Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-10-29
ashes repose be marked in this way with
tablet OIL which to inscribe the many vir-
tues of the noble dead.

raised his hand on high and swore ssAid.
ed by Him who formed yonder sun and
heavens, l will avenge the mu.der of my
father; nor while live will 1 ever be at
peace with the Indians of any tribe. -
This fearful VOW was uttered in the irst
moments Of anguished feeling, but it wac
never effaced from his memory. He be-
came devoted mankiller, reckless of all
sympathy aud destitute of all humanity to-
wards the Indian race. The VOW was fear
fully fulfilled and many dusky warriors bit
the dust His daring adventures on the
Alleehenies would fill volume
In the latter end of April, 1779, battle
was fought near the summit of the Muncy-
Hills on the war path leading sfron Muncy
to Shamokin, between a party of indians
and whites that accidentally met there. 1t
is said that the whites behaved gallently
and gained complete victory. They were
under the command of William Patterson,
grand father of the late j. Potter Patterson
OF Muncy. The numbers engaged on each
side and the losses sustained, it is to be re-
gretted, have not been preserved. Toma-
hawks and other relics of the contest have
often been found on the spot. A tradition
is handed down to this day that at very
early period a party of Indians massacred
white man on this spot by burning at the
stake. They stuck bis body full of pitch
pine splinters and danced around him in
| fiendish glee, awakening the echoes of those
dismal mountain solitudes with their de-
moniac yells A little superstition is also
blended with the tradition, to the effect
that no herbage has ever been known to
grow in the circle where the terrible deed
was consumated. The Indians that met
the whites on this lonely path had lain the
previous night at the Warrior Spring near
Fort Brady. 1t was great place of re-
sort, and rose on the bank of the river near
where Port Pen now stands, aud is the
largest head of spring water known in the
Muncy Valley. At this spring old Ego
howen, Muncy Chief, and bis compatriots
exhibited their hospitalities to Newaluka.
of the Great Island, and his other allies and
friends. 1t was one of natures hotels at
the head of the Muncy Ripples. The elm
tree overhanging the shore was both hitch
ing post and manger whilst the voyager
was RECALLED at the gravelly bar.
The ravages of the Indians had become
80 great on both branches of the Susque-
hanna that it was resolved to march a large
army into their country and destroy their
villages and cornfields. 1t was thought
that by 50 doing their arrangements would
be so Disconnected that they could no Ion
ger carry on their system of warfare with
advantage and would be compelled to aban
don their designs. The command of the
expedition was given to General Sullivan,
and it proved pretty successful. He march
ed up the North Branch in June. General
Sullivan required all the available troops
that could be spared for him in this valley.
In view OF this the garrison was withdrawn
from Fort Muncy, being the second time i!
was evacuated during the revolutionary
war. aud the settlements above Freeland's
fort were again left in defenceless and un-
protected condition. But-settlers remain
ed, however, to trust themselves to the ro
wing bands of saves. The troops we're
scarcely Withdrawn from this post till the
enemy appeared in considerable numbers
and commenced to burn. murder and de-
stroy everything before them. On the Sd
of June. 1779, they killed two men and
took three prisoners at LJccming Creek.
Their names are not given. Following up
their work of destruction, they burned
widow Smiths mjlls aud killed one man
on the Sth of June. These mills are said
to have stood where the White Deer mills
now stand. The irons were discovered
few years ago in slough near the river.
On the 18th they proceeded near Fort
Brady. where they killed two men and took
three prisoners, burned Starrett's Touring
mill and all the principle houses in Muncy
township. This mill stood near the centre
of the valley. Desolatlon and blood mark
ed their course. Many families were car
ried into captivity, amongst which was
that of Joseph Webster, who lived on
Muncy farm. Four Of his children were
into captivity. Some of the descendants
reside near Muncy ut the present time.
Pushing on their ravages with impunity,
they appeared near Fart Freeland on the
21st and surprised several men ut work in
a cornfeld. A son of Jacob Freeland and
Isaac Vincent were killed, and Michael
Freeland and Benjamin Vincent were Ia
ken prisoners. II is related of young Free
land that on the alarm being given he ran
towards stone quarry, but was pursued
and speared in the thigh. He fell near the
edge of the quarry, when an Indian pounc-
ed upon bin, but suddenly rising with him
on his shoulder, Freeland pitched the In
dian over the preciplce and would have
escaped, 5Gt another Indian came running
on him and killed him. Great alarm exis
ted among the few remaining settlers, and
they scarcely knew what to do. Savages
iurked 5ehind every bush and no man was
safe when absent from the fort. 1t was
also rumored that an extensive body Of
British and Indians were making prepara-
tions to descend upon the valley whilst
Sullivan was marching up the North
Branch, and to penetrate to Fort Augusta,
kill and burn everything before them and
take possession of that stronghold.
To be Continued.
Judge Strong, Of the United States SUI
nrame Cnurt has decided that the claim of