Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-12-22
From the Journal of Commerce.
AN INDIAN CHIEF.
WASHINGTON, Dec. s, 1910.
The life and death Of Nicholas Cusick, Chiefof
the Iuscarora Indians.

The life and death Of Nicholas Cusick, Chiefof
the Tuscarora Indians.
Messrs. Editors,-From the North American
Baptst Register, and other sources, have pre-.
pared the following notice Of the life and death of
one Of the most interesting Indian characters
known in this country; and shall be happy to see
it published in your paper.
Died, at Tuscarora village, Oct. 90, 1870, Nj
cholas Cusick, aged % years. 4 months, and II
days, long principal chief Of the Tuscarora In
dams He was born at the Oneida Reservation
June 18th, l756 His father was an English
merchant of very wealthy and respectable fam
lily. At the age Of ten years he was placed at
school at Jamestown. under the patronage of Sir
William Johnson, where he remained several
years ane then returned to his own people. Al
the commencement OF the Revolutionary war the
British government were anxious to secure his
services in favor OF the crown, and through the
medium OF a distinguished officer proposed 10 him
n commission in the army with large salary, but
he utterly refused the offer saying 81 will not
fight against my own soil, but will b. a defend
er of my country" At this remark the British
officer was highly offended Shortly after this,
the agent OF the provincial government held a
council with the friendly Oneida Indians, and
Nicholas Cusick offered himself as a volunteer
and as such enlisted IN the army under General
Washington. He soon received a lieutenant s
commission, and joined The army with about fifty
Tuscarora warriors, whom he had induced TO rs.
Pouse the cause of American dependence. lie
continued in active service about five years, and
from his knowledge of the English and Indian
languages he was OF essent oil service in matt ~
regarding the Indians He wa. in several en-
gagements under Generals Wayne and Lafayette.
On many occasions he appears TO have rendered
important service 10 The Americans, when acting
with his warriors as a scouting party One OF
these deserves to be particularly mentioned
At time when General lafayette was enrnmped
on the Delaware river, near the city of PbiadsJ-
phia he had designed to join battle with the Brit
ish. He accordingly drew up hrs army in order
for battle. But Cusick went before hun with hY
warriors, spies, and finally came close 10 the
British dragons that he very narrowly escaped
from their hands. He however ascertainet that
the British army more IN n 6000 strong who
fact he communicated to Gen. Lafayette, who
in view of his army which numbered but about
5000, prudently resolved not to encounter the
Brush, but reiterated and joined the main army
under General Washington; thus Cusck insiru-
mentally saved The army from probable destfuc-
ton and defeat At the close Of The war pc n
sion OF $500 was granted to him by the United
States government which he has received until
the present time Shortly after the restoration of
peace, he was appointed BY the SIX Nations prin.
e'Pai chief Of the Tuscsrorss, and during the
.ime ne held that Office he was ever regarded as
ia'h'oi IN using his endeavOrs for the good Of
ms people, and Of the United States.
When The late war was declared, inmediateI "
on The receipt Of the intelligence, al the head Of
large number OF his tribe, he went forth aud
Volunteered his services ia defence Of his country
Those services were accepted, and he, with two
n,s sons had the honor Of fighting by the side
OF ".n-ta's Brown, Scott, and Porter at the bat
esoi Chpe "a and Lundy's Lane. For the gal
'Aniry OF himself aud tribe, the British soId,.ry
ana The Indians in the British service, while th.y
"s' possession Of Fort Niagara, at the mouth Of