Border Wars of the American Revolution by William L. Stone

CHAPTER VI.

THE dawn of the New Year was lighted up by the conflagration of Norfolk, by order of Lord Dunmore, the royal governor of Virginia. His lordship had previously retired with his adherents to the fleet; and this act of Vandalism was directed by way of retaliating upon the Whigs of that borough for having refused supplies to the Liverpool man-of-war. The people themselves destroyed the buildings nearest the water, in order to deprive the ships even of those sources of supply. After cruising for a time on the coast of Virginia, and being everywhere repulsed-some of his ships having been driven on shore, and their crews captured and imprisoned by the colonists-his lordship was obliged to destroy those of his vessels which were not seaworthy, and seek refuge himself in Florida and the West Indies. Another incident adverse to the royal arms was the defeat, by the provincials under General Moore, of General M'Donald (commissioned by Governor Martin), in his attempts to bring North Carolina to obedience. The battle resulting in this defeat was gallantly fought at Moore's Creek Bridge by Colonels Caswell and Lillington, commanding about 1000 minute-men and militia. A large quantity of arms fell into the hands of the provincials, and the defeat, equally unexpected and decisive, greatly depressed the spirits of the Loyalists in that quarter.

Resuming the history of the Mohawk Valley : although the autumn of the preceding year had passed quietly away in that region, no small degree of uneasiness was created, early in the winter, by the suspicious conduct of Sir John Johnson; heightened, as will appear in the sequel, by false representations VOL. I.-K

sent forth by a man who, in the end, proved to be an impostor. Such were the spirit of the times, moreover, and the jealousies mutually entertained, that it is more than probable the measures of Sir John were concerted in consequence of apprehensions honestly indulged, and in all likelihood awakened by the same or a kindred imposture. At all events, Sir John was actively engaged in defensive preparations, with a view, as it was believed, of throwing up fortifications around the baronial hall. His adherents, as we have seen, were numerous, particularly among the Scotch Highlanders, by several hundreds of whom he was surrounded; and reports became rife, that, in addition to these, the works he was erecting were to be garrisoned by three hundred Indians, to be let loose upon the settlements as opportunities might occur.

It was undoubtedly true that the Tories of that region were preparing actively to espouse the royal cause, and enlistments for the king's service, it is very likely, were secretly making. Information to this effect was laid before Congress in December. It was also declared, by a man named Connell, that a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition, and other warlike articles, had been collected and concealed by the Tones at Johnstown, to be used when the proper moment for action arrived. The facts disclosed by Connell were supported by his deposition; whereupon a resolution was adopted by Congress, directing General Schuyler to be informed of these circumstances, and requesting him to adopt the most speedy and effectual measures for securing the said arms and military stores; for disarming the Loyalists, apprehending their leaders, and taking such measures in general as might be judged necessary to ensure the tranquillity of the frontier.* This

* The sum of forty dollars was appropriated by Congress for this object, and the special committee having the subject in charge "were directed to count the gold and silver in the treasury, and forward the same to General Schuyler under a guard !

resolution was received by General Schuyler at Albany early in January, and no time was lost in concerting measures for its execution. General Schuyler at first supposed that a force of three hundred men, with the assistance they would be certain to receive from the Whigs of Tryon county, would be amply sufficient. It was determined, however, in order to produce a deeper effect upon the Loyalists against whom they were proceeding, to march with a force of seven hundred men.

Nevertheless, in order to preserve the good-will of the Indians of the Lower Mohawk Castle,* and guard against taking them by surprise or giving them unnecessary alarm, Mr. Bleecker, the Indian interpreter, residing at Albany, was despatched to the castle on the 15th, charged with a belt and a friendly message to the Indians.

General Schuyler, however, did not wait for the return of his messenger from the Indians, but proceeded to Schenectady on the 16th, at the head of a strong division of militia, and accompanied by General Ten Broeck, Colonel Varick, and several other officers. The militia turned out with great alacrity, notwithstanding the severity of the weather and the badness of the roads. On the evening of his arrival at Schenectady, General Schuyler was met by a deputation of the Mohawks, headed by Little Abraham, who, in a very haughty tone, addressed him as follows:

" BROTHERS-You lately sent to our place four men, who arrived to us last Sunday morning. They told us they were sent up to us by you to inform us of those military preparations which were making down in this quarter. By them you let us know that you thought it not prudent to send armed men among us without previously notifying us. Likewise, brothers, your messengers informed us of the

* The Mohawks of the Lower Castle, with Little Abraham, had not been drawn, away by Thayendanegea and Guy Johnson.

reasons of your coming in this manner. You informed us that you had heard that there were a number of men unbodied at Sir John's about Johnstown. You told us likewise, that, as soon as they had completed their body, they intended to destroy the settlements up and down the river.

" BROTHERS-You told us that you came to inquire into the truth of the report, which might be done by four or six without any danger in making the inquiry. We proposed your sending up six persons to inquire into the truth of this matter, as it would be a shame to interrupt them, as no person would be so mean to give them any obstruction. As for sending your belt forward, we thought to retain it until we had heard whether our proposal had been accepted or no. And we desire that you would consider of this matter, and keep your troops at home, and let us know your mind; and if, after considering of our proposals, you do not agree to them, that you will then let us know what you intend to do.

" BROTHERS-We expected an answer to our proposals, but none arrived until we were informed by a woman who returned from Albany that those preparations were actually making, and that troops were actually marching in the country. We come, brothers, to beg of you that you take good care and prudence of what you are going about. We beg of you, brothers, to remember the engagement which was made with the Twelve United Colonies at our interview last summer, as we then engaged to open the path of peace, and to keep it undefiled from blood. At the same time, something of a different nature made its appearance. You assured us, brothers, that if any were found in our neighbourhood inimcal to us, you would treat them as enemies. The Six Nations then supposed that the son of Sir William was pointed at by that expression. We then desired particularly that he might not be injured, as it was not in his power to injure the cause, and that, therefore, he might not be molested. The Six Nations then said they would not concern themselves with your operations in other parts, but particularly desired that this path might be free from blood. And now, brothers, we repeat it again: we beg of you to take good care and not to spill any blood in this path; and the more especially, brothers, as it is but of this day that the Six Nations had so agreeable an interview with the colonies; and our chiefs are now hunting in the woods, and not dreaming that there is any prospect that this path is or will be defiled with blood.

" BROTHERS, ATTEND ! It was your request, and a matter agreed upon by the twelve United Colonies, that we should mind nothing but peace; therefore, brothers, as we mean to observe that agreement, we have expressed ourselves as above, and as brothers: we mind nothing but peace. We look upon ourselves as mediators between the two parties ; therefore, brothers, as your messengers declared that you would not be the aggressors, we informed Sir John of this, and earnestly begged of him not to be the aggressor, or the means of spilling blood; and at the same time assured him, that if we found that he should be the aggressor, we would not pay any farther attention to him; and likewise told him, that if our brothers of the United Colonies were the aggressors, we should treat them in the same manner. This is what we told Sir John, as we look upon ourselves to be the mediators between both parties, and, as we have said before, desired him not to be the aggressor. To which Sir John replied, that we knew his disposition very well, and that he had no mind to be the aggressor. He assured us that he would not be the aggressor, but if the people came up to take away his life, he would do as well as he could, as the law of nature justified every person to stand in his own defence.

" According to the news we have heard, it is as

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though Sir John would shut up the path of peace ill that quarter ; but it is impossible he should do it, as he had but a mere handful of friends ; but, brothers, if this company, who are now passing by, should go up, and anything bad should happen, we shall look on you as shutting up the path.

" It has been represented to you, brothers, that it seems that Sir John is making military preparations, and that he is making a fort around his house, but, brothers, as we live so near him, we should certainly know it if anything of that nature should be done, especially as we go there so frequently on account of our father, the minister, who sometimes performs divine service at that place. "We have never seen any hostile preparations made there ; there is no cannon, or anything of that kind, and all things remain in the same situation it was in the lifetime of Sir William.

" We have declared to you, brothers, that we would not deceive, and that we mean to declare our minds to you openly and freely. We, the sachems, have all along inculcated to the warriors sentiments of peace, and they have hitherto been obedient to us, though there have been frequent rumours that they should be disturbed; yet we have, hitherto, been able to calm their minds. But now, brothers, so large a party coming alarms the minds of our warriors. They are determined, brothers, to go and be present at your interview with Sir John, and determined to see and hear everything that should be there transacted; and, if it shall then appear that this party shall push matters to extremes, we then cannot be accountable for anything that may happen. But as for us, brothers, the counsellors are fully determined ever to persevere in the path of peace.

" BROTHERS, ATTEND ! Though I have finished what I had purposed to say, yet I will add one thing more. "When the news of your approach arrived at our town, it caused great confusion: some were ready to take to their arms, observing that those reports respecting the unfriendly disposition of the colonies were now verified. I begged of them, brothers, to possess their minds in peace for a few days. I told them that I myself would go to Albany, and inquire into the truth of the matter; I was so conscious of my own innocency, that no hostile appearance could deter me, however formidable. I therefore desired them to sit still until my return, which might be in two days, if I went to Albany. This, brothers, is the present situation of our people. They are wait- ing to see what news I bring.

"BROTHERS-When I made this request to the warriors, that they should sit still till my return, they told me that they would, which they are now in expectation of, and will do nothing till I get back. But, brothers, after my return I will repeat to them the speech you will now make to me ; and if any of our people should still persist to be present at your interview with Sir John, we hope, brethren, you will not think hard of us as counsellors, as it is not in our power to rule them as we please. If they should go, and anything evil should happen, we beg to know, brothers, what treatment we may expect who remain at home in peace.

" BROTHERS-This is all we have to say. This is the business which has brought us down, and we now expect an answer to carry home to our people." General Schuyler made a reply, as long as the speech of Little Abraham, touching on all the points adverted to by the latter, explaining and enforcing the necessity of the movement in progress, reiterating assurances of none but friendly purposes towards the Indians, assenting to their presence at the desired interview with Sir John Johnson, exhorting them to peace, but warning them against the consequences of a violation, by any of their warriors, of the agreement to remain neutral which had been entered into at Albany.

Little Abraham responded briefly, expressing his satisfaction, and that of his people, at what they had heard, and promising the best efforts of the Indians to maintain peace uninterrupted.

General Schuyler assured them again of his pacific intentions, and that nothing unpleasant should happen to them. He also informed them, that if they desired to attend the expedition to Johnstown, or to be present at the intended interview with Sir John as mediators, they should be protected in that character. "With this understanding, they took their departure the same night. A letter, of which the following is a copy, was at the same time despatched to Sir John Johnson:

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO SIR JOHN JOHNSON.
" Schenectady, January 16, 1776.

" SIR,
" Information having been received that designs of the most dangerous tendency to the rights, liberties, property, and even lives of those of his majesty's faithful subjects in America who are opposed to the unconstitutional measures of his ministry, have been formed in a part of the county of Tryon, I am ordered to march a body of men into that county to carry into execution certain resolutions of my superiors, and to contravene those dangerous designs.

" Influenced, sir, by motives of humanity, I wish to comply with my orders in a manner the most peaceable, that no blood may be shed. I therefore request that you will please to meet me tomorrow, at any place on my way to Johnstown, to which I propose then to march. For which purpose, I do hereby give you my word of honour, that you, and such persons as you may choose should attend you, shall, pass safe and unmolested to the place where you may meet me, and from thence back to the place of your abode.

" Rutgers Bleecker and Henry Glen, Esqrs., are the bearers hereof, gentlemen who are entitled to your best attention, which, I dare say, they will experience, and by whom I expect you will favour me with an answer to this letter.

" You will please to assure Lady Johnson, that whatever may be the result of what is now in agitation, she may rest perfectly satisfied that no indignity will be offered her.

" I am, sir, your humble servant,
" PH. SCHUYLER
" To Sir John Johnson, Baronet."

General Schuyler resumed his march on the morning of the 17th, his forces constantly increasing, until, before nightfall, they numbered upward of three thousand. Having proceeded about sixteen miles from Schenectady, the expedition was met by Sir John, attended by several of his leading friends among the Scotchmen, and two or three others. The result of the interview was the proffer, by General Schuyler, of the following terms to Sir John and his retainers:

" That Sir John should give up all cannon, arms, and military stores within his possession or control, whether belonging to the crown, or private property ; that he should remain quietly on his parole of honour, at such place of residence as should be assigned to him by the Continental Congress; that the Scotch inhabitants of the county should give up their arms, and promise not to take any part in the approaching contest, giving hostages for the fulfilment of such promise ; that such other inhabitants of the county as had avowed themselves hostile to the measures of the United Colonies should do the same ; and, finally, that all articles belonging to the crown, and intended as presents to the Indians, should be given up for distribution, under the direction of General Schuyler."

On these conditions, the general promised that Sir John Johnson and his adherents should not be molested, but protected in the quiet enjoyment of their property ; and that, at the close of the contest, the surrendered arms, &c., being private property, should be restored or paid for.

In the course of the interview, Sir John assured General Schuyler that the Indians would support him, and that numbers of them were already at Johnson Hall for that purpose. He was assured, in return, that if the proffered terms were not acceded to, force would be opposed to force, without distinction of persons, and that the consequences of resistance would be of the most serious description. In conclusion, Sir John begged until the evening of the following day to consider of the propositions, which request was granted, and the baronet took his leave.

In about an hour after his departure, Abraham, and another of the Mohawks, made their appearance at General Schuyler's quarters. On being informed of what Sir John had said respecting the Indians being in arms at the Hall for his defence, Abraham pronounced the story untrue, and repeated his assurances that the Mohawks would interfere in no other way than as mediators. The general replied, that he hoped they would not; but he at the same time assured them, with emphasis, that if they should do so, he should not hesitate a moment in destroying every one who opposed him in arms.

On the following day (the 18th), General Schuyler moved forward to Caughnawaga, four miles from Johnstown, where he was joined by Colonel Herkimer and the Tryon county militia. At about 6 o'clock in the afternoon, Sir John's answer to the terms proposed to him was received, as follows:

" That Sir John Johnson and the rest of the gentlemen expect that all such arms, of every kind, as are their own property, may remain in their possession; all the other arms shall be delivered up to such person or persons as may be appointed for that purpose ; as to military stores belonging to the crown, Sir John has not any.

" Sir John expects that he will not be confined to any certain county, but be at liberty to go where he pleases.

"The Scotch inhabitants will deliver up their arms, of what kind soever they may be ; and they will each solemnly promise that they will not, at any time hereafter, during the continuance of this unhappy contest, take up arms without the permission of the Continental Congress, or of their general officers. Hostages they are not in a capacity to give, no one man having command over another, or power sufficient to deliver such. Therefore, this part of the article to be passed over, or the whole included-women and children to be required, being a requisition so inhuman as, we hope, the general will dispense with.

" Sir John has not any blankets, strouds, or other presents intended for the Indians."

These propositions were rejected by General Schuyler as altogether unsatisfactory, and four hours were given by him for reconsideration; at the expiration of which, he wrote to Sir John, no proposals would be received, and he should go on to obey his orders.

Immediately after the latter had been despatched to the Hall, the sachems of the Lower Castle, with all their warriors and several from the Upper Castle, called upon General Schuyler, having come to his quarters directly from the residence of the baronet. They informed the general that Sir John had related to them the substance of the terms of surrender that had been proposed. Sir John, they said, had declared to them that all he desired was protection for his family and friends from insult and the outrages of riotous people, and protested that he had no unfriendly intentions against the country. The Indians, therefore, begged the general to accept the terms offered by Sir John. The general told the chiefs that he could not accept of those terms, and pointed out the objections. He likewise informed them of the tenour of the letter he had just transmitted to the Hall. The Indians were apparently contented with those reasons and with the course adopted, but begged that, should the answer of Sir John be still unsatisfactory, the general would give him until four o'clock in the morning, that they might have time to go and " shake his head," as they expressed it, " and bring him to his senses." They likewise begged, as an additional favour, that General Schuyler would not remove Sir John out of the country. They apologized for the threats of their own warriors, alleging that they were attributable to the circumstance of their not being present at the treaty of Albany, and repeated the assurance that they would never take arms against the colonies. In reply, General Schuyler complimented the Indians for their pacific intentions, and informed them that he should accede to their request, although the conduct of Sir John had been so censurable that he should be justified in holding him a close prisoner. His reason for granting the request, the general told them, were twofold : first, to show the love and affection of the Americans for the Indians, and to convince them that they could obtain, by asking as a favour, that which they could not obtain by demanding as a right. Secondly, that by leaving Sir John among them, they might, by their example and advice, induce him to alter his conduct.

The extension of time solicited by the Indians proved to be unnecessary, the answer of Sir John, acceding to the terms proposed, with some modifications, being received at the hour originally designated; and these modifications, somewhat limited, being assented to by General Schuyler, the latter on the same day marched to Johnstown, having previously detailed several detachments of his troops to scour the country, and bring in the disaffected not comprehended in the arrangements with the baronet. On the same afternoon Sir John delivered up the arms and ammunition in his possession, the quantity of both being much smaller than was expected. On Saturday, the 20th, General Schuyler paraded his troops at noon, to receive the surrender of the Highlanders, who, to the number of between two and three hundred, marched to the front and grounded their arms. These having been secured, the Scotchmen were dismissed with an exhortation to remain peaceable, and with an assurance of protection if they did so.

The general's attention was next directed to the discovery and capture of the secret depot of arms and ammunition, of which information had been given by Connell. Two of the persons named in his affidavit were taken, but they denied, most unequivocally, all knowledge upon the subject. Connell was produced to confront them; but they still persisted in maintaining their innocence, and denounced him as a perjured villain. He was then sent with a number of officers to point out the spot where, as he alleged, the arms were concealed. He conducted them to a pond of water, containing a small island or mound in the middle, within which he declared the arms were buried. The snow and ice were forthwith removed, and the mound dug down. Connell-had particularly described the manner in which the arms had been deposited under ground, but it was soon discovered that the earth had not recently been disturbed, if ever; and in the end it was ascertained, to the satisfaction of all, that the fellow was a base impostor. General Schuyler returned to Caughnawaga that evening. On the two following days upward of a hundred Tories were VOL. I.-L

brought in from the different parts of the country. Colonel Herkimer was left to complete the disarming of the disaffected and receive the hostages, and the general, with his miscellaneous array, marched back to Albany. In his letters to Congress, and also to General Washington, he spoke of the anxiety and trouble he had experienced in preventing so large a body of men, collected on the sudden, without discipline, and, withal, greatly exasperated, from running into excesses. In these efforts, however, he succeeded much better than, under the circumstances, was reasonably to have been anticipated. Before his return, Mr. Dean, the Indian interpreter, was despatched by the general with a belt and a talk to the Six Nations, which has not been preserved. Thus ended the expedition to Johnstown.

General Schuyler transmitted a full report of his proceedings to Congress, by whom a special resolution was passed thanking him for the fidelity, prudence, and expedition with which he had performed such a meritorious service. A second resolution was also adopted, so curiously constructed, and containing such an ingeniously-inserted hint to the officers and militia-men accompanying General Schuyler on this expedition, as to render it worthy of preservation. It was in the words following:

" Resolved, That the cheerful and ready assistance of those who accompanied General Schuyler in his march to the county of Tryon, and their useful services in that expedition, discovered such a patriotic spirit, that it is hoped none of them will allow their countrymen to entertain a suspicion that any ignoble motive actuated them, by requiring a pecuniary reward, especially when they were employed in suppressing a mischief in their own neighbourhood."

The resolutions were enclosed to General Schuyler in a flattering letter from President Hancock, in which, among other things, he says : " It is with great pleasure I inform you that the prudence, zeal, and temper manifested in your late expedition, met with the warmest approbation of Congress."

For some unexplained reason, Sir John Johnson did not observe the compact of neutrality, nor the obligations of his parole. Or, if he kept himself within the letter, his conduct was such as to reawaken the suspicions of the people, and was considered by General Schuyler a virtual violation of the spirit of the parole he had given, to take no part against, the colonies. In fact, the information received by General Schuyler convinced him that Sir John was secretly instigating the Indians to hostilities, and was thus likely to produce much mischief on the frontiers. To prevent such a calamity, it was thought advisable by Schuyler to secure the person of Sir John, and once more to quell the rising spirit of disaffection in the neighbourhood of Johnstown, especially among the Highlanders. For this purpose, in the month of May following the events already narrated, Colonel Dayton, with a part of his regiment then on its way to Canada, was despatched by General Schuyler to prosecute this enterprise. There were, however, large numbers of Loyalists in Albany, with whom Sir John was then and subsequently in close correspondence. It is therefore not surprising that he received timely notice of these preparations for his second arrest, in anticipation of Dayton's arrival. Such was the fact; and, hastily collecting a large number of his tenants and others, disaffected towards the cause of the colonists, the baronet was prepared for instant flight on the approach of the Continentals. This purpose was successfully executed. Colonel Dayton arrived at Johnstown in the evening, whereupon Sir John and his retainers immediately took to the woods by the way of the Sacandaga.* Not

* There is some reason to suppose that an expedition, led by the Mohawk Indians, was sent from Montreal on purpose to bring Sir John away, or rescue him from the espionage of the Americans. In one of Bant's speeches, delivered long afterward, when rehearsing the expliots of the Mohawks in the Revolutionary war, the following passage occurs: "We then went in a body to a town then in the possession of the enemy, and rescued Sir John Johnson, bringing him fearlessly through the streets." Brant, at the time of this rescue, was himself in England, as also was Guy Johnson.

knowing whether his royalist friends were in possession of Lake Champlain or not, the fugitives dared not venture upon that route to Montreal; and Sir John was, accordingly, obliged to strike deeper into the forests between the head waters of the Hudson and the St. Lawrence. Having but a brief period of preparation for their flight, the party was but ill supplied for such a campaign. Their provisions were soon exhausted; their feet became sore from travelling; and several of their number were left, from time to time, in the wilderness, to be picked up and brought in afterward by the Indians sent out for that purpose.

After nineteen days of severe hardship, the baronet and his partisans arrived at Montreal in a pitiable condition, having encountered all of suffering that it seemed possible for man to endure. Such was the precipitation of his departure from the parental hall, and such his deficiency of the means of transportation, that an iron chest, containing the most valuable of his family papers, was hastily buried in the garden. The family Bible, containing the only record of the marriage of his father and mother, and, of course, the only written evidence of his own legitimacy, was also left behind.* Such of the papers as were found were examined by Col-

*After the confiscation of the property of Sir John, the furniture of the hall was sold by auction at Fort Hunter. The late Lieutenant-governor of New York, John Taylor, purchased several articles of the furniture, and, among other things, the Bible mentioned in the text. Perceiving that it contained the family records, which might be of great value to Sir. John, Mr. Taylor wrote a civil note to Sir John, offering its restoration. Some time afterward, a messenger from the baronet called for the Bible, whose conduct was so rude as to give offense. "I have come for Sir William's Bible," said he, "and there are the four guineas which it cost." The Bible was delivered, and the runner was asked what message Sir John had sent. The reply was, "Pay four guineas, and take the book!"

onel Dayton, in compliance with his orders; " and Lady Johnson was removed to Albany, where she was retained as a kind of hostage for the peaceable conduct of her husband. She wrote to General Washington complaining of this detention, and asking his interference for her release; but the comrnander-in-chief left the matter with General Schuyler and the Albany Committee." Colonel Dayton was stationed several weeks at Johnstown with his troops, and for the time secured the tranquillity of the country.

Sir John was immediately commissioned a colonel in the British service, and raised a command of two battalions, composed of those who accompanied him in his flight, and other American Loyalists who subsequently followed their example. They were called the Royal Greens. In the month of January following he found his way into New York, then in possession of the British forces. From that period he became not only one of the most active, but one of the bitterest foes of his own countrymen of any who were engaged in that contest, and repeatedly the scourge of his own former neighbours. He was unquestionably a Loyalist from principle, else he would scarcely have hazarded, as he did, and ultimately lost, domains larger and fairer than probably ever belonged to a single proprietor in America, William Penn only excepted. But the immediate cause of his breaking his pledge of honour is not known. Unexplained as it ever has been, the act has always been regarded as a stain upon the baronet's character. It was held as such by the Provincial Congress of New-York, as will be seen by the annexed extract from a letter addressed by that body to General Washington immediately after his flight: " We apprehend no doubt can exist whether the affair of Sir John Johnson is within your immediate cognizance. He held a commission as brigadier-general of the militia, and, it is said, another

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commission as major-general. That he hath shamefully broken his parole is evident, but whether it would be more proper to have him returned or exchanged, is entirely in your excellency's prudence." His estates were, of course, confiscated by the Provincial Congress of New York, and in due time sold under the direction of the committee of that body having such matters in charge.