Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-12-24
New Series, Vol. Z, No. 81.
Old Series, Vol. So. No. 81.

the Big Island in bark canoes they then
made their way across the hills, and came
to pine Creek, above the first forks which
they followed up to the third forks, and
took the northerly branch to the head of il
and thence to the waters of the Genesee
river.
After two days travel down the Genesee
river we came to place called the Pigeon
Woods, where a great number Of Indian
families, old and young, bad come to catch
young pigeons there we met a party of
about forty warriors, on their way to the
frontier settleme nts they encamped some
little distance apart, the warriors Of the
two parties holding council at our camp.
L soon perceived that was the subject of
their conversation, | was seized and drag
| ged to the other camp, where the warriors
were sitting on one side of a large fire l
was seated alone on the opposite side.
Every eye was fixed upon NE !; / perceived
they were gatherin 6 around me in great
numbers. In short time ! perceived q
man passing through the crowd a; he came
to me and sat down l saw he was white
man in Indian dress. He examined me on
the situation of the frontiers, the strength
of our forts, the range of our scouts, etc.
After he got through he observed that
their was only one their besides himself
that knew me. DO you know me, SIR
said L. L do, you see the man that killed
the Indians thought of the fire and
the stake. He observed that be was a
prisoner and friend that his name was
Jones, and he had been taken prisoner in
the spring of 81, with Capt. John Boyd,
in Bedford county, that he would not ex-
pose me, and if could pass through un-
discovered and he delivered up to the Brit
ish, L would be safe if not l would have
to die at the stake. The next morning
they moved down the river; two days af
ter they came to the Oneida village, the
first on the Genes ee river, where We were
prepared to run the Indian gauntlet; the
Genesee river. where We were prepared to
run the Indian gauntlet; the warriors don't
whip, it is the young Indians and squaws.
They meet you in sight Of their council
house, where they select the prisoners from
the hands of the warriors, having them in
front, and when ready the word JagJo is
given the prisoners start, the whippers fol-
low after, and if they outrun you, you will
be everely whipped. 1 was placed IN
front of my men the word being given We
started. Being then young and full Of
nerve, led the way two young squaws
came running up to join the whipping party
and when tn ey saw us start. they halted
and stood shoulder to shoulder with their
whips, ; when came near them l bound
ed kicked them over we all came down
together there was a considerable kicking
amongst us, so much that they showed
their under dress, which appeared to be of
a beautiful yellow color; l had not time to
help them up. 1t was truly divertlng to
the warriors they yelled and shouted till
the y made the air ring. They halted at
the village FOR one day, aud thence went to
Fort Niagara, where | was delivered up to
the British. | was adopted, according to
the Indian custom, into Col. Buffers fam-
lily, then the commanding officer of the
British and Indians at that place. l was
to supply the loss Of his son Capt. Butler
who was killed late in the fall of 1751. by
81 r. I,
adopted son, l was confined in a private
room anu n0t P~.- aaaar 4 British guard.
My troubles soon began the Indians
informed by the tories that knew me that
ca ptors they were outrageous, and sent
to Butler and demanded me, and as | was
told, offered to bring in fourteen prisoners
in my place. Butler sent an officer to ex-
anime me on the subject he came and in
formed me their Indians laid heavy accu-
sations against me they were informed
that l had been prisoner before and kill
ed the parry and that they had demanded
me TO be given up to them, and his Colonel
wished to 10 know the fact. l observed,
Sir, it is serious gu estiOn to answer,
will never deny the truth, have been
prisoner before and killed the party and
returned to the service Of my country but
sir, L consider myself to be prisoner Of
war, to the British, and l presume you
will have more honor than to deliver me up
to the savages ; knew what ma fate will
be and please to inform your Colonel that |
we have it in our power to retaliate.
lie left NE in short time and returned !
and stated that he was authorized to say |
to me that their was now alternative for |
me to save my life but to abandon the re
bel cause and to join the British standard |
that | should take the same rank in the |
British service as did in the reble service. !
No sir, no, give me the stake, the toma-
hawk, or the knife, before British COM
mission liberty or death is our mOttO.'
He then left me. Some time after lady
came TO my room with whom L had been
well acquainted before the revolution, we
had been schOolmates she was then mar
ried to a British officer, a Captain of the
Queens rangers he came with her. She
lad been to Col. Butler, aRd was author
zed to make me the same offer that the
officer has done. l thanked her tor the
trouble she had taken for my safety but
could not accept of the offer. She Observ-
I'd how much more honorable would it be
10 be an officer in the British service.
observed that l could rot thus dispose OF
myself in that way, belonged to the Con-
,grs Of the United States, and [ would
lbide the consequences. She left me and it
vas the last heard oft, and a guard was
get at the door of my apartment.
In about four days after was sent down
Lake Ontario 20 place called Carlton Is
and, from theme down the st. Lawrence
o Montreal, where L was placed in p rison
md found forty or fifty of our American
,flicers and where we had the honor to look
through the iron CRATES. The 1st of July
vas drawing near !; ten Of US combined to
celebrate the political birthday of our coun-