Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-04-14
From "Annals Of Tryon County" lately published.
Massacre at Cherry Valley, MY. and De-
struction of the Settlement, by Indians.

In the spring of 1878. when Gen. La
Fayette was al Johnstown. Col Campbell
and Mr. Wilson waited upon him, and rep
resented the exposed situation of Cherry
Valley. After examining its location on a
map which they furnished him, he directed
fort to be built there. Ii was considered an
object of great importance TO keep the in
habtants OF the frontiers at their homes, as
by moving in they would necessarily create
great confusion, and would expose TO sudden
inroads Of the enemy places Of greater i'm
Ponance. For this reason, small forts were
erected, and military posts were maintained
along the frontier, wherever IL was found
practicable.
A fort was subsequently erected in pursu-
ance of the directions Of Gen. La Fayette.
Early in the spring, the inhabitants return
ed TO their old quarters where they remain
ed until il was completed. Many of the in
habiants Of UnadIla and other towns came
in. As all the exercises and sports were Of
military nature, the younger boys, in imi-
tation OF their elders, formed themselves into
a company Those who were acquainted
with military evolutions, instructed them
Armed with wooden guns, they paraded with
all the pride Of soldiers. Ii was fine pleas
ant morning. toward the latter part of May,
that these miniature soldiers sailed out. and
paraded upon the green east OF the house.
Tha, morning, Brant,' having come up from
Oquago with party OF his men, had posted
them upon the hill about mile farther east !
and concealed by the thick woods which
covered ii, was looking down upon the little
iortification His intention, as aiterwaTd ex'
plined by a tory who accompanied him.
was to make an attack the following night
and either to kill or carry away prisoners
some OF the principal persons, and especial
ly the Committee This sagacious warrior
was deceived when he saw this little com
pany Of boys Looking down from an ele
walton, and the view being obstructed by the
trees, he supposed them to be men. Turn
) ing round to his followers he remarked
, "Co. Campbell has got his house wei
guarded perceive" During the day, hi
, ascertained that the inhabitants were in gar
rison, but that no militia or soldiers iron
| abroad were there Wishing to gain defin
tie information, as to the force, and the pre-
para,ions for defence, he moved his party t
place near the main road leading 10 th,
Mohawk river, about two miles TO the north
Here ne lay IN wall OeHluu u iuiS ioSh'
. A short distance from this, the road woun'
along near the top Of a ledge of rocks
} forming precipice an hundred and ffl,
! feet high 1t was shaded by evergreens, AM
S was dark even at midday. Its wildnes
: was increased by the dashing OF small
: stream which fell over this preclpice, cale
q by the Indians the falls OF the Tekaharawa
I That day. Lieut.. Norwood came up iron
e the Mohawk river. and informed the gaI
y rison, that Col. Klock would arrive the neS
! day, with apart of his regiment OF militia
o 1t was almost night when he started to re
J. turn, accompanied by Peter Stz, the beare
y of some dispatches. Throwing down hi
g portmanteau, he mounted his horse, saying
n he should not need it until his return on th
st morrow with his company. The fine pei
s. sona appearance of this young officer, VIII
II was clad in rich suit OF ash-coloured We
v "A Mohawk Sachem, Of great celebrity and init
= ence in his tribe. He was married in the winter
e 1873 to a daughter of Col Croghan by an Indian w