Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-09-26
From the Muncy Luminary.
Henry johnson, ESQ.

nomination as the Union candidate for SEN
ator, has for the last twenty years occupied
prominent position and taken an active
part in the public affairs Of this county and
State. In these times of national peril, the
people will put to searching investigation,
the characters and claims of all candidates,
and especially of those who are named for
the responsible position of Legislators, to be
entrusted for the three ensuing years, with
the destiny, in part, of this great Common
wealth. and through her action, of that of
the great Confederacy, of which she is the
keystone. 1t has been the custom in past
times, to confde with great reliance, upon
such persons, as by their ancestral relations,
are supposed to be more intimately connec
ted and associated with the struggles and
hardsbips of the Revolution. And if ever
these were justly entitled to consideration,
they appeal with peculiar emphasis, and
pre-eminence of that liberty AMI indepen-
dence which the revolutionary war establish
ed. We subjoin, therefore, the following
memoir of one of those distinguished soldiers
who largely participated in that eventful era,
contributing much to the glory of his native
State of Pennsylvania, and to whom, when
in extreme peril, the settlers of Muncy Val
ley. were as it will show, greatly indebted.
1t is taken from De Hass's History and In
dian Vars
1t has with much truth been said "that
the history of the Revolution, is not written
and cannot be, till ths biographies of the
men who made the Revolution are complete.
This is eminently true of the great struggle
In the west. The conflict here was with
the tomahawk and scalping knife, united to
the arm Of scientific warfare. It was one in
which the remorseless savage stole upon the
infant settlements in the Stiffness of the night
and dealt death in all the horrid forms of
his peculiar and revolving warfare. 1t was
war terrible indeed to man, but more ter
rible still to gentle women, and most terrible
to helpless infancy.
10 defend the country gainst the ravages
of such war. required men of iron nerve
and determined will. To lead on these men
to victery and success, demanded others of
no ordinary character. But there were men
fitted to the task F.: men able, ready, and will
ling 10 lead and to strike. It was to the
energy of this defen ce the skill, bravery
and consummate judgement of these able Of
fcers, and experienced frontier soldiers, that
the West was saved from the diabolical sys-
tenn of suhjugation, meditated by the Bri>
tish ministry.
One of the men most prominent in this de.
fense. and one who contributed greatly tow
ards breaking down power of the savage,
aud humbling the dominion of Britain, was
Daniel Brodhead, the subject Of this memoir.
Gen B. was man of acknowledged abil-
ity and great energy of character. lie early
gave indications of much promise aud fore
shadowed the career of honor and and use
fulness, which he afterwards rum Scarcely
bad the news of the battle of Lexington ceas-
ed agitating tho people, ere Capt B. muster
ed company, and marched to the defence
of the seaboard. He joined Sullivan, and at
the battle of Long Island, his brave " Penn
sylvania Rifemen" literally cut their way
through the ranks of the enemy.
In the fall of 1777, information having
been given that the Indians meditated a
united attack upon the settlemerts is along the
upper Susquehanna, vigorous efforts were
made to resist them. In the spring of 1778,
Fort Muncy was evacuated, as well as Antis'
and Horns forts above, the inhabitants tax.
ing refuge at Sunbury. The savages destroy.
ed Fort Muncy, but did not penetrate near
Sunbury, their attention having been direct
ed to the memorable descent upon Wyom-
ing. t. Shortly after the big runaway, (as it
was caled,) Col. B. was ordered up with
free of 100 or $50 men to rebuild Fort
Muncy. and guard the settlers while gather
ing their crops, which servios be performed"
Historical Co.. Of Pa, 452. Shortly after
this Col. B. was ordered to Pittspurgh 10
relieve Gen. Mcintosh, in command of the
western division of the army. His appoint
ment was communicated in very compli-
mentary letter, from Gen. Washington,
He again wrote to him, under date of 22d
same month, that an incursion into the coun-
try of the Sx-natiOns was in preparation,
and that in connection Herewith, it might
be advisable to have a force ascend the ALE
ghenY to Kittanning, thence to Venapgo,
and having fortified both points, then strike
the Mlngoes and Munceys on French creek,
and thus greatly to aid Gen. Sullivan in the
decisive blow which he was to give by his
march up the Susquehanna. He further
directed Col. B. to notify the western Indi-
ans, that in the event of any troubles on their
part, the whole force of the United States
should be turned against them. On the 21st
of April, however, these orders were coun-
fernandez, and Col. B. directed to prepare
rod for the savages north and west of the
Ohio, and especially to learn the best time
for attacking Detroit. Whether this last ad-
vice came too late or was Withdrawn again,
We have no means of ascertaiDlng. Brod-
head proceeded, as at first directed march.
ed up the Allegheny. destroye. the Indians'
crops, burned their towns ete
The Immediate effect of this prompt and
energetic movement on the part of the west