The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-12-29
THE BATTLE OF WYOMING.

: The following sketch of the battle of Wyo
ming, is from a new work just published
by the Harpers: fc
When the tidings of Lexington and Bunker
Hill reached Wyoming, the people, in town
meeting assembled, unanimously resolved to
adhere to the American cause. A committee
was appointed to watch the proceedings of GER
tain interlopers, Wintermoos, Rawlings, Van
alttyines, Yancorders, Secords, and the like,
with unmistakable Dutch names, who were moro
than suspected of being tories at heart. The
committee performed their duties in no very
gentle manner, and awakened a thirst for re
venge, which was before long to be satisfied
Two companies of soldiers were raised, to be
stationed at proper points for the defense of
the valley; but when the reverses of 1777 took
place near New York, three companies were di-
rected to join the main army. The order was
promptly obeyed though it took away a great
part of the able-bodied men of the settlement.
For two years hostilities were waged at Il dis
lance, but when the Six Nations took up arms
for the English, the tide Of war rolled toward
Wyoming. Congress was urged to send the
men from the valley back. The request was
denied; the main army must not now be weak
ened. The commissioned officers resigned, and,
with twenty or thirty men who went away with
or without leave, turned to defend their own
homes.
In the spring of ITS, scouts reported that
hostile Indians were providing about. The forts
were strengthened, military companies were or
gained and armed as well as was possible.
Late in June tidings came that a large force
of Tories and Indians was descending the Sus-
~quehannah. Scouts were sent out, who found
the dead bodies of the Harding family scalped
and mutilated. They had been shot d while
at work in the fields. The greater part of the
Americans mustered at Forty Fort, on the west
ern bank of the river, leaving only a few men
to guard the remaining posts. All told, there
were two hundred and thirty enrolled men, be-
sides seventy old men and boys, who at the ut
most need, could bear arms. There was but
one cannon in the valley, and, as they had no
balls, this was only of service as an alarm gun.
The enemy entered the Wiley, burning and
numbering on the way. They consisted of
some four hundred British provnicials, under
the command of Col. John Butler-known as
"Indian Butler" to distinguish him from Zeb-
ulon Bntler, VIII commanded the Americans
and six or seven hundred Indians, led by the
Seneca chief, Giengwahtoh. With these came
Catharine Montour, known as "Queen Esther"
an old half-breed who had exercised almost
u~nbounded sway over the indians. The fort
built by the suspected Wintermoots, was given
up to them at once by the traitors.
On the 3D. of July a council of war was held
at Forty Fort. Zebulon Butler and Denison,
the colonies in command, wished to postpone
the battle. Though the numbers of the enemy
were unknown, it was evident that they greatly
exceeded their own achievements report
ed to be on their way would probably arrive
in a few days, and their aid would probably Sc
cure them a victory. On the other hand it
was urged that the enemy, if unchecked, would
capture the outlying forts, one by one, and the
fate of the Hardings showed what mercy was
to be expected there was no knowing when
assistance would arrive; those who had detain-
ed the Wyoming companies so long and against
such urgent remonstrances, would, not hurry
them back now. They must depend on God
and themselves alone, their only hope was to
attack and defeat the enemy. 1t was, moreover,
plainly intimated that the wish of the colonel
to defer the fighting proceeded from cowardice.
Butler, an. old soldier who had fought in the1
FrenchaR and Indian-war, was touched by this in
situation. 81 tell you" he said, "that we are
going iHte great daRseRjj but fean-go as far as
any of you.o3 sL
At three O'Clock on that July afternoon, the
men were mustered for the march, and the
doomed band passed out. The,enemy prepared
for their approach, lay concealed among the
shrubs and bushes. just as the action began,
three men rose up in hot haste: They were
officers who had left their company fifty miles
below, and had ridden all the. previous night
and that day They stopped for a moment at
the fort, and snatching a hasty morsel they
rode oRs overlook their friends, and were all
three killed in the fight. betsrc5.ss 2 =
The battle began. For a brief space the
Americans had the advantage. The British
line gaye1 way, in spite of the efforts of John
Butler who, with his head bound around with
4 handkerchief, cndcayorrdt to restrain his men.