rest of the children were saved. They ran within a yard
by a woman that lay behind an old log, with two children, there were
about seven or eight of the enemy.
I am,
Honored Sir, your obedient,
C. WEISER
I intend
to send a wagon down to Philadelphia for blankets and other
necessaries for the people, on their guard under the mountain, and I
hope it will be then in your Honor's power to supply us. (Penn.
Arch., ii, p. 511.)
______
The governor
was fully aroused by these horrible atrocities and endeavored to perform
his whole duty. The correspondence received, together with his
recommendations, were at once laid before the Assembly as well as all
the prominent officials of Philadelphia County. His success will
better be shown by a letter written November 17th (probably 27th) to
General Shirley:
Dear Sir:
Since writing the letter herewith I have received intelligence that
the Indians have crossed the Susquehanna, and fallen upon the
inhabitants to the southward of the mountains at and near a place
called Tulpihockin, about 60 miles from hence, where they had, when
the express came away, burnt several houses and killed such of the
inhabitants as could not escape from them. The settlement they
are now destroying is one of the finest in this province, the lands
are very rich and well improved. My Assembly have now been sitting
ever since the 3d instant, but have done nothing for the defense of
the province, nor raised any supply. The bill they have
proposed for that purpose, being of the same kind of one I had
before refused to pass and which they know I have no power by my
commission to pass it. Such a conduct while the country is bleeding,
seems to me to merit the severest censure. (Penn. Arch., ii, p.
525.)
It was not
until the latter part of the year that action was taken which finally
enabled the Governor to organize a system of defense. Troops were
regularly enlisted, officered and equipped. Stations for forts, from 10
to 12 miles apart, were selected, and companies assigned to each, under
the command of Lt. Col. Conrad Weiser. It was at this time,
simultaneously with those of Fort Swatara and Fort Lebanon, that the
history of Fort Henry really began. It was on January 25, 1756,
that Capt. Christian Busse, with a company of 50 Provincial soldiers,
was ordered "to proceed to the Gap at Tolihaio, and there to erect a
stoccado [stockade] fort of the form and dimensions given him, and to
take posts there, and range the woods from that fort westward towards
Swehataro [Swatara] and eastwards towards a stoccado to be built by
Capt. Morgan, about half way between the said fort and Fort Lebanon."
(Penn. Arch., ii, p. 547.)
On February 1,
1756, Gov. Morris wrote to Gov. Dinwiddie explaining his arrangements
for a chain of forts, and says of those between the Susquehanna and
Delaware "the most considerable of them is built at an important pass
through the Kittahteny Hills, on our Northern Frontier, and I have
called it Fort Henry." (Penn. Arch., ii, p. 561.)
In similar
strain, on February 2d, he writes to Col. Washington "on the east side
of the Susquehanna the forts are about 10 or 12 miles asunder among
which the most considerable are Fort Henry, at a pass through the
mountains, called Tolihaio, Fort Lebanon, on the Forks of Schuylkill and
Fort Allen * * * * " (Penn. Arch., ii, p. 565.)
These orders
and letters have already been quoted under the head of Fort Swatara, and
their misleading language commented upon, and therefore need no further
attention here. They go to prove, however, the time when Fort
Henry was erected to have been in February, 1756, because in the case of
this important position the fort was of considerable size and built by
the government troops. The watch tower, originally erected by the
farmers was no longer used. Where this latter stood we do not
know, but my opinion is, after a careful examination of the ground and
talk with the people, that it was at the spot where the fort stood
later, into which it was incorporated, or else torn down.
Fort Henry
seems to have been so well known and in such good condition as not to
need as much attention as some of the other places. This is evidenced by
the fact that when James Young, the Commissary General of Musters, made
his tour of inspection in June of the same year he passed over the
mountains after leaving Fort Northkill and went to Fort Lebanon, without
stopping at Fort Henry. He says, June 21st, "At 8 o'clock A.M., Capt.
Busse, from Fort Henry, came here (Fort Northkill) with eight men on
horseback, he expected to meet Col. Weiser here, in order to proceed to
the several forts on the Norther Frontier, but Col. Weiser wrote him
that other business prevented him, and desired Capt. Busse to proceed
with me, and return him an account how he found the forts, with the
quantity of ammunition and stores in each of which I was very glad, as
the escort on horseback would expedite our journey very much, and be
much safer." (Penn. Arch., ii, p. 676.) Capt. Christian Busse, the
commander of Fort Henry here mentioned had been a doctor at Reading,
Pa., before entering the military service.
Notwithstanding the terrible depredations committed by the Indians, the
officers in command of the troops made every effort to prevent them, and
their unceasing vigilance is well worthy of commendation.
The following
report of Col. Weiser to Gov. Morris, made in July, 1756, bears witness
to this statement:
Honored
Sir:
Immediately after my return from Philadelphia, I sent orders to
Capts. Busse, Morgan and Smith, to meet me at Fort Henry, on the 9th
of this instant, to consult together over certain measures, how to
oppose the enemy of killing the people in reaping and gathering in
their harvest. The evening before, to wit, on the 8th of this
instant, Mr. Young arrived with your Honor's orders to me, I
therefore sent out next morning about 5 o'clock for Fort Henry, in
company with Mr. Young, as far as Benjamin Spyckers. I arrived
at Fort Henry by 10 o'clock. Capt. Busse met me with an escort of
eight men on horseback, about six miles on this side of Fort Henry;
about 12 o'clock the Capts. Morgan and Smith arrived. I
immediately made your Honor's orders known to them, and the
following deposition was made: That eight men of Capt. Smith's
Company shall assist the people in the "Hole" (the place where twice
murder was committed) to gather in their harvest, and stay overnight
in the Moravian house; eight of his men to range westward of his
fort under the hill, and if occasion require to be stationed in two
parties to guard the reapers; sixteen men are to be in and about the
fort to help and protect the neighbors, but constantly 10 out of the
16 are to stay in the fort; nine men are to stay constantly in
Manity [Manada] towards Swatara, and six men to range westward
towards Susquehanna; each party so far that they may reach their
fort again before night. Capt. Busse's Company stationed as follows:
Ten men at Bernhard Tridel's, next to the Moravians, eight men at
Casper Snebelies, six men at Daniel Shue's or Peter Klop's. All
these are westward of Fort Henry. Eastwards Capt. Busse is to
post four men at Jacob Stein's, three men at Ulrich Spies, six men
at the widow Kendal's, the rest, consisting of 19 men, to remain at
the fort. Capt. Morgan's Company, as follows: Six men to range from
the little fort on the Northkill, westward to the Emerick's, and
stay there if the people unite to work together in their harvest,
six men to range eastward on the same footing, eight men to stay in
that fort, 15 men are to stay in Fort Lebanon, eight men to protect
the people over the hill in harvest time, 10 men to range constantly
eastward or westward, and if the people return to their plantation
thereabouts, to protect those first that join together to do their
work.
All the
aforesaid men are posted as much in a range as was possible, and
would suite the settlement best.
Your Honor
will observe that there are not men enough left in the forts to
change or relieve the men on duty, but scarce sufficient to keep the
forts, and send provisions to the several posts.
I did
propose to the captains to make a draft of about 25 men out of the
three companies, and sent them over the hills to a certain place in
Kind Creek, to lie in ambush there for the enemy, for about 10 days,
but the large frontier which they have to guard with their men,
would not admit of it at this time, so I was therefore obliged to
give over that point.
A great
number of the back inhabitants came to the fort that day, and cried
out for guards. Their situation is indeed desperate.
About 40 men from Tulpenhacon have been out for their protection,
but they got soon tired, and rose disputes and quarrels in order to
get home again.
I hear
that the people over Susquehanna will have protection, cost what it
will; if they can't obtain it from the English, they will send to
the French for it. I believe (by what I hear) that some on
this side of the river are of the same opinion, at least there is
such a mumbling among the back inhabitants.
I must
mention to your Honor that when the people about Swatara and the
"Hole" heard of Capt. Smith's being accused of neglect of duty, they
wrote a letter to me in his favor, which I send by Sammy Weiser, who
can translate it if your Honor orders him to do it. I also
send a letter from Capt. Busse, which contains the particulars of
the last murder. I received it by the way coming from
Philadelphia, and stopped the express (as it was only to me) in
order to save changes.
As I had
no clerk for some time, I wrote a general letter yesterday to all
the commanding officers eastward from Fort Henry to Easton, with a
copy of your Honor's orders enclosed. I could not send
everyone a copy, but ordered them to take it themselves and send it
forward immediately.
Just this
moment my son Sammy arrived from Fort Henry, and tells me that there
had been an engagement at Caghnckacheeky, wherein 12 on our side
were killed, and six Indians; that our people kept the field and
scalped the Indians, and that the Indians ran off without any scalp.
As bad news as it is, I wish it may be true.
I have at
present no more trouble your Honor with, but remain,
Sir, Your
very obedient and humble servant,
CONRAD
WEISER.
Heidleberg,
in the County of Berks, July the 11th, 1756.
P.S. - I
should have told your Honor that I keep a sergeant, with nine
private men of my company at Fort Henry, under Capt. Busse, with
that proviso, that they shall stay in the fort and defend it when
the Captain's men are on their several posts or ranging; the Captain
must keep a ranging party all along; tomorrow another sergeant
marches from Reading with nine men, to relieve those of my company
that have been out two weeks. (Penn. Arch., ii, p. 696.)
On November
16th, 1756, Secy. Peters notifies Capt. Orndt, in accordance with the
Governor's orders, "that measures are [being taken], as well at Shamokin
(Sunbury) as in the forts in Berks County, to pursue the enemy Indians
who have lately committed murders on the inhabitants near Fort Henry,
Fort Lebanon and Fort Franklin, of which the Governor desires our
friendly Indians may be advised least our parties should meet with these
Indians, mistake them for the enemy and if so fall upon them." (Penn.
Arch., iii, p. 51.)
The reader
will please notice that Fort Henry is mentioned as a "Fort in Berks
County," whereas if it had been literally situated at Swatara Gap it
would have been in Lancaster (now Lebanon) County.
The
consultation of the Governor with Lord Loudoun, at Philadelphia in
April, 1757, has previously been referred to, and the fact mentioned
that it was then decided to reduce the number of the forts east of the
Susquehanna to three, of which Fort Henry was one, and the only one,
between the Susquehanna and the Lehigh. (Penn. Arch., iii, p. 119.)
It was found impracticable, however, to carry this plan into immediate
operation.
In June of
that year Fort Henry was honored by a visit from Gov. Denny, the
successor of Gov. Morris, under peculiar circumstances. The
government had been notified of a threatened attack in force on Fort
Augusta at Shamokin (Sunbury) just at a time when the terms of
enlistment of the troops composing its garrison had expired. No
persuasion could induce more than 40 men to re-enlist. In the
emergency it became necessary to order immediately three companies from
Col. Weiser's regiment to the scene of action, whilst the Governor, in
person, hastened from Lancaster into the county of Berks to encourage
the raising of these 159 men. When he came there he found men enough but
met with an unexpected obstacle. The country people, supported by
their magistrates and the leading men of the county, refused to serve
under the provincial officers but insisted upon choosing their own.
This, it seems, was put into their heads at Lancaster, by some of the
Commissioners and Assemblymen, who made them think it was a most
valuable privilege. The Governor adds: - "Intending to go to Fort
Henry, the only garrison my time would allow me to visit, I desired Col.
Weiser to acquaint the leaders of these infatuated people, that I should
be glad they would come and speak with me at the fort. Accordingly
about 50 substantial freeholders, well mounted and armed, joined the
escort and attended me to Fort Henry, where I had an opportunity of
undeceiving them. Convinced of their error, they presented me a very
respectful address, assuring me of their desire to have a proper militia
law, and that they were determined under such a law to serve and do
their duty to their king and country. Forty instantly were enlisted by
Col. Weiser out of this neighborhood, and a magistrate about 20 miles
off wrote me he had enlisted 40 more." (Penn. Arch., iii, p. 194.)
We have
already seen that there was a lack of soldiers for the proper protection
of the people, and can readily imagine what a sad deficiency was caused
by the withdrawal of three companies to Fort Augusta. It is,
therefore, a matter of no surprise to read the following letter written
October 1st, 1757, from Reading, by Col. Weiser to Gov. Denny:
"I humbly
entreat your Honor to pity our cause and give orders that the men
belonging to the 1st Battalion of Pennsylvania's Regiment, now at
Fort Augusta, may all return to their proper or former station.
When this present trouble is over I will gladly send a reinforcement
again either to Fort Augusta or wherever your Honor pleases.
It is certain that the enemy is numerous on our frontiers, and the
people are coming away very fast, so that the forts are left to
themselves with the men in them, but no more neighbors about them."
(Penn. Arch., iii, p. 277.)
So urgent is
the matter that Col. Weiser, three days later, writes to the Governor's
secretary, Mr. Peters:
Sir: I did
not think on the post [mail] till he[ mailman] entered my doors,
else I would have wrote particularly to the Governor, though I have
been very busy with writing to the commanding officers of the
several forts under my care. It is now come so far that murder
is committed almost every day; there never was such a consternation
among the people, they must now leave their houses again, with their
barns full of grain; five children have been carried off last
Friday, some days before a sick man killed upon his bed, begged of
the enemy to shoot him through his heart which the Indian answered,
I will, and did so. A girl, that had hid herself under a
bedstead, in the next room, heard all this, two more families were
about that time destroyed. Enclosed is the journal of last month of
my ensign at Northkill. Capt. Busse lies dangerously sick at John
Harris. I hear he is tired of everything; I have neither men nor a
sufficient number of officers to defend the country. If his
Honor would be pleased to send me orders for to recall all the men
belonging to my battalion, from Fort Augusta, he would justly bring
upon him the blessing of the most high. I can not say no more.
I think myself unhappy, to fly with my family in this time of danger
I can't do. I must stay, if they all go. I am now preparing to
go to Fort Henry, where I shall meet some officers to consult with,
what may be best to be done. I have ordered 10 men, with the
Governor's last orders, to Fort Augusta; I shall overtake them this
evening at Fort Henry, and give them proper instruction. For God's
sake, dear Sir, beg of the Governor, press it upon him in my behalf,
and in behalf of this distressed inhabitants, to order my men back
from Fort Augusta. I will give my reason afterwards, that I am in
the right. I conclude with my humble respects to his Honor.
And
remain, Kind Sir,
Your most
humble servant,
CONRAD
WEISER.
Excuse my
hurry. (Penn. Arch., iii, p. 283.)
______
Who can fail
to sympathize with Col. Weiser as he endeavors to faithfully perform his
duties surrounded by these many trials and difficulties. It is
with much satisfaction, therefore, that we find, on November 8th, orders
sent by the Governor for Capt. Busse to return with his detachment to
his former post. (Penn. Arch., iii, p. 38.)
In the midst
of all his discouragements Col. Weiser does not forget his sick friend
Capt. Busse, and snatches a moment's time from his multitudinous labors
to pay him a visit at Fort Harris. Here, by chance, he was informed of
the capture of a French deserter at Fort Henry. We will let him
tell the incident in his own words, as we find them in a letter of
October 16, 1757, to Gov. Denny, written from Reading. He says:
"Honored
Sir:
According
to my last I went up to John Harris's Ferry to visit Capt. Busse,
where I found him in a very poor condition, but he told me he was
much better than he had been the day before; and after about two
hours conversation, he went to Hunter's Fort by water, though
against my advice, as he had Lieut. Philip Marsloff with him, and
Ensign Kern by my order (not knowing that Marsloff was there) was
come up to wait on the Captain, etc. Kern had but half hour to stay
when he was ordered by me to follow the Captain by land, with an
escort of four men of the Battalion under my command. Before
he set off he informed me that on the 12th instant, a French
deserter or spy came down the hill near Fort Henry, and made towards
Dietrich Six's house, which the sentry of the fort observing,
acquainted the commanding officer of the fort thereof, who sent an
officer and two soldiers to seize and bring him into the fort, which
was accordingly done. I ordered, by express, my son Samuel,
who commanded at the fort on Sweetara [Swatara], to march with a
ranging party with all possible speed and care and take the said
prisoner and convey him safe down to my house in Heidelberg, where
he arrived safe with the prisoner about noon yesterday. I
examined the prisoner by such an interpreter as I could get, but
thought fit to bring him down hither to have a more full examination
by the assistance of Capt. Oswald and Mr. James Read, and
accordingly came here with him last night. The paper enclosed and a
fuse were found in his possession. The examination I left to Capt.
Oswald and Mr. Read, who will transmit a fair copy to your Honor.
As I've no men to spare in this dangerous time, and Capt. Oswald
hath been so kind as to offer a party of the Regulars under his
command here to guard the prisoner to Philadelphia, I have accepted
his offer, and accordingly put him into custody of the guards
appointed by the Captain, which I hope will not be disagreeable to
your Honor.
I am,
Honored Sir,
Your most
humble servant,
CONRAD
WEISER."
(Penn.
Arch., iii, p. 293.)
We have then
recorded the examination of the prisoner at Reading, and later his more
complete examination at Philadelphia, both of which abound in
interesting statements, but have no proper place in this history and
must therefore be omitted. Suffice it to say, briefly, that his
name was Michael La Chauviguerie Jun, and his age seventeen. His
father was a lieutenant of French Marines and Commandant of Fort
Machault, just building, which was 72 leagues up the Allegheny River
from Fort Du Quesne (Pittsburgh) and near the Lakes. The son had
been given command of a party of 33 Indians, principally Delawares, who
were sent out on a marauding expedition. As they neared the Blue
Mountains he tells the sad tale of prisoners taken and numerous deserted
homesteads. By accident one day he dropped a piece of bread and whilst
looking for it his party of Indians became separated from him and he
found he was lost. After wandering around for seven days he was
forced to surrender at Fort Henry to save himself from starvation.
In this
connection, I desire to call attention to the fact that Fort Henry is
mentioned as being in close proximity to Dietrich Six's house, which
fully corroborates the position which will be given presently.
______
James Burd, in
the journal of his inspection of various forts, has this to say of Fort
Henry:
"Tuesday,
February 21st, 1758.
Marched at
1 P.M. for Fort Henry (from Fort Swatara) at 3 P.M., got to
Soudder's 7 miles, left Lieut. Broadhead to march the party four
miles to Sneevlys there to halt all night and to march to Fort Henry
in the morning, six miles, the roads being very bad, marched myself
with Adjutant Thorn and eight on horseback arrived at Fort Henry at
5 P.M., found here Capt. Weiser, Adjutant Kern and the Ensigns
Biddle and Craighead, doing duty with 90 men. Ordered a review of
the garrison tomorrow at 9 A.M.
22d,
Wednesday.
Had a
review this morning at 9 A.M., found 90 soldiers under good command,
and fine fellows. Examined the stores, and am informed by the
commanding officer there is two mo's more about six miles from here
at Jacob Myers Mill; no powder, 224 lbs of lead, no flints, about 80
Province arms belonging to these two companies, good for nothing.
Ordered
Ensign Craighead with 18 men of this garrison to march tomorrow
morning to Fort Swettarrow [Swatara] and there to apply to Capt.
Allen and to receive from him seven men, and with this party of 25
men to march from thence to Robertson's mill, there to take post to
order from thence a sergeant corporal and eight men to the house of
Adam Read, Esq., and to employ his whole party in continual ranging
to cover these frontiers; this I found myself under a necessity of
doing otherwise several townships here would be evacuated in a few
days.
Ordered
Ensign Heller to march back my escort to Hunter's Fort tomorrow
morning, and Capt. Weiser to continue to range from this to Fort
Northkill and Swetarrow [Swatara], to employ all his judgment to
waylay the enemy and protect the inhabitants. This is a very good
stockaded fort, and everything is good order, and duty done pretty
well.
Marched
today at 11 A.M., and arrived at Conrad Weiser's, Esq., at 3 P.M.,
14 miles, where I found four quarter casks of powder belonging to
the Province, three of which I ordered to Fort Henry, and one to
Fort Swettarrow, no lead here, very bad roads and cold weather,
stayed all night." (Penn. Arch., iii, p. 553.)
_____
Before
considering the matter of location I submit the following letter from
Capt. Busse to Col. Weiser, written at Fort Henry on June 19th, 1758,
which has an important bearing on the subject:
"Dear Sir:
At noon I received news that this morning about 8 o'clock, the
Indians took and carried away the wife of John Frantz, with three
children, six miles from here, deep in the country. I sent
momently Lieut. Johnston with a party of nine men to go along the
mountains, and to stay at the "Hole" to intercept them. Them
being gone, a farmer was following on horseback, came back and told
that he saw three Indians near the fort at the place of Six.
Being not able to spare more men, as just a detachment was out to
meet the wagon with provision, I sent Sergeant Christ Mowrer only
with two men to look for their tracks. It is a cruel fate
where we are brought to that, we shall fight without powder or lead.
If some is there, be pleased to send it to us. I hope you will
be so kind as to give Capt. Blakwood notice hereof, with my
compliments.
I am, Dear
Sir,
Your very
humble servant,
CHRISTIAN
BUSSE.
(Penn.
Arch., iii, p. 425.)
______
In this letter
Capt. Busse speaks of the Frantz family, who lived six miles from Fort
Henry. I have just recently talked with Mr. William Frantz, 73 years
old, residing at Millersburg, about this very event in his family, he
being a descendant of those mentioned. He informed me that the
event happened at their home which was on the Little Swatara Creek, some
two miles north from Millersburg, which would make it six miles from
Fort Henry if located at Dietrich Six's house. Indeed Capt. Busse,
himself, in the letter, refers to the fort as being at Six's place. But
I especially desire to call attention to the fact that a detail was sent
to the "Hole" (Swatara Gap) to intercept the Indians as they retreated
and possibly rescue the captives. This clearly shows that the
Swatara Gap was looked upon and used as the ordinary passageway through
the mountains to the whole locality in said neighborhood, and that it
would be but natural, as I have already argued, to speak of Fort Henry
as at Tolihaio Gap although actually 14 miles distant from it.
It only
remains to say, what the reader has already discovered, that Fort Henry
was located near the home of Dietrich Six. This property was on
the old Shamokin (Sunbury) Road, three miles north of Millersburg, in
Bethel Township, Berks County. Dietrich Six owned the farm during the
French and Indian War. It was purchased from him by Frantz
Umbenhauer, born October 23, 1751, died March 31, 1812, and buried in
the Union Church Yard near Millersburg, who came to that locality when a
young man and settled there. From him it descended to his son
Peter Umbenhauer, who always kept the place intact and sacred, for the
benefit of the many visitors who came to see it. It afterwards came into
the possession of Mr. George Pott, and is now owned by James Batz. It
was my privilege to interview Mrs. Elizabeth Ditzler, a bright, active
old lady 83 years old, who was the daughter of Peter Umbenhauer and
still lives with her married daughter but a short distance from the site
occupied by the fort. She has frequently seen it, but even when
she was 15 or 16 years old it was in ruins, and not much more than a
heap of stone remained. Her father, who died at the place some 60
years ago when 63 years old, told her all about the fort and its exact
location, which agrees precisely with what is recorded, and is
corroborated by the testimony of many other reliable authorities.
The following
[see Fort Henry] map will now give more clear insight into the matter:
The fort stood
in what is now a cultivated field, about 25 yards northeast one-fourth
east from the shed with stone base standing by the roadside. It was on
slightly elevated ground and commands a splendid view of the approaches
from the Blue Mountains and of the valley to the west. At the foot of
the elevated ground runs a little stream of water, originating at the
spring back of the fort. Mr. Batz still ploughs up stone belonging to
the fort, as well as pieces of common clay pipe stems, and finds chips
of flint at the spring, all, undoubtedly pertaining to the garrison.
This spring, which is the origin of the stream is in a gully about 175
yards from the shed, and must therefore have been comparatively near the
fort.
We have
already discussed and settled the time when this fort was built. With
regard to the fort itself unfortunately we know nothing definite, except
that it was a stockade. In our generation it has been merely a heap of
ruins, but we are assured from them that it was more pretentious in size
than usual. This we would have reason to expect because of its
importance, and from the number of soldiers in the garrison. I have been
unable to get any description of it from anyone, except from Mr. Daniel
Hostetter, of Springsville, who is some 60 years old. Even this is of a
rather vague character. He says most of the stone belonging to the fort
was taken by the farmers for building purposes, but when he first saw it
the marks of the building were plain, and that even 14 years ago about a
quarter of the wall was still there. To him it seemed shaped like a half
moon, and in the center was a house which evidently had a cellar
underneath. The walls of the fort were about three feet thick and about
200 long, and Mr. Hostetter adds that he never saw such a place in his
life and doubts if there is any other like it in the state.
About one mile
east of the fort rises abruptly from the plain Round Top Mountain.
So abruptly does it rise that it is almost impossible to scale the side
facing the fort. Dr. W. C. Kline, of Myerstown, who has at various times
visited this locality and who 25 years ago also saw traces of the walls
of Fort Henry, at one time made an effort to reach the summit of Round
Top. With much difficulty he clambered up its steep face until he
reached a point about half way from the top where he was surprised to
find what seemed undoubtedly an artificial plateau, about 40x150 feet
formed by spreading out stones taken from the hill behind, thus making a
wall in the rear. The stones seem to have been broken to a small
size and were entirely different from the rock comprising the other part
of the mountain over which he had climbed. They were much harder
and made somewhat of a ringing sound when knocked together. The
doctor was entirely unable to give an explanation of the fact, nor did
the farmers living there know of it. I here mention it as a
matter, certainly of interest and possibly of value. It has
suggested itself to me that the Indians, who occupied that part of the
country before the advent of the white man, there obtained the stones
from which to make their axes, arrowheads, etc., as the more prevalent
stone in that neighborhood is too soft for such purposes. I have
also thought that the soldiers of the garrison may have obtained some of
their flints from this place, but as they would have needed only a very
few compared to the large number of stones seen, I am rather inclined to
my former opinion. There may also be some connection between this
theory and the numerous flint chips even now found at the spring in the
gully back of the fort, too many to have been made by the soldiers.
Does it not indicate an Indian village or villages, in the distant past
at that point?
That Fort
Henry's position should be perpetuated by a monument hardly admits of
controversy. In my judgment the spot on which to place it would be on
the site of the public road near the shed having a stone base.
At the time of
the conference with the Indians at Easton in July, 1757, Col. Weiser's
guard of soldiers from Forts Swatara, Henry, Lebanon and from Allemangle,
were under the command of Capt. Busse. (Penn. Arch., iii, p. 218.)
On February 5, 1758, Adjutant Kern reports Capts. Busse and Weiser at
Fort Henry, with 89 men in their two companies, and its distance from
Fort Swatara 14 miles. In his detailed report of the same
date he specifies, besides the two Captains, Lt. & Adjt. Kern, Ensigns
Beedle and Craighead, 92 Provincial arms on hand, 26 men with their own
arms, 12 lbs of powder, no lead, two months provisions, 14 cartridges,
and the Messrs. Weisers as Commissaries for the station. (Penn. Arch.,
iii, p. 339-340.)
Here comes to
an end the recorded history of Fort Henry, but not its actual existence,
as in July, 1763, we find a letter of instructions from Governor
Hamilton to Col. Armstrong, in which he says that he has appointed 100
men for each of the three counties of Lancaster (Lebanon), Berks and
Northampton, to be reinforced from other points as occasion may demand.
(Penn. Arch., iv, p. 115.) We have every right to presume that Fort
Henry, the most important of the chain of forts, was then occupied.
During the interim, however, between 1759, when the Indians had retired
with their French ally, and 1763 which signalized the new outbreak under
Pontiac, comparative peace existed and we need not be surprised at a
lack of stirring events on record. Prior to 1759 there certainly
was no lack of such events in the neighborhood. Many of the
merciless acts committed by the savages in the general locality of Fort
Henry have been given under Fort Swatara. Others in its more immediate
vicinity still remain to be told.
In the
Pennsylvania Gazette of December 18, 1755, it says, "We hear from
Reading, in Berks County, that on Sunday last, about 9 o'clock at night,
the guard belonging to that county, about 17 miles from that town, were
attacked by some Indians, with whom they exchanged several fires, and
put them to flight; that none of the guard were wounded; though one of
them had the skirt of his jacket shot away, and that they supposed some
of the Indians were badly burnt, as they heard a crying among them as
they ran off; but that the guard having spent their ammunition, could
not pursue them."
On March 7,
1756, Andrew Lycan, who lived over the mountain, 25 miles below Sunbury,
at or near the Wiskinisco Creek, was attacked by Indians. He had
with him a son, John Lycan, a negro man, a boy, and two of his
neighbors, John Revolt and Ludwig Shut. As Andrew Lycan and John
Revolt went out early that morning to feed the animals, two guns were
fired at them, but they escaped unhurt, ran to the house and prepared
for an engagement. The Indians then got under cover of a log house
near the dwelling, whereupon John Lycan, Revolt and Shut crept out to
get a shot at them, but were fired at by the Indians instead, and all
wounded, Shut being hit in the abdomen. Andrew Lycan then noticed one of
the Indians and two white men run out of the log house and get a little
distance from it. Upon this the inmates of the house endeavored to
escape but were immediately pursued by the Indians to the number of 16
or more. John Lycan and Revolt being badly wounded, were able to do
nothing, and so went off with the negro, leaving Andrew Lycan, Shut and
the boy engaged with the enemy, who pursued so closely that one of them
came up with the boy, and was about to strike his tomahawk into him when
Shut turned and shot him dead. At the same time Lycan shot another, whom
he is positive was killed, saw a third fall and thinks others were
wounded by them. Being now both badly wounded and almost
exhausted, they sat down on a log to rest themselves, whilst the Indians
stood a little way off looking at them.
One of the
Indians killed was Bill Davis, and two others they knew to be Tom
Hickman and Tom Hayes, all Delawares and well known in those parts. All
of the farmers escaped through Swatara Gap into Hanover Township, and
recovered under the care of a doctor, but lost all they were worth.
(Pennsylvania Gazette, March 18, 1756.)
The editor of
the Gazette, of June 24, says: "we have advice from Fort Henry, in Berks
County (Bethel Township) that two children of one Lawrence Dieppel, who
lives about two miles from said fort, are missing, and thought to be
carried off by the Indians, as one of their hats had been found, and
several Indian tracks seen." In relation to this statement the editor
adds on July 1st, "we learn that one of Lawrence Dieppel's children,
mentioned in our last to be carried off, has been found cruelly murdered
and scalped, a boy about four years, and that the other, also a boy,
eight years old, was still missing."
On November
19, 1756, Col. Weiser writes to Gov. Denny that the Indians had made
another incursion into Berks Country, killed and scalped two married
women and a lad of 14 years of age, wounded two children of about four
years of age, and carried off two more. One of the wounded was scalped
and likely to die, and the other had two cuts to her forehead, given by
an Indian who had attempted to scalp her but did not succeed. There were
eight men of Fort Henry, posted in different neighbor's houses, about
one mile and a half off, who when they heard noise of the guns firing,
immediately went towards it but came too late. The Pennsylvania Gazette
of December 9, also says they had heard of a woman who had been missing
from Heidelberg Township for three weeks past, and was supposed to have
been carried off by the savages.
Again in the
issue of July, 1757, the Pennsylvania Gazette gives this extract from a
letter dated, Heidelberg, July 9th:
"Yesterday, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, between Valentine
Herchelroar's and Tobias Bickell's, four Indians killed two
children; one of about four years, the other five; they at the same
time scalped a young woman of about 16; but, with proper care, she
is likely to live and do well.
A woman
was terribly cut with the tomahawk, but not scalped - her life is
despaired of. Three children were carried off prisoners. One
Christian Schrenk's wife, being among the rest, bravely defended
herself and children, for a while; wresting the gun out of the
Indian's hands, who assaulted her, also his tomahawk, and threw them
away; and afterwards was obliged to save her own life - two of her
children were taken captive in the meantime. In this house were also
20 women and children, who had fled from their own habitations, to
take shelter; the men belonging to them were about one-half mile
off, picking cherries - they came as quick as possible and went in
pursuit of the Indians, but to no purpose, the Indians had concealed
themselves."
In August,
1757, people were murdered by the Indians in Bern Township, and others
carried off. At Tulpehocken a man named Lebenguth, and his wife, were
killed, and scalped. On October 4, 1758, a letter from Fort Henry
says, "The first of October, the Indians burnt a house on Swatara,
killed one man, and three are missing. Two boys were found tied to
a tree and were released. We are alarmed in the fort almost every night
by a terrible barking of dogs; there are certainly some Indians about
us." (Pennsylvania Gazette, October 19, 1758.) On September 9,
1763, a letter from Reading says: "A few of the Rangers who had encamped
in Berks County, were apprized of the approach of Indians by their out
scouts; the Indians advanced cautiously to take them by surprise; when
near, with savage yells they rushed forward, but the Rangers, springing
on their feet, shot the three in front; the rest fled into a thicket and
escaped. The Indians were armed with guns and provided with
ammunition. These Indians, it is supposed by some, had been on
their way from the Moravian Indians, in Northampton County, to the Big
Island. Runners were sent to the different parties of Rangers with
information, and others sent in pursuit of those who fled." (Rupp, p.
77.)
During the
same month, eight well-armed Indians came to the house of John Fincher,
a Quaker, residing north of the Blue Mountains, in Berks County, about
24 miles from Reading, and within three-quarters of a mile of a party of
six men of Capt. Kern's company of Rangers, commanded by Ensign Scheffer.
At the approach of the Indians, John Fincher, his wife, two sons and
daughter, immediately went to the door and asked them to enter in and
eat, expressing hope that they came as friends, and entreated them to
spare their lives. To this entreaty the Indians turned a deaf ear.
Both parents and two sons were deliberately murdered, their bodies being
found on the spot. The daughter was missing after the departure of the
Indians, and it was supposed from the cries heard by the neighbors that
she also was slain.
A young lad,
who lived with Fincher, made his escape and notified Ensign Scheffer,
who instantly went in pursuit of these cold-blooded assassins. He
pursued them to the house of one Miller, where he found four children
murdered; the Indians having carried two others with them. Miller and
his wife, being at work in the field, saved their lives by flight.
Mr. Miller himself was pursued near one mile by an Indian, who fired at
him twice in hot pursuit. Ensign Scheffer and his squad continued
after the savages, overtook them, and fired upon them. The Indians
returned the fire, and a sharp but short conflict ensued, when the enemy
fled, leaving behind them Miller's two children and part of the plunder
they had taken.
These
barbarous Indians had scalped all the persons they murdered, except an
infant about two weeks old, whose head they had dashed against the wall,
to which the brains and clotted blood adhered as silent witness of their
cruelty.
The
consequence of this massacre was the desertion of all the settlements
beyond the Blue Mountains.
A few days
after these atrocious murders, the house of Frantz Hubler, in Bern
Township, 18 miles from Reading, was attacked by surprise. Hubler
was wounded, his wife and three of his children were carried off, and
three other of his children scalped alive, two of whom died shortly
afterwards.
On September
10, 1763, five Indians entered the house of Philip Martloff in Berks
County, at the base of the Blue Mountains, murdered and scalped his
wife, two sons and two daughters, burnt the house and barn, the stacks
of hay and grain, and destroyed everything of any value. Martloff
was absent from home, and one daughter escaped at the time of the murder
by running and secreting herself in a thicket. The father and
daughter were left in abject misery. (Rupp, p. 78.)
A brief
mention has already been made of the Frantz family, in Bethel Township.
The Pennsylvania Gazette of June, 1758, gives the following account of
the case, which substantially agrees with the tradition told me by one
of the descendants, still living in that locality:
"At the
time this murder was committed, Mr. Frantz was out at work; his
neighbors having heard the firing of guns by the Indians immediately
repaired to the house of Frantz; on their way they apprised him of
the report - when they arrived at the house they found Mrs. Frantz
dead (having been killed by the Indians because she was rather
infirm and sickly and so unable to travel), and all the children
gone; they then pursued the Indians some distance, but all in vain.
The children were taken and kept captives for several years.
A few
years after this horrible affair, all of them, except one, the
youngest, were exchanged. The oldest of them, a lad of 12 or
13 years of age, at the time when captured, related the tragical
scene of his mother being tomahawked and shamefully treated.
Him they compelled to carry the youngest.
The
anxious father, having received two of his children as from the
dead, still sighed for the one that was not. Whenever he heard
of children being exchanged he mounted his horse to see whether,
among the captured, was not his dear little one. On one
occasion he paid a man £40 to restore his child, who had reported
that he knew where it was. To another he paid $100, and himself went
to Canada in search of the lost one - but, to his sorrow, never
could trace his child. A parent can realize his feelings -
they cannot be described."
The Rev. Henry
Melchior Muhlenberg, D.D., in the Hallische Nachrichten, tells the
soul-stirring story of Frederick Reichelsdorfer, whose two grown
daughters had attended a course of instruction, under him, in the
Catechism, and been solemnly admitted by confirmation to the communion
of the Ev. Lutheran Church, in New Hanover, Montgomery County.
"This man
afterwards went with his family some distance into the interior, to a
tract of land which he had purchased in Albany Township, Berks County
(see under Fort Everett also). When the war with the Indians broke
out, he removed his family to his former residence, and occasionally
returned to his farm, to attend to his grain and cattle. On one
occasion he went, accompanied by his two daughters, to spend a few days
there, and bring away some wheat. On Friday evening, after the
wagon had been loaded, and everything was ready for their return on the
morrow, his daughters complained that they felt anxious and dejected,
and were impressed with the idea that they were soon to die. They
requested their father to unite with them in singing the familiar German
funeral hymn,
"Wer
weiss wie nahe meine Ende?"
(Who knows how near my end may be?)
after which
they commended themselves to God in prayer, and retired to rest.
The light of
the succeeding morn beamed upon them, and all was yet well. Whilst
the daughters were attending to the dairy, cheered with the joyful hope
of soon greeting their friends, and being out of danger, the father went
to the field to prepare the horses, to prepare for their departure home.
As he was passing through the field, he suddenly saw two Indians, armed
with rifles, tomahawks and scalping knives, making towards him at full
speed. The sight so terrified him that he lost all self command, and
stood motionless and silent. When they were about 20 yards from him, he
suddenly, and with all his strength, exclaimed "Lord Jesus, living and
dying, I am thine!" Scarcely had the Indians heard the words "Lord
Jesus" (which they probably knew as the white man's name of the Great
Spirit), when they stopped short, and uttered a hideous yell.
The man ran
with almost supernatural strength into the dense forest, and by taking a
serpentine course, the Indians lost sight of him, and relinquished the
pursuit. He hastened to an adjoining farm, where two German
families resided, for assistance, but, on approaching near it, he heard
the dying groans of the families, who were falling beneath the murderous
tomahawks of some other Indians.
Having
providentially not been observed by them, he hastened back to learn the
fate of his daughters. But, alas! on arriving within sight, he
found his home and barn enveloped with flames. Finding that the Indians
had possession here too, he hastened to another adjoining farm for help.
Returning, armed with several men, he found the house reduced to ashes,
and the Indians gone. His eldest daughter had been almost entirely
burnt up, a few remains only of her body being found. And, awful to
relate, the younger daughter, though the scalp had been cut from her
head, and her body horribly mangled from head to foot with the tomahawk,
was yet living. "The poor worm," says Muhlenberg, "was able to state all
the circumstances of the dreadful scene." After having done so she
requested her father to stoop down to her that she might give him a
parting kiss, and then go to her dear Savior: and after she had
impressed her dying lips upon his cheek, she yielded her spirit into the
hands of that Redeemer, who, though his judgments are often unsearchable,
and his ways past finding out, has nevertheless said, 'I am the
resurrection and the life, if any man believe in me, though he die yet
shall he live."
[Web master's footnote: While the barbarous acts of
the Indians are well described here, there are various records of such
activities by some of the white settlers toward the Indians.
Murders of women and children were committed by both sides. Rewards
were posted for the capture or killing of Indians. On the other hand,
some Indians had remained friendly, and continued to trade in the white
communities.]