The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-05-22
The Spy of the Mohawk.


Who has not seen the beautiful valley OF
the Mohawk? As the iron horse draws the
long train now vending around the base OF
some lofty bill, and now almost suspended o.
yer the tuaming waters of the river. The trHv-
eIler. seated at his ease, and looking out upon
the varied beauties ofthe shifting scene. can
have but an imperfect idea ofthe tolls and ri
ais ofthose. who seventy years ago, trayersed
the same valley. Then days and weeks were
occupied in passing from Schenectady TO Uti-
ca. The old fashioned keel boat was forced
up against the rapid current with great labor;
and when the river was swollen, IN the spring
the navigation was even considered danger-
Gus. And vet in the old French war. Il large
army, with all its munimeuts and equpage,
pissed through tina wiley on its way 10 the
western and northern frontier; and in the
revolution the bold scheme was devised OF
sending Il division ofrhe American forces, M
tended to operate against the Six Nations, up
the Mohawk to CanaIuhurIe, and thence 10
the head ofOsrego Lake.
Ii was a hazardous and toilsome expedition
and the old soldier, General James Clinton,
was appointed to the command. II was tit
ting post for the man who had from early
youth been Injured to the dangers and hard
ships of border wars. Early in the spring OF
l779 lac reached with his detachment, the
point now occupied by CanaIoharie, and
which was formerly the sight OF an lndian
castle Ofthe same name. From here large
parties were sent out to clear the way, and
open a road to the head of Otsego Lake over
which the batteauX upou the river gould be
transported. 1t was "A laborIous enterprise.
and required all the energy of the command
er, and taxed the patience and patriotism OF
officers and men in its execution. The dis
lance wns some twenty, and the route lay Ov-
II -.
ares the tributaries of the Mohawk from The
head waters ofthe eastern branch cfthe Sus-
quehannah Spring had gone and Summer
had come before the batreaux were carried
over the mountains. and launched for the first
time on the waters of that beautiful lake.
While the portion of the American army lay
AT Cannloharie, the events occurred which II
is proposed here briefly TO relate.
Ii was at the close of long day in early
summer The sun was low in the west, and
its rays no longer holding daiiiance with the
clear waters of the Mohawk, were taking their
farewell kiss of the. green forest trees which
covered the troops Oflhe surrounding hllS.
Struggling parties of soldiers, IN the targue
dresses were moving slowly down the wand
ing road, running to camp wearied with Eeir
hard davis toll, some ofthem rejecting upon
the pleasant scenes which they had left and
where their wives and little ones, in such an
hour in days gone by, had looked out and
watched their return; and resolving never 10
leave those quiet scenes for the rude and hard
life of a soldier. The evening parade was
over; tue roll ofthe evening drum vas ended;
the watch fires were kindled, and here and
there light twinkled through the small WIN
dows ofthe German settlers, which were at
that day thickly settled along this portion OF
the valley.
Around the house occupied by the General
as his head quarters, there seemed on tins ev-
ening,to be I'm unusual gathering OF ofncers'
and from the hurrying 70 and fro ct suhornl-'
mates it was evident some preparations were
making for occurrence gilmore than ordinary
interest. Indeed il was no secret in the camp
that two persons had been arrested on the
previous day as spies and that n court mar
tial would assemble that evening, before
which they would be arragned. It Is hardly
necessary to observe that the war ofthe rev.
oluton found the settlements along the upper
part of the valley of the Mohawk. nnG upon
the bend waters ofthe .rusquehannah,lp We
nv exposed situation. Sir William Johnson
died in IVA. For more than a quarter OF a
century he had exertei grent influence ov-
err the inhabitants ofahat region, and over me
Indian tribes, and especially over that trlDe
which even then had their dwelling places on
the banks of the river TO which they had CIV
EN- the name, and who, by their skill and pow
ers stood at the head fshe great contedera-
cy of the Indians ofNew York. The intiu-
ence which was possessed by Sir William
was regainedb by the son in law,Guy Johnson,
! especially over the Indians most of whom,
in the following year left their pleasant homes
and went with him TO Canada. He was fol
\ lowed also by a large number of the white
inhabitants, who espoused the cause OF the
mother country. Many ,qfthese men after
wards enlisted into regiment organized and
commanded by Sir John Ichnson, Ia son OF
Sir Willaul and known in the border wars
! ofNew YorlI,by the name "Johnson's GreeEs,'
Others Joined with the Indians, and assuming
the Indian ga4b, aad adopting the Indian