The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-09-05
CHERRY VALLEY.

rssv Yak Tribuns, Aus. 1G.l

uIstsfieA Ralniseeaees u TIE Revs.
| fNsv Y0k Tribune, AuS. 1Gl
The centennial anniversaries of the great
events Of the war OF the Revolution follow
closely upon one another. Theanniversary
| of the Battle Of Mon mouth was celebrated
in June, that Of Wyoming in July. and
Yesterday the massacre in Cherry Valley
was commemorated. The settlement in
Cherry Valley, New York, like that in the
Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania. vas in
IT'S frontier one. Both were surrounded
by wilderness that extended 10 the bor-
ders Of Canada, and served as . screen TO
the attacks upon these settlements Of saw
ages and of tories who had fled over the
border. In 1873 the Cherry Valley settle
ment was founded by Scotch-Irish people.
Its growth was slow; in ITS it only had
three hundred inhabitants. 1t was situated
only fiIy-five miles west Of Albany, bet
still, from the outbreak Of the war with
Great Britain, its inhabitants feared an
attack upon them. Near by was Johns
town, the memorable scat OF the famous
Sir William johnson, and the natural head
quarters Of the tories. Cause of hostility
was given to the tories Of JOhnstown as
early as l775. In the spring Of that year,
tory grand jury, sitting at Johnstown,
denounced the proceedings Of the Cont
mental Congress. The population of Cher
~ Valley, which was fiercely patriotic,
upon hearing Of this action Of those tories,
fatty rcpudiated the action Of the grand
Jury as representing the state OF feeling in
the region. and expressed its "en;ire ap-
probation" OF the work done by the con-
gress. Still the storm was long in gather
ing. The Six Nations tribe OF Indians.
which inhabited the wilderness. at first re-
fused to take part In ''the quarrel between
the white men," All Of the effort of Sir
John johnson and Sir GUY johnson, the
successors of Sir William johnson, TO in
duce them to attack the patriots of Cherry
Valley were unavailing till 177S. The aid
Of the Indians in the plot to stamp out the
settlement was at last indirectly secured.
In TIT the Six Nations. under the leader
ship Of 3ant, were induced to support y
detachment of British troops and regi-
ment of tories which, commanded by Col.
st. Legef, were to march from Oswego
through the Mohawk Valley and join Bur-
goync's Inflated army at Albany. ST.
Leger, as 10 well known, was defeated at
Oriskany by Herkimer and compelled to
retreat. In the battle Of Oriskany the In
dams suffered severe loss. Eager for
vengeance, they at once became the impla-
cable foes of the American settlers. Fear
ing an attack, the residents of Cherry Val
lev built small stockade about the house
GERS in command at Oriskany.
In the spring OF 177S Lafayette, who
had charge of the frontier settlements Wis
tied the place. He thought the stockade
insufficient for its defense, and ordered
fort to be constructed. 1t was made dur
ing the summer, its walls enclosing a church
and graveyard. After its completion all
the valuables Of the place were stored
within it, and the inhabitants there sought
refuge at night. The fields were titled by
a portion of the population while the rest
stood guard with loaded guns. The sum-
mer was passed in terror of All attack.
Brant burned Springfield. neighboring
town, in June: the valley Of Wyoming was
laid waste in Jlly by Col. John Butler, at
the head of a band Of tories, and Brant, in
command of some Indians; the valley Of
the Cobleskill and the Schoharic valley
were ravaged in the same month; and
Brant, in September, burned German Flats,
a large settlement. Late in the fall an eS-
petition against Cherry Valley was organ
lied by Walter n. Butler, son Of tho rava-
Ger of the Wyoming valley. The expedi- !
ton consisted of two hundred tories and
five hundred Indians under Brant. This
force marched through the southern part
of the State till it reached the Susquehanua,
and then assembled that stream toward
Cherry Valley. In the fort at Cherry Val
lev at the time there were nearly three
hundred soldiers, members of the eastern
regiment. The regiment was commanded
by Col .lchabOd Alden, who upon arriving
with his troops q short time before, had
ordered the residents of Cherry Valleys
with all their belongings, out of the fort,
The residents naturally protested against
this treatment, but were unable to modify
the decision of the officer, Notwithstanding
they pointed out to him the great danger |
he was placing them in. He promised. |
however, that be would inform them OF
any danger that might threaten the settle |
ment % that they would have ample time |
to take refuge in the fort. To he able to |
fulfil this pledge he sent out scouts in va |
rious directions A scouting party which |
went down the Susquehanna river, upon |
camping for the night put ont no guards, |
and IN went to sleep. Upon awaking the |
next morning they found themselves sur |
rounded by Indians snd were captured.
At nightfall on Nov. 10,177S, Butler and |
Brant encamped with their combined force |
on thickly wooded hill about mile south |
west of the village. During the night |
snow fell, and when morning dawned it |
covered the fields 10 the depth Of several |
inches. In the early morning also slcet |
begsn to fail, the air was heavy, and the |
clouds hung gloomily overhead. AT day
brc TX the attack was made. Several OF !
tie officers Of the regiment camped in the |
fort were lodging IN dwellings IN the vii
lagc The cnemy had been informed Of
this fact. and accordingly, upon entering |
the village, attempted first 70 surround /
these houses. Fortunately for the officers.
one inhabitant Of the place was abroad |
when the attack was Just beginning. He |
was eutering TIC place on horseback when |
he was fired upon BY the Indians and |,
wounded. He put his horse at its utmost |
speed toward the fort and escaped. On |
his way TO the fort he informed Col Alden, !
who was one Of the officers lodging out !
side Of the fort, of his Danger. Aldcn was
incredulous of the truth OF the rcpoct, and
merely gave orders TO call in the guard. |
A momsnt afterwsn he was fcArfuily unde-
ceived, for the Indians came running swift
ly into the place. Alden fed toward the
fort pursued closely bS a Seneca Indian.
In his fight he turned end attempted sew
eral times to shoot his pursuer, bu; the
weapon, . pistol, would not 60 of. the
p,wdef being damp. When aeaf tho fo1.
vhnee yN,es stood wide oper. the eavars