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Fro«i an Ambrotype by E. F. Moore, WelUburg.

* :

THE

LIFE AND TIMES

PATRICK GASS,

NOW SOLE SURVIVOR

pp THE OVERLAND EXPEDITION TO THE PACIPIC,
UNDER LEWIS AND CLARK, IN 1804-5-6;

ALSO,

▲ SOLDIER IN THE WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, FROM
1812 TO 1815, AND A PARTICIPANT IN THE

BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE.

TOGETHER WITl^

GASS' JOURNAL OF THE EXPEDITION CONDENSED;

AND

SKETCHES OP SOME EVENTS OCCURRING DURING THE

LAST CENTURY IN THE UPPER OHIO COUNTRY,

PIOGRAIHIES, REMINISCENCES, ETC.

B Y J. G. JACOB.

JACOB <k SMITH,

I^OBLIUHBRI AND PRINTERS, WBLLRBURO, TA.

185».

ip p 'iii l i JiJ H t |ili|i U 1""

T\(S!)

ill

Entered accordiupj to Art 'of Ooaqr^sp, tn the year 18»6, by

J. G. JACOB & J. A. SMITH,
lu tho Clerk 'b Office of tlio DiKtrict Conrtof the United States,
f(.r tlic Wo«lcrn District of Virginia.

PREFACE;

The design of prepariilg the following pages, was
conceived during a period of leisure, and originally
contemplated only a series of sketches for a weekly
newspaper; but as the subj :ct grew under the hand of
the author, th.o original design was abandoned rind tho"
work assumed its present forni. For the sin of adding
another to the innumerable books, we have no other
apology to offer. A curiosity was expressed to Lavo
on record the adventures of its hero, and his eveiltful
career promised material for an interesting story.

We have done the best possible with our materials.
If there be merit in the work, the reader will not be
slow to discern it; if there be none, the public will not
be backward about demonstrating that fact.

The biography of its citizens is the history of a na-
tion; and we trust that the reputation of history will
not suflfer from one departurei in permitting the humble
biography of a hero of the ranks, to stand by the side
of those* of the great and titled, who have been by com-
mon consent, but very untruthfully, held up as the ex-
ponents and exemplars of the nation.

31334

PREFA C

Patiii'k Cass, \^ tlio type of the self reliant, adventu-
rous American ciii/.cn and soMier, wlio has carried the
eagles of the Republic in triumph through three wars;
and planted the olivo branch on the highest pinnacle
df the tenlple^of Peace.

The concluding pages of our won: will we hope, prove
acceptable to a numerous class to whom the material
there used is no novelty, but who may perhaps be grat-
ified in having it systematically and conveniently ar-
langcd. It, of course does not pretend to bo a full his-
tory of the events of the last eighty years-; but as far as
it goes, will we think, be found reliable; and may serve
to assist some future historian. We have to regret that
our allotted space is too small to allow the insertion of
more reminiscences, or to permit as much detail as wo
could desire, on the subjects we have attempted. Sev-
era dcetches, and other material, the result of consid-
erable research, have been thus omitted, while others
have been so abreviatcd as to be unsatisfactory. We
had designed giving a detail of the Whiskey Insurrec-
tion, also a history of the settlenient of Wellsburg
and Wheeling, an account of the Railroad Era, and
various other matters for which we had the material
provided, but inexorable necessity forbade it.

Although great care has been observed, it is not im-
probable also that some inacuracies may be found. Au-
thorities thcniBelves, although covitemporary* often dif-
fer; hence, it is the more difficult for subsequent wri-

!• n K r A c B .
tors to ,,e ex.et. Should .l,is little volume bo rccoiv J
iv.th favor, a subsequent publication ™„y correct 7t^
errors and amplify its details.

To those who have kindly contributed nmtter or oth
erwise assisted us, we retnm „, •
ments. "'' ^' '"'""" °""»«ere acknowledge-

With the,«, prefatory remarks, the book is submit-
ted to a generous public.

^ THE AUTHOR

Wellsburg, January, 1859.

CONTENTS.

(

Boyhood and Youth, « « - Paoe ll

JMoviii^ to tho Wo.st, - • • - 14

Wellshurg ill 171)0, - - - 11)

Class' Sorvicos on Yellow Trook, - - - 21

Kccolloctions of Lowis \Vet/el, - •* 22

Khitboiitmon, - - - - - 24

Thomas and Solomon Eniy, - - * 26

Jiune.s Bnchunan, Senior and Junior, - - 29

Enlistment in tho b'rench War, - - 31

Overland Joi:u\i:v to the Pacific — Chap. II.

Death of Sergeant Floyd, - - - 42

Eneanipment at Fort Mandan, - . 57

Sickness of tho Party, - - - - 86

Flathead Indians, - - - $%

The Paeifio in sight, - - - - 93

J^oparture for home, . - _ IQO

Arrival of the party at St. Louis, - - - 106

Travel through tho States, - - - IQg

Lewis and Clark — subsequent history, - - 110

Pacific Kail road, - - - - 114
Mormons — Freraonts' and Gunnison's disasters, 115

Beckwith's Pass, - - - - 118
Distances and Route traveled l-y Lewis & Clarke, 119

Western Indians — their present condition, - 120

Troubles in Kansas, _ - - 135

Publication of Gass's Journal, - - - 140
The War of 1812.— Chap. III.

Right of Search and Impressment, - - 146

Gass enlists for the war, - - - 147

Trip from Kaskaskia to Pittsburg, • - 149

Niagara Campaign, - * • 151

CONTKNTB

Vtl

7
)1

Battle of Chippewa, .... 151

" QuooiLstown, - - - 15fi

*' Luiuly's Lane, -. - - ir>9

Investment of Fort Frio, - . - lO'J

Bombardment ami attack of Fort Frio, - - 163

Sortie from Fort J^^rie, . - - 167

llcminiscences of Campaign, - • • 170

Discliarge frcm service, - - - 175

Courtship and Marriage, - - - 177

CotBj)ensati«>n from Cjovcrnmcnt, - - 179

Tension Laws, - - - - 180

Old Soldiers Convention, - - - 184

President JMerce's Address, - - - 187

Ilcsolutions of the Convention, - - 188

Conclusion of Biography, _ - - I93

Civil History — Part II.
The Upper Ohio- -French and English Pretensions, 105

Washington's First Expedition, - - 195

First English Settlement, • - 197

Washington's Second Expedition, - - 198

Washington's Capitulation, - • iiOO

The Ohio Indians, - - - 203

Braddock's Expedition — Defeat and Death, 211

Pontiac's War— Col. Bociuct, - - 222

William Pitt, - - - 224

Forbes' Expedition against Fort Duquesnc, 225

Grant's Defeat — Fall of Fort Duquesne, - 225

Early Boundary Disputes, - 227

Pennsylvania and .Virginia State line, - 228

Patents — Location — Litigation, - 229

Lord Dunmore — Col. Connelly, - - 230

Cessation of the Dispute, - • 231

Final Settlement, - - - 232

The Panhandle, - - . . '234

West Liberty as a Seat of Justice, - 236

Early Settler's Names — Enterprise, - 340

Weighty Characters, - - - 244
Early Religious Inclinations — Presbyterianism, 24^

▼m

CONTEMTI .

Origin of Canonsbiirg and Washington Colleges, 246

liedstono Presbytery, - . -

Origin of Camp Meetings — Methodism,

Lorenzo Dow, • - • •

Kev. James Finley, - - -

Stone Meeting House on Short Creek,

Baptist Church,

Episcopal Church — Dr. Doddridge,

Schools and Colleges, - - -

Alexander Campbell, • •

Bethany College, ...

West Liberty Academy. — Wellsburg Seminary,

Free Schools, - , ,.

National Road, • - •

Philip Doddridge, • •

Wellsburg and Washington Turnpike,

The Whiskey Insurrection,

Adam Poo and Big Foot, - r

247
248
250
251
252
253
254
258
261
263
266
267
208
273
275
277
279

LIFE AND TIMKS

PATRICK GASS.

Patrick (iahp the subject of our memoir, is a hero
in humble life. He canuot trace his descent ikown a
long line of illustrious ancestors nor has his iinpTcfcencl-
ini; name been ennobled bv courtlv favor, or bv bril-
liaut deeds in diplomacy or war; yet was he born in
stirring times. His cradle was literally rocked ami<l
the storms of the revolution and the days of hi« mun-
hot>d extend through a most eventful era. In the
events of his day he has performed although an hunibW\
yet a not unimportant part, and perhaps, as well de-
serves a niche in the temple of fame as many a one t<>
whom fortune has been more propitious. But it was
his fate to serve, rather than to command; and as the
ways of the world will have it, so we must regard hiiw
in his subordinate capacity, much as we might wish thai
his position was, for our purpose, a more eonspkuouu
one.

He first saw the light, June 12th, 1771, at FalHa^
Springs, Cumberland county, near what is now Ciiaiu-
bersburg, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. At thii

UVTs A^Tb TIME3

date, October, 1858, lie is still living, a liale, lienrlr (^Id
man, with the apparent promise of many years of lifo
yet to come. His freedom from the infirmities of an
ago 80 advanced is not the least remarkable charaoto.r-
ifitic of his history. It cannot be attributed to extraor-
dinary freedom from exposure nor to e>tcessive sobriety
or regularity of habits j on the contrary, the reverse aft-
jKmrs to be the fact. In his early manhood, he cxjiosed
himself during twenty years of military service, to all
the casual itics of the soldier, both in actual service and
in camp, to disease, pi-ivation and danger in every form:
and after his retirement from service he Was addicted to
a weakness for strong drink, which, he for many years,
indulged to an extent that few men could have borne
with impunity. Yet, through all, he led apparently, a
charmed life and still lives a ^i^onument of God's mercy
and of the enduring power of the human constitution. —
Although his years considerably outnumber thow usu-
ally allotted to man, he preserves all his faeultii's in a
remarkable degree. Physiologically considered, he is*
of the build most favorable for longevity. In stature,
somewhat low, never having in his l>est estate, exeecvl-
ed five feet seven, stontly and compactly built, broad-
chested and heavy limbed, yet lean, sprightly and quick
of motion, his physique exhibits the amplest and mont
compact developeinent of vital force of which the hniiwi.n
frame is capable. Although now, somewhat bowed arvd
slightly crippled with the rhenmatisra, be is a remark-
ably alert and active walker and can make the four niik)8
from his residence to Wellsburg, in about as good tinie
ae most of those of one fourth his years. Indeed, lie
prides himself upon his pedestrianisra and delights to
jibe the "pups," as he is pleased to call the yonth of

OP PATRICK GASS.

tlicso degenerate times upon their effeminacy in this rcp-
poct. His intellectual development is good. His eye
is bright and lively, his mind active and discriminating,
Ills memory of events of fifty years ago, accurate and
reliable, and the general expression of his countcnanoe
intelligent and reflective. He is naturally a man of
good sound sense, very observant, and disposed to turu
hiii observations to piactieal account.

He seems to regard the retention of his facultios with
« warrantable pride, and we have no doubt still consid-
t3TS himself competent for a fair lUy's march. Wo have
hoard him declare, with all tlie enthusiasm of a conscript,
his readiness to shoulder arms again in the service of
liis country, should occasion require it, and have no
doubt whatever of his sincerity. 3lis parentage was
Irish, which probably accounts for his patriotic procliv-
ities as he seems to inherit the hatred of British domi-
nation so common to the sons of the Green Isle, and
iwhich appears to be transmitted by hereditary dostient.

Of his boyhood not much is to be said more than might
be said of the boyhood of other men. After several re-
moves on the part of liis father, a notable one was over
the 8outh Mountain into Marylanil, in 1775, just at the
lime that the revolutionary contest was assuming tli#
stage of a civil war. There is no doubt but that the
3es.sons of abhorrence to British tyranny, early and in-
sensibly impressed u])on his mindat'tliis time, adlrrtnl
to him thi-ough life awd exerted an i"nfluence on his af-
ter career. From 1777 to 80, he resided with a grand-
father ostensibly for the purpose of attending school,
but the facilities of that day, must have been extroniely
5)00r, for he informs us that the total efi'ective annamt of
iiis school education extending to reading, writing ai.'J

1 >

Life and times

cyphering, was acqiiiretl in 19 days, and that, after he
had come to the years of manhood. "We liave heard
him regret that his early education had not been better,
for he seems in his old days to entertain the idea that
lie might, with his opportunity and mental and bodily
energy, have attained an eminence among the great men
of the nation. However, his case was no anomaly in
his day, the means of acquiring an education being
extremely limited and very few of his cotemporaries be-
ing further advanced than the commonest rudimcntB of
English learning. He, however, like them took his
Irssons from men and things and made up for lack of
book learning, by close observation and shrewd rea-
soning.

His next recorded move was in 1780, rendered mem-
orable by the hard winter of that year, being the most
severe almost in the history of this country. At tliis
time the prospects of the American cause seemed almost
hopeless, and it may well be called the dark day of the
revolution. Tlie worn army of Washington was hut-
ted among the short hills of Morristown, famishing
some times for want of food, often naked and cold, tlm-
continental currency had depreciated until $40, would
scarcely buy a bushel of corn; the commissariat was sad-
ly deranged, a general gloom of despair settled over the
liopes of the Patriots, and as if Providence, too, had
combined with their enemies, the winter of this year set
in with a severity that was entirely unprecedentetL The
harbor of New York was frozen up and the British fl«?t
stationed there to protect it from the Americans, wa«
pondered useless, so that Kniphausen debarked the ^U-
ors and marines, and organizing them into land fprooe,
prepared them to defend the city against a contempla

OF TATIUCK OASS.

ficd attack by Washington, over the frozen waters of tlio
bay. The Schuylkill at Philadelphia, was frozen so as
to bear the heaviest artillery and wagons. The sufl'er-
ing of the American .soldiery was intense. And not
only they suftered for want of the common necessarios
of life, but the jiopulation of the Jerseys and of Eastern
Pennsylvania, the debatable ground between the Britisli
and Americans, harrassed and foraged over and over
again by both parties were also impoverished and re-
duced to want. This state of affairs was not confined
to the 'debatable ground' but extended throughont the
whole seaboard, where was the theatre of war. It in-
duced emigration toward the back country whence, whiie
the family was secure from disturbance, the yeomen
could sally forth to the defence of the country. Con-
siderations of this kind intlucnced the elder Gass, with
many others, to move toward the west, and no doubt
the contrast between the pitiable condition of the patriot
army and the well fed and well housed hirelings of the
Gtiemy, had its effect upon the plastic mind of the boy
of nine years of age as well as upon others, to be devel-
oped in after years. There is no doubt but that one ef-
fect of the harassing nature of the war of the revolu-
tion, was to diffuse population and thus hasten the set-
tlement of the country, and thus under the blessing of
Providence proved the cause of its remarkable develop-
ment

Accordingly in 1782, his father moved the family to
the "west" then located on the further side of the Alle-
gheny mountains, but since removed, year by year, un-
til the name **west" has now become a phrase of very
indefinite meaning. They encountered great hardships
«u the road, of which the following graphic reminis-

,!|

LIFE AND IIMES

(XJiico ttikcii from the pages of "Old RctlKtono," will eon -
vey au idea. "My father's family," says the author, 'was
Olio of twenty that emigrated from Carlisle, and tho
neighboring countiy, to Western Pennsylvania, in the
spring of 1784. (Xir arran.gements for the journey,
would, with littlo variation be descriptive of those of
the wholo caravan. Our family consisted of my fath-
er, mother, and three children, (the oldest one five, tin,"
youngest less than one year old,) and a bound boy of
fotirtccn. '^Cho road to be tmvolled in crossing the moun-
tains was scarcely, if at all, practicable for wagODS. —
Pack-horses wci*c tho only nteans of transportation then,
aaid for years after. We were provided with three hor-
se*, one of which my mother rode, carrying her infant,
willi all the table furniture and cooking utensils. On
an(Aher were packed tho stores of provisions, the plough
irons, and other agricultural tools. Tho third horso
was rigged out with a pack-saddle, and two largo creels
made of hickory withes, in tho fashion of a crate, ono
over each side, in which were stowed tho beds and bea-
ding, and tho wearing apparel of tho family. In tho
centre of these creels there was an aperture prepared for
mysdf and sistor; and tho top was well secured by la-
cing, to keep us in our places, 'so that only our heads
appeared above. Each family was supplied with one or
more cows, which was an indispensable provision for
the journey. Tlieir milk furnished tho morning a:*-^
evening meal for tho children, and the surplus was car-
ried in canteens for use during the day.

Thus equipped, tho company sot out on their journey.
Many c" tho men being unacquainted with the manage-
ment of horses, or the business of packirg, littlo pro-
gress was made, the first day or two. When the cara-

OP PATRICK GA83.

car-

hney.
lage-
Jpro-
ira-

van reached tho mountains, the road was found to he
hardly passable for loaded horses. In many places, the
path lay along the edge of a precipice, where, if the
horse had stumbled or lost his balance, he would have
been precipitated several hundred feet below. Tlu) path
was crossed by many streams, raised by the melting
snow and spring rains, and running with rapid current
In deep ravines. Most of these had to be fordcfl, »n
there were no bridges and but few ferries. For many
Hncccssive days, hair-breadth escapes were continually
occurring; sometimes, horses falling; at other timen,
c-arried away by the current, and the women and chil-
dren .vith difficulty saved from drowning. Sometimes,
in ascending steep acclivities, the lashing of the croels
would give way, and both children and creels tumble U*
tho ground, and roll down the steep, until arrested by
some traveller of tho company. In crossing streams or
passing places of more than ordinary difficulty in tla^
road, mothers were often separated from some of tlieir
cliildreu for many hours.

The journey was made in April, when the nights wero
cold. The men who had been inured to the hardships
of war, could with cheerfulness endure the fatigues of
tho journey. It Avas the mothers who suffered; tltey
could not, after the toils of the day, enjoy the rest they
so much needed at night; the wants of their suffering
children must be attended to. After preparing tlieir
aimple meal, they lay down, with scanty covering, in ;i
miserable cabin, or, as it sometimes happened, in tlie
open air, and often, unrefreshed, were obliged to ri^tj
early, to encounter the fatigues and dangers of another
da v.

As the comoany approached the MonongaheLi, they

LIFE AND TIMES

boLcan to separate. Some settled down near to friends
and acquaintances who had preceded them. About half
of the company crossed the Monongahela, and settled
on Chartier's creek, a few miles south of Pittsburgh, in
a hillv countrv, well watered and well timbered. Set-
tiers' rijjrhts to land were obtained on verv easy terms.
"My father exchanged one of his horses for a tract, ( boun-
•led by certain brooks and marked trees, ) whicli was
tonnd, on being surveyed several years aftxir, to con-
tain about 200 acres.

The new-comers aided each other in building cabin?,
which were made of round logs, with a slight covering
0*' clapboards. The building of chimneys and laying
<\{ lioors were postponed to a future day. A.s poon a»
the families were all under shelter, the timber was gir-
dled, and the necessary clearing made for planting corn,
j>otatoes, and a sntall patch of flax. Some of the par-
ty were despatched for seed. Corn was obtained at
ritt*<burgh; but potatoes could not be procured short of
Ligonler valley, distant three days' journey. The sea-
son was favorable for clearing; and, by unremitting
laltor, often continued through a part of the night, tiro
women laboring with their husbands in burning brush
and logs, their planting was seasonably secured. But,
while families and neighbors were cheering each other
<A\ with the prospect of an abundant crop, one of tlik>
settlements was attacked by the Indians, and all of them
were thrown into the greatest alarm. This was a ca-
lamity which had not been anticipated. It had been
(■(Wilidontly believed that peace with Great Britain would
t<ccure peace with her Indian allies. The very name of
Indian chilled the blood of the late emigrants; but there
wa^< no retreat. If they desired to recross the moun-

OF PATRiriv i.ASS.

tains, they had not tho provisions or means, ami liail
nothing but suftoringto oxpcct, should they regain thfir
former homes. Tliey resolved to stay.

The frontier settlements were kept in continual alarm.
Murders were frequent, ami many were taken prisoners.
Tliese were more generally children, who were taken t<>
Detroit, (wliich, in viohition of the treaty, continuetl
to be occupied by the Britisli,) wiiere tiicy were sold.
The attacks of the Indians were not conlined to the ex-
treme frontier. They often penetrated tlie settk^mcnt.H
several miles, especially wlien the stealing of horses was
a part of their object. Their depredation elfected, they
retreated precij)itately across the (,)]iio. The settlers
for many miles from the Oliio, during six monllis of
tlie year, lived in daily fear of the [udians. Block hou-
ses were provided in overal neighborhoods for the pro-
tection of tlie women and children, ^diile tho men car-
ried on their farming operations, some standing guar<l
while the others labored. The frecpieut calls on tin-
settlers to pursue marauding parties, or perforin tours
•if militia duty, greatly interuptod their attentio" fco
their crops and families, and increased the anxieties an<:l
sufferings of tho women. The general government
could grant no relief. Thev had neither monev or
credit. Indeed; there was little but tho name in tUi
old confederation. The State of Pennsylvania was nn-
able to keep up a military force for the defence of lirr
frontier. She had generously exhausted her resonnxis
in the struggle for national independence. Her Legis-
lature however, passed an act granting a bounty of orw?
hundred dollars on Indian scalps. But an incident (k*-
curred which led to the repeal of this law before tln^
termination of the war."

LIFE AND TIMES

i !!

■\

!:i

Tlie Glass fjiniily, however, rcacliotl the forks of Youf^li
witliout extraordinary incident, in 1784, and imiuedi-
tttely proceeded to locate near Uniontuwn, then called
Bea^ontown. Their stay liowovcr was but short at IJcyi-
sontown, for in the ensuing year they again pulled up
stakes and removed their household altar to Catfish
('iuiip, where Washington now stands. CatHsh at tliat
day was a hold stream of many times its present di-
mejisious, and indeed, the diminution of the streams
in one of the most singular incidents conected with tlu)
settlement of this country. The stream in question,
ha,s dwindled from a powerful stream to an insignificant
hi'ook, and we have before us an interesting instance,
in point, pertaining to its near neighbor, Churtiers, on
tlio authority of Mrs. Jane C. Patterson, relict of Ilob-
crt Patterson, who died near Pittsburgh iu 1858, in
her 80th year. Her biography as published in tluj
Pittsburgh Advocate and Journal, states: "She well
remembered the building by her father, of the old mill
in (Jauonsburg, one of the first in all the west, and to
which the farmers from a great distance around brought
tlicir grain. On one occasion, advantage was taken of
a high stage of water to send^a boat, freighted with bar-
rels of tlour almost from the floor of the mill by the tor-
tuous course of the Chartiers, at that time unobstruc-
t(xl by other dams^ to the Ohio, and so onward to New
Orleans.^ The clearing up of the country for more than
half a century, may possibly account for the present
tlixead-like appearance of the stream, which certainly
does not suggest the idea that Canonsburg was onco
tho head of navigation.**

Catfish took its title from being the head quarters of
a noted Indian chief of that name. His ctibin was lo-

OP PArniCK GA88.

cated on tlio run alxMit wlicro the stoam grist mill now
staiKls. Catfisli Odinp, was also prominent in early
times from being a sort of half way houso between tho
Monongaliela and the Ohio. A regular path exisknl iu
tlioso (lavs from Redstone bv the waters of Buffalo an<l
Wheeling creeks, to the Ohio at Wellsburgand \Vli(x;l-
ing, much tiavelled by the emigrants as well as by the
Indians, and as Catfisli was about 24 miles frf>m eiilier
river, it was a convenient stopping place, and became
geiierallv known to the settlers and scouts as a rendez-
vous. It must bo borno in mind that tra^ illing iri
those days was very different from travelling now. —
Tlio journey from eastern Pennsylvania to Redstone Old
Fort, in 1785, was fully equal iu magnitude to a trij)
now-a-days, to Oregon and back. Tho intermediat*)
country, between Redstone and tho Ohio was not only
rugged and broken, but was peculiarly infested with In-
dians. Tlie roads, where roads thero were any, almost
imiformly followed tho highest ridges, so as to avoid
any danger of a surprise that might occur by keeping
along the ravines. This made tho traveling safer but
much more difficult. Tho adventurer, who had safely
CffOssed tho Laurel Hills, passed through tho "shades of
death'* and soon tho big pines and deep snows of tho
mountains and finally dared tho Indian infested wooiIh
of the Ohio, was on his return a hero of no ordinarv re-
nown. From Catfish camp, Patrick directed his explo-
rations into tho surrounding country: and ho gives ns
Ilia impressions of Wollsburg as tho site appeared to
lum in 1T90. The ground was swampy in parts and
covered with a dense growth of sycamore, walnut, su-
gar and wild plum trees. Thero was at that day but
oao building to bo scon, that was a log houso on tho

LIFK AND TIMKfl

ill ;

lower oii'I ol' tlio bottom near midway tljcn, between tljo
vfver ftn<l tlie hills. It wji.s built and many years oocu-
j)'ied by Alexander Wells, and in 1S58, is still standing;
■tu\i\ is the property we beliovo of Wm. Daton. It luw
Im'^mi weatherboanled and a largo stone chimney sinoH
Hwlded to it on the outsiilo. What is now the bar, at tlm
tntMith of the creek, was then a higli bottom, thickly ami
luxuriantly covered with a heavy forest growth, and tin*
bottom itself, north of the creek was much wider than
«t present; hnndreds of acres having gone into the riwr
since the occnpation of the conntry by the whiti's, In-
dtvd at an early day, serious apprehensions wore tnter-
tnined that the entire town site would gradually wour
away: and about the year 181)0, money was raised by
Lottery, authoriscMJ by the state, to the amount of sonu*
!!?'J'),0(»0, to build walls to protect the river banks. 'J'Iko
privilege was sold to a lottery company, antl the pro-
•cosmIs appropriated to the construction of the heavy walls
which at present extend along the front of tho town. —
Mr. .lohn (Jilchrist, now of Wheeling, was one of thi^
contractors, perhaps the principal one, and the work was
vimjdeted, or the money expended about the year 18HG.
The walls have only partially answered their purpose,
tlu»ugh they have saved the banks to a considerable cx-
tiiiit. At the extreme point of tho bar is a stone about
teji feet long, of irregular width, known as tho "Indiftn
liock," which in early times bore a number of Indian
hieroglyphics, ami npon Avhich tradition states, George
Washington inscribed his name in one of Iiis early jour-
neys to the west. Tho marks whatever tlicy were, have
long since been worn out or cut ont by ambitions indi-
viduals who have covered its surface with their o.vn in-
itials to the displacement of the "Indian signs.'* Tlio

.i, ,.

-!i ■

or r.vTiiirK (;ash.

at*

appcarnupe of the rock marks low water in the river

At Catfisli Camp, l*atri«'k remained on the farm hww-

otl by his father for a considerable period, during wliLeh

time h<3 made several trips over the mountains to Mrr-

i-er.sburf^ and Hagerstown, for salt, iron, ife<!., whitdi in

tljose days liad' to be j)aeked on horses — liUU j)onnds of

iron or two l)Mshels of salt being tlic usual burden *4 n

1/orse. Considering the almost absolute absence of rouds,

tliOiiO excursions were attended with considerable lubni

and not a little peril; but they suited his roving and vcu-

turosome sj)irrt admirably, and helped to develojx' u

disposition for travel, that finally culminated in tl*e

then unheard of enterprise of an overland journey to

Otegou of which we shdl have more to say li©reafu,'r.

The year 1790, was remarkable for a drouth in (he
Catfish country, and Patrick came to Charlestown for
com, which' as ho informs us he procured from Mr. JMihj-
farland, the Surveyor who laid out the town, and ^\ ho
sabscqucntly committed suicide by shooting Ir.msell. —
His corn he took to "Moore's Mill," on Buffalo, got a
duo bill for the same and returned to Catfish, thuK tiav-
elly 50 miles or more to mill and back.

Wliat would the farmers of this day with their steam -
mills, turnpikes, railroads and steamboats think if ooni-
jjclled to such a resort for their daily bread, yet such in-
conveniences were th« rule rather than the exception in
those days.

About this time having attained his majority, our h«-
ro began to feel a longing for the glories of war, and
the next we hear of him is in 1792, when he was sta-
tioned under Capt. Caton, at Yellow Creek, to help
guard the frontiers against the incursions of the IruHan?,
who had been for a long time troublesome, ami who were

UlT. ASl) TIMES

! 'i

at this lime particularly elated with their success in tic-
i'ealing (ien. St. Clair ami his army in the November
preceding. At this time there was felt the greatest ap-
prehension on account of the Indians, to chastise whom,
mid etfoctnally "onquer a peace, Gen. Anthony Wayno
was sent out with a considerable force by the Govern-
ment, and the militia all along the frontier was drafted
into actual service. Patrick on this occasion was serving
in lieu of his father who had been drafted. He was him-
Hoif drafted shortly after leaving Ytmow creek, and sta-
tioued at Bennett's Fort, three miles from Wiieeling,
(Ml Wheeling (*rcck. He does not appear to have been
engaged in any actual lighting with the Indians, hav-
ing been occupied with garrison duty, but deserves ikot
the less credit on that account, for to a man of his tern-
porament the confinement of a fort was more iikacniie
than the hardships of an active campaign.

Shortly after this, in August 1792, the Indians reoei-
vchI a decisive check at the hands of Gen. Wayne, in
tlieir total dc%atonthe Miami, which virtuallv and for-
over put a close to Indian difliculties in this region. —
Emigration to the west which had almost entirely ccasod
during the previous few" years commenced again with re-
newed activity after the peace of Grenville, in 1796, and
under the auspices of the Ohio company and the leader-
ship of the veteran officers of the revolutionary war, llic
Ohio country filled up with great rapidity, and with a
class of settlers preeminently qualified for laying broad
and deep the foundations of a great and prosperous state.

While stationed at Wheeling Creek, Mr. Gass had
tan opportunity of seeing the noted Lewis Wetzel and
also Capt. Samuel Brady, names common as household
words, to all familiar with our early annals. They

OP PATIlIfK ^ABS.

were then acting as scouts, in which capacity tlioy n-ti-
dorcd the infont scttloments most elVectivc service. Wet-
Kol is dcscribeil us « lall, black visageil, slenderly bnilt
man, with remarkably keen eyes; and history gives him
credit for a deadly and inveterate hatred of the red -skins,
of whom ho sent, more lo tlieir last aceonnt, than perhap.**
ony other one man of his or any other tlay.

A noted instance of his success in circumventing the
"red skin !," is given in the romantic story of "Old Crosf^
Fire," which has more than iince gone the rounds of the
papers and is subHtantially true; and to this day, tlip
spot is pointed out where an Indian, having concealed
himself among the rocks on the precipitous bank of tlu*
crock near Wheelinif, un<l decoyed and shot several white
men, by imitating tho noise of a turkey, was himself
killed by Wetzel, while in the very act of "gobbling"
for a victim. The i(lenti(;al rock behind ■which the In-
dian was concealed was i\\ existence about three-fourth?*
of a mile from the mouth of Wheeling creek, until a few
years ago, when it was split up for building purpoMc^s.
and sold by the owner of the ground. It is to be regivt-
ted that the rock was not preserved, as a standiiiir me-
morial of the Indian times, and a monument to the bravr
and intrepid hunter, who has given his name, liowev-
over, to a county in our good old commonwealth. Had
it been named Wetzel's rock, ii would liavc reTnain«*d
an object of interest for ages perhaps; and thus effectn'
ally perpetuated bis name, and proven c source of grat-
ification to those who would desire justice done to t\\e
memory of the pioneers. Like many other men of hif
contemporaries, Wetzel had private injuries to revengt?
Uponihe Indians, and his hatred of them was bitter and
Relentless. They murdered several of his kindred, and

'J4

l.IFli AND T1MI;h

)io lutiiMjll witli iui elder brother hud boon priBonorw
amoiii;' tlioui when bnys, and ("rt'ootod thoirosoupoby ox-
truonlinju y jiddivss and oonra m*, and lio vowod otornnl
e^uuily. Liko too many men of Ids chisH ho had some-
what loose idoan of the sanelity ol hiwsand troatie.s with
Indians, wlien I hey interfered with the gratilieation ol
his veny^eanee; and it is re[)()rted of liim that lie nern
jded nol to take a shot when occasion olVerod, oven
tlionirli in time of peace. Of eonrse, sucli conduct wan
not only iliscreditable to the i^nod faith of tlio whitPH.
bnt was vitally danj.'C^'rons to their Kocnrity from IrKlian
veit^'canoo. Ho was warnetl and admonished of the dat»^-
jj,or to the peace of tho settlenKMits of snob an nncompro-
misinijr hostility, and was iinallv arrested in Ohio, and
impiisonod on oharu^e ofmnrdor, for shooting an Indian
in time of peace. Mo would doubtless have boon visil-
ed with the ngors of tho law, but popular sympathy
was in his favor. Tho whole ci»untry ^ido ilockod U>
the place of his continement. demanding his dischart^\
under penalty of demolishing tho jail and delivoriug
liim by force, and the result of tho demonstration way,
that ho was by some unaccountable moans released. —
After this adventure, tradition speaks of no more filit-
blistering on his part and his subsequent career is in-
volved in doubt, though the most probable story states
that he engaged in llatboating ontiie river, becaiu<; dis-
sipated and died miserably \\\ New Orleans sometime
about the beginning of the prtisent century.

The llatboatmen of that dav were an extraortttnarr
race, aptly denominated in the Mike Fink dialect as \\qM
horse and half alligator. They were a reckless, frolick-
ing set, net generally burdened with any over-sup ply
of coQScieuce, and y^t endowed with a lougk sense of

OF TATnifK OAR«.

ItoHdr ninoii^ ilioinKclvrH iirid townrrl tlinir (;rn|»loy<Tv.
l[oWL'v<'rf>irftticHlly <liHj»«NC(l titward tlic HfjiinitorH alont?
Ilio hanks of tlm livcrH, and ioward outHidrrH ^ciifrally;
und liovvovnr ready t<» ('iHj;i\^o in hndis and to ii«k tlicir
livoH for trivial insnItH, orcvcn ff)r bravado, intlioHan-
ifuinary li^litH of tlicir day, ilicy coidd yot be waf«dy vu-
triiHtcd with unconnind HuniH of Tnonoy, and woidd ;'i^dit
»«» the death in (h;fcnro of thoir roniradoH or their cni-
|)h)y. s' ])roji('rty. 'I'liey wnrn rnmpoHcA ^nnnrally of
the n;8tU;HS hordererw, who. uh in all new fftnntries, pre-
ler a life of cxeitcment and Ijard^hip, ho tliat it he eon-
]>led with freedom, to one of setthifl comfort and eon
straint. Wet/el was a irian f)f this temperament, and
it is hij^iily prolmhie that h(! hocame an adejjt in the
roii^h featurnH of boating', and as liistory is silent, we
may reasonably conelnde that his career was like that
of most of his comradf's. The life they led was a [ire-
(•arious one; leaving out r»f the (juestion the dangers of
their calling from accident and disease, tlie exf)osnre
and habitual dissipation so common among them, very
g«»ncrally cut short their careers. Nevertheless, there
wa.s an excitement about it which was very attractive
to the youth of that day.

'Z The produce of this section was at that day trans[>f»i-|
ted by flatboats, batteaux and similar floating craft, u,
the New Orleans market, then the only outlet ff)r the
surplus production, and as the risk was great and the
labor eevcre, the New (^)rleans traders gen^^rally made
large profits, and many of the most substantial citi/,ens
among us, realized their fortunes in this wav>\ The trip
from the Upper Ohio to New Orleans, occupied from
one to two months, according to the stage of tlie water,
and not unfrequently they were snagged and snnk, er

ii !

t ;

il-

m :li ;l I

LIFE AKD rtMES

run high and dry upon the shifting sandbars of the IMis-
sissippi and Ohio. The labor in time of low water wan
extrcinely severe and trying npon the constitutions of
those engaged: the boats having sometimes to b(^ liter-
ally jumped over the shallow places, by means of levers,
sometimes a channel to be dug out of the river bottom
sufficiently deep to float them, and every other imagi-
nable device adopted to get their cargoes into port. —
They coasted along, sometimes doing a retail business
at the different landings along the river; but ( )rleans
was the general mart to which they all headed. After
selling out there,- they sometimes cordelled or hauled
back their boats the entire route, at others, they sold
their crafts, and either took shipping around by way of
the Atlantic ports, or took up their march in companies
on foot and horseback, through the Indian country, tc
their place of departure. Marvellous stories are told of
flatboatmen's experience in New Orleans and on the
return trip, and there is no doubt but that there was a
great deal of foundation for the same, both as regards
the city and the travelling. Steamboats and railroads
have gradually superseded this mode of transportatifin,
and at this day the broad-horn is an object of curiosity,
almost, on the Upper Ohio; as are flatboatmen's yarns
a subject for incredulous wonder to the rising genera-
tion. An occasional flatboat load still leaves foV the
Southern country, but for the past ten or fifteen years,
flatboating may be pronounced obsolete.

A-s illustrative of the loose notions of the hunters of
that day in regard to the Indians, an incident is rela-
ted, which we do not recoil t o€ having ever seen in
print, but which is as TV^ell authenticated as the gener-
ality of such stories. It seems that an agreement had

OF PATRICK GASS.

^rs of

Irela-

m in

mer-

had

beers entered into with the Indians that they were to
have the exclusive privilege of certain hunting grounds
west of the Ohio, choice among which for its abundance
of game, was the Stillwater country in what is now Har-
rison and Carrol counties. This arrangement conflicted
with the free and easy notions of the pioneers who had
been accustomed to roam at their own sweet will, and
marauding expeditions into the Indian country were not
of unfrequent oocurrence. A party from Washington
County, Pa., among whicli were Solomon and Thomas
Eury had penetrated to the Stillwater country, in search
of game; and Thomas was shot by the Indians while
lying by his camp-fire, his body was covered v/ith a bear-
skin and his faithful dogs were left at his side as if sen-
tinels over him while sleeping; while the wily Indiani»
were posted around to shoot down the balance of the
party as they approached to awaken the sleeper. But
by some means their presence was detected by the whites
just in time for these latter to save themselves by a pre-
cipitate flight, pursued by the whole band of Inditwis.
Nothing was done with the Indians on the ground that
Eury righteously met his death while trespassing on
their privileges; but some years afterwards, Solomon
Eury, the brother of the slain man, happened to be in
company with a party of Indians, one of whom, while
under the influence of liquor, boasted to him that he
was the brave who had killed his brother. The taunt s«i
enraged Solomon, that although in time of peace, he
instantly repaired to his house without a word, took
down his old rifle running 32 to tlie pound, drewsed
himself in full scouting costume, and never stopped un-
til he shot the boasting Indian and six of his coniradeh'.
He covered their bodies with leaves and branches where

LIFE AND TIMES

I i

i -J

they fell, but the stench attracted attention, the crime
was traced to Solomon Eury, lie was arrested, taken to
Mad River Coui-tlionse and imprisoned, hut after a
mockei-y of a trial, acquitted; ostensibly, because the
evidence was insuflicicnt, but really, because popular
opinion would not admit of his being punished for
what every frontiersman felt conscious, he would have
done himself, if similarly circumstanced. This incident
gives a pretty faithful idea of the state of feeling at the
time and of the general character of the pioneers, in
respect to their treatment of and by the Indians.

The piping times of peace which followed the almost
annihilation of the Indians by Gen. Wayne, were any-
thing but agreeable to the genius of our hero; never-
tholess, unwilling to be idle, he betook himself to learn
the carpenter's trade, and bound himself in 1794, as
an apprentice to the trade for the period of two years
and three months at his old stamping ground, Mercers-
burg, Pa. Previous to this, he had made a trading trip
to New Orleans, in March, 1793^ and returned by way
of Cuba, through Philadelphia, Chambersburg, &c., to
Wellsburg. Even this trip, now of little difficulty, was
in those days a matter of very considerable moment and
goes to show the habitual restlessness of his disposition.
It is not probable that Mr. Gass ever became much of
a proficient in the carpenter business, although he points
to at least one house in Wellsburg, long known while
in the occupancy of Wm. Burgess, as the ** Traveller* »
Rest** moi-e recently as the "Yellow Hammer's Nest,"
said bouse having got sadly Otut of repute as well as of
repair, in latter days^ as » specimen of his handiwork
in this line. The house at present belongs to Mr. John
Qardner aud luts Torj recently beea put in good repair.

',i%

Of PATRICK 0A8S.

y way

c, to

^ was

it and

ition.

chof

oints

(vhile

ller'»

58t,"

iB of

pork

■ohn

)air.

Us substantial hewn oak timbers promising long to ont-
live it8 architect.

He also had the honor of working on a house for
James Buchanaii, Sr., the father of President Buchanan,
at the foot of Sideling Hill, and saw Gcri. Washington,
at Carlisle, when became out with the troops in 1794
to suppress the whisky insurrection. In this war, we
believe Patrick had no part; ho was too much of a pa-
triot to resist the government; and he loved good old
Monongahela too well to enlist against the Whisky Boys,
so he remained wisely neutral. He was engaged for a
period of six months on the house for Mr. Buchanan, du-
ring which time he became well acquainted with "little
Jimmy" as he still persists in calling our bachelor
President, said "little Jimmy" being ten or twelve years
younger tlum Mr. Gass. Little Jimmy, says Mr. Gass,
was then a school boy, rather bright for his years; but
showing nothing to particularly distinguish him from
thousands of other urchins of his age.

The elder Buchanan was an Irishman who emigrated
to this country at an early day, and in York county mar-
ried a Miss Hpeer, of a family somewhat distinguished
for ability in Pennsylvania- Rev. Matliew Specr a dis-
tinguished minister of Carlisle, was a brother of Mrs.
Buchanan, and to this family the Gass's were also con-
nected by marriage. From his mother, the President
must have inherited his qualities as a statesman, for ac-
cording to'Mr. Gass, the elder Bucbanan, was not par-
ticularly distinguished among his fellow citizens for any
other qualities than thrift and success in making money.
He was a merchant and accumulated considerable prop-
erty by supplying the settlers with iron, salt, ifec, in ex-
/•hange for peltry and hard dollars ou pretty much his

li !

m ^

LIFE AND TIJIES

own terms. Mr. Gass, worked here at his trade with oc-
casional intermissions until May, 1799. At this period^
during the presidency of the elder Adams, a promi-
nent speck of war appeared in the horizon, being nothing
less than the prospect of a rupture with France iinder
the reign of citizen Genet and his French democracy. —
This was glorious news for our hero, and throwing down
his jack plane and apron he again shouldered his mus-
ket and enlisted in the 10th Regiment, American army,
under command of Gen. Alex. Hamilton. His servi-
ces in this war appear to have consisted in a series
of marches and counter-marches, among the forts and
recruiting stations of Western Pennsylvania, without
much glory or personal peril. The winter of 1799, ho
passed in bai-racks at Carlisle. From Carlisle he was
sent to Harper's Ferry, Va., in June, 1800, and was
discharged at Little York, Pa., the French war, which
promised so much, winding up most ingloriously.

However, Patrick was not to be cheated out of his
full share of military glory, by French or American di-
plomacy; accordingly the ink that recorded his discharge
was hardly dry before he again enlisted in the five years
service under Maj. Cass, father of Gen. Lewis Cass,
the "hero of tho broken sword and stump,'* of politi-
cal badinage, and the wise diplomatist of the day, who,
celebrated for his antipathy for everything British, has
rendered his name memorable in *he diplomatic annals
of the country; and added the crowning glory by enfor-
cing in 1858, upon the British goverr,ment the final
recognition of the principle for which the war of 1812:
was fought, without definite result,— "that the Ameri-
can flag rendered sacfed from search or visitation on th©
high seas by foreign authority, the vessel that bore itv**

■liL

OF PATRICK GASS.

of his

*an di-

;harge

years

Cass,

loliti-

who,

t, ha^

iunals

mfor-

final
1812

leri-
intho

After claiming the supremacy of the seas for centuries,
Great Britain at last relinquished the right of search in
May, 1858; when the exercise of the claim by British
vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, in the attempt to sup-
press the slave trade asserted to be carried on with
Cuba and the Southern states, aroused a burst of
popular indignation, produced energetic measures as
well as remonstrances from the government of the Uni-
ted States, and resulted in the full, final and unequivo-
cal, and we will do them the justice to say, handsome
renunciation by the British Parliament, of all right or
claim to search American vessels on the high seas, un-
less under treaty stipulations.

By this time, intelligence and merit had brought Mr.
Gass, into notice; he was promoted from the ranks, and
entrusted with several responsible duties in the way of
recruiting and in detecting and arresting deserters. The
cvampaign, however, is barren of incidents of sufficient
interest for detail. In 1800, the detachment to which
he belonged under Gen. Wilkinson of revolutionary
memorv, noted for hie connection with the "Cabal" and
his ignominious defeat in the wapof 1812, descended the
Ohio in flatboats, passed the Falls on Christmas day,
and landed at Wilkinsville, where they wintered in
tents and huts. In the Fall of 1801, he went with a
company under Capt. Bissell, up Tennessee River, and
in the Fall of 1802, the same with a company of artil-
lery wero sent to Kaskaskia, Illinois, where they re-
mained until the Fall of 1803, when a call was made
for volunteers for the government expedition under
Lewis <fe Clark, being an experimental overland jour-
ney across the Rocky mountains, into Oregon Territory.

; I

CHAPTER 11

OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE PACIFIC.

This expedition was projected during tlie adminis-
tration of President Jefter.son, partly for scientilie pur-
poses and partly for the purpose of giving oclat to liis
administration. The sage of Montieello, the most ])liil-
osopliic of all our presidents, took a just pride in all that
related to the literature of the country, and the uncx-
l)lored fields of the country west of the Mississippi,
then not only a barren but an unknown waste, otfered a
fair opportunity for him not only to gratify his taste and
add to his own renown as the patron of sufh an enter-
prise, but substantially to add to the material knowledge
of the world. With the exception of some trivial con-
tributions made to the stock of general information in
regard to this terra incognitahy the Hudson's iiay Com-
pany, who sent out an expedition of discovery under
the command of Mr. Hearn, which lasted from Decem-
])er 1770, to June 1772, and explored the country be-
tween Churchill river and the mouth of Coppermine be-
tween latitude 58 deg., and 72 deg., north, very lit-
tle authentic information had been recorded. In fact. .
no regularly organized attempt at exploration for such

LIFE AND TIMES

a purpose, nppcftrs to have been made prior to that
of Messrs. Lewis and Clark. Tlic expedition of Mr.
Hcarn, appears to have been purely of*a commeroiai
character, and so far as geographical or scientific ob-
jects were concerned, seems to have been barren of re-
sults. The individual enterprise and perseven>nc<3 of
the Canada traders, supplieil far uiore general an<l ac-
curflte knowledge of the country. Prior to 1789, t\fO^
had located trading posts from Canada almost to iUo
Ivockv monntains, and about this time thev organized
themselves together under the general name of the North
west company. The hunters and trappers belonging to
this company had a tolerably correct practical knowl-
edge of the geography of the country, many of them ac-
(piired a knowledge of the dialects of the Indians among
whom they traded, and communicated pretty correct
ideas of their manners and customs.

In this year 1789, Mr.^McIvenzie, explored the coun-
try between Fort Chippewayen and lake of the Hills,
in latitude 5S deg., by the way of Slave river, Slave lake
and ]M'Kenzie river, to the mouth of this latter river,
at the North sea in latitude G9 deg.; and in the year
1793, again crossed from Pean river in latitude 5() deg.,
to the I'acific in latitude 52 deg. north. But these ex-
plorations having for their object, principally, the dis-
covery of facilities for extending and prosecuting the
fur trade, were necessarily too far to the north to pi<'rc<!
the territories proper of the United States, and it Iw-
came an object to traverse the country in more south-
ern latitudes. The southern portion of the continent,
reaching up as high as latitude 38 deg., had been for a
longtime known to the Spanish explorers, consequent-
ly, the unexplored country lay between 38 and 52 de-

f !

^ )

OF PATRICK GA88.

groea of north latitiule, and between tlio Mississippi ri-
ver and the Pacific ocean — embracing,' an area of about
1000 by 1800 miles. Fabulous stories were in circula-
tion in regard to this portion of the territory. The
character of the soil was exagerated. Where it was til-
lable at all, it was re])resented as of marvellous fertili-
ty, and where it was barren, it was rei)resenteil as an
impassable desert. Those singular formations, the
*'Mauvaise Terres" where vast masses of rock tower up
in the dottort like artificial erections, were seen by the
traders, and what is now known to bo only the debris
of some mighty natural convulsion, was gravely said to
be the ruins of mighty cities — Tadmors of the western
wilderness.

The mysterious mirage which so befools the physical
eye of the wanderers on these arid plains with tantali-
zing images of fountains and green pastures, seems to
have equally befogged the mental vision of the trappers.
Everything in relation to the country was magnified or
distorted. The wooly horse had his prototyije in their
camp-fire narrations. The productions, vegetable, an-
imal and mineral, were half fabulous, and the natives
were represented as of prodigious size and extraordina-
ry ferocity. It became extremely hard to sift out and
discriminate the few grains of truth from such a mass
of fable and falsehood. But the time had come when
the reign of the imaginary should give place to that of
the real. The genius of progress had decreed that the
continent should succumb to the dominion of the white
man; and though the gold of California was undream-
ed of, the balmy climate of the Oregon country, and the
fertile fields of the Kansas, unappreciated at that day,
she had already waved her wand over the land of tha

LIFK AVn TIMES

acttint; Ruu, ami bravo ainl jejallant spirits sprang up
from the abodes of oivilization to do hor biiMing.

It liad bocomo eseor.llai to the honor of tlic country,
if not to hor prolit tliat these fabh)s slioiiM be disproved;
and that this niai^'nlHcent scope of country lyini? within
lier domain should be opened up to intelligent posses-
sion. That its rivers sliould bo traced to their sources,
tiieir commercial importance noted, their directions (h^-
termined, that the ([ualities of tlio huid, the character of
its inhabitants, its ves^^itation, its animals and miner-
als shouM bo descril>ed, that the face of the country
should be defined with accuracy, and the most eligible
routes to t!ie Pacific should be ascertained, in sliortthat
an accurate and as far as possible faitliful traiiiHcript of
the country sliould bo contributed to the general knowl-
edge of mankind, was the main object of this expedition.

An appropriation for the purpose was made by Con-
gress in the year 1803, and the President empowered
to take tho necessary measures for its prosecution, in
response to a confidential message of January 17th,
1803, recommending such an expedition.

Capt. Merriwetlier Lewis, of Va., was appointed to
the command of tho expedition. This appointment was
partly owing to family influence, Capt. Lewis being a
sister's son of tho President, and connected with the in-
fluential family of tho Lewis's, who were favorites of
Washington, and became the recipients through him
of large tracts of land in Western Virginia. Gen. An-
drew Lewis, the commander of tho Virginia forces, at
ihe bloody battle of Point Pleasant, with the Indians, in
1774, a bosom friend of Washington, and a bravo and
meritoriouB oflScer, was a grand uncle of the captain. —
He did not owe his appointment, however, altogether to

OP PATniCK OAflS.

family influence, for he ha<l distinguished himsolf ficr-
Konally in tlic Indian campaign, under Gon. Wayne,
and was a man of probity and intelligence, as well as of
courage and military ability. Ho was doubtless a wise
eejoction as the leader of the expedition, and Mr. (Jawj
speaks of him in very high terms of commendation as
a gentleman and an oflicer. Ilo was empowered by tlte
I'resident to select his own men, and chose for his hoc-
ond in command, Lieut. William (Uark, a man also it;-
putably connected, and well qualified by previous Indian
service for his post. lie was a brother of (George Kodg-
ers Clark, of Kentucky, afterwards (jlovernor of Missou-
ri, with whom he is sometimes confounded. (Japt. Lew-
is came to Kaskaskia in the fall of 1803. iii his search
for suitable material for such a corps, and among oth-
ers who volunteered Avas Mr. (J ass, who liappened to be
stationed at this post, and to whoso adventurous disjwsi-
tion tho opportunity presented charms that couhl not
be resisted. To travel where white man had never trod
before, was an eminence of venture that rose up moun-
tain high in his imagination, and tho danger only dared
him to undertake it. Patrick (lass was easily enrolled
on the Captain's book, as a member of the party, but
I'atrick had more difficulty in cflecting a release from
his military engagements. It so happened that the de-
tachment to which he belonged was about going into
cantonment ft^r the winter, and Mr. Gass' accomplish-
ments as a 'arpenter, joined to his other good qualities,
made his immediate commander unwilling to part with
him. Accordingly, he raised objection to his leaving,
but Patrick was resolute on all occasions, and hard to
be balked when he once set his mind upon a purpose. —
Ascertaining that Capt. Lewis was on his way to camp,

i; r- ■■

l.IFR AND TIMES

vmg,
rd to
se. —
amp,

lie weut out to meet liim on tlic road, and stating hi^
case with soldior-like directness, tlio resnltottlic confer-
(MiL'o was tluit he was fortliwith enrolled in the coiupa-
ny i»f explorers, notwithstanding Oapt. Jiissoirs objei.'-
tions. Tile selection was not confined to military men,
but the call for volnntecrs was made also to civilians.
Among the civilians who volunteered, was (reo. Sluui-
ijon, a broth<»r of Ex-Governor Shannon, of Ohio, wlu>
tlion resided at Pittsburg, and who accompanied tlieox-
jKJtlitiun to its final end, and died sonic years aftiT, in
Konluoky. Several of those who volunteered and were
accepted, felt their ardor suddenly cool, when the time
came for starting. The immediate prospect of excliang-
ing civilization for barbarism, comfort tor hardship and
safety for certain peril, with the chance of never return-
ing, proved too much for their philosophy; and to Ube
aa expressive term, they backed out.

At the time of starting, the expedition consisted of
forty- three men, including officers, privates, and a col-
ored servant of Capt. Clark, named York, who after-
wards received his freedom in conaideratiun of his ser-
vices on the expedition. Some authorities moke the
number thirty-two, but this is incorrect, as appears fit) m
the record in Gass' Journal, made at the time. H^'has
omitted to give a list of the names of the party, but the
following taken from Shallus' Chronological Tabl^,
published in Philadelphia, in 1817, may be reliad upon
as correct, as far as it goes. The company, aooording
to this authority, is as follows:

Captains Lewis and Clark; John Ordway, Nathaniel
Piyor, Patrick Gass, Sergeants; William Bratton, John
Coulter, John Collin, Pit. Crugatte, Reuben Fields, Jo-
seph Fields, George Gibson, Silas Goodrich, Hugh Hall,

OP PATRICK GASS.

if!

^lohn P. Howard, Baptiste Lapage, Fran. Ladischo,
Hugh M'Neal, John Potts, John Shields, George Shan-
non, John B. Thompson, William Werner, Alexander
Willard, llichard Windsor, Joseph Whitehouse, Rob-
ert Frazicr, Peter Wiset, Privates; York, negro man,
belonging to Capt. Clark.

In November, 1803, the party t:^.a'l«? its first move in
the direction of the Rocky Mountain country. Leaving
Kaskaskia, they proceeded up the Mississippi until they
came to the river Du Bois, or Wood river, where they
halted for the winter, and occupied their time in prepar-
ing boats and making arrangements for a final start np
the Missouri the following spring. It is probable that
during the long and weary months of a winter spent
thus on the confines of civilization, our explorers gave
their enterprise many an anxious thought; and it is not
improbable that in those hours of comparative inactivi-
ty they more than at any subsequent period regretted tlio
enterprise in which they were engaged. There is notli-
ing like constant activity to keep up the courage and
the confidence of men, and nothing dissatisfies tlieni
sooner with their condition than enforced idleness. —
However, they were not entirely unemployed, but found
exercise in providing for their subsistence, by hunting,
and in prepa.iug boats and in making other arrange-
ments preparatory to the actual commencement of the
journey on the opening of spring. Besides this, they
had put their hands to the plough, and felt that it would
be unmanly and cowardly to look back. Having em-
barked ii} an enterprise upon which they felt tliai the
eyes of the nation as well as the attention of the govern-
ment were bent, they felt that their individual honors
were involved, and whatever the hazzard, they could

LIFE AND TIMES

not now think of anything else than prosecuting it tc»
the end.

At last, Monday, the 4th day of May 1804 dawned,
bright and pleasant, arguing a successful and safe jour-
ney; and elate with high hopes and bright antici-
pations, and with but a passing thought of regret at lea-
ving the abodes of civilization they started on their per-
ilous journey. They crossed the Mississippi under com-
mand of Lieutenant, now Capt. Clarke, ( ^apt. Levins,
being left behind, to overtake them in a few days, and
commenced the ascent of the Missouri, the entire expe-
dition being embarked in a Bateau and two Periogues.
The little fleet made but sIoav headway against the rapid
current of the river, and by nightfall they liad accom-
plished but six miles up the stream. However a com-
mencement was made, and after the rtjflections that usu-
ally follow such an event during the first pause, the ex-
pedition proceeded with a better heart and a more set-
tled determination. "The determ'Tiod and resolute char-
acter of the corps," says Mr. Gassin his Journal, "and
thf confidence Avhich pervaded all ranks, dispelled every
eraotion of fear and anxiety for the present, -while a
sense of duty and of the honor which would attend the
completion of the objects of "the expedition; a wish to
gratify the expectations of the government and of our
fellow citizens, with the feelings which novelty and dis-
covery almost invariably inspire, seemed to casure us
ample support in our future toils, suffering5? and dan-
gers." ' ■ '" ' ">' *^^

Day by day they journeyed up the turbid and silent
river; on the lOth, they reached the old French village
of St. Charles, and as they fired a gun by way of salute,
the inhabitants flocked to see them, and, on the 21 st,"

■}'

[ill!

'i» ■

LIFE AND TIMES

])oing joined by Capt. Lewis, tlicy left tlie hospitable
Frenchmen under a salute of three cheers; Avhich they
returned with three more, and th ee discharges from
their guns, and again commenced their toilsome road.
By the 25th, they had reached the last white settlement,
the sma41 French village of St. Johns, above the mouth
otfthe Wood river, where the river banks were high and
i he land was rich. Above the mouth of the Gasconade,
here l57 yards wide, the party halted, on the 28tli, in-
si>ected the arms and provisions and sent several men
out to hunt, and by the 1st of June, they had reached
the mouth of the Osage, here about one fourth the width
of tho Missouri itself. Tlicir hunters represented the
land as the best they had e\er seen, rue • mndingwith
game. Up the Osage, about 200 ij.v.j resided the
Osago Indians, a people of large size, well proportioned
and very warlike; against any possible collision with
whom they thought \t prudent to take all reasonable
precaution, and in the event of an unfortunate contin-
gency to have themselves in readiness to repel an at-
tack. Their arms and ammunition were accordingly
ascertained here to be in good order for any emergency.
However, the event showed these precautions unneces-
sary, for no attempt at interference with them was uiiide
by the Indians who seemed indeed universally v: '">:jly
dij^osed. Up to this time they had been \\r,: ;vr v.i
intorpreter — someone through w^hom they could ct.^p
municate with the Indians whom they might encounter
on their route, but fortunately on the 12th of January
they fell in with a party of Sioux on their way to St.
liDuifl with fur and peltry, among whom wiis an old
Frenchman, who professed ability to speak the lan-
•gMAge of all the Missouri Indians. On the v:; ngth of

OF PATRICK GASS.

ospitable
icli tliey
jes from
•mo road.
ttlcment,
iie mouth
liighaiul
iBConade,
28th, in-
eral men
I reached
the width
}nted the
ding with
sided the
portioned
ision with
asonable
contin-
)el an at-
ordingly
CTgency.
unnee^s-
|V}-..') uiade

. "•»:jly

dd t(.2!i
icounter
January
ly to St.
a an old
the lan-
ngth of

his profession, advantageous offers were made and ho
was induced to go witli the expedition, in the capacity
of interpreter, and afterwai'ds proved a most valuable
}»ijjunct to the literati of tlie party, though the sequel
.showed that in making such extensive professions, he
considcahly overated liis ae([uaintance with the mod-
em languages. Ilov/evcr, necessity, aa she knows no
laws, must have no scruxdes; and as the balance of the
party wore much more ignorant than he, the interpreter
was received into the first society the expedition aflbrd-
od and his gift of tongues duly appreciated.

On the "Hhh, our voyagers reached the moutli of the
Kansas, here lioO yards wide; and as Mr. Gass observes,
navigable for a great distance. The intermediate coun-
try is described by him as being generally remarkably
fertile — a beautiful country, abounding in excellent
timber and an abundance of game. Recent events have
brought tliis country into notice and have demonstra-
ted the fidelity of these explorers in their description
of the Kansas country, as well as the excellence of their
judgement in regard to the qualities of the land.

The navigation of the Missouri was very similar
then, to what it is now. At one place we read of their
bateau being nearly upset by being caught on a riffle,
at another of all hands pulling her against the rapid
current by a rope, which broke and nearly caused her
loss, then again they pulled around sand bars, And tlie
next thing had to dodge the drift which came down in
hngo masses. Atone time the shores were covered
with mulberry trees, in a short time after suitable tim-
ber could not be found suf 'cient to make a pair of oars.
An occasiuiiul Frenchman would be seen, living eolittiry
and alone, sometimes a stray horse would greet their

LIFE AND TIMES

1 ■!

vision and here and there, they would pans a deserted
hut, once occupied by some trapper. The men were sent
out to hunt in small parties, sometimes lost themselves
in the prairies, and the expedition would have to lialt
and wait for the straggltrs. Deer were frequently kil
led and their flesh furnished a large portion of the sub-
sistence of the company. Beaver were also plenty,
rare birds and animals were of frequent occurrence, spec-
imens of all of which were killed and their skins stutied
for preservation.

By the 4th July, they had reached a point on tlie
Missouri, where Pond Creek enters' its waters, antl Im-
pelled by the spirit of patriotism which seemed to ac-
tuate them in all their journeyings, they signalizwl
their appreciation of the day by firing their swivel at
daybreak, taking a grand dinner at noon, and christen-
ing their encampment Independence. The departing
day they saluted with another gun. At the feast on
the 4th, one of the party was bitten with a snake,that the
snake "got into his boots" our author does not stat*",
but considering the time and the circumstances, such an
accident was highly excusable, if not probable; at any
rate the bite was not dangerous, as he quietly obMerves.

The glorious 4th, properly celebrated, the voyage
was again resumed. Passing a creek called water- which-
cries, or the weeping stream, they travelled to the 21st,
without meeting any incidents of moment, when tlwjy
reached the mouth of the great river Platte, here, three
quarters of a mile wide, and upon whose water* lived
numerous tribes of Indians. To these Indians, a depu-
tation was sent to inform them officially of the change
in the administration of the U. S. government, and
propose a treaty. Their communications and overture«

OF I'ATniCK OASS.

deserted
tvere sent
enisclvef*
3 to lialt
mtly kil-
the snb-
) plenty,
ice, 8pec-
18 stuti'ed

t on tlie

and Ini-

d to ao-

ignalizttl

swivel at

christen -

eparting

feast on

,that iiye

ot s'tat<»,

such an

; at any

b«ervtis.

voyage

•which-

he 21st,

n tli*jy

, throe

s lived

a depu-

change

t, and

erture»

were received with apj»roprit te and becoming gravity,
and by the 4th August 1804, proper arrangements were
readily effected. The place of conference was called
Council Bluffs, by this party. The present "Council
Bluffs," in the state of Iowa, although not iden^cal
with; is yet in the immediate vicinity of the site. Six
of the Indian delegation were here made chiefs, under
their "great white father" the President, with whiclt
honors they appeared higldy pleased.

After this conference was concluded, the party again
took up its line of march toward the head waters of
the muddy river, their time being variously employed
in navigating their crafts, shooting game and fishing,
and taking observations of the country. On the 15tli,
Capt. C'larke and twelve men took 709 fish, among thgni
some catfish of enormous proportions, which proved
quite an agreeable addition to their stock of provisions.
Here the party experienced the first serious loss that
had befallen them, in the death of one of their numt)ej-,
Sergeant Floyd, who was taken sick on the 19th, and
died on the 20th. He was the youngest man of the
corps, a Kentuckian by birth, and a distant relative of
Capt. Clarke. Being naturally of a delicate constitu-
tion he had embarked on this expedition in the hope of
acquiring better health, but the exposure, su^^eradded to
impradence, was too severe, and he had to succumb in
spite of all that could be done to save him. The im-
mediate cause of his death was as follows: Ho had been
amusing himself and carousing at an Indian dance un-
til he became overheated and it being his duty to stand
guard that night, he threw himself down on a sand bar
of the Missouri, despising the shelter of a tent ofl'enid
Limby his comrade on guard, and was soon seized with

LIFE AND TIMEfr

I -<'

»( ■!»!

the craDip cliolic, wliieli tcniiinatccl his life. During
}iis short illness he received the kindest attentions Ids
comrades could bestow, and his decease was sincerely
deplored. But they were not the men to indulge in vain
regrets, nor was it a time to indulge in sentimental ro-
tlections on the uncertainty of life. They mourned him
with a manly sorrow, but his melancholy fate did not
deter them from prosecution of their duty. He ^va8
buried on the wide ^n'airie, where the desert wild wind
sings the requiem of tlteir first to die; and the river
over which his spirit broods bears to this day the name
of Floyd, given it by his oflicers in honor of his virtues.
They reached, by the 29th, the country of tlie far-fa-
med Sioux, whose lodges, to the number of 40, of bet-
ter material and make than general, were situated about
I) miles from the Missouri, up the river Sacque. Sixty
of them came to the camp of the whites, as a peace del-
egation, and as a token of their sincerity, killed a dog,
and treated their white brethren to a dance, in cheap
recognition of which, Capt. Lewis constituted five of
them chiefs, and presented them with a grained deer-
skin, to stretch over a keg by waj of primitive drum,
with which instrument of music, the Indians seemed
wonderfully delighted. When their drum was made, a
jubilee seems to have been gotten up expressly for the
purpose of trying the music that was in it. They all as-
sembled around a couple of fires made for the purpose,
and while two of them beat on the drum, a dozen of the
rest rattled liltb bags of dried skin, in which wore beads
or pebbles, by way of accompaniment, while tlio dan-
oers, some of them with necklaces of white bear's claws
of three inches in length, to the number of twenty or
thirty, kept up their performance until "broad daylight

OF PATRICK GASR.

During
ions liis
iincercly
5 in vain
3ntal ro-
ncd Mm
(lid not
Ho ^vas
ild wind
lie rivier
he name
virtncs.
e far- fa -
, of bet-
ed about
. Sixty
ace del-
l a dog,
n cheap
five of
d deer-
drum,
seemed
ado, a
for the
all as-
lurpose.
In of the
e beads
e dan-
claws
inty ov
laylighfc

in the morning." No squaws, says our author, made
their appearance in this dance, whence we conclude that
the "stag dance" is not peculiar to the uprorious youths
of white blood who occasionally indulge in such exclu-
sive saltatory exercise.

Unfortunately, here, their French interpreter, over-
come by the importunities of his Indian friends, left
them, having had a bettor bid from the chiefs of the
party, to accompany them to AVashington, in the ca-
pacity of interpreter for them.

On Sunday, the 2d of September, they encamped op-
posite an ancient carthern breast-work, 2500 yards in
length, running parallel to the Missouri, and with wing
walls, at right angles, very similar to the Indian forti-
fications now known to be of frequent occurence in the
west.

The question of who were the builders of these works
and what is their history has occupied the time and at-
tention of antiquarians for a great many years, but as
yet, it is involved in impenetrable mystery. An inter-
estinij memoir, by Mr. J. A. Lapham, published under
the patronage of the Smithsonian Institute, throws some
light on the physical features of these antiquities, which
to a remarkable extent, abound in the State of Wiscon-
sin. Under his surveys, the lines as drafted on paper,
assume the figures of various animals, deified to this day
by the Indian^ such as lizzards, turtles, buffalo, tkc, a
fact which very readily escaped the cursory notice of the
earlier travellers, overgrown as were many of the sites
with trees and brushwood, but which is material, as go-
ing to show that they were intended rather for religious
uses, than for purposes of war or defence. This theory
is also confirmed by the fact that many of them are ele-

ill %[

V '

;

! i

m f'

LIFE AND TIMES

vatcd only a few inclies above th(3 surfucc of the ground.
apparently mere embossments or relievos. At the ex-
treme end of a prairie, 4^ miles west of the Mississippi,
and the same distance cast of the Little St. Francis, ex-
ists a curious erection, described as follows^ by a corres-
pondent of the St. Louis "Ilopublican": It consists of
an oblong square averaging 225 foet each way, with an
altitude of twenty seven feet on the southside and twen-
ty one on the north, on the border of what was once a
lake, with an area of an acre of level land on the top. —
The foundation was commenced on a level with the sub-
jacent land, and consisted of a coat of plaster seven in-
ches thick, and burnt in several places, on Avhich was
placed the dry composition consisting of clay, sand,
lime, ashes, pouudcMl shells, and charcoal, carefully mix-
ed, and beat to a hard concrete substance, and bo on,
until, the height above named was obtained, and then
a coat of plastering had been spread over the whole
work three inches thick, and burned to a brick redness;
but before burning the common wild cane was split and
the concave side turned down, and laid longitudinally
close together, and pressed into the soft plaster, so that
the impressions are now as visible as ever; the whole

intermediate space between the two coats of plaster be-
ing of the composition above named, in the recesses of

which wore often found pots inside of which were human

skulls, sound and bottom upwards, and other pots sound

as ever, full of dry and fresh looking ai^iOS, as though

they had been burning incense. It is evident that this

large mound was not a place of burial, as no skeletons

were found and the adjacent fields aro full. Neither do

the smaller mounds, contiguous and around the larger

one, seem to have been designed for thivt purpose

OF PATRICK 0A8S.

ground,
t the ex-
sissippi,
icis, ex-
a coires-
usists ol
wiih nil.
ud tweii-
once Ji

top. —

1 the sub -
3evcn in-
lich was
,y, sand,
illy mix-
k1 so on,
and then
le whole

redness;

split and

udinally

, so that

10 whole

[ister be-
cesscs of
e human
ts sound
though
ihat this
Ikeletons
lither da
Le larger
1-posQ.— .

Many animal and some human bones wore found in the
body of the mound, together with images and fragments
of ivory, maibleand mica."

It htta been remarked in this connection that these
works are umformly on what is called the second banks
of the rivers, and from this assumption, it is argued
tliat their origin dates back to a period anterior jto that
when the present channels of the rivers wore excavated.
This, is not strictly true, and is giving them antiquity
unwarranted, at least, by observation among the tumuli
of the valley of the Ohio river. These latter are not uni-
formly, though generally, on the second banks of the ri-
ver; their location seeming to have been determined on
the former, rather by the gravelly character of the ma-
terial, than by the absence of a lirst or more alluvial
bottom, on which to place them. The existence of
even one, on ground of this latter quality, proves incon-
testribly, that the builders lived subsequent to the oper-
ation of the causes whatever they were, that produced
tlio second banks of the Ohio. To that period even,
the geologists can only approximate in their calculations,
and it is giving them a place sufficiently back in remote
antiquity, when we say that they were founded not ne-
cessarily prior to the formation of the alluvial banks
of the western rivers. Remains of this kind are found
in some cases even on the alluvial bottoms of the creeks
flowing into the Ohio, as for instance in the neighbor-
hood of Bethany, Brooke County, Va., six miles distant
from the river, there were several small ones, now near-
ly obliterated. One of these was opened by some stu-
dents a few years ago and found to contain little, if any
thing else than a few human bones, giving no evidence
that it had been erected for any other purpose than as

!!'• ■■

■I ;•!

; !.

i I

lll

'ill l' ^

fflii ^^

ilBi ^ . i

fflii 'H

■lli i ffl

HH 1 11 U

LIFE AND TIMES

a monument to tlic memory of the person buried 1)0-
noatli it. In fact, lew of the Indian mounds, tliat have
hcen explored, havo rewarded the hibor of their explor-
ers, other, than hy convincing them that there was very
little to he found. The groat mound at Grave Creek,
promised some dovolopements but they are considered
somewhat apocryphal. A few bones, relics of pottery
charred corn, shells, stone implements of war or labor,
an occasional scrap of rudely shaped native copper, com-
prise about all that is generally to bo found under these
immense heaps of earth, piled, doubtless in barbarian
pride, over the remains of some ancient chieftain, to
signify by their stupendous size his corresponding im-
portance in their eyes; and by their interior poverty, to
warrant them against curiosity or cupidity.

Te following account of an antique engraved stone,
ibund some years ago in the Grave Creek mound on
the Ohio, has recently attracted attention by the paper
of Dr. Wills Dellass, read before the Ethnologic so-
.eiety of New York. This very cui-ious relic of antiqui-
ty, as Dr. DcHass appears to have proved it to he, was
noticed some years ago by W. B. Hodgson, Esq., of
Savannah, in his ''Notes on Northern Africa, the Saha-
ra, and Soudan:" Mr. Hodgson, says: "Near one of
the skeletons in the lower vault was found the stone
in question, with three linos of alphabetic characters. —
It is of an oval foi'm, three-fourths of an inch thick, and
its material is a tine sand-stone. This is the only ex-
ample, I believe, of ancient alphabetic inscription in
North A-merica. The inscrijitions on the Dighton rock
and the pictorial writing of Mexico and Yucatan, are
symbolic, not alphabetic. The history of this trilincar
lapidary inscription, I had at first regarded as apoch-

or rATRFCK fJASH.

ryphul. Mr. Srlioolrrnft luia, liowovor confirmod itand
(loscril)cJ the stone. Who was tluj j^orLToon.s chioftain
whoso onc^ravod sii^not was found hy his slcU^? Did lio
roTn(> from tlm Canary islands, whnro tho Xnmidiari
rharantors and lanij^uat^o provailod? Shall wo rccnr to
Uio lost Atlantis? ( '<»uld any of tlio r'artliaojcuiian or
African vcssols, which usually visit(?d the "I^'ortunatii"
or Canary islands, liavo hoen carried to tho Now World?
Tho j)C0plinp^ of America is quite as lilcoly to be due
to Africa and Europe as to Asia, History prosorvoM^
the memory of the circumnavijj^ation of Africa l>y sevp-
ral expeditions. Tho Poriplus of ITanno, tho (jartha-
,!j^cnian, was the suhject of a written narrative. With
these historical indications that tho Atlantic Avas m
earh'ac^es navigated l»y Mediterranean vessels, I find no
difficulty in su^jposing the stone in question to liavo
lioen brouc^ht thence."

The fact of huge trees of nxany hundred years growth
u]M)n tlieir ruins, incontestibly establishes a very re-
mote antiquity, and the occasional discovery of relics, .
displaying some proficiency in the mecli.inic arts, as cer-
tainly proves that their origin is beyond the present
tribes of Indians, who are tlicmselves as much in tlue
dark as to these points, as are the whites theTuselves.
Even their traditions are silent, and unlike the Egyp-
tians, the founders .-f ihesc monuments have left not
even hieroglyphics, which the art and industry of some
yankee Chai'ipolion or Layard. "•night peradventure ren-
der into readable English, '^l.'hey are impen(»trable mys-
t<^ries, and although they will jirobably always so re-
main, they will no^'.-er cease to be objects of curiosity
and researcli, until under tlie utilitarian hand of indus-
try, the ruthless plougli shall level them with the land.

I 'i

.')(>

1-1 FE AND TIMEH

and blot out foivvtM* nn<l forcAiT, tlu! littlo pitiful vcs-
ti^o that roniiiius of what mny iuivo houu oiico aiuiixhty,
.1 i)r()S])crous and a hajijty iicoplc.

Liy this time tlu'y hail coiuo intotho prairio country
<if tlio Ponc'us Jndians, on tlic wators of "Ilai»id-\vat»M--
rivor," Plum and White Paint crcckN; tho ilivorsilicil
naturn of tho landscape has chanu^od, and instead of
tiie ji^ently rolling ])lains of tlu; Kansas, the eye Avan-
denni over interminable levels, whih? the river mean-
dered with a more HluL^'ici'^l' eui'rent between low banks
and blutl's more or less hi^di of varied colored clay. Tho
e-ouutry still continued well timbered, and game in abuu-
daneo. About this time, Capts. Lewis and Clark, witli
a11 tho party except the cam]>-guard, made a foray uj)-
ou a village of jjrairie dogs, and though they worked
all day and delugcsl their holes with torrents of water
with all the vessels they eould extern '">rize, nightfall
t'onud them the possessors of but unlucky dog,

whose points noted in silence, and hide quickly prejta-
red by the naturalist of tho Exiiedition, ])erhaps fig-
ures to thid day among the curiosities of Washington
Citv.

Pursuing the tenor of their way, now occasionally di-
\ersitied with tugging their boats over the frequent shal-
lows of the river, and occasionally adding some ran;
animal, bird, petrifaction or other curiosity to their col-
leetion of novelties, not iimch of interest occurs in the
narration of their journey. Dy the liOth they had reach-
ed a long chain of bluffs, on the north side of the Mis-
souri, of it dark color, the earth of which ''dissolves like
sugar," and the mixture of large quantities of which in
the rapid current, gives its waters their muddy tinge.

On the 25th, anothor conference took place between

OF rATlUrK GABS.

till' r'jii>tiiiiis and u (Iclopitioii of tlio Tcoton branch of
tii<' Sioux liulians, whicli rosnltod in aniiitnaloxrhan^'c
ot'«'ivIlitit;H, tlin nuiki!it?ofs(>voral oftlit) J.inlian>), chiels.
auil canio noar cndinjjf in a luush. I'liisoccinroil about,
in tiiis wiise: After tlio (•or('nioui<'s'of tlicconfcrcnco wvn-
ovor, (Japt. Clarke, K(Mit th(! n<'\v niaib; eliiofx asliftrc in
tJm PiMio^ruo, with sonio of his ni«'n, l)Ut when tlioy Ian
lieii, I ..; Indians liad taken such a fancy to tla; boat,
that they hiid claim to it, and were disjiosod to [ircviiit
its return to its proper owners. 'I'o Ca|)t. (.'hirke'H threats
thtjy replied that they had <nldiois as ^^oiul as his, and
nuniorouH us the lcav«,'s of the; trees, but whimsically
enough, when ho told them he had niodicino cnongij in
his boat to kill twenty such nations iu one tluy, the
magnitude of tlie idon ([uite conciuered them, and they
surrendered the bout in di.snniy, asserting apologetical-
ly, that they only wanted the }iarty to stay with ihem
over night that tlieir women and children might see tiic
boat. So favorable was the impression niaile upon the
simple natives by this medicine talk of T'apt. (.'Jarke,
that the next wc liearof them, eight sturdy savages are
uirrying Capt. Lewis, and as many more, Capt. Clarke,
on their shoulders in Buffalo robes into their Council
ht)use, where not less than a dozen dogs were sacriticed
and the night passed in carousing, eating and smoking,
in honor of their visitors. This time the squaws took
part in the dance.

In regard to those Indians, Mr. Gass, makes the fol-
lowing rather dubious mention: "They are the most
friendly people I ever saw; but they will pilfer if they
Uijve opportunity. They are also very dirty; the wat-
er they mal:n use of, is carried in tlio paunches of the an-
imals they kill, just as they are emptied ;:rithout being

MKn AND TIMI'!?

* !

('Icaiit^d. Tlioy ,l!:ji\ (' ns disluvs of viflniils of viiridun
kinds; I litid ncvci- seen inivlliinjj^ like? some of rnour^
dishes, nor could 1 Icll oTwIimI iniri'^^dicMifw or how(ln\v
AV(nv nindc." P.-Hrick's nc<iniiin(nn('(' Avilli tlm Indian
(^lisith' wjis liniilcd, l)nl. his sloniuch Wiin strong, jind
not to <lo disconrtcsy (o iho ]i(>s|ti(nlily of Ids liosts, \\o
wus no donl)< oonstniincd to jDirlnkc of many n, nionN
that wouM no( so well havt' suited his Jasles nnioni!: his
nion^ «k'\inly I't'cdiu!;' IVicnds al h(nn(\ l»ul Ji travrlh'r
innst Ix' ;; |:!nlos<i]>h('r, and our hero. siu\|dy slnlcs i\w
incls without irivinixns any iukii".i;as lo his siuisafions,
or iudulu'in!.; in any rcllcci ions u]>on Ihc din'iMiMn'cs in
taste that |U(>\ ail in diricrtMil localities. At this(anij),
they liad a contiiuuMl round oi' lestivit ies, in which nil
liands s<'eni(Ml aniiahly hent upon co.itrihutin.L!: to tire
deli:;ht ol" their «j::u(>sIs, until when the time came lor leu-
vini;, in the c^xcess of theii' kimhn^ss Ilie\ vie/,ed the rojK»
and woulil iiot allow tluMu to dcpait. To speed tlti*
pnrtinu: j^m^st, is ji maxim (^fcivili/ed liospilality, thai
did not siVMU to ite a]>]U'ecial(Ml hy th(^ Sioux, and the
iieLjh'Ct came ni;;-h heiui;' .sHcinh^d with dil'lictdry, for
<'apt. li(nvis, l)ec(uninu"ch(d(M'ic, was just on the ])oint
oVijivin!^ orders to liic on tliem, Avhim the point was
coni])romi,>i\l i)y a carrat oi" tobacco heinu' i^iven tlio
oiiiefs, so tliat they min'ht u,'o ini peace. These an(H'-
dotes may seem trilliuij: enough, hut they hour the im-
pn\ss ol" truth, and ,L!,'iv(^ a moi(^ correct idea of Ijidian
character than ]ia!;'<'s of hii)ored description could ailford.
Tliey show the Indian in liis true light before oomniu-
lucjition with the wliitc man hadnltcrod their nature. —
imjuilsivo and impressible nscliildren, with little ideas
of the rights of pro]ierty, superstitious to a degree, tick-
led into good humor by a glittering bauble, or provoked

'■■J

or- r'ATIffCK OAHH.

5fi

into nrkn.'llcrtinjLC un.L':<'r liy us Hli,Lclit. ii ('nnm> — iccrM-Toim
toil IVifMid, (ixuctiii;^ «<) Hiom" in llicir \><>w(:r, n.'Niritlfyw
l,<i tJic.ir (nioinioM, hriivo uii'i ftMVfirdly l»y tiirriH, cr/il'fy
aiiij y('(-si!iii)l<), tlirir rliuiarjcr is ii tisHiio f>r contnylu'-
tituin and ycit (•oriHiKhiiit \vitli itself. Af fliis iinif! jlw-v
wc.nM'onipiirativfdy iiri!H''(iiuiri(<'d with (li'( u-liif<'H, arid
tii(5 n.'itiv<j (diuract<;r luiviriLV Inir oppoif unity tfj r|cv<4r.j/
itwdl, |i'!i'lmf)S ii trin'r idcu of lli'; r»!ul \V(;,st*!rn Jruliaii,
(!»ui h(^li!id IVoin tlio .Joiirnui of .Mr. (iuMH, tliuri f-jin ^m
^iiiiKMl from any Hnl)KO(|n<Mit, hoiiicc, Siiif,-*! IImti, t)»'v
have become indo(lrinut(!d uitli iiiiinyncw ideas Iry ha-
bitual int(!rcours(! witb \vbit,<' men, as well u.s corrnpt*'!!
by his vieeH, ho that th(! Indian (d'to ihiy in almost an-
otJuir beinjj;from tliu India;; of half centnry a^'(;.

J>y the 1st. ofOulober, tiiey had reaehed tiie wnv J>u
(Allien or Dog river, a hirL,^<3 ti ibutary of the Mihsouri,
fnmi the soutli. Above, the eonrse of river was ob-
Htrnetcd by .sand bars rendering the navigation (lin"."dt.
A Frenchman, wiiom they mi't with, hyre, informed
tiicjiii thi)t they wouhl not encounter any mon; Jndians un-
til they camo into the country of the Ji:(;karees, and an-
<^»rdinglyoa the Uth Iriving rea(d>e^l a village of tliis n.'i-
tifjji, tlu^y prepared to hold a council. The village con-
Histed of about si.vty lodgen, of the construction of
wfiich, Mr. Gasy gives the following description. "Jn
a drclo of a si/:o suited to the dimensions of the intoiui-
oii lodge, they set ^)[> sixteen forked posts five or jsix
foot high, and lay roles from one post to anotlier. A-
gaiust those poles they lean otlier poles, slanting ffom
the ground, and extending about four inches above tlm
poles: these arc to receive the ends of the upper poks,
that support the roof. They next set up four large forks,
fiftoou feet high, and about ten feet apart, in tUa mid-

T.IFE AND TIMES

dlo of the area; ami polos or beams between these. —
The roof polos are then laid on, extending from the low-
er polos across the beams which rest on the middle forks,
of such alength as to leave a hole at the top for a chim-
ney. The whole is then covered with willow branciu's,
'ixcopt the chimney and a hole below, to pass thnjucjh.
On the willow branches they lay grass and lastly clay.
At the hi>le below they build a pen about four feet wide
■ind projecting tan foot from the hut; and hang a buffa-
lo skin, at the entrance of the hut for a door. This
labour like every other kind is chielly performed by the
squaws. They raise cor^p, beans and tobacco. Their
tobacco is different from .iny 1 had before seen; it'un-
swers for smoking, but not for chewing. On onr re-
turn, I crossei from thsr island to the boat, with two
squaws in a burt'alo skin stretched on a frame madp of
l)oughs, wove together like a crate or basket for that
purpose. Captain Lewis and Captain Clarke held a
Council with the Indians, and gave them some pres-
ents."

Here tiiey found two Frenchmen living with tbo In-
dians, one to inierpret and the other to do their trad-
ing. A council was held \vith this nation which ended
in an interchange of presents and of amicable proUi«ta-
tions; and the party persued their journey among them
not onlv unmolested, but received with marked civiiitv.
Mr. Ga^ s, characterizes the Rickarees as the most clean-
Iv India. IS he saw on the vovage as well as the most
friendly and industrious. A hunting party, which they
encountered in their w/iy back to their village, had,
Kays he, twelve buflfalo-skin canoes or boats laden with
meat and skins; besides some horses that were going
down the bank by land. They gave us part of their

.,Mr

OF I'ATUK K iJASH.

In-
r trail -
ended

g theru

ivility.

clean -

111081

1 tber
had,
with

"f meat. TIio party consistod of men, women und child-

I rcn. Hliortly after they saw another party of hnntci^,

I who asked them to eat. and were very kind and gave

tliem feoiae i.ieat. One of these requested to speak witli
ouryouni; s([uaw, wlio for some time hid herself; bnt at
last eanui out and spoke witli liim. She then W(uit on
shore and talked with him, and gave him a pair f>f ejir-
rings and drojis for leave to eome with them: and when
the horn bknv for all liands to come on board, she left
iliem antl came to tlio boat. 81ie shortly afterwards left
them and found another hunting party of IvickanMjs,
In the evening, a sliort time before they encr.rnpcd, they
met with another hunting party of the sr.me tribo. They
had a iloek of goats, or antelopes, in the river, and kill-
ed upwards of forty of them. Captain I^owis, and one
of our hunters went out and killed three of thosamoflr)ck,
of more than almndred."

Tliey pushed onward toward the country of the Man-
dans and on their way up encountered a couple of French-
men who had been hunting in the nation, but were rob-
bed by a party, of tlieir arms, amunition and peltry, and
were on their w lack very disconsolate. They were
glad to be taken aLoar*! of tlio boats entert ining hopt*!?
that they might, though the interference oi ('aptjiin
Lewis's party, regain their property, and being acquiiint-
iid with the language, their company was |Uit<; an ac-
quisition.

They passed in a short time, the place where the
Frenchmen had l>een robbed, but no Indians wei*c to b<.
seen in the neighborhood except alnr ag party of the
Sioux, coming down from tlie Mandau nation, clothed
nly in breech clouts, notwithstanding that the weather
had become extremely cold and disagreeable.

LIFE AND TIMEH

lliis was in tbo month of Octuber, 1804, and our trav-
ollcra ttit3 tar up tbo Missonri in the country of the Man-
dans, with tlio prospect of an early and severe winter
lx>foro them, tlie discovery of an Irisliman among t]ie»e
Indians is considered an inci(h>nt wortliy of note, as no
dunht was the sight ofa wliiui skin from any qnarttjr;
bnt passing on, day by day, tiny pushed fartiier into
the wilderness, until Oct. *i7tb, their observations show-
o<l thciii that they had travel U>d IGlO miles from tlte
iiioutli of the river Dubois, wlience they ])ad first em-
barked. 'They had averaged scant ten miles per day
from the time of their departure, yet theirs was an "orig-
inal enterprise, and they had progressed as rapidly as
the nature of the circumstances would allow. By this
time they began to entertain serious thoughts of going
into winter (juarters and as it Avas apparent that they
\v"aroto domicile with the Mandans, it became good
policy on tlieir part to make fair weather with their
prospective companions. Accordingly, extensive prep-
arations were made for a grand talk, the display accom-
panyng which was to strike admiration into their hearts.
When the principal men from all the villages of the
Mandans had assembled, the swivel was iired from the
bt)w of the Captain's boat, and at 11 o'clock the Com-
manding oftiecrs, rigged in appropriate, though tarnish-
ed regimentals, took the Chiefs by the liand with be-
coming ceremony. Capt. Lewis through the interpre-
ter delivered a speech, gave a suit of clothes to each of
tilt) head men and some presents of less value for dis-
trihution in the villages. As a special mark of consid-
eration, he presented to the united Mandan nation, an
Iron Mill, in which to grind their corn. This marvel-
ona liberality quite conquered them, and in token of

OP TATRMK OASS.

nr trav-
lio Mun-
! "winter

Iff tllC»(.'

0, as 110

(]nart(!r;

Iior into

18 sliow-

roiii tlvc

:rst cm-

2)er ilay

II "orig-

pidly as

By this

3f going

lat they

le good

ith tkeir

vo prep-

' acconi-

rliearts.

of the

om the

le Coin-

taniibh-

vith be-

iterpre-

each of

for dis-

consid-

ion, an

narvel-

okeii of

everlasting friondsliip, they presented the Captain witli
10 bushtds of corn, and a (h»putation from tlieir nuni-
!)or volunteered their services to assist him in selecting
,i suitable site for a winter cu» impment.

Whoever has read the romantic adventures of Ca}it.
.(olin Smith, uiriong the Indians of Virginia, will dis-
cover a striking resemblance betwcH'n his experience as
handed down to us by himself and his chroniclers, and
thttr of our voyagers. The same traits seem to have
predominated in both instances, and their exercise has
been followed with like results. Both found tlu; In-
dians disposed to be friendly but treacherous; and both
found that hospitality abused could be easily converteil
into deadlv (uimily. As Jfackluyt savs of the Viri^inia
Indians: "They are a peoi»le gentle, loving, faithful,
void of guile, cruel, blood}', destroying whole tribes in
their domestic fiuuls; u^ing base stratagems agaiubl
their enemies, whom they invited to feasts and killed."
In both eases the facile Jndian has yielded to the grasp-
ing, r<.>bust Anglo-Saxon; and but a few more years
will elapse en3 the llicarees, the Sioux, the Mandans,
and the redmen of every tribe and kindred that yet lin-
ger on our borders, will have gone to join the shades of
the Powhatans, the ^Mohegans, the Narragansetts, and
the l*0(|uo(ls, in that eternal hunting ground, where
alone, they will be secure from the advancing tread tiud
death-distributing knowledge of the white man.

A spot was soon found, surrounded with cotton-wood
and suitably situated for an encampment, and on tlic 2d
of Novemlxir, 1804, they commenced to prepare theii-
winter tpiarters. They nuirked out a square, and ereo-
tod two equal rOvvs of huts, meeting each other at right
angles. They designed to enclose the other two Kide«

( i

ii'

UFB AND TIMES

of the square with pickets. The exterior side of the
enclosure presented an elevation of eighteen feet, the
inside of about eight and they wore made comfortable
r.gainst the inclemency of the weather, as well as secure
against any tricks of their capricious Indian friends. —
About the 16th, there came a heavy fall of snow, and
they moved, at once, into their unfinished cabins. They
were well supplied with provisions, and, all considered,
as comfortable as they could expect to be in their situ-
ation.

Winter had now set in, in earnest, and our voyagers
improved their time in hunting. Taking advantage of
tlie appearance of the Buffalo, which the snows had
driven in upon the river bottoms, they killed a great
number; in one expedition they and the Indians togeth-
er, destroyed some fifty. The Indians mounted on hor-
ses trained to the business, shot the animals with ar-
rows. In this business they were very expert. Large
quantities of meat were laid in at this time, against the
time when the increasing severity of the cold would put
an end to hunting. This time was not very long delay-
ed. In a few days the weather became so intensely cold
as to freeze proof spirits in fifteen minutes. Several of
the party were badly frost-bitten, and even the Indians
suffered from the same cause. About this time a hunt-
ing party of eight Mandan Indians was attacked by the
Sioux, one of their number killed, and their horses,
&c., taken by the marauders. The facts were reported
to Capt. Clarke, and he and twenty -three men of the
party started in pursuit. They tried to induce a party
of the Indians to accompany them, but they declined,
owing, as they asserted, to the extreme cold weather,
and the expedition was, perhaps, wisely, abandoned.

■1^

side of the
n feet, the
omfortable
1 as secure
friends. —
mow, and
ins. They
onsidered,
their sitii-

r voyagers
vantage of
mows had
d a great
ns togeth-
ed on hor-
s with ar-
t. Large
gainst the
would put
>ng dolay-
nsely cold
Several of
e Indians
le a hunt-
3d bv the
ir horses,
! reported
m of the
!e a party
declined,
weather,
doned.

OP TATRICK OA88.

R.'l!iii'l

Christmas day^was ushered in by a discharge from
their swivel, and a'round of small arms by the whole
corps, the convivial glass was freely passed, and the
American flag was hoisted on the ramparts of the little
fort, now first christened Fort Mandan, and its a])pear-
ance, as it first waved on the breeze, was greeted with
another glass very unanimously drank. The balance
of the day was devoted to mirth and jolification and the
holliday wound up with a general danco in which all
hands participated. The precise location of Fort Man-
dan, as deteiinined by astronomical observation is, 47
deg., 21m., 328., north latitude, being near the north-
ern bend of the river and distant by their measurement
1610 miles from its -mouth. It is called on the maps of
this day Fort Clarke, and is still a place of some re-
soi't among the traders in those remote regions. .

j3ere appears a chasm in the narrative of Mr. (J ass;
dating from the 25th December 1804, until the 1st of
January 1805, but the subject of discourse where it
breaks off and that with which it resumes, arc so mar-
vellously alike, that the imagination of the reader needs
little aid to enable him to fill up the gap. It is not
likely that a party such as ours, after six months as-
siduous ^toil, now that the elements had combined to
oppose their further progress, would sufter a holliday
common to Christendom to pass unimproved, especial-
ly when they had the society of the Mandan ladies, plen-
ty to eat and something to drink, with w^hich to divert
and console themselves. It is highly probable that tlio
interim was appropriately improved, as the introduc-
rion to the next chapter, which dates Tuesday Jamiary
1st, 1805, states that two shots were fired from that
same old swivel in honor ol the New Year's day, loi-

f'T

Il9!|

LIFE AND TIMES

lowed by a glass of good old whiskey from Capt
Lewis, and slioitly uft(3r unothci* from Capt. Clarke,
repeated again after noon and doubtless at divers intcr-
inediate intervals, from private ilasks. This day ■vround
up with a dance in which our hero 'and Capt. Lewis
ligured, and with which, "a great number of the natives,
men, women and chihiren wlio came to see us, appear-
ed highly pleased." Mr. Gass, gives but an indiller-
eht account of the ]\L\ndan women as regards their per-
sonal appearance, habits and behavior, and intimates
that chastity was by no means one of their distinguish-
ing virtues. Contrary to the general characteristics of
the Indians of tlw Atlantic country, the conjugal tie
seemed to set but lightly upon the natives of the plains;
and departures thnrefroui, were very leniently regarded.
Looseness in this regard, seems indeed to be a prevail-
ing characteristic of the western Indians. While among
the aborigines of the Atlantic States, continence, was
considered a virtue in both sexes and generally prac-
ticed, among all the tribes of the Missouri, it was but
little regarded, and adultery and prostitution hardly
considered as venial offences. Public opinion and cus-
tom however, gcncndly regulate these things even in
civilized countries, and it would be uncharitoole to ap-
ply to the Mandan Indians the same standaid of mor-
als that is recognised among people more advanced in
civilization. They would be doing as much as could
"be expected of them, and more than the whites often do,
if they did not transgress their own customs, usages,
and laws. This, we have no reason to believe they did.
The Mandans are described as having lighter complex-
ions than most other Indians, many of the children
having light colored or flaxen, hair, the children of qth-

OF TATRTCK DABS.

01 Capt
Clarko,
irs iiiter-
y ^rolmtl
t. Lewis
1 natives,
, appear -
indii^er••
lioir per-
utimates
tingnish-
risties oi"
jugal ti('
leplaiiiH;
•egarded .
, prevail -
le among
nee, was
ly prac-
was but
hardly
and cus-
cvon in
le to ap-
of mor-
anced in
as cx)uld
>ften do,
usages,
tiey did,
omplex-
children
ofqtU-

■■-■■.*

•cr tribes being uniformly black haired from birth.

During the months of January and February, noth-
ing of much interest occurs, the party being principal-
ly occupied in hunting and in the ordinary routine of
camp life. Some of the experiences of the hunters were
rather disagreeable, owing to the extreme cold, and oi;-
casionallyto the necessity of partaking of wolf meat,
when no bett(n- game could be found; but generally,
game was abundant, and the blacksmith of the party
driving a thriving trade by furnishing the natives with
hatchets and other articles of iron for corn, at prices
that would make our modern speculators stare, they
were amply supplied witii the essentials of comfortable
life.

The tedium of this mode of living, was interrupted
on the 14th, by the return to camp of a party of four
of their men, who, having gone out Avith four horses
for the purpose of bringing home some meat that had
been stored at a distance from the camp, and had been
beset by a party of Sioux Indians, and robbed of three
<tf their horses, came in, and reported the facts to tlieir
comrades. The little cantonment was instantly in a
ferment, and at midnight, (Japt. Lewis having called
for volunteers, twenty of the party promptly turned out
to chastise the marauders and recover the horses. '^Phe
])romptness of the response, is an evidence of the spirit
tluit actuated the entire party. By the IGth, having ac-
complished some fifty miles of a march, in the pursuit,
they came upon a deserted camp, which had be(;n burn-
ed by the Indians and which was still smoking; but the
savages had dispersed and fled into the plains and fur-
ther pursuit was deemed useless. The bold demeanor
of the whites, had impressed the Indians with a becom-

LIFE AND TnrcS

ing dogroo of awe, and although they boasted of their
robbery and sent word that the Sioux intended to mas-
sacre tlie entire party in the spring, they were not mueli
terrified by the]tlireat nor did tliey afterwards meet with
'.»ny serious trouble from those doughty adversaries. —
Home of the Indians in tliis ncighboriiood manifested a
mischievous spirit. The party concealed some meat
near some dcHorted huts, which was found and destroy-
ed, and the huts burned by thorn, but beyond such pot-
ty annoyances they experienced little trouble from the
Indians during their winter*s residence among them.
Mr. Gass, speaks of a beautiful breed of white rabbits
that abounded in that section, and also informs us how
the Indians managed to keep their horses in winter. —
They had a great many of these, and during the day
time they suftbred them to browse around and subsist
the best they could; at night they introduced them in-
to their huts and fed them upon cotton wood branches.
Upon this meagre fodder they kept in tolerable condi-
tion and were serviceable until the return of grt.ss when
they fared more sumptuou.sly.

It was now determined to send a portion of the par-
ty, with what skins and other specimens they had pro-
cured and an account of their proceedings to date, down,
to St. Louis, while the balance of the party, pursued
their journey up the Missouri. Accordingly, all hands
busied themselves with the task of j^reparing canoes,
which by the way had to be carried a mile and a half
to water before they could be launched. Six canoes
were soon finished, but on trial, their capacity was found
insufficient, and it was determined to send the large pe-
riogue back, with the returning party.

On Sunday, the 7th March, they broke up their en-

OF I'ATRICK 0A«8.

Oii

rampment, tliirty-one men unci a woman going up the
rivor witli two pvriogucs; and six canoes anil thirteen
going down with Jie largo perioguc, in whicli were pack-
ed ti»e curiosities, "UulTah) robes and liorns of the moun-
tain ram of prodigious size for the President."

Tlio woman mentioned in the preceding paragraph,
was one of t\h> wives of their interpreter, whose pres-
ence was cxi»ected to be of benefit to them in their pas-
sage through the Snake Indians, to which tribe she be-
longed. The river still continued easily navigable;
and they made good headway, although they had now
reached a point higher up, than had ever before been
attained by white men. The character of the country
liegan to change, indications of volcanic action became
of frociucnt occurrence, and the hills seemed sterile and
naked of any appearance of vegetation, though there
still uppoared to be plenty of game of various kinds. —
A new article of diet here appears to have come in
vogue, notl;iiig less tlian wild geese eggs, which they
found deposited by tliose usually stupid birds in ncets
high up in the trees, and another seuson/^^^'* delicacy
was found in the young Buffalo calves, a number of
which were about this time killed by the hunters of the
party. Our journalist here remarks as a "singular cir-
cumstance" what others liave since found out to their
sorrow, that in this region there is no dew and very lit-
tle rain, and with an astuteness worthy of Professor
Espy, he enquires whether it can be ow^ing to want of
timber. They had now got upon the borders of the
desert country known as the ^'plains" by later travel-
lers, in the overland journey to Oregon and California,
and which proves so disastrous from almost utter want
of water and scarcity of grass for stock.

'111 !

IS '

m ■

|fl| (

'li

Jfflj 1

i'i.

TJFE AND TIMES

'J'liis Avas at the mouth of Yellow Stone river, whieh
tliey ascertained by measurement to be, in width, 297
vards of water and 501 of sand, while the Missouri was
vj31 yards cT water and 190 of beach, the current of tlie
latter river continuing strong, while that of the former
is sluggish and shallow. This point is given at 18SS
miles above the moutli of the Missour', and 2TS from
their winter quarters at Fort Mnndan. Poitions of the
country in this neighborhood are represented as very
fertile, though indications began to multiply of their
near approach to the Rocky mountains. They made an
unsuccoesfnl attempt lioreto kill some mountain sheep,
being the first they had yet seen, but though they failed
in this, (!apt. Lewis succeeded in dispatching another
stran<i:er with whbse kindred thev were destined to be-
<;omo better acquainted, being nothing /Oss than a huge
"grizzly." •

The 1st of May, when the "cotton wood leaves wen-
ns large as dollars," they were greeted with a snow
storm Avdiich compelVd the boats to lay up; during
which time the hunters killed several deer, and some of
them discovered some red cloth in an old Indian camp,
which it was thouglit had been offered up by the In<li-
ansbyway of sacrifice to their deit)' — "the Tridians,"
says Mr. (lass, "having some knov-|cdge of a Supreme
])eing, and this, being their mode of worehip,"

It is a singular fact that not o single tribe of Jndian.s
ha« been discovered in Xortli Ameiica, but has had some
idcrt of the existoncv^ of a Supremo Dcing, and the im-
mortality of the sou). Tiiere is a striking similarity
in their beliefs and superstitions in tliis respect; and
notwithstanding their general ignoranc-^, their "views
are more philosophical ihn.A those of other nations i aich

» ^i

OF PATRIfK OASS,

(;5

', whiclf
li, 297
)uri was
it of tlio
) fonnor
at 18SS
78 from
lis of tho

as very
of tlioir
made an
n sheep,
oy failed

another
?d to be-
.n a huge

Yes wore
a snow
; during
Rome of
.11 camp,
[he Imli-
fidiaus,"

aipreme

Indians
bid soino

the ini-
Imilarity
bet; and

r "views
Ins 1 aich

"v^,

more advanced in civilization. They had better ideas
of natural religion than had the (J reeks and Tiomans.
notwithstanding the fact, that these latter were the most
])-)lishcd, as well as the most intellectually acute nations
o:' antiquity. The conception of one Great Author of
al, to whom all are forever responsible, was tin* reii-
tial idea upon which all the minor beliefs were founded:
Htd though r.iany of their superstitious notions appear
tons whimsical and absurd, yet this grand central idea
nuy be discerned, more or less distinctly, through all.
'J'lry had a vague noi-Ion of the truth, handed down
froii creneration to t'eneration and thonu'h cumlK-red
anddistorted with error, their minds appeared to grojic
in t\c dark in the vain eifort to roach the light witli(*ut
diviie revelation. That they came so near it, is moiv
to be wondered at, tlian that they should be lost in llie
mists )f the iurnorance that beset them.

The'iills which for many days had lieen barren of
veg»?tatt)n, now began to make a sparse display of |iinc
and ccdir trees, the verdure of which vras (piite enliven-
ing to tb spirits of our voyagers, while the RurroundiuK
scenery ^V)rc the appearance of architectural ruins no-
ticed by tuvellers as the mauvais icrrcs, or bad lands,
though tlu>-iver continuei^ wide and in handsome order
fivr navigafein. Bears become more and more abundant
and bear m<it the staple article of their cookery. A
large brownbear being wounde<l by six of the ]iartv,
nuidc battle ad came near nniking specimens of his as-
sailants; butnowder and load, backed by overwhrd-
ming numbers^vcretoo much for him, and after a des-
perate fight he ad to succumb. The natives, stood in
dread of these |i;izz1y gentlemen, — not a few of their
braves having Ijlon victims to their prowess in hand

:.'!'

'.V

LIFE AND TIMES

to liand encounters. Tlio mountain sheep also bccomir
more abundant as tlioy approach tlio mountain and tlic)'
at hist succeed in killing some of them. Tliey are des-
cribed as more rescnibling tiio ibex than the sheep, be-
ing covered with a long soft liair of a dun color insteaJ
of wool, and resembling sheep only in tlie head, horns
and feet, llie horns of one specimen were two feet lon^
and four inches in circuml'erence at the base. In siz«,
they ai'c something larger than the deer. It differs fro.n
the deer in never shedding its horns. Naturalists ha/o
since assigned them .♦ place in the family of the rttiii-
nantia. They also, killed a large brown bear of :ho
following formidable dimensions: — 3 feet 5 in. aroind
the head, 3 feet 11 inches around the neck, 6 fott arcuiul
the breast; the length 8 feet 7 iuclics, around midtle of
the forelegs 23 iuclios, and with talons 4^ incJes in
length, and sharp as needles. Such customers is this
were becoming uncomfortably abundant, and ther com-
pany was not particularly sought by the huiters to
whom they sometimes gave chase. These fcars are
very tenacious of life and when pressed to doperation
are particularly dangerous. The natives vey seldom
dared to attack them, having lost many of tjeir braves
in such encounters. The bears themselvo, are not
afraid of man, but will attack him without hesitation,
and even when Avell armed the struggle igone of con-
siderable risk to the hunter. Some of to exploring
party discovered a large brown bear abov this time at
the mouth of a small creek, and a party <f six men sal-
licxl out to kill it. The bear, took refije in a thicket,
and stood at bay growling terribly. Th men advanced,
and three of them fired simultaneousl, aiming at tho
most vital parts of his body; but altJbugh riddled by

OF PATRICK aA08.

bccomi?
md tlicy
arc dus-
oep, bc-
r instctil
\, horns
feet lon.j
In siz«.
fers fro:n
ists ha/e
he rmii-
ir of :ho
. aroind
't ar("und
iiidde of
iucles in
8 {S this
hor com-
Lutors to
ears are
aeration
seldom
r braves
are not
itation,
of (,'on-
ploring
time at
[Tien sal-
thieket,
vanced,
at tlm
died by

i ■'S

tlioir balls, ho only seemed roused to fury. Ivushin^
from his eovcrt, the remaining three barely luid time to
discharge their pieces before he was among them, and
the issue came near being a tragical one. Two of ihn
men were badly torn by tlie claws of the infuriated beast
before he could be dispatched, which was, however, fi-
nally effected after a desptjrate light. His carcass wcigii-
ed in the neigiiborliood of eleven hundred pounds.

llaving now, Monday, 27th May 1805, fairly enter-
ed upon a country presenting nothing but barrencss
and desolation to the eye; and traversed a distance of
2300 miles; our journalist proceeds to give a brief re-
capitulation in regard to the topography of the country,
which wo can do no better than to give in his own
words.

"From the mouth of the Missouri to the river Platte,
a distance of more than 000 miles, the land is general-
ly of a gcod quality, with a sufficient quanlity of timber;
in many places very rich and the country j)leasant and
agreeable. From the continence of the river Platte with
the Missouri in the sterile desert we lately enteied,a dis-
tance of upwards of 1500 miles, tlic soil is less rich, and
except in the bottoms the land is of inferior quality,
but may in general be called good second rate land. —
Tlie country ia ntlvcr liilly than level though not moun-
tainous, rocky cr stony. The hills in their un.shel-
teroil state are much exposed to be washed by heavy
rains. This kind ^f country and soil wliich has fallen
under our observaf.on in our journey up the Missouri,
extends, it is undentood, to a great distance on both
&ide3 of the river. Aong the Missouri and the waters
which flow into it, otton wood and willows are Ire-
queutiu the bottoms »id islands; but the upland is al-

f i

I i

N;'

ill

;' !

LIFE AND TIMES

most OTitircly ■•.^Mthoiit timber, , and consists of large
prairies and plains whose boundary, the eye cannot reach.
The grass is generally short on these immense natural
pastures, which in the proper season are decorated with
blossoms and flowers of various colors. The views
from tbesc hills are interesting and grand. Wide ex-
tended plains, with their hills and vales, stretching a-
way in lessoning wavy ridges, until by their distonoc
they fade from sight; large rivers and streams in their
rapid course winding in various meanders; groves of rot-
tun wood and willow along the waters intersecting the
landscape In diffeivnt directions, dividing them into va-
rious forms, at length appearing like dark clouds, and
sinking in the horizon; those enlivened with the hiiYa-
lo, elk, deer, and other animals, which in vast numbers
iced upon the plains, or pursue their prey, are the jirom-
inent objects which compose the extensive prospects
presented to the view, and strike the attention of the be-
holder."

The Missouri like all our western rivers u diversified
wiih wooded islands, in general not so lai'ge, nor so
l)icturcsquc however as those which gaii: for the Ohio
its appellation of the beautiful river, xMong its course,
were Indian paths, and roads made b}' the Buffalo ami
other animals often ten feet in width aid equalling in
directness from point to point, roads -nade by human
engineers; if indeed in many cases tlvse lines made by
nature's engineers do not excel thoselaid down bv com-
pass and chain.

'^riiey had noAv come into a savage and sterile country
with nothing to relieve its wild monotony, save the roar-
ing of the waters, as they -whirlel and dashed among
the rocks and the increased cauion and greater labor

OF PA'lTaCK GASS.

wliiuli the growing dilTIculty of the navigation rondonMl
inipenitivo. While tied up to the shore at night, a lUill-
ahj swimming the river chanced to hind at the perioguc;
and making allying leaj) to clear the obstruction, W.
landed in the boat, nearly capsizing it and dashing
among the men, who were slcMiIng, they awoke in great
consternation thinking that the devil had conic in person
to torment them for their sins, lie gave them a serious
fright bui did no injury, save disabling a couple olguns
that lay in his way. At one place here, the Indians
had killed over ahundreil of these animals inoneuiOvc;
by driving them over aprccij'ice, which seemed to Ikj
a favoiite mode among th(\se Indians. Some of the a[i-
pearances, here, were striking in the extreme, high
walls of fjolid rock, Htood up grey ami 2)erpendicnlar, liKO
feet in altitude, by eight or teji in thickness, and of in-
terminable length, occasionally, a column erected itself
in solitary grandeur, like ih > chimney-stack of some
crumbled down manufactory; lung ranges of shattered
ruins a[)p.cared as' though tlie hand of time had been
playing havoc with a deserted city; and the wiiole we-
nery had that wierd and melancholy aspect, which ac-
cording well with the broiiding and gloomy silence 60
suggestiv^e of the world to come, so haunts, with visions
of the supernatural and infernal, minds prone to super-
stition.

dune 3d, 1805, the c( nnnanding oflicers being in a
quandary winch of two forks of about equal siiMj it was
proper to ascend, a couple of parties were detailed to try
each, atid thus determine which was the ^lissouri proper.
Two days were passed in feconoitering, and finally the
south branch was reported the best for navigation, and
up it they went, for the distance of aixty miles. The

'a' III

MFK AND TIMK8

•<ithcr brnnch is called Maria's river. Tlic decreasiTig
volume of tlie river adinoiiisliod them to leave a part of
tluiir higgjige jiiul stores; and aecordiiigly a portion of
tlio party busied themselves in preparing a hole in which
(o bury (heir surplus pork, corn. ])o\vder, lead, itc , to
the amount of a thousand weight; "while Capt. liCwiw
took a meridian ebservaiion in order to determine their
f>recisc location, "^riie result Mas 47 deg., 24 m., 12h.,
Korth latitude. At the mouth of Maria's river the large
pcriogue was concealed under heaps of brush, and near
by was deposited their surplus stores, to bo ready for
them on their return.

On the morning of the 12th, they left this point and
proceeded up the river, encountering great difliculty,
owing to the numerous rapids; sometimes having to take
tlie boats entirely out of water and transport them by
land, on wheels extemporized for the purpose, and by
the 18th. so toilsome had their progress become, that it
was determineil to bury more of their luggage, which
was accordingly done. The boats were mounted on
wlieels, and the party accompanied it across a prairie,
to the next point of embarkation, IG miles distant,
which consumed the day. Up to the Fort Mandan, the
general direction of the river had been Northwest, thence
to this point, nearly due West, but shortly before reach-
ing this point, now called Clark's Falls, the course of
the river turns to the Bouth, and traverses some 200
miles almost directly to the South. The Falls or Rap-
ids, are in the aggregate 302 feet in height, and extend
for eighteen miles. After passing them, the character
well as of the country changes, the river

of the river

is smoother and more equable in its current, wliile the

country appeal

us to be more level, with mountains cov-

OF PATRICK OASS.

creasing
I part of
trtion of
in which
il'C , to
t. Lowis
iiie their
(K, Vis.,
the large
and near
ready for

:ioint and
lifHcnlty,
nrr to talio
, them by
!, and by
ic, tliat it
0, which
luntcd on
a prairio,
distant,
idaii, tho
St, thence
)re reach -
ourse of
omc tiOO
or llap-
d extend
character
the river
while tho
lains cov-

orod with «now, surrounding tliom in the distance. —
One of tiie ])nrty hero had a narrow escape from being
devoured by bears. He was attacked by three brown
boars, and to save Iuh life, was forced to leap over a prec-
ipice, Eovcrely injuring himself and breaking hiH gun. —
vXnotiior man about the sjinio linn?, was attacked by a
huge ho bear, when separated some 200 yards from tho
bahmce of the party. Ifis gun, unluckily, missed fir*;,
and the bank was eo steep tliat his companions could
not reach him; however, tliey iircd at tho bear from a
distance, which had the elleot of frightening him off, and
thus saving their comrade from an ugly encounter, in
which the principal risk would have been on hi.s siile.
Buffalo, oik and deer, as well as bears, appeared to
be very plenty in this vicinity, and quite a number were
killed by the party. An experiment of covering the
iron frame of a boat, which they liad brought with them
for the purj)0se, with skins, so as to be easily portable,
proved a i'ailure, owing to the impossibility of making
it water light, and they were compelled again to make
new canoes, or leave more of their baggage. A couple
of canoes were soon constructed and the party i)ushed
on, the plains were covered with a short grass, and the
hills from GOO to 1200 feet in altitude almost solid
rock, bare of vege tation and seeming to be a favorite
haunt of tiie Rocky Mountain sheop which were seen in
great numbers on the very summits. Along the course
of the river there was a fringe of cotton wood and bush-
es, in which a great many deer and other animals wero
found, and also a great variety of seasonable berries,
among which is mentioned the .service berry, the choke
berry and as particularly large and line, the black cur-
rant. Indians had become extremely scarce and al-

'I h

ill

iii

LIFE AND TIMES

tliougli piiities were sent out expressly to find thcni',
they did not discover a native for weeks in succession.
A smoko was discovered in the di.stancc, Avhicli on in-
vestigation proved to rise from an Inilian hunting camp,
the proprietors of whicli, evidently taking the whites
{()V tinen)ies hail Hed into the wilderness. A polo which
Mr. (J ass had crectiulas a mark for a small party left bo-
hind, and in a cleft of svhich he had placed a note was
knaweil down by a beaver and dragged off, giving the
party for whoso benefit it was intended,' a wearisome
tramp of yoveral miles in the wrong direction b'efore
tlioir error was detected. A kind of red clay w'as noted
as occurring heie, wliich their squaw infoimed them
was used for Avar paint.

A')o.it this tiiiii a biingnlar accident occurred thus ru-
Jated by Mr. Gass. It appears, that some of the par-
ty had discovered a fine sulphur spring, which Captain
CJarke, the Interpreter, his squaw and child went to
look at. JJuring their visit a sudden storm came up,
forcing them to shelter under a bank at the mouth of a
run. In five minutes time, such was the violence of the
torrent, there were seven feet of water in the run and
all hands came near being washed away. As it was,
they lost a gun, umbrella and surveyor's compass, and
barely escaped with their lives. At this place they had
another encounter with a bear.

< )n the oOth July l8Uo, they reached what Mr. Gass
calls the Forks, and on the 9th August, the command-
ing Officers came to the conclusion that these forks
might be properly considered the end of the Missoini,
and proceeded to name them, Jefferson, Madison and
Gallatin, being respectively the north, middle and soulh
branches, coming in nearly at the same spot. The latl-

OF PATRICK CASS.

I them,
jcessioii.
h on in-
ig cftmp,
I whites
le wliich
yleft bo-
loto was
iving th»i
earisomo
n b'cl'ore
vas noted
led them

I thus rc-
t' the par-
Captain
went to
ainc up,
nth of a
ice of the
run and
Is it was,
pass, and
they had

|Mr. Gass

)nimand-

3se iorks

tSIissoi^i,

lison and

md south

Thelatl-

•.ttdoof this conduence of tlie waters was determined to
bo about 45 dog., 15 min. north.

Wo here make an extract from tlie Journal: "Thcv«
is verv little ditlerenco in the nize of the throe bran-
chea. On the bunk of the north branch we found a note
Captain Clarke had left, informing us he -was ahead and
had gone up that branch. AVe went on to the point,
And as the men were much fatigued, encamped in order
to rest a day or two. After we halted here, it began to
rain and continued three hours. About 12 o'clock
Capt. Clarke and his men came to our encam]»ment,
and told us they had been up both branches a conj^id-
erable distance, bat could discover Uduc of the natives.
There is a beautiful valley at these forks, and a good
deal of tiuiber on the branches, cliieOy cotton-wood. —
Also currants, goose and service berries, and choak-
cherrics on the banks. The deer are plenty too, some
of the men went out and killed several to-day." Cajd.
Clarke, who had been taken sick on the route, is here
i-eported convalescent, ami Capt. Lewis, who had trav-
eled ahead of the party, was obliged to camp out by
himself in the howling wilderness. He, however, turn-
ed np all right in the morning, and the party dividing.
Capt. Clarke w^ould explore one branch with his corpg
and Capt. Lewis, another, with his, leaving notes at
prominent places to direct each other in their explo-
rations. The travelling had become difticult and the
routes extremely mixed, rendering their progress very
slow. At this place, our squaw informed us, "she had
been taken prisoner by the (Irossventers four or five
years ago. From tliis valley we can discover a large
mountain with snow on it, towards the southwest; and
expect to pass by the northwest end of it. Capt. Lcwi»

^
*

LIFE AND TIMES

had a meridian altitude liorc, which gave 45 dog., 22m.
358. nortli latitude."

A.^eendiuLC the north or Jofforson branch, it also fork-
ed into Wisdom an<l Philanlliroj^y branches, the mid-
dle one retaining the name of Jefferson, up which they
continued. It has been roniarkeil that there is noth-
ing in aname, and that a rose by any other name would
Bmell as sweet; but our explorers seem to liavo taxed
their ingenuity to considerable extent in order to iind
Riiitable names for the streams which it was their for-
tune to christen. It is perhaps to be regretted that they
in common with all our other explorers, did not adopt
the Indian names of the streams and points, or at least
modify them so as to sound properly to English ears.
The multiplication of English proper names as applied
to geographi 1 objects, is the sonrce of great inconve-
nience and confusion; while the adoption of many com-
mon and vulgar English words, as appellatives, is of-
ten in decidedly bad taste. The appellatives of the In-
dians, generally abounded in vowel sounds, and what
was more, had mostly some reference to peculiarities
of the thing they designated. The idea was often as po-
etical as the sound was euphonious. It is to bo regret-
ted that our maps do not contain more of them. What
can be more snggcstive than Min-ne-ha-ha, the water
which lavghSy as applied to the rippling waters of tho
Missi-8irpi,/a((A^r of waters, smiling back the sunlight
from its pebbly bed before the muddy Miss-ouri throws
itfl Bombrc shade on tho now sullen and turbulent cnr-
rent. It is evident that the philosophy of names gain-
ed nothing in its poetic department from the hard prac-
tical sense of Anglo American discoverers. They were
inferior in perception of the beautiful and the grainl, t©

OP PATRICK 0A8fl.

g..22m.

Iso fnrk-
l\o niid-
licli thoy
is noth-
10 would
/o taxed
■r to find
.lusir for-
tliat tlioy
lot n<lopt
irat least
lish ears.
,s applied
inconvc-
any com-
es, is of-
)rilic In-
nd wiiat
iiliarities
en as po-
c regret -
. What
ho wafer
s of tho
sunlight
I throw*
lent rnr-
08 gain-
rd prac-
ey weT*
Tainl, t9

the French and infinitely behind the poor Indian who8«

-"nntntored tnin«l,

Sees Ood la tlie Htorm iiad hearn him la the wind."

Journeying on, they passed an island which, as it waf
distant about 3000 miles from their starting point, they
christened with some propriety, '* Three thousand mile
island;^' the river beinic only about twenty yards wido
and a foot and a half <'eep, meandering and winding
along through tho bushes, and frequently compelling
the men to wade and drag tho canoes through the wat-
er which had become icy cold and very disagreeable. —
The black or mountain trout of largo size abounded, ai
well as a variety of otb.cr iish; while doer and game gen-
erally bad become scarce, owing to tho scant herbage.
At tho entrance to a gorrre in tho mountains hero, two
huge pillars of rock erect t!i«'niselvos like watch towers,
guarding the entrance as if to some land of promise,
picturesque enough tho reader will say, but not say our
explorers, realizing the promise of fertility so jealously
guarded. From this point to tho head waters of the
Columl)ia river, emptyin;,' into the l'*acific, was but
about forty miles, ('ai)t. L iwis had })asscd over tli«
ground, and returned, bringing with him some twenty
of the Snako Inditins whom he bad cncoujitercd, with a
like number of horses, with wliieh animals, these Ii. i-
ans fortunately enough were well providcil. Mr. (Jast^,
speaks here of tho great quantity of service berries found
in this region, whieh seem almost as if providentially
provided for tho sustenance of sucli living animals at
may happen among these inhospitable gorge::! of iLie
mountains.

Tho party now proyiilcd with Indian guides followed
up the gorge of Jefrerson Fork, no'.v a more mountain
brook, until the 19th August, l:-)o, when tboy reacbod

'I.
^

It-

:()

LIFE AND nyiF.n

i i

the liciul sprlnijf, (Ustaiit only oiio mile from tlic head of

one ])rancli of tlio ( 'oliiniliia.

. Oil the head waters of thciColumLia, Tiulinns Leeairie
more mimerous; and on the 20th thoy eame to a vil-
lage of twenty-live lod^^os made of willow bark. 'IMiis
was a village of the "Snakes." "They are, "sfiys Mr.
(iass, "the poorest and most miserable nation lever be-
held; having scarcely anything to subsist on, excepr,;
berries and a few lish, whit-h they contrive by sonic
means to take. They have a great mnny tine horses,
and nothing else; and on account of these they are har-
rassed by other nations. Tiie usual mo(b) of salutation,
among the Snakes, is by putting the arms around the
nock of the person th(;y wish to salute, in token of
friendship." This method, it will be allowed, was more
aifectionate than agreeable to persons of weak stomachs.
The western Indians, seem generally, to have been
more disposed toward a pastoral life than were thoso
east of the ^Mississippi; and manifested more of a dis-
position to possess themselves of flocks and lierds. —
Horses, were found by this party, among all the tribes
through which they passed; and often in localities tho
most mifavorable. They Avcre used for })urposcs of
travel and tho chase. In case o f emergency their flesh
was eaten. The origin of these horses among tho In-
dians is conjectural. They probably descended from
Spanish stock imported at the time of the conquest, or
stibsequent settlements. In the genial climate of tho
ti-opics, it is not impossible that a few individuals esca-
ping or turned out into the vast natural pastures, in-
oroased and multiplied into the immense herds that car-
reer over tile boundless plains of Mexico and South
Araericft, Anotbor very probable source was the Can*

OF T'ATIUPK fi.VSS.

/ I

daH. His certain that ut tlic discovery ol' the country
the Indians had no idea of liorscs, in fact, those used by
('ortcz were actimily worshipped l)y the Mexican Indi-
ans, and considered superior beings. In later times tlie
western Indians iiave still farther devoted thenisclve»;
to stock ralsinj^, and at this date, the Xavajoa arc re-
ported as the ])()SSCSHor8 of a half million sheep.

Those Indians, tifave the ])arty a very unfavorable ac-
count of the navi«j;ation of the (Jidunibia, so much ho,
ind(M}d, as to induce them to abandon their canoes and
undertake the journey by land. Accordini^ly, they
purchased a stock of horses from the Indians, at an av-
erage of about 8«5 ])erhead in merchandise, and leaving
Capt. CMarke, to brini,' the ba^'<-,n\iC(; by water, they con-
tinued down the (Jolumbia. The lepresentations of the
Indians proved correct, for the river bottom was nar-
row and the route almost impracticable either by land
or water; nevortheh'ss, they persevered — the rocks in
some places breast hij^hand no path or trail of any kind
to direct them until brought to a dead halt, at a point
where "the water was so rapid, and the bed of the river
so rocky tliat going by water ai)peared impracticable;
and the mountains so amazing high, steep and [rocky,
that it seemed impossible to go along the river by land."
Their trials now fairly eommonced. The Journal pro-
ceeds: "Captain Clarke and our party proceeded down
tlie river with our guide, through a valley about four
miles wide, of a rich soil, but abnost without timber.
There are high mountains on both sides, with some pine
trees on them. We went about eight miles and en-
camped at a fine spring. One of our men remained be-
Jiind at the village to buy a horse, and did not join uu
iliis evening. Five of the Indians came and stayed

•I

ft 3

LiIH AND TIMES

\ !l

with us (luring ilio nijj^lif . They told us that thoy worn
•ometiiuos reduced to .such WHut, as to bo obliged to cat
tlioir horses.

Next iiioriiinL!:, wc bepfan our journey at 7 o'clock
and hnving travelled about a inil(\ crossed a branch of
the river. Here the inoiiulains caine so close on tho
river, wc could not get through the narrows, and had
t^) eross a very high mountain about three miles ever,
and then stru(dc the river again, where there is a small
bottom and one lodge of the natives in il, gathering l)er-
ries, haws and cherries f<»r winler food'. We soon had
to ascend another large mountain, and had to proceed
in the same way until we crossed four of tliem, when we
rameto a largo creek, where there is a small bottom and
tJiree lodges of Indians. 'J'hrce of our men hav ing gone
through tho bottom to hunt, came first upon the lodges
wliich greatly alarmed the unhappy natives, who all
fol) a weeping and began to run oil'; but the Jtarty com-
ing up with the guide relieved them from their fears.
They tiien received us kindly and gave us berries aiid
lisli to eat. We remained with tbem about two hours
and gas'o them some presents. Those of the natives,
who are detached in small parties, appear to live bet-
ter, and to have a larger supply of provisions, than those
who live in large villages. The peoplo of these three
lodges have gathered a quantity of sun-flower seed,
and also, of Iambs-quarter, which tliey ])ound and
mix with sorvieo berries, ami make of the composition
a kind of bread; which appears capable o£ sustaining
life for some time. On this broad antl tho fish they take
out of tho river, these people, who appear to bo tho most
wretched of the human species, chietly subsist. They
gave us some dried salmon, and we proceeded down tho

OP PATRICK C5A88.

river; but with a great deal of iliflifMilty : tho moun-
tains being, so cloao, steep and rocky. Tb'i river here
is about 80 yards wide, and continually rapid, but not
deej*. Wo went about fit'tccn miles to-day, and en-
camped on a small island, as there was no other level
place near. (Jame is scarce, and we kilb'il nothing
hince the llJth but one deer; and our stock of provisions
is exhausted.

"On the 2;id, two of the hunters went in search of a
laiek that lufd been wounded during tlio day, and the
rest staid in !lie caui[) to fish. In tlie afternoon tlie
men came in from bunting the wounded deer, but couKl
not ilnd him. They killed three prairie hens, or])heu8-
iints. AVe caught some smyll fisli iu tlie night. The
natives take tlieir lish by spearing [tht-m; their Ki)ear«
for this purpose are poles with bones fixed to the ends
ofthoni, with which they strike tlii; fish. They have
but four guns in the nation, ami catch goats ami some
other aninjals by running them down with horses. The
dresses of the women are a kind (jf shifts made of tlie
skins of these goats and mountain sheep, which come
down to the mitldle of the leg. Some of them ha\e
robes, but others none. Some of the men have chirls
and some are without any. Some also have robes niade
of beaver and bull'alo skins; but there are few of the
former. I saw one nuide of ground hog skins.

"Tile river at this place is so conii'ied by the moun-
tains that it is not more than twenty yards wide, and
very rapid. The mountains on the sides are not less
than one thousand feet high and very steep. There are
a few pines growing on them. We caught some small
lishto day, and our hunters killed live prairie fowls. —
These were all we had to subsijst on. At 1 o'clock Capt.

. •{

''I

sf*^

\ f'

r n

LIFE AND TIMES

n.-u'lvO and his party loturncd, after havinc: boon down
tho river about 12 miles. They found it was not pos-
»ihlo to go down eitlier by land or water, witlimit much
risk and trouble. The water is so rapid and tho bed
of the river so rocky, that ijfoingby water a])peared iin-
praetieahle; and the mountains so ama/Jn^iv hirh, steep
and rocky, that it seemed impossible to g"o along tho
river by land. Our guide speaks of a way lo sea, by
going up th(i south fork of tliis river, getting cuj to tho
mountaJuH that way, and tluMi turning to the south
west again. C^qit. Clarke, therefore wrote a letter to
(yapt. Lev.-is, and dispatched a man on hois(>back to
meet him; and we all turned back np the river again,
poor and uncomfortable enough, us we Irad nothing to
eat, and tliero is no game. Wo proceeded np about
three miles, and supperlcss %vent to rest for the night.

"Next morjiing, we set out early and li;'.'l a line day;
passed the Indian camp, where they gave lis a little
dried salmon, and proceeded l)ack agivin ov i- t]\c moun-
tains. Some hunter>^ went on ahead arul <'ncamped in
the valley. Two men went to hunt, and all tiie rest to
Hsh. We soon caught as many small fish as made with
two salmon our guide got from some Indians, a com-
fortable su pper. At dark our hunters came in and had
killed but one beaver.

"Monday '2Gth, we hud again a pleasant morning;
and four hunters went on early ahead, and one man to
lOok for the horses. We breakfasted on the beaver and
A salmon, which had l)een saved from supper the pre-
ceding evening. The man wdio had gone for the lior-
«cs, having returned withoul finding them, four or tivo
more went out, and our guide immediately found them.
We then, about ten oVock, proceeded on to the forks.

\ '*

or pATrvrc <■

on down

not pos-

mt much

the bed

ared im-

:h, stoop

long tho

) sea, by

>u to tho

10 snutl;

letter to

'back to

r ngain,

thing to

p about.

1 niglit.

ino day;

: a littlo

nioun-

ipod in

rest to

do with

a oom-

md liad

orning;

man to

er and

ho pro-

u' lior-

or livo

ihiMn.

!orkff.

where wo found our hunters; but tlii-y bad killed noth-
ing. So we went up to a small village of the nativOvS,
'■rot some fish from tlicni, and lodged there all night.

"Next morning eight of us went out to hunt. I ob-
served some flax growing in the bottoms on this river,
but saw no clover or timothy, as I had seen on thoMis.s-
oiiri and Jeffoi-son rivor. Thi're is a kind of wild sago
IV hyssop, as high as a man's head, full of braneho^
and leaves, Avhieh grows in these bottoms, with shruba
of difforent kinds. In the evening we all came in again
and had killed nothing br.t a fish. We got some More
from tlio natives, which avo subsisted on. "We lodged
here again all night, but heard nothing from Captain
Lewis.

On the morning of tlu; t28th of August, I v.-ent on to
tho Tijiper village, where J found ('apt. Lewis and his
partvbuving horses. Thov had ii:ot twentv-three, which
with two we had, made in the \vholo twenty-five. I
thou returned to our ean\p, a distance! of Hfteen miles,
and arrived there late. I found the Aveather very cold
for the season."

Th(; ascent of tho Missouri had been plain sailing in
comparison to tho navigation of tho Columbia, Avliore
Drccipiees of a thousand feet elevation came .sheer doAvn
to the Avaters edge, .^o stiH'p that nothing sa\'e the ven-
turesome foot of the mountain g«»at (haod to scale them,
<nid of such interTuinable length, tliat tho most experi-
enced guidos Avere at fault as to expedients to go around
or across; wliile tho tumbling torrents at their ba^e as
they pitcheil and dashed over high masses and ledger of
mok, bid dotianco to any craft that might be construc-
ted to navigat(^ them. 'I'liey Avore now in a dilemma,
and to add to their troubles, provisions became cxhaus-

Is, "

LIFE AND TIME8

ted and there was very little game with which to re-
plenish. All the skill of their liimters could not keep
them supplied with meat, and more than once tliey were
forced to subsist on horse llesh, Leaver and dog, with
bread rnade in Indian fashion, of sun-flower seed, lambs-
quarter, service berries, and dried salmon pounded and
incorporated together. This latter article was not so
unpalatable, aud proved an excellent substitute, now
that Iheir scant supply of Hour was exhausted. Th
natives are represented as miserable in the extreme, al-
most starviiig, and nearly naked; depending chielly for
subsistence upon lish, Avhich they speared with long
poles pointed with shai'p and barbed bones for the pur-
pose.

Salmon in the Columbia were abundant and very
fine, and well enough it was so, or our voyagers, would
have starved to death in a wilderness as inhospitable,
otherwise, as the icy deserts of the north, that have
proven the burial places of so many gallant aud ven-
turesome men.

This brings us up to September 1st. 1805; for the
past few days our party has encountered difficulties that
were almost insurmountable and endured hardships in
almost every shape and form with a perseverance that
excites our admiration and with a fortitude that should
rank them among the foremost travellers of any age. —
Though all this narrative of trial, deprivation and iiard-
ship, we look in vain in Mr. (lass's journal for a single
instance of re])ining; no regrets sully its pages an' no
complaints either by lilm, or by any of his companions.
About this time the commanding officers of th.- pa: y
seem to have had a high appreciation of t' merits of
Mr. Gass, mention being frec[uently mad- , in a mod-

.r'

■^■''

OK PATRICK GA8S.

cli to re-
not keep
tlicy wero
.og, with
(I, lambs-
iiJcd and
as not so
ute, now

.Ml. Til

rcnie, al-

liioll^' for

:idi long

the ]jur-

ind verv
•s, would
spi table,
Kit liavc
,nd vcn-

; for the

Itics that

Iships in

ince that

should

Y ago.—

[id hard-

a sinfjle

an ' no

paniond.

h. pa: y

lerits of

a mod-

•f

4
I

'^>

est way, of his participaiion in important services.
There is, however, no ostentation about the narrative, all
goes along in a smooth matter of fact way, as if the in-
cidents narrated, were of every day occurrence and en-
titled to no particular mention.

The men bore their hardships manfully and obeyed
with unllagging energy and undeviating lidclity the com -
uiands of their oflicHrs; who, themselves, seem to have
been well worthy of the men over whom they wero
placed. But \vh«tless could be expected. The Ameri-
can 's a man every inch of him, whether in civil or in
military life, whether in command or in subordination.
As a soldier he knows his place and his rights as a free
man; and the true officer will exact nothing but what
he knows will be done with a will ; and the man will
execute whatever is to be done with a zeal and an in-
telligence that no other nation can altain. It is this
characteristic that makes them invincible as soldiers
and i-enders them notorious for indomitable will, steady
perseverencc and great achievements in whatever enter-
prises they engage, either of ])eace or war. Fur the next
few days they passed through the same difficulties,
striving with almost superhuman energy to surmount
the last barrier that nature has erected between the op-
posing surges of the Pacific and the Atlantic, stretching
like a huge back-bone the length of the continent and
parting the fresh fallen waters of the East and the
West to the right and to the left with it* adamantino
vertebrae. Gradually, however, their course became
somewhat smoother, traversing occasional . mall vallics,
like oases, of rich black soil, abounding witu iierbs, ber-
ries and edible roots, and inhabited by the Flathead In-
dians, who Mr. Gass, denominates the whitest lu-

1 i'j.
■ Ml

i 1

i!!-^

it ■ ■ ■•*

■84

LIFE AND TIMCS

dians he ever snw, and wlio arc much Letter provided
witli worldly geor than their neiglil)ors, the Snake.'*, from
whose country they areahout otnorLrincr. "The Indian
dogs arc so hungry and ravenous," says he, "they ato
iivo pair of our niockasoiis last night. Wo remained
liere all day, ami recruited our horses to forty and three
eolts; and made fourorlivp of this nation of Indians
chiefs. They arf» a v^m'v IViondly pccple; have plenty of
I'obes and sl;ins foreoveiing, and a lii-ge stock of horses,
some of which are vei-y u'ood; hrt lh(>v have nothingto
■<iat, but berries, roots and .such aiticlcs of food. 'J'his
])and is on i*s way over to tlic Missouri or Yellow-stone
river to hunt buffalo. Kcxt morning we exchanged
some of our horses, that were fatigutnl, wilh the natives.
!"\)nr huntiTs who had been out, kill"d nothing; w»^ there-
lore su])ped upon a small ([uantity of corn we had yet
left. Next day one of the hunters killed two doer;
which was a subject of much iov and conofratulation.
Here we remained to dine, and some rain fell. On the
Houth of this place there are veiy high mountains cov-
ered with snow arid timber, and to the north prairie hills.
AltVr staying here two hours, w c pi'ocecded on down
the creek; i'ound tlie country much the same as tiuit wc
had passed through in the forenoon; and having trav-
elled about twenty miles sin.e the morning, encamped
for the night — liaving killed two cranes on our way."

OntheDth. they pass the mouth of the river of the
I'latlieads, here IdO yards wiile, A\liich they name
Clarke's river, and by the 13(h. vhey came to a beauti-
lul warm spring, Avith numerous paths diverging fixnu
it, and the waters of which were hot above blood heat.
Four of the best hunters of the party, well mounted were
out uU day as a special party, but neither they nor the

OF PATUirK OASS.

sr.

provliled
\iQ^, from
le Indian
'tlioy ato
roniaiiied
uid tlireo
Indinns
jjleiit}' of
Df liorsc's,
Olllili;^' to
d. TluH

uw -stone
ccliangcd

natives.
\v*i tliore-
liad yet
ro deer;
tulation.

On the
ins cov-
rie 111] Is,
n down
tiiat \vc
g trav-
caniped
way."

of the
Y name

beanti-
ig from
)d heat,
ed vvero
lor the

.;ji|

balance of the party Imd much success as the common
lanior shcjwed but thiee pitiful pheasants, witii whicli
to feed thirty litiuiiry men. In tliis .stniii:, they resorted
to some poitable soup, which was brouglit along to hv
used in case of neces>ity, and fo give it body, killed and
roasted a C')lt, whicliour liero Siiys, made it "good eat-
ing." l''or some <lays after this, the prevuiling. diet was
portable soup, })arched corn and roast<.'d colt, with no
jtartioular compldnt e\.<-epL as to quantity. A hor.se
fi.'ll (»vor a I'iejipice of ii hundred feet, witli.nit being
much hiirt as 3lr. Gass observes, owing to the fact oUherv
heinfj no botlom; the steep side of the gorge terminating
in a stream ot water into which the animal was sol'tlr
but rather precipitately landed. The boup diet is begin-
iug to show itself in the aspect of the men, who are bc-
eoming lean and emaciated; while the horses are becom-
ing weak aii'l jadei.! ficuii starvation and overwork.
Even "water liad become scarce in these horrible moun-
tain deserts, and it was with as nivAch joy and rejoic-
ing among tlie corps as luippens among passengers at
8ca, who have experienced a dangerous and protracted
voyage, when they iirst discover land oii the long look-
ed for coast," that they beheld, at last, a level plain in
the distance.

Kven hors3 flesh became scarce and so ilry from want
of nutrition, that it was little better tlian sole leather,
the carcass of a wolfwas a rare delicacy and tho inci-
dent of one of their hunters procuring a supply of ber-
ries, roots and ti>h from the Flatheads is mentioned m
a matter to be thanktul for.

As theyomergi^d Ironi the mountains, their route be-
e*me gradually mon^ comfortable In a small valley,
ihoy found a village of Flathead Indians, wlio Buppli-

. dl

LIFE AND TIMES

c(l them with provisions, consisting of hsn, rootfl and
bread, manufactured by them in u way peculiar to them-
selves, from fi sweet root, growing in great abundanco
on the plains, and bearing in Juno a flower of a pale blue
color, the root resembling the onion in appearance, which
they call "comas." This bread was found not only nour-
isliing but quite palatable, tasting 1 ike that made of pump-
kins. The ludiatis trcatt^d them kindly, and furnished ^
tliem with a good su})ply of edibles in exchange for small
nrtieles of imMi'liandisi', whiei; tiiey had brought along.
From this point they travelled by moderate stages, hav-
ing many of them fallen sick from bad and insufficient di-
et, and it may refresh tlie memories of our readers to
be iutormed ihat Captain Clarke in this emcrgfmey
with true Saiigr^do polic\' "gave all the sick a dose of
Ur. Hush's pills to see wliat elfnct that would have."
The e.Kperimont apjicars to have been successful. Dr.
Hush's pills did their duty, fuid the men began nipidly
to improve in bodily health and spirits, (lame eon-
tinnod scarce on the Columbia, the Indians oftliis coun-
try having lo cross over on to the Missouii to jirocuro
their supplies of meat which they annually did in large
parties in pursuit of thn Buffalo. Another kind of na-
tive sheep is spoken of as living in these vallies, dis-
tinct from the mountain ]\am of the preceding pngr s
in being smaller an d eovci'ed witli wool f )ur imdioa
long, iiiie, white and soft; instead of the ha-iry covering
peculiar to the latter animal. The want of nri inter-
preter to enable them to communicate with the Flat-
heads proved a seriousinconvenionee, but they managed
by signs to ascertain that they were then at war'with a
neighboring tribe, who had slain several of their people;
and also, that they hacl had eomnuijiicatiuu with white

or rATlUCK GASfl.

men at tlic moiitli of tlie river, upon which they were
tlien travelling.

It is amusing to uoticc the iuditTerenco with which,
onr author, hy this time has I'vinied to speak of dining
on horse flesh. 1'ht) hunters, cunio across ix hor.'^e, shot
him and after dressing, hung him up as if he had been
a Buffalo or a bullock, and the party partook of his fle.sh,
with even more gusto peihaps, than do the Parisian
gourmands — to a certainty, fliesc latter, have not .such
an excuse for an appetite. Game was utt^'rly out of tliG
question. The water was also warm and sol't and sick-
ened them. Tlie very timber on tlie uiountain.s was
dead and fall, i and starvation seemc.l to bo the goniu.s
of the place. The oidy redeoming feature mentioned,
is a kind of rod:, suitable !'<>;• millstones. They here,
supped upon the last of their horse, and l)y way of de-
sert, finished on a wolf tbcy bad killed; and wdiich, Mr.
Gass, calls very strong and substantial diet. After thip,
they came into a section where berries and Indian bre.-Kl
abounded, but t'iC chaii:;\) of diet made the men suik
and they were forced to lie up aiul recruit.

By the 1st. October, the luon had all sufficiently re-
covercil to be able to work, and tlie navigation had i^o
much improved, that it was deemed advisable t^o pre-
pare canoes, and continue the journey by water! The
labor of hewing out canoes v/as thuught too arduims
considering the weakened condition of the men and ac-
cordinurlv thevw;.'re lioliowed out bv bnrnincc in the In-
dian fashion, whi(di process consumed 8'..nio days; aivd
on the 8th. they were again prepared to continue tlieir
voyage.* Along the river they discovered numcrons
lodges of Indians, who were uniformly pea:.'eably dispos-
ed, and two chiefs vrho volunteered to accompany them,

ill

' 1

I In I

i-:.?

■ i Jij' 1

lil

1 il '1

r'1

«8

I.IFH AND TIMEtJ

gave th(>ni t'lo cluvrijig a.ssuraiu;o tliat cic lon,i; they
tiliuuld moot wliiL'-t poojik', autl as eviiloiico, of iho Itu-t
thoy displayod beads uud otiier tiiukcLS of white inami-
liictiiro.

At the mouth ef tlie Koo3-coo.s-kie, ahargo river com-
ing in from the oust, th"'ir SDake gui^le deserted them,
frightened by tlie diflicult y of the luiviguioti. The prin-
cipal portion of llie men of this ban'lof Flatlieads liav-
ing been on ii war party, returned about tiiis time, and
Civme to the camp of tlie wliit 's, but owing to the ab-
Bonce of an interpreter tlicv were uiuibh) to !.avo any in-
formatiot). 'lli^'v \vvv<\ liowcviM", very peaceably dib-
posed, and having received various presents, remained
loitering about the camp. ri'.)vi<ious of a suitable kind
continued very scarce and uiuro horses were shiughtered,
though the natives supplied them with an abunthmcc of
tlieir kind of provision. What horses were left, wer«
got together ami branded in Lhe forlorn hope that they
would be forthcoming on their return; and leaving them
in charge of an old chief of the l-'latheads, they embark-
ed their canoes on tlie bosom of the Columbia.

The operation of Ihitetiing the heads of the young In-
dians, is giveii as follows, by Mr. Gass:

"This singulai aiul defoiming operation is performed
in infancy in the following manner: A piece of board id
placed against the back of the head, extending from tl^e
bhoulders some distance above it; another shorter piece
extends from the eye-brows to the top of the first, and
they are then bound together with thongs or cords, mads
of skins, so as to press back the forehead, make the head
rise at the top, and force it out above the ears."

The country on this portion of the Columbia was bigh,
dry prairie, with scarcely timber enough to furnish fira-

■i ^t

OF PATniCK (lASS.

J»i)

Liie I'lU't
e man li-

ver coin-
ed tlieiii,
'he piiu-
!;uls liav-
mo, and
the ab-
any in-
,ljly dib-
■ciRainoxl
iblc kind
glitei'cd,
idance of
eft, ■\Yer«
hat thev

ng tliem
cmbark-

jiingiu-

:rformed
board is
from tike
er pioce
•st, and
s, madfi
the head

18 high,
ifik fir<3-

wood Willi which to c(»ol<, luit of nvera^o fertility; th«
hills rocky, but not very high, and the stream lapidand
ile;ir, the bottom covered with stones of an uniform round
hhapc. The prevailing food wa:^ now fish and dog-moat;
owing to scarcity of salt, the I'ornuM- was insipid, as well
jis unwholesome, and the num much jjreferred the lat-
ter, wdiich, bays our author, "when well cooked, tastes
very well." Large numbers of dogs, as well as liorse.s,
are kept by the Indians, autl these aniinahs are slaught-
'.;ied and faten witli as much nonch^ilancc as our buteh-
<MH would kill a bullock or a .sheep, and our voyagers
came gradually to prefer dog-meat, to almost any oth-
er kind of provisions the country all'orded.

As they passed down the river, the navigation rapid-
ly impr<jvi'd, and wore it not for the rapids, the Colum-
bia would be a beautiful river, while the country, except
for its uniformity, had quite an attractive appearance.
Hays Mr. Gass: "This river in general is very hand-
some, except at the rapida, where it is risking both life
and property to pass; and even these rapids, when the
bare view or prospect is considered distinct from the ad-
vaAtages of navigation, may add to its beauty, by in-
lerspersing variety and scenes of romantiu granduer,
where there iri eo much uniformity in the appearance oi
the country."

At the mouth of the North West fork of the Coluiu-
bia, called by our party the Great Columbia, the coun-
try all around is level, rich and beautiful, but without
timber. The width of the river at this point, ia 8(30
yards, while the lesser fork, called now Lewis' Kiyer, is
m width, 475 yards. After the confluence, the Colum-
bia becomes a majestic stream, its course interrupted by
frei][ueut rapids, but navigable otherwise for large ves-

'il

'■i

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

mJ/

,V4

^^^

1.0

I.I

■ 45

1^ 1^

2.0

1.8

IL25 i_U 111.6

9'.

Photographic

Sciences

Corpora.tion

2r, WEST MAIN STREET

WSBSTER.N.Y. MSEO

{/M 17'i-4i03

LIFE AND TIMES

sels. Its waters swarm with salmon and other fitjh,
which furnished subsistence to numerous Indians, who
inhabited its banks, but who, as represented by Mr.
Gass, were nearly naked, and in a miserable condition.
In regard to the natives, says the Journal, "there are
three, or part of three, different nations here. They are
almost without clothing, having no covering of any
account, except some deer skin robes and a few leggins
of the same materials. The women have scarce suffi-
cient to cover their nakedness. They appear to be very
shy and distant. On the 19th, a number of the natives
eame to our camp, and our commanding officers presen-
ted one of them with a medal and other small articles.
Wo also passed a great many Indian camps; and halt-
ing opposite a large one, about thirty-six canoe loads
of them came over to see us; some of them remaining
all night; but we could not have much conversation with
them, as we did not understand their language. They
arr* clothed much in the same manner with those at the
forks above. The custom prevails among these Indians
of burying all of the property of the deceased, with the
body. Amongst these savages when any one of them
dies, his baskets, bags, clothing, horses and oiher prop-
erty are all interred: even his canoo is split into pieces
and set up around his grave. Next day, we came to an
Indian camp on the point of a large island, where we
stopped and got some fish and other provisions. We
here saw some articles which showed that white peo-
ple had been here or not far distant during the summer.
They have a hempen seine and some ash paddles which
they did not make them.selves. At 1 o'clock, we pro-
ceeded on again, went forty-two miles, r\nd encamped
without any of the natives being along, which is nnnsual

OF PATRICK GASS.

her fish.

ans, who

by Mr.

ondition.

there are

They are

g of any

V leqgins

rce sufti-

be very

e natives

s presen-

1 articles.

md halt-

loe loads

emaining

P'^H

tion with

• m

e. Thev

>se at the

} Indians

with the

of them

ler prop-

,0 pieces

me to an

^^M

^'here we

IS. We

''^^^1

hite peo-

summer.

es which

we pro-

[icaroped

nnnsual

on this river. We could not get a single stick of wood
to cook with; and had only a few small green willows. —
We continued our voyage, a* id at an early hour came to
the lodges of some of the natives. Here we got some
bread, made of a small white root, which grows in this
part of the country. We saw among them some small
robes made of the skms of grey squirrels, some raccoon
tikins, and acorns, which are signs of a timbered coun-
try not far distant. Having proceeded on again, we
passed several more lodges of Indians; and through two
very rocky rapid parts of the river with great diflficulty.
The next morning was fine, and we saw a great num-
ber of ducks, geese and gulls. At 10 o'clock we came
to a large island, where the river has cut its way through
the point of a high hill. Opposite to this island a large
river comes in on the south side, called by the natives
Sho-sho-ne or Snake-Indian river; and which has large
rapids close to its mouth. This, or the Ki-moo-ce-neira,
is the same river, who? 3 head waters we saw at the Snake
nation. The natives are very numerous on the islands,
and all along the river. Their lodges are of bulrushes
and flags, made into a kind of mats, and formed into a
hut or lodge.'*

On Wednesday, the 2iU October, 1805, they reach-
ed the rapids or great falls of the Columbia, the first
pitch of which is 20 feet perpendicular, being thirty-
seven feet in a distance of twelve hundred. The wa-
ter sometime reaches to a height of forty-eight feet, at
which times, the falls become only a rapids and can be
•afely passed over with boats. At ordinary times, the
channel is only seventy feet wide for some three miles;
*nd the immense mass of water being thus confined,
rushes with almost lightning velocity. About the great

I'll

T.IFR AND TTMrS

: !

])itt'li, tho appoaraiu'c of the place is said to ho fcrritlc
Trmiiendons rocks tlireatcn to topplv3 over with the-
trenihling of theeartlH and the mighty volume of wa-
ter pouring over into so contracted a channel lashes it-
self into foam and furv. The waters seem in torment,
and the hoholder invariahly feels creeping upon him a
sensation of awo aiuf oven of foar, of so indefinable a
nature, that he involuntarily shrinks from the contcm-
2)lation. For a considerable distance from this point
continuous navigation was rendered impossible by sim-
ilar obstructions; and the party was forced to carry their
canoes and loading by land — sometimes for miles at a
stretch, and thus slowly and laboriously, they pursued
their difficult way over this portion of the river. At
length, tho current of the river became more uniform
and they were enabled to make better headw?\y, holding
occasional conferences with tho natives, from whom
they learned that a conspiracy was being formed among
the Indians farther down, to wavlav and exterminate
them; ami subsisting on dog, dried fish, and such other
delicacies as they were able to procure from the Indians,
Occasionally, a deer was killed and brought in by the
hunters, while water fowl was quite abundant. Obvi-
ously, their situation was improving, as they descended
from the inhospitable mountain country into the fortUo
bottom lauds of the Columbia.

Monday, November 4th, opened up fine, clear and
frosty, and the portion of the river they were in, ex-
cited their admiration by its beauty; but more cheering
even than the contrast of such a river, with that over
which they had made such toilsome progress, was the
fact revealed to their vision, that the river rose and foil
with the tide, and the information conveyed by eigne by

T»F FATIUt K OA.sS.

1)3

'ihc Indians, (liat in two more day^^ thoy would see ships .
with white men in tliem. As evidence of tlioir veraci-
ty, they displayed quantities of uinv cloth, and of trin-
kets tlicy had (djtnined from the sliijts, and the despair-
ing mariners of Christopher Columbus, never viewed
with more solicitous curiosity or more heartfelt satis-
faction the lloating evidences of the land they were seek-
ing beyond the western waters, than did our adventu-
rers these sii'ns and svmbtds of a civilization to which
they had been for so many weary months such total
strangers. At length, on the IGth. N«»vcmber, 1805,
they saw for the iirst time the waters of the Pacific. For
some (lavs there had been almostu constant storm, and
the bay at the mouth of the river Avas turbulent and
rorgh; so that their first impression:^ of the great wes-
tern ocean was anything but favorable as to its pacific
character. All tlie reflections, our journalist, who is
as sententious^ as Tacitus, on t^nich subjects, has to make
on an event, which might well be considered an epoch
in an ordinary lifetime, and with a more ambitions au-
thor might have excused some self glorification, are
embodied in the following short quotation, the brevity
of which is only surpassed by its exceeding modesty. —
"We are now at the end of our voyage, which has been
completely accomplished according to the intention of
the expedition, the object of which wac, to discover a
passage by the way of the Missouri and Columbia river«
to the Pacific ocean; notwithstanding the difficulties,
privations and dangers which we had to encounter, en-
dure and surmount,"

There appears to have been very little romance or
«eutiment about any of the party, all such unsubstan-
tial ideas having been starved out by hard, practical

- It

LIFE AND TIMES

1 ?■

experience; as the next intimation wo have of their
jiroceedings, is, that five of them went out to hunt and
returned with so many doer, ducks and goose; while
the balance quietly sat down to wait for Captain Lew-
is, who with some men had gone in quest of the white
people of whom the Indians had informed them hy signs.
The broad Pacific rolled before them in its turbulent
majesty: at their backs, frowned the mountains whoso
fastnesses they had dared and whoso secrets they had
learned: while at their feet, lay a fertile land of bound-
less extent, watered by mighty rivers and in a genial
climate but in unclaimed and savage wildness; but they
threw neither fetters in the sea or planted stakes upon
the land. There was no planting of crosses, no advan-
cing of banners, no ceremonies to commemorate the oc-
casion, such as other explorers had deemed necessary
when a country was to bo wrested by the grace of God
from its natural owners, and transfcrod by a flourish of
paper, burning of gunpowder and sacriligious calling
upon Deity, to his catholic or his protosiant majesty;
but in a plain matter of fact way they went about their
business, seemingly unconscious that they were the pi-
oneers in the greatest Exodus that has ever happened
since Jehovah himself, led his chosen people from the
land of their bondage into a country flowing with milk
and honey.

. Like the Israelites of old, full forty years elapsed
before the fruition of hope; and aU*\lio wanderers, save
one, were in their graves, before the land they discov-
ered became in reality the land of promise. Mr. Gass,
alone'survives, the sole living testimony to a modern
miracle, almost rivalling in its wonderful sequences
the journey through the Red sea and over the desert wil-

^Si.i

OF PATRICK GAS8.

c of tbcu
lunt and
;c; while
in Lew-
he white
by signs,
urbulent
s whoso
]iey had
f hound -
a genial
hut thev
vcs upon
o advan-
the 00-
ecessary
(of God
^urish of
calling
majesty;
)ut their
B the pi-
appened
Vom the
ith milk

elapsed
(I's, save

discov-
r. Gas8,
modern
quenees
jert wil-

'{erness led by the prophet of God. Forty years after
him, a living stream of adventurous men began to pour
into the vallies of California and Oregon; they swarm-
ed over the sterile plains and scaled the mountain
passes, and their sails whitened the bays and harbors of
the coasts. The wild Indian looked on amazed, and
the haunts of the buffalo and griz/ly, echoed with the
shouts of teamsters and the creaking of loaded wains,
as company after company and drove after drove pur-
sued their wearisome way, impelled, as it were, by
tlie liand of Providence, to settle and thus subdue this
modern Canaan. In ten years time, cities, villages and
hamlets sprang up; the Golden .State was organized,
and J; opled with an enterprising, intelligent popula-
tion an ' added to the great confederacy, whose domain
was thu> made continental. C'alifornia, the result of
this grand irruption, although but an infant in years,
has already outstripped some of her older sisters in all
the attributes of greatness — numbers, wealth and intel-
ligence; and other embryo states are knocking for ad-
mission in the mountains of Oregon. Singularly enough,
the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day, in this
modern Exodus, was gold, — gold in the dreams and
gold in the daylig^it visions of the thousands of every
name and clime, who now people the Golden State, or
whiten with their bones the same plains and sierras
skirted and traversed by our adventurous party. It
does seem indeed as though the hand of Providence
were in it. For thousands of years the yellow metal
had reposed, waiting in the sands, the time when all
things conspiring, it should be disclosed to tempt the
cupidity of man, and accomplish in the settlement of
the country the beneficent designs of the Creator. The

1 '

(h;

T.ri'K ANO riMKH

world was alliit poaco, and nn('.\aiiij)li\l prosperity hov-
r'rt'd over all i\w nutioiiN of 'he. lulli. ( ■oTnitn'ri-iul rn-

)l('.st, tl«'Vt'l(

a 111

torpnscwfts lu its amplest, tIrvtIopiiuMit, iiiid inc K]nrii
of Kpoculiition was rit"«^ in evcrv laii'l iVopIc worn just
ready for sticli a discovtMy ol' irol'l. I !i<. disclosuro
i»rok(? upon them liko tlic news ofu piuiic, .-ill listenod,
nil bolic^M'd — few rofiiH'tcd — ;nid iiiiiny vciturod. —
Scar('(!l y a nation «»n llu^'artii, luit uus soon icproscn-
t«Ml in ('j\lit'(M-uin. Nativos of llic I'l l(>sliul I'lnipiro lan-
ded from thoir jntiks; hai'lturoiis islanders from llio ['a
t'ilic; Africans', Asiatit's, iMirofX'aiis, and Arnoricans,
all conceutratotl n|)(Hi lior shores in the ii.sh after the
e;older. pri/.o. 'The se«]n(d has denK)nslratoil, it is trut,-.
lliat all is not mdd that y^litters. hut has proNcn in tht*
I'ar Rearehinj;' providenee ol" ( Jod ii u oild-wide Idessiri;;',

Of all this strand dcvelo|iinent, oiir jiarty had no itlea,
find probably had a y>roph(;t risen iVom his «;!avo to re-
veal the future, they would have treated him with in-
( rcdnlous scorn. Such is shorl si'^hled man, with nil
his knowled|;e, ill his .sauacity, all his courjv.m; and hi;*
[)rido.

The whites referred to by the I/idians luul departed
shortly before they arrived, leavinj^ them and the In-
dians sole monarehs of the domain. Capt. Lewis dis-
covered where they had encam|'/ed, but our author gives
US no information as to the nation or character of the
ships, referred to, thoui;h nK»re than probable they Avere
Yankee whaleri;, who iuul put in here for u little dicker
with the Indians during the trading season.

Having reached the mouth of ^tlic Columbia, after
traversing over four thousand miles, of unexplored wil-
derness, and expending eighteen consecutive months in
the operation, it became advisable to take measures i'o,\

or r.\Tlll< h (lAHH

)rity liov-
KTcIul c.n-
tlui Hpirit

wrro just
lisclosuro

liHtcuicil,
. tiirod. —
roprc'scn-
ii{)ire liin-
n llio I 'a
inoriciiiiK.

ul'tor the
it is triu.'.
,vn in tlie

lilossin-^.
I no [den,
fU'o to ro-
, u'illi ill-
, with nil

e uiul his

departed
the Tn-
cwirt (lis-
lor jjfives
or of tin;
hoy wo IV
lo diokei

ia, after
ored wil-
louths in
siirob foi-

spoiulinp tlio winl<;r soasoii ns ooiiiroi taltly ns poesihlo,
hcforo coimnfiMiiiL,' their rotiini in tiio spring. Novom-
hor was far advaiifod ainl iht; inricasing inch'nuincy of
the weather, Wiirncd iIkmii to he on llie alcit. During a
n\ontii spent al lie- mouth <»ft hit ( 'oliinihia, reuonnoitor-
iiig the eounlis , t hey ex peiifiiecil ciily throo fair days
and it was not uilil th(> .')lii. ■ f l)ei-einh«'r, LSllT), th(!y
were ahh*. to jdleh u|ion a spoi that suited tlieir purpose;
and lljey immediately proceeded to uiovv. their orfeetH to
th(! [ihiee, a diMtame of some 'itter'n miles up ^a snuill
hraneli comini,^ iuii» the hay, wiiero they found gamo in
eonsiderahhi ahundanr(>, and the I'aeiiitios for making
Halt, i)f whiidi they stood greatly in need. J'^IU were
seen in large! numlnMs, und (|uile a iiiimher W(>re killed
hv the liuntors of the pari v. Uv Christmas dav, tlieir
winter quarters \N('i-e completed, heing nuide of j>un-
ehoons and logs eomfortahly datdiod with mud, and the
men lelt their hunting eau^) and moved into thorn. On
( 'iiristmas morning all the mi-n parad(!d, andliringa
lound of .•<mall arms, wished the commanding ofHoors
a merry (.'hristnuis. This api)f'ars to have been a kind
of superogatory wish, as our author intimates that the
articde with wliich to 7n(d'c mcrnj tiie lioart of man had
Utng since vanished, hut the ol'lioors in the true spirit
of courtesy accei»tcd the will 'for the deed, and in lieu
of grog, collected what tohaoco was left, and divided
it among those who used the weed, by way of (Jhristmaa
gift; while those who did not, lunl to solace themselves
with cotton handkerchiefs. The party were now all in
excellent health; with plenty of moat, and generally
well provided for, except that they had no salt, owing
to the want of which, a great deal of their meat was
8])oiIed. Although in so northern a latitude and at so

LIFE AND TIMES

I I

II :

late a season, the weather still continued warm enough'
to allow ticks, tlies, and odier insects to exist in annoy-
ing abundance, and it was almost unintcrmittingly rai-
ny. January and February, wore away, with nothing
remarkable to disturb the monotony of killing elk, ma-
king salt and preserving the moat, unless the incident
of a dead whale 105 feet in length, washed upon the
beach, bo considered of sufticient importance to bear
narration. This state of attairs, continued until about
the 1st of March, when it was determined that they
should set out on their return to tlio states. It may be
supposed that this determination was viewed with an
unanimous approval and that visions of welcome home
by friends, I'Indrod and sweethearts, and of that lion-
orable estimation for daring and perseverence, so dear
to ambitious and adventurous characters, and that
prompts men to seek the bubble even at the cannon's
niA'ifV. warmed the hearts of our travellers into some-
th) f a glow as they again took the trail for the far
country away to the east of the mountain ranges on the
farther slope of the continent. It is natural to imag-
ine that men under such circumstances would indulge
in some such visions, and we will credit them witli
enough of common human sympathy to suppose such a
case, but strict historic truth warrants no such a pleas-
ant fiction from anything found in tlie pages of our au-
ihor. Long acquaintance with Indian habits had ap-
parently induced a stoic pride, which forbade manifesta-
tion of feeling by words; and the page is as destitute
of reflection, gratulation or of any cxliibition of human
feeling, in any shape, as the rocky slopes of the savage
mountains were of cheering verdure. We have the
naked record, that without any particular stir, they left

OF PATRICK OA83.

tlioir pncampniont al)Out tlio 1st. of Mfirdi l^OG, nnd
journeyed by slow and irrejj^ular stai^os up the (Colum-
bia river. The journey up this river ia meac^re of inci-
dent — being merely a ropofition of what occurred du-
ring the descent. They subsisted on game, which they
found in abundance; and on the dog moat, with wliicli
the Inilians abundantly supplied then. 'Iheir long de-
privation from the luxuries of civili/cd life, hutl had its
effect upon their physical as well as their mental and
social nature, and the food which wonhi revolt the
stomach of the pampered dwellers in onr land of caso
.«jnd plenty had become to them not only nourishing but
savory. It is curious to observe the etiCect of circum-
Rtances upon the tastes and characters of men, and the
result of the observation will be that man of all living
animals possesses not only the most pliable of constitu-
tions, enabling him to surmount all hardships and pri-
vations; but that his very nature can be so changed and
made to conform to the features of the surrounding cir-
cumstances, that he may become in time radically dis-
tinct from his blood kindred. Thus it is, that the va-
rious races of men have increased upon th(? earth, which,
philosophers for the lack of a better phrase have de-
nominated varieties; and liencc, in the various Indian
tribes of the American continent, amounting to 8omo
hun(ired, no two are so similar but that they may be easi-
ly distinguished by physical marks, which every Indi-
an could recogni.se. In fact the trappers and hunters
of the western prairies become themselves a species of
red-men, not larthcr removed in appearance, habits and
speech from the true Indian type, than from the white
stock from which they spring. Time and circumstan-
ces we have reason to believe, would make them and

' i;

ill

«.''ii
t

100

MFK A\D TIMES

j : Iji, i

tlieirdcsctMitliints as much Indiiiii as the Camanchcs or
Fhit-lii'iulH jimoii^' whom tlicy exist.

About till! Falls of tlio (.'ohunhia, the crossing of
which was oll'cctcd without any particular incident, Mr.
(hiss s\Miii\s.< of observing' on the plains a "»pccie8 of
clover as 1jii;^(! as any ho had seen in ihc States, and
bearing a largo rod hlos>!om." Tin! leaves, lie Hnys,
wore not <iuite so largo as ihosc of th'; nid clover of the
States, but more abundant, being from six to eight on a
branch, whereas the latter has hut three, lie speaks in
Ijigh torms of tho a|)pearanco of the country in this vi-
cinity, nnder tho genial intluenoe of tho spring's alter-
nate sun ami showers, in tho distance to the southwest,
was' to bo seen a range of snow clad mountains, glittcf-
ing in the sunlight, a sad reminder of tho diflicultiea
thev were vet to ftucountor, while at their feet was a soft
emerald swanl, bedecked with gay llowers, and gatlier-
ing additional beauty from tho contrast. They Imlted
at this pleasant spot for some little space, and wore en-
tertained with a grand dance by the Indians, who flocked
to see them from all qnarlers. After procuring a snp-
ply of dogs, with comas roots and shai)-pa-]eel for pro-
visions, on the 1st ot May they resumed their line of
march toward the east, fleeting with considerable dif-
licnlty in procnring a proper snpply of eatables, they
travelled up the Columbia, passing the junction of the
Kooscoos-kie, on the OthofM.ay, 1800, and recovering
on their route, several of tho horses, which they had left
in the care of tho old Indian, on their way over; and
which were punctually returned, and acting as physi-
cians for tho Indians, who had as high an estimate of the
white man's sliill in medicine, as modern pill venders
have of the efficacy of Indian remedies — and generally

S'^a

OF PATIUCK nAS8.

101

roniloriiip tlieiii ,olvps ngiTcalde to the nativrs — which
was lowardod hy many kind oflioes on th«» part of tlicsa
lattor. Mr. Gass' ways that "all the Indians from th<'
Rocky Mountains to the Falls of the Cohnnbia, are an
liouest, ingenuous and well disposed people; but from
the Falls to the sea coast, and aloni,' it, they aiea rascal-
ly thieving set." Chastity in his oj)iniou, teiMns to have
hoen considered a virtue among none of tiie tribes. —
As they ascended the slope of the mountains they ex-
perienced consideraldc dilliculty from the snow which
Uioy found several inches deep and still occasionully
falling and provisions very scarce, so that t'.i\v wer«
frequently obliged to kill and eat their beas' • of burden
as well as doif-meat and roots, Tliey therefore acting
under the advice of the Indians, concluded to delay a
short while, during wi»ich time the snow might become
sullicientlv melted to allow of crossing the MountainK.
The time here was improved by the hunters in procurinjf
meat; and by the olliccrs in the practice of the heiling
art among ih*; Indians, numbers of whom were brought
by their friends fur the benelit of their st^rvi'.'es. On the
15th. they left this place, called the "Commas-flat," the
lirst place where they had found any of tho natives, tha
fall before, after crossing the mountains; and which, is
represented to contain about 2000 acres of land, covered
at that time with strawberries in blossom and Burrotmd-
ed with excellent pine timber of various kinds. Thoy
had now sixty-^ix horses all in good order and were a-
gain tolerably well stocked with provisions. They found
iho snow in the mountains varying from five to fifteen
feet deep, cotircly obliterating any track and rendering
it dangerous as well as impracticable to proceed with-
out a guide. In this emergency, they wero forced to

,^i

'ill > I

. f ,'i

nil

1 :

T'ti

;10ii

MFK ANI» TIMKS

\{\v\\ lijick, disMpjxiiiitcd uiul inclnnclioly. Notwith
hljiMiiiii.i; (lie SHOW in such troultlcsdtim proximity, tlio
tnos(jui((»s ami jj^iuits wmmp cxtriMiu'ly iiimoyinjjf, comp*'!-
lin^ (Ikmu l(» built! simill tiros to pr(»t(H't llio Iiofhch IVoni
(luMr iittat ks.

A' length. »)H tln> Isl. iliily, iSOt), tlwy luid pnKsnl
tho more tlil^icii!! p(n tion uf (licir Kuitc, crosHin^^ thr
nu)unt;\ins, ;ui'l IuiIIimI lo ir-1 ul tlu' njoulli of ( 'iurkc'fi
livor. The ptuty. was Ikmc scparat.tMl; u part, goirig up
this river, witi» Captain ("larke; our hero nmlor thij
connnanti ut" Captain Jiewis, with severul otlierw liav-
inii; to go Nttaight airoHH to the ImiIIh of the Missouri,
whoro tlu'V ha«l left some eanoes. On tlu5 JJnl. tfuly,
they stftrted — Captain Clarke uji tho river and liGwis
an«l his jiarty, witli the uccoinpanyin^ nativ(^n, (h)\vn. —
They liere dismissed their guides with m..*iy prosentB,
and Mr. (Jass, again highly complinumtH the.so Indians,
■ns "liospitablo, obliging, and good hearted Hons of tisc
West."

After wandering around through the broken country
Ivimr between tho waters of the (ndumbia and tho Miss-
oiui, our explorers on the 7th, eatuo u[)on tho dividing
ridgo whieh finally Heparated them; and starting from a
mountain s^^ring, they followed its course, day after day,
until on the 11th. they Ktruelv the main river near the
ficene of th»ir oncampment tho winter before. A few
days were spent at this point in looking up their bag-
gage and bouts coucealeil previouH to crossing toward
the west; and Buffalo and otlu'r game being very abun-
dant it was considered advi^able lor the larger portiou
of the party to remain and lay in a stock of provisions;
aod make such arrangements as might be advisable
previous to attempting tlic descent of the Missouri;

Of rATUl<;K (»AH«.

lO.'i

L>t' ('lurk<''f<

t K<>i"K "I»
iiiiilor tliM
tliorH hftv
i< MiKstMiri,
JJril. tluly,
and Lewis
IS, down. —
,y pro8(Mit8,
se Indiuns,
Hon8 of the

;on country
I the Miss-

10 dividing
ing from a

y after day,

^er near the
A few

whilfl Captain TiOvvJH, witli tlirnn IiiintnrH wonid aRcond
and cxplorotho Hoction of (;oiintry, lyinj^ on Maria'Hrivor.

llin inHtrnrtioMs wor(! to await Imh rfitiirn at the month
of Maria'H river, until tin; Iwt of SopttMnhnr, at which
titiK' Khon'd hi" n«>t arrivr, they wvvc t<» procccjd on to
jf»in(!af»t. ( 'larko at th(Mii'»Mlh <A' Vrllow Hton<', and
rontiniK! thcrM'o homeward; i>iit ho informed them, tliat
if 'Mife and heaifli he spared, h»' would intM^t them at
the month of iMaria's Itiver on the Titli of An),;iiKt." —
Tho Captain departed on liin Mn(;ertain niinhion, and
out fiero and the lar^fM' j>ortion of tlie ]»arty rernaim^d
in camp, o('en[>i«vl in himtiriL,' arid repairs. The hear«
were had andono oeeasion, ('ajit. Ijowis camo into 8ueh
close quarters witli one, that he hrrdco his gun over hru-
in'H head, and while the animal waH recovering from
the KJioek, found oj)[U)rtunity to climh 4 tre(;, wfierethe
animal hosiegeci him f(;r three nioi tal hourw. However,
hruin'fl patience at length gHV(! way, and the Captain,
duly thankful for his safe deliverance, descended and
caught his horse;, which l»y the way had taken fright
and thrown him almost into the teeth of the bear, about
two miles off, and made the best of his way to camp.

Hunday the 27th, found the pirty duly provided with
provisions and (^onvcyancos at the mouth of Maria'n
river, and quite unexpectedly they met Capt. Lewis,
with his three hunters, who had had a skirmish with a
party of (irosventrc, or big-l;elly hidians. They ha<l
encounte'-'^d tho party, who af)pearcd very friendly, ex-
changed presents and passed the night with them {)eace-
ably enough; but the next moining, they Huddealy
Kna tchcJ up the guns of three of the whites, and made
off with them, the whites followed, and one of the In-
tliani was killed by a stab with a knife, and another

i^lif

104

LIFE ANlJ T1ML8

mortally wounded by a shot, tlio nliitos escaping un-
harmed and recovering uU their arms, besides coming
into possession of a number of horses, which the Indians
abandoned in their llight. The experience, however,
satisfied the party as to the exploration of Maria's riv-
er, and making all haste toward the moiitli, they reach-
ed it at about the same time the main party arrived, ac
cording to appointment.

On the 2Dth of .hily, having perfected all their ar-
rangements, they turned their horses loose on the plains
to take care of themselves, and embarked in their ca-
noes to descend the Missouri. The river being high
and rapid, their descent was rapid, and comparatively
without adventure, beyond the occasional killing of a
bear, and the ordinary incidents of hunting experience.

On the 7th, arriviuLr at the mouth of Yellowstone,
the appointed rendezvous with Capt. Clarke, they dis-
covered that he had gone some time before, and left no
trace, except some few words written in the sand, sta-
ting that he had gone a few miles farther down. They
folhjwed, passed several of his camps in succession, and
on the 12th, overtook him and his party, all in good
health and spirits, and piously ejaculates our hero, —
"thank God, we are all together again." Their jour-
ney was now drawing to a close, after having endured
hardships and uncertainties ot an expedition unexam-
pled for the length of time occupied, the territory trav-
erbodandthe successful prosecution of the same, they
had at last all got again together, and were speeding
with light hearts and glad anticipations toward their
own yet distant homes. No further difiSculties need
be anticipated, and a very few days woufd again enable
I hem to see the welcome faces of white men and resums

OF PATRICK OA88.

105

- (

the almost forgotten customs of civilized life. Already
the vanguards of the white man were around them, and
laily they passed or overtook trappers who were follow-
ing their vocation among the Indians of the Missouri,
and from tliem chey received their first news, albeit,
a twelvemonth old, of the occurrences, the changes and
revolutions that had occurred during their protracted
exile.

Among all their privations, none seem to have af-
focted them worse than that of tobacco, and according-
ly the opportunity to exchange a boat load of corn witii
a St. Louis trader for a supply of the comforting weed,
was a source of exceeding juy, and thought worthy of
commemoration in Mr. Gass' JournaL Their first call
was for tobacco. Say what we will, about the folly or
the evils of the use of this article, there is certainly a
charm about it, which to properly appreciate, one must
submit to a long deprivation. Alike to the sailor, the
•oldier, the traveller, the trapper, as well as to the man
of more steady habits in settled life; it is a comfort in
fatigue, a stand-by in distress; and a promoter of good
will, a peace maker in argument, and a friend in all
emergencies, especially those requiring a quick intel-
lect, a cool head and a resolute will. From another
St. Louis trader they procured a supply of Monongehela
whiskey, the first spiritous liquor th«y had tasted since
the 4th of July 1805, just previous to undertaking the
eastern ascent of the Rocky Mountains.

From this time until tlie 23d of September, when
they arrived safely at St. Louis, nothing particular oc-
curred, unless the meeting of a trading company com-
missioned by the government, to make enquiry concer-
aing their whereabouta, be considered noteworty. Their

106

LIFT. AND TIMES

\ 'm

long absence bad somewbat disquieted tbeir friends at
borne; and tbe government were about taking measures
to enquire as to tbeir welfare, wben very opportunely,
tbey met tbe messengcrH, and in tbe most satisfactory
manner relieved tbem of all disquietude. On arriving
at St. Louis, tben, the rendezvous of tbe Indians and of
tbe bronzed and bearded trappers of tbe nortbwest, for
tbe purpose of trade and procuring supplies, tboy were
of course tbe lions of tbe day. Their appearance, tan-
ned and grizzled; hair and beards uncut, unkempt; at-
tired in leathern suits or garments of skin, and adorn-
ed with Indian ornaments, was sufficiently outlandish
to excite remark even in that theatre of outlandish cos-
tume; but the intelligent account they could give of
tbe country they had traversed, tbe superstitions and
exagerations they dispelled in regard to tbe customs
and numbers of tbe Indian tribes, tbe specimens tbey
brought home with them of tbe animal and vegetable
products of tbe country, gave them an importance, lea-
ving out of the question their official character, that se-
cpred them the highest respect. Tbe commanding of-
ficers bad kept Journals of tbe details of the expedition,
which were published at great expense by the govern-
ment, and copies presented to foreign governments as
great accessions to the knowledge of mankind; while
the more intelligent of the men were also enjoined to
keep & record of events, so that in case of accident tbe
chances of an authentic account of tbe expedition, might
be increased. A«:ting upon this direction, Mr. Gass,
kept a diary of events, which was afterwards arranged
for the press by a Mr. David McKeehan, and pnblisb-
cd at Pittsburgh in 1807. From this work, which at
the publisher informs us, was but very slightly altered,

«J:

OF PATRICK f;A88.

lo:

friends n(
g mcasure.H
tportuncly,
latisfactory
•n arrivin^r
ians and of
tliwest, for
, thoy were
ranee, tan-
kcmpt; at-
ind adorn -
ontlandisli
andisli cos-
Id give of
titions and
he customR
mens they
1 vegetable
rtancc, Ica-
er, that se-
landing of-
jxpedition,
he govern -
rnments a.^
:ind; whilo
enjoined to
ceidont the
bion, might
Mr. Gasa,
8 arranged
id pnblish-
:, which ai
tly alt^.red.

^'ithc.' in verbiage or arrangement from the original, w«
liavo drawn largely in the preceding pages, culling the
loading facts, condensing the material portions, and ad-
ding incidents and reflections on subscfpient occurren-
ces, to suit the taste of the modern and desultory rea-
der of such travels. The original, gives evidence of
rlose observation and of much shrewdness of reasoning,
ft is, w^e believe, strictly and conscientiously accurate,
tor contrary to the received aphorism in regard to trav-
ellers tales, we have never perused a work so devoid of
tiie imaginative or where was manifested so little de-
sire to garnish plain prose with poetic tinsel. All is
plain unpretending matter )f fact, just such notings a«
a mathematician might make in a scientific traverse of
the land. We see the adventurers just |as they were,
and with rare modesty, the author, although we have
authority for saying that he was one of the most useful,
efficient and intelligent men of the party, is kept strict-
ly in the back ground, or if mentioned at all, it ^ only
incidentally and in connection with some special party
of which he was a member. This is always to be con-
sidered a characteristic of true merit, and has usnallr
attached to those men wlio have most distinguished
themselves for sterling qualities. There is a foppish-
ness about some great men even in the 'article of mod-
esty, which shines through its flimsy disguise, in spile
of all their efforti;; but with others, there is a real nn-
aflfected naturalness of demeanor, that we instinctively
recognise and appreciate. Cajsar, in his commenta-
ries is a sample of the former; while Washington, m
his whole career is a specimen of the latter. CaeMr,
by an affected translation of personalty, transfered
himself into the third person, and told most marvel-

108

LIFE AND TIME 9^

lous stories in a plain way, of which he is always the-
hero, in vini, vidi, vici style; while Washington left
his history to posterity and was scrupulously exact in
all his official narrations, scarcely seeming to regard
Jiiinself as an agent, but still leaving impressed upon
the mind of the reader, the conviction that he is the mo-
ving spirit. We do not wish to institute a compari-
son betwe<3n our hero, and those illustrious characters;
but his character in its indomitable will, great self reli-
ance, calm courage and unaffected modesty, was more of
the ximerican than of the Roman mould. All these
characteristics are strikingly apparent in his career, as
sot forth in the unpretending pages of his Journal;
and in his subsequent life, he followed the bent of the
same inclinations.

•' Remaining at St. Louis but a few days to receive
and enjoy their honors, and the hospitality of the citi-
zens, the party proceeded east to make report and ob-
tain their discharge. Mr. Gass, travelled by land to
Vincennes, Indiana, and awaited there the arrival of
Messrs. Lewis and Clarke, who followed with a depu-
tation of Indians from the plains, among them a chief
named Big White, whom Mr. Gass calls the best look-
ing Indian he ever saw, which, they were conducting
to Washington City, for the purpose of demonstrating
to them by observation the overwhelming power of the
United States and the uselessness of hostility on the
part of the Indian tribes in case of any dissatisfaction
with the government on their part. The lesson was
designed to teach them prudence, and as the wild sons
of the prairie, journeying through the land of the pale-
faces, dwelt upon their cities and villages, and noted
Uie number of the whites, the great resources of the ua-

always the-
lington left
3ly exact in
; to regard
essed upon
e is the mo-
a compari-
cbaracters;
at self reli-
vas more of
All these
.8 career, as
is Journal;
)ent of the

to receive
Df the citi-
rt and ob-
by land to
arrival of
th a depu-
em a chief
best look-
onducting
onstrating
wer of the
ity on the
atisfaction
esson was
wild sons
f the pale-
md noted
of the ua-

m
m

I
J

OF PATRICK GABS.

109

tion for pcaoc or war, and looked with admiring won-
der upon the long rows of stately houses, the heaps of
glittering goods, the public ediiices, fortifications and
shipping, so striking to their unaccustomed eyes, the
conviction of the white man's power forced itself upon
their minds, mingled with prophetic forewarning« of tlu^
red man'y fate. Tlicy looked on with a sullen and
stoic indifference, but not a sight or a motion escaped
their gaze. Their observations, doubtless, have had
their effect in determining the conduct of their wild
brethren of the West.

The commanding officers, having changed their route
of travel, Mr. Uass, with a couple of companions, pro-
ceeded to join them at Louisville, Kentucky. Among
the Kentuckians, they were received Avith the highest
honor, citizens of all classes exerting themselves to make
their sojourn among them as pleasant as possible. —
Among the entertainments, here, in their hoior, was a
grand fancy ball, which they all attended; their Indian
companions tricked out in all their savage finery, with
necklaces of white bears claws, brilliant brass medals
and gorgeous plumage and painting. The curiosity of
the whites was excited to the highest pitch, not only to
sec the members of the party but to inspect the curiosi-
ties they carried with them as trophies. Through the
vhole route they were the objects of marked attention;
and as they came into the more settled portions of the
states, their progress almost resembled a civic triumph.
It may be said, that Lewis <fe Clark united the Atlantic
and the Pacific, as Cyrus W. Field, did continents, in
the bonds of science; and the latter achievement was
not accompanied with more laudations than the former.
They at last reached the Federal City, and after paying

"i'l

110

MPK AND TTMES

»'i

, I

•i '

V^V?'

thoir icspocts to Proaident Jefferson, making their re-
port to the proper officials, delivering over their speci-
mons and curiosities they were discharged with a vote
of thanks and a worthy acknowledgement of their mer-
itorious services.

Mr. Gass received his pay in gold, with the promise
of future consideration at the hands of the countrv, and
set about enjoying it at his leisure; and during the next
few months of his career, we have no information of
his proceedings except that ho returned to his friendi
in the vicinity of Wellsburg, and spent a few montlu
in comparative inactivity.

Of the subsequent history of his commanders, Cap-
tains Lewis and Clarke, we have but a meagre detail,
and still loss of that of his companions in the ranks. —
The ofticers were both men of more than ordinary abil-
ity and qualifications, and afterwards attained to very
respectable public station. Lewis was appointed very
shortly after his return in 1806, Governor of Louisiana
territory, aij some acknowlodgement of his merit, and
convpensation for his services. In this capacity ho ac-
ted for some time, but unfortunately a misunderstand-
ing arose between him and the government in regard to
the settlement of his public accounts. Ho was the very
soul of honor and of unimpeachable integrity, and the
implied imputation, dwelt too heavily upon his
proud and sensitive spirit. He started to Washington
City for an explanation, but never reached his desti-
nation. In company with another man he travelled tho
old route followed by the boatmen at that day, through
the Indian country; and having reached a small cabin
occupied by a man named Grinders, as a kind of tavern
for travellers, just within the Chickasaw uation» neac

OF PATRICK OARS.

Ill

rc-

tlic Tennessee line, and between twenty-five and thirty
miles of Nashville, hia man left him to go in search of
a horse that had strayed. During his absence after the
horse, Lewis shot himself twice with a pistol, and this
failing to effect his purpoao, he killed himself by cut-
ting his throat with a knifo. No one saw him com-
mit the act, but some of the family afterwards reported
that they bad observed indications that his mind was
affoeted on the morning of his death. His body was
buried at the corner of the cabin, and for a long time
after, the spot was remembered by the adventurous tra-
ilers who passed that way, between New Orleans and
the upper country.

Thus was ushered into eternity a brave and chival-
rous spirit, goaded to desperation by the chafing of
wounded honor. His untimely death was universally
regretted. Who can describe the poignant anguish that
could have impelled such a man into the commission of
such an act — an act from which the mind recoils with
instinctive horror. Peace be to his memory. The
great Arbiter of all be the judge of his motives, as Ho
ulonc must be the dispenser of his deserts in the land of
the dread imknown, into which, all unannounced, his
own rash hand ushered his living soul. It is enough
fi)r t^'.e historian to say that he died with the cloud up-
<.'U his memory; and while he records his fate w^ith u
careful pen, he would ask of the world its most chari-
table judgment. The charges against him were hushed,
communities and states vied to do him honor, and the
Legislature of Tennessee, his adopted State, to mani-
fest an appreciation of what was high and noble in his
character and services, ordered a monument to be cree-
led to his memory at the State's expense.

I ft

^'1

■

■■ ,i

',■>' •

f;;

! ' '■

•

112

LIFE IND TIMES

His nssoeiato Clarke, received tlio title of General,
ami ill 1S13, just at the comincucomoiit of the war, re-
roivod an appointment an (rovernor of Missouri terri-
tory and SuporinttMident of Indian alfairs, an oftice of
i^reat responsibility and importance in view of the im-
pending war, and of the evinced determination of the
Dritish (rovernment to array aj^^ainst us the horrors of
Indian warfare. His selection for such a post is an in-
dubitable proof of his standing. Jte continued to hold
these oflices with acceptability throughout the war, and
until the admission of Missouri as a State in 1820. —
In 1822, he was again appointed Superintendant of In-
dian affairs, and held the oflice for many years afterwards.
In the mean time he had married, and had his resi-
dence at St. Louis, where he raised a family and died
in 1838. His remains were followed to tlic grave by an
immense concourse of citizens, Ktrangera and Indians
from the plains and mountains, and is said to have been
the largest funeral ever witnessed in St. Tjouis.

The results of Lewis and Clarke's expedition have be-
come matter of history: their contributions to science,
having now been merged in the great mass of the intel-
ligence of the country. They all have gone to their last
account except the subject of our memoir — who yet lin-
gers, tough and gnarled by time, on the verge of that
great wilderness he must soon in the order of things be
called to explore, in the world to come. If the forego-
ing pages shall serve to stimulate somo one, to emulate
his patriotism or excite one generous glow of admira-
tion of his unselfish character, in the bosom of a single
reader; of his untiring zeal in the discharge of duty, his
modest deportment under all eircuinstances, or of his in-
domitable will, the object of the writer will have been in

OF PATRICK GAflS.

113

tlit^t much ftttftincd. Wo nro now drawiu!^ to tho close
oftho most importunt om in liis lifr, ami after n few
desultory remarks upon the modern aspeet and history
of tho scene of his travels, wo shall pro9eod to narrate
his Rubsequent career.

Tho route traversed hy^them, has never boon of much
practical advantage as a means of communication be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific, being too far to the
north, and much more available passes through tho
Mountaiiis hav^'o since been discovered; but their success,
detnonstratcd the practicabdity of a passage and served
to stimulate subsequent explorers. The Rocky Moun-
tains since their time have lost mucii of their terror. —
Tho routo travelled by the emigrants to Cnlifornia and
Oregon, by way of the Platte and Kansas rivers, Salt
Lake city, I>ridger's Fort and the South Pass on to the
waters of the Sacramento and the Columbia, is of very
gentle ascent; and presents no greater dilHculty than do
somo of the routes over tho Allegheny Mountains, that
arc now traversed by roads and railways. Tho South
Pass, so much used by those omigrHuts is not far from
tho crossing placo of Lewis and Clarke, they having
just missed it by keeping too far to the north. Near it,
is Fremonts Peak, PiOU feet in height. Tho Pass ac-
tually discovered by them is barely practicable and never
used. It was not t.atil the discovery of gold in Cali-
fornia thai attention v/as directed, in earnest, toward
this portion of the world; but in a very short timo after
that event, tho whole region was thoroughly explored. —
Tho voyage by sea was both costly and dangflrous and
it became necessary to find some available route by land.
Private enterprise and thirst for sudden wealth soon ef-
fected it; the wave of emigration swooping up to tho

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114

LIFE AND TIMES

baso of the Rocky Mountains soon found its level and
iollowing up the vallies and gorges of the mountains
trickled through their fastnesses in many a winding
stream, until gradually it settled into the well defined
channel that is now almost as well known and as well
worn as is any thoroughfare in the states.

A new impetus was given to the spirit of discovcr-
ry in these regions on the developenicnt of the magnifi-
oent scheme of the Pacific Rail-road. The merit of origi-
nating this idea, is generally attributed to Mr. Whit-
ney, of New York, who in 1844, lirst definitely broach-
ed it before congress. His idea was to connect the val-
ley of the Mississippi with the Sacramento, the Co-
lumbia or the Colorado, by means of a railroad accord-
ing as the most available route might be found; the ex-
pense of making the road to be defrayed by appropria-
ting to contractors alternate sections of the public lauds
on either side of the road. The plausibility of such a
scheme may be seen at a glanoc, but it was a gigantic
undertaking; and its possibility even, had not yet been
reliably demonstrated. Hon. Th os. IJ. Benton, early
became a patron of the project, and gradually it forced
itself upon the attention of Congress and the public. —
Whitney, himself, was an enthusiast in the cause, and
just at that period, railroad speculation was at its height
throughout all the States of the Union. Able and vo-
luminous reports and speeches were made on the subject
of the feasibility of the Pacific Railroad — it forced itself
inio the messages of the l*rosidents — and into the are-
na of politics, and apparently the dream of its projector
was about to be realized. Foreign capilalists embraced
the scheme, ami promised their assistance to effect its
consumation. The brilliant bcrvices and favorable re-

stfte-s^ -'

OF PATRICK GAS3.

115

ports of Fremont, who was engaged during 1845 to
1850 in a semi oftlcial capacity in exploring the country,
contributed to heigliten the feeling in favor of the road,
and demonstrate its practicability. A damper, howev-
er, was put upon his representations in the winter of
1848-9. Allured by the tempting openings as descried
I'rora a distance in thu Sierra Nevadas, lie was with his
party caught in a snow storm in the mounlains, and
"barely escaped with his own life, leaving some of Ins
comrades and all his animals and dfects victims to tlio
frost and snow The celebrated Christopher Carson,
was a companion and guide of Fremont's during these
explorations and by his indomitable energy and great
sagficity rendered himself equally conspicuous with his
superior in command. This misfortune, which happen-
ed to the south-west of the great Salt Lake, and near
the line of travel to San Francisco, only seemed, how-
ever, to attract attention to the country. The Mormons,
driven from their homes in Illinois and Missouri
about this tinus were founding their State of Descret;
^vIth Salt Lake City for a capital and a bee-hive for
their coat of arms. In all quarters of the States and iu
the old world, I hey listened to the voice of their proph-
et, and pouring into their new found city of rest, ho[)ed
to build up there, a peculiar nntion sacred from gentil-)
intrusion. The Mormon settlement at Salt Lake City
Idled up rapidly with the deluded followers of Brigham
Young- -Grovernor, by the grace of Millard Filmorc;
and head of the church of Mormon by direct succession.
Difficulties after a while arose, however, between tlni
Mormons and the (Jentilos, the country was too narrow
for both to live in. Mutual bigotry, begot mutual ha-
tred; and the State of Deseret threatened to set up an in-

IIG

LIFE A?iD TIMES

ll' r

dependent Sovereignty in the Utah country. Popular
clamor in the States demanded that this presumption
should be punished and curbed, and the U. S. Govern-
ment dispatched a formidable force under Gen. Harney
to ciiastise them if need be, into subjection — Pcrsifor
V. Smith, commanding the Western department. In the
summer of 1857, tlie army took up its line of march; but
as thoy approached the confines of Mormondom, they
wore met with the white flag of peace, and though the
difliculty is not yet arranged, it is not probable that any
serious consequences will result from the Mormon war.
The settlement at Salt Lake, even in its infancy, was
regarded as aneucleus, or rather as a point of departure
ior tlioso interested in the Railroad enterprise, and was
liailod as a fortunate event, being about equi-distant
from the two extremities of the road, and near what
was supposed to be the most eligible line. The ques-
tion of a route, however, was yet in the dark, and
l)romised to be the rock upon which the entire enter-
prise would split, unless managed with great prudence
and circumspection. It Avas determined to have all
such questions detinitely settled by authority. Accor-
dingly on the 3rd. March, 1853, Congress ordered to
be made a series of explorations for the purpose of as-
certaining the best and most economical route for such
a railroad as was contemplated. The U. S. Topograph-
ical cov[)S was called upon, and ditferent surveying com-
panies organized under command of Captain Pope, Cap-
tain Gunnison, Lieut. Whipple, Lieut. Lar Nr, and
others to the number of some half dozen, and put upon
the duty of a thorough and complete exploration. Belts
of country, 200 miles in width, extending across the
continent were assigned to each party, and all entered

OF PATRICK GA8S.

117

npon duty nearly at the same time. Tlie result of their
labors was a most complete and thorough rojjort
not only as to the topography; out the geology and
botany of the country, together with minute descriptions
of the animals and insects; and a complcle classilication
as far as practicable, of the Indian tribes. Their report
was published by authority of Congress and is a valu-
able addition to the literature of the country. Tlicir
explorations demonstrated ^thc fact, that by more than
one route it was practicable to construct railroads
between the bounds designated in their instructions. —
Gunnison's expedition which appears to have been suc-
cessful in discovering the most eligible route, started
from Fort Leavenworth in Kansas territory, in May
1853, lollowed the Missouri to the mouth of the Kan-
sas and ascended it for a considerable distance along the
usually travelled route of the Santa Fo traders, when it
struck off in a South-west direction, their destination be-
ing the Huerfano river, in latitude about 38 dcg. They
passed through a country, hitherto almost unknown to
the whites; inhabited by numerous Indians, prominent
among whom were the Pah Utahs. On the Sevier ri-
ver, about 150 miles from Salt Lake city, their camp
was, on the 25th. October, 1853, surprised about day-
break by a band of these Indians, and Captain Gunni-
son, and nearly his whole party massacred, before they
could make resistance. The Mormons, were charged;
but says the record of the expedition, unjustly, with in-
citing the massacre and through the exertions of Gov-
ernor Brigham Young, the papers, instruments and
some of the horses were recovered from the Indians, and.
a head chief of the Pah Utahs, explained by saying
that the murder was committed by some of the boys of.

-I

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mmmmmim

118

LIFE AND TIMKS

£•..: t

the tribo in revenge for some of their friends, whom they
supposed had been killed by this party. lie also, depre-
cated the vengeance of the whites, and promised to de-
liver up the murderers. The route by the Huerfano,
liad at this time been pronounced impracticable, being
at. the Pass of St. Luis, the dividing ridge between the
Huerfano and the Rio Grande, 9,772 feet above the lev-
el of the sea, and the ascent being 1,116 feet in two
and three quarter miles; but Captain Fj. (). Bcckwith,
having taken command of the expedition and reinforced
thesame; in a short time afterwards, near the Sierra San
Juan they discovered a pass some 2000 feet lower,
which was pronounced easily practicable. The waters
of the Rio Grande del Norte, on the east, and those
of the Rio Grande of the west, a branch of the western
Colorado here interlock, not very far from Pike's Peak;
the latter flowing into the Gulf of California, the form-
er into the Gulf of Mexico.

Routes examined by other Engineers were pronoun-
ced more or less feasible; but this seems to have been
the most practicable. The nearest approach to the
old route of Lewis and Clarke, was one made by Mr.
Landor, which follows the Missouri nearly to its north-
ern bend, crosses the mountain at Bridger's Pass, and
then branches; one down the Sacramento to San Fran-
cisco, the other toward Puget's Sound by way of Lewis
river, &c. This, [is considered one of the best routes
discovered, except the common objection of extreme
cold. It is claimed however, that owing to peculiar cir-
©umstances, the passage of the mountains can be ef-
fected with less exposure to extreme cold, than by the
more Southern routes. The expedition of Lewis and
Clarke, did not experi nee any very extremely cold

i I

OF PATRICK OAS8.

IVJ

weather in this portion of their wanderings; though
they experienced tnucli inconvenience from tlio snow,
and from utter ignorance of the country, Lewis
and Clarke were forced to depend upon their own sa-
gacity and to find th^ir way almost unassisted through
the trackless wildcrnoss. As a matter of curiosity and
reference we here insert from the Journal of Mr. (iass,
'A memorandum of the computed distance in miles to
the furthest point of discovery on the Pacific ocean,
from the place where the canoes were deposited near the
head of the Missouri, which from its mouth is,

IN miles: 3096

From place of deposit to head spring, - - 24
To first fork of the Sho-sho-ne river, - - 14

To first large fork down the river, - - - 18
To forks of the road at the mouth of Tour creek, 14
To fishing creek, after leaving the river, - - 23
To Flathead, or Clarke's river at Fish camp, - 41
To the mouth of Travellers-rest creek, - - 70
To the foot of the great range of Mountains east side, 12

west side, 130

- 3

- 18

- 6

- 00
140
162

6
3
3

42
6

26
136

13
3

'I'

To the Flathead village in a plain,

To the Koos-koos-ke river, - - -

To the Canoe camp, at the forks,

To the Ki-moo-ee-nem, - - - .

To the Great Columbia, by Lewis' river, -

To the mouth of the Sho-sho-ne, or Snake river.

To the Great Falls of Columbia,

To the Short Narrows, - - . .

To the Long Narrows, - - - .

To the mouth of Catarack river, north side.

To the Grand Shoot, or Rapids,

To the Last Rapids, or Strawberry Island,

To the mouth of Quicksand river, south side,

To Shallow Bay at salt water, -

To Blustry Point on North side,

To Point Open-slope, below encampment, -

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111
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120

LIFE AND TIMES

To Chin-0©k river at bottom of Haley's Bay,
To Cape Disappointment on Western ocean,
To Capt. Clarke's tour X. W. along coast,

l;j

Total minaber of miles, - - - 4133

These distances arc of course only approximate, and
not many of the names can be found on modern maps;
yet they give an idea of the route traversed, that may
bo useful to understand properly the difficulties encoun-
tered. It is only marvellous that they made their es-
cape at all, from the labyrinth of mountains and rivers
in which they found themselves. Tlio journals of late
explorers, do not vary materially in the main features
of their descriptions, from their accounts. It is appa-
rent from the comparison, that forty years experience
has not improved cither the manners or the morals of
tho natives. On the contrary, they have not only bo-
come more immoral among themselves, but more dispo-
sed to be hostile toward the whites. Unprincipled white
men have corrupted their morals, furnished them [with
whiskey, and rendered nugatory the well -meant endeav-
ors of tho U. S. (jovernmen', to ameliorate their con-
dition. Of late years, the government has engaged
zealously in the task of elevating them in the scale of
civilization, and from the published reports of its agents,
tho effort has been attended with some success. Lieut.
Whipple divides the W^estern Indians into three- clas-
ses: — the semi civilized, the rude, and the barbarous..
The first, comprise those who have been removed from
the east of the Mississippi, such as the

Choctaws, - - - - 15,000

Chicasaws, - - - - 4,000

Cherokees, - - - - 17,000

Creeks and Seminoleis,. - - 24,000'

^wjf-

OF PATRICK GASS.

121

3ir con-

Qaai)aws. .... o,jo

81mwneos, - - - - 300

Dehiwarcs, .... *2[^0

making an ag,i,'i'cgato of G2, 000 pertfoiis, i)eacofiil in tlioir
(ILspositiou anil dopending upon ag'ricultiiro alone. 'J'liov
are cliaractcrized by docility and have a desire to learn
and practice the manners, language and customs of the
■whites. The labors of missionaries among them, have
been crowned with success and there appears to be no
obstacle in the way, to prevent their complete civiliza-
tion. The Shawnees and Delawares of this region do
not participate in the favors bestowed upon the more
northerly bands of these tribe>'; and therefore com-
plain that the Cioverninent overlooks their interests; as
it bestows upon fhcm ne'ther annuities as to Choct#ws,
nur presents, such as are distributed among the wild
tribes of the prairies. They evidently have an idea
that the latter are given to the wild Indians as a kind
of trii)ute, for fear of their depredations, and naturally
murmur that thov, who have alwavs been friendlv to
the whites, should receive no assistance from them.

"Among those characterized as rude, mav be enum-
crated the following, living in the Creek and (Tioctaw
territories:

Toprofki«s, - - -. « 200

Kichais, - - - - T^OO

Kickapoos, - - - - 400

Caddoes, - - - - 100

Huecos, - - • - 400

Witchitas, . . . . r)()0

These remnants of tribes have much intercourse with,
and are supposed to be considerably inlluenccd by the
8emi-civilized class above alluded to. They cultivate
the toil to some extent, but still retain many of their

■El

122

LIFE AND TIMES

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old habits, are fond of a roving life, and commit occa-
sional depredations upon their neighbors.

The third class, denominated barbarous, are the Arabs
of the plains, and the scourge of emigrants. According
to the best information, their names and ii ambers are
ai follows:

Camanches, - - - 20,000

Kaiowas, - - - - 3,50O

Lipans, . . - . 6,500

amounting to about 30,000 persons, one fifth of whom
are supposed to be warriors. They are perfect types of
the American Savage and fully as barbarous as when
first known to the Spaniards, centuries ago. They
appear to be utterly irreclaimable either by kindness or
force. From the earliest discovery of these tribes in the
sixteenth century, they have preserved the same gen-
eral character, that of an unconquerable indisposition to
affiliate with the whites or in any manner to adopt their
manners, customs or languages. A cpirit of wild in-
dependence seems to possess them. They delight in ra-
pine and make frequent incursions into the settlements
of New Mexico, and are regarded by the more timid
half breeds and Mexican Indians with the greatest fear.
The appearance of a small band of Camanches, is suffi-
cient to depopulate a whole village of these latter, and
though they are somewhat wary in their collisions with
the more energetic and warlike Texans, they not un-
frequently make a foray upon the villages of that state
and are off to their mountain fastnesses before pursuit
can be hardly commenced They have a wholesome re-
spect however, for the Americanos of the North, which
keeps them in some restraint.

The Kaiowas are kindred to the Camanches; [and

OF PATRICK (iASS.

128

>)oth arc said to be brandies of the Snake tribe, as is
judged from their language and customs*. The Lipans
belong to the same general family, and are very niimer-
uus. Hunting and war are the favorite pursuits of tliese
people. Agriculture is esteemed a degradation, from
which their proud nature revolts, their dependence be-
ing upon game and depredations upon frontier settle-
ments. So haughty is their spirit and so great their
contempt for white men, that it is doubtful whether
they Avill ever be induced to accept civilization and a lo-
cal habitation; instead of the unrestrained freedom of
their wild and savage life.

South and west of the Camanches, we come into the
country of the Apaches, a people represented as mort;
untamable ev«Q than the Camanches, to whom they al-
so appear to be related. They cover a wide territory,
and embrace some ten tribes, each of which governs it-
self independently; but recognizes a general bond of un-
ion. All tliese tribes acknowledge some sort of author-
ity in the Spanish governors of New Mexico. The Na-
vajos, the most northern of the Apache tribes, arc
more given to settled habits than any of theiv congen-
ers, and possess considerable flocks and herds. Tliey
are said to number about 8000 souls.

Both the Camanches and the Apaches are terrors to
the more timid Indians and half breeds of New Mexico,
and relying upon the terror with which they know
themselves to be invested, they levy regular contribu-
tions upon their more indolent neighbors of the villages
and haciendas. Swooping down from their hills they
spread terror a''-d destruction in their paths. They
are all expert horsemen, and though cruel, unscrupu-
lous and bloodthirsty, are yet, not remarkably couragc-

124

LIFE AND TIMRri

oils, notwitlistamliiiL,'- their A'ain-filorv and terrible rop-
iitation. They can be controlled by aj* pealing to tlicir
iears and obtaining' their respect by tlic certain convic-
tion that depreihitions can ami will be avenu^ed. Since
tho establishment of American militarv iiost-s in Xcw
Mexico, the}' have become lunch more traetable, Jli
battl(! they are no matcb for the Texas rnnu'ors; a squad
of Avhoni, will pnt ten times' their nnmbor of smdi In-
tliaiis' to flight. They genei'ally, in such cases, depend
mnch more njion s(rata,L;'em than on valor. They are,
moreover, considered faithless to their treaty obliga-
tions, when comi)elled to treat; and on tho whole, arc
troublesome and very disagreeable neighbors.

]>esides these more prominent Indian tribes, inhabit-
ing tbe vallies of the llio Grande, the ^olonado and the
(jrila; there are numcrons other minor tribes, with the
same general characteristics, and of the same deriva-
tion, whose manners, customs, language and general
characters have been ascertained and described, but for
which we have no space.

One thing is apparent. Either the ancient Spanish
travellers — Fathers Marco and Ruyz, Captains Alancon
and Colonado, and others, — who wrote about the coun-
try of the Rio G rande as early as 1540, were very great
romancers; or else, there have boon exceedingly great
changes wrought in the aspect of the country, and the
character of its population, since their day. These wri-
ters all agree in their descriptions of an advanced state
of civilization existing throughout this region; and in
the country of Sevola or Cibola, they speak of having
seen lofty houses built of stone, the people wearing
dresses made of cotton, and living under good laws and
regulations, that were as vrell obserred as in civilized

or rATi'jrK oass.

125

•vonntrios'; nml as boini:: very lunnorons' — in one prov-
ince, alone, the ])oj)nlatiou lioinL? 40,01)0 so".h^. There
arenianv indicatiitiis existini?, of a state of civilization
much more advanced than the presont, havincj once pre-
vailed throuL;hout the rejj;ion in ([nestion; but nonc^ to
warrant any .such representations us arc made? l>y these
travellers. 'I'iie country has cvidcnfiy Ixon once mucli
more thickly settled, as ap])ears from the nunierous ru-
ins, from these accounts, and from the traditions of tlu^
Indians themselves. It presents the rather singidar ap-
pearance of a people in a state of active deterioration,
from causes inhercntamong themselves; anil at the same
rate of diminution as has apparently prevailed amonir
them since their iirst discovery, tlu; present tribes will
wear themselves out in a very few generations. I'he
city of Zuni, is a type of these ancient cities of Cibola,
several of which still actuallv exist, in ruins.

The Zuni district is situated between -I'l and o-") deg.
of north latitude and of longitude lOS and llo; and the
vity of tlie same name, is built up Avith long ranges of
stone walls with an occasional opening near the top, for
look out purposes. Entrance and egress is by means
of ladtlers. It is still sparsely inhaldtod.

West from th<> Navajos, and in a fork between the
little and the big Colorado, lies the country of the Mo-
([uinas, a people finnous in Spanish history, as well
•for their devotion to lilierty and successful valor in re-
sisting foreign aggressions, as for their hospitality, in-
tegrity of character, and attention to agriculture. In
many respects they assimilate to the people of Zuni,
with whom they ever maintain friendly relations. The
total poi)ulation of the ^Nloquinas is given at about 7000
and the tribe is spoken of as exceeding most of their

^ 1

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120

LIFE AND TIMES

l! ti'

neighbors in j^iood quulitios and energy of ehuracter
To the nortli of the country inhabited by those tribes,
is located tiio country of the Utahs, which is also a ge-
neric name, including several minor branches or tribes,
acknowledging a common authority. The Pai-utes, or
Pah-lltahs, of the vicinity of Great Salt Lake, are the
most prominent among these tribes; and may bo con
fiidered types for all of them. This tribe, however, it
is said, does not number over 300 individuals, extreme-
ly vicious and very much disposed to bo troublesome.
The total number of Indians living south of the Salt
Lake route to California, and north of the present Mex-
ican line, is estimated by Lieut. Whipple at 144,000;
other authorities raako it more or less, but this may be
considered as approximating to the truth. Efforts have
been made to systematize the languages of these Indi-
ans, and to trace some connection between the different
families and tribes that are scattered over the vast area;
but all such attempts are rather fanciful than valuable,
and the surmises made, are much more curious than re-
liable. The Indians on the Colorado, are generally pro-
nounced superior in all manly qualities, to those of any
others in this section of the continent, and the Moquin-
as and Mojaves are especially complimented for their
bravery, generosity, and kindl^/^ dispositions.

All these Indians have religious traditions and cus-
toms, more or less distinctly uefined. The wilder the
Indian — the less he has seen of white men — the more
implicit, it is said, is his trust in the invisible Deity.
From their unity of faith and similarity of modes of
worship, Chisholm, an intelligent trader who resided
many years among them, infers that the different tribes
liave all the same origin. The grand tenets of their b«-

OP PATRICK OAB8.

127

lief arc few, and very Nimple. They arc: First — The
existence of one Great Spirit. Second — A belief in fu-
ttire rewards, but not in future punishments. They have
no idea of a liell, except what they have derived from
tlie whites, ])elieving that the wicked receive their de-
serts in this worhl, in sickness, poverty, war and death.
Their modes of manifesting their belief are various, al-
though there is much similarity among them, even in
this res])ect. The Creeka worshipped fire, u:^ the rcp-
rosentutive of purity and Deity, the (Jherokees, and ma-
ny other tribes had similar notions in regard to this el-
ement. The priestly office was widely recognized among
all the tribes in the conjurations of tlio medicine man,
and in some triltes, particular families were set apart
and consecrated to the priesthood. They practice bap-
tism and offer burnt sacrifices by way of thanksgiving
or invocation. The number seven has a peculiar signifi-
cance among many of the tribes; and indeed the points
of contact in their beliefs and superstitions are so many
and so decided, that the reader is irresistably forced,
not only to the conviction that they are of a common
stock, but that their beliefs have some connection with
Mosaic revelation.

The Pueblos Indiana, say there is but one God and
that Montezuma, a name of great repute among them, is
his equal. Inferior to both is the sun, to whom they
pray, because he looks upon them, knows their wants,
and answers their prayers. The moon is younger sister
to the sun and the stars are their children. Besides
these, there is the Great Snake, to whom, by order of
Montezuma, they are to look for life. These Indians,
although nominally, professing Catholics, have in reali-
ty, little regard for the Catholic religion. In secret they

.^: I

I'J>^

HIT AND riMKf*

gt<M"v i»i lovjihy l«> Monle^.mnti. Tln'v on(l<M\v<ii' l(i
l\0(^)> llhMr Spjunsli iM'igliltors igiionnil nl' ihcii* ri'r«MMi«
uios; l)u( llicy s}»y, lluil. AtncrifniiM two IhoIIkmh of tli«'
rhililrcn t>r MoiUo/.uinji, tuul iUo'w iVicnd^; 1 lii'it'lurc.
ihoy hitlo notliinjv iVoin llioui. "Hcm'Mdi." hhvm onr
!ni(h(>v, "<ho mult iplicily oT < nuls, I licsc i lulidtiM Iimvp a
liimlMith in (l\o Dcily, <lu' iinNOcn Spiiil nriiooil, His
u.'nuc i.s above ill! lliin!;s sacu'd. Mud. liKi- .IcIka mIi <»!
l!).(» .ItMvs. too l)(dy (<> he s|):iK(>n." Tlio Ap.'U'lii's Irom
supovslitious roivsons, will not Kill or cMt l-cjiis, Hiitl
fhoy hiivo been known (o |■^'^n^.(' |ioiK. (mcii w Ikmi siil"
fcrin,!:^ from hunf^er nnd when nny l<>ss(|n<'slionulil«' I'ooil.
how(^v«M' rovohinn' in (\(h«M' r(>s|)('i>(s, wonM lia\<' Imm'ii
<\VSs<Mly (\'\((Mi.

As a v;'onov;il nile i( n»ay Ixi sliilcd llinl tin- fMrflicr
Tiovdi, ;i!hM' l(\'iving .'U) (lognnv* nordi lalihhlc. wchav-
«'], tli(< move tho hnlinn cliaiacliM- (loli'iloijiic... until
it dwindles into tJK^ l'!s(juiniaux of ( Jieenliind imd
tlie Tolar ro^ions. 'I'lu' Indians of (in> l'p|"'f Miss-
ouri jind (lie ('(dundiia, »Mirount<M'v>d by Lewis an<l
<^larko's oxjHMliiion W(Me giMievaliy inieiior in hotly jmd

iinl to those lartlier to ihe S(nitli. S(une .ifwli

<ise eliai

;ietonsth\- we have heengivin;

In the main lealnres,

it is true, tlieve is a deeided similarity, sullieient to in

J >

t*!

dieato a oonunou <Mit;in; hut there is hieking in the more
northern Iiulians, the spirit of ontorpriso, ol' energy an<l
sprightlinoss of intcHeot, that pertains to their more
sout^'ern neighbons; and whieh ii; old times eulmina-
ted in the semi-eivilizod eomiHuni(ies of aneient Mex-
ioo. Whet^HM', as th'3y journeyed South into the more
generous oliuuite and t-oil of Mexieo, the character of
the aborigines was improved by natural causes, until
they became builders of citiot?, instead of wanderers on

<i|r I'VrilH'K (f.AHH.

ill'' itliviiiM: Of wild I If '!• ill lli"ir 'wtiii l)('i II IT

li.-f

icrf'f

savii}j:(;M <•

I' lliM ihmI.Ii, iik'I, ut iIm' < 'i>l(>nii|<» iiii") tin- |{i'>

<«niinl<", flid iHoin )',fiill(> A/,trcM, ini'l liir'niliiif.'^ with
t li'Mii loi'iii'''! 11 l<'HM |M(lislir(l, lull II. iiion! vii^oroim rare,
is ^.rroini'l lor n IImmuv. Ililli'M', nl Icfid. Inoku |iJHtiKi-
hlc. TIk' ^nnii'l (jih'hH'Mi liiiwcvfi , i^ iinl, wlifiiff rjirrn'
lli(> linliiitiM; Imlwliil li'T r,M I li 'v .' Siiicd tin- ijiri'' nl'
Mill- (>\|KMliti(;", wlii -ik'-y, I lin h.iiifil! [m>\ uimI the cIimI-
(Ma, lmv(M'nv;i'.';<'i| I In- iiiiiucroirH liln'-i |iM>;si'r| j,y thcni
nil tlioir rniitc, iiiil.il .^nnip ul' the mo, I. iitniici oiih liaiitl-f
iiiivd I)('(!(tim5 jiliiiosf, cxliml. 'I hi* is tli<" history of
tlit'ir iViciuls (lie MdiiiLiiiK, who .'in! now ic|iort"«l n-i
iiiiml)(M'iii/^oiily 'JoO koiiIh; uh it, i.s, iiini<" or Ichk, u\' cvory

til he Wl

th wl

loiii I III', wliilo imiii coiiii'M III contact.

The ItickoiccK, Siialo'H, ronclifiH, < «roKV*fn»rf'.s ari'l
licf trihi's lliat wc'i"! r('|)r<!K(!?i(«'il in iSd.) uh to|riral>ly
jimiK'i'oiis nnd jtowfiTiil, liuvd dwiii'lh"! imhrthcir
nmnlxTM luivo liccoinc a/'hifiHy iiiHi^iiififaiit; wliil.-
even llu! lariri! ainl |)owc(riil lainily of the, Sioux, at
lliiit ihiy the iiiof-t I'oniiidahii' hnlijitiH almost, krunvn
Ti])()ii tli(! [)hiinf-i, liavo falh'ii (»h in jiuiuhotH itrifil now,

i(.:y

Hcarc*

loast, a .'•hadow ofth'-ir aii(;i(;nt r<'nowri.

nil

ay h(! gfalilyin.!^' to know that, iheKO oarly ftcfjiiftin

tancoH of our travoll<;r,s, liavo kIiico shown a noinrn"ii

dablo (lifspositioii to ('in hraco civili/.atioii utid aLcrM-ul-
turo and forsake thoir])r(!cariouH and rovinj.^ Iif«; fif liun-
liii^' and dei)r(3dating U|ion their Ufii^hhors. Tho nj-
])()rt.sof tho aKont.sand niJKsioiiarioK.show thatthoy mon;
>,illing]y roccivo instruction than almost any otln-r
tribes of Indiiins whom it iian boon attcmpt^'d to civil-
i/o. Scliool.H aro CKtablislKjd amon^^ them ami ninncr-
ously attoiidoil by tiio yonth.s of tin; tribes; wliihj tho
eiders in many cases have gone coiitcntedly to work in

' f.

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i:'n *

130

LIFE AND TIMES

£iil_il ji 1

splitting rails, plouu^liing tlioir lands, and preparing
chemselvcs to boconio citizens of the United States. —
There has been of late years an increase of attention bes-
towed upon all these tribes. Daring President Pierce's
administration, alone, there were fifty-two separate In-
dian treaties made, and the Indian title to over 174,-
000,000 acres of land, peaceably relinquished into tiio
hands of the government at a cost of about a quarter of
a million of dollars. The Indian appropriations per
year, in annuities, presents, salaries of Agents, tkc,
amount now to about one million dolhtrs poryear. The
total number of Indians living within the limiis of the
United States and territories h given at about 850,000;
of whom, about 150,000 inhabit New Mexico and the
territory bordering thereon; some 60,000 the Missouri
and branches; and the remainder are distributed over
the Pacific slope of the continent from Puget's Sound
to the southern extreme of California.

They are being gradually hemmed in on both sides,
and the waves of white population will in a few years
more meet in the midst of the plains; and the hunting
grounds of the Indians wiii bo known as separate pos-
sessions, no more, forever.

The following well written extract, we take from the
report of Thomas S. Twiss, Indian agent on the upper
Platte to the Commissioner of Indian affairs, Sept.
15th. 1856. The entire report is creditable alike to the
heart and hea il of the agent, and if equally humane
considerations as he evinces actuated more of our pub-
lic men in regard to the Indians, there would be fewei*
difficulties.

"The wild Indian of the prairies is not very different
from the wild Indian as described by the early colonists

s)^

f -ij

OF PATRIf'K GAS8.

131

repann<?
UatoH. —
tioii bcs-
; Pierce'«
arato Iii-
3r 174,-
l into tlio
uartcr of
ions per
its, &.C.,
oar. The
its of tho
;^50,00();
and the
Missouri
,od over
s Sound

,h sides,
\v years
hunting
ate pos-

from the
upper
3, Sept.
to the
humane
mr pub-
e fewer

lifferent
olonists

of the Atlantic States. The men are proud, lian|^hty,
independent, dignilieil in tlieir bearing, observers of cer-

ony in their interoourso witli tliewliites and with cadi
otlier. They are tauglit to hjok upon nianual labor as
degrading and beneath the rank of the red \vuv\, wheth-

lie be chief.

menial services
and labor are performed by the women, who are real
slaves to the men. The only education of the latter is
on the war path, and the only labor the pursuit' of game.
Beyond these he has no subjects of thought, or exercis*;
for his mental faculties, find as a natural conse<|ir^nce,
lie is listless and idle during the greater part of his tinne.
"On tho war path or in the chase he becomes intense-
ly excited, and undergoes fatigue, and suffers for want
of food, from cold and thirst, watches his enemy or his
game, until lie is certain of striking with deadly effect.
Then, when he returns to his lodge, he joins in the war
dance, or in the feasts, and afterwards sinks into that
apathy and indilference to all surrounding objects, which
has so often been observed and commented upon by tin;
whites, and which to them appears so strange and sin-
gular, that they judge, though erroneously, that the In-
<ran is destiiute of sensibility, feeling, or emotions. —
\Vt the reverse of this is the truth. There is not to be
tbr:!id among any people a more cheerful, contented and
kinlly disposed being than the Indian, when he is treat-
ed with kindness and humanity. His friendships are
strong; d lasting, and his love for and attachment to
his children, kindred and tribe, have a depth and inten-
sity which place him on an equality with the civilized
race. His love and veneration for the whiles amount
to adoration, which is only changed to hatred and re-
\enge by oppression, crue^^'cs und deep wrongs and in-

! m

im ;

M i-^ »

i- R

m <

1 lii:^: :i

132

LIFE AND TIMES

jmics inflicted upon the poor Indian, by the white man,
witliout cause or reason. ]5y his education on the war
path, whicli leads to honor, fame and distinction, tlic
Indian is a relentless, terrible enemy; he spares neither
age nor sex, nor condition, but slaughters every one
that comes in his path indiscriminately. lie neither
knows nor heeds the laws of modern warfare, as practi-
ced and observed by an enlightened civilization. As a
<'onsequenee, the first yell of the war whoop has scarcely
died away in its distant echof-s before a war of exter-
mination ' b-^Tnu and waged against the poor Indian,
and the inn(. and the guilty alike perish, and their

bones are left to bleach on their own happy hunting
grounds. This is but a faint picture of Indian wars
that have waged for short periods in every State and
Territory in the Union, and wdiich Avill burst forth con-
stantly, until the power of the government is exerted ti)
remove lawless and desperate wdiites from the Indian
countrv, and chanore the habits of the Indian from a ro-
ving and hunter life to one of agriculture and fixed hab-
itations.

"It mriy not be considered out of place, I trust, if 1
shouM state my opinions, formed from a careful obser-
vation and some experience as to the pos-sibility of a com -
bination or union ot the wild tribes of the prn;ries, to
wage war against the United States, whicli would nec-
essarily be protracted and ex])onsive. It would require
a mighty genius to combine nil the praide tribes in hos-
tility to the government. Such a genius must possess
I)0wei3 of oratory and persuasion, and far-seeing policy,
and a popularity greater than that of a King Phillip, a
Pontiac or a Tecumsoh. If such a chief were to appear
on the prairio now, he would find it a task of Hercule-

OV PATRICK GA88.

13a

;m hibor to form a party, tlic professed object of which
hhouhl be liostility to the government. It wouhl be an
ntter 'mpossibility to harmonize discordant elements,
smootii over diflicnldes', to heal ohl wonnds and dilTur-
onces existing among the different tribes, or between
bands of the same tribe, licsides, the chiefs are trnly
democratic, and are extremely jealous of each other, r.nd
it is not uncommon to liear that a particular chief lias
been deposed or passed over, because of his too great
popularity, effected by a combination of petty chiefs,
each of whom aspired to the ollico of liead or principal
chief. Other causes would render it a matter of great
(lilliculty to unite different tribe?, one of which is their •
own constant wars and lends, which arc unceasing; be-
tween wliom there is never a peace nor oven a truce.

•'It would require the genius and military talcnty, the
l)Owery of calculation and combination of a Napoleon,
to form and maintain a union of these tribes for any
iengtli of time,

"if tlie reasons above stated arc not sulUciently strong.

to prove that a combination of the wild tribes t(^ wage

a war against the authority of the government is uf.er-

ly and absolutely imposible, for Avant of a master f-pirit,

to unite, guide, and coutrol them, and the chances of

of such a leader appearing upon the prairies being small,

and evc-n if he should make iiis advent, adverse circnm-

slances aro so many, and apparently insurmountable,

that even momentary success could not bo calculated

upon, another and still stronger reason may be advance d,

wluch is sufficient of itself, without any other, lo settle

tliis question of combination at once, and put it to rest

forever. It is this; The Indians entertain no hostile

or unfriendly feelings toward the government, It has.

. *

134

LIFE AND TIMES

not oppressed nor wronged them. They do not seek for
any redress of gricvanecs, eitlier real or imaginary, lor
theie are none. The parental care of the government
to wateli over their interests, to ameliorate their con-
dition, to provide for their wants and necessities, and to
protect them in their rights, is so plain and obvious to
the Indians, that they see and feel, and express them-
selves on all occasions, that this guardianship is for
their good and welfare, and the protection of the Unitetl
tStates is the only shield by which they can hope for
safety on the prairies, surrounded as they are on all
sides by enemies. They make no complaints against
any injustice or tyranny exercised toward them by offi-
cial agents. It is only against those unprincipled whites
who reside in their midst, in violation of law, that they
complain of being wronged, cheated, insulted and beat-
en. It is certain from the most abundant evidence that
the tribes, separately and collectively, are not disaffected
to the government. They are friendly and well dispos-
ed, and desire to maintain their peaceful and amicable
relaiions with it. This feeling of affection and gratituae
to their "Great Father" is so strong and deep rooted that
it is not in the power of man to break or cliange it, ex-
cept momentarily. Hence, if the proper and tit leader,
should arise, yet it would be a task not easily accom-
plished of combining the tribes for an offensive or de-
fensive war, consequently all cause of danger on that
question may bo dismissed, and we need apprehend noun
but outbreaks in which but a very Rmall number of In-
dians of any one band is engaged in hostility.

"The Indians generally, and more especially the old
chiefs and principal men, are shrewd and acute reason -
ers, considering that they have no advantages of educu-

OF PATRICK OASfJ.

1^5

tion, and no boots of philosophy and history to guide
them by the lights of truth and precedent. Their only
history is oral tradition, mixed with much fable, hand-
cd down from generation to generation. As to the in-
tellect, they are not deficient, and cannot be placed in a
.scale much below the white race, certainly not in a rank
of great inferiority.

!*The mind of tlie Indian lies a barren waste, with-
out education, or training in processes of reasoning or
logical deductions, except by such modes or paths as
each one may happen accidentally to strike out for him-
self. Their amusements arc few and simple; their vir-
tues many; and vices were unlaiown among them until
contaminated, debased and degraded by the white man.
The old chiefs in council have often called my atteation
to their condition, and desired that I would request
their "Great Father" to send tiiem a farmer to teach
the old men and women how to cultivate the earth, and
raise corn lor food; that they might, also have a teach-
er for the young children, and a missionary of the Gos-
pel to teach tbem the ways of the Great Spirit. If our
Great Father will be pleased to do these things for us.
we shall have sul)jects of thoughts and attention to these
things, and shall not think of going out upon <"he war
trail. We shall stay at home and be quiet. We wish
to belike the white man; to learn his ways of living,
and, like him, to have subjects of thought and occupa-
tion. We see you, father, for days sitting in your lodge,
and reading in the great book. We know that you
are conversing with the Great Spirit, or with friends
that live near the rising sun. You cannot see them,
yet you are able to talk with them. We also see you
engaged in writing for many hours, and know that you

i h

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136

IJFIS AND TIMKS

are talkinc? to our "(jlroat Fatlier," and asking him to
take pity on liis reJ cliiliU'en. W'Jicii thus occupied, you
do not think about going upon the war paih against
your oneiuics; you are quiet and Imppy at iiome. We
wi.sli to be tlie same. We desire lo be occupied witli
tliose tilings wliicli are useful and necessary for us —
Now we have but little to amuse or occupy the mind.
Wo are anxious to do good, and please our Great Fa-
ther, but we often fail ior want of judgment and fore*
thought, which Avould not be the ease if were educated
and trained like the white man."

Buch is a brief sketcli of wliat has been brought to
my notice and observation in my intercourse with the
wild tribes of the prairies. I trust that the department
will take such steps and adopt such measures, as in its
judgment and wisdom may seem best to ameliorate and
improve the condition of these poor Indians; to consid-
er the plan of colonization, if that should be deemed a
proper course to change them from a hunting to an ag-
ricultural people, or to carry into effect any other meth-
od that may be devised, in order to save these Indians
from those wars of extermination which are invariably
marked in their progress, by an indiscriminate slaugh-
ter of the innocent alike with the guilty, and the mer-
ciless and relentless massacre of unoffending women
and helpless children."

In 1805, the country on both sides of the Mississippi,
and the Illinois, the Wabash, the Lakes, and even on
the Ohio, was very similar in many respects to that now
on the Missouri, the Yellowstone, the Kansas and the
Platte; and as we have seen large and populous com-
monwealths startup on these former rivers within that
time, 80 we may reasonably expect in half a century

or I'ATRICK OA8 9.

more, tlic Rnmc development to take place in the latter.
Already settlements have been pushed far up the MisN-
ouri. Tlie Kansas country after being tlie scene of tur-
moil, confusion, political chicanery, and of actual war-
faro for a short period, has taken the initiatory steps for
admission into the Union; and nourishing cities liavo
sprung up, as if by incantation, where but a few t<hort
years ago, were but Indian lodges. Fort Leavenworth,
the frontier post of a few dozen public buildings, of five
years ago, has developed itself into a handsome city of
fcome GOOO population; and the rolling plains, which
Mr. Gass denominates as exceedingly beautiful and fer-
tile, have been, acre after acre, appropriated; and are be-
ing rapidly dotted with the cabins of industrious set-
tlers. This was not effected without exertion or with-
out danger. The Slavery excitement, which had been
revived in regard to Kansas, after the repeal of the Mis-
souri Compromise, in 1850, by the desire of the Mis-
sourians, to make it a 81avc State, and the opposition
of the Northern people to such designs, became warm
and active, about the year 1854. The act to organize
the Territory, passed Mixy 30th, 1854. At that time,
there were but very few white residents in the Territo-
ry, though many were waiting fur the Indian reserva-
tions to come in:*o market, with the intention then of
becoming settlers, or at least speculators. The Slave-
ry controversy waxed warmer and hotter in Congress,
and in the States; threatening even to divide the Un-
ion. The MisKourians crossed the line and interfered
in the Territorial elections. Emigrant Aid Societies wero
organized in both sections, and the era of Sharpe's ri-
tlea, guerilla warfare, border rufiianism, anti-Slavery
fanaticism and m utual outrage, was definitely inaugu-

iVi^'

' ■if

138

LIFE AND TIMES

':v A'

rated. Matters progi essed, until the Territory was de-
clared in a state of insurrection — the forms of law be-
ing disregarded by all parties, and the wildest anarchy
prevailing. Brevet Major Gen. Porsifer F. Smith, who
died in 1858, at Leavenworth, universally lamented,
was at that time Military commander of the Department-
Governor after Governor: — lleeder, Shannon, Geary
and Walker, were successively elected and deposed, or
voluntarily resigned, in the short space of two years,
being unable to enforce obedience or even command re-
spect. In February, 1850, President Pierce declared
by proclamation, martial law in the Territory, and the
Military were ordered to restore order and enforce the
laws of the United States. Rival legislative bodies had
been organized, and capitals established at Topeka and
Lecompton, fraud and violence prevailed and desperate
remedies became imperative. The Topeka Convention
was pronounced unlawful in its organization and ob-
jects; and on the 4th of July, 1856, Col. E. V. Sum-
ner, at the head of a body of U. S. Troops, forcibly dis-
persed it, while in session. Secretary of War, Jefferson
Davis, censured him for this employment of the troops
as unnecessary. Previously, on the 28th of June, Col.
Jim Lane, having raised money and 250 volunteers,
on the Free State side, threatened to march with large
reinforcements, from Chicago across Iowa, to Council
Blufifs. The pro- Slavery men, under Titus, Buford,
Stringfellow, Atchison & Co., were also organized in
numbers. The appearance of the Federal troops made
the beligerents more wary, but did not stop the distur-
bance. Gen. Smith, on the 26th of July, announced
the Territory peaceable; but in one month afterwards,
1200 armed men were said to be assembled at Lawrence.

OK PATUICK GA88.

139

-I

threatening to march over to Lecompton, the capital of
tlie Territory, and destroy it; and on the authority of
(jiov. Shannon, Lieut. Col. Johnson was ordered to pro-
ceed to Lecompton, with all the troops at his dis-posal,
to protect the public property. At this time the house
of Col. Titus, near Lecompton, was attacked, one man
killed, and several taken prisoners, who were afto/wardii
delivered up to the Federal Authorities. The skirmish
of Hickory Point, took place September 6th, between
the Free Soilers, under Harvey, and the U. S. Troops,
in which the former were surprised and dispersed.

Gov. Geary came into office, Sept. 11th, 1856, und
issuing a conciliatory address, the war began to sub-
side. From that date the reign of violence sensibly de-
••reased, though Kansas affairs continued the staple of
political discussion for a long time after, and were not
finally determined until the decisive vote of the people
of Kansas, in lavorof a Free State policy, in Aug-
ust, 1858.

At this time the question may be considered as defi-
nitely settled, the Territory of Kansas has nearly suffi-
cient population to qualify it for admission as a State,
find before many more months she will emerge a full-
fledged member of the American Union.

The Kansas controversy may now be coiisidered clo-
sed, and the era of peace and good-will again prevails
throughout the recently distracted Territory. A deci-
ded majority of the population appear to be opposed to
Slavery as an institution of the prospective State; and
the fact has induced a large immigration. Never in the
history of the country have mens' minds bo'^n inflamed
to so dangerous a degree, and never were the evils of
sectional animosity so fearfully apparent. Nothing but

:* 'J

i *

■i

'■■j'i
la'*

■

I ■

-Ml

;■

[

140

LII'E AND TIMES

the conservative good sense of tlm American diameter
and iho inherent nenso of right of the Anici iciin i>e(>})le
wunh^l oil' tlie imminent (hvnger of a civil wur, with
the antohl calamities, that must luivo followed in its
train. ^

Wo liavo nosv brought our hero tlirougli a most im-.
portant portion of liis career, and sketclied liglitly the
history of the Territory, of whose dovoh)pement lie and
his iMirtv v\'ero the liarLinLrcrs. Their niemorv still lin-
gors among tlio natives of the Missouri, and the com-
manding olliccrs have left their names indelibly impres-
sed, not only upon the history but upon the geography
of the country. So long as Lewis' river flows toward
the Pacific, or the name of Clarke remains impressed
upon the stream that bears his name, posterity will have
them in perpetual remembrance. Nor have the subalt-
erns been forgotten. In many an Indian lodge in tho
distant West, the old chiefs still speak of iho white men
who came among them first, with presents and the right
hand of fellowship; and around the campfires of tho trap-
pers, as the LogC'ids of the Missouri arc told, the name
of Sergeant Gass, is yet connected with many a tale of
daring adventure.

Mr. Gass had now returned, in 1806, to the home of
his friends, and acting under their advice, he resolved
to have published the Journal of his travels. He had
kept notes, in accordance with directions, during the en-
tire expedition, but they were not exactly in a shape
proper for publication, and his ^imited education preclu-
ding the idea of arranging them for the press, he secur-
ed the services of an Irish schoolmaster, named McKee-
han. Mr. McKeehan undertook the task, and the re-
sult was an octavo volume, of 262 pages, which at the

'Ffl^

OF PATRICK DABS.

141

timo met with a great domand, principally owing to in-
terest that was then felt in the subject, as the book it-
self, as it appears now, is rather dry, meagre and unin-
teresting. McKcehan presented his materialw in the
raw state, almost, and undigested, just as they were
noted down by the author, — very frankly stating in his
preface, that "neither ho .^i Mr. (lass had attempted to
give adequate representations of the scenes portrayed.'*
Mr. Gass received the copy- right of the work, and one
hundred copies of the first edition, while Mclvechan re-
ceived as liis coni])eusation, the balance of the edition,
which he disposed of, to some profit. Mr. Gass reali-
zed but very little of tlie proceeds of his work, which ap-
peared in the spring of 1807, printed by Zadoc Kramer,
Pittsburgh. It has been since re-prii ted, in violation
of his copy-right, and had some sale, as a matter of cu-
riosity; but at tliis time it is out of print, and very few
copies are believed to be in existence. The work lays
no claim to beauty of diction, or much arrangement, but
is valuable as being a correct, unvarnished record of the
incidents of travel through an unknown region; and an
showing Indian character in its true light, before being
modified by intercourse with "white men, and the viccn
of civilization. AVhat the writings of Mather, Gharle-
voix and Smith are to the 'Salvages' of New England,
Canada and \ irglnia, the Journal of Gass will be to the
future historian, as to the aborigines of the future Statcn
some day to be organized on the banks of the Missou-
ri, the Kansas, the Platte and the Columbia; with the
difference in his favor, ihnt his is free from the tenden-
cy to the marvellous, that so much distingnishes those
veracious chroniclers.
But the excitement of authorship was too tame for our

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142

LIFE AND TIMES

adventurous hero, and aooordingly, tlio siuno spring of
1S07, wo find him again fihaping his courso for tho fron-
tier, and for tho noxt four yoars of his lifo, ]io was en-
gaged in various duties ahout the tlien outpost of Kas-
kaskia. For some time here, he lieM the post of assis-
tant eommissary, and transacted tlie (iuties of tlie oflico
with his accustomed iidelitv and zaA.

'. *

^'1

CHAPTER ITT.

TIIK WAR OF 1812

i *

\s 1812, the Rinoulderiiiig embers rT the nevoluiiori
broke out anew in tlio second war of Jnilependence. —
The ^verbeuri^li; conduct of the British oflicialH and the
lyranuicftl assuin[)tions of their (jiovernment, had incen-
sed the hate of the people of tlie United States, to the
pnnt of violence, notwitlistandiiig that the *.'ountry had
but barelv recovered from the (ixhaustion consecnient
upon tli'! niNMjlution; and was but {)Oorly prepared for
a lon<^ ami arduous conllict with ho powerful an enemy.
J^t the conclusion of the revolutionary war, the Iiritish
(jiovernment had acceded to the tniaty recognizing the
intlejicu'lence of the colonies, with a very bad grace,
and up to the very tinio of sigiiing the definitive arti-
cles of i)eace, Gen. Washington had been Huspicious of
treachery, and warned Congress and uis countrymen,
to be on their guard against the faitlil .sHuess of the Brit-
ish. It was the severest blow her pride had ever sus-
tained. Although compelled to a formal recognition
of independence, it was only after an eight years' war,
jifter she had exhausted all her means in the colonies,
had tired the patience of her people at home, and after

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144

LIFE AND TIMES

she had been menaced hy European eombinations into
the ungrateful necessity. She never cordially recogni-
sed the new republic as a nieuiber in the family of na-
tions; although constrained by considerations of policy
IVoin any open demonstration of liostility against the
rising commonwealths of her own blood and kin. The
unsettled state of affairs in Europe during the latter
part of the hist century, and the wars of N'apolcon that
immediately followed in the beginning of the present,
required all her attention for her own protection; but
toward the close of this era, when the power of the great
('orsican had begun to Avano and she hud a short res-
pitQ from tlio machinations of her continental enemies,
whe turned her attention beyond the wavers. The 8tal«^s
had excited her resentment by alfording aid and com-
I'ort to the French. She had never forgiven them for
inviting and receiving assistance from France, during
the revolutionary struggle; and when, during tlie al-
most utter nunihilation of commerce between the Euro-
[)«?ftn powers, consequent upon the wars, the Americans
taking advantage of their neutrality, became the com-
7iion carriers almost of the world, and did not discrim-
inate against her enemy, the French; but were rather
tlisposed to show them favor, her rescntnient was great-
ly increased. Assum.iiii; the sovereignty of the seas,
she established an espi»)nage of commerce. She asser-
te<l and exercised the right of search on the high seas,
and condemned, without scruple, as contraband! of war,
whatever her ofKccrs saw fit to so declare. The mor-
ehaut service was harrassed hy her exactions, and Amer-
ican oflicers insulted on their own vessels. She claim-
ed and exercised the privilege of testing the nationality
of the paihvs on board the vessels boarded by her ofti«

■'■m

OF PATRICK OA88.

145

rt3rs, and on the suspicion tliat they were subjects of
(xrcat Britain, slie forcibly iin pressed into her service,
from tlie decks of American mercliantmen, not only for-
eir^n, but American born sailors. She affected a sur-
veillance of our coasts, and in effect blockaded with her
men-of-war our ports, so as seriously to impede com-
merce. She passed orders in council ande.vecuted them
in defiance of our laws and retnonstrances; and was rap-
idlv vindicatinij: bv her actions her claim to be consiJ-
orcd the mistress of the seas.

The Americans bore her insolent pretensions in no
very patient spirit, for the old leaven of the revolution
was still fresh in the masses of the people; and many
of the veterans of that contest were yet alive and on the
statue of action. Yet thov were slow to act. The conn-
try was Just recovered from the depletion of the revolu-
tion, the continental wars had thrown an immense trade
into the hands of our merchants and shi) -owners, man-
ufactures had bcijrun to llourish, and the country was
just starting upon the high road • prosperity. The
industrial ii'terests of the country demanded ji^ace. It
was well understood that the first hostile giiii would bo
the sit'nal for the swarming navv of («reat Britain to
pounce upon our scattered merchantmen, and sweep our
commerce from the face of the ocean. Self-interest plead
strongly for peace, even to the endurance of injury and
insult. The merchants of the seaboard and their rep-
resentatives in Congress, counseled forbearance; and
as their interests were the interests that were mosli di-
rectly aifected by the alledged causes of war, their re-
monstrances had great elfect towards deferring the dec-
laration of war. On the other hand, the national spir-
it of the country felt itself insulted, — pride was outra-

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146

LIFE AND TI5IE9

ged, and from the interior, and from the distant west,
came up deep and ominous sounds of dissatisfaction. —
The war-spirit of the people was Lecoming aroused and
the first notes of defiance carao from the bankft of the
Ohio, the Mississippi and the Great Lakes. The west-
ern people were anxious for the war. At length, Juno
18th, 1812, during tlie Administration of Mr. Madison,
war was formally declared. It was commenced ivith-
out any exactly defined cause, and fought and ended,
without the exi)ress recognition, l.y either party, of any
contested question or principle. It appears to have been
necessary, more to settle decisively and forever, ques-
tions of feeling than of policy; though of these latter,
there were many that required settlement. These re-
mained undecided for nearly half a century afterwards,
when in 1858, the British handsomely and unequivocal-
ly renounced the right of search and impressment, which
they had refused, at the point of the bayonet, in 1815.
Still, although the war was apparently fruitless of con-
sequences, it was practically final as to the grievances
of which the Americans complained. The British (lov-
ernmeut, while it avoided any acknowledgement of the
American doctrines regarding impressment, and the
right of search, nevertheless, of their own accord, care-
fully avoided any repetition of the offence itself, confi-
dent that if they repeated it, ilivy Avould have the war
to fight over again; and that the indulgence would not
pay them for the trouble it would cost. On this prin-
ciple, although the right was never in so many words
relinquished, no eftbrt at exercising it was ever made,
until thai of 1858, which resulted so bappily. This at-
tempt to revive it, it may be proper to say was order-
ed through a misconstruction of the sentiments of the

OF PATRICK GA9S.

147

American Secretary of State, and executed in another
misconstruction of orders, Ly tlie officers in ( »mmand
of tlie British squadron, effecting the end it accomplish-
ed, much more by good hick than by good management.
The zeal with wliich the declaration of war was hail-
ed in the Southern and Western portions of the Union
is historical; as is also the reluctance of the Eastern
and New England States to engage in it, to the detri-
ment of their trading interests, and the unprepared state
of the country at large, to enter upon a long and ardu-
ous war, with their powerful and implacable foe. Still
the news spread over the country like wild-fire, and was,
in the West, hailed with enthusiasm. Volunteers crowd-
ed round the standard of the stars and stripes. The ex-
citement reached the frontier, and a call was published
at Kaskaskia, appealing to the patriotism of the pio-
neers to organize in the common defence. A company
of rangers was quickly rendezvoused at Herculaneum,
in Missouri, in consequence of the call. Mr. Gass was
prevented, accidently, from joining this party, the or-
ganization and objects of which, suited his disposition,
but quickly found that he would be needed in another
capacity. For a short time previous to the declaration
of war, he had been engaged in the lead trade — then
thriving in the vicinity in which he was located, and it
so happened that at the time the rangers were being or-
ganized, he was absent at Nashville, Tenn., with a quan-
tity of lead, for the purpose of trade. While here, a
great excitement existed in reference to the depredations
of the Southern Indians, — men were being raised, and
preparations made for a campaign against them; and
he was, much against his will, drafted into the regiment
raised by General Jackson, to fight against the Creeks.

(
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148

LIFE AND TIMES

Ho had the option, however, of enlisting in the regular
army for five years, with 'Sl^'O cash in advance, and a
promise of ^^'24: extra, on the expiration of his time of
service and, perhaps coming to the conclusion that the
line of his usefulness lay in a military direction, he forth-
with enlisted for the war, under Gon. Gainer, and was
immediately marched to the North, leaving his lead
speculation in the hands of his partner.

At this time he came into contact with many of the
military characters, then obscure, but who since have
distingniwhed themselves in tlie annals of the country
HS soldiers and statesmen. To recapitulate the stirring
scenes of that era is not within the province of our
(sketch, though as Mr. Gass, served through the three
several campaigns faithfully in the service of his coun-
try, a cursory review of the war of 1812, might seem
necessary to a proper elucidation of his character. That,
lioweveris the duly of the general historian and to repeat
it here, would transcend the limits of our plan. In
1813, ISlv. Gass, was stationed at Fort Massac, in Illi-
nois, where he remained for some months occupied dili-
gently in frontier duties, conciliating as far as possible the
good will of the Indians with whom the Briiish were at
the same time tampering; and whom they were endeav-
oring; to induce to take up arms ai-'aiiist the Americans.
Tiiis, with other '^uch important, tliough unobtrusive
.services occupied liis time at iliis period. Removing
thence, to Bellfontaine and afterwards accompanied by a
detachment of forty men, some forty miles above the
mouth of the Illinois, ihey constructed there a fort. At
this place, Mr. Gass, was so unfortunate as to lose an
eye by being struck with a splinter from a falling tree. —
Tiie surgery at hand was very indilTeient; and his eye

• 5^1

■■i?.|

or PATRICK OASS.

149

healed up with difliculty, disabling him from active ser-
vice for several months. Nursing his hurt tlirongh the
winter of 1813-4; in ihe Spring, orders came to prepare
with all speed a ihiot of baats on the bank.s of the lilin-
oia, in whicli his corps should proceed with all their mu-
nitions, to rittsburgh— there to join the Northern army,
that was assembling for the delence of the Canada fron-
tier. A few weeks, sulhcod to enable them to Kni)ply
themselves witii Heating crafts and leaving their encamp-
ment, ihey embarked on the Illinois, down which thov
lluated, until they struck the Mississippi, and thence
down to the mouth of the oiiio. At this time the riv-
ers wereswollen with ihe spring rains and the low laniis
at the moutli of thd Ohio were covered with water. —
The current was swd't and they had no means of ascend-
ing except by dint of pushing, and pulling by the trees
on the banks. However, they iiersevered, and after in-
credible labor they reached about the 1st. of July, lbl4,
Pittsburgh, their })lace of destination — having traverftcd
in this laborious style, the whole length of the Ohio,
from its mouth to its very head.

Arriving at IMttsburg, the men were at once formed
into four companies under the immediate command of
Col. NichoUs, and attached to the northern army com-
manded by Gen. Brown.

The war by this time had progressed and many im-
portant events had taken place. JMany gallant encoun-
ters had taken place on the seas, in which the American
arms were often victorious, demonstrating their ability
to copo snccessfully with England on her favorite ele-
ment; merchantmen, had been converted into privateer*,
and carried havoc among the mercantile marine of the
•nemy; and in the marine department of the war, tho

! }

150

LIFE AND TIMES

American arms were triumphant. On land, t])cy were
not so fortunate. At the outset of the war, the regular
army was next to nothing in numbers; and although
the President was authorized to call out 100,000 mili-
tia, experience soon demonstrated, that however patri-
otic the militia, and however brave in defence of their
firesides, they were veiy unreliable in an aggressive war
as this was in some respects to be. Tiie militia, could
with difficulty,^ often, be induced to march beyond the
borders of their own States; and absolutely refused to
cross into Canada, when the reduction of Canada be-
came an object witli the Americans. It required time,
to organise a regularly drilled army, and consequently,
the first campaigns of the war were anything but flatter-
ing to the proAvess of the American arms. Gen. Hull,
a veteran officer of the revolution, had surrendered his
army at Detroit, in August 1813; Gen. Winchester had
been defeated on the frontier in January, 1814, and his
whole force compelled to capitulate to the British under
Col. Proctor. The militia were generally uncontrollable
and defeat and disaster seemed to be the order of the
day. The theatre of war had become located on the
Canada frontier. The Americans had attempted an in-
vasion under Gen. Van llcnsaleer and were successful,
until thv^'arted by the "constitutional scruples" of the
militia, and compelled to retreat. The British and In-
dians were in force along the whole line under l*roctor,
Riall and others; and the inhabitants were greatly har-
rassed by their constant forays. The lakes themselves
were also the scenes of several gallant encounters be-
tween the American and English vessels, which result-
ed gloriously to the former. This frontier was the
scene of more hard fighting than any other portion of

OP PATRICK OASg.

161

3Ult-

the
of

the roiiiitry. In the Spring of 1814, it was determined
to make a desperate etlort not only to retrieve the honore
of tliH American arms by a brilliant campaign but to
make a decisive strike toward the invasion and capture
of Canada. By this time the Americans had become
more accustomed to the service, and a better spirit had
begun to actuate the militia. The army was in better
drill, better organizt;il an 1 more eflicicntly officered
than it had previously been. Men were oidered from
Kentucky, Ohio and other western States tc rendezvous
at different points on the frontier; and in pursuance of
this order, the detachment to which our hero was at-
tached was forthwith marched from Pittsburgh, up
French Creek, to Presque Isle, now Erie, and crosfccd
over into Canada. Here, alter a series of marches and
counter-marches, without any actual collision with the
enemy, although often in their, immediate proximity,
the detachment spent a few days in Canada, then re-cros-
sed the Niagara at Black Ilock into the States and in a
very few days after, crossed again into Canada at Chip-
pewa Fort. The American army at this time, was in
two divisions — one commanded by Gen. Brown, the
other by Gen. Macomb, both r^o-operating together.

Nile's Register gives the following account of the bat-
tle at Chippew^a, to participate in which, Mr. Gass ar-
rived but a few hours too late.

"On the evening of the 2nd of July, general orders
were issued for the embarkation of the troops by day-
light next morning, when the army, consisting of two
brigades, and a body of New York and Pennsylvania
volunteers and Indians, under General P. B. Porter,
were landed on the opposite shore, without opposition.
The first brigade, under Gen. Scott, aud the artillery

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152

LIFE AND TIMES

corps, under Major ITindman, landed nearly a mile le-
lovv Fort Erie, while General Kipley. with the second
made the shore about the same di.stariee above. The
fort was soon completely invented, and a battery of long
eigliteens being planted in a position whicii commanded
it, the garrison, consisting of lo7 men, including ofli-
ccrs, Kurrendered prisoners of war. Several pieces of
ordnance were found in the fort, and some military
stores.

Having pbced a small garrison in Fort Krio to sc-
cnrehis rear, lii own moved foivvard the following day
10 Chippewa phiins, wlieie he encamped for the night,
after some skirmishes with the enemy.

The American pi d»ets were several t^T^^es attacked on
the morning of the 5tli, by small parties of the British.
About four in the afternoon, Geu'-ral Porter, with the
volunteers and lndi;ins, was ordered to advance from the
rearoftlie American camp, and take a circuit through
the woods to the left, in hopes of getting beyond the
skirmishing parties of the enemy, and cutting off their
retreat, and to favor this purpose the advance were or-
dered to tall back giadually under the enemy's fire. In
about half an hour, however, Porter's advance met the
light parties in the woods, and drove them until the
whole column of the British was met in order of battle.
From the clouds of dust and the heavy firing. General
Brown concluded that the entire force of the British v as
in motion, and instantly gave orders for General Scoit
to advance with his brigade and Towson's artillery,
ftod meet them on the plain in frtnt of the American
earap. In a few minutes Scott was in close action with
a superior force of British regulars.

By tbia time, Porter's volunteers having given

OP PATRICK 0AS8.

5.S

war and fled, the left flank of Scott's brigade became
much exposed. Oenoral Ripley, was accordingly or-

dered to advance with a part of the
the woods on tiie left, in order to 1>

reverve, and ykirting
eepoi

)iitof view, en-

deavor to gain the rear of the enemy's right flank. The
greatest exertions were made to gain it, but in vain. —
Such was the gallantry and impetnosjity of the brigade
of General Scott, that its advance upon the enemy was
frot to be cliCL'ked. Major Jessup, commanding the bu-
tallion on the left Hank, linding himself press'ed both in
front and in Ibink, and his men falling around him, or-
dered hiy batallion to "support armx and advance." —
Amidst the most destructive fire this order was prompt-
ly obeyed, and he soon gained a more secure position,
and returned upon the enemy so galling a discharge, a^
caused them to retire.

The whole line of the British now fell back, and tlie
American troops closely pressed upon them. As soon
as the former gained the sloping ground descending to-
wards Chippewa, they broke and ran to their works,
distant about a quarter of a mile, and the batteries open-
ing on the American line, considerably checked the pur-
suit. Brown now ordered the ordnance to be brought
up, with the intention of forcing the works. But on
their being examined, he was induced by the lateness of
the hour, and the advice of his officers, to order the for-
ces to retire to camp.

"The American official account states their loss at 60
killed, 248 wounded, and 19 missing. The Britisii of-
ficially state theirs at 132 killed, 320 wounded, and 46
missing.

"Dispirited as was the public mind at this period, the
intelligeace of this brilliant and uaexpectod opening oi;

¥<

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154 LIFE AND TIMES

the campaign on the Niagara could not fail of being
most joyously received. The total overthrow of the
French power had a few months before liberated the
whole of the British forces in Europe. A considera-
ble portion of Lord Wellington's army, flushed with
their late success in Spain, had arrived in Canada, and
were actually opposed to Brown at Chippewa, while all
our maritime towns were threatened by Britain's vic-
torious armies, whose arrival was momentarily expect-
ed on the coast. When the intelligence of the stupen-
dous events in Europe was iirst received, many consoled
themselves with the idea, that the magnanimity of Great
Britain would freely grant in her prosperity, what they
insisted wo never could force from her in her adversity.
Sincerely taking for realities the pretexts on which our
neutral rights had been infringed, they thought the ques-
tion of impressment, now the almost single subject of
dispute, could easily be amicably arranged, when the
affairs of the world were so altered as to render it near-
ly impossible that Great Britain could ever again be
reduced to the necessity of "fighting for her existence;"
or, at all events, as the peace of Europe had effectually
removed the cause, and as the American government
declined insisting on a formal relinquishment of the
practice, no difficulty would be thrown in the way of a
general and complete pacification of the world.

"This illusion was soon dissipated. By the next ad-
vices from Europe it was learned, that the cry for veu -
geance upon the Americans was almost unanimous
throughout the British empire. The president was
threatened with the fate of Bonaparte, and it was said
that the American peace ought to be dictated in Wash-
ington, as that of Europe had b<?en at Paris. Even in

OF PATRICK OA88

150

'parliament the idea was held out that peace ought not
to be thought of till America h'*i! received a signal pun-
ishment, for having dare I to declare war upon them
while their forces were engaged in "delivering Europe"
from its oppressor. Tlic comTnencement of thy negoti-
ations for peace, which had been proposed by the Brit-
ish court, was suspended, and strenuous etl'orts were
made to send to America as commanding a force as pos-
sible.

"Under these circumstances, a victory gained by the
raw troops of America over the veterans of Wellington,
superior in numbers to the victors, upon an open plain,
and upon a spot chosen by the British general, had a
most beneficial tendency, by dispelling the dread which
the prowess of the British troops in Spain could not
have failed to have produced in the minds of their op-
ponents. This battle was to the army what the victory
of Captain Hull had been to the navy; and the confi-
dence which it inspired was surely most justly founded,
for every man felt that the victory had been gained by
superior skill and discipline: it was not the fruit of any
accidental mistake or confusion in the army of the ene-
my, or of one of those movements of temporary panic
on one side, or excitement on the other, which some-
times gives a victory to irregular courage over veteran
and disciplined valour.

"After so signal a defeat, the British could not be
induced to hazzard another engagement. They aban-
doned their works at Chippewa, and burning their bar-
racks, retired to Fort Niagara and fort George, closely
followed by Brown. Here he expected to receive some
heavy guns and reinforcements from Sacketts's Har-
bour; but on the 23rd, of July he received a letter by ex-

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156

LIFE AND TIMES

press from general Gjiiiies, advising I.iiu that that port
was blockaded by a superior T' itish force, and that
(Jommodon) Chauncy was confined to bis bed with a fe-
ver. Tiijs disappointed in his expectations of being en-
abled to reduce the forts at the nioutli of the Niagara,
Brown determined to disencumber the army of baggage,
and march directly for Burlington iroights. To mask
this intention, and to draw from Schiosser a small snp-
p'y of provisions, he fell back upon ('hippowa.

"About noon on the 25th, general Brown was advis-
ed by an express from Lowistown, that the ijritish were
following him, and wore in considerable force in Queens-
town and on its heights, tha^ four of the enemies llect had
arrived with reinforcements at Niagara during the pre-
ceding night, and that a number of boats were in view,
moving up the river. Shoitly after, intelligence was
brought that the enemy were landing at Lewistown,
and that the bagga^^eand stores at Schiosser, and on their
way thither, were in danger of immediate capture In
"order to recall the British from this object, Brown deter-
"raincd to put the army in motion towards Queonstown,
and accordini^flv General Scott was directed to advance
with the first brigade, Towson's artillery, and all the
dragoons and mounted men, with orders to report if the
enemy appeared, and if neccfisary to call for assistance.
On his arrival near the Falls, Scott learned thr.i the en-
emy was in force directly in his front, a nar) ow piece of
woods alone intercepting his view of them. He imme-
diately advanced upon them, after dispatching a mos-
Bonger to General Brown with this intelligence.

The reports of the cannon reached General Brown be-
fore the messenger, and orders were instantly issued for
General Ripley to march to the support of General Soott,

OF PATRICK (JA88.

157

the
rice.

1 on -

iie-

lics-

bc-
Ifor

with the second brigarlo and all the artillery; and Brown
himself, repaired with all speed to the scone of action,
whenoe he sent orders for General Porter to advance
with hifi volunteers. On reaching the field of battle,
General Brown found that Scott had passed the wood,
and engaged the enemy on tin Queenstown road and on
the ground to the left of it, with the Otli, 11th and 22nd
regiments, and Towson's artillery, the 25th having
been thrown to the right to be governed by circum-
stances. The contest was close and desperate, and the
American troops, far inferior in numbers, suffered se-
verely.

"Meanwhihs Major Jessup, who commanded the 25th
regiment, taking advantage of a fault committed by the
British commander, by leaving a road unguarded on
his left, threw himself promptly into the rear of the
enemy, where he was enaWed to operate with the hap-
piest effect. 'J1i(! slaughter was dreadful; the enemy's
line fieci down the road at the third or fourth fire. The
caj^ture of (Jeu. Uiall v.'ith a large escort of ofticers of
rank, was part of the trophies of Jessup's intrepidity
and skill; an 1, but for the impression of an unfounde<{
report, under which he unfortunately remained for a
few minutes; Lieutenant (JencMal Drummond, the com-
mander of the British forces, would inevitably have fal-
len into his hands, an event which would, in all })roba-
bility, linve completed the disaster of tlie British army.
Drummond was completely in Jessup's power; but be-
ing confidently infornixul that the first brigade was cut
in pieces, and linding himself with less tlian oOO men,
and without any prospect of support, in tlie midst of an
overwhelming hostile force, he thought of nothing for
the moment, but to make aood his retreat, and save his

5I.

if:

ill

^^^

ifi

V If

ill

158

LIFE AND TIMES

command. Of this temporary suspense of the advance
of the American column, General Drummond availed
himselfto make his escape. Among the officers cap-
tured, was one ,of General Drummond's aids -de-camp,
who had been dispatched from the front line to order up
the reserve, with a view to fall on S<;ott with the con-
centrated force of the whole army, and overwhelm him
at a single effort. Nor would it have been possible to
prevent this catastrophe, had the reserve arrived in time,'
the force with which General Scott woula then have
been obliged to contend being nearly quadruple that of
his own. By the fortunate capture, however, of the Brit-
ish aid-do-camp, before the completion of the service on
which he was ordered, the reserve was not brought
into action until the arrival of General Ripley's brigade,
which prevented the disaster which must otherwise have
ensued.

"Though the second brigade pressed forward with the
greatest ardour, the battle had raged for an hour before
it could arrive on the field, by which time it was nearly
dark. The enemy fell back on its approach. In order
to disengage the exhausted troops of the first brigade,
the fresh troops were ordered to pass Scott's line, and
display in front, a movement which was immediately
executed by Ripley. Meanwhile the enemy, being i^con-
noitered, was found to have taken a new position, and
occupied a height with his artillery, supported by a lino
of infantry, which gave him great advantage, it being
the key to the whole position. To secure the victory,
it was necessary to carry his artillery and seize the
height. For this purpose the second brigade advanced
upon the Queenstown road, and the first regiment of in-
fantry, which had arrived that day, and was attached to

OP PATRICK QAS9.

159

■:«i

the

ore

rly

der

,de,
nd

,ely

on-
,nd
ino

Ithe
;ed

lin-
to

neither of the brigades, was formed in a line facing the
enemy's on the height, with a view of dravving his fire
and attracting his attention, as the second brigade ad-
vanced on his left flank to carry his artillery.

'Assoon as the first regiment approached its posi-
tion, colonel Miller was ordered to advance with the
21st regiment, and carry the artillery on the height,
with the bayonet. The first regiment gave way under
the fire of the enemy; but Miller, undaunted by this oc-
currence, advanced steadily and gallantly to his object,
and carried the heights and cannon in a masterly style.
General Ripley followed on the right with the 23d reg-
iment. It had some desperate fighting, which caused
it to falter, but it was promptly rdlied, and brought up.

"The enemy being now driven from their command-
ing ground, the whole brigade with the volunteers and
artillery, and the first regiment, which had been ral-
lied, wore formed in line, with the captured cannon, nine
pieces in the rear. Here they were soon joined by Maj.
Jessup, with the 25th, the regiment that had acted
with such effect in the rear of the enemy's left. In this
situation the American troops withstood three distinct
<lesperate attacks of the enemy, who had rallied his bro-
ken corps, and received reinforcements. In each of
them he was repulsed with great slaughter, so near be-
ing his approach, that the buttons of the men were dis-
tinctly seen through the darkncas by the flash of the
muskets, and many prisoners were taken at the point of,
the bayonet, principally by Porter's volunteers. Du-
ring the second attack General Scott was ordered up
who had been held in reserve with three of his battal-
ions, from the moment of Ripley's arrival on the field.
Duiingthe third effort of the enemy, the direction of

I mi

t, V _.,

1«)0

LIFE A?<D TIMES

Scott's column would have enabled him in a ffevr min-
utes, to have formed line in the rear of the enemy;?
right, and thus have brought him between two fires. —
But a ilank fire from a concealed party of the enemy
falling upon the centre of Scott's command, completely
frustrated this intention. His column was severed in
two; one part passing to the rear, the other by the right
flank of platoons towards Jviplcy's main line.

"l^his was the last effort of the British to regain their
position and artillery, the American troops being left
in quiet possession of the field. It was now nearly
midnight, and Generals Brown and Scott being both
iieveroly wounded, and all the troops much exhausted,
the command was given to ^General Ripley, and he
was instructed to return to camp, bringing with him the
wounded and the artillery.

"Gen. Ivipley hay been much blamed for the non cxo-
nition of this order, by which the captured cannon
Again fell into the hands of the British. Gen. Brown,
in his oflicial report says, 'To this order ho (Ripley)
matie [no objection, and I veiled upon its execution. —
It was not executed.' On the part of Gen. Ripley it
is stated, that his orders were, in case an enemy appear-
ed! in force, 'to be governed entirely by circumstances.'
f.li« orders, therefore, were executed. At daybreak the
army was arranged and the march commenced, when
circumstances of the most positive nature were made
apparent, such as must have been in view in the di.s-
f-retionary part of the order, and in the full effect of
which General Ripley commenced and effected the re-
treat whicli afterwards led him to Fort Erie. The
troops, reduced to less than IGOO men, were marched
<ni the 2Gthby Gcr. Ripley toward the field of battle.

or PATRTCK c;as8

161

Motion was commenced at day-break, but diriici.ities in-
cidental to tlic late losses })revented the advance before
some time had been spent in rcorgani".ation and ar-
rangement. The line of march being assumed r.r^d th«
Chippewa crossed, Gen. Ki])lev sent forward Lieuten-
ants Tappan of the 2od, and Jvidilie of the ir)th, with
their respective commands, to leconnoitre the enemy'*
position, strength and movements. On examination,
he was found in advance of liis former position, on an
emiiionce, strongly reinforced, as had been asserted by
prisoners taken the preceding evening; his Hanks res-
ting on a wood on one side, and on the river on tho
other, defied being turned or driven in; liis artillery
was planted so as to sweep the road; besides these ad-
vantages, he extended a line nearly double in length to
that which could be displayed by our troops. To at-
tack with two-thirds tho Ibrce of the i)reccding even-
ing an enemy thus increased, was an act of madness
that the first thought rejected. The army was kept in
the field and in .motion long enough to be assui'ed of
the strength and position of the enemy; that informa-
tion being confirmed, there remained but one course to
prevent that enemy from impeding a retreat, which,
had he been vigilant, he would previously have pre-
vented. Tiie army, therefore, immeiliately retrogaded,
and the retreat received tho sanction of General Brown,
previous to his crossing tlie Niagara. ;.

The American official account states their loss in tliis
battle at 171 killed, 57-i wounded, and 117 missing;
the return of British prisoners presents an aggregate
of 169, including Major General Kiall, ami a Tiumbor
of ollScers. The British state their loss to be 84 killed,
.059 wounded, li)3 missing; their loss in prisoners* tliey

■, f :

it.

162

LIFE AND TIMES

stated at only 41. Major-General Brown and Brigadier
General Scott were among the wounded of the Amer-
icans, and Lieutenant General Drummond and Major
General Riall among those of the British.

On the arrival of the British before Fort Erie, they
perceived that the opportunity was lost of carrying the
American works by a coup-de-main. Driving in the
pickets, therefore, they made a regular investment of
the place. The following day. General Gaines arrived
from Sackett's Harbor, and being senior in rank assu-
med the conimand. On the 6tli., the rifle corps was
sent to endeavor to draw out the enemy, in order to
try his strength. Their orders were, to pass through
the intervening woods, to amuse the British light troops
until their strong columns should get in motion, when
they should retire slowly to the plain, where a strong
line was posted in readiness to receive the enemy. The
riflemen accordingly met and drove the light troops in-
to their lines, but although they kept the wood nearly
two hours, they were unable to draw any part of the en-
emy's force after them. The British left eleven killed
and three prisoners in the hands of the riflemen; but
their loss was supposed to be much more considerable.
The loss of the riflemen was five killed and three or four
wounded.

The main camp of the British was planted about two
miles distant. In front of it, they threw up a partial
oircumvallation, extending around the American forti-
fications. This consisted of two lines of entrenchment,
supported by block-houses; in front of these, at favor-
able points, batteries were erected, one of which enfila-
ded the American works.

"The American position was on the margin of lake

OF PATRICK OA88.

16a

en-
lled
but
3le.
■our

'or-
Lla-

ake

Krie, at the entrance of the Niagara river, on nearly a
horizontal plain, twelve or fifteen feet above the surface
of the water, possessing few natural advantages. It
had been strengthened in front by temporary parapet
breast-works, entrenchments, and abbatis, with two
batteries and six field-pieces. The small unfinished
fort, Erie, with a 24, 18, and 12 pounder, formed the
northeast, and the Douglas battery, with an 18 and
pounder near the edge of the lake, the south-east angle
on the right. The left was defended by a redoubt bat-
tery with six field-pieces, jnst thrown up on a small
ridge. The rear was left open to the lake, bordered by
a rocky shore of easy ascent. The battery on the left
was defended by Captain Towson; fort Erie by Captain,
Williams, with Major Trimble's command of the 19th
infantry; the batteries on the front by Captains Biddle
and Fanning; the whole of the artillery commanded by
Major Hindman. Parts of the 9th, llth, and 22d in-
fantry, were posted on the right under the command of
Lieutenant-colonel Aspinwall. General Ripley's brig-
ade, consisting of the 21st and 23d, defended the left.
General Porter's brigade of New York and Pennsylva-
nia volunteers, with the riflemen, occupied the centre.
"During the 13th and 14th, the enemy kept up a brisk
cannonade, which was sharply returned from the Amer-
ican batteries, without any considerable loss. One of
their shells lodged in a small magazine, in fort Erie,
which was almost empty. It blew up with an explosion
more awful in appearance than injurious in its effects,
as it did not disable a man or derange a gun. A mo-
mentary cessation of the thunders of the artillery took
place on both sides. This was followed by a loud and
joyous shout by the British army, which was instantly

i04

LIFE AND TIMES

^' .

., T

:: '

I f.'.

roturnod on the part of the Americans, wlio, amidst thr
«mokc of tlic cxpkjsion, renewed tlie contest vy an ani-
mated roar of the heavy cannon.

'•J''rom the supposed loss ofamnumition, and the con-
sequent depression such an event was likely to produce,
(;loneral Gaines felt persuaded that this explosion would
lead the enemy to assault, and made his arrantcemeuty
accordingly. These suspicions were fully veriiied, by
an attack that was made in the night between the 14tb
and 15th of August. ' -

"The night was dark, and the early part of it rain-
ing, but nevertheless one third of the troops were kept
at their posts. At half past two o'clock, the riglit col-
Tininof the enemy approached, and though enveloped in
darkness, was distinctly heard on the American left,
and promptly marked by the musketry under majors
Wood .and captain Towson. lieing mounted at tlie
moment, Gaines repaired to the point of attack, where
the sheet of lire rolling from Towson's battery, and the
musketry of the left wing, enabled him to see the ene-
my's column of about 1500 men approaching on that
point; his advance was not checked until it had ap-
proached within ten feet of the infantry. A line of loose
bruwh, representing an abattis, only intervened; a col-
umn of the enemy attempted to pass round the abattis,
through the water, where it was nearly breast-deep. —
Apjirehending that this point would be carried, Gaines
ordered a detachment of riflemen and infantry to its
support, but at this moment the enemy were repulsed.
They instantly renewed the charge, and were again driv-
en back.

"On the right, the fire of cannon and musketry an-
nounced the approach of the centre and left columns of

OP PATRICK GA88.

IG5

tho onomy, under Colonels Drummoml and Seott. —
The latter was received and repulsed by the 9tli, under
the command of Captain Foster, and Ca])tains Bou^'h-
ton and Harding's companies of New York and Ponn-
gylvania volunteers, aided by a six pounder, judiciously
posted by Major ]M'Keo, cliief eni;-in"er.

But the centre, led by Colonel Drummond, was not
long kept in check; it approached at once every assaila-
ble point of the fort, and with scaling huldcrs ascended
the parapet, where, however, it was repulsed with
dreadful carnage. The assault was twice repeated and
as often checked; but the enemy having moved around
in the ditch, covered by darkness, increased by tho
heavy cloud of smoke which had rolled from the can-
non and musketry, repeated the charge, re-ascended tho
ladders, and with their pikes, bayonets and spears fell
upon the American artillerists, and succeeded in cap-
turing the bastion. Lieutenant M'Donough, beingse-
verely wounded, demanded quarter. It was refused by
Colonel Drummond. The Lieutenant then seized a
handspike, and nobly defended himself until he was
shot down with a pistol by the monster who had refu-
sed him quarter, who often reiterated the order — "give
the damned yankees no quarter." This officer, whose
bravery, if it had been seasoned with virtue, would
have entitled him to the admiration of every soldier —
this hardened murderer soon met his fate. He was
shot through tho breast, while repeating the order "to
give no quarter."

Several gallant attempts were made to recover tho
right bastion, but all proved unsuccessful. At this
moment every operation was arrested by the explosion
©f game cartridges deposited in the end of the stone buil-

it d

'I ;

1'!: J

3 ,

166

LIFE AND T1ME8

ding adjoining the contested bastion. The explosion
%vas tremendous and decisive; th-i bastion was restored
by the flight of the British. At this moment Captain
Biddle was ordered to cause a field piece to be posted so
^8 to enfilade the exterior plain and salient glacis. —
Though not recoverefl from a severe contusion in the
shoulder, received from one of the enemy's shells. Bid-
die promptly took his position, and sci ved his field-
piece with vivacity and effect. Captain Fannings bat-
tery likewise j^layed upon them at this time with great
oflect. The enemy were in a few momonts entirely de-
feated, taken or put to flight, leaving on the field 221
killed, 174 wounded, and 180 prisoners, including 14
officers killed and 7 wounded and prisoners. A large
portion were severely wounded; the s'ightly wounded,
it is presumed were carried off.

The loss of the Americans during the assault was
seventeen killed, fifty-six wounded, and 11 missing.
The British accounts acknowledge only 57 killed,
309 wounded, and 539 missing. During the pre-
ceding bombardment, the loss of the Americans was 7
killed, 19 severely and 17 slightly wounded. The loss
of the British is not mentioned in their official account.
This bombardment commenced at sun-rise on the mor-
ning of the 13th, and continued without intermission
till 8 o'clock P. M.; recommenced on the 14th, at day
light, with increased warmth; and did not end until an
hour before commencement of the assault on the morn-
ing of the 15th.

A short time after the assaulton Fort Erie, General
Gaines received a serious wound from the bursting of
a shell, by which means the command once more de-
volved on General Ripley, till tlie 2d of September,

OF PATRICK OASfl.

167

when the sta^o of his health allowed Gen. Brown again
to place himself at the head of his army.

The troops in Fort Erie bej^an now to be generally
considered as in a critical situation, anl much solici-
tude to be oxpressod for the fate of the army that hail
thrown so much glory on the American name, menaced
as it was in front by an enemy of superior torce, whose
numbers were constantly receiving additions and whose
batteries every day becoming more formidable, while
a river of difficult passage lay on their rear. Reinforee-
ir.onts were ordered on from Champlain, but they were
yet far distant. But the genius of Brown was fully
equal to the contingency, and the difficulties with which
he was environed served only to add to the number of
his laurels.

"Though frequent skirmishes occurred about this pe.
riod, in which individual gallantry was amply display-
ed, yet no event of material consequence to<<k j)lace
till the 17th of September, when having suffered much
from the fire of the enemy's batteries, and aware that a
new one was about to be opened, General Brown re-
solved on a sortie in order to effect their destruction. —
The British Infantry at this time consisted of three bri-
gades, of V2 or 1500 men each, one of which was sta-
tioned at the works in front of Fort Erie, the other two
occupied their camp behind. Brown's intention there-
fore was, to storm the batteries, destroy the cannon,
and roughly handle the brigade upon duty, before those
in reserve could be brought into action,

"On the morning of the 17th, the infantry and rifle-
men, regulars and militia, were ordered to be paraded
and put in readiness to march precisely at 12 o'clock.
General Porter with the volunteers. Colonel Gibson

> '1 1

' !■

t I

1.'-

:il'

\ ;

ics

MFK AND TIMK3

with tlio riflomon, ami Major Uroftks with the 2'>(laml
1st infantry, and a low dragoons acting as infantry,
W(!ro ordered to move from tlio extreme left upon the
enemy's right, hy a [lussago opened through the woods
for the occasion. (Jencral IMilhjr was directed to sta-
tion his command in tlie ravine between Fort Kricand
thu enemy's batteries, by passing tliem by detachment
through tiie skirts of tlio wood — and the 21st infantry
under (Jeneral liipley vras posted as a corj)s of reserve
between the new bast ions of b'ort Erie — all under cov-
er, and out of the view of the enemy.

''The left column, under the command of General
Porter, which was destined to turn the enemv's ricrht,
having arrived near the British intrcnchnients, were or-
dered to advance and commence the action, Tas'sing
down the ravine, Brown judged from the report of the
musketry that the action had commenced. Hastening,
therefore, to General Miller, ho directed him to seize
tl e moment and pierce the enemy's intrenchmeuiS be-
tween batteries No. 2 and 15. These orders were prompt-
ly and ably executed. Within 80 minutes after the
first gun v as fired, batteries No. 2 and 3, tlie enemy's
line of entrenchments, and his two block-houses, were in
possession of the Americans,

Soon after, battery No. 1 was abandoned by the Brit-
ish, The guns were then spiked or otherwise destroyed
and the magazine of No. 3 was blown up.

A few minutes before the explosion, the reserve had
been ordered up under General liipley, and as soon as
he arrived on the ground, he was ordered to strengthen
the front line, which was then engaged with the enemy
in arder to protect the detachments employed in demol-
ishing the captured worka. While forming arrange-

! f^

OF PATUIt K 0A»«.

1(11)

n\ents for actinpj on the eni'iny's cump during the uu>-
meat of panic, liipley rocelvcil a severe wouiul. By
this time, however, the object ot the sortie being acconi-
plishcil beyond tiie most sanguine expectations, Gener-
al Miller had ordered the troops on the right to fall
back, and observing this nioveniont, Brown sent his
titalf along the line to call in the other corps. Within
11 few minutes thev retired from the ravine, and thence
to the carnj).

"Thus, says ( Jcneral Brown, in his dispatch, l.UOO
regulars and an ('([ual portion of militia, in one hour
of close action, blasted the hopes of the enemy, de-
stroyed tiie fruits of fifty day's labor, and diminished
his effective force 1000 men at least.

"In their otlicial account of this sortie, the British {)ub-
lished no returns of their loss, but from the vigorous
resistance it must no doubt have been great. Thcii
loss in pc^oners was 385. On the part of the Amer-
icans the killed amounted to 88, the wounded to 210,
and the missing to a like number.

"A few days after this battle the British raised the
siege, anil retreated behind the Chippewa. Meanwhile,
the reinforcements fruu: Plattsburg arrived at Sackett's
Harbour, and after a few days rest proceeded to the
Niagara. They crossed that river on the ninth of Oc-
tober, when General Izard, being the senior ofhcer, su-
porceded General Brown in command. On the 14th,
the arnjy moved from fort Erie, ^vith the u.sign of
bringing the enemy to action. An attempt was made
to dispute the passage of ii creek at Chippewa plains,
but the American artillery soon compelled the enemy
to retire to their fortified camp, when attempts were re-
peatedly made to draw them out the following day, but-

170

LIFE AND TIMES

•1

mi:
Mb
p-1

'■:

1!*:

without effect. A partial engagement took place on the
15th, which closed the campaign on this poninsnla.

"Thus ended a third campaign in Upper (\inada,
without a single important c^nrpcst being secured.—
The operations of the army under Brown, hoAvever, ar«^
not to be considered as worthless and inenicient. 'J'hov
have, in the most complete manner eflaced the stain
thrown on the army by the inibecile efforts of its infan-
cy, and have cast a lustre on the American name, by a
series of the most brilliant victories, over troops here-
tofore considered matchless. Nor ought we to lose
sight of the eflect produced by these events on the
ccTintry at large, actively engaged as was almost evc"y
citizen, in repelling or preparing to repel, the invaders
of their homes."

We have preferred to give the history of this cam-
paign thus from a contemporary source* rather tlian
undertake to present the same facts in different words,
and perhaps, inadvertently, be guilty of inaccuracy. —
This account is fortified by official documents, and may
be relied upon as correct.

At the time of the battle, Mr. Gass, belonged to ihe
first regiment, under command of Col. Nicholls; but
at the time of the attack on the British batteries was
attached to the gallant 21st, under Col. Miller. Accor-
ding to his recollection of the spot, after a lapse of for-
ty years, a gentle slope rises within some 300 yards of
the Cataract of Niagara, to the height of perliaps 200
feet, with a steep declivity at the side next the Falls.— =•
Skirting this declivity, there was a narrow road oi^rath-

»By anoversight discovered too late in the process of printing to be cor
reeled, the foregoing accounts" the campaign on the Jfiagara frontier, is ered
tied to Nile K'lleeister. It should Lave been to the "Historical KogiBter wf
the United Statea," edited by T. H. I' aimer, 1810. Vol. 4. page 14.

OP PATUICK QASS

171

but

was

3Cor-

for-

s of

200

Is.— =•

rath-

|ti cor

ered
fcter \>(

■iT by- path. Ascending tlie slope was another, more
travelled road, fenced in on Loth sides, with a large red
frame church on one side of it, at the bottom of the hill.
This road was known as Lundy's Lane. After attain-
ing the top of the ascent, the country was more level
but rolling, and with patches of timber interspersed. —
Tho liritish jjattery was located at the top of the hill,
.icross the lane; and effectually commanding the entire
ground, cut off the advance of t^ ■ Americans, and left
them exposed to the flank attacks of the British. Thi«
being the position of affairs, it was absolutely necessa-
ry to the Americans that the British should be driven
from the position. Mr. Gass distinctly recollects of th«
n-iomorabje saying of Col. Miller, -'I will try, sir," when
ordered by Gen. Ripley on the perilous task of its cap-
ture, being of common report at the time, and vouchet
fo'- its authenticity. The day had been warm and some-
what cloudy toward evening, but all Avascalm and surn-
nier-like, — the monotonous roar of the cataract so near
at hand, drowning all meaner sounds, mingling with
the thunder of tlie artillery, and overtopping the demo-
niac sounds of war. For one hour, Scott's Brigade had
borne with unll inching resolution, the storm of iron
hailed upon tiioui by the battery; but it soon became
apparent that ihe British must be dislodged or the daj
be lost. By this time, it was after seven in the even-
ing, — the clouds had rolled away, and the midsummci
moon nearly in its fall, poured a liood of light over the
battle-field. Silently and steadily the com mand of Col.
Miller, drawn up in line but two men deep, marched np
to the foot of the lane, the red church protecting them
from the grape of the artillery; then, without a bah or
ii waver, they advanced rapidly up the hill, with bajro-

r i

172

LIFE A^T) TIMER

chi

Hying

tlieir head.'

nets at a charge, the grapo Hying over tlieir heads in a
liarmloss storm, until thoy gained the very muzzles of
tlio pieces, Tlien, says Mr. ( niss, came a blast of lijiiiK.
and smoke, as if from the crater of liell, and they were
among tlio (^nemy, — hand to liand — bayonet to l)ayonet
— and steel dashing on stool, in the close and murder-
ous condict. The fiii'ht was but for a moment. "Chartre
the gray backit militia: — tlioy cannot stand the bayo-
net,'* shouted their Scottish commander, but in one mo-
ment tlie British were put to iliglit and tlie taunt was
falsified on his very lips. Then was heard tlie com-
mand of the gallant Miller, "halt and form." The or-
der was hardly executed, ere the British were back up-
on them like a whirlwind, and then ensued the hardest
of the light. Three several times, they made the assault
and were as often repulsed. The British guns, at last
were turned upon their former owners and sullenly and
doggedly they were forced to retire from tlie Held. Un(;
of the pieces of cannon, says Mr. Gass, in order to
show the locality of the battery was trundled ov(jr the
bank and down into the Falls. In narrating his per-
sonal experience, he says that the al'Jair was so rapid
that he hardly had time for a distinct idea, until it was
over; but that in marching up to the battery, he felt as
he expresses it^ "d — d bashful." We have assurance,
however, that his modesty soon wore off. A ball thro'
the hat, thanks to his shortness of stature, was the only
mark of merit he received in this encounter. The prin
cipal carnage took place after the battery was captured;
the artillery being aimed so high, as to dc but little ex-
ecution in the thin column of advancing Americans. —
The hand to hand light over the guns is said to have
been terrific, and the bloodiest ever fought on the Aracr

OF PATRTCK GASS.

11*''

ican continent, considering the number of men engaged
and the number of the slain. The dead were literally
piled in heaps. Blue uniforms and red, promiscuous-
ly mingled in the ghastly piles, and the hand palsied
by death, still held the musket \vith its bayonet sheath-
ed in the bosom of the foe; and the kindred blood ot
Briton and American mingled in one red stain upon the
sodden earth. It was indeed a scene of terrible slaugh-
ter.

From () to 11 P. M., the battle raged about this con-
tested sjjot; the placid moon looking down upon the
ueligerent hosts, and the stars like reproving angels,
beholding the wild passions of man, thus mocking na-
ture's thunder with his infernal din.

Pursuit was impossible, after the retreat of the Brit-
ish; and the American's held possession of the ground
for some time; until seeing that nothing was to be ac-
complished b}' holding this now barren position, they
retired in good order to Fort Eric.

The particulars of the siege of Fort Erie and the sor-
ties made by the Americans have already been related;
but an incident occurred at the memorable sortie of
the 17th August, that shows the character of "Hergeant
(jiass" to a striking advantage. To each company was
attached men whose duty it was to carry a supply of
rat-tail files and a hammer with which to spike such
cannon of the enemy as they should be so fortunate as
to capture, Sergeant Gass, was intrusted with tkis
responsible duty, by Capt. Denman, in whose compa-
ny he served, and on one occasion having taken a small
British battery, the Americans were marching off their
prisoners, when Denman despatched the Sergeant to
•Gen. Brown, who was standing on a log, some yards

1T4

LIFR AND TIMRS

liii '•

from tho spot to cnqiiiro whothor h<' slioiild doatrov
somo '24 pomnlors. "Destroy tlicm. Sergeant," saiil
Thrown, "\v(» don't know liow loni' tliey'll be ours." —
Patrick says lio slapped in tlio rat (ail files and drove
tlieni home; wliile some "(all yankoes from York State"
sledged off the trunnions from the pieees with a niar-
vollously good will. The selection for Siich a duty re-
quiring coolness and bravery, is a liigh compliment to
tlio Sergeant, and shows the estimation in wliich ho
stood among his comrades and «fticers.

Fort Eric was occupied by the Americans until the
close of the campaign, when it was destroyed and tlio
army prepared to spend the Avintcr at Buffalo and otlier
points. Mr. Gass, under Gen. Winder, passed the
winter at Sackett's ITarbor. Having passed tlie win-
t*)r hero, without extraordinary incident, he was dis-
charged from tlie service in Juno 1815, news of the
treaty of Peace of tlie previous 24th December, having
come to hand in Februarv, 1815 — the battle of New
Orleans of the 8th January, having been fouglit after
the treaty was actually signed by the commissioners at.
Ghent.

RUliI

CHxVPTER V

«: O XC LU SIGN— IN KETI REME NT

Tm-: war was now dosed, and our liero with many
otliers, was tlirown again upon the workl, none the
bettor for liis oainp service either in pocket or in mor-
als. Disoliarged at Sackett's Harbor, he took up his
lino of march, once more, for Wollsburg. By the way
of the hike, then on foot, tlieii riding in a wagon, the
obi soldier returned from tlie wars, until lio reached
Pittsburgh; thence, descending the Ohio, it was not
long until he again greeted his friends, to engage no
more in the perils of war, nor to leave them again, in
the wild search for adventure, lie had taken an active
])art in the most arduous campaign of the war, and had
particijnitcilin its most brilliant victory; hut while the
laurel wreath hung so gracefully about liis brow, he had
-•Iso felt some of the stings of the thorn. The congrat-
ulations of his friends were embittered with the thought
th t now forty years of his life were passed, and he had
nothing substantial to show for recompense — nothing
laid up against the day when penury miglio plead in
,'ain with cold-hearted charity, for alms in considera-
tion of sclf-sacritice and gallant deeds in the country's*

iTn

LIKE AND TI>Ji:S

si'i'vicc. lit; wjis now ;i iiiiddl'j-Mi^i'd iiuiii, aiitl very
iialiunlly Ix'^^iiii l(» lliink of iiiukiiiL;- souk; jxovisioii lor
till! riiturc Accoidinj^'ly, hs llir |iliius(; ;^a)(!S, li(!settl('(I
<l(i\vi). I i is sillts(i(|ii(;iit, cuiiMM' i);is' hrcu lli.'itofuJi oM
soldici', subsided iii(o llic rcjilil ics of (jvcry-diiy lilr, and
st,ni,u;.L;lin}^ upiinst, [Ktvcrly lor an holiest siihsistonco.
TIk! wild (»als iio Imd so\vri in liis rivrly iniinhood, wcyi-.
now l(< !)(; icajxjd. A life of s"Mlcd industry wiis irk-
some (o iiis ti!rn|)Oi'jiTn(Mit, and aitri^otiici' conliury 1o
liis li;>l)it!s. Lik(! too inany otlirrs in his' |ios'ition, lie
t^iiv(; way to iiiloinjxM'ftncc!, iUid diiiin.i^'' <lic surci-cdinLi:
to)-(y y(>)irs of liis' life, occur iniiny (dnijitcus', o$'i- Avliicli
wo .i^Hiidly drjiw the v<!il ol'clnirity. Wc; would iiotsay
a siiiti^Ic! word dcM'ot^atory to tcinpcrniicc uk n virtue, nor
would wo iiiitif^iit(^ liy a sinnK; iota, tlie j)roj)(M' uldioi-
roue*! oi'vico in any tdiajxi; but surely sonn; charity can
$o oxtondod to tlie votcraii, wiios(! youth up to in'\tur(^
nuinliood, ]iad bo(Ui H])ont in the; caiu}), and niorit<»iIous-
Iv in tli(! scrvico of Ids country. That man lias in hi«
composition littK^ of lh«!Tuilk ofliuman kindness, — lit-
tle of the spirit of Ilim who said, writin^^ upon tlie sand,
"h(! tliat is innocent amon^ you, cast the lirst stone,"
who caiuiotfind in Ids lajart something to extenuate, if
not excuse this single fail in.L( in a character otherwise
unbl(nnish(»d. Lc't us not judge too harshly, We know
not tlio templations of other men, nor iw it f>nr.s to jndgf
their i'aultH or loibles loo sevendy. Still, Avhiie we would
crav(> a charitable judgement, the fact cannot be denied,
that, like too many others, he acipiired, during liis cam-
paigns, a taste for intoxicating liquors, and was, for
many years, a slave to the debasing habit that degrades
and domoralizen so many of the bent, most brilliant and
most generous of our race. Intemperance was his be-

OK I'ATIIK'K (iAKH.

Kfitliiii^' sill, liiil ilruiils' or suIkt, lie wiis ever Iioucki

siri(;(!i(.' iiiid I iiilJifiil, uikI

u ])ii( 1 ioL l.o t lie vcrv ••<»i(' o

IiIh Ijourf. Ill Ill's \<'ry worst, dr^Mailatioii, I lien; was
nvcr (lis]")lay(;'l iiii iiilKJiciil. nohilily of (jlmrucfcjr, wliidi
('oiiiin'iii(U'(l l.!i(! ]»it,yiii;^ )(;s|)('ct of liis Jir'(|imiii1jiiict;s:
uiiil wliicli ill Ijitcr yciirs, li;is (Mi.iiili'd Jiim in u Lcr<'iit
iiicjisiirc lo throw oH'iIh! dcltjisin^^ liabit.

r'loiii tin; tiiiif (d'liis ret inn in JSlf), lj(; Ims Itccri lo-

cjit.od ill tliis viciiiit\', cnua^^'-d in xurioiis

oc(Mi|t!it ions.

lie l('iid(Ml ("(MTy r<»r 'Si|uirt' Kolxirt, Marsjiall, in J Hi.'),
t(;ndc!(l l»j'(^\v(!ry I'oi' Wriu^lit A; I»iiss(d!, in Wtdisluiri;,
ill ISIO, and in (Jio sann; year ladpc'd .lolm I'mowii to
huiid I.Ih; old IJajit isl M(!c( iii^' I loiiso, liiinlod Htray Iiors»is
aliout Mansli(dd, < >liio, in i'^17, and labored on his fatii-
cr's ranii, and in tli(! riillin^- niill aiternuffdy, the siic-
c<!cd i II j,^ years, nnvil his lather's (h-atli, which oeeiuicd
in 1S27. On this ev(\nt, he was ajtpointed adininistia-
tor of the estate, whieli l)usin<,'.ss was soon adjusted, his
fatluM's <;.stutu l>ein;r but small, and i'utiick's share l)ut

trillc

At tliis |j(unt <*onini(;nees the jonianli*; poition ed'his
t'ar(!ei'. \\i' had attained to the inatur(3 age olT)8, with-
out having {'.wf liad his Nuseeptihilities sensibly loiieh-
«!(! by the boy-;^o)d; until lie was deemed impervious t
his s lafts, and iiisensible to the (diarms of lemale soei-
viy. lie had taken liix position in the iiinumeralile ar-
my of old liaehelors, and was dciemed iueorriyible by
liis ao{|uaintaucx3s and the j<en<ler sex. lie who hud
fought the wild bears of the mountains, sle[it with the
biillalo on the plains, straddled the >iiKsouri, and lived
for months on unseHs^uned dog-meat, then faced the .lirit-
hsh at liUndy's Law and Krie. and fought his way
thr^nigh blood and lluuie, it was little thought wuuld

' I ■

f • ~-

178

LIFE AND TIMES

ovor snrrnndor liis manliood to weak woman's wiles and
winning ways. r>nttlioy misjudged liim, as they were
igiiorant of luiman nature. Love goes by contraries.
Tiiko seeks not like, but seeks its opposite; so that the
blended elements may make the perfect being: .

"Brra^ts wlilrli caso tlin Ihin':' frnr-jiroof licart.

Find tliclr loved homes inarms whom tremors dweU.''

. 80 Shakespeare says, and so in this case the event
demonstrated. ITe had only deferred his destiny, be-
(?ause he had not yet found his counterpart.

In the fall ^ 18'29, he commenced boarding with John
Hamilton, better known among our younger readers as
the Judge, whose bowed frame will be well remember-
ed as he sat about the stores and street corners — a wreck
of a powerful and once inllucntial man. At this time,
Hamilton lived on a piece of land, and had to cheer him
a pretty daughter, whom he called jMaria. She was just
blooming into womanhood, a:ul thrown into the con-
stant society of our hero, a mutual feeling sprung up
between the two, and gradually Jane melted into J)e-
cember. Of the process of their courtship we have no
data other than what probability suggests. He doubt-
less wooed her with "tales of hair-breadth scapes, and
of perils by sea and land," and as she listened, she
doubtless breathed the wish, as maidens often do, "that
heaven had made her such a man." Whether she did
or not, they made each other understood by some sub-
tle alchemy to lovers known; ami not to theorize too
far on so delicate a subject, they were married in 1831.
Patrick immediately rented a house from a certain
Crickett, who resided on the Crawford farm, in the vi-
cinity of Wellsburg, and commenced house-keeping. —
jNIaria made him a good and loyal wife, and in testimo-

OF rATUICK (JASS.

llif

ny thereof, presented liim with fieven rhildrcn, (hiriiiLC
the fifteen years of their married life, from l!^31 to
1846, when .slie died. It was customary to joke the
old soldier on his rapid increase of family. Sueii
j(dves Avere always good naturedly reeeiveil, and ho
would charaeteristically remark, that as all his life long,
ho had striven to dolus duty, he would not neglect it
now, but I)y industry make amends for his delay.

In his married life he was kind and affectionate — a
good husband and father. Five of his ehildren are
still liviuLT, one having died in infancy and another, a
well groivn lad, dying in Loudon county, Va., of the
small pox, in 1855. After various changes and re-
moves, he finally purchased a piece of hill-side land on
Pierce's Run, in Brooke county, and' sat down with
his increasing family to cultivate the soil. This liap-
py retirement was interrupted in 1840. At this time-
the measles appeared in his family — all of the children
were prostrated, and in the February succeeding, came
the severest blow he had ever experienced. At this
time his wife having taken the measles, died, and he
was left with a large family of young children depen-
dent upon him for support in his old age.

In consideration of his sarvices he received from thi?
(rovernment, in addition to his pay as a soldier, 100
acres of laud in 1810, and a pension of 896 per year,
to date from that period. The land ho sufTered to lie,
until eaten up and forfeited from non-payment of taxes,
and the pittance of »$96 per year is all that he has actu-
ally received from the Government in exchange for the-
services of the best years of his life, from 1804 to 1815,.
over and above his pay and rations as a soldier.

1- ..'1

1 :.^I

^\-

«-«

!■

1^0

LIFE AND TIMES

Tlie lilstory of tlio pension laws of the United States
is one of interest, and notwithstanding the fact that all
has not hecn done that gratitude perhaps demanded, she
lias been more liberal in this respect, than any other
country in tlio world. It 1ms been the rule, in all coun-
tries, to grant pensions, in some shape, for meritorious
services, to acknowledge or stimulate merit, and to raise
those who have served their country faithfully, above
the caprices of fortune. In Englaml, the king has been
regarded as the sole judge of desert, and following out
the theory of sovereignty, in America, ihe peojde have
(ixercised the grateful ])rerogative. As the gratitude of
the country toward the veterans of the revolution was
great, so their liberality in the early history of the re-
])ublic was generous beyond precedent, the more espe-
cially as the public lands furnished an apparently in-
exhaustible magazine of largess whence to draw. Pen-
sion acts were passed during the war of the Revolution,
providing ade(p]ate support to those who might be dis-
abled in the discharge of duty. Subsequently these laws
were enlarged and explained. In 1818, those "who
served in the war of the Revolution until the end there-
of, or for the term of nine months, or longer, at any pe-
riod of the war 0)1 the continental establishment,*^ and
"by reason of reduced circumstances in life," were in
need "of assistance from the country for support," were
provided for. In 1828, pensions were given, without
any qualification as to property, to all officers and sol-
diers who served in the continental line of the army to the
close of the war. Finally, in 1832, the terms were en-
larged, and pensions were granted to all who served in
a military capacity, during the war of the Revolution,
for a period not less than six months. First, those

' .*

OF PATRirK fiASS.

isi:

lisabled in tlie military and naval service received pen-
sions ; than the indigent and necessitous; and lastly all
vveie embraced.

The act of 1832, was very conipreheii.sive in its pro-
visions, yet in some respects it was nnjust — for instance;
The rate of pension was graduated by the length of
service and the grade or nink in which it was n>nd<>r-
oJ. 'J^vo years* service entitled the party to the full pay
of his rank in the line, not to exceed, however, the pay
of a captain. For shorter periods the pension was pro-
portionably less; but no pension was provided for nieri--
]y being in a battle, or for any length of service less than
six months. This of course cut ofjf a large class ot'
soldiers equally meritorious, but whose service pcnhaps
only extended to a single campaign or to a single battle,
although that campaign of six wTcks or single iiattlo may
liavc been equally arduous and dangerous to the individ-
ual, as in other cases might have been the full period oi'
the war to other individuals. Many jiersons, were cal-
led suddenly into active service during the war of 1S12
as at New Orleans and other places, and actually enga-
ged in active battle, perhaps been wounded anil disabled,
yet these men, under the provisions of the act of \S',j'2,
were entitled only to a pittance proportioned to the excess
of service over six months. This, was manifestly unjust
and to remedy the injustice, and in some manner equal-
ize the public bounty, w;is the object of the old soldiers
meeting on the 8th January, 1855, in wliicli Mr. (lass,
with many others, figured at Washington City, as here-
after narrated.

No ir an ever served his country more faithfully than
Mr. Gas. and tl ough humble and uncomplaining, no
one ever better deserved to be a recipient of the public

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23 WIST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716)S72-4S03

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182

LIFK AND TIMES

bounty. Had he been a titled soldier, his extraordina-
ry claims to consideration would ere this have forced
themselves upon public attention, but the most of his
career was in the capacity of an humble private, with-
out commission and without honor, save that which
comes from the honest and faithful discharge of duty
in whatev(!r position he hai)pened to be placed. Many
a man of less real merit, and very many of much less
service have risen higher in political and military and
civil station, but it has been his to see his inferiors over-
top him in the rewards as well as in the plaudits of a
well spent life. lie was too modest to thrust himself
forward among the brazsn ranks of aspirants for poli-i-
cal preferment, too proud to crave as a largess from the
government more than what he deemed himself entitled
to by the terms of his contract, too much of a philoso-
pher to complain at neglect, and too long a soldier to
repine at the inconveniences of a lot which he knew to
be inevitable. With the pittance of $96 a year, which
he has been for many years in the habit of drawing in
half yearly instalments from the agent of the govern-
ment at Whetdiug, and tlie small amount he has been
enabled to eke from his spot of stony land, he has liv-
ed in patriarchal simplicity, scrupulously honest, owing
no man anything, and apparently contented and happy
as a millionaire. We doubt, indeed, whether ever the
possessor of a fortune led a more contented or equable
life. So fur as wordly cares are concerned, as to him-
self, he lived the lifeof a philosop her, satisfied that he
would have enough for a decent subsistence while he
lived, and friends enough to give him honorable burial
when he died; and hence troubled -amself but little about
the accumulation of property. His wants were but few,

OF PATRICK GASS.

183

and easily supplied. But as his family grew up, and
the necessity of some provision for them began to occu-
py his mind, it would be singular if he did not feel some
degree of solicitude in their behalf. It is a beautiful
characteristic of our nature, the feeling which induces
us to provide for those who arc to come after us, around
whose life.s the chords of affection hftvc been so entwined,
that after death, we would still have them remain inter-
laced with the recollection of the love we bore them. —
Man alone, of earthly creacurcs is immortal, and man
alone, of all God's creatures, provides for his offspring
by force of an instinct which reaches not only beyond
the period of maturity, but beyond the grave. It is
hard tohnd a creature so debased, so cold, so destitute
of the ordinary feelings of humanity, as not in some de-
gree to recognize the promptings of natural affection
and in many a one, the secret of a long life of toil, of
trouble, of peril and deprivation, of sacrifice of comfort
and ever, of character, is found in this yearning 'after
posthumous regard. Undefined, the feeling may be,
perverted and wrong it very often is, yet such is the
case — that around the most rugged heart, the desire for
providing competence for posterity, has grown into a
passion, until it has choked out almost all other kindly
feelings, and the man becomes a miser, that his chil-
dren may be spendthrifts. The feature, in human na-
ture, of which this is an exaggeration, in its true and
proper devolopement, beautities and ennobles man and
distinguished him from the brutes that perish. Mr.
Gass, had now become a man of family, and as the
cares of providing for them began to thicken around him,
he began to be more solicitous for a proper provision for
their welfare.

'I F i

1IW'

1«4

LIFE AND TIMES

During the year 1854, the propriety of calling a cou-
ventiou of tlic surviving soldiers of tlie war of 1812, to
meet at Washington City, by delegates, to memorialize
Congress for some further acknowledgement in the shape
of grauts of lands, of the services of those who had ser-
ved the country in ii s day of adversity, was actively
discussed. The c(timtry had now grown strong anil
wealthy, and it was thought that of the present abun-
dance we could well spare some for the relief of the sur-
viving^ and in many cases fortune broken soliliers. The
case certainly appealed strongly to the generosity, if
not to the justice of the country. A strong feeling
seemed to exist on the part of the public to recognize
these claims. The question was discussed in Congress,
and advocated on the ground of sound policy as well as
of gratitude, and the Press of the country was nearly
unanimous in favor of the propriety of acknowledging
the claims of the old soldiers. President Pierce in bis
annual message of this year spoke of the commendable
policy of setting apart a portion of the public domai ii
for this purpose and adverted to the fact that since 171)0,
30,000,000 acres of public lamls had been approi)riated
for the benefit of those who had served in tiie war.^ of
the Revolution. Nothwithstanding this disposition,
however, there were still many to object to such a mea!>-
wre. It was urged that ihe pension laws were liberal
already beyond those of any other country; that a further
extension of liberality, would open the door to corrup-
tion and fraud; that many of tiie surviving soldiers were
wealthy and did not need the bounty, and that it would
be hard to discriminate between them who did and thoue
who did not; that it would be unjust to favor sumo
merely because they were survivor's, while others equally

OF PATRICK OA88.

18;)

[•al
[or

ro
Id

lie

moritorioiis, had died without such favor; and that to
equalize tlie matter it wouKl be necessary to extend the
bounty to the heirs of the latter, which would absorb
too large a portion of the public lands. These weve
serious objections and prevented congress acting as lib-
erally toward tho old soldiers as otherwise their feel-
ings might have prompted them to do. Nevertheless,
it was thought advisable for these latter to visit Wash-
ington City in person and thus appeal to tho countiy
for an extension of liberality in their behalf. Accord-
ingly, public and very general notice was given by ad-
vertisement and circulars that n convention of old sol-
diers would assemble at Washington City on the 8th.
day of January, 1855, and the surv^iving soldiers wore
invited to assemble in their respective neighborhoods
and send on delegates to represent thenj at this gener-
al meeting. This call emanated from the president of
the "military convention'' of the soldiers of 1812,
which had assembled in Philadelphia tho 9th. of Janua-
ry preceding and conteiu plated a meeting not only of
representatives of the surviving soldiers, but of the heirs
of the deceased soldiers. It was particularly desired
however, that as manv of the old soldiers as could make
it convenient should attend in person and by their pres-
ence make the demonstration the more impressive and
efl'cctive. In accordance with this call, a meeting of the
old soldiers of the vicinity was invited to meet at W^ells-
burg on the 25th. of December 1854, to elect delegates
to the N'^tional convention of tho 8th. January. The
names of those present at this meeting are as follows,
as they stand in the published proceedings of tlie meet-
ing in the Wellsburg Herald of that date.

Patrick Gasa, Maj. John Miller, William Tarr, Isaiah

' '

I"'

•* m\

!11

■it''' ■

MFE AND TIMES

Uohorts, Robert Britt, Walter Brownlcc, Kli fircon,
Olied Green, Wm. Roberts, Noah Rarkus, George
Young, Mathias Ebberts, Ellis C. .lonos, Elijah Corne-
lius, \Vm. Colo, John Moren, James Davis, .Iame.>
WoIIh, Walter D. Blair, Adam Ralston. Wm, Afkin
son, James Baird, Jolm Gatwood, and eight others
were represented by their nearest mrle relations. The
seene presented by the assemblage of these gray haired
veterans, some of them trembling at the veiy verge
of the grave and none of them witli more than a very
few years of this world in prospect meeting thns in coun •
cil, was unique and sfiggestive of the times that tried
men's souls. Conspieuous among them appeared our
old friend Mr. Gass, to whom was assigned the post of
lionor at the head of the list in consideration of his em-
inent services as well as of liis age. The tall form of
Ellis C. Jones towered among his old comrades — ven-
erable with his snow wliite locks and the casual f>bser-
ver could readily recognise in the faces of many of them
the evidence of that manly energy that prompted them
in their youth to stand in the foic front of battle in de-
fence of the country. Though old, crippled hy disease
and time ami accident, there was still about them some-
thing that distinguished them from the mass of their
fellow men.

The meeting appointed Messrs P. Gass, John Miller.
AVm. Tarr and Ellis C. Jones to represent them in ih
old soldiers meeting of the 8th. January ensuing.

^riie Convention met at the 4^ Street Presbyterian
Church in Washington City, on the morning of the
8th, and organized by the election of Joel V. Suther-
land, of Philadelphia, as President, when after prayer
by Rer. Sunderland of Washington, they were ad

or rATIllt'K (iASf.

1KT

■fil

lor.
til

rinn

the

hcr-

Byer

vlipssodliy IV'tor Wilson of Cayupi, and otlitMS, on the
subject for Avhich they had assonihled.

After adjourninj^, they formed in j.roi.'essio!i and ])rc-
cededbyall the military of tlie city, and various hands
of music, marched to tho I'rcsidont's liouse, which
•they reached at about 2 o'clock, and found tlie Presi-
dent and most of the Cabinet in waitint,' to receive tliein.
I'lcsideut Pierce, in responKC to the address of the !*re.s-
ident of the Convention, doli\ered an a})|ii(>{"riatc
speech, sui)stautially as ft)llo\vs:

''I tender to vou, sir, and to vour associates, mr
grateful acknowledgements for the j>r.vilege of tiiis in-
terview, and for the kind reference you have been ])leas-
cd to make to myself. It can hardly be necessary for
me to fe'ay that my heart sincerely responds to your al-
lusion to the hero, who has given iinniortality to the
day, vou have met to celebrate. As fhi.s numerous as--
semblage of veterans filed before us, no man could have
observed their countenances, without being impressed
with the fact that they were the men for such a war as
that of 1812. The lines of intelligence and marked em-
phasis of character are unmistakcablc. What a crowd
of associations spring from the presence of the veteran
commanders near me, (CJencral Scotland Commodore
Morris,) and 1 am gratilied to observe among yuu a del-
egation from our red brethren, who were found faithful
in the period of trial; and whose services arc entitled to
be cherished with grateful remembrance. Many of yon
liavo never met before, Kince the close of the war, and
this reunion of companions in arms must revive in your
bosoms, gentlemen, emotions peculiarly active. My
earliest reading was of the occurrences of forty vear^^
'%go, in which you all bore a part, and my earliest riiu

i.lv

!■■* ::,>'^

18S

LIFK AND TIMES

iiiisccncos arc of tii<Mvr»r of 181*2. I woW recollect that
the ap[)i()i\('li of every inivil wivsttntici[)}vte(l by iny foot-
steps to (he village post office, and that 1 naturally felt
the deepest coneerii for those who left my own home to
take a part in the conllict, while my young heart gave
out its (juick sympathies to all who contril)uteil to tiie
cause, personal service, or sustained it at home l>y ear-
nest and eflicient encouragement. 'I'iniehas only serv-
7ed to enhance the admiration I then lelt, for such as
])romptly enrolled themselves under the Hag of their
country, and it is gratifying to meet hero to-day, so ma-
ny survivors of that galhmtarmy and navy. 1 can read-
ily conceive the thrilling emotions that must rush upon
you as you now grasp each other by the hands, for the
lirst time for forty years, and it may bo for the last titne
forever; but, gentlemen, 1 must not detain you. I wish
for you, individually and collectively, every blessing —
all that you can reasonably expect, and all that your
oounti^ can consistently confer. The universal com-
mendation which greets you at every step, is more elo-
quent than any words that I can utter. May God, who
has so signally blessed our country, preserve and ever
bless its defenders."

Six cheers were then given for the President, and as
many more for the soldiers of 1812, and the convention,
after the war-chief of the Onondagua had replied to the
President, adjourned for dinner.

At 5 o'clock, the convention having resumed its de-
liberations, passed the following preamble and reaolu-
iions:

"Forty -years have now elapsed, since General Jack-
ion fought and won the last great battle oi the lato war
with Great Britain, at New Orleans; and that glorioum

tlio

de-
lolu-

ick-
Iwar

OP PATlllCK OA»fl.

ISO

anniversary is a fitting day for the 8ui*viving soldiers
of tliat war to meet and take counf^cl together. Thif
city, too, named after tlie father of our country, is a
most appropriate place for our assemblage. The war
of the revolution achieved our liberty, the war of 181li
.secured it. While the green sod marks the graves of
our revolutionary fathers, a few only of those who sta-
lled their lives in our last immortal conflict, survive to
tell the tale of our sufferings and services — by far the
greater portion of them having passed down to their
last homes on earth, manVv")f them in ])enurv and want.

"In less than forty years after the close of our revo-
lutionary struggle, a grateful Congress passed a gener-
al pension law for the benefit of the surviving officers
and soldiers, at a time when the treasury was empty,
and a heavy war debt was hanging over it; is it then un-
reasonable for us to expect that similar justice will be
done to the survivors of the war of 181-, and to the
widows and children of those who arc dead, whik' the
public treasury is overflowing with gold and we have
comparatively no debts? Or is it asking too much to
have fair portions of the public domain, which we fought
and paid for, allotted to us? We think not.

"1. Be it therefore, resolved, that a committee be ap-
pointed to memoralize Congress on this subject, and to
nrge npon our Senators and liepresentatives to make to
each officer, soldier, sailor and marine, who served du-
ring the war of 1812-15, appropriate grants of land, —
at least IGO acres to the lowest grade and for the shor-
test time of actual service. The benefit of this law to
extend to the widows and children of those who are
dead.

*'2. That similar provision ought to be made for

\ '

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111

iOO

T.IFI' AND TIMES

.>Mr iV'l l)rcthioi\ wlio fouglit by our sides; and iilltliost:-
(•oiiHnod ill foreign prisons dm ing the war of 1812, if
nlivo; and also, to tlio prisoners in Tripoli, who vvcrir
forced to labor as slaves or felons. If dead, then to
their widows and ehildren.

".S. That while wo deeply deplore the untimely
deaths of so many of our brethren in arms, wo pledge
Dursolvesever to aid and protect their bereaved widows
and orphans; and here on this most interesting occa-
sion, we extend to each other the right hand of follow-
ship, and bind ourselves by evcy sacred obligation to
stand bveach other while wo live, in dofenco of all our
righcs at homo and abroad.

4. That Congress ought to extend to the soldiers of
the late war and their widows the same pension system,
adopted for these of the revolution; and the thanks of
this Convention are hereby tendered to those just and
generous members of both houses, who have had tho
nerve already to move in this matter.

"5. ^rimt in our judgement every principle of jus-
tice requires that invalid pensions should commence
from the time when the wounds were received or disa-
bilities incurred in the service of the United f*tates."

Resolutions wore also passed thanking individual
members and recommending measui-cs to bo taken to
carry out the objects of the foregoing resolutions, af-
ter which speeches were delivered by Generals Scott
and Coombs of Kentucky, and by other distinguished
soldiers and civilians, when tho Convention adjourned
Tintil the next morning.

Next morning, the old soldiers again assembled, and
after prayer proceeded to discuss the most available
means for accomplishing tho object of the ConventioHv

OK PATUICK a AS 8.

101

led
led

id
)lo

Committees were appointed for every Stale, and ar-
rangements made for an organized effort to aocuro tar-
dyjusticc from the representatives of the people. Af
tor some time spent in discussion tiicf adjourned, hav-
iu)^ been kindly treated by the citizens of Washington,
and being highly pleased with their entertainment gen-
erally.

The parting of the old soldiers \vh')n each delegation
took up itH line of march for homo, was affecting in
the extreme, and as the gray haired veterans shook
hands for the last time many an eye was bedewed with
tears. Since that last parting many of them have died,
and as year by year rolls around one by one the defen-
ders drop off, until now their ranks are more than deci-
mated — scarcely enough remaining to call tb.e roll of
the survivors.

The meeting of the old soldiers was a failure so far
as the object for which it was previously designed, was
concerned; but it attracted the attention of the coun-
try to the subject, and may yet eventuave in the desired
modification of the pension laws, or at least to an ex-
tension of liberality to particular individuals like our
liero, the singularity of whose service precludes the pro-
bability of his ease ever being used as a precedent. It
would be creditable to the American Congress did they
make an exception in his case, and by a bonus, munifi-
cent to him, trifling to the nation, demonstrate at once
their appreciation of meritorious services and character,
and help to smooth the declining years of au old and
deserving soldier.

There is not probably now living, a single man who
has done so much for the public as Mr. Gass, and re-
ceived as little. Among the many unicjue features of

f\^

102

i.IirB AND T1MK8

his rlmrnctor this is nottholoftst singular. Ilohnsnfv-
cr luHMi ji l)e^,Lfnr, mnthor lius Iio over Imil omolumcnt
thrust upon him by tlio countiy he so fiiilht'iiliy sorvtul;
luMU'C lio is both |)0(>r ami iiiimblo. It may bo j)ro|)<'r,
now, to say, tliat these sULT^cslious aii? oms, not liis;
not put forth at his iiistanco, but unsolii'itoil, and wliol-
ly pi»mpt('il by a (k'siic on our ])ai't to sco a j>roper )il)-
orality cxtiMiiiivl t : a (h'sorviii!^- man. As for liim, liis
desires arc but lew us liis wauls are simpUi; and if tlio

i;ov(U'nmen

t bf

it of

PiiCrudi^cs a materuu a('kuowliMlL!:em(Mit ol
his idaim, wo are satislied tlnit tlie refusal will not oc-
oasiou him a single panpj ot" regret, or a single murmur
of comidaint.

After his return from the ''Soldier's Convention" of
IS;')!), although disappointed in his antieipations. he
manifested a philost)phie indifferenee, and much more
Kurpriso and gratilieation at the developn»ent of the
country, the magniiicent railroads, public buildings and
improvements that came umler his observation, and
the universal recognition that he recciveil among the
dignitaries at Washington City, and indeed among all
parties with whom he camo in contact, than he did re-
gret or dissatisfaction at the result. During his travels
about the Federal city ho was considerably lionized, had
the freedom of the various routes of travel, and generally'
was highlv ilattenil by the consideration that was
shown him on all occasions where his character was
known. A considerate friend in the city had presen-
ted him with a spread eagle of brass which was attached
to the front of his hat and wherever the badge was ob-
served it became his generally recognised passport. —
The same badge was worn for a long time after at home,
and regarded by the old hero, with very commendable

or I'ATIIU'K C,\HH.

103

prido ns ft Koiivonir of tlio hlniluoMs of Ills Wii^liln^'-
lon fiiciids.

^Vo. sliiill now !)rin;^ (lin liio^ijipliy of our lioro lo a
(iloso, only rciiiurkiu;^ timt jis tli<! Iilciiiislics on his i-litir-
JictiM" jiro f(!\v and su|)(;rlicijil; tin* reader wliu sinceioly
upj)rocijites liis reiilly ^rood and sfeilin^' (pnilities, will
readily forget and fori^iv*' ids iVaillies.

Ill' is si ill living, Ditconilier, lsr)S, >,\ inil(\ hearty
\'irj^inia heinoerat of tlie old seliool, — one who nexer
falt(!rin,Lj in the dis(diar,t<(; of dnt;, . or ih-viatin^ l)y tho
breadth (»f a hair from tho st "'I'l li!i>. of )>rinei|de, Mill
mingles suavity with Ids ])arty ;.i.>al; and that .i^'ratefnl
toloranee of o[)iuion in others, which dis(injL,niis]i('S tho
gentlonian from tho mere politician, lie is one; of na-
ture's gentlemen, is the least that ean he said of him.
llaviuL? nursed flames IJuchnnan in 17!>4, he of course,
voted for him for President in l8r)(>, as he has uniform-
ly done for liis demo(;ratie ])rcdecessor.s since the duvs
of Andrew .Jackson. His ])olitical vitnvs are ilrm and
decided, hut he seldom obtrudes tliem; Ids relij^'iouK con-
victions are of the same cast — immovalile, but undem-
onstrative. Such as he i.s, lie stands before the world;
and such as he has b(;cn, he is })repared to go before Ids
Mwkor in full reliance upon his justice and grace, with-
out meddling much withcrceds or professions. So, wo
leave him. That his latter days may bo prosperous and
happy, and blessed with the christian's hope of immwr-
talitv, i.s tho sincere wish of his biographer.

! ' tJ

i VI

i;;

PART SKCOND

CIVIL HISTORY.

Thn Upper Ohio— French and KnfjliHh I'rotpnsions— Washington s First Kx-
poditlon— First En/lish Sottlnmeut at Fort Pitt — Governor Dimviddift —
Wasliinffton's Second Expedition — Fort Necessity — Dcatli of Jnni'mvilln —
First flun of the 70 year's war — Washington's Capitulation a*. Fort Ne-
cessity.

It may not l)c iuapproprifttc to tho dosigri of oui*
work, to give somo detail of tho civil history of tlio coun -
try coming within its scope, tho more particularly as
writers, heretofore, havegcncrally contented themselves
with tho more heroic features of our annals as exempli-
fied in the narratives of Indian wars and massacres. —
This is a much easier style of composition than tho la-
borious collation of facts and figures and as a general
thing a more interesting ono to tho cursory reader, who
by tho way, represents the largo majority of tho read ■
ing pnblic. Tho civil history of tho country, neverthe-
less, is important; and may bo made interesting. Tho
materials in tho crude state may bo found pretty wide-
ly diffused through the public archives, in the columns of
old newspapers, in private repositories of papers, and
in. tho memories of contemporaries. To all these sour-

\'<

196

CIVIL HISTORY.

ces wc have resorted when opportunity ofiered, and one
result of our researches lias been, a knowledge of the
wide difference between tlie random stringing out of
words and correct statement of facts capable of being
verified by comparison witii dates and autliorities. Wc
have been able to discover no .-ogular history of this char-
acter, and believe the items have never been systematical-
ly collated. Few sections of the country can boast of
more incident in its early settlement than that lying on
the tipper waters of the Ohio, and it may be necessary
to preface our civil history with somcof rather a martial
cast. It was the theatre of controversy between the
French and the English prior to the Revolutionary war,
and even before it attracted English attention, was re-
garded with covetous eyes by the French government.
They contemplated a chain of posts extending from the
lakes to the Gulf of Mexico by means of whlcli they
might be enabled to gain and preserve the supremacy of
the country. Their object Avas principally trade with
the Indians, though political reasons and perhaps relig-
ious proselytism, were impelling motives for their ac-
tions. The point of conlluonce of the Allegheny and
jMonongahela was early and rightly considered a most
eligible situation for a stronghold commanding as it did,
the mouths of two rivers along whose banks the peace
and warpaths of the Indians of the North and West
concentered, and being at the head of the most magnifi-
cent water course in the world, 8000 miles in length, and
then considered much longer. It was rightly considered
the key of the western country. Both the French and
the English saw its importance and both were disposed
to take measures to secure possession of it. As early
as 1753-4, Washington at the age of 21, had been sent

CIVIL HISTORY.

197

hj Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, to inspect it. lie-
pronounced warmly in its f.-vor, as an eligible place for
a military post, and recommended its immediate pos-
eession. He also gave it as his opinion, that the point
would some day bo the seat of a great city. In May,
1752, the Indians, by treaty at Logstown had "desired
their brothers of Virginia to build a strong house at the
forks of the Monongahela;" and at Winchester in 175J>
another party had renewed to Virginia, tl'e same propo-
sal. They were afraid of and angry at the French; and
courting favor with their competitors, the English.

The Ohio company, in the early part of 175.'] had
opened a road from Will's Oreck into the valley of the
Ohio, and in November of this year, the young Envoy,
with Christopher Gist as guide, an interpreter, John
Davidson by name, and four attendants on horsebac k
and on foot, travelled in nine days to the forks of tho
Ohio. The season was cheerless, with sleet and snow
and the prospect gloomy with the fallen leaves and tho
■olemn silence of the late Autumn, but the prophetic
mind of Washington grasping the future, was able to
overlook the inconveniences and drawbacks of tho
present, in the magnificent country that opened upon
his vision along rhc banks of the beautiful river. Pur-
suing his journey, he held favorable council with the
Indians at Logstown and Venango, but was able to effect
nothing with tho French, whose commander St. Pierre,
an officer of courage and ability, bluntly informed him
that *'he was there by the orders of hisGreneral to which
bo would conform with exactness and resolution, and
that he would sieze every Englishman within the valley
of the Ohio." One object of Washington's embassy
was to ascertain the object of the French in encroach -.

'■'•ii

HiOS

CIVIL HISTORY.

\ng upon the territory, in time of ' solid peace" artd
their answer was satisfactory upon that liead. This
took place at Fort Lc BcBuff, or Watcrford, 15 miles
south of Lake Erie, on French Creek, and immediately
retracing his steps he started about the middle of inclem-
»;ut December, back for Virginia. The cold increased
very fast and tluMvilderness }iaths were obliterated by
tiie deep snows, so that they were compelled to travel
by compass alone. The day after christmas, while trav-
elling he was aimed at by an Indian at fifteen steps dis-
'ance, but the gun missed fire; then they started across
the Allegheny on a raft of logs, constructed with infi-
nite trouble, with the aid of "one poor ha'chet," and
when in the middle of the running ice, Washington was
jerked overboard by catching his setting-pole between
two large cakes, and saved himself from drowning on-
ly by grasping the logs of the raft, and lodging upon an
island. The next morning, the Allegheny was frozen
and they finished the perilous ferriage over the ice. IW
January 1754, they reached Gist's settlement at the foot
of Laurel mountain, and after that, their progress to the
(seat of government at Williamsburg was kss arduous.
His report was followed by imrajdiatu activity, even
on liis return he met pack liorses laden wiih materials
and stores and families going out to settle at the Forks
of the Cdiio, as it was at that day callled. The Ohio
company had somewhat anticipated his report. They
commenced the Fort and made some progress when Cou-
trecoeurcame down from Venango, with field pieces and
near 1000 men in sixty bateaux and 300 canoes, and
demanded its surrender. Having only 33 effective men,
they, on the 17th of April, 1754, capitulated and with-
drow. Contrecceur finished the fortifications aui ua-

CIVIL HISTORY.

ISO

tnod it Fort DuqucMie. In the incnntlnic, Gov. Din
widdie liad been exerting himse-f to forward soldiers to
^he scene of operation. (Japt. Trent was commissioned
to proceed forthwith, and liaving raised a company of
100 men, ordered to march to the Fork, and complete
iheFort, and Wasliingion was authorized and directed
to recruit a force at Alexandria, for the same purpose-
But difti culties occurred in the colonial Government,
''^pt. Trent proved inefficient, and before efficient aid
could be rendereJ, the fort had fallen into the lujidsof
the French. It was the first regular English settlement
on the watei> ot tli ; Olro. Gov. Dinwiddle was dispo-
sed to take vigorous mea>.i.r3s for the settlement of the
country. Two hundred thousand acre-j of l\nd lying
on the Ohio river, one hundred thousand lying contigu-
ous to the Fort for the use of the garrison, were ollered
as an inducement to volunteers. This proclamation
was effective, and is the foundation of the titles of manv
of the farms lying in this region. Two iiollars per hun
dred acres was afterwards the price fixed by the govern-
ment for warrants for unappropriated lands, l-^cated iu
any quantity and almost anywhere. The ofler of boun
ty induced ready enlistment, and on the 2nd of April,
15 days before the fall of the Fort, Washington set off
for the forks of the Ohio, with 150 men, and was follow-^
ed by Col. Fry with theremainderof a regiment. ThcT
cxpcriehced great difficulty, had to impress horses and
wagons and got bad ones, the roads wc-o miserably bad,
and on the 9.h of May they were still nine miles distant
from Will's creek fort, at a place calK)d the Little Mead -
OW8. By the 27th they had descended the waters of the
Youghiogheny, until they came into close quarters with
ibe French. Warned by the H'llf-king, a friendly In-

t •»

•ill

':: ' i:<i

''-M

■'ij_

'['m
m

200

CIVIL HISTORY.

dian, whoso friendship Washington had gaiuod in hi*
previous excursion to the Oliio, anil by his old friend,
Christopher (list, noav who-^o residence lie then was, to
bo on the alert, ho halted at the (Ireat Meadows and pro-
ceeded to fortify his position, lie named the place Fort
Necessity. I'he French were under the command ot
do Jumonville, a ywung oflicer of great promise. Wash-
ington and his party, assisted by the Indians under the
Half-king, surprised them in their encampment and al-
ter a short, encounter, in which ten Frenchmen were
slain, and twenty-one taken prisoners, defeated them. —
Jumonvillo was killed at the beginning of the skirmish,
and his death was made the theme for much declama-
tion. Tlio French court denounced the act as contrary
to all the laws of Avar and claimed that .lumonville and
hi.s party were only engaged in a peaceable embassy
and were on iho search for Washington and his party,
whom they had heard of, as being on the way. This
was afterwards proved to bo all pretence, and of a piece
with the dissimulation which the French habitually
practiced in their proceedings, during this controversy.
Washington, himself, fired the first gun, and says
Bancroft, "his word of command idndled the world in-
to flames. It w-as the signal for the great war of tho
liovolution. There in the Western forest began the bat-
tle which was to banish from the soil and neighbor-
hood of our republic the institutions of the middle ages,
and to inflict on ti\em fatal wounds throughout the con-
tinent of Europe. In repelling France from the basin
•f the Ohio, Washington broke the repose of mankind,,
and awakened a struggle which could admit only of a
trace, until tho ancient bulwarks of catholic legitimacy
w«ra thrown down."

« *

CIVIL HISTORY.

201

It may thus indeed be said that on the waters of the
Ohio, was the first gun fired of the war of opinion that
afterwards convulsed the worhl, and whose reverbera-
tions did not cease until the American colonies were
freed not only from French but from English domin-
ion; and Europe itself was shaken to its centre by the
armed hosts of seventy years of almost continuous
war. Through all its vicissitudes, the conflict of
liberty with legitimacy, was the prevailing idea —
culminating in the attrocities of the French revolution,
and expiring from exhaustion alone, with the fall of
the first Napoleon. The death of Jumonville was hail-
ed all over both continents as the first overt act of hos-
tility between France and England, and commenced
the "old French war," which resulto-l in the supremacy
of England in the valley of the Mississippi, and proved
the nursery for the gallant soldiery who in after years
in turti, wrested its possession from her, and in the
name of the people, took charge of it themselves.

After this aft'air at the Great Meadows. "Washing-
ton determined to push on toward the Forks, and pro-
ceeded some distance, bat ascertaining that the French
would meet him with an overwhelming force, he judged
it best to retreat, which he did, until he again reached
Fort Necessity on his return. His men were jaded and
discouraged, and scarce of provisions, and he waited
for reinforcements from Wills creek with supplies. —
While waiting at this point, a deserter carried word to
the French under de Villiers, a brother-in-law of the
de Jumonville previously slain, of the desperate condi-
tion of the Virginians, and that officer at once marched
to attack them, and on the 3d of July, after a severe
conflict, Washington capitulated, obtaining favorable

■'

202

CIVIL mSTORT.

terras from the French commander. On the 4th, they
took up their line of march again from the valley of
the Ohio, as prisoners of war; and the French Hag
waved undisputed by any actual force from the head
springs of the Ohio to the mouth of the MissisKippi.

A copy of the articles of capitulation was f ubsequent-
ly laid before the Virginia House of Burgesses, and
notwithstanding the unfavorable termination of the
enterprise, Washington and his troops were thanked
for their gallant behaviour and about $1100 (300 pis-
toles) voted to be distributed among the men engaged.

1^'.

iifiij

lilt

CHAPTER II

THE INDIANS AND THEIR POLITY.

Po'irr of tbo Indian*— Tlio Oliio Indians— TTiintinr Grounds- Sliawanwo—
.I)olawar(>«- Ottnwiis— Six Niition-— Imliiin Villui.'O-' — Tocunipseh— Hatred
of theWiiitos— CruoUios — I'ioucers— Uouutios for ticalps— ludiiiu WarlTM
Comparative Losses— Scouts.

History (Toes not speak in very favorable terms of
the conduct of the Indian allies of tlie JMigli.sli. Not-
Vv'itlistanding alltlicir exertions and the expenditure of
a large sum in presents to the Indians, not more than
thirty could ever bo obtained, at one time, to join the
forces of the English in this campaign. They appear
to have been regular mercenaries, easily discouraged by
adversity, and difficult to control in time of success, apt
to- desert when most needed, and generally willing to
sell themselves to the highest and best bidder. The En-
glish and French bid for their services. The formw
had early gained the good will of the Six Nations, &i
they were called, by timely assistance afforded them
against their enemies, the Adirondacks, who were aid-
ed by the French; while the latter, by their superior di-
plomacy and greater versatility of character, gained
over the good will of the Otto was and Northwestern In-

1'^!

' [4

■mi

i,>i

■•>il^M

204

nVIL niSTORY.

■

dians, with whom they traded and trapped and inter-
married. The l^'ronch could ahvays turn their Indian
allies to better account than could the English; and on
Hcvcral occasions had large numbers of them in service,
and used them to great advantage. (Jontrecceur'a suc-
cessful expedition against Fort Pitt, is a case in point,
as is also IJraddock's defeat, and the engagement with
Col. Bo(|uct, in which tiic French and Indians were,
however, defeated. In eacli of these aflairs, the Indians
greatly outnumbered the French. At this time, the
French had also alienated several tribes of the Six Na-
tions from tlioir old friends, the English, though they
were unable to retain them until the end of the war.

As the Indians played an important part in the early
settlement of this section, and the details of their wars
with the whites, compose a good portion of our early
history, we shall indulge in a few remarks and reflec-
tions upon the circumstarbces of their existence in the
land. The countiy lying on the waters of the upper
Ohio does not appear to have been very strictly appro-
priated by any particular tribe of Indians, hut to have
been regarded as a common hunting-ground for all. —
The mountainous and hilly region of the Monougahcla
and Allegheny, with its numerous streams, abounding
with game and .fish, was roamed over by parties of
all the tribes for a great distance around. The numer-
ous stone arrow-heads turned up in every new-plough-
ed hill-side and top throughout this wide region, is ev-
idence that it was industriously hunted, while tradition
reports that at an early daj, the- ereeks and rivers liter-
©rally swarmed with fish of the finest kinds. The con-
formation of the country ren.dered also it^ vallejt and

CIVIL HISTORY.

205

ridges the thoroughfares for Indian parties travelling
from one section of the country to the other, on their
various excursions and they had well beaten paths in
every direction. Tumuli and mounds exist in abun-
dance, and along the river bottoms the disinterment of
Indian remains are of frequent occurrence. All this
goes to show that the country was much frequented by
the Indians, still it does not appear to have been the
seat of any considcrsble villages during the memory
of the whites, at least. Small settlements of a few huts
like that atLogstowu, Catfish Camp, the Mingo bot-
tom, and others existed, but rather at the head quar-
ters of some noted chief or warrior, than as the settled
habitation of any tribe. It may be, that the continu-
al liability of the country to be over-run with hunting
parties, often of hostile tribes-, prevented it being more
densely populated, certain it is, that the principal In-
dian villages wliencc came the savage irruptions into
the infant settlements of Virginia, and Pennsylvania
were situated far distant from this locality. Of all the
Indian tribes of which we read, tlie most unrelenting,
and apparently the most numerous and powerful ap-
pears to have been the Shawanees who dwelt upon the
Miamis and the flat lands of Central Ohio, extending
to the Wabash. They were originally Tennessee In-
dians, driven thence into the Ohio country by ihe
Creeks at a period not very remote. Next to them in
importance, appear to have been the Delawares, a
powerful tribe driven from the Susquehanna country
by the encrorching wliites and located near neighbors
of the Shawanees with whom they acted often in con-
cert. Next, the Ottawa's, a large and enterprising
tribe inhabiting the lake country to the Northwest and

ffW

205

CIVIL HISTORY.

tholand of the Illinois, and after thorn tho Wyandottn,
Mingoos and a score of others — .smaller trihes — sonio of
whom had their vilhiges on tho banks of the Ohio and
tributary streams, ])ut who were not ;u;enerally consid-
ered very formidable. To the Northoast, hiy tho coun-
try of the Six Nations, alonff tin; hikes, the St. I^aw-
renco and the Jfudson, ca])ahle of bringing into tho
field 2500 figliting men. The Mohawks were the most
noted among those confederat(Ml tribes. Among peo-
ple so nomadic in their habits as these, it is diflicultto
assign any very definite boundaries, but they appear
to have had certain rules and regulations among tliem-
selves which were scrupulously observed. Kach tribe
appears to have had a certain territory and villages pe-
culiar to itself, where the families, tho old men and tho
infirm resided and to which tho warriors and hunters
repaired as to a general rendezvous, but the country out-
side of this ap])ears to have been occupied and hunted
in common. This idea of community of lands, seems
to have been a prevalent one in Indian polity. Partic-
ular tribes had particular local habitations over which
they claimed and exercised exclusive jurisdiction; but
all the balance of the land was a common, to which all
the individuals of all the tribes in the country among
whom peace prevailed, had certain common and undis-
puted rights, which could not be violated without of-
fence. We find Tecumpseh, the great Shawnee chief,
who was dissatisfied with the treaty made between tho
Indians and Gen. Wayne, after their disastrous de-
feat in 1792, urging as the ciuse of his dissatisfaction
that the tribes who were parties to the treaty, disposed
of privileges to which they had no right. At the Coudp
cil of Vincennes he claimed for all the Indians of tba

CIVIL UI«TOUY.

207

r'onntry a ronimon riglit to all tlio lands in it; dcniotl
tho right of any triho to S3ll nny portion of it without
tho consent of all; antl tliorcforo, pronounced the treaty
of Fort Wavno, null and void.

Such was tho state of this Miction at tho time of wliich
wo spoak in rcforcnco to tho Jndiaii.^. It was overrun
hy wandering bands of Indians of divers tribes and
language, often at war with one anotlior and not very
scrupulous upon wlioni they oo!umitt('(l depredations,
but particularly joalous of tho whites, whom they all
regarded as intruders npon their common territory. —
It was diflicult to effect treaties, and when violated, it
was extrenndy iliflicultto ascertain and punish the vi-
olation. They wore in regard to the whites, more like
irresponsible banditti than anything else. Distrustful
alike of the {''rench and JMiglish, and hating equally
both; they^were willing to lend themselves to whichever
paid the best or promised most opportunity for taking
pale-face scalps. The Indian, naturally blood-thirsty,
had in this case, both tradition and his own knowl-
edge to encourage him to hate ^bo whites. They would
willingly have exterminated tnem, but they are cun-
ning and crafty, as well as brave and revengeful, and
easily appreciating the hopelessness of open hostility,
they were disposed to effect the same end by stratagem
and management. It was a pleasure for them to see
their white brothers engaged in throat cutting, as it
saved them the trouble and the risk. They fought on
the Bide both of the French and the English. At Fort
Necessity, Washington was aided by the Indians, and
at Braddock's defeat but a few months afterward, the
same Indians assisted the French in the slaughter of the
English. Said the Half King, the "French were cow-

■f:
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208

CIVIL HISTORY.

ards and V '^ English fools." Crafty, bloodthirsty and
crtiol, yet endowed with many virtues, among which
were desperate courage and tenacious patriotism, they
were enemies not to bo despised, and friends, whose al-
lian«;e was to bo courted and purchased. With all
their faults it cannot be said of them that they were re-
gardless of the laith of treaties when properly under-
stood and fairly treated; or that their cruelty in war
was unprovoked. The whites in both respects have
much to answer for. The Indians were the original
possessors of the soil, and the whites could advance no
stronger claim than they, hence they were disposed to
regard with jealous alarm the pretensions of the P]ng*
lish and French to the possession of all their territory,
even from the rising to the setting sun. Their jealousy
to say the least, was but natural, and much allowance is
to be made for them in their pertinacious assertion of
what they deemed their rights. Still, the Indians had no
equitable title to all the territory over which they saw
fit to assert a claim, any more than had the whites; and
it is a narrow-minded philanthropy that regrets their
being disposessed of a land thty could neither appreci-
ate or improve. The hidian, in the wisdom of Provi-
dence, had fulfilled his destiny; a stronger and a sub-
tler race from beyond the great waters, had come to
push him toward the setting sun, and though he might
struggle and writhe in his savage agony, yet the advan-
cing wave in its irresistable majesty swept him before
it, or mercilessly buried him and his, with the memory
of his ancestors in the gulf of oblivion. Had they done
otherwise than they did, they would have been more or
less than men; hence we are disposed to look leniently
upon Indian barbarities, and with a philosophic eye up-

CIVIL HISTORY.

209

on the causes and the manner of their extermination. —
Divested of romance and poetry — tlio two races were
antagonistic in almost every rcsp«;ct — thoy could not
exist in peace together — and the weaker yielded, — is
the philosophy of Indian history, condensed.

But however philosophic in theory, they were sol-
emn realities to the pioneers. As early as the day of
which wo write, scattered families of whites driven by
the love of adventure, or fear of justice, or allured by
fabulous accounts of the fecundity of western soil, had
located upon the banks of the Ohio, the Monongahela,
the Allegheny, the Kanawha, the Holston, the Poto-
mac and their tributary streams. Distant, hundreds
of miles from each other, they were liable to be mur-
dered in their cabins by the marauding Indians, and
their fates perhaps never be known. Such cases, there
is reason t j believe did happen.

During tlie peace preceding the French and Indian
war just inaugurated, these settlements had increased
in number, but when the war removed from the Indi-
ans, what little restraint they were previously under,
settlements ceased, and Indian murders became so fre-
quent that the country was nearly, if not altogether
abandoned by these sentinels of civili;^ation, and the
clearings left to grow up with weeds and underbrush, to
be again reclaimed in happier times. Jk. duties for
scalps were offered by both parties, to their disgrace be
i^ said, and the vindictive Indian took a savage delight
in the silkcui locks of women and children, as well
an in the scalps of his more legitimate victims.

From the commencement of hostilities, the country
was a continued scene of warfare in detail; but in 1763,
the Indian war may bo said to have commenced in

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210

CIVIL HISTORY.

earnest, when the Indians significantly left a tomahawk
in the cabin of a murdered family near fort Ligonier,
as a formal declaration of war. Siiawanees, Delawares,
Mohawks, Wyandotts, and Mingoes, all seemed to
unite in a war of extirpation. The whites, says Col.
James Smith, of Kenturky, a veracious man, and for
many years an adopted captive among the red men,
lost in the ratio often to one. Lurking parties attacked
them in their cahiiis; tli(>y skulked around the home-
stead and shot the farmers at their work or while
Juinting or journeying; thoy waylaid the emigrant by
water, and as the descending craft swept with the cur-
rent against the projecting headland, it was assailed
with rifle bullets by unseen enemies. Under such tui-
tion, our early settlers became almost Indians them-
selves in their watchfulness and keen sagacity as scouts,
as well as in unrelenting hatred of their enemies.

It is no part ofour plan however, to depict the hor-
rors of Indian warfare. Others have given in detail
the barbarities of both sides; for ourselves, we would
wnllingly they were forgotten, for there is little in the
record of attrocities to elevate our conceptions of hu-
man nature or to improve or elevate the race. In many
cases cold blooded butcheries were perpetrated by ihe
whites, and in some cases, without the shadow of a jus-
tification other than passion .and revenge. Such enor-
mitior, were incident to the war, and we turn from them
in preference to the more gratt-ful record of the peaceful
progress of the conntry.

'ii

CHATTER III

BRADDOCK'S EXPEDITION.

Conflden(e of the French— Stobo—Gon. Braddock— Pir John StCiair— I'ro-
vincia's disi,ni.ste(l— Dcpaitiiro df troops — Tho "Bhick IL illc" IMlliciiltios of
the ruiite— ]5attlo (ironnd— Hatth'— Fall of liraddock— \Va>liii)Klou to Uih
rescue— Ihaddock's Ueatli— French and ludi'ins — (ionei' al Panic — roiiliac J
War — Emigration stopped— f'ol. IJoipiet's Stratiu;eni— l''rei'cli Sujireinacy
Will. l'itt--Geu., Furbi.'> — Fort Duijuc-uo retaken — Furt iiti.

The subsequent warlike proceedings of tlio Englisili
and Virginians in tlicir el'fbrts to dispossess tlic Frcncli
from the valley of the Ohio, are so intimately
connected with our early history, that we feel constrain-
ed to trace them further. After the defeat of the Vir-
ginians at the Great Meadows, and expulsion from the
country, the French appear to have relaxed in their vig-
ilance at Fort Duquesne, so that Stobo, one of the two
hostages left as security for the fulfilment of the articles
of capitulation, found means to send to the government
at Williamsburg, a map of the fortifications and a do-
tailed statement of the strength and disposition of the
garrison. Induced by these representations, it was de-
termined to make an efifort to retake it from outre -

C€BUr.

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212

CIVIL HI8T0RY.

The colonial government, although Governor Din-
widdie ound it very impracticable as a general thing,
voted 20,000 pounds sterling and the home government
furnished about the same amount in money and arms,
for the purpose of carrying out the design. Major
General Edward Biaddock, a veteran of forty years
standing in the most precise school of British discipline
jind exact punctilio, was appointed to conduct the cam-
paign. Braddock was brave and kind hearted, an ex-
perienced soldier according to routine; but obstinate,
overbearing and lacking in common sense to appreciate
the dilTcreuce between war in civilized style and war in
tlic wilderness. Sir John St Clair, deputy quarter
master of the expedition and a man of much influence
in it, was an obstreperous, swearing Briton of pretty
much the same character as his superior. These two
officers moulded the character of the campaign. A reg-
ulation of the G overnment degrading the colonial officers
below officers of the same rank in the King's regiments
had so disgusted Washington, that he had retired from
the service. When the British fleet however, with two
prime regiments of well equipped soldiers landed in the
Chesapeake and the brilliantly equipped soldiery were
disembarked at Alexandria, almost within sight of his
home at Mt. Vernon, it so stirred the military ardor of
his blood that^ he was readily induced to listen to over-
tures flattering to his pride; and to accept a place in
Braddock's staff. A convocation of the governors of
the different colonies met at Alexandria to concert
measures for the campaign. The result of their delib-
erations on the point in question, was, that Braddock
set out from Alexandria, on the 20th April 1755, in
great state attended b^ a military cavalcade for the ren-

CIVIL HISTORY.

2ia

cers
nts
om
wo
the
ere
his
of
ler-
in
of
rt
b-
ick
in

dozvous of the forces at Wills Creek. By the 30th,
of May, after much delay and embarassment the troops
were all at Wills Creek, ready for their march, to the
number of nearly three thousand men, of whom, about
one half were British regulars.

They had not proceeded far on their route before the
General discovered the nature of the enterprise in which
he had engaged. The Provincial officers would come
to him with advice in his dilemmas but with a strange
perversity, he spurned their counsel as presumptuous
and insulted some of them by imputations of caution
amounting to cowardice. Captain Jack, a bold and
intrepid borderer, known in early times as the "Black
Rifle" and a terror to the hostile Indians, tendered his
services and was rebuffed by the over-confident gener-
al and turned on his heel with his band of a hundred
leather clad rangers and disappeared in the woods. —
He would have been of the greatest assistance, had he
continued with the troops. As his difficulties increas-
ed Braddock condescended to consult with Washington.
At his suggestion, twelve hundred men of the choice
of the army were told off, to march as rapidly as possi-
ble toward the Forks, while Col. Dunbar was left be-
hind with the balance to make the road and bring vn
the heavy artillery and baggage. This plan promised
iuccess. The army advanced much more rapidly; the-
expedition having consumed nearly a month in accom-
plishing one hundred miles. At length, on the 8th Ju-
ly, they had reached within fifteen miles of their destina-
tion. Scouts had been out constantly, and Christo--
pher Gist returned in the morning from the immediate
vicinity of the fort, narrowly escaping with his life from
% couple of Indians, and xeported the road clear and na

. h

214

CIVIL mSTORY.

I :

r '

enemy to be seen in force about the premises. At th«
poiut they then occupied, the hills came down bluff to
the water, forming a narrow pass of some two miles on
the side of tlie river on which the fort was situated,
whieli it was considered dangerous to attempt; and it
was resolved to ford it and march down some five miles
on the other side and again rccross. At day break, th«
next morning, tlie troops were put in motion. They
forded the ]\loMongahcla with all tlie precision and de-
liberate confidence of a parade. Their arms glittered
in the sunlight and their accoutrements were all in fault-
less order, as they formed on the opposite bank and
marched along the open valley. The officers were all
in full uniform and all loolvcd as if arrayed rather for a
fete than for a battle. Washington, wlio had been sick
and left behind to recover, at Fort Necessity, and had
rejoined them but the day before still indisposed; smar-
ting under the contemptuous rejection by Braddock of
his cautious suggestion that he should keep the Virgin-
ia rangers in advance of tlie regulars, as more accustom-
ed to the mode of warfare, nevertheless looked upon tne
pageant with an admiring cve. Housed to new life, h«
lorgot his repulses and all his recent ailments and brok«
forthin expressions of enjoyment and admiration as he
rode in company with his fellow aids de camp, Orme
and Morris. Often, in after life, he used to speak of th«
effect upon hiui, of a well disciplined European army,
marching in high coniidence and bright array, on the
eve of a battle.

About noon they reached the second ford, Gage, with
the advance, was on the opposite side of the Moncnga-
hela, posted according to orders; but the river bank had
not been sufiiciently sloped. The artillery and baggag*

^i.i

CIVIL HISTORY.

215

the

nih
fg*-

ig«

wagons, drew up along the beaoh and halted until one,
when the second crossing took place, drums beating,
fifes playing, and colors flying as before. When all
had passed, there was again a halt close by a small stream
called Frazer's Run, until the General arranged the or-
der of march.

First went the advance, under Oafro, preceded by the
engineers andguaids, and six light liors«'nian, then Sir
John St. Clair, and the working party witli their wag-
ons and two six pounders and on each side were thrown
out four flanking parties. Then at some distance, tbe
General was to follow with the main bodv, the artillerv
and baggage preceded and flanked by Mght horse and
squads of infantry; wliile the Virginia and provincial
troops, were to form the rear guard.

The ground before them was level until about half a
mile from the river, when a rising ground covered with
long grass, low bushes and scattered trees, sloped gently
up to a range of hills. Th.e whole country, generally
speaking., was a forest, with no clear opening but tli«
road, which was about twelve feet wide, and flanked by
two ravines concealed by trees and thicket^. It was
now near two o'clock. Tlie advance party and the
working party had crossed the plain and were ascend-
ing the rising ground. Biaddock was about to follow
with the main body and had given the word to march,
when he heard a quick and excessively heavy firing in
front. Washington, who was with tlie General, sur-
mised that the evil he had apprehetidcd had come to pass.
For want of scouting parties ahead, the advance par-
ties were suddenly and warmly attacked. The firing
continued \vith a fearlul yelling. There was a terrible
tiproar. The general sent forward an aid to ascertain

I ;

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' ■^- ■"

;-5

216

CIVIL HISTORY.

and report to him the cause, and too impatient to wait
Bpurred after his messenger. The turmoil increased.
The van of the advance had been taken by surprise.
It was composed of two companies of carpenters or pi-
oneers to cut the road and two flank companies of gren-
adiers to protect ihem. Suddenly the engineer who
preceded them gave the alarm, "French and Indians."
A body of these latter was approaching rapidly, cheer-
ed on by a Frenchman in a gaily fringed hunting shirt,
who was slain in the charge and proved to be the com-
mander of the attacking party. Captain de Beaujeu.

There was sharp firing on both sides at first and sev-
eral of the enemy foil; but soon a murderous fire broke
out from the ravine on the right of the road, and the
woods resounded wi'h unearthly whoops and yellings.
The Indian ride was at work, leveled by unseen hands.
The advance was killed or driven in. Gage ordered
his grenadiers to fix bayonets and charge up a hill on
the right whence there was the severest firing. Not a
platoon would move. They were dismayed and stupi-
fied as much by the yells as by the riiles of the unseen
Bavages. The latter extended themselves along the
hill and in the ravines; but their whereabouts was only
known by their demoniac cries anil the pufifs of umoke
from their riiles. As the covert Ore grew more intense,
the trepidation of the regulars increased. They fired at
random whenever they saw a motion and shot some of
their own flnnking parties and of tlie rangers who had
like the Indians, taken to the trees and were doing good
execution. All oiders were unheeded. The officers
were doubly exposed and in a very short time were
most of them shot down. The advance fell back upon
Sir John St.JOlair's corps, which was equally dismayed.

CIVIL HI8T0UY.

21:

Col. Burton, had come up with the reinforceraonts,
and was forming his m-Mi to face the rising ground on
the riglit when both of the advanced detachments fell
h&ok upon him, and all now was confusion.

The Virginia troops, accustomed to the Indian mode
of fighting, scattered themselves, and took posts be-
hind trees whore they could pick off the lurking foe. —
In this way they in some degree protected the regulars.
Washington advised the General to adopt the same mode
with the regulars, but he persisted in forming them in-
to platoons; consequently they were cut down from be-
hind logs and trees as fast as they could advance. Jt
was little better than murder for men to be thus ex-
posed. Some of them attempted to take to tlie trees
without orders, but the general stormed at them, called
them cowards and even struck them with his sword.

The slaughter among the officers was tremendous. —
They behaved with the most consumate bravery. In
the desperate hope of inspiriting the men they could
no longer command, they would dash forward singly or
in groups. They were invariably shot down; for the
Indians aimed from their coverts at everyone on horse-
back or who seemed to have command. Some were
killed by their own men, who crowded in masses, fired
with affrighted rapidity. Soldiers in the front were
killed by those in the rear. Between friend and foe.
the slaughter of officers and men was terrible. All this
time, the woods resounded with the unearthly yelling
of the savages, and now and then, one of them, hide-
ously painted, and ruffling with feathered crest, would
rush forth to scalp an officer who had fallen, or sieze a
horse galloping wildly without a rider. Such is a des-
cription of the battle as depicted by the graphic pen of

218

civifi nrsToiiY.

I y n

Irving. Such an unmitigated slaughter couhl notion^
continue. Nearly all the icgulnr ofticcrs wore disabled,
the troops wore paralyzed by the panic, all subordina-
tion was lost, Braddock with obstinate bravery still at-
tempvcd to retrieve the fortunes of the day, when a bul-
let, aimed, it is doubtful whether by friend or foe, pas-
sed through his right arm and into his lungs, and ho
fell from his horse, having already had five horses shot
under him. In his despair he wished to bo left upon
the tield to die, but was with difficulty removed. The
principal command now devolved upon Washington.
Throughout the day, he had signalized himself by h'ln
calm courago and great presence of raind. Ho exposed
himself without reserve to the murderous rillo, and his
escape seems little short of miraculous. Two horses
were killed under him, and four bullets passed through
his coat, nevertheless, he escaped unhurt.

After the fall of Braddock, the rout was complete.
Baggage, stores, artillery, everything was abandoned.
The wagonerg, took each a horse out of his team and tied.
The officers were swept along in the headlong flight. —
The Indians rushed from their coverts, and pursued tho
frightened fugitives, as they dished across the river, in
the tumultuous confusion, killing many while in tho
stream. A body of them were rallied at a spot about a
quarter of a mile beyond the river, where Braddock had
been conveyed, and an effort made to effect a stand, small
parties were told off, and sentinels posted, bnt before an
hour had elapsed, most of the men, sentinels and all,
had stolen off. Being thus deserted, there was no al-
ternative, but a precipitate retreat.

Washington was sent back to Dunbar's camp, forty
miles distant, to carry the news, and to hurry forwarul

CIVIL HISTORY.

219

lj;jrovi9ion.s, hospital stoics nnd wagons )br the wciind-
■0(1, but the tidings had reached Dunbar before his arri-
val, and the camp was wrought into the greatest trepi-
dation by the exaggerated reports of the frightened fu-
gitives, and it was with the greatest difticulty a prooipi-
tnte liight was prevented by the officers.

The detachment escorting the wounded General, aug-
mented to a couple of hundred men and officers, rcach-
•cd Dunbar's camp, on the 12th, and on the 13th, the
ontire force took up its melancholy march, back again
to t he Great Meadows, which they reached in the even-
ing. Here, Braddockdied, on the night of the llUli. —
His proud spirit was broken by defeat, and the diffi-
culty with him seemed to bo to comprehend how it
came to pass. He was grateful for the attentions paid
to him by Captain Stewart of the Provincials and
Washington, and more than once it is said,exprcssed his
•jidmiration of the gallantry displayed by the Virginians
in the action. It is said, moreover, that in his last mo-
mimts, he apologized to Washington for the petulanw
with which he had rejected his advice, and be({ue<ithed
to him his favorite charger and his faithful servant,
Bishop, who had helped to convey him from the tiold.
His obsequies were performed in sadness and before the
break of day, Washington reading the funeral service
in the absence of the chaplain, who had been wounded,
and his grave was carefully concealed so as to avoid
desecration by the lurking savages. The p^acc of his
sepulchre, however, is still known and pointed out and
wo believe a monument now marks the spot. The last
■acts of his life displayed the real generosity and kind-
heartedness of the man; while his dauntless conduct on
4he field, shows him to have been a fearless as well as

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220

CIVIL HISTORY.

1, 1

an accomplishod soldier. Technical pedantry and mil-
itary conceit were the chief errors of his character, and
hitterly ho expiated them by an nnhonored grave in a
strange land, a memory clouded by miHfortune and a
name forever coupled with defeat.

Out of eighty-six officers seventy-two wore killed or
wounded, and of the rank and file upward of seven hun-
dred. The Virginia corps sufferod terribly. One com-
pany was annihilated, another had but one officer left and
he, a corporal. Their assailants wore but a compara-
tive handful, being not the main force of the French,
but a detachment of 92 regulars, 140 Canadians and
037 Indians, 875 in all, led by Oapt» do Beaujeu. Oon-
trecocur, had received information that the English 3000
strong, were within eighteen miles of his fort. Despair-
ring of making an effectual defence against such a su-
perior force, he was balancing in liis mind whether to
destroy the works and retreat, or to stay and obtain
honorable terms. In this dilemma, Beaujeu prevailed
upon him to allow him to sally forth with a detachment
to form an ambush and give check to the enemy. His
ref[uest was granted as a sort of forlorn hope. Beaujeu,
not having time to complete his ambush, the attack
was precipitated and Beaujeu fell, almost at the first
fire. His Indians, however, fpread themselves among
the trees and logs along the whole length of the army
and in a marvellously short time the whole line was at
once assailed. Their ritie shots spread like wild fire,
and the woods resounded with their yells. Then, en-
sued the panic and slaughter — as the Indians expres-
sed it, they shot them down "same as one pigeon." —
The whole number of killed and wounded of the French
and Indians, did not exceed seventy. No one was more

CIVIL HISTORY.

«>01

surprised than (Jontrccuiur himself, when the ambus-
cading party returned in triumph, with a long train of
paekhorses hulen with booty, the savages uucouthly
clad in the garments of the slain — grenadier caps, ofii-
ccrs gold laced coats and glittering epaulets, flourishing
swords and sabres, or tiring olf muskets and uttering
fiendish yells of victory. Uut when he was informed
of the utter defeat of the British army, his joy was com-
plete, he ordered the guns of the Fort to be fired in tri-
umph, and sent out troops in pursuit of the fugitives.

We have thus been particular in narrating the fate
of the Expedition; — in doing which we have drawn
largely upon Irving's Life of Washington — because,
in the first place it is a notable incident in our history,
and in the next, because it was followed with most im-
portant consequences to the country at large. Brad-
dock's defeat elated the Indians, and encouraged them
to carry desolation even beyond the mountains. Win-
chester was threatened, an. I the valley of Virginia was
almost deserted of its inhabitants, emigration of course
stopped and the prospect was gloomy in the extreme.
• If it was not the severest check British power ever re-
ceived on the continent, it was certainly the most hu-
miliating. The entire campaign was a compound of
mismanagement, cowardice and misfortune. Its con-
sequences van forward into the revolution. The mili-
tia ascertained that the British regulars were not by
any means invincible, and gained confidence in them-
selves and in their officers, while the attempt of the
home government to compel the colonies to pay part of
the expenses of this very expedition, was a prominent
incentive to the rebellion of 1775.

Fiom this time until 1763, raged what was callW

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Pontiac's war, one of the most awful periods of dfs^-
tress over before or afterwards experienced in the wes-
tern country. This was closed by the decisive victory
of Col. Boquet at Brushy Run in Westmoreland coun-
ty, Pa., in the August of that year, which so disnir.yod
the savages that they gave up not only all further de-
signs against Fort Pitt, and the surrounding country,
^jut withdrew temporarily from the frontiers. In this
engagement, the Indians were themselves ambushed
and defeated, in a style similar to that which eight yearr.
before they had so effectually used against Braddock.
The English army consisting of about five hundred men,
the remnant of two regiments of Highlanders, more
than decimated by disease in the West India ser-
vice and sent into the northern woods to recuperate,
was marching with a large convoy of stores, through
the wilderness on the 4th of August 1763, with no ap-
pearance of an enemy in sight, when suddenly at mid-
day, the advance as in Braddock*^s case, was violently
attacked. But the Highlanders, better prepared' than
their predecessors, charged them with fixed bayonets,
and drove the savages before them, but with considera- *
ble loss to themselves. Thev f;ll back, and the sav-
ages swarmed around them, confident of victory, thirs-
ting for their blood, and yelling with fiendish delight,
at the prospect of another Saturnalia of carnage. But
Boquet was cooler and shrewder than Braddock. Per-
ceiving the overwrought iiudacity of the savages, ho
took advantage of it. Posting two strong companies,
concealed Ixi the underbrush, at each side of his road,
he commenced a precipitate and apparently disorderly
retreat. Tlie savages fell into the snare. Thinking
that the English were really in confusion and retroftt '

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ing, they dashed yelling from their coverts, in full pur-
suit; when the t\TO concealed companies assailed the
exposed mass with a heavy fire on either flank; ard at
tlio signal, the retreating troops faced about and pour-
ed into the astonished Indians such close and galling
vollies, that they were stricken with panic, and yielding
to the irresistable impulse, were utterly routed and put
to flight. It was a deathblow to the Indians and a dear
victory to the English. Boquet, lost in killed and
wounded, about one fourth of his men; and was hardly
able to convey his wounded — stores and everything else
being destroyed — to Fort Pitt which he reached four
davs after the battle.

From Boquet's victory, dates the undisputed posses-
sion of the Ohio valley to the white man. The power
of Pontiac, the "Colossal chief of the Northwest," was
broken; his adherents were dispirited by defeat, and
sued of the whites for peace; but the name of the chief-
tain still hovers over the Northwest, as that of the hero
who devised and conducted their great but unavailing
struggle with destiny, for the independence of their
' race. In this war, they scalped over a hundred traders
in the woods, they mui-dered many families in their hab-
itations, Ihey besieged and took by force or stratagem
numerous forts, and slew their inmates; thev threatened
the very strongholds of the whites; passed the moun-
tains, nnd spread death and terror even to Bedford,
Winchester, and Fort Cumberland. Nearly five hun-
dred families from the frontiers of Maryland and Vir-
ginia fled to Winchester, unable to find even so much
as a hovel to shelter them from the weather, bare of ev-
ery comfort and forced to lie scattered in the woods.

In the mean time* the defeat of Braddock and iU ter-

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rible consequcm-es, had vacated nearly every English
cabin in the valley of the Ohio. Of the North Ameri-
ran continent of twenty-five parts, France claimed twen-
ty; leaving but four to England and one to Spain. She
had in the execution of her plan, connected the great
valleys of the St. Laivrence and the Mississippi, by
three well known routes, — by way of Lake Erie and
Waterford to Fort Duqncsne, by way of the Maumee to
Shawneetowu at the mouth of the Wabash, and by
way of Chicago, down the Illinois, and she seemed pre-
pared and able by arms and art, to make good her claim
of possession.

The war started in America had embroiled the pa-
rent countries. Misfortune and mismanagement seem-
ed to attend every motion of the English. The}'' were
effectually humiliated, yet with true British doggedness
they were neither conquered or discouraged from fur-
ther attempts at retrieving their fortunes. The minis-
try determined to regain and hold the supremacy of
tho western world. They found the colonies iu liioir n -
semblies impracticable, headstrong as themselves; the
spirit of independence sturdily asserting itseli at every
show of arbitrary power on the part of the crown. Still
they persevered. William Pitt, the great commoner,
who had now risen through diflicultv and all manner of
opposition to the ministry of Englan*!, trusted and lo-
ved by tho people for his manly qualities; feared and
respected by tho nobility for his ability and boldness,
had become the ruling spirit at honie. In collonial mat-
ters, when entreated to interpose, he regarded the bick-
ering be* ween the people and the asscrtors of preroga-
tive, with calm impartiality and blamed both parties
for tho failure of the English arms and policy in

CIVIL HISTORY.

America. Ho determined to retake fort Duquesne, us
apart of his far reaching plans of re-coiiquest. Tlio
colonies themselves felt their honor at stake, and tho
Assemblies seconded his determination with unnsiuil
>5eal. Twelve hundred md fifty Highlanders arrivod
from South Carolina and rendezvoused at Fort Cum-
berland. Pennsylvania added twenty seven hundred
men, and tho "Old Dominion" nineteen hundred more,
besides a corps of three hundred and filty Koyal Amer-
ican volunteers. This overwhelming force foi Iho ser-
vice, wa« put in motion under the command of Briga-
dier General Joseph Forbes, called tho "Iron Head"
an able oflicer but in the last stages of a fatal disease.
Here, tho fortunes of Washington again mingle with
those of tho Ohio country. He was stationed at Fort
(Juraborland with the Virginia troops and insisted upon
advancing promptly along l>iaddock's road; but was
provoked at tho dilatory policy of Forbes, in having a
new road cut througli the wilderness nearly parallel
therewith.

Intelligence having come to hand that Fort Duquesno
was defended by but five hundred French and throe
hundred Indians, Majwr Grant with SCO highlanders,
and some Virginians, was detached by (Jol. Boqnet,
without the knowledge of P'orbos, to surprise and take
the Fort. The vainglory of the Major, led to his defeat,
and the rout of his army with a loss of 300 men; the
baliuice being saved only by tlio good conduct of the
provincials. Washington v^as then permitted to pro-
ceed with his Brigade of Provincials to attempt the cap-
ture of the Fort, the ga'-rison of which having been re-
inforced by four hundred men from tho Illinois, was
now near twelve huj.i.ed strong. As Washington and

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his Brigade advancing by forced marches, and followed
by the main army approached the Forks, the Indiana
deserted them, and on the 25th November 1758, redu-
ced to 500 men, the garrison disheartened by the pros-
pect, set the fort on fire, and by the light of the confla-
gration descended the Ohio. This took place in sight
of the youthful American hero, and ere the smouldering
flames of the fortress had expired, he planted the Brit-
ish flag on its deserted ruins. Thus, without the fi-
ring of a TkO'^tilo gun, or the spilling of a single drop
of blood xi ttle, was accomplished by the Pro-
vincial Major, ad his Virginia brigade, what the mar-
tinets of the British army, with the power of England
at their back, had expended hundreds of lives to ac-
complish, and failed in the effort. Gen. Forbes about
this time, died. Thus fell French supremacy in the val-
ley of the Ohio.

As the banners of England floated over the Ohio, the

place was with one voice called Pittsburgh. It is the
most enduring trophy of the glory of AVm. Pitt. "Long
as the Monongahela and the Allegheny ehall flow," says
Bancroft, "to form the Ohio, long as the English
tongue shall be the language of Freedom in tha bound-
less valleys .vhich their waters traverse, his name shall
stand inscribed on the gateway of the west."

CHAPTER IV.
SEITLEMENTS, TITLES AND BOUNDARIES.

Early Boundary DUputea— Fir^t Settlrments— Pennsylvania and Virf^inia
State Line— PiitentK — LUisratiou — Titles — Lord l)unroore — Conolly— Kevo-
lution — Capt John Neville— Early Patriotism— S'.'ttleraent of Boundary
Disputes — The Panhandle — Origin of the name — Ohio county — West Lib-
erty-Original Settlers— Characteristics — Early Enterprise— I migration —
Weighty Characters.

At a very early day, as far back, at least, as the com-
inoiieement of the 18th century, disputes arose as to the
title of the land lying on the waters of the Ohio, which
were never'definitely and authoritatively settled until af-
ter the war of the revolution. The French claimed the
entire country from the mouth of the Mississippi to tho
head springs of the Ohio, by virtue of discovery, under
the name of Louisiana, while the English claimed from
Plymouth and Jamestown, west, to the other ocean, un-
der titles claimed by the "divine right*' of King James
and his successors. Subordinate to these original claimn
were the claims of the proprietaries of the different States
indefinitely worded, and of necessity, often clashing. —
Some of these, again, recognised a sort of title in the
Indians, which in some cases, they purchased for con-
fiiderations more or less valuable, and in others, siezed,
by virtue of conquest. It is believed that no white man

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trod tlie slioixjs of the Ohio or its upper branches, prior
to 1700; as early, however, as 1715-20, an occasional
trader ventured beyond the mountains, and among the
first of these, says the historian of Western Pennsylva-
^^ ^(j-yJ- '^'^> ^vas James L. Fort, who took up his residence at
what is now Carlisle, in 1720. A Mr. Frazer was a
prominent trader among the Indians, at about this date,
and resided at the mouth of Turtle Creek, on the Mo-
nongahola. The settlement by the Ohio Company, pre-
viously referred to, at the Forks, may be considered as
the first regukirly attempted white settlement. At about
this period, tiie entire region was generally believed to
belong to Virginia — though, the grant to the proprieta-
ry of Pennsylvania, expressly' guaranteed to him the
country from a certain point on the Delaware river, the
starting point of the celebrated "Mason & Dixon's line,"
rive degrees of longitude west. The ideas of geography
in those day<»', were, however, somewhat indefinite; and
Virginia had counter-claims, ■which she put in; and at
Any rate, she exercised jurisdiction over all that portion
of what is now Pennsylvania, included between the Mo-
nongahela and the Ohio, and an indefinite territory be-
sides, beyond her present boundary. This entire scope
of country was called West Augusta, by the Virginians,
and embraced from the Blue Ridge west to the Mississ-
ippi. By a law, passed in 1769, forming the new coun-
ty of Botetourt' from Augusta,* it being considered that
the people living on the waters of the Mississippi, would
be seriously incommoded, by reason of remoteness from
the Court-house of Botetourt, they were considerately
exempted from the payment of levies imposed for the
building of the Court-house and jail. The county of
Fincastlc carved out of this, in 1772, was again subdi-

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vidcii in 1776, into Kentucky, Washington and Mont-
gomery counties. Thus, vague and indeterminate, weio
the boundaries of this region, only eiglity years ago. —
After Fort Pitt came into the hands of tlie English, bv
the treaty of Grenville, in 1765, and during the lull in
Indian hostilities subsequent to the eventa before narra-
ted, emigration having again commenced, and sottle-
inents having been gradually made along the various,
streams, as the population increased, boundaries became-
of more importance. The Western portion of the di(=<-
trict, comprising the territory lying upon and between
the waters of the Monongahela and the* Ohio, took tlie
name of Yo-ho-gania, as appears by the Virginia pat-
ents of that date, which name was retained up to as late
as 1785. Still, however, boundaries remained undeter-
mined, and had become the so race of frequent litigation,
80 that it became indispensibly necessary to settle them
authoritatively, at least, between the different States. —
Forty miles of territory was in the anomalous condition
of belonging to two jurisdictions; the inhabitants recog-
nizing either or neither, as suited their present inclina-
tions"^ Virginia had two Court-houses South of tlie Mo-
nongahela, and one North, at Redstone, now Browns-
ville. She at one time fixed a seat of Justice at "lla-
zorlown," two miles West of what is now Washing-
ton, and at onetime, the Pennsylvania proprietary of-
fered to compromise, by making the Monongahela and
the Ohio the boundary, thus taking in "Yo-ho-gania,"
into Virginia. But Virginia claimed to the Laurel Moun-
tain. The location of land warrants was the immediate
subject of litigation. The Virginia laws, on thia sub-
ject, were very liberal — the Indian title was now consid-
ered to have been conquered ia the war, and all that wap.

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CIVIL HISTORY.

necessary to give validity to title, were such restrictions
«k9 wore necessary to prevent confusion. Six months'
time was to intervene between the registry of the claim
at the land-o(Hce, and the issue of a patent The pat»
«nt, cost surveying and ofiicer'H fees and $2 per hundred
acres of land. These conditions complied with, the pat-
ent was issued. Priority of claim was also established
by "tomahawk right, "--the claimant of a particular
piece of land, marking out a line through the woods by
^'blazing, " or "chipping out," the trees around it, and
deadening a few trees near a spring; and this title, al-
though it had no legal force, wt;«j yet respected by the
uettlers, and became of the same force as law, as it was
not deemed creditable or safe to interfere with a claim
thus established. These claims were often bought and
sold. The Pennsylvania proprietary, in pursuance of
the policy of Wm. Penn, in 1768, went through tho
form of purchasing the Indian title to the same territo-
ry, instead of taking it, as did the Virginians, by right
of conquest; and fixed the price of warrants under his
authority much higher, the authorities say from ^'2o to
830 per hundred acres, or fourteen fold. Ho opened a
landotHce at about this time, but the difference in price,
determined the majority of the settlers to purchase from
Virginia. Settlements made or warrants located pre-
vious to this dato under authority of either province
were recognised by both as good and valid. June 1774,
a vexatious contest commenced between Pennsylvania
and Virginia in relation to theso matters. Lord Dun-
more, was then Governor of the latter state, and as tho
revolution was in its incipient state and the govern-
or a strong tory in principle and subsequent practice; it
lias been surmised, his object was to embroil the stated

CiVir. HISTORY.

231

in fHfRcnltios between themselves, and thus withdraw
their attention from the engrossing questioug of the rev-
olution. It was at this time, that the Pennsylvanians
offoroil to make tlio jVFonongahela tho boundary line;
but (iovernor Dunmore, evidently did not wish the dis-
pute settled. He appointed to the command of Fort
Pitt, Col. Wni?Conolly, a rash, headstrong, tinscrupu-**^^^
lous man, who harassed tho people by his exactions to tho
point of exasperation; and even arrested and imprisoned
magistrates acting under authority of Pennsylvania in
tho discharge of their duty. So threatening an appear-
ance bad the affair at this period that it promised to end
in a civil war, and attracting tho attention of patriotic
citizens of both states, on the 25th. of July, 1775, tho
delegates in congress, including among others, Thoma«
Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and Benjamin Franklin, uni-
ted in a circular, urging the people in the disputed re-
gion to mutual forbearance. Says tho circular: "W«
recommend it to yon that all bodies of armed men,
kept up by either party, be dismissed; and that all thoso
on either side, or in confinement, or on bail, for taking
part in the contest, be discharged." To such a pitch
did the mutual acrimony of feeling reach, and so disa-
greeable was the continued disputation that about thui
time, it was seriously contemplated by many of the set-
tlers, to move in a body farther west; and a scbemo
with this end in view was actually entered into by »
Mr. Jackson, which however failed.

When the revolution actually broke out, the att«n-
tion of the people was turned in that direction. Dun-
more developed his character in espousing openly, tb«
cause of tho crown against the people; and in attempt^
iDg to incite the cegroes in one section, and the 8avag#»

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CIVIL UISTOUY.

in another, aj^'aiust the whites. At this jimctnro it be-
came necessary to forgot their bickering anJ unite for
mutual defence against their common enemies — the Brit-
ish, Tories an<l Indians.

Mutual danger and a common cause united them,
when appeals to their reason and patriotism were una-
vailing. Virginia, still claimed and exercised juiisdic-
tion throug hout the revolution, and sent out Captai n
John Neville with a small military forc e, to occupy and
hold Fort Pitt. He appears to have been a prudent
and conciliatory man; at any rate, the difficiiLtifig.aj^i)ear
to have been greatly modified under his administration.
It seems to have become gradually understood on both
sides that it was wiser for them to defer until a more
auspicious period the settlement of the boundary line;
and to unite with all their zeal and energies in the com-
Davidliittenhouse on the part of Pennsylvania; and Dr.
mon cause. It is an acknowledged fact that the cause
of the revolution had no stronger friends, than among
the settlers of western Pennsylvania and Virginia. —
They were whigs by birth and education, and though

their Irish blood made them contentious in time of peace
they were united as one man against their hereditary

oppressor in time of war. Says the eloquent historian,
"We shall tind the first voice publicly raised in Ameri-
ca to dissolve all connection with Great Britain, came,
not from the Puritatis cf New England or the Dutch of
New York, or the Planters of Virginia but from the
Scotch Irish Presbyterians," such as peopled the val-
lies of the Ohio and its tributaries, at this day. Un dor
the kinder feelings produced by united resistance to
a»reat Britain, movements were made toward the close
Qf the war to effect an amicable settlement. For thi^

CIVIL HISTORY.

2a:j

Daviilllittenhoiise on the part of Pounsylvania, and Dr.
James Madison, late Bishop of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church in Virginia, and Robert Andrews, on the
part of Virginia, were appointed, in 1770, commission-
ers to agree upon a boundary. They met at Baltimore,
on the 31st of August, 1779; and in 1780, entered up-
on their business, by continuing, according to agree-
ment, concurred in by the Legislatures of both States,
"Mason and Dixon's line," five degrees of longitude,
west from the Delaware river, thence to the northern
boundary of Pennsylvania, to constitute the boundaries
of that State. But pending operations, the surveyors
were compelled to suspend, owing to the hostility of
the Sliawnees and other Indian tribes, who> consider-
ing themselves overreached by the whites, in a treaty
of that year, threatened to kill any surveyors, whom
they might find in the territory, and consequently, con-
tinued their northern survey only to its point of inter-
section with the Ohio, at the extreme end of what is now
Hancock county, Vu. Their report was received, and
ratified by tlie Legislature of Virginia, on the 8th of Oc-
tober, 17S.'), and from that day, dates the legal exist-
ence of the "Panhandle." Previous to this, Ohio coun-
ty had been formed from Yo-ho-gunia, by the line of
Cross Creek, and says the record, on the settlement of
the boundary question, in 1789, that portion of Yo-ho-
gania, lying north of this creek, was added to Ohio, be-
ing too small for a separate county, an'1 +hc county of
Yo-ho-gania became, thereupon, extinc'. Hancock,
then, and so much of Brooke us lies north of Cross
Creek, was the last of the ancient Yo-ho-gania. Tra-
dition, in accounting for the strip of land, driven in
wedge-like, between Ohio and Pennsylvania, constitu-

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CIVIL ni STORY.

ting what is called the Panhandle, states that it was*
owing to an error in reckoning, that the live dogrecp
of west longitude, reached so far to the west, anil that
much dissatisfaction was excited, when the result was
definitely ascertained. Great importance wasuudouht-
cdly attached to th^ command of the Ohio river, by
the authorities of cither State, but it is doubtful wheth-
er the \irginians felt themselves, at that juncture, very
far overreached . It will be borne in mind, that at that
day, the Northwestern Territory, compririing the great
State of Ohio, was an integral part of the Old Domin-
ion, so that even under the arrangement agreed to by
the commissioners, the Ohio, for a very great distance,
flowed through lier territory, and it was not until the
cession of that Territory, in 1789, some years after, that
she realized the hard bargain, thus unwittingly made.
When the State of Ohio was established in 1802,the Pan-
handle first showed its beautiful proportions on the map
of the United States. A long and bitter dispute was
at any /ate, happily settled by mutual concession, to be
only casually disturbed during the railroad era of 1854
by a slight movement toward annexation to Pennsyl-
vania in consequence of alledged legislative neglect and
grievances. It gave, what perhaps few of the people
interested, expected, not only Pittsburg and its euvi-
ronsandall Allegheny and Westmoreland counties;
but all Washington, Fayette and Green, to Pennsyl-
vania. The Virginians, ir the event, undoubtedly had
the hardest of the bargain, though at the time, they
did not forsee the result, or anticipate so much liberal-
ity in their future legislation.

After the boundary question became satisfactorilf
settled, the small strip of land rnnning up between the

Cn*IL TIISTORY.

235

Pennsylvania lino and the Ohio, settled up more rap-
idly than any other portion of Northwestern Virginia.
Havinghad the pnblic eye directed to it by the many
<iispntes, it attracted the more attention, and figuron
extensively, at an early day, in Legislative annal«.-—
From its peculiar 'lape on the map, it received the
name, in iiOgiwlative debate, of the Panhandle, given
it by John ^I'Millen, delegate from Brooke, to match
the Accomac projection, ■which hn dubbed the Spoon-
liandlo. The Virginians, M-cro a little sore when thov
made the discovery that they were over reached by the
Pennsylvanians in the bargain; but were consoled by
George ]Mason with the rcliection that the narrow strip
left them, would serve the purpo-o of a sentinel and
protect the body of the State from any invasion of its
territory or institutions. However it may bo as regards
the interests ol the State, the connection of the Panhan-
dle country in its detached condition has not been of
any material advantage to the '"section itself, but has
rendered it liable to all the odium among citizens of the
free States that attaches to slavery; and at the same
time, has rendered it impracticable for its inliabitants
to avail themselves ot" any of the advantages of that in-
stitution. Not only that, but being so isolated, it has
little in common with the balance of the State; and iti
inhabitants cannot reasonably expect to receive a pTO-
portionato share of advantage from the pyaleni oi
public improvements for which the State has made such
lavish expenditures. Nevertheless, unless it has been
of very late years, the people of the Panhandle have not
been behind any of their fellow citizens in regard and
attachment to the institutions and luws of the old Do-
minion; nor have they ever shown any deficiency in

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CIVIL HISTORY.

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the article of State pride, that so pre-eminently distin-
guishes < ho Virginian, wherever and however he may
he located.

On the first development of the Panhandle, it con-
stituted a portion of the extensive county of Ohio,
which dates back to before the revolution, and reached
territorially to an indefinite extent. On the v/aters of
Short Creek, celebrated from the earliest period for the
exceeding richness of the soil, was located the seat of
justice for this immense) territory. It was called West
Liberty, and here on the l6th January 177G, wac held
the first Court for Ohio county, and perhaps the first
civil Court ever held in the valley of the Mississippi.
A court house and jail were ordered in the following
sp7 ing, and among the attornics practising, are the
names of Philip Pendleton and George Brent in 177S.
The town was incorporated November 29thj 1786. At
the organization of the present county of Brooke in
1797, at which period the seat of justice for Ohio coun-
t\ J was removed to Wheeling, and at about which lime
the county records uere burned, West Liberty,
was quite a metropolis, and was the scene of many
a hard fought battle with forensic as well as physical
weapons. The court-housu, oi the relics of it may yet
be seen, being a log building, nearly opposite the tav-
ern stand known as "Bill Irvin's." In its precincts,
Doddridge, Sprigg, Fitzhugh, M'Kennan, and many
another, whose name has since become classic, thunder-
ed their eloquence, and plead for justice and their cli-
ents. The venerable spot is also associated in the minds
of the older men of this day, with many a rough joke,
and row, and drinking bout. It v/as a great place for
horse-racing, and the present generation of its citizens.

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237

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<j&me honestly by their critical iove for this noblest of
animals. Nor were militia musters the mere scofif of
boys and ridicule of men; but something substantial.
The fuss and feathers of military parade sat much more
appropriately upon men who had drawn sword in the
revolution, and tracked the wild Indian, with rifle cock-
ed, ready to tree and fire, at the rustling of a luaf, than
upon the holiday soldiers of to-day. The pioneers were
given too, we are sorry to say it, to their grog. Not
such vile compounds of strychnine, tobacco, and alco-
hol, as their descendants too mucli affect; but pure old
rye, honestly distilled, by men who were as honest as
their grain, and too unsophisticated to be guilty of ras-
cally adulteration, even had they had the villainous com-
ponents. Still, they drank too much, — albeit, their
whiskey was good. It has been observed that although
men drank freely in those days, and were frequently
drunk; yet, when they became sober, no evil effects fol-
lowed the potation, — Lhe toper recovering at once, his
wits, and his vigor of body and mind, instead of being
shattered and besotted in nerve and intellect,. It is cer-
tain that the pioneers enjoyed, many of them, rugged
nnd uninterrupted good health, to the end of very long
lives. Wo have listened to the recitals of the deeds of
the notables of that day, until we seemed translated
back to the good old days, whenjility and good neigh-
borhood, and generous deeds, t( iipered the rudeness of
our fathers, and men seem actually to have lived
more for sociability, and for one another, than for them-
selves and money. In the sterling qualities of a man-
ly character, they certainly excelled their descendants.
It is true, that they had their vices in those days; but
they were the vices peculiar to a new country, and to

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CIVIL HISTOilY.

an unorganized state of society. The turbulence and
lawlessness that sometimes prevailed at tlieir gather-
ings, is not surprising, when we recollect that it was
no nnusual thing for two' thousand men to asscmblo
about the court-house at West Liberty or on occasion of
a general muster; and in such a mass of semi-wild char-
acters, gathered from the woods and hills and hollows
for many miles around, it would be singular if no out-
laws could bo fonnd. For them, howovor, justice was
both sharp and quick. If we arc to believe tradition,
forty lights a day. was no nnusual thing on such occa-
sions; the performances occasionally varied with a free
fight, in which tlie crowd participated ad Ubit'nn. Their
fighting, however, seems to have been more an inno-
cent way they had of working" off tlieir surjdus pugnac-
ity than an exhibition of the ugly element of malice
that generally gives point to such exercises in our day.
The point of honor was settled by a passage at arms
after the most approved stylo of backwoods etiquette,
and when once decently decided,t]ie parties shook hands,
took a rousing drink all round, and from that time for-
ward were considered as good friends as though nothing
had occurred between them.

The state of society generally, in this section eighty
years ago, was very similar to that which now prevails
upon the outskirts of our newly settled states; with
perhaps the exception of containing a larger infusion of
the fighting element than in these latter, owing to tho
almost continual conflicts of the settlers, first with tho
French and Indians, then with the Indians, and finally
with the British during the war of the revolution; for
it must bo borne |in mind, that the men of whom wo
treat, wero the cotemporaries of Morgan, Campbell aad

CIVIL HISTORY.

231^

Lewis, of King's Mountain, and Point Pleasant; and
many of them, held corumissions under tho sign man-
ual of Washington himself, or had borno arms in tha
"brave old continentals.**

The old settlers of this section were largely Marylan-
ders, Virginians, and North Carolinians; and naturally
introduced into their new settlements, the manners and
customs of the hospitable and never over industrious
sections whence they came. Many of them first saw
the country during the French war, when they were in
duced to enlist in Col. Fry's regiment at AlexanJiria,
by the promise of land about the Forks of tho Ohio;
otlicrs were induced to emigrate by the Ohio Compa-
uy; and others, again, came voluntarily, because it was
a goodly land. Those who came under the provisions
of Diuwiddio's offer of hind, secured their warrants and
after the termination of the Indian wars, proceeded to
locate thorn. Washington, himsi;lf located largely in
Western Virginia from bavin" his attention directed to
tl"^ country durintr; his earliei Ker\'ices, prior to and du-
ringthis French wi\r. South of Marshall county orthc
base of the Panhaudle, tho country however, was 'ow
a'^cut filling up — population tending more toward the
north. The different settlements ap[)oar to have been
made by people from neighboring localities, tlb^ ties of
friendship and kindred, with apprehensions of dan-
ger, inclining them to set their stakes in close comnui-
niiies. A squad of ^larylanders would settle 1 a

company of Virginians there, while in another section
we wovddhave an Irish settlement, and in still another,
a detachment of Germans or Scotch; and to this day,
these localities are distinctly marked by peculiarities of
names, manners and modes of speech. The Short Creek

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240

CIVIL HISTORY.

country about West Libercy, early attracted settle-
ment by its fabulous fertility, and was appropriated by
horse-racing, fox-liunting, jolly Marylanders and Vir-
ginians — some of tliem, m*cn of much education and re-
finement, and early given to hospitality, good living,
fun and intermarriage. Farther north, the Scotch and
Irish clement began to predominate, though the prevail-
ing typo, continued Virginian. Among the original
settlers of Ohio county, may be named Jas. Caldwell,
(leorge McCulloch, Bciij. Biggs, And, Woods, John
Boggs, Joseph Tomliuson, Ebenezer Zane, Moses
(Jhapline, John Mc(^'olloch, Solomon ilodges, John
Williamson, David Shepherd, Archibald Woods, Z.
Sprigg, Alexander Mitchell, <fec., whoso names appear
prominently on the record; while in 1787, several pat-
ents wore located in Brooke, or Yohogania, by Dorsoy
Pentecost, I\loses Decker, Peter Cox, Benjamin Wells,
John Van Metre, Bon J, Johnson Jr., who waft a sur-
veyor, and located 7000 acres in 1785, Wm. McMahon,
who appropriated the hillsjying back of Wollsburg, in
1786, Ilezekiah TTyatt, Lawrence Van Buskirk, John
Buck, and Gabriel ( rreathouso, besides many others,
whose names do not figure so prominently. These ap-
pear to have constituted the advance guard of pioneers,
for after their arrival, there was a cessation of entrys,
until 1795, when it again commenced in redoubled num-
bers. Among this Lttter irruption we find prominent-
ly the names of Thos. Cook, Nathaniel Fleming, Jas.
Darrah, Wm. McClane, Benjamin Rood, and others.
An esteemed correspondent in this connection, furnish-
es the following reminiscences:

"Among the pioneer citizens who mauo their first
western location in the border village, w have heard

CIVIL HISTORY.

241

the names of Col. McKennon, father of the late Hon.
T. M. T. McKennon, of Washington count\ , Pa., who
(lied at Reading, Pa., July 9th, 1852, universally res-
pected and regretted. Jiulg'e Alexander Caldwell,
subsequently of Wheeling, Va., Col. Oliver Brown, a
distinguished officer of the Revolution, and a member
of the Boston Tea-party. Rev. Dr. Joseph Doddridge
and his brother Philip Doddridge, Esq., Alex. Wells,
the father and patron of Methodism in Wellsburg, and
his son Bazalccl, then a young lawyer from Maryland,
Charles Hammond, Esq., late of Cincinnati; Colonel
Thorpe, Nicholas P. Tillinghast, Zaccheus Biggs, and
many others equally respectable and influential. In
the vicinity of the place, lived Capt. McMahon, who
lost his life while serving in the army of Gen. Wayne,
the Cox's, the Swearingcn's, the Brady's and others,
whose names arc intimately associated with Border his-
tory.

"In the neighborhood lived, lang syne, some fami-
lies whose hospitalities were so courteously and liberally
dispensed, as to tempt the elite of the town to maice
frequent excursionary visits among them; for there, in
in addition to the attraction of social intercourse, they
enjoyed pure air, green fields, and substantial faro; no
triHing considerations to persons confined to the tread-
mill recreations of a small village. Upon one occasion
it was the good fortune of our humble self to make one
of such a party, the tableau of which is now vividly
jtresent to our memory. It was to the manor of Geo.
Hammond, a Virginia Magistrate, and father of the
late Chas. Hammond, Esq., of Cincinnati. Mr. Ham-
mond was a Marylander, and a true gentleman of the
old school type. His intelligent and expressive eye.

p'r

!!'■'■ til

i '.'

;'p

V ^

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: t,

242

CIVIL HISTORY.

Bilvery locks, tall, erect figure, cane in hand — inspired
the beholder with feelings of reverence and veneration,
while listening to his judicious and instructive conver-
sation, lie seemed to be perfect master of his estab-
lisliment, which, in addition to a largo family of sons
and daughters, iurludcd quite a number of well fed,
glossy-faced Africans."

Under the operation of the very liberal Virginia huvs
regulating claims to unappropriated lands, the good
land of the country was rapidly taken up, and generally
in largo bodies, by tlio parties named above, and their
cotemporaries- — a largo proportion of it on speculation,
to bo sold at an advance or hold until forfeited for non-
payment of taxes; but much of it for actual settlement.
It is singular and siguilicant of the characteristics of
our institutions, to observe how small a proportion of
the laud now remains in the hands of the descendants
of the original ])ioprietors. A l.u-go proportion of it
changed hands, during the first twenty years; and al-
thougli the names sound familiar euongli, it will be
found on examination that but few of the present actu-
al landholders of the Panhandle, are represented in the
family names above recorded. In the mutations of cir-
cumstances, many who were then at the top of the wheel,
have revolved downward; and while others, who were
of more humble pretensions vhon, now occupy situations
tiiat enable them to look down upon others again, who
at the next revolution may occupy their places. So it

goes.

rin

The easy character of the warrants, carelessness in lo-
cations, and the liability to be sold for taxes and pur-
chased by speculators, caused a great deal of litigation
in early times; and the land suits of that day were a per-

CIVIL HISTORY.

243

feet harvest to the attornies, many of wliom prospered
and grew fat by nurturing and encouraging a litigious
spirit among the settlers. There was no lack of the tra-
ding spirit among the settlers, as is evidenced by the
frequent alienations, which seems to have amounted to
a mania almost, about the year 1800, nor was tliere
any deficiency of manufacturing enterprise. Previous
to 1800, the manufacture of iron from the ore had been
carried on successfully at the old furnace on Kings creek;
and in 1801, James Campbell conveyed the furnace
with 300 acres of contiguous land, to Looter Tarr and
James llankin, for the consideration of 'S3, 600 for the
premises. The furnace was operated lor many years af-
terwards, but has been now for a long time abandoned
and in ruins.

After the year 1800, we enter upon the modern era. —
The Indians, by this date, hful been eifoctnally expel-
led, towns and villages had sprung up at different eligi-
ble points; and population diffusing itself thvoughou i
the country, it rapidly lost its backwoods characteris-
tics. Population increased with amazing rapidity west
of the Ohio, and it was no unusual thing to see long
trains of emigrant wagons, waiting tlieir turn to bo
ferried over, at Wellsburg, Wheeling, and other cross-
ing-places. Ohio became the Mecca of emigration, and
the flood poured into her borders, enriching and fructi-
fying the territory through which it rolled. Hencefor-
ward, the history of the country is that of a peaceful and
thriving community, intent only upon the accumulation
of wealth, the securing of worldly ease, and the frui-
tion of the perils and hardships, encountered by our
fathers. Though abounding in incident, it is not of
that stirring character that will interest the reader. —

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244

CIVIL HISTORY.

The old pioneers became rapidly merged in the gener-
al mass of the population, and soon lost much of their
distinctiveness of character. As illustrative of the phys-
ical capacity of the men of that day, we give the follow-
ing well authenticated incident, showing that they were
big of body as well as of mind; and able to cope with
the bears and Indians, as well as abundantly willing:
In the year 1807, John Cox, then Sheriif of Brooke
County, empannelled a jury of twenty-four citizens,
whoso gross weiglit is recorded at 7230 pounds, or an
uverage of oOO pounds each. It is probable that these
were men of extraordinary size even for their day, or
the cmpannelling of such a jury would not have been
made the point of a newspaper paragraph, as it was; but
there are few tliinly settled countries, where half that
number of as weighty characters can be found now, by
the exercise of the greatest industry. Some of their names
are given as follows; Mr. McG-ruder, Jas. Crawford,,
.losoph Applegate, Francis M'Guire, Cornelius /"^.
Gist, Jas. Connoll, Anion Wells, Caleb Wells, Adam
Wilson; James Hobinson, Samuel Wilson. Lemon
Fouls, Hczekiah Hyatt, and Absalom Wells, Sr. and
Jr — three of them Aveighing near 400 lbs. each, and no
man less than 240. The same account goes on to say,
that at the same time could be counted on the waters of
Short Crook twenty live or thirty ladies of correspond-
ing dimensions, averaging from 240 to 300 lbs. avoir-
dupois. Such weie some of the characteristics — social
and physical of our pioneers; in subsequent chapters we
will treat of their moral and intellectual history and of
the material developments of the country. In neither
respect is there much lO regret or aught to feel ashamed
of.

\'.)

CIIATTER V.

il.:
|:;
St'

RELIGIOUS CHARACTERISTICS.

Early RelipionH Incllujvtions — Intolerance— Presl)ytorianistn — S^ptiiriart
Schools — Canonsbiu'!,' College — Wiisirnii,'tuu (lollcj^o, Pii. — Wivsliinutou (Jol •
lege, Va. — Sccoders— Uodstouo PivsbyKMy — Camp Mpfting.s — viptliodists —
Persocution — Itineracy — Lort>ii/o l)o\v — Ilev Jiiiiics Fiuloy — Joliu M'l'ow •
ell— 8t(jno Meeting; House on Short Crook— liev..!. Monrop — Castloiniiiri
Kuu Caiiii> (irouutl — IJaptist Dciioiuiimtiou— Jonathan West- Aloxandur
Campbell — Episcopal Church— Kev. Joseph Doddridge — Disputation.

There was early manifested a decided partiality for
the forms and ordinances of Christianity among the ear-
ly settlers of the conntry of which we treat; in soino
portions of it, verging npon intolerance. The imigrants
bronght with them the pecnliar religious tenets and incli-
nation of the neighborhoods whence they came. That
portion of the population which had its origin in Vir-
ginia and Maryland, was stiongly tinctured with higli
church Episcopacy and Catholicism; the disciples of Wm .
Penn were represented in the emigration from his prov-
ince; while the strong Scotch Irish populatiun, which
so much proponderated in Western Pennsylvania, rep-
resented Presbyterianism, in every shape and form, as
well as every phase almost of secession and reforma-
tion. Presbyterianism, positive or negative, in some
shape or other, seems to have been the prevailing relig-

!>4C

CIVIL IIISTORY.

ion of Western Pennsylvania. Its missionaries were
fecattercJ all over the country, and wore zealous in their
labors: every opportunity was used by its colporteurs
and ministers, to distribute bibles and tracts; they would
visit emigrant boats de-3ccndinj^ the river, to see that
liioir spiritual wants were duly attended to, and through
ii»o agency of missionary societies', take advantage of
f'very opportunity to diffiiso the gospel. The Jiov, Mr.
Patterson, alone, during fourteen years' residence in
Pittsburgh, at tliis early day, in tliis way, distributed
i')6(j'i copies of bibles and testaments. They founded
schools and colleges, and filled them with scholars, and
supplied them with zealous and competent teachers. —
In 1700, they resolved to establi'' two seminaries, in
which the purpose of "educating young men forthegos-
])ol ministry," was a prominent object; one to be estab-
lished in Rockbridge County, Va , under charge of Kev.
Wm. Graham, as President, the other in Washington
County, Pa., under care of Rev. John M'Miilan. This
was the origin of Washington College, Lexington, Va.,
and of Canonsburg College, in Washington Couiity;
Pa. Books of a doctrinal nature were enjoined to be
j)ut into the hands of the students, at once, on their en-
trance, indigent pious young men were provided for,
and the two schools were placed under the supervision
of a Board of Examiners, chosen from the Presbyterie«
respectively. A few years afterwards, W^ashington
College, in Washington county, Pa., was instituted on
similar principles.

The Presbyterian organization is essentially mission-
ary. The printed records of the church, establish the
fact that near one hundred years ago, she sent out mis-
sionaries into the howling wilderness west of the Alle-

flVIL IIISTOnY.

247

ghenies to proich to the scattered emigrants, hunters,
traders' and indians who might fall in their way. As
early as 1700, wo read of their lahors and travels in
this capacity. Very many of the scttlcrft of Waslnnp-
ton and Allegheny counties, were secedcrs from the reg-
ular organization, and of the strait*^sL sect of that per-
suasion. They were very dogmatical in their opinions
and somewhat disposed to bigotry; much given to long
sermons, very peculiar psalmody nnd cold meat on
Sunday. Many of this denomination, may still 1x5
found in western I Pennsylvania. The Presbyterian syn-
od of New York and Philadelphia established in the
year 1781, at the request of the Revs, Joseph Smith,
John M'Millan, James Power and Thaddeus Dodd;
wdiat w'as called the lledstono Presbytery, whicli em-
braced the country lying between and upon tlie brandi-
es of the Monongahela and the Ohio; and took its name
from Iledstone Old Fort, which appears to have been
a sort of head quarters, and gave the name of Pedstone
settlement to a wide extent of country. This Presby-
tery, was served by men of eminent piety and ability,
among wliom may be named — Revs. Joseph Smitli,
John M'Millan, James Power, Anderson, Dodds, Ed-
gar and others — men who made their mark upon tha
early history of the country and the leaven of whose
christian virtues, still works among the sturdy yeoman-
ry of West Pennsylvania. The united congregations
of Buffalo and Cross Creek united in a "call," it is said
the first 'apon record west of the mountains, to the gen-
tleman first named, in June 1779, promising the con-
nideration per year, of £150 continental currency of 1774
for his services; and recapitulating the great loss "youth
custain by growing up without the stated means of

1.1

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248

CIVIL HISTORY.

grace; the formality likely to spread over the aged, and
the great danger of ungodliness pcrvailing among both,
there being divers tlenouiiniitions of people among us,
who hold dangerciis principles tending to mislead many
weak and ignorant people; we cannot but renew our
earnest entreaties that you will accept this, our hearty
call." Houses of worship were extremely rare in those
days, and it is said that none existed prior to 1790. —
Even in the winter, meetings were held in the ojicn air.
A place was selected, as well sheltered from the weath-
er us possible and a log pulpit erected; and in this prim-
itive style the worship of (lod was conducted with as
much decorum and pcrha[)s with more acceptability,
than in the gorgeous edifices and gilt edged pulpits of
their descendants. Tliis was iho origin of the camp-
meetings, which were not, as is generally supposed, by
any means confined to ]\[ethodists. They had their or-
igin in the necessities of the country before Methodism
existed; and were very generally adopted, not from
choice, but for want of better accommodations.

Next in numbers and influence a.^ter Presbyterianism
comes Methodism, tliough it does not by any means ap-
pear as efficient or at least as prominent, until of much
Irtt(U' date. Tiidccd, in the oirly days of Methodism its
professors and preacliers appear to have been in very bad
repute, and were considered ratljor as grievous nuisan-
ces to society, tliau as a reputable, christian denomina-
tion. Their more liberal and popularized doctrines and
mode of church go i'cinniont came in direct conflict with
the straight-laced Galvanism, so prevalent at that day;
and as they commended themselves with more accepta-
bility to the reckless, thoughtless and more ignorant
masses of the community, Methodism became an object

UIV

^ty

ism

nd
ith

Hta-
iut

Gois.; TO CHjnni tn Old Times.— [Pag*? 24«.]

CIVIL HISTORY.

•249

of jealonKV, contempt and hatred. Methodism, under
the preaching of Whitefield and Wesley in England had
its rise and popularity chiefly among the humbler class-
es in that kingdom; its history was associated with
many extravagancies, and with much that excited rid-
icule and reprehension; an 1 the vulgar prejudice, exci-
ted against its preachers and professors, by the adhe-
rants of the English church, followed its ministrations
across the Atlantic, and even into th. wilds of the back
woods. Nevertheless, there was at the bottom of its
extravagancies, a solid stratum of truth, sincerity and
pure piety that disarmed opposition; and the martyr-like
devotion of its early preachers, recommended it to the
masses, so that gradually it worked itself into notice,
and became one of the leading denominations of the land.
It appears emphatically, to have been the democratic
church, in contradistinction to tin; more aristocratic and
excliT^ive cotemporary sects. Commending itself to the
Kympathies of tiie masses and appealing rather to their
feelings than to their intellects, it was the creed to pre-
vail in a naturallv consciencious, but uncultivated com-
r.iunity, and the beatific visions of supernal ecstacy in-
to which its wrapt votaries were often inducted by
overwrought imagination, or as they claimed, by the di-
rect visitation of the Almiglity, were of so impressive a
character tliev could not only not be for>jfottcu,but made
them proof against all opprobrium and against all per-
secution. Itineracy was a peculiarity of the sect. The
preachers emulated the example of the apostles in the
tjimplicity and scantiness of their oulfit. They _ took
no thought of to-morrow, but depending upon the gos-
pel staff and script, they relied upon what the day
might bring forth, for their sustenance and support. — -

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250

CITIL BISTORT.

They dived into the bosom of the forests and tracked
its almost pathless wilds; with a kind of spiritual knight
errantry, they crossed unknown rivers, and plunged
into dismal swamps — they came unawares upon the
settler in his secluded cabin, and preaching with a zeal
that would brook no denial, they used for his conver-
sion sometimes carnal as well as spiritual weapons. —
Where two or three could be gathered, they ma«le th«
woods resound with prayer and praise and exhortation.
Tliero was a heroism, a self devotion, a deliance of per-
il, an endur^ince of hardship, and an obvious poverty,
that vouched for their sincerity, and commended them
to the respect and hospitality of their hosts. In this
way, they sowed broadcast over the land, the seeds of
Methodism, wliicli were destined soon to grow up into
a bountiful harvest. Among the first nnd most nota-
ble of these early itinerants was Lorenzo Dow, who
gained a world-wide reputation for his eccentricities;
and who first passed through tliis country about the
year 180(5, preaching at tlio ditferent points on his
route. lie was not regularly in connection with the
Methodist organization, but his doctrines liad more sim-
ilarity to theirs, than to those of any other denomina-
tion; and naturally ho came to be regarded as a kind of
apostle of Methodism. His travels commenced about
the year 1792, and speaking of the sect in question, at
tiiat day, he says: "about this time there was much
talk about the people called Methodists, who were late-
ly come into the western part of New England. There
were various reports and opinions concerning them,
some saying they Avere the demons that were to come
in the last days; that such a delusive spirit attended
them that it was dangerous to have them spoak, lest they

tJIVlL HISTORY.

t51

«hoiild load people ont of the good old way they had
been brought up in, that they would deceive if possible,
the very elect,'* In his passage through this country
in 1805, he speaks of preaching at Charlestown, and
lays that many were displeased with his preaching. —
lieturning again in 1813, he met witli a kinder ^recep-
tion, at most of the points where he preached, though
«t West Middletown, Pa., he says that an effort waf
made to mob him, which failed. He was probably th«
first of the street preachers, and as often preached in th«
market place «s in the church. He was possessed of
much ready wit, which he could readily turn to advan-
tage and very frequently to |the ludicrous discomfitar«
of his antagonists and disturbers. Dow, was not th«
only Methodist preacher who was maltreated, nor wai
the prejudice against Methodists confined to particular
localities. In Crawford county. Pai., in 1806, John
McDowell, whose father's family was the first Metho-
dist family in the county, preacliod the first sermon of
the novel creed, and had almost to fly for his life from
the vengeance of his congregation; as late as 1826, the
Rev. Boar, who headoil tlio first organization in Beaver
county, was spit upon hy the boys and otherwise insul-
ted, daring his sermon.

liev. James Fiuloy who flourished about the time of
the last war, was an eminent preacher of this denomi-
nation, concerning whom, (juitoa number of anecdote*
are afloat j\mong his jmcient friends. He appears to
have been a kind of Boanerges — zealous, of powerful
frame and utterly fearless, he would shake the souls of
sinners over the fires of hell until they "squealed like
young raccoons." He was aKentuckian, but spent the
greater part of his youth near Chilicothe, Ohio, and hif

'•if''

ill

252

CIVIL HISTORY*

fatlier being a teacher of the classics, he acquired from
him a .superior education. Ho reproved ain without
fear, favor or affection, and was not particularly careful
of the phraseology he used. His rough practice brot'
him frequently into disagreeable contact with the hard
cases of his day. Baid he, on being advised that a
certain man in Steubeuville, whom he had offended,
had threatened to maltreat him. "I am willing to ho
led to the stake for the cause of Christ, but brethren,
God never made the man wlio will ever cowhide James
Finley." It is needless to say he was not cowhided,
although he thundered his denunciations afterwards,
with rci.loubIed vim.

Nevertlieless, and in spite of opprobrium and hostil-
ity, the cliurch grew apace, ar d at an early day took
rank with tlie Presbyterian in popularity; and iu many
sections actually outstripped it in numbers. At this
day it consiilerably exceeds any other denomination, in
this section in the number of its members, and is be-
hind none in popular ostimation. One of the first or-
ganizations was established in the neighborhood of
. West Liberty, on Short Creek bottom, about the year
1805, and perhaps the oldest jNIethodist Church in the
country is the old stone meeting house on Short Creek
bottom, erected by them about the year 1810. Kev.
Joshua Monroe, speaks of preaching in it in the year
1811, when it was in an unlinished condition, and states
that the stone work was executed by Mr. Ralph Doug-
lass, an Englishman and a Methodist of the old Wes-
leyan stamp, a sensible and deeply pious man who died
a few years afterward in Washington, Pa. It is a ven-
erable and timo worn edifice, suggestive of old times;
and surrouudcd with the grave stones of many of tha

CIVIL nisTonv.

1>5^

fatriarchs and pioneers of this section. Not far from
it is the old Castleman's Run (\amp Ground, also loca-
ted about the same time (in 1814.) by the same Joshua
Monroe, above mentioned, with otiiers, /■ly.Tnen and
preachers, and arranged for a camp t^Tound. Prior to
1811, Camp Meeting had boon held iutlie vicinity of the
stone meeting honse, but an intermission occurring at
this time, the new site was selected on the land of the
Jones family, and annual meetings have been held on
the spot with great regularity, froni that d;iy to this.

Among the early Methodist preachers may be named
Hoge, Page, West, dohn Waterman, .1. Monroe, Ja-
cob Young and others, many of whom will be remem-
bered by some of our readers as men of great ability,
piety and zeal in the cause of ^Methodistic Christianity.
Those of them living now can look back upon the early
"days of their church and compare it with its present
growth and strength with tbankrulness to ( lod, and hon-
est pride at the commanding position it lias attained to
from such small beginnings.

The Baptist Church comes next in numerical impor-
tance in this section. It too, in infancy, had to en-'
counter prejudices and sectarian hostility; but though
divided into sects, it outgrew them all and attained a
proportionate importance.

About the year 1801, Jonathan West of the county
of Jeffer&on, N. W. Territory, deeded to the Regular
Baptist Church of Kings Creek, Yr., for the sum of one
and-a half dollars, snflicicnt land on which to erect a
church. The church was afterwards erected, and
for many years occupied, being among the very first ed-
ifices for such purposes in the western country. The
Eegular Baptists were afterwards divided into various

^' i

:; !

254

CIVIL HIBTOBT.

■§ecta, who discussed their various points of difTerence**
with much zeal and ability. One of these sects or di-
visions, is that known as the Disciples or Campbellite*
of which Alexander Campbell of Bethany College, may
be considered the founder and exponent. A man of
great industry, ability and zeal, he was in early life in-
dued with Calvanistic notions, but also with a free think-
ing and independent mind, and withal given to dispu-
tation. He early evinced a disposition to travel from
the beaten paths, and originate a system peculiar to
himself, which should embody his ideas of right chris-
tian doctrine and church government. His peculiar sect
however, did not coma much into vogue until a later
day, and does not particularly come at this time within
ourfview.

The foljowing sketch of the life of Dr. Joseph Dod-
dridge, whose "Notes on Virginia,*' hav^ given his
name a wide celebrity, will bo found, also, an interest-
ing sketch of tHe progress ei the E.piscopal church, in
this region.

Prominent among the early citizens of Wellsburg^
were the Rev. Dr. Joseph Doddridge and his brother,
Philip Doddridge, Esq., both of whom attained to em-
inence in their professions. From early life, they were
eager in the pursuit of knowledge, cheerfully expending
their little patrimony in procuring, from abroad, that
Assistance which the paucity of instructors and books,
at that early period, denied them at home.

Their father, John Doddridge, originally from Mary-
land, and a lineal descendant from the Rev. John Dod-
dridge, of Shepperdton, England, emigrated at an early
period of the settlement of the country, to the Western
part of Washington Coanty, Pennsylvania, locating in

CIVIL HIBTOKT.

255

tlie neigbborliood of tbe Virginia line. Being a man of
piety and intelligence, although not enjoying robust
health, he found many opportunities of rendering him-
«elf useful to the community in which he lived. When
a resident of his native State, he was a member of the
English Church, but after his removal to the West, ha
attached himself to the Wesleyan Methodists, for whose
accommodation he erected, on his own farm, a house of
worship, which still retains the cognomen of "Dod-
dridge's Chapel."

Joseph, his oldest son, wag born in October, 1768.
At an early age, in Philadelphia, he took orders in the
Protestant Episcopal Church, and during many years,
labored, almost single-handed, in Western Virginia and
Ohio, to collect and keep within the fold of that branch
of the Church of Christ, its scattered members, not doubt-
ing that his brethren in the Atlantic States would ear-
ly feel the importance of surmounting the great Alle-
gheny barrier, and by their timely visits and affection-
ate christian ministrations, second and complete his ef-
forts for the early and permanent establishment of the
Episcopal Church in the western regions. But in this
fondly cherished hope he was doomed to disappoint-
ment. Year after year passed, and still his oft repeat-
ed entreaties for help were only answered by plausible
pretexts for delaying to a more opportune period th«
anxiously coveted assistance.

From the Hon. Judge Scott's reminiscence of the
Rev. Dr. Doddridge, we learn that in 1793, he held reg-
ular Episcopal services in West Liberty, Virginia,
then the seat of justice for Ohio County, and the resi-
. dence of many respectable and influential families, |most
of whom removed to Wheeling, when the courts were

i| ;/

ill

25G

CIVIL HISTORY.

trnnsfoncd to that place. According to the same au-
thority, St. John's parish, in Brooke County, seven
milc8 from Wellsburg, was formed by lilm in the same
year, and a small church oiectod. Of this parish, he
continued the pastor until witliiii a short period of
his decease, when failing health compelled him to relin-
quish it.

In the year 1800, Dr. Do Idridge formed a congrega-
tion in this ]>lace, then culled Charlestown, also one in
.iefferson County, Ohio, now known as St. James*
church, on Cross Creek, in that County. As early a3
1794 and '97 he held frequent religious services at Stou-
benvillc, Wheeling and Orave Creek.

In later years, his ministrations as a pioneer mission-
ary wore extended into the interior of the State of Ohio,
and it was owing in a great measure to his zealous and
persevpiing dforts that the pndiminary steps were ini-
tiated wiiich resulted in the erection of the state into an
Ep .copal diocese antl the election of its first prelate,
tL<'. energetic, self denying and devoted Bishop Chase.

Some years after entering the ministry, the subject
of this notice, in order to meet the wants of an increas-
ing family found it necessary to combine with his cleri-
cal profession one that would be more lucrative in the
region in which he lived. He chose that of medicine,
completing his course of preparation in the Medical In-
Btitute, of Philadelphia, under Dr. Benjamin Rush. —
In the latter profession he stood deservedly high, and to
its avails he was mainly indebted for means to rear and
educate a large family of children. But his practice
being in a new and sparsely settled country, was labor-
ious in the extreme, and laid the foundation for a dis-

CIVIL HISTORY.

2d1

case wliich, in tbo latter years of hi j life, was painfully
manifcstcil.

In his tlisposition ho was social ani choorlnl, fond of
the society of friends, to whom ho was aluays affailo
and accessible, aiming in his conversations with tliem to
combine instruction with entertainment. Wis heart was
replete with sympathy and compassion for the poor and
the afllicted, to whose relief he ever imparted largely of
his limited means. For some years previous to his
decease ho was severely afflicted with nn usthinatic
complaint which finally terminated his life in the 5!^th.
year of his age, in Nov. 182G. Ilis remains with those
of his parents, bis wife and severa.1 of his chihlrcn, ro-
pose iu a monumental mound, in the old grave yanl ad-
joining Brooke Academy, in this place.

In conclndingthis cha2)ter on the religions peculiari-
ties of the people of this section, we may safely say that
no section of the Union can present a fairer record
as relates to morality, and the elements of true i-o-
ligion; and few can be found where the leading tenets
of Christianity have been more thoroughly, zealously,
and ably discussed. It has been the scene of zealous
disputation almost from the time of its settlement, and
if the disputants have now grounded arms, it is not from
want of zeal, confidence or ability to dispute, but from
the effects of abroader and wider spirit of christian tol-
erance, even to the verge of indifference. With a firm
reliance upon the self-sustaining principle in Christi-
anity, we may hope that this kinder feeling may ever
prevail until it merges in the consumation of the mil-
loniol liope, which all true christians are frei to agr^2
upon and indulge.

CHAPTER VI.

• SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

Literary Tendency of the People— Quality Folks— Field Schools ~Acadeni let
aud Hiifh Schools — Alexander Civinpliell— Beiliany College— West Llbe;*ty
Academy — Wallsburg Female Seminary— CoTnmou Schools— Newbpap^w.

A PEOPLE SO eminently religious in their tendencies
fts were our forefathers, could not be indifferent to the
education of their children; accordingly, we find great
attention bestowed upon the education of youth. Con-
sidering the paucity of population, the inferior quality
of the teachers, and the harassing nature of the times,
it is as singular as it is creditable, that education such
as it was, was so general. The fact that it received so
much consideration is in a great degree attributable to
the character of the settlers themselves. At a very ear-
ly period a class of settlers came in, who possessed a de-
gree of refinement and intelligence, equal at least to any
to be found in the sections whence they emigrated.
Many of them contrived to gather around them the usu-
al appendages of higher social life. Though their hou-
ses at first, were humble, often only a single log cabin,
yet many of them owned slaves, possessed negro quar-
ters as comfortable as their own, kept fine horses, and

CIVIL HiSTORT.

25»

dispensing hospitality with a liberal profusion, ossay-
ed to he thoui^ht, what thoy wore called by the less as-
piring, "quality folks." These quality folks were gen-
erally well (Hluoated, and were both ''laulatod and envi-
ed, by their less favoreil, but equally ambitious neigh-
bors. Their own sons and duughtfTS, they sent off to
the East, to receive the polish of the college and sem-
inary; while the others were encouraged to patronize
the field school. The hold school was an institution in
its way. As described by writers of the day, and a«
aome relics, now exi-fting, prove, thoy were of th«
class of schools which benefit through much tribula-
tion. A log house, of moderate si/e, was squatted
down at the intersection of a couple of covv-path.s, or
near some spring in the woods, the walls chinked with
mud, and sticks, and stones; the roof and iloor of clap-
boards, and doors, windows and chimni s, of the most
primitive style. To this temple of learning, resorted
the urchins for miles around, — trudging through tho
woods in families; boys and girls together, with their
dog-eared school-beoks, that had serv ed the purposes
of more than one generation. The teacher, some coun-
tryman of Ichabod Crane, or more probably, a gentle •
man from the bogs of "swate Ireland," who, by his blar-
ney, induced his simple-minded patrons to believe him
a paragon of **larnin," as well as a pattern of proprie-
ty, presided over this motley crew. Tho scholars sat
bolt upright, on backless bencl^es, while the mof/ister ar-
tis, presiding with infinite majesty, kept them in terror
of his rod and rule. What he taught them was the ap-
plication of the birch; what they learned was what they
could not help. In process of time, the scholar became
inducted into the mysteries of the elements* graduated

IN I

260

CIVIL III8T0UY.

wlmn lio conquerod tlio single rule of threo, and took
his lir>t ilogreo when ho uajuircd "round hand writing."
.Jolly tinit's, tlioy wore, at th« old /ield schools — check-
ered like our lives with much of pleasure, much of pain.

'1^1

)f hovhoixl, wh

released lik(

ease
young colts Irom durance vile, tlio warlike preparations
of barring out, and the. chivalrous ])unctilio of tire as-
sa.ilt, surrender and treaty, the juvenile gallantry of
the youngsters toward the blushing lasses — all these
recollections of old lang syne, as they rush back upon
the inoinory, <lrown out the dolol'ul hours of enforced
quiet, the piiinful eoniineniont, the bothering (/f brain
over intricate [jroblenis, the visions of the birch, smart
of tlio biich itself, and the manifold exacerbations of
the youthful spirit. Ueniinisecuiees such as these, and
many niore, balance each other on memory's chart, as
the mind recur.^ to the school boy days.

The teachers themselves, were not generally very ad-
vanced in learning, nor were they always given to hab-
its of strict sobriety; were poor in purse, and often com-
pelled to eke out a scanty livelihood by other avoca-
tions; among ivliich were those of travelling cobbler and
tailor. They boarded round among their patrons, and
in the intervals between their professional engagements,
tiiey mended the shoes and made the breeches for the
families with whom they boarded.

These Held schools, as they were called, existed un-
til a late day, and indeed are not yet extinct; but as the
population increased, the standard of education was
advanced and academies and colleges were planted at
various points, wherever numbers jnstilied.

Toward the close of the last century, a movement was
•: ado by the members of the Redstone Presbytery, to

CIVIL IIISTOItY.

itu

estftblish Bchools on a firm foundation, liaviiic^in vit'\r
the advftncoment of the oliurch. Jn 1702; ftu acndcniy
was established at (yanonsl)uri^, in Wasliington c<».
Pa., and anotlier in Loxiiiufton, Kockbridge coniity,
Va , believed to be tlie first high sehools west of tlic
AUegfteny mountains. TIioso academies or semina-
ries a?» theywere caUed, were ke^t up lor a time by cdu-
tributions from the people, but in a sliort time, they re-
ceived sullieient patronage to bo self-sujiporting. The
Seminary at (yauonsburg, was converted into Ciiii-
onsburg College in 1802, since which time, the insti-
tution has grown in popular estimation and become one
of the most respeiitabie instittitions of learning in the
Union. About the same time that Canonsburg Col-
lege was established, a competitor sprung up in Wash-
ington, which after a (.'hrysjiliy existence of a few years,
assumed the name of Washington College, and in tirno
attained to great prosperity. Academics and high
schools multiplied and kept pace with the progress of
the country. At every considerable town, an Academy
was established and sustained — sometimes aided by pri- •
vate munillcencc, sometimes assisted by the kStutc,
and at others depending solely upon their merits fur
their support. An acailemy was established at Wells-
burg at an early day, wliich furnished means of educa-
tion to many now in active life, and once possessed
considerable celebrity. Alexander Campbell also, wa«
early distinguished as an instructor of youth, many of
thi3 middle aged citi:^ens of the present day having re-
ceived their education under him. His career as au
instructor, culminated in the establisliment of Bethany
Gollege in 1840.
Mr, Campbel], was born at Shane's Castle, Ireland^,

<fi

262

CIVIL HISTORY.

in 1778, and having received a finished education in
his native country, he emigrated to America in 1808.
He located shortly after his arrival, in Western Penn-
sylvania, in the capacity r^ preacher and teacher; and
Koon acquired a reputation as a man of talent and am-
bition. He was a delegate to the convention tj reform
the Constitution of Virginia in 1829-30, but never par-
ticularly distinguished birisclf in politics; liis princi-
pal forte being in controversial writing and debate. —
The Millenlial Harbinger, established during the year
1823, of which he has continued the principal editor
ond always the leading spirit, has exerted a great influ-
ence on the religious sentiment of Christendom; and he
has engaged in various public discussions in this coun-
try and in England, wliich have given him a reputation
almost cosmopolitan. He has also edited ruid pub-
lished several books of a theological chai'actcr. Few
men living, have, indeed, transacted so much or such
divcrsiliotl business as Mr. Campbell; or labored through
life with such unrctnitting industry, lie has accumu-
lated considerable property and his liomostead at lie-
thaiiy, iirooke Coimty, Va., is the scene of profuse hos-
pitality to visitors from all sections of the country attrac-
ted by the wide spreaii re[)Utation of the man, as well
as by tlic calls of business, religious, literary and secu-
lar. In personal appearance, he is tall, venerable and
dignified; and tiio mo>t casual observer, would not fail
to vecognise in him, the marks of a commanding intel-
lect.

He early showed a disposition to differ from the Cal-
vanistic preachers among wiioni he was thrown, and
after much disputation, controversy and even abuse, lie
Jcft them and essayed to establish a creed and practice

CIVIL msTonr.

26g

more in accordance with his own idons of scriptural
propriety. In this, he has to a great extent succeeded
and he is now, at least by the public, considered th«
head of the branch of the Baptist donomination, wliich
has taken in some sections, Lis name. For himself, in
all his teachings and writings, he emphatically dis-
claims sectarianism; but popular opinion, seemti to
judge him differently from his own judgement of him-
self.

For the last twenty years of his life, the engrossing
object of his attention, has been to establish a college
near his homestead at Bethany, where his ideas of chris-
tian culture may be appropriately developed.

The first dclinito plan of the organization of the Col-
lege is laid down by Mr, Campbell in the Millonial
Harbinger for Octobf^r, 1889, under the head "Nt-w In-
stitution." The project hud been long ripiMiing in iiin
mind, but its realization had been deferred waiting (he
Buccessful establishuKMit of Bacon (Jollege, Ivontnckv.
in the success of which, Mr. Campbell, took a groat in-
terest. His first idea wa^, that the location of the col-
lege should bo "entirely rural — in the country, detach-
ed from all external society; not convenient to any town
or place of rendezvous-— in ilie niiilst of forests, fields
and gardens — salubrious air, })ure water- -dive^sififMl
scenery of hills and vallifs, limpid brooks and mean-
dering streams of rapid tlowing v/ator, 8uch is the
spot 1 have selected." This description sounds some-
what Acadian, but it correctly delineates the landscape
while the event shows that Acad-^mic seclusion has pro-
ven a failure — a thriving village springing up around
the very doors of his college.

Hi« next grand idea was, that tho school should b«

2G4

CIVIL mSTORT.

free from any sectarian mfliiciice, and thus severed from
tlie dogmas of established relii^ion.s, induct more ration-
al theology into the minds of students than hed^einod
to then prevail. Says he: "Wj wa.it no scholasac
or traditionary tjjcology. We desire, however, a much
more intiuiii te, critical, and thorougli knowledge of the
Bible, the whole Bible as the Book of God — the Book
of Life and of human destiny, than is usually, or in-
deed can be, obtained in what are called Theological
Schools."

His model school wa8 to be built up on an original
plan combining in its detail the requisites both of church
and College and of church, preniinently. To quote far-
ther from his programme. "This church institution
shall, in one cardinal point of view, resemble the West
Point military stdiool. There, it is not the thf'Ory
alone, but the military camp, the practice, the daily
discipline of the god of war. In this institution it will
not be the theory of a church — of Bible reading, Bible-
criticism, ]>ible-lecture« — sermons — chuvoh order —
Oiiristian discipline; but daily practice of tho>e. Tliis
church will be in session seven days in every week. —
The superintendantof this institution, or j:]ie professor
in attendance, will be bishop^;^o tempore of the church.
The young men, in all their readings, questions and
answers, and exercises, shall rise, and .^pcak, and act,
as though they were, as in truth they are, members of
a particular church met for edification and worship."

Ilis programme then goes into detail of prospeotivo
arrangements, some of which have been consummated
and others proved visionary. The College was incor-
porated in 1840. The second annual meeting of the
Trustees was held at Bethany, on Morduy May lOth,

/■

CIVIL HISTORY.

265

1841, at which time, the available funds of the Institu-
tion were stated at 811,054, obtained by subsciption ,a
considerable portion of which was by Mr. Campbell
himself, who was acting as treasurer and agent. Four
Professors had been nominated, two of whom, W. K.
Pendleton, a graduate of the University of Va., and
Robert R. Richardson, M. D., accepted their appoint-
ments as stated at this meeting. The bill of fare at
the Stewart's Inn, it was resolved, should be the same
as at the University, and the cost of one year's attend-
ance, was unanimously fixed at $150; besides an en-
trance fee oi $10, for each student.

At this time, the buildings were unfinished, and but
a little over $1000 of the subscriptions actually paid,
although the Inn and the College were being built. —
The Treasurer asked $20,000 from the community and
in consideration, promised not only an abundance of
competent instructors, but accommodations for five
hundred students. To raise the requisite funds, he la-
bored with an assiduity the most indefatigable, and
travelled into the most remote sections of the Union,
and even beyond. For the first few years of its exist-
ence, the College struggled against manifold difficul
ties, not the least of which was oppoi^ition on sectari-
an grounds, but finally, it overcome them all, and, at
this day, realizes, in some degree, the anticipationi of
its venerable founder and President.

Notwithstanding his religious peculiarities, the rep-
utation of Mr. Campbell attracted an indiscriminate pa-
tronage, and gradually his school worked itself, not on-
ly into notice, but into the possession of considerabl«
patronage. The Chairs of several Professors are now
endowed, in sums sufficient to afford them comfortabl«

2G6

riTIL HISTOr.T.

salaries, and arc gonerally filled, and with men of ihc
first order. The Old College building, which was ac-
cidentally bnrncd, in December, 1857, was replaced the
Rucceeding season, by a portion of the present magnifi-
cent edifice, dedicated December 10th, 1858, the funds
having been obtained by subscription, a mong those
friendly to the Institution. The building destroyed
was not of much value; but the valuable libraries, cab-
inets, (fee, belonging to the College, some of which it
will be impossible to replace, wero a serious loss.

West Liberty Acadoniy, established under the aus-
pices of Prof. A. F. lioss, until the spring of 185S, a
professor in Bethany ('ollege; and under an old act of
incorporation, assisted by the State, commenced its first
session, August, 1858.

The Female Seminary at Wellsburg, was establish-
ed in 1852, professedly to be under the patronage of
the Methodist E. Church, but although agents were
put in the field, a considerable sum raised, and one
wing of the edifice erected and occupied, it has not ynt
l)een completed. (^olh^ges, Female Seminavies, and
'I'heological Institutions abound throughout this sec-
tion.

Nor, in the anxiety to build colleges and csfal)lish
seminaries, have the people been unmindful of humbler
educational wants. The State of Pennsylvania early
establii^hjcl a Free School system on a magnifiicent ba-
sis, and in Washington county, their common schools
have ever been an object of pride as well as of attention
Common School teaching has been reduced to a science
and systematized almost to perfection. A magnificent
edifice for the purpose of a Union Free School was erec-
ted in the town of Washington, in the years 1855-6, at

CIVIL HISTORY.

2():

a cost of some $20,000, and comfortable school-liou^oi
:irc thickly scattered throughout the borders of the coun-
ty. In Virginia, the law allovys counties that see fit to
do so, to adopt a Free School system, similar in its pro-
visions to that of Pennsylvania. The county of Ohio
adopted it about the year 1852, by election. A con-
siderable amount of money was invested in school-hous-
<.'«, but the system does not seem to operate so satisfac-
torily as could oc desired; in Brooke county, at the same
election, Free Schools were voted down by a small ma-
jority; and in Hancock and Marshall, subsequent elec-
tions have resulted slmilarlv. Under the general law
o[ Virginia, which makes cj^uite liberal provisi(>n for
Common School education, though clogged with pro-
visions which render it distasteful to the classes it is
intended to benefit, the facilities for .i- quiring a com-
mon school education are good, and where the re is a
disposition, there is abundant opportunity. The pro-
portion of persons unable to read and write, is smaller
in the Panhandle, than in any other section of the State,
even with the present unpopular and radically defect-
ive system.

Take all things into consideration, and no section
can be found in the Union, surpassing this in the mor-
ality, intelligence, law abiding spirit and general vom-
petence of its inhabitants, a fact not more honorabU' in
the present generation than creditable to their progen-
itors.

CHAPTER Vn.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

TuE construction of a wagon road from Will's Creek;
to the Ohio was early an object of solicitude on the
part of the Government and people of the country. As
far back as 1768, Thos. Walker, Thos. Rutherford, Jas.
Wood and Abram Kite, Gent, or any two of them, were
authorized and empowered by the Colonial Assembly
to lay out, a road from the North branch of the Potomac
to Fort Pitt and for the furtherance of the object, the
sum of £200 was appropriated.

The reason assigned for this enterprise was that an
advantageous trade might thus be opened with the In-
dians on the western borders "of this dominion," and
the King's garrison be the better supplied with pro-
visions. They were instructed to follow as near as
might be, the route of Gen. Braddock in his ill fated
expedition of 1755, and the result of their explorations
was the road for a long time used and finally adopted
with a few variations, as far as the Monongahela, as
the route of the National Road. As the population in-
creased, it demanded an improved connection with the
East. Toward the close of the last century, emigra-
tion poured over the mountains in almost a continu-

CIVIL History.

209

ons fitrcam; and in pursuance of the policy of the gov-
ernment to foster the settlement of the great west, the
scheme of a great National Road from Philadelphia to
the Ohio, and thence traversing the Northwest Territo-
ry to St. Louis, or the mouth of the Missouri, was pro-
jected, and soon became'the subjectof much discussion
both in and out of Congress. Waen the State of Ohio
applied for admission into the Union in 1802, she was
admitted with the proviso, that one twentieth part of
the public lands within her boundaries should be set
apart that the proceeds might go to the construction of
such a road through Ohio and ultimately to St. Louis.
On the 29th March 180G, Congress passed a law pro-
viding for the construction of the road from Cumber-
land to the Ohio, and Thomas Moore of Maryland, Jo-
seph Kerr and Eli Wilson of Ohio, were aiipointed
Commissioners to decide upon a route. The route pro-
posed by them with only one deviation at Uniontown,
was approved by President Jelferson in 1808, as far as
Brownsville — the route, from that point to the Ohio,
being left undetermined. The point at which the road
would strike the Ohio, was considered as of the utmost
local importance, and every eligible point on the Ohio,
from Pittsburgh to below Wheeling, was warmly en-
gaged in urging its claims. It was anticipated that a
city would at once spring up wherever the crossing was
definitely fixed. At this poriod, dates the jealousy that
subsequently existed between Wheeling and Pittsburgh;
and in a greater or less degree with all the other points
on the eastern shore of the river. It became a delicate
question for the commissioners to decide, and remarking
ihat, "in thi>», was to be consulted the wishes of that
populous section of Ohio, and the connections with

Iji

Jii'

270

CIVIL HISTORT.

roads leading to St. Lonis, under act of 1806," they
Joft the question open. Th(» route from Brownsville, to
NVJieeling, was afterwards located by another commis-
sion, the engineer for whom, was a Mr. Weaver. Op-
erations on the road were eonimenced forthwith and np
to 1817, it liad cost $1,800,000, and had moreover in
some portions become worn out so as to need extensive
repairs. The (juestiou of abandonment came np. In
1822, President Monroe issued his celebrated In'.ernal
Improvement message, in whicli he argues with consu-
mate abmty the general improvement policy of the coun-
try, and enlarges upon the propriety of the government
carrying out the original compact with the State of Ohio,
hy continuing the road west of the river Ohio. Three
Oommissionors, had heon appointed in 1817, t(^;
locate the western division; audit is at this date that
we first read of its Ohio terminus being definitely fixed
at Wheeling. Col. Moses Shepherd, was a principal
contractor on the road between Wheeling and Cum-
berland, Messrs. John McClure, Dan'l. Steenrod and
others, had contracts more contiguous to the former
place. The work was executed promptly and wnth ap-
parent faithfulness; but subsequently, much litigation
arose on account of alleged failure to comply with the
terms of contracts in executing masonry, (fee, which af-
terwards found its way into (congress in the shape of
Bills for the relief of dilfercnt parties. A large amount
of money was expended by the government, and largo
fortunes were madi^ by some of the contractors out of
the proceeds. The road gained great celebrity at \\w
time from its magnificence of design, costly character,
the romantic country traversed and the immense trade
,'ind travel that passed constantly over it. It becani<?

CIVIL HIHTOUV.

271

the grand artery of emigration as well as of transpor-
tation between the East and the West. Forty wagons
in a train all magnificently belled and otherwise equip-
ped, might be seen at one time traversing this national
higliway, loaded with merchandise for the whole coun-
trv, as far west {is St. Louis.

Notwithstanding, however, the immense travel and
trade, the tolls were insuflicicnt to keep it in proper re-
pair, and bidding fail to become a burden on the Federal
Treasury, a growing disposition was manifested to aban-
don or rather to tran£'''n' it to the States it traversed.
About the year 1825, it was terribly out of repair, es-
pecially that portion of it between Brownsville and
Wheeling; and so desperate had become the condition
of the Western division that a change of location was
seriously talked of from the Wheeling route to the route
via Wellsburg. During the previous long and acri-
monious contest fwr the crossing place, Wellsburg had
been the equal and formidable rival of Wiieeling, and
now, Avhen it was re-opened, she renewed her rivalry
with a desperate zeal. Topographical advantages were
confessedly in her favor both as to distance arrd nature
of the ground to be traversed in order to strike the Ohio;
but even at that early day and indeed a long time pre-
viously, the narrowness of the river had suggested the
practicability of a bridge at Wheeling Island, and there
were influences also on the Ohio side, that operated
strongly in her favor. She was also fortunate in her
advocates in Congress. Henry Clay, the reputed fath-
er of the internal improvement policy of the government
threw in her favor the weight of his influence; and con-
tributed greatly to her success by his zeal and his sar-
castic allusions to "Panther Mountain," a high hill two

272

CrVlL mSTORT.

miles to the east of Wellsburg which he came out of hit
way to explore on one of his journeys to Washington
(^ity, purposely to see for himself the comparative mer-
its of the rival routes. He, perhaps, unwittingly, mis-
represented the character of the Wellsburg route, the
entire 23 miles: of which, it has been estimated since,
would have co .t less than the two miles nearest Whee-
ling, of the route as adopted. But superior management
triumphed and the original location to Wheeling was
confirmed. When afterwards, Henry Clay became a
candidate for the Presidency in opposition to (iJ en. Jack-
Ron in 1832, ho was remembered by the adherents of the
respective routes. Oiiio county went for him with the
greatest unanimity; while in Brooke, he only received
one vote, that of Prov. Mounts, an eccentric, hair brain-
ed individual, whoso solitary vote was for a long time
a subject of amusement among his neighbors and a.r,-
quaintanccs. The fact coming to the ears of Mr. Clay,
elicited from him a humorous and good natured remark.
Harry of the West was defeated; but the impress of this
local controversy remained not only upon the neighbor-
ly relations of the parties but upon their political com-
plexion. Wheeling, became thoroughly and persistent-
ly Whig; and together with the county of Ohio, firmly
devoted to the interests of Mr. Clay; while Wellsburg,
and all the viciuiiy sympathising with her, became un-
compromisingly anti-Clay and Democratic. Subse-
quent events and the obliterating effects of time have
softened and modified this local antipathy in some de-
gree; but to this day, the effects may still be distinctly
seen, both in local jealousy and national politics. At
the time of this last desperate effort to wrest from Whee-
ling the possession of the terminus of the National

CIVIL HISTORY.

27S

Tload, Phillip Doddridge, represented this District in
Congress. This was in 1829-32. IIo was a resident of
Wellsbnrg, where his talents were looked upon with
the highest admiration, and where the highest anticipa-
tions were entertained of his acknowledged abilities
and influence being exercised in favor of his nativo.place.
But the controversy leems to have so degenerated that
no reasonable expectation could be entertained of a
change of the location of the road; and however much
Mr. Doddridge may have been disposed to favor his
townsmen and immediate constituents, the margin for
a plausible case and for a. successful efTort, was so ex-
tremely small, that he, perhaps, never seriously enter-
tained the hope of success, or, perhaps, the design of at-
tempting it. Mr. Doddridge was a man of great liber-
ality of views, there was very little of the contracted
politician in his character, he took wide and national
views of all subjects, and disdained to allow local con-
siderations, however plausible, to influence his actions
as a legislator. Such was his general character, and
this, added to his rare colloquial powers, and great sim-
plicity of manners, was the secret of his wide and uni-
versal popularity. In this case, he doubtless felt con-
strained to flatter his townsmen with some promise of
success, but it is doubtful whether he ever entered ful-
ly into their designs. At any rate, he allowed the mat-
ter to go by default. Gen. Connell came on to Wash-
ington City, with reccommendatory documents, signed
by the citizens, but both the General and Mr. Doddridge
got on a frolic together; and it is said, that the docu-
ments w 're never presented. The affair subjected Mr.
Doddridge to considerable animadversion. From this,
a knowledge of his character, is his best defence. He

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274

CIVIL HISTORY.

was long and extensively known, and admired as a ju-
rist and statesman, his discriminating and comprehen-
sive juHgemeut in futlioming ahstrnse and intricate ca-
ses, as well as his powerful and logical arguments in elu-
cidating them, having gained him unbounded popular-
ity as an advocate. To his other advantages, were add-
ed colloquial powers of the highest order, which, being
combined with extreme simplicity of manner; rendered
him, at all times, a most fascinating and interesting
companion. Yla was bom near Philadelphia, in May,
1773; came to the West about the year 17H5, with his
father's- family; and, at an early age, applied himself
assiduously to the study of the law. lie, and his bro-
ther Joseph, were in a great degree self ^ taught, and
rose to distinction by force of industry and native vigor
of mind. For several successive sessions he represent-
ed Brooke County, in the Virginia Legislature; and
there, distinu:uishod himself as well bv the soundness of
Irs views as by his commmding eloquence.

In 1828, he was elected to Congress after a hotly
contested canvass, took his seat, March 4tli. 1829, at
the beginning of Gen. Jackson's first administration,
to which he was opposed, voting with the majority, for
the recharter of the United States Bank — the absorbing
issue of the day. Near the end of his term, June, 1832,
lie died suddenlv, and lies interred in the congression-
ttl burying ground at Washington City. He left a wid-
ow and ten children.

He was but a poor financier, and left little else to his
heirs except his memory, which is idolized by his fami-
ly and embalmed in the hearts of his many warm
friends and admirers.

In this connection it may be well enough to give

CIVIL niSTORY,

27 o

Bome history of the Wellsburg arul Washington Turn -
pike, which was originally intcndoJ, if not to take tlu;
pla.e of that portion of the National road extending
from Washington to Wliecling, at least to <livcrt at
the former place some portion of tlie s'rcani of travel
in the direction of Wellsburg. It is a contemporarv of
the Cnmborland road, and is one of the verv oldest
macadamised roads west of the Allegheny mountains
The original charter was passed in INOS. It commen
ces in rather grandiloquent «tyle by reciting ihat it "is
contemplated to build a continuous highway from tlm
city of Philadelphia and from the *l\>tomac' river, to
<^harlcstow-n, to intersect the Federal Highway from the
Potomac to the Ohio, at some point, between Wasli-
ington and Brownsville, Pa. Books of subscription
were authorised to be opened and Col. James Marshall,
Oliver Brown, Moses Congleton, John Connel, N. P.
Tilinghast and James Perry were named commissioners.
The capital si,ock was to be 81'T,00U, divided into
shares of 850 each and it was specially provided, thac
all excess of profit over I. 'i per cott, v:as to be applied
as a sinking fund for paying back the stock of the road.
Nothing, however, appcans to hav^e been done unler thn
charter until about the time when the National iJoad
had come into such bad repute for the want of re|>airs,
that there was a prospect of its abandonment from
Washington to Wheeling. The possibility of the
Wellsburg route being adopted in that case, encourageil
the corporators again to open their books. Col. James
Marshall a man of great enterprise and public spirit
appears to have been particularly active. About the
year 1825, slock was subscribed and the route surveyed
aad tho road actually put under contract. Considerabb

276

CIVIL HISTORY.

work was done on it.but public opinion was too strong-
ly in favor of the Wheeling route; the Pennsylvpniaits
failed to second the efforts of their Virginia neighbors
nnd on the event of the road being finally confirmed to
Wheeling as stated above, the project was almost aban-
doned in despair. The road languished for some years
afterwards, but was gradually put into good condition
and although the original design was a failure, and the
15 per cent profit was never realized, still it has been
of incalculable benefit in opening up the section of coun-
try i' ttraverses and affording a convenient outlet to the
river for the western half of Washington county.

The National Road was finally relinquished to the
States in 1836, after having cost the country some
$7,500,000, in its construction and support. Just
previous to this final relinquishment, the sum of 8300,
000 was appropriated to put it in good repair east of the
Ohio, with the understaniiing that after its relinquish-
ment, the general government was to be released from
all further obligation on its account. Since that time it
has been gradually falling into disuse. Railroads have
changed the courses of trade, and the manner of travel.
The rumbling lines of coaches, that used to career along
its dusty stretches, have disappeared, with their army
of Jehus; the ponderous roadsters have "gone to rack,"
grass growson the road bed, and the villages and tav-
ern stands that lined the road and lived off its drop-
pings have fallen into decay. The National Road has
had its day, and now does menial service as a country
road for neighborhood accommodation. It was a
magnificent conception at the time, and answered a mag-
nificent end. It contributed more than any other one
thing, to the rapid settlement of the west; and paid
back with interest, every dollar aver expended upon it.

THE WHISKEY mSURRECTION,

Toward the latter part of the last Century, occurred
the Whiskey Insurrection — an event, for the history
of which, we have but little space, but which occupicii
at the time a very considerable place in the public mind.
In the early days of the Union, it was deemed expedi-
ent to lay a tax, per gallon, on all home-made spiritouH
liquors to help meet the pressing exigencies of the coun-
try. The general murmur thus occasioned, gradually
subsided, except in the western part of Pennsylvainu;
and the region generally, of which we have been treat-
ing. The Scotch Irish element, was lashed into rebel-
lion by the attempt to interfere with their cherished bev-
erage and at the same time their main article oi' trade.

llie^untrj at that time had no reliable market near-
er than~New Orleans; and whiskev was the most econ-
omical commodity by the sale of which the settlers could
realize money for their surplus grain. It was always
saleable, not very bulky, and brouglit the leady cash. —
Almost every spring and clear running stream hail a
still by its side, and scarcely a farmer, but was also a
distiller. Grain, for the ordinary purposes for which
it is used, was a drug; hard money was very scarce —
12^ cts.. being often the extreuie price for a bushel of
wheat. The tax under these circumstances operated up-
on tham with peculiar hardship, and, accordingly, when
the collectors came round, their demands were refused.
Matters progressed, until they ended in open mutiny. —
July 14th, 1794, the insurgents, to the number of sev-
eral hundred, surrounded tl»e dwelling of John Neville,
Inspector of Revenues for the Fourth Pennsylvania dis-
trict, seized upon his papers, destroyed his private prop-
erty, and maltreated and wounded him and his serv-
ants. The consequence was, a complaint to the coun-
ty authori'ies, but they being unable to protect him, he
fled the vicinity. David Lenox, the U. S. Marshal,
was similarly served. A proclamation soon appeared
from the President of the U. S., cautioning the malcon-
tents against the oonucquences of their. treasonable acts,

■STfi

riVIL HISTORY.

ordorin;^ tlicni lo disporso provious to the 1st of the en-
suing Soptcinbor, and providing for the calling out of
the militia for tlio purpose of cntorcing obedience. This
was at the instance of das. Wilson, Esq., associate Jns-
ticc, who notified the President on the 4th of Angust,
that combinations then existed too powerful for the or-
dinary process of law, and called for military assistance.
This ))roc]amation was disregarded by the Insurgents,
and on the 2.">th Sept., it was followed by another, ad-
vising them that troops were embodied and on their
march to the disaffected region; but still offering am-
nesty to all disposed to claim it. The language of tlio
President was strong, indignant, yet dignihed, and
backed bv tlio overwhelming force that rallied to the
support of the laws, struck terror into the hearts of tho
leaders. They lied the country or lurked about in dis-
gui.se, while their organi/.ati(m rapidly melted away, so
that on the appi'oacli of the troops, who numbered 15,-
UOO men, accompanied by Washington himself, as far
us (,'ailisle, the Whiskey IJoys, had become utterly in-
visible, 'i'he troops, committed many petty depreda-
tions upon the property of the inhabitants, which
were ])romptly iudemnilied by the (Jovernment; and
the Whiskev Uebellion was ended without bloodshed,
by the wise exhibition of sucli an overwhelming force
as was .sent out to suppress it.

Some of the ringleaders were arrested and imprison-
Ovl. but the charges were never p'-essed; and a general
pardon was extended to all, with a few exceptions, on
\\\Q solo condition, that they would thereafter obey
the laws as good citizens should. This leniency was
wise and well timed, it restored many otherwise good
citizens to their homes and the jiractice of industry;—
while it convinced the disaffected, that the government
while abundantly able to coerce obedience, was yet wil-
ling and disposed to deal fairly and kindly.

A small body of troops remained on the ground for
b rdiort period but no further disturbance occurring, they
were removed, and the Whiskey Insurrection ended.

ADAM POE AND BIG-FOOT.

Tun mouth of Tomlinson's Run, in Hancock coun-
ty, Va., was the battle ground of the celebrated Adam
Poe and Big-foot Indian fight, the precise location of
which, has never been exactly stated by the historians
of that encounter. Wo give this, on the authority of
Mr. John Brown, an old citizen, whose dwelling occu-
pies nearly the identical spot, corroborated by the evi-
dence of many others, who were cognizant of the fact
i'rom personal knowledge. Mr. Brown, possesses many
fndian relics and takes pleasure in pointing out the
spot and narrating his recollections of Indian times. —
Some years ago, he found under some rocks a bark ca-
noe, in a good state of preservation, which it requircB
no stretch of the imagination to presume, was the iden-
tical one in which tiie Big-foot brothers crossed the
Ohio, on their last marauding expedition. The tale of
the Poe light has been so often and so well told, that
we will not repeat it here, but our correspondent givtfe
Kome additions which may prove interesting. The in-
formation is derived from Mr, Thomas Edgington, for
two years a captive among the Indians. He was cap-
tured, when on his way from his cabin at the mouth of
Harmon's Creek, to Col. Jas. Brown's Fort, to bor-
row of him a log chain. The Indians came suddenly
upon him, made signs to him to surrender, but essay-
ing to escape by running, he was mired in the creek,
and they took him prisoner, hurrying him with them
over the river and on to the'Indian Towns, i^imon (iir-
ty happened at the towns afterwards and through him,
he ascertained that the Indian, whose prize he was, waa
no other than the surviving brother of the Big-foot fight
— bearing on his hand the scar of a severe wound, there
received. The Indian stated, that on finding himself dis-
abled by this wound, he stole away from the fight and
swimming the river hid in the bushes until dark. He
then constructed a raft recrossed the river, and recov-
ering the bodies of his slain brothers, except that of tli*
one who floated off, as narrated by the whites, he con-

280

CIVIL BT^TORY.

reyed them to the Ohio side and there interred them-.
He then, being wounded and the laet of five stout broth-
ers, took up his sorrowful way back to his tribe, where
their deaths were sorely lamented for many days.

Mr. Edgington paid a high tribute to Iit^ian virtue
in hi« description of this warrior. According to his ac-
count he was the "noblest, best man — the man of the
best principle^ he ever knew — white, black or red."
Sometimes the other Indians would impose upon the
captive. His master would pat him on the back to en-
courage him to fight, and would applaud his ma nly re-
sistance. Sometimes when they would double on him,
his captor would interfere with knife and hatch et, and
cut and slash right and left. He would share w ith him
his blanket and robe, giving Edgington, the largest
share, and divide with him his last morsel of meat.

Edgington, was finally released and returned home
after a two year's captivity, but always held in grateful
remembrance his kind hearted* Indian master.

Mr. Brown, communicates another incident in Indian
history, foi' which, we regret we have not space: