Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1876-02-04
Resolved, That it Is the opinion of this

| uldteIy cease ali nOstlill-les and aYOlC
every appearance of force until the dis.
pute can be legally decided. That all pro.
perty taken and detained, be Immediately
restored to the original owners that nc
interruption be given to either party, TO
free passing and repassing, if behaving
themselves peacebly, though the disputed
territory, as well by land as by water, with
out molestation of either persons or pro-
perty that all persons seized and detain
ed on account of said dispute on either
side, be dismissed and permitted to 90 to
their respective homes, and that things be-
ing put in the same situation they were
before the late unhappy contest, they con-
linue to behave themselves peaceably on
their respective possessions and improve
ments, until legal decision can be had on
said dispute, or this Congress shall take
further order thereon, and nothing herein
done, shall be construed in prejudice of
the claim Of either par:y.n
This important resolution did not come
in time to arrest the attack of Piunkelt
and his army on Wyoming had ar
rived on the 23d of December, near to the
settlement. The account of the battle is
given as follows by Mr.. Miner in his his
of Wyoming:
"Col. Zebulon Butler, who commanded
the Yankees, by the most strenuous exer-
tions had mustered about three hundred
men and boys, but there were not guns
enough for the whole, and several appear
ed upon the ground with scythes fastened
upon handles projecting straight as posi-
BILE formidable weapon in the hands of
an active soldier, if they should be brought
to close quarters, but othsrwise useless.
These weapons the men sportively called
the end of time.' On the night of the
23d, he encamped on fat near the union
of Harvey's creek with the river. From
this point he despated Major John Garrett,
his second in command, TO yisi. Col Plum
kett with flag. and desire to know the
meaning of this extraordinary movement,
and to demand his Intentions in approach
ing Wyoming with so imposing military
array? The answer given was, that he
came peaceably as an attendant on Sheriff
Cook, who was authorized to arrest several
persons in Wyoming, for violating the laws
of Pennsylvania, and he trusted there
would be 10 opposition to measure 80 rea-
sonable and pacific. Major Garrett re-
ported that the enemy outnumbered the
Yankees more than to to one. The con-
flict will be shary one, boys SAID he L
for one am ready to die, if need be, for
my country Things wore different as
pect from what they had done formerly.
Men then, were almost the only inhabi.
tants. Now the Valley abounded with old
men, women aud children, brought by the
confidence inspired by those wears of peace
and prosperity. Itwas a season of gloomy
"Col. Butler was humane as he was
braye-polite as he was undaunted. Sew
eral positions existed below the Nanticoke
falls where the river leaves the valley and
takes its way for four or five miles between
precipitions mountains. where 4 stand
might have been made with almost certain
success. 1t was thought better, however
justifable as would have been such a
course, 10 await the attack within the val
ley ITSELF Orders were also given to this
to take blood unless rendered
unavoidable in self-defence. Leaving En-
sign Mason Fitch Adm, with eighteen
men on the around, where lie was bivou-
acked, Col. Butler retired on the morning
of the 23d, aud detached Capt. Stewart
with twenty men acros. to the east side OF
the river, above the Nanticoke falls, with
orders to lie IN ambush, and prevent any
boats crew from landing on that shore.
"On the morning of the oath, about IL
O'Clock, Ensign Alden was apprised Of the
approach of Plunkett and his army,
who came up with martial music playing.
Keeping at a respectful distance, no shot
was fired from either side, and Alden join
ing Col. Butler, reported the approach of the
foe.
Displaying his columns on the fiat. Just
abandoned by the Yankees, Col. Plunkett
spirited advance in pursuit of Al
den, not doubling but the main forces of
the Yankees were near, and the hour of
battle had come. In less than thirty min
utes the advancing line was arrested by
the word, Hal, ! and Plunkett who was in
the front little to the right, observing
Col. Buffers position, was heard to ex-
claim, My God what breastwork :
Harvey's creek coming in from the north,
cuts the high mountain which here ap-
proaches the river, deep to its base. \
ledge of rocks, from near the
summit, runs southerly to the river, pre-
senting TO the west by south a lofty natural
barrier for mile a long the Iavine and
where the defence was not perfect, Col.
Bntler had made it so by ramparts Of logs,
so that it would require a powerful as we'll
as bold enemy, to dislodge him. Nothing
could have been more perfectly military
than the selection OF The spot, and the
OF defence. 50 it MAS regard
ed by his soldiers Mr.. John Carey says
in respect to the conduct of Col. Butler, in
all that affair: i loved the man-he was
an honor 10 the humane species. Such a
declaration speaks the merits Of Col But.
Ter in language move impressive than the
most eulogium. To take life was not the
object, but orders were given for general
all along the line of the defence
by platoons, so as TO impress Col. Plunke,t
with proper idea Of the strength and
spirit of his defenders. No one was hurt,
but considerable confusion was seen to pre-
vail in his ranks as Plunkett's men recoiled
from the formidable breatwork. A boat
was forthwith despatched by him, with a
number of soldiers to the opposite shore,