The sun., 1900-08-19
CAPT. GREGG AND MS DOG.
Doubt Cast Upon One Of the Romantic Tales
Of the Revolutionary War.


ALBANY. Aug. is-One OF the most romantic
and oft-repcatcd tales Of tho Revolution h
that Of Capt Gregg, who was scalpcd by "a"
Indians and whose rescue from lingering
death was attributed 10 the thoughtfuln'~o
Of a faithful dog. Gregg was an of'icor under
tho command Of the brave and capable Col
Gansnvoort, who successfully defended Fort
Stanwix against ST. l"gor's advnn" IN III
Contrary To orders. capt. Gregg. accompanied
by corporal. loft th" fort In search oi game,
was surprised by IN" Indians. shot ana
then scalpcd. hs companion bclng instantly
killed Gregg. despite his wounds. was found
alive and carried into the fort llo recovered
and again scrvcd his country with honor and
credit. Such i brof narration " th" event.
void Of any sentimental or romantic incidents.
Timothy Dwight, author of Travels In New
England and New York. is?i.' seems to have
fastened upon this incident the episode oi the
faithful dog. who has cyrr since complacently
trottcd alongside Of the story. Dwight says,
after describing the attack by the Indians and
the wounding Oi Gregg. ,
A small dog which belonged TO him and had
accompanied him In his hunting, but TO which
he had hitherto boon inattcnty". now came
up 10 him In apparent agony. and lcaplng around
him In n variety of involuntary motions, yclped.
whincd and cried In All unusual manner. To IN"
no small mOlcStation Of his master Gr'gg
was not in a situation to bear the disturbano"
he could think Of TO forcc IN" dog from him,
but he tried In vain, At length, wcaricd by
his cries and agltatlonS, and not knowing now
as II ho had been n rational being. III you wish
50 much to hrlp me- 20 and call some one TO
my relief At these words the creature IN
stantly loft him and ran through the forest at
full speed, To the great comfort of his master,
who now hoped to die quietly .,.--.
The dog made his waN directly 10 three men
| belonging to the garrison, VINO were nShlng
az the distance Of mile from the scene OF the
began 10 cry in the same affecting Wanner,
! and advancing near them, turned slowly back
| toward the point where his master lay keep
| ing his eye continually on the men, all TINS
! be repeated several times. Al length one oi
| the men observed 10 his companions that
! there was something very extraordinary in
! they ought to find out the cause, his compan-
| ions were Of the same mind and they ,immeed-
lately set out with the intentions 10 follow the
animal whittier he should lead them, ,,-
After they hnd pu[snef hlm some d,s.ancds'
and 9d psa8 s Sd he b Ms adiGT4sSe
they therefore determined TO- return. The
/ moment the dog saw them wheel about, he
| coming up 10 the men, took hold OF the skirts OF
| their coats with his teeth. and attempted TO
1 hG S%d 6s Point wben to When ,RSH he
| again. he leaned his back against the back
| part of their legs, a. II endeavorng 20 push
! his conduct Of the dog, they agreed, after g
| little dCiberation, 10 follow him until he should
| stop, The animal directed thelll, uiTeCIS
and after bur, ing the corporal as well as they
/ could they carried Gregg to the fort here hts
/ wounds were dressed with the utmost care
I md such assistance was rendered 10 MN az
. proved the means Of restoring him toyhealth
/ only thing that serves 10 save his
dogs reputation from actual damnaton -
the fact that the three men who accompanied
! the animal were fishermen, even dog should
not be held responsible for their stories.
! Col. Gansevoort's military papers have been
! carefully preserved by his descendants and IN
their possession is the original draft OF his re-
| port Of this occurrence to ten. schuyler under
date Of June p. Ill which is as follows a..
Il am sorry TO inform your honor that capt.
! Gregg and Corporal Madison Of my regiment
went out a-Running Yesterday morning, con
/ trary to my orders. II seems they went out
just after breakfast, and at about 10 o'clock
/ CORPORAL Mad ison was killed and scalped. Capt.
| Gregg was shot through his back, tomahawked
| and scalped and IL stlll living, He informs me
/ that the misfortune happened about 10 O'Clock
In the morning. He looked at his watch after
| he was scaped He saw but two Indians. He
was not discovered until o'clock in the after,
| noon. ! Immediately sent out party and had
! him brought into the fort, just about ocl ock
! also the corpse Of Madison. Gregg Ia perfectly
Notwithstanding that his recovery ia doubtful.
! Col. Gansevoort makes no mention Of the dog
! and IL particular as 10 the time Of the sCalping
which we see is widely different from that eiver
| BY Dwight Neither In other CORES pondence oi
Col Gansevoorts In relation TO this event Is there
| the least mention Of any connection Of dog
/ with the finding Of Capt. Gregg.
Dwights narrative Is "A fair sample or now
/ fictitious details are interviewer TO add hnaRin-
AIRY strength to story powerful enough in its
! the precision Of a soldier and the instinct OF a
/ gentleman. let's the truth suffice.