The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-07-07
Our 0lio.
THE WYOMING MASSACRE.
A Tragic Event of the American
Revolution.
Written for the Democratic Advocate,
BY CHARLES l.. SHIPLEY.

FefnapS one OF tne mosI pioouy auu
tragic events of the 'times that tried mems
souls" was the destruction of the settle
ments in the vale of Wyoming, Pennsyl-
vania, in the month of July, 1873. This
beautiful section of country was situated
upon both sides of the Susquehannah
river, and consisted of eight townships,
each some five miles square. On the 8th
of February, l77s, Gen. Philip Schuyler,
an eminent officer, wrote in the following
strain to Congress :-"There is too much
reason to believe that the Indians will form
an expedition against the western frontiers
Of this state, New York; Pennsylvania
and Virginia" The next month he in
formed the same body that "a number of
Mohawks, and many of the Onondaguas,
Cayugas, and Senecas, will commence hos
tilities against us as soon as they can; it
would be prudent, therefore, early to take
measures to carry the war into their coun-
try; it would take no greater body of men
to destroy their towns than to protect the
frontier inhabitants"
This prudent advice was, however, totally
disregarded. No measures were taken to
prevent or check hostilities, and numbers
of Indians and Tory refugees soon COM
menced depredations upon the back settlers.
Their expeditions were carried on by the
exact knowledge which the refugees pos
sessed of every object of their enterprise,
and immediate information they received
from their friends in the settlements. The
inhabitants of Wyoming, upon whom the
full weight of hostilities were about to fall,
we're mixture of Wings and Tories, who
were the most bitter enemies of each other.
Beside the resident Tories of the settle
ments, large number of strangers were
observed coming and going to and from
the settlements. Being suspicioned Of act
ing in the capacity Of spies, about score
of them were arrested and sent to Connec-
ticut for trial, and the balance were ordered
to leave the country. Col. Zebulon Butler,
the commander of the American forces in
the valley. sept several urgent letters to
Congress and to Gen. Washington for
assistance, as the number of available meu
in the valley was very small, on account Of
the settlers having contributed over 1000
men to the Continental army. Phese let,
tiers were, however, intercepted by Penn
sylvania Tories and never reached their
destination.
COMMENCEMENT OF HosTILITIEs.
The towns were defended by four forts
on account of their remote sit4ation.-
Upon the first of July, 1878, the long ex.
pected enemy made their appearance on the
Susquehanna in full force. They numbered
some 1000 men, of whom some 500 were
Indians under the leadership Of "Thayen-
danegea," or Brandt, the renowned half
breed chief of the Mohawks. The balance
of the force consisted of Tories, and the
whole detachment was under the command
of Col. John Butler, cousin to Col. Zeb.
nlon Butler, the American commander. A
few days before the general attack party
of Tories and Indians made an attack OF
one Of the outlying settlements and butch;
cred the wife and Eve children of one pt
their own number who had been sent to
Connecticut for trial.
THE SETTLEMENTS INVESTED.
Thirsting for revenge for the act com.
mitted by some of their own party, the
Tories Immediately resolved to march upon
the valley, where they appeared as above
mentioned on the 1st of July. One Of
the forts defending the settlements was
betrayed into the hands of the enemy by
its own garrison, who were nearly all Tories
Another was upturned by storm, and ali
the occupants, with the exception of the
women and children, butchered in cold
blood. This fort was but short distance
from the village of Wyoming. On the Sd
of July council Of war was held to con.
slider whether the patriot forces should
march out of Fort Wilkesbarre and attack
the enemy, and it was decided in the affirm.
atiye.
THE ENEMY ENGAGED.
The soldiers, the same day that the
council was held, received marching orders
and fled out of the fort under the com,
mand of Coils. .Zebulon Butler and Dennison
Scouts we're sent forward in advance tl
feel the enemy, and it was but short time