Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
History From America's Most Famous Valleys

The Frontiersmen of New York
by Jeptha R. Simms
Albany, NY 1883

Volume II, Page 538

Maj. Ross in the Mohawk Valley.-On the morning of October 24, 1781, a scout sent from Fort Plain by Col. Willett, separated at the old Keyes place in Sharon, all of them returning to that post except Jacob Tanner and Frederick Ottman, who set out for Corrytown, Tanner to visit his family. Near Argusville they fell in with 700 of the enemy, British, Tories and Indians under Maj. Ross and Walter Butler ; who seem to have been approaching by the southwest route. The two friends fled down Flat Creek, and by casting aside their guns and knapsacks, effected their escape. They arrived at the Frederick Putman place, since known as the Lasher place or "Willow Basin, where was being attended the funeral of Mrs. Putman, her husband having been previously killed by the enemy while hunting martin, up the creek, at Yatesville. Informed of the enemy's proximity, the funeral was broken up and the friends fled for safety to their own homes.

The enemy in force went from Argusville to Corrytown, which had been so effectually destroyed in July ; but avoided "the little fort, plundered the dwellings and made prisoners of their inmates, but avoided firing buildings through fear of frustrating a part of the enterprise. Proceeding from thence to the river, they met and captured Tanner and Ottman already alamed, Rudof Keller and his wife, Michael Stowits and Jacob Myers, returning from the funeral, as also John Lewis, near the river. Mrs. Keller was left near Yatesville by the intercession of a tory nephew ; indeed some half a dozen women previously captured, among whom were Mrs. Adam Fine and a Miss Moyer were also there liberated ; and the party avoided capturing any more females. Mr. Myers was advanced in years and unable to keep up with the party, was killed and scalped on the way to Canada.-John Keller, a Corrytown lad in 1781.

Maj. Ross proceeded down the Mohawk, taking the new road but recently laid over Stone Ridge, in Root. On the Ridge they captured John Wood, the son of a widow, at whose house they arrived near twilight. Joseph Printup,* a Lieutenant of

John Windecker, of Fairfield, who was a prisoner at Buck's Island when Ross set out on this expedition, assured the writer in 1851, that cannon were fired and a joyful demonstration was made. He was joined at Oswego by Butler and his Indian allies, where was alas given an ovation to start upon. On the return of this army there was no public rejoicing; it literally returned with trailing colors.

+ William Printup, an Englishman, father of the one named in the context, who was among the early settlers of the Mohawk valley, was a blacksmith, and resided near the lower Mohawk castle. While there, he was employed by the British Government to repair guns, make axes, hatchets, hoes, etc, for the natives. One day when Printup was at work in his shop, an Indian, who had taken umbrage at him from some cause, entered the shop and bade him " kneel down and pray." " Pray! " said Printup, "for what?" " Because I am going to kill you," was the reply. "To kill me? I'll beat your head in with my hammer," he retorted, raising the instrument he held in his hand, and giving evidence of suiting the action to the word, as he turned upon his red foe. The latter, armed only with a knife, was taken all aback, and seeing the determined look of his antagonist, fled from his shop, hotly pursued by Vulcan in his leather apron, with uplifted hammer. The chase was continued for some distance. In the presence of many Mohawks, who were not a little amused; and who added several loud whoops, crying out, "Kill urn Print! Cha-aw-go-cheth-e-taw-go!" terrifying the poor fellow so that he buried himself in the recesses of the forest, and never again disturbed the labors of the King's blacksmith. The Indian word Cha-aw-go--cheth-e-taw-go, signifying Pursue-and-kill-him-if-you-can, was the name by which Printup was ever after called by the natives.-John L. Groat, of Cranesville.

militia, was living at that time near the residence of his son, the late William I. Printup. He was at home as Ross approached, and Jacob Frank, a brother-in-law, John Loucks and John Van Alstyne, neighbors, were also at his house. Printup had just been cleaning his gun, and as he loaded it and returned the ram-rod, he remarked, "Now I am ready for the Indians !"' He had scarcely uttered the words, when an advance party of them, just at dusk, was seen approaching the door. Frank and Loucks sprang out of the house and fled up the hill south ; the former was shot down, however, and scalped, but the latter unscathed, effected his escape. As the Indians approached his door, Printup fired at them, when they rushed into the house, and one of them, placing the muzzle of his gun near Printup's breast, drew the trigger,-at which instant the latter struck the weapon down, and its bullet passed through the fleshy part of the thigh. A tory acquaintance, who was with the enemy, then interfered to save Printup's life, and he was taken prisoner, soon after which the enemy resumed their march downthe river. A little distance east of Printup's a halt was made at a large rock beside the road to kill him ; but the Tory again interposed, and declared he should not be killed while he could keep up with his captors. Van Alstyne lent his services to aid his wounded companion, who leaned upon his shoulder, and was thus enabled to continue the journey.-John, a son of Joseph Printup.

Jacob, a brother of John Van Alstyne named, resided on the Stone Ridge at this time. He had been to attend a religious meeting near the present village of Fultonville, and was returning home on horseback, when he unexpectedly fell in with the enemy. A large Indian seized the bridle, several of his fellows-drew Van Alstyne from the horse a prisoner, and the former mounted. The Indian was hardly upon his back, when the horse, not fancying his new rider, reared, floundered and soon left him upon the ground with a broken shoulder. The sagacious animal then set off at full speed, and the enemy opening to the right and left, gave him a free passage ; and not caring to fire on him, he escaped from them and returned home, greatly alarming Van Alstyne's family as may be supposed. The prisoner was divested of part of his clothing and the march was resumed.-Cornelius G. Van Alstyne.

Charles Van Epps, who resided on the bank of the river in Fultonville, escaped with his family as the enemy approached, Evert Van Epps, a nephew of the former, started in the evening, which was very dark, to go to his uncle's, to enquire after the news. Possibly he had heard the firing at Printup's two miles above, and suspected all was not right. He had proceeded but a short distance, when he heard the click of several guns, and a voice sternly demanded " Who's there ?" The first thought of Van Epps, who could distinguish no visible object, was, to turn and flee ; but supposing some of the enemy might be in his rear, or that he would instantly be fired at if he attempted to run, he remained at the gate and was soon surrounded by a hostile party, who were on their way to his house. On securing him, the enemy again moved forward.-John E., son of Evert Van Epps.

When I published my History of Schoharie County, etc., in 1845 ; I gave in it three nice steel engravings : one of Schoharie, one of Fultonville and one of the Hon. J. D. DeGraff place, and a lithographed view of Gov. William C. Bouck's mansion. I had lived at Schoharie and Fultonville, and the citizens of those places very kindly paid for engraving views of them for the work, as did also Judge DeGraff for that of his house, "The Dadenoscara Place." They have all been altered so much in 40 years, that I have thought it best not to put either of them in my present work. Gov. Bouck got his house lithographed-that is, drawn upon stone ; which at the end of the year, no doubt, received in its place some other design. If I had had modern views of those places, I should have inserted them with pleasure.

The Judge DeGraff place is now the very desirable home of his son Alfred DeGraff, Esq, a few miles east of Fonda. After the Revolution, John Starin erected a small house near the river bank below the Fultonville bridge, which for a time was known as a stage house. Mails were changed here, and for a time Myndert Starin, son of John, carried the mail to Johnstown, four miles north, on foot or on horseback. This old house I saw burn down in the day time nearly 40 years ago. Standing on the river bridge a fine view is had of Caughnawaga-which signifies stone in the water. It is some 20 feet from the Fultonville shore, and originated the Indian name-Caughnawaga.

But to return to the war path. Seasonable alarm was communicated by John C.,* a son of Charles Van Epps, who-chanced fortunately to be on horseback, to the river settlers below, who made their escape. On arriving at a brook in a small ravine, near the former site of John C. Van Alstyne's store, at Auriesville, John Van Alstyne said to his fellow prisoner, Printup, " were it not for you, I would now make my escape." His wounded friend replied : " Never mind me, if you can escape, do so, and leave me to my fate." They were walking between two Indians, when Van Alstyne sprang out, dashed up the ravine with the fleetness of an Indian, and escaped : the enemy did not care about then firing from motives of policy. Again the Indian who had captured Printup was about to sink a tomahawk into his head, but was prevented by the Tory who had before interdicted such an occurrence. From Auriesville, the enemy proceeded to Fort Hunter, forded the Schoharie near its mouth and prosecuted their enterprise as far as Yankee Hill, in the present town of Florida. From thence, on the morning of the 25th, becoming fearful of pursuit, the main body forded the Mohawk and directed their course to Johnstown. Small parties of the Indians, however, carried their designs still further ; but Capt. William Snook, who had been notified of their approach, sent Conrad Stein, an officer under him, to warn the settlers of danger, and they generally effected their escape, with a portion of their property.

A short time before the Revolution, Matthias Wart and Marcus Hand, Germans, settled in the interior of this town. The invaders burnt the dwellings of Wart, Henry Rury, Captain Snook, John Stein, Samuel Pettingell, Wm. DeLine, Patrick Connelly, George Young, and several others in the neighborhood. Near the house of Rury, a man named Bowman was captured, and in attempting his escape, soon after, was killed. The female part of Rury's family, consisting of his wife, her sister Harriet Notman, and a little girl named Jane Shelp, were made prisoners by One Armed Peter ; who conducted them some distance from the house. Harriet had a child in her arms,

* He was a justice of the peace after the war. While crossing the river on the Ice, many years ago, he broke through and was drowned.

and falling down with it, Peter insisted on carrying it, as supposed, to prevent his being shot, should he meet an American marksman. Arriving at a by-place, the party halted, and the Indian asked the young women if they had any money. An outside pocket was then worn over the dress, and Harriet, loosening her's, handed it to him. From it he transfered two doubloons to his own person, and then returned it. Giving a-loud yell, it was responded to by some half a-dozen so terrific, as to cause Miss Jane to faint away beside a log. Being joined by several of his comrades, Peter gave the prisoners their liberty, and no further injury or violence was offered them.

The suffering of Printup must have been acute while crossing the Schoharie and Mohawk rivers, the waters of which were then cold. On arriving at Johnstown, Mrs. Van Sickler, a Scotch woman, and resident of the place, interceded in his behalf, and he was left at her house : from whence he returned home and was cured of his wounds.-Van Epps, Printup, Nicholas Hill and John Hand.

At Johnstown, Hugh McMonts, a constable; David and William Scarborough (his mother married a Crowley), were surprised and killed.-Mrs. Penelope Forbes.

Temerity of an Indian.-Here is an anecdote connected with the enemy's crossing the Mohawk near Stanton's Island, below Port Jackson. Near there they burned the dwellings of Timothy Hunt and Nathan Skeeles ; and soon after they had crossed the river, Ben Yates came upon the south bank, and saw a single Indian across the river, who for some cause was lagging behind his fellows. Discovering Yates and doubting his ability to harm him, he turned round and slapped his buttocks-in defiance. In the next instant a bullet from the rifle of Ben struck the body of the Indian, whose rashness cost him his life ; and the former had only to ford the river to get an extra gun and some plunder made in the neighborhood.-Dr. Henry H. Belding, late of Fort Jackson ; obtained in 1846.

Invasion of Johnstown and Battle near Johnson Hall.--The following facts relating to the invasion of Johnstown, were obtained from the old patriot, Jacob Shew. On the same morning-the army of Ross left Florida, Capt. Littel led a scout of nearly- a dozen men of his company toward Tribeshill, to learn the-destination of the Florida " barn-burners " of the night before. Under him were Zepheniah Bacheller, John Eikler, Henry and Jacob Shew, Peter Yost, David and John Moyer (brothers). The scout was attended by Lieut. Saulkill, a fine looking young officer, well mounted ; who was going to Schenectada as an express-doubtless to give intelligence of the enemy's proximity, heralded the evening before.

About five miles to the eastward of Johnstown, Capt. Littel came suddenly upon the enemy's advance, which fired upon and-killed Lieut. Saulkill in the road. The Indians secured his horse and several others from adjoining fields before they arrived in town. When the Lieutenant fell, Capt. Littel was about to fire on the foe, but he was advised by Jacob Shew not to halt to contend with such odds, and the scout faced about and fled. Yost and Jacob Shew bounded from the road on the left and ran westward, while the captain with the rest of his party took the woods to the right and were driven off to the eastward of Johnson Hall, and were there serving as out-flankers when the action began between Willett and Ross. In this position they fell in with a party of the enemy, took trees and exchanged shots with them. A ball fired at Eikler struck the tree which sheltered him, scattering the bark and causing him to dodge ; fleeing which, said the captain, " Eikler, why do you dodge-"when you see the bark fly you are in no danger." Another bullet sent with more precision soon after pierced Eikler's breast; at which moment the captain was wounded in one leg. The scout now fled for the fort, leaving their poor comrade to his fate. Although a man of great courage, the captain would probably have been slain as he was greatly exhausted ; but Henry Shew lent him a helping hand and he got off in safety.

Jacob Shew and Yost joined the troops under Col. Willett, just after his repulse, and assisted in retaking a cannon the enemy had captured. On the morning after the Johnstown battle, Eikler was found alive and taken to his house near Johnstown, but he died soon after, much lamented. He had fallen in the woods, and as the enemy had pursued his companions, he escaped their notice, and was not scalped. At the beginning of the action, a part of Col. Willett's troops, under Maj. Rowley, were piloted by Lieut. William Wallace to gain the enemy's rear back of the Hall, and were led so far around as not to reach the position assigned, until after Col. Willett had met and been repulsed by the enemy. Hearing Rowley's troops engaged he again led his men to the attack, and the foemen were routed. The Americans had about 400 men in this battle, and the enemy from 400 to 450, consisting of British, tories and Indians. About 30 were killed on both sides, rather more than one half of whom were foes.* A large Indian who was killed in a field where he had exposed himself, was found and buried by the Americans-who placed a pile of stone on his grave.

On the morning after the Hall battle, as sometimes called because it was fought near it. The Shew brothers and William Laird were reconnoitering, and at Crosort's place they took two British soldiers, who, fatigued, had lingered there. The trio secured their guns and lodged the prisoners in jail. In the course of the day. Col. Willett, who had returned to Fort Plain, and from thence moved up to Fort Dayton, sent a messenger to Capt. Littel at the Johnstown fort, to dispatch a scout upon the trail of the enemy, to discover his intended route to Canada. The enemy lodged the first night near Bennett's Corners, four miles from the Hall, where the prisoner Jacob Van Alstine made his escape ; and the second night half a mile beyond the outlet of the Garoga lakes. Capt. Littel chose to lead this scout himself, the wound of the previous day proving a slight one ; and taking with him Jacob Shew and William Laird, he followed the enemy's trail to their camp fires of the second night, by which himself and men warmed. After observing the route some further, and becoming satisfied they would go via. Buck's Island to Canada, the scout lodged in the woods near the enemy's last encampment, and returned next day to the fort. A horse stood ready saddled on his return, upon which Capt. Littel dispatched Peter Yost as an express to Fort Dayton nearly 40 miles distant, with a message to Col. Willett. The enemy, striking the most easterly of the Jersey field roads leading to Mount's clearing, followed it several miles ; encamping over night on what has since been called Butler's Ridge,+

* Dr. Thacker says, that the enemy consisted of 600 regular rangers and Indians (the number I think overrated); that their killed was unknown though supposed considerable, but their loss in prisoners was 52; that the loss of the Americans was one Lieutenant and 12 rank and file killed, and one Captain, two Lieutenants and 20 rank and file wounded.

+ In the summer of I860, the writer enjoyed the pleasure, in company with Col. Henderson, of standing upon this elevated ground.

in the town of Norway, half a mile from Black creek. On the arrival of the Johnstown express, Col. Willett, in the hope of heading his foes and compelling them to fight, led his forces up the West Canada creek, crossed it a mile above Fort Dayton, proceeded up its eastern side to Middleville, and from thence up the Moltoner brook to the Jersey field road leading to Little Falls. Striking that road northeast of the present village of Fairfield, he followed it up and encamped at night, a-mile distant from the encampment of the enemy-of whose position he was advised.-Jacob Shew and Col. D. C. Henderson.

At early dawn Col. Willett dispatched Capt. Thornton, afterwards a Major, with two men to observe the motions of the enemy. Just as it began to grow light, the scout found themselves between the main body of the enemy and their rear guard, the whole corps already moving. Without attracting notice as he supposed, Thornton drew his men one side, sent one of them with a message to Col. Willett, and with the other, who was an artilleryman, remained to keep an eye of espionage upon the enemy. After the rear-guard had passed them, the two Americans fell behind and followed on for some distance, imagining they were not observed : but on arriving at a little beech plain on the Hurricane*-a strip of land on which a tornado had destroyed the timber-they were undeceived, a volley of balls greeting them from a dry tree top seemingly in a blaze, that lay directly in their path. The artilleryman, whose name is forgotten, sprang up half his length and sank to the earth a corpse. His coat drawn up under his belt, was found perforated in five places by a single bullet.+

Immediately after firing, the party in ambush ran off to join their fellows, and Capt. Thornton remained near his fallen com-

* Several years before the Revolution, a hurricane began in the westerly part of Oneida county, and swept off through the forest In an easterly direction, across the present towns of Camden and Trenton ; and entering Herklmer county at a place called the dug way, in Poland, It continued onward through the towns of Russia, Norway and Salisbury-extending a distance of 50 or 60 miles. Its breadth generally ranged from 60 to 100 rods, and so great was its fury, that almost every tree in its course was torn up by the roots. Its traces were visible for more than half a century; and a portion of the ground over which the tornado burst in its fury, is called " The Hurricane" to this day.-Col. Henderson.

+ On their return, a party of Americans buried this soldier in the following manner. Placing the body under the roots of a wind fallen tree and cutting off the trunk ; when done the roots were easily thrown back into the cavity, effectually burying the poor soldier.

panion until the Americans came up. The rear-guard of the enemy was overtaken by the American's advance, and a skirmish ensued at the Black creek ; another skirmish took place near the West Canada creek, some distance above Trenton Falls, at which place-now known as Butler's "Ford-Walter Butler was shot. In these skirmishes, said John, Ostrom, several of the enemy were killed. But their flight was so rapid, that Willett continued the pursuit but a short distance beyond the creek, despairing of bringing his foes to an engagement; and scantily provisioned on the start be gave over the pursuit and returned to Fort Dayton. The enemy forded the creeks four abreast, carrying poles to prevent falling.

Soon after crossing the West Canada creek, the Americans found a little white girl five years old beneath a fallen tree, where she sat crying piteously. She had been made captive by an enemy, who finding himself encumbered with her, had left her where found. She was taken back and restored to her surviving friends.-Col. Henderson.

The following incident attendant on the Johnstown* battle, was told the author by Joseph Wagner. In the Revolution a hedge fence ran eastward from Johnson Hall, and the men under Willett were upon one side of it, and those under Ross the other. After a few shots the Americans retreated in confusion, but were rallied, returning to the field ; and acting in concert with troops in the enemy's rear, gained a signal victory.

* Most of the Scotch settlers in and around Johnstown, as elsewhere shown, either went to Canada with the Johnsons at the beginning of difficulties, or if they remained, were more the friends of the British than the American government. Duncan McGregor, who resided several miles north of Johnson Hall, was an exception. At the time of Ross' invasion, several Indians and a tory entered the pioneer's house in the evening, who left it as they were approaching, unobserved by them. He gained the rear of his log dwelling, and through a cranny watched the motions of the party. He was armed with a gun and a sword, and resolved that if any injury or insult was offered his wife, to shoot the offender and flee to the woods Mrs. McGregor detected a tory as one of the party, by observing his white skin where the paint had worn off. This white Indian enquired of her, if she could not give them something to eat. She replied that she had some Johnny cake and milk. " That will do," said he, and soon they were eating. As they rose from the table, one of them espied a handsomely painted chest In one corner of the room, and asked what it contained?" It contains books," said she, "and other articles belonging to a relative in Albany." "Ah!" said the speaker, " he belongs to the rebel army I suppose ? " She replied that he did; and her countenance indicated no little anxiety as he exclaimed with a menacing gesture, " be careful you do not deceive us." One of the intruders with a tomahawk instantly split the cover, and the books and sundry articles of clothing were thrown upon the floor. The clothing was added to their stock of plunder, and soon after the warriors deputed.-Alexander J. Comrie.

When the Americans first retreated, Wagner was the last man to leave the ground. Seeing an officer genteely clad spring into the fence near, he fired and brought him down. In an instant an hundred guns were leveled at his own person, and he fled in safety amid their discharge. After the battle was over and Willett's men had encamped, Wagner, attended by several friends, visited the field to learn the fate of the handsome officer he had tired at. He found him on the ground near where-he had fallen, and addressed him much as follows : My dear sir, I am the man who shot you in the afternoon, but I have a fellow feeling for you ; permit me and I will take you to our camp, where you shall receive kind treatment and good care. "I would rather die on the spot," was his emphatic reply, " than leave it with a d- rebel ! " The young officer, who was very good looking, with long black hair, was left to his fate.

By dawn of day the Americans were put in motion, and Wagner saw no more of the warrior named ; but on the approach of several Oneidas in the morning, he observed in the hands of one, a scalp, the hair of which resembled that of his.

Capt. Andrew Finck, a native of the Mohawk valley, who possessed a spirit suited for the times, was also in the Johnstown battle. In a correspondence between Andrew Finck, his son, and H. F. Yates, in which a part of the military services-of the Captain are mentioned, I find the following facts noted. During the action near the Hall, the British took from the Americans a field piece, which Col. Willett was anxious to recover. He sent Capt. Finck with a party of volunteers to reconnoitre the enemy, and if possible get the lost cannon. Three of the volunteers were Christian and Myndert Finck, brothers of the Captain, and George Stansell. While observing the movement of the enemy from the covert of a fallen tree, Stansell was shot down beside his brave leader, with a bullet through his lungs ; and was born from the woods by Hanyost Finck. Strengthening his party of volunteers, Capt. Finck again entered the forest, soon after which he picked up a British knapsack containing a bottle of French brandy and cocked hat. The cannon was soon after recaptured, and it being near-night, Willett drew off his men and quartered them in the old Episcopal church in Johnstown ; gaining entrance by breaking in a window.

The Death of Walter Butler.-After the enemy had passed West Canada creek, Walter Butler lingered behind, unconscious of being within reach of American rifles, and having dismounted, he was in the act of drinking water from a tin cup, as he was discovered by Daniel Olendorf, and Anthony, a Mohawk sachem, both well known in the valley. The two, who were a scout in advance of Willet's army, readily recognized the tory chieftain, and both fired upon him. He fell, and the Indian, casting off his blanket and upon it his rifle, dashed through the stream, tomahawk in hand, to him. He was lying with one elbow upon the ground, the hand supporting his aching head, and as his foe approached, he raised the other hand imploringly and cried, " Spare me-give me quarters ! " Remembering the onslaught at Cherry Valley, and the part the suppliant had there acted amid the unheeded prayers of weeping mothers and orphan children, the Indian replied, " Me give you Sherry Falley quarters ! "-burying, with the words, his keen-edged tomahawk in his brain. At the moment he fell, Col. Willett and several of his officers arrived upon the bank of the creek. Informed by Olendorf of Butler's proximity, he instantly forded the stream, attended by Col. And. Gray of Stone Arabia, and John Brower of the Mohawk valley, on foot: the two latter walking together to stem the current. They reached the spot just as Anthony raised his knife to perform the last act in the tragedy. Seeing his chief he asked him if he should do it, making a circular motion around the bleeding head. The red colonel asked Willett if he should be scalped, who replied, " He belongs to your party, Col. Lewis." An approving look was sufficient, and the reeking scalp-lock was torn off, in the presence of those witnesses, as the victim lay quivering in death. Such was the fall of Walter Butler.*-Daniel and Peter Olendorf, sons of Daniel Olendorf named in the context; and John I. Brower, son of John Brower, above named.

Which of the American scout shot Butler is uncertain, but Olendorf stated to his friends that he aimed at the cup, which, as the sun shone upon it, afforded him a good mark ; and as

* Lodowlch Moyer, who was of the pursuing party, assured the writer that he saw his remains on his return, and believed his body was not buried. Said his father: " Col. Butler offered a large sum to have his remains delivered in Canada, but it was not done."

Butler was wounded in the head, it is highly probable the ball of Olendorf's rifle brought him down. The Indian, having stripped his victim, re-crossed the creek to his companion, and hastily putting on the regimentals began to strut about and assume the airs of a British officer. " I be Brish ofser ! " said he to Olendorf. "You are a fool'. " replied the latter. "Me fool ? " responded the Indian with warmth-" Me fool ? No, me Brish ofser ! " and again the bushes had to bow their submission to his assumed character. Said Olendorf again, "You are a fool! and if any of our men should see you at your back, they would mistake you for the villain who once wore those clothes and instantly shoot you down." This was a view of the case which the Indian had not taken, but the words were hardly uttered by his comrade ere he doffed them and resumed his blanket.-The Olendorf brothers.

The prisoners captured by Maj. Ross and party, suffered much on their way to Canada from the cold, being seventeen days journeying to the Genesee valley, during which time they were compelled to live almost wholly on a stinted allowance of horse-flesh. Some of the prisoners wintered in the Genesee valley, and were taken to Niagara the following March. Keller, one of the Correy Town prisoners, on arriving at Niagara, was sold, and one Countryman, a native of the Mohawk valley, then an officer in the British service, was his purchaser. In June he was sent to Rebel Island, near Montreal ; in November, to Halifax ; thence to Nova Scotia, and finally to Boston, where he was exchanged, and left to foot it home without money, as were many of the prisoners during the war. They were, however, welcomed to the table of every patriot on whom they chanced to call, and suffered little by hunger. Keller reached his family near Fort Plain, whither they had removed in his absence, Dec. 24, 1782. Van Epps, a fellow prisoner, again reached home about eighteen months after his capture, and the rest of the prisoners taken that fall, either returned when he did or at subsequent periods, as they were confined in different places.-Keller and Van Epps.

Said Lodowick Moyer, who was in the pursuit of Ross from Johnstown ; ice was forming in the creeks and in crossing them the soldiers took off their pantaloons, and thought the ice would cut their legs off. They were gone four days, on two days' rations. He said the enemy left a tory behind after crossing West Canada creek, who had been wounded at the Hall battle. Col. Willett sent him back to the creek on a horse, with some one to care for him until he died. He was buried under a fallen tree. Willet was kind as he was brave.