Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-06-07

served. IL soou DecdMe eSluent tnaI tney were
preparing for bloody sacrifice. An express
was despatched to the board of war represent
ing the approaching danger, requesting the re-
turn of the troops who had recently joined the
army-leaving their homes exposed to all the
horrors of savage cruelty, rendered more aw-
ful by the blood-thirsty tories. The request
was promptly granted, but too late to ward off
the fatal slaughter and carnage that took place
when these brave men were within two days.
march of their murdered wives, children and
friends, who slumbered in death deeply gashed
with the tomahawk.
About the 1st of June, ITS, number of
canoes were discovered descending the river
just above the valley, filled with Indian, war
riors. They attacked party of the inhabi-
tants who were at work on the bank of the
Susquehanna-killinga and making prisoners of
ten. They were evidently conceptrating their
forces for the purpose of an attack upon the
settlement At that critical juncture Col.
Butler arrived. A large body of the savages
had assembled at the mouth of the Lackawan-
ma at the head of the valley. The Militia un-
der the command of Col. Dennison assembled
in the fort at Wilkesbarre on the Ist of July.
They secured the borders of the valley-dis-
covered the bodies of those who had been
massacred few days before-klled two In
dians, and returned. Not supposing danger so
near, each man repaired to his own house for
provisions. On the Sd, most of the men able
| to bear arms assembled at the fort, amounting
to about $50. Some remained in the smaller
forts with their families, presuming on the de-
lay of an attack The command of the troops
was given to Col Butler. They were poorly
armed, and had but small supply of ammuni-
ton. But few of them had ever been engaged
in battle, and were not familiar with military
tactics. In few moments after Col. Butler
had assumed the command, news was brought
that the enemy had entered the upper end of
the valley, and were advancing rapidly. Fort
Wintermote and another stockade fort was
then, in flames, and their inmates wel.ering in
blood and struggling in death. A council of
war was held, and an unfortunate resolve made
to march out and attempt to arrest the savages
in their career of desolation and carnage
The troops proceeded some distance from the
fort and took an advantageous position on the
bank of a creek where they supposed the enc
my would pass on their way to the principal
fort. There they remained for half day
without seeing the foe. Another COUNCIL OF
war was held, which resulted in adding to the
error of leaving the fort, that of attacking the
ion of several officers who were as brave but
more judicious than those who urged the fatal
movement. The order to advance was given.
They had not proceeded more than a mile
when the advanced guard fired upon several
Indians who were firing house. The force
Of the enemy was concentrated at Fort Win
termote amounting to near 1000 effective men,
commanded by Brandt, an Indian half-blood,
and Col. John Butler, not relative of Col.
Zebulon Butler, as some writers have errone-
ously stated Echo returned the demoHiac
yells of the savages from the surrounding hills
the forest resounded with the appalling war
whoop Another serious error was committed
by the ill-fated Americans. Not until they
were upon the battle ground, did they learn
the superior force of the revengeful foe.. AS
the little band approached they found the In
dians and tories formed in liae-the right
resting on swamp commanded by Brandt
the left reaching to Fort Wintermo,e, headed
by Col. John Butler. Col z. Butler led the
right, and Col. Dennison the left of the Amer
leans to the attack. So determined was this
Spartan band on victory that the left of the en-
emy gave way in few minutes, closely pur-
sued by Col. Butler. In consequence of part
of the Indians passing the swamp to gain his
rear, Col. Dennison ordered his men to fall
back. Many supposing he had ordered re-
treat, the line became confused and broken
At that unfortunate juncture Brandt rushed
upon it with such fury that it could not be
rallied. At that critical moment, Col. Butler
rode towards the left, and first learned the
misfortune of Col. Dennison, and saw his men
retrearing in disorder. He was then between
two fires and near the advancing enemy. Be-
fore the troops on the right were apprised of
the fate of the left, they were nearly surround
ed by the savages and compelled to retreat
precipitately. The rout was general-the
slaughter horrible-the scene terrific. But
about so survived, among whom were Colonels
Butler and Dennison, who were more exposed
than most of the others. The few who es-
capped from the dreadful carnage of that fatal
day assembled at Forty Fort. So heart-rend-
| ing was this defeat that the surviving inhab-
itants were willing to submit TO any terms to
save their lives. The enemy refused to treat
with any officer of the continental army, as
unquestionably advised by the hyena tories.-
Nor would they give them or regular soldiers
any quarter, but insisted on their being deliv-
cred up to the Indians at discretion. Col.
Butler at once left, and proceeded to Graden-
hutten on the Lehigh. On the 4th of July,
Col. Dennison entered into capitulation
with COL John Butler and Brandt, to surren-
der the Fort, on condition that the lives of the
survivors should be preserved, and not further
molested. These conditions were solemnly
HAr1