Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1876-03-03
New Series, Vol. z, No. 46.
Old Series. Vol. SO, No. 46.

away as last as possible. lie appeared to
be the chief, or commander of the party,
and no doubt 1t was lucky for the whites
that he was shot. H-
| The danger became so great, and such
panic seized the inhabitants, that nearly
all of them about Nuncy fed to Brady's
Fort. Those above that up to Lycoming
ann Pine creeks, were at Antes'and Horns
Forts. The inhabitants of Penn's Valley
gathered TO Potter's Fort. Those below
the Muncy Hills, TO Chillisqua9ue, we're
assembled at Freeland's and Boon's Forts,
and Sunbury. Those in White Deer, and
Buffalo Valleys, fled to the river, and fort
ed themselved at various points. This
took place in the summer of 1779. Colo
mel Hunter in letter to John Hambright
says, that II was very distressing to see
the poor settlers flying and leaving their
homes. The immigrants from New Jersey,
who had come up tina: spring and winter.
set off again as rapidly as they could
travel to their old houses.
Colonel Hepburn, afterwards Judge Hep
burn, was stationed for while at Muncy
Fort. and commanded it, Colonel Hos.
tcrman, Captain Renolds, Captain Berry,
and others, were sent up soon after. to
assist in protecting the frontier.
n number of horses had straved awav
and were supposed to have gone to LOYAL
Sock. Captain Berry was ordered to take
company of twelve men, and look after
them. Robert Covenhayen, his two
brothers, James and Thomas, and his un-
Gle, William Whychof, were in the expe-
dition. They proceeded to Loyal Sock.
where. ii appears, they separated. Peter
Shoeielt, William Whychoh, and a man
named Thompson went above the creek. to-
wards Williamsport, 20 Thompson's house
for the purpose of saving some of his pro-
perty.
The remainder of the party continued
up the creek. They proceeded cautiously
through the narrows, but saw no signs of
Indians. Not finding the horse it was
concluded to return. COvenhaven was
suspicious that Indians were about, and
advised Captain Berry not to return By the
path they had come, as he feared an am
buscade. Berry thought there was no dan
ger, and paid but little attention to him.
who still insisted on taking another route
over the mountain. Berry at length ac-
cused him of cowardice, and being need
lessly alarmed. This irritated him yerv
much but he insisted no more and going to
his brothers, communicated to them his
fears that they would be attacked by the
enemy and probably all killed. He re-
quested them to keep shalp lookout, and
if the flash of gun was seen, to jump TO
trees Immediately.
They travelled on without any molesta-
ton, till they came to the narrows, and
true to Coyenhaven's expectation, were
suddenly fired upon by party of sayages
in ambush. Most of the party, including
the reckless Captain Berry, were shot down.
James was shot through the shoulder, and
disabled. He cried to Robert that he was
wounded, and could do nothing, who told |
try and cover hts rerrcaU. - md ne would |
getting to the opposite side, when a bali !
struck him on the back part of the head
and he fell back on the edge Of the creek
dead. Robert ran for life, and jumped into
an Old tree tor, where he loaded his rifle.
II, ha1 Of haon min till
big savage came and stood on log with
in few feet Of where he lay, looking all
around aud up the Eill. He watched his
eye, and was prepared TO shot the moment
he was discovered. and then run for his
life. Had the Indian but cast his eye
down at his feet, he would have beheld
Coven haven. He soon ran back over the
creek, where they were scalping the killed.
The shrieks of the wounded, and the yells
of the savages, were terrible. Covenhaveu
soon crawled out of the tree land work
ed his way carefully up the mountain. An
open spot of ground was before him, which
he dare not cross, for fear Of being seen
and pursued. Coming to where an old
tree had blown out of root, lie lay down in
the hole and remained there till dark.
when he started across the hills and reach
Willis Fort in safety, and reported to the
garrison the melancholy fate of the expe-
dition.
His brother Thomas, with several others
was taken prisoner and carried into cap
tivity. He returned after the war.
Continued.