Full text of "The life and times of Patrick Gass, now sole survivor of the overland expedition to the Pacific, under Lewis and Clark, in 1804-5-6; also, a soldier in the war with Great Britain, from 1812 to 1815, and a participant in the battle of Lundy's Lane. Together with Gass' journal of the expedition condensed; and sketches of some events occurring during the last century in the upper Ohio country, biographies, reminiscences, etc"

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Darlington Memorial Library

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1870

Death of Patrick Gass.

We have to record this week, the death
of Patrick Gas^s, for many years a cele-
brity in this comity, which occurred on
Saturday morning, April 2, at the resi-
dence of his son-in-law, James Smith,
near Buffalo Mills. Had he lived until
the 11th of June coming, he would have
reached the extreme age of ninety-nine
years, having been born, says the record,
in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, June
11, 1771, and come with hLs'father to cat-
fish_^ camp, now Washington, as early as
^1785, smce which period, except when in
;the pubHc service, ho lias resided in this
vicinity uninteruptedly. He has been for
many years, so far as kn(n^^l, the sole sur-
vivor of the adventurous company of forty-
three officers and privates, who under
Lewis and Clark, made the celebrated ex-
ploring over the Roclvv Mountains and
ba^^k, being tlie tirst white men who ever
accomplislie.l U. This was in 1804-5-6,
during The administration of Mr. Jeffer-
son, and the results of the expedition were
justly regarded and widely published as
of immense and national importance. Mr.
Gass published a private jounial of his ob-
servations during this expedition, now
many years out of print, but at the time a
work of some notoriety-. In 1858 a con-
densation of it, with Sarious incidental
matters from Mr. Gass and irom other
sources, was issued from this office.

After his return from this expedition he
remained several years in the United
States service, served through the war
with Great Britain, and could give a gra-
phic description of the bloocly fight at
Limdy's Lane, in which he participated.
He lost an eye in the service and for i
many years up to the time of his death, i
had been in receipt of a pension from the >
government. During all his long life,

' though not exempt from frailty, Mr. Gass
preserved an unblemished reputation. A
couple ot years ago, he 'united himself, by |
immersion, with the Disciples Church. '

" The last few years of his life, he was \
V-^^lind and somewhat hard of hearing, but ■
otherwise enjoyed good health almost up '
to the time of his death. He was buried
by the side of his wife on the farm ot ISIr.
P)Owman. It was the intention to donate
a lot in Brooke Cemetery where the re-
mains of himself and wife might be depo-
sited with due honor, but this was abandon-
ed, on the representation that he had ex-
pressly requested that it should be other-

I wise.-^ Wellsinirg Herald,

jJAy/h-^

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2010 with funding from

University of Pittsburgh Library System

http://www.archive.org/details/lifetimesofpatriOOjaco

^•^s^

s:^

From an Ambrotype by E. F. Moore, Wellsburg.

4?) ^ /

THE

LIFE AND TIIilES

PATRICK GASS,

NOW &OLE SURVIVOR,

OF THE OVERLAND EXPEDITION TO THE PACIFIC; ,'
UNDER LEWIS AND CLARK, IN 1804-5-6;

ALSO, . ,, ,!

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

BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE. .'V.

TOGETHER WITH " *■'■'

GASS' JOURNAL OF THE EXPEDITION CONDENSED;.

AND ■'. '.

SKETCHES OF SOME EVENTS OCCURRING DURING. /jC9^
LAST CENTURY IN THE UPPER OHIO COUNTRY,
' BIOGRAPHIES, REMINISCENCES, ETC.

B Y J. G. JACOB.

JACOB & SMITH,

PUBLISHBR8 AN1> PRINTERS, WELLSBURG, VA.

1859.

>:z3/

05.

Entered according to Act'of Congress, In the year 1S58, ty

J. G. JACOB & J. A. SMITH,

It the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States,

for the "Western District of Virginia.

,-3?

PREFACE.

The design of preparing the following pages, w?is
conceived during a period of leisure, and originally
Contemplated only a series of sketches for a weekly
newspaper; but as the subject grew under the hand of
the author, the original design was abandoned d,nd the
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 exjiressed to have
on record the adventures of its hero, and his eventful
career proniised 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 suffer from one departure 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.

IV niEFACE.

Patrick Gass, is the type of the self reliant, adventu-
rous American citizen and soldier, who has carried the
eagles of the Republic in triumph through three wars;
and planted the olive branch on the highest pinriacle
df the tern pie ^of Peace.

The concluding pages of our work 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-
ian"-ed. It, of course does not pretend to be a fall 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 we
could desire, on the subjects we have attempted. Sev-
eral sketches, and other material, the result of consid-
erable research, have been thus omitted, while others
have been so abreviated as to be unsatisfactory. We
had designed giving a detail of the Whiskey Insurrec-
tion, also a history of the settlement 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-
tliorities themselves, although contemporary, often dif-
fer; hence, it is the more difticult for subsccj^ueut vfvi-

PREFACE. y

ters to be exact. >Sliould tins little volume be received
with favor, a subsequent publication may' correct its
ferrOrs dnd amplify its details.

To those who have kindly contributed matter or oth-
erwise assisted us, we return our sincere acknowledge-
ments.

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

THE AUTHOR.

Wellsburg, January, 1859.

CONTENTS.

Boyhood and Youth, ... Page 11

Moving to the West, - - - - 14

Wellsburg in 1790, - - - 19

Gass' Services on Yellovs^ Creek, - - - 21

Recollections of Lewis Wetzel, - - 22

Flatboatmen, - - - - - 24

Thomas and Solomon Eury, - - 26

James Buchanan, Senior and Junior, - - 29

Enlistment in the French War, - - 31

Overland Journey to the Pacific — Chap. II.

Death of Sergeant Floyd, - - - 42

Encampment at Fort Mandan, - - 57

Sickness of the Party, - - - - SQ

Flathead Indians, - - - 88

The Pacific in sight, - - - - 93

Departure for home, _ - _ 100

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

Travel through the States, . - - 108

Lewis and Clark — subsequent history, - - 110

Pacific Railroad, . . . _ 114
Mormons — Fremonts' and Gunnison's disasters, 115

Beck with' s Pass, - - - - 118
Distances and Route traveled by Lewis & Clarke, 119

Western Indians — their present condition, - 120

Troubles in Kansas, _ - . 135

Publication of Gass's Journal, - - - 140

The War of 1812.— Chap. HI.

Right of Search and .Impressment, - - 146

Gass eolists for the war, - - - 147

Trip from Kaskaskia to Pittsburg, - - 149

Niagara Campaign, - - - 151

CONTEXTS. VTI

Battle of Chippewa, ... - 151

" Queenstown, ... 156

*' Limdy's Lane, - - - 159

Investment of Fort Erie, _ . - 162

Bombardment and attack of Fort Erie, - - 163

Sortie from Fort Erie, - - - 167

Reniiniscences of Campaign, - - • ITO

Discharge from service, - - - 1T5

Courtship and Marriage, - . - 177

Compensation from Government, - - 179

Pension Laws, . . - - 180
Old Soldiers Convention, ... 184

President Pierce's Address, . - - 187

Resolutions of the Convention, - - 188
Conclusion of Biography, ... 193

Civil History — Part II.
The Upper Ohio — French and English Pretensions, 195

Washington's First Expedition, - - 195

First English Settlement, - - 197

Washington's Second Expedition, - - 198

Washington's Capitulation, - - 200

The Ohio Indians, - - - 203

Braddock's Expedition — Defeat' and Death, 211

Pontiac's War— Col. Boquet, - - 222

William Pitt, - - . 224

Forbes' Expedition against Fort Duquesne, 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, - - " ^^5
Early Religious Inclinations — Presbjterianisra, 24^^

THI COKTENTS.

Origin of Canonsburg and Washington Colleges, 246

Redstone Presbytery, - . . 247

Origin of Camp Meetings — Methodism, - 248

Lorenzo Dow, . . . . 950

Rev. James Finley, - - - 251

Stone Meeting House on Short Creek, - 252

Baptist Church, - - - 253

Episcopal Church — Dr. Doddridge, - 254

Schools aud Colleges, - - - 258

Alexander Campbell, - - 261

Bethany College, - - - 268
West Liberty Academy. — Wellsburg Seminary, 266

Free Schools, - - - 267

National Road, - - - 268

Philip Doddridge, - - - 273

W^ellsburg and Washington Turnpike, - 275

The Whiskey Insurrection, - - 277

Adam Poe and Big Foot, - - 279

LIFE AND TIMES

PATEICK GASS

Patrick G-ass, the subject of our memoir, is a hero
in humble life. He cannot trace his descent down a
long line of illustrious ancestors nor has his unpretend-
ing name been ennobled by courtly favor, or by bril-
liant deeds in diplomacy or war; yet was he horn in
iitirring times. His cradle was literally rocked amid
the storms of the revolution and the days of his man-
hood extend through a most eventful era. In the
events of his day he has performed although an hum.ble,
yet a not unimportant part, and perhaps, as w^ell de-
serves a niche in the temple of fame as many a one to
whom fortune has been more propitious. But it was
his fate t-o serve, rather than to command; and as the
ways of the world will have it, so we must regard him
in hi^ subordinate capacity, much as we might wish that
his position was, for our purpose, a more conspicuoijp:
one.

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

iO LIFE AKD TIMES

date, October, 1858, lie is stillliving, a liale, lieanrold
man, with the apparent promise of many years of life
yet to come. His freedom from the infirmities of an
age so advanced is not the least remarkable character-
istic of his history. It cannot be attributed to extraor-
dinary freedom from exposure nor to excessive sobriety
or regularity of habits; on the contrary, the reverse ap-
pears to be the fact. In his early manhood, he exposed
himself during twenty years of military service, to all
the casualities of the soldier, both in actual service and
in camp, to disease, privation and danger in every form;
and after his retirement fram 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 amonument of God's mercy
and of the enduring power of the human constitution. —
Although his years considerably outnumber those usu-
ally allotted to man, he preserves all his faculties in a
remarkable degree. Physiologically considered, he ib-
of the build most favorable for longevity. In stature,
somewhat low, never having in his best estate, exceed-
ed five feet seven, stoutly and compactly built, broad-
chested and heavy limbed, yet lean, sprightly and quick
of motion, his physique exhibits the amplest and most
compact developement of vital force of which the human
frame is capable. Although now, somewhat bowed and
slightly crippled with the rheumatism, he is a remark-
ably alert and active walker and can make the four miles
from his residence to Wellsburg, in about as good tim^
as most of those of one fourth his years. Indeed, he
prides himself upon his pedestrianism and delights to
jibe the "pups,"" as he is pleased to call the youth of

OF PATRICK GASS. 11

these degenerate times ujDon their efFeminacy in this res-
pect. His intellectual development is good. His eye
is bright and lively, his mind active and discriminating,
his memory of -events of fifty years ago, accurate and
reliable, and the general expression of his countenance
intelligent and reflective. He is naturally a man of
good sound sense, very observant, and disposed to turn
his observations to practical account.

He seems to regard the retention of his faculties with
a warrantable pride, and we have no doubt still consid-
ei*s himself competent for a fair day's march. We have
heard him declare, with all the enthusiasm of a conscript,
his readiness to shoulder arms again in the service of
his country, should occasion require it, and have no
doubt whatever of his sincerity. His parentage was
Irish, w^hich 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
which appears to be transmitted by hereditary descent.

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 his father, a notable one was over
the South Mountain into Maryland, in 1775, just at the
time that the revolutionary contest was assuming the
stage of a civil war. There is no doubt but that the
lessons of abhorrence to British tyranny, early and in-
sensibly impressed upon his mind at'this time, adhere^!
to him through life and exerted an influence 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 extremely
poor, for he informs us that the total effective amount of
his school education extending to reading, writing and

12 LIFE AND TIMES

eypliering, was acquired in 19 clajs, and that, after Iie^
liad come to the years of manhood. We have heard
him regret that his early education had not been better,.
for he seems in his okl days to entertain the idea tliai
he 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
liis day, the means of acquiring an education being
extremely limited and very few of his cotemporaries be>
ing further advanced than the commonest rudiments of
English learning. He, however, like them took hJa
lessons 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 mo^
severe almost in the history of this country. At this
time the prospects of the American cause seemed almost
hopeless, and it may well be called the dark day of the
revolution. The worn army of Washington was hut-
ted among the short hills of Morristowu, famishing
some times for want of food, often naked and cold, the
continental currency had depreciated until 640, would
scarcely buy a bushel of corn; the commissariat was sad-
ly deranged, a general gloom of despair settled over the
hopes 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 unprecedented. The
harbor of New York was frozen up and the British fleet
stationed there to protect it from the Americans, was
renderetl useless, so that Kniphausen debarked the sail-
ors and marines, and organizing them into land forces,
prepared them to defend the city against a contempla-

OF PATRICK GASS. I3

^:^d attack by WasHngton, over the frozen waters of the
bay. The Schuylkill at Philadelphia, was frozen so as
to bear the heaviest artillery and wagons. The suffer-
ing of the American soldiery was intense. And not
•only they suffered for want of the common necessaries
of life, but the population of the Jerseys and of Eastern
Pennsylvania, the debatable ground between the British
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 throughout the
whole seaboard, where was the theatre of war. It in-
duced emigration toward the back country whence, while
the family was secure from disturbance, the yeomen
could sally forth to the defence of the country. Con-
siderations of this kind influenced 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
enemy, had its effect upon the pkstic 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 naoved 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
on the road, of which the following graphic reminig-

LIFE AND TIMES

cenoe taken from the pages of "Old Redstone," will con-
vey an idea. "My father's family/' says the author, 'wa^
one of twenty that emigrated from Carlisle, and the
neighboring country, to Western Pennsylvania, in the
spring of 1784. Our arrangements for the journey,
would, with little variation he descriptive of those &f
the whole caravan. Our family consisted of my fath-
er, mother, and three children, (the eldest one five, the
youngest less than one year old,) and a hound boy of
fourteen. The road to be travelled in crossing the moun-
iains was scarcely, if at all, j)i'acticable for wagons.—
Pack-horses were the only means of transportation then,
and for years after. We were provided with three hor-
ses, one of which my mother rode, carrying her infant,
witli all the table furniture and cooking utensils. On
another were packed the stores of provisions, the plough
irons, and other agricultural tools. The third horse
was rigged out with a pack-saddle, and two large creels
made of hickory withes, in the fashion of a crate, one
over' each side, in which were stowed the beds and bed-
ding, and the wearing aj)parel of the family. In the
centre of these creels there was an aperture prepared for
myself and sister; and the top was well secured by la-
cing, to keep us in our places, sso that only our heads
appeared above. Each family was supplied with one or
moffe cows, which was an indispensable provision for
the journey. Their milk furnished the morning and
evening meal for the children, and the surplus was car-
ried in canteens for use during the day.

Thus equipped, the company set out on their journey.
Man^' of the men being unacquainted with the manage-
ment of horses, or the business of packing, little pro-
gress was made, the first day or two. When the cara-

OF PATRICK GASS. 15

van reached the mountains, the road was found to be
hardly passable for loaded horses. In many places, the
path lay along the edge of a precipice, where, if tbs
horse had stumbled or lost his balance, he would lia"ce
been precij^itated several hundred feet below. The 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 forded, as
there were no bridges and but few ferries. For many
successive days, hair-breadth escapes were continually
occurring; sometimes, horses falling; at other times,
carried away by the current, and the women and chil-
dren with dif&culty saved from drowning. Sometimes,
in ascending steep acclivities, the lashing of the creels
would give way, and both children and creels tumble to
the ground, and roll down the steep, until arrested by
some traveller of the company. In crossing streams or
passing 23laces of more than ordinary difficulty in the
road, mothers were often separated from some of their
children for many hours.

The journey was made in April, when the nights were
cold. The men who had been inured to the hardships
of war, could with cheerfulness endure the fatigues of
the journey. It was the mothers who suffered; they
could not, after the toils of the day, enjoy the rest they
so much needed at night; the wants of their suifering
children must be attended to. After preparing their
simple meal, they lay down, with scanty covering, in a
miserable cabin, or, as it sometimes happened, in the
o^en air, and often, unrefreshed, were obliged to rise
early, to encounter the fatigues and dangers of another
day.

As the company approached the Monongahela, they

16 LIFE AND TIMES

began to separate. Some settled down near to friends
and acquaintances who had preceded them. Abont half
erf the company crossed the Monongahela, and settled
on Chartier's creek, a few miles south of Pittsburgh, in
ft hilly country, well watered and well timbered. Set-
tiers' rights to land were obtained on very easy terms.
My father exchanged one of his horses for a tract, (boun-
ded by certain brooks and marked trees, ) which was
found, on being surveyed several years after, to con-
tain about 200 acres.

The new-comers aided each other in building cabins,
which were made of round logs, with a slight covering
of clapboards. The building of chimneys and laying
of floors were postponed to a future day. As soon as
the families were all under shelter, the timber was gir-
dled, and the necessary clearing made for planting corn,
potatoes, and a small patch of flax. Some of the par-
ty were despatched for seed. Corn was obtained at
Pittsburgh; but potatoes could not be procured short of
Ligonier valley, distant three days' journey. The sea-
son was favorable for clearing; and, by unremitting
labor, often continued through a part of the night, the
women laboring with their husbands in burning brush
and logs, their planting was seasonably secured. But,
while families and neighbors were cheering each other
on with the prospect of an abundant crop, one of tbe
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
confidently believed that peace with Great Britain would
secure peace with her Indian allies. The very name of
Indian chilled the blood of the late emigrants; but there
was no retreat. If they desired to recross the moun-

OF PATRICK GASS. 17

tains, they had not the provisions or means, and had
nothing but suffering to expect, should they regain their
former homes. They resolved to stay.

The frontier settlements were kept in continual alarm.
Murders were frequent, and many were taken prisoners.
These were more generally children, who were taken to
Detroit, (which, in violation of the treaty, continued
to be occupied by the British,) where they were sold.
The attacks of the Indians were not confined to the ex-
treme frontier. They often penetrated the settlements
several miles, especially when the stealing of horses was
a part of their object. Their depredation effected, they
retreated precipitately across the Ohio. Tlie settlers
for many miles from the Ohio, during six months of
the year, lived in daily fear of the Indians. Block hou-
ses were provided in several neighborhoods for the pro-
tection of the women and children, while the men car-
ried on their farming operations, some standing guard
while the others labored. The frequent calls on the
settlers to jiursue marauding parties, or perform tours
of militia duty, greatly interupted their attention to
their crops and families, and increased the anxieties and
sufferings of the women. The general government
could grant no relief. They had neither money or
Gi'edit. Indeed; there was little but the name in the
old confederation. The State of Pennsylvania was nn-
able to keep np a military force for the defence of h^r
frontier. She had generously exhausted her resourcef?
in the struggle for national independence. Her Legis-
lature however, passed an act granting a bounty of one
hundred dollars on Indian scalps. But an incident oo-
curred which led to the repeal of this law before the
termination of the war."

LIFE AND TIMES

The Gass family, however, reached the forks of Yough
without extraordinary incident, in 1784, and immedi-
ately proceeded to locate near Uniontown, then called
Beasontown. Their stay however was but short at Bea-
santown, for in the ensuing year they again pulled up
stakes and removed their household altar to Catfish
Gamp, where Washington now stands. Catfish at that
day was a hold stream of many times its present di-
mensions, and indeed, the diminution of the streams
is one of the most singular incidents conected with the
settlement of this countiy. The stream in question,
has dwindled from a powerful stream to an insignificant
brook, and we have before us an interesting instance,
in point, pertaining to its near neighbor, Chartiers, on
the authority of ^tlrs. Jane C. Patterson, relict of Bob-
ext Patterson, who died near Pittsburgh in 1858, in
her 80th year. Her biography as published in the
Pittsburgh Advocate and Journal, states: "She well
remembered the building by her father, of the old mill
in Canonsburg, one of the first in all the west, and to
which the farmers from a great distance around brought
their grain. On one occasion, advantage was taken of
a high stage of water to send a boat, freighted with bar-
rels of flour almost from the floor of the mill by the tor-
tuous course of the Chartiers, at that time unobstruc-
ted 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
thread-like appearance of the stream, which certainly
does not suggest the idea that Canonsburg was once
the head of navigation."

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

OP PATRICK GASS.

cated on the run about where the steam grist mill now
stands. Catfish Camp, was also prominent in early
times from being a sort of half way house between the
Monongahela and the Ohio. A regular path existed in
those days from Redstone by the waters of Buffalo and
Wheeling creeks, to the Ohio at Wellsburg and Wheel-
ing, much travelled by the emigrants as well as by th/?
Indians, and as Catfish was about 24 miles from either
river, it was a convenient stopping place, and became
ge-nerally known to the settlers and scouts as a rendez-
vous. It must be borne in mind that travelling in
those days was very different from travelling now. —
The journey from eastern Pennsylvania to Redstone Oki
Fort, in 1785, was fully equal in magnitude to a trip
now-a-days, to Oregon and back. The intermediate
country, between Redstone and the Ohio was not only
rugged and broken, but was peculiarly infested with In-
dians. The roads, where roads there were any, almost
uniformly followed the highest ridges, so as to avoid
any danger of a surprise that might occur by keeping
along the ravines. This made the traveling safer but
much more difficult. The adventurer, who had safely
crossed the Laurel Hills, passed through the "shades of
death" and seen the big pines and deep snows of the
mountains and finally dared the Indian infested woods
of the Ohio, was on his return a hero of no ordinary re-
nown. From Catfish camp, Patrick directed his explo-
rations into the surrounding country: and he gives us
his impressions of Wellsburg as the site appeared to
him in 1790. The ground was swampy in parts and
covered with a dense growth of sycamore, walnut, su-
gar and wild plum trees. There was at that day but
one building to be seen, that was a log house on the

20 LIFE AND TIMES

lower end of the bottom near midway then, between the
river and the hills. It was built and many years occu-
pied by Alexander Wells, and in 1858, is still standing
and is the property we believe of Wm. Daten. It has
l:>een -weatherboarded and a large stone chimney since
added to it on the outside. What is now the bar, at the
mouth of the creek, was then a high bottom, thickly and
luxuriantly covered with a heavy forest growth, and the
bottom itself, north of the creek was much wi^er than
at present; hundreds of acres having gone into the river
since the occupation of the country by the whites. In-
deed at an early day, serious apprehensions were enter-
tained that the entire town site would gradually wea''
AWiiy; and about the year 1830, money was raised by
Lottery, authorised by the state, to the amount of some
•S-5,000, to build walls to protect the river banks. The
privilege was sold to a lottery company, and the pro-
ceeds appropriated to the construction of the heavy walls
which at present extend along the front of the tovm, —
Mr. John Gilchrist, now of Wheeling, was one of the
contractors, perhaps the principal one, and the work was
completed, or the money expended about the year 1836.
The walls have only partially answered their purpose,
though they have saved the banks to a considerable ex-
tent. At the extreme point of the bar is a stone about
ten feet long, of irregular width, known as the "Indian
Rock," which in early times bore a number of Indian
hieroglyphics, and upon which tradition states, George
Washington inscribed his name in one of ITis early jour-
neys to the west. The marks whatever they were, have
long since been worn out or cut out by ambitious indi-
viduals who have covered its surface with their own in-
itials to the displacement of the "Indian signs." The

OF PATRICK GASS. 21

appearance of the rock marks low water in the river.
At Catfish Camp, Patrick remained on the farm leas-
ed by his father for a considerable period, during which
time he made several trips over the mountains to Mer-
cersburg and Hagerstown, for salt, iron, &c., which in
those days had to be packed on horses — 200 pounds ot
iron or two bushels of salt being the usual burden of a
horse. Considering the almost absolute absence of roa<ls,
these excursions were attended with considerable labor
and not a little peril; but they suited his roving and ven-
turesome spirit admirably, and helped to develope a
disposition for travel, that finally culminated in tlie
tlien unheard of enterprise of an overland journey to
Oiegon of which we shall have more to say hereafi«r.

The year 1790, was remarkable for a drouth in tliie
Catfish country, and Patrick came to Charlestown for
com, which'as he informs us be procured from Mr. Mac-
farland, the Surveyor who laid out the town, and wlio
subsequently committed suicide by shooting himself. — -
His corn he took to **Moore's Mill," on Buffalo, got a
due bill for the same and returned to Catfish, thus trav-
eily 50 miles or more to mill and back.

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

About this time having attained his majority, our he-
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-
ticBied under Capt. Caton, at Yellow Creek, to help
gnard the frontiers against the incursions of the Indians^
who had been for a long time troublesome, and who were

22 l^iFE AKD TIMES

at this time particularly elated with their success in de-
feating Gen. St. Clair and his avmy in the November
preceding. At tliis time there was felt the greatest ap-
prehension on account of the Indians, to chastise whom,
and effectually conquer a peace, Gen. Anthony Wayne
was sent out with a considerable force by the Govern-
ment, and the militia all along the frontier was drafted
into actual service. Patiick on this occasion was serving
in lieu of his father who had been drafted. He was him-
self drafted shortly after leaving Yellow creek, and sta-
tioned at Bennett's Fort, three miles from Wheeling,
on Wheeling Creek. He does not appear to have been
elii'^ao-ed in any actual fighting with the Indians, hav-
ing been occupied with garrison duty, but deserves not
the less credit on that account, for to a man of his tem-
jjerament the confinement of a fort was more irksome
than the iiardships of an active campaign.

Shortly after this, in August 1792, the Indians recei-
ved a decisive check at the hands of Gen. Wayne, in
their total defeat on the Miami, which virtually and for-
ever put a close to Indian difficulties in this region. —
Emigration to the west which had almost entirely ceased
(luring 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 iiie leader-
ship of the veteran officers of the revolutionary war, the
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
an 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

OF PATRICK GASS. 23

"vv'ere then acting as scouts, in which ca^iacity they ren-
dered the infant settlements most effective service. Wet-
zel is described as a tall, black visaged, slenderly built
man, with remarkably keen eyes; and history gives hitn
credit for a deadly and inveterate hatred of the red -skins,
of whom he sent more to their last account, than perhaps
any other one man of his or any other day.

A noted instance of his success in circumventing the
"red skins," is given in the romantic story of "Old Cross
Fire," which has more than once gone the rounds of tlie
papers and is substantially true; and to this day, the
spot is pointed out where an Indian, having concealed
himself among the rocks on the precipitous bank of the
creek near Wheeling, and decoyed and shot several white
men, by imitating the noise of a turkey, w^as himself
killed by Wetzel, while in the very act of ''gobbling-"
for a victim. The identical rock behind which the Id-
dian was concealed was in existence about three-fourths
of a mile from the mouth of Wheeling creek, until a few
years ago, when it was split up for building purposes,
and sold by the Owner of the ground. It is to be reo-ret-
ted that the rock was not preserved, as a standing me-
morial of the Indian times, and a monument to the brave
and intrepid hunter, who has given his name, howev-
ever, to a county in our good old commonwealth. Had
it been named Wetzel's rock, io would have remaine<l
an object of interest for ages perhaps; and thus effectu-
ally perpetuated his name, and proven a source of grat-
ification to those who would desire justice done to tlie
memory of the pioneers. Like many other men of bis
contemporaries, Wetzel had private injuries to revenge
upon^the Indians, and his hatred of them was bitter and
relentless. They murdered several of his kindred, and

24: LIFE AND TIMES

he himself with an ekier brother had been prisoners
among them when boys, and eflfected their escape by ex-
traordinary address and coua-age, and he vowed eternal
enmity. Like too many men of his class he had some-
what loose ideas of the sanctity of laws and treaties with
Indians, when they interfered with the gratification of
his vengeance; and it is reported of him that he scru-
pled not to take a shot when occasion offered, even
though in time of peace. Of course, such conduct was
not only discreditable to the good faith of the whites,
but was vitally dangerous to their security from Indian
vengeance. He was warned and admonished of the dan-
ger to the peace of the settlements of such an uncompro-
mising hostility, and was finally arrested in Ohio, and
imprisoned on charge of murder, for shooting an Indian
in time of peace. He would doubtless have been visit-
ed with tlie rigors of the law, but popular sympathy
was in his favor. The whole country side flocked to
tiie place of his confinement, demanding his discharge,
under penalty of demolishing the jail and delivering
him by force, and the result of the demonstration was,
that he was by some unaccountable means released. —
After this adventure, tradition speaks of no more fili-
iMistering on his part and his subsequent career is in-
volved in doubt, though the most probable story states
that he engaged in flacboating on the river, became dis-
sipated and died miserably in New Orleans somedme
about the beginning of the present century.

The flatboatmen of that day were an extraordinary
race, aptly denominated in the Mike Fink dialect as half
horse and half alligator. They were a reckless, frolick-
ing eet, not generally burdened with any over-supply
of conscience, and yet endowed with a rough, sense of

OF PATRICK GASS. ZO

honor among tliem&elves and toward their employers.
However piratically disp©sed toward the squatters along
the banks of the rivers, and toward outsiders generally;
and however ready to engage in broils and to risk their
lives for trivial insults, or even for bravado, in the san-
guinary fights of their day, they could yet be safely en-
trus'ted with uncounted sums of money, and would fight
to the death in defence of their comrades or their em-
ployers' property. They were composed generally of
the restless borderers, who, as in all new countries, pre-
fer a life of excitement and hardship, so that it be cou-
pled with freedom, to one of settled comfort and con-
straint. Wetzel was a man of this temperament, and
it is highly probable that he became an adept in the
rough features of boating, and as history is silent, we
may reasonably conclude that his career was like that
of most of his comrades. The life they led was a pre-
carious one; leaving out of the question the dangers of
their calling from accident and disease, the exposure
and habitual dissipation so common among them, very
generally cut short their careers. Nevertheless, there
was an excitement about it which was very attractive
to the youth of that day.

The produce of this section was at that day transpor-
ted by flatboats, batteaux and similar floating craft, to
tlie New Orleans market, then the only outlet for the
surplus production, and as the risk was great and the
labor severe, the New Orleans traders generally made
large profits, and many of the most substantial citizens
among us, realized their fortunes in this way. The trip
from the Upper Ohio to New Orleans, occupied from
one to two months, according to the stage of the water,
and not unfrequently they were snagged and sunk, cr

26 LIFE A2>D TIMES

run higli and diy upon the shifting sandbars of the Mis-
sissippi and Ohio. The labor in time of low water was
extremely severe and trying upon the constitutions of
those engaged; the boats having sometimes to be liter-
ally jumjDed 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 Orleans
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 uj) their march in companies
on foot and horseback, through the Indian conntry, to
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 transportati-cm,
and at this day the broad-horn is an object of cnric»sity,
almost, on the Upper Ohio; as are flatboatmen's yarns
a snbject for incredulous wonder to the rising genera-
tion. An occasional flatboat load still leaves for the
Southern country, but for the past ten or fifteen years,
. flatboating may be pronounced obsolete.

As 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 recollect of having ever seen in
print, but which is as well authenticated as the gener-
ality of such stories. It seems that an agreement had

OP PATRICK GASS. 2T

been entered into witli the Indians that they were to
have the exclusive privilege of certain hmiting 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 occurrence. A party from Washington
County, Pa., among which were Solomon and Thomas
Eury had peneti-ated to the Stillwater country, in search
of game; and Thomas was shot by the Indians while
lying by his camp-iire, his body was covered with a bear-
skin and his faithful dogs were left at his side as if sen-
tinels over him while sleeping; while the wily Indians
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 Indians.
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 so
enraged Solomon, that although in time of 'pe&oe, he
instantly repaired to his house without a word, took
down his old rifle running 32 to the pound, drowsed
himself in full scouting costume, and never stopped un-
til he shot the boasting Indian and six of his comrades.
He covered their bodies with leaves and branches where

28 LIFE AND TIMES

they fell, but the stench attracted attention, the crimt
was traced to Solomon Eury, he was arrested, taken to
Mad River Courthouse and imprisoned, but after va
mockery of a trial, acquitted; ostensibly, because the
evideTiCe was insufficient, 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-
theless, 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 liis old stamping ground, Mercers -
burg, Pa. Previous to this, he had made a trading trip
to New Orleans, in March, 1793, and returned by wa)'
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. Ga,ss 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's
-Best" more recently as the "Yellow Hammer's Nest,'*
said house having got sadly out of repute as well as of
repair, in latter days, as a specimen of his handiwork
in this line. The house at present belongs to Mr. John
G-ardner and has very recently been put in good repair,

OF PATRICK GASS. 29

its substantial liewn oak timbers promising long to out-
live its architect.

He also had the honor of working on a house for
James Buchanan, Si\, the father of President Buchanan,
at the foot of Sideling Hill, and saw Gen. Washington,
at Carlisle, when he came out with the troops in 1794
to suppress the whisky insurrection. In this war, we
believe Patrick had no part; he was too much of a pa-
triot to resist the government; and he loved good old
Monongahela too well to enlist against the Whisky Boya,
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 than 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 Bpeer, of a family somewhat distinguished
for ability in Pennsylvania. Rev. Mathew Speer 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 equalities as a statesman, for ac-
cording to*Mr. Gass, the elder Buchanan, 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-
•srty by supplying the settlers with iron, salt, (fee, in ex-
(^mnge for peltry and hard dollars on pretty much his

30 LIFE AND TIMES

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 under
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
reciuiting stations of Western Pennsylvania, without
much glory or personal peril. The winter of 1799, he
passed in barracks at Carlisle. From Carlisle he was
sent to Harper's Ferry, Ya., in June, 1800, and was
discharged at Little York, Pa., the French wa^r, 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-
jDlomacy; 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 the 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 the diplomatic annals
of the country; and added the crowning glory by enfor-
cing in 1858, upon the British government the final
recognition of the principle for which the war of 1812
was fought, without definite result,-— ''that the Ameri-
can flag rendered sawed from search, or visitation on the
high seas by foreign authority,, the vessel that bore it.'*

OF PATRICK GASS. 31

After claiming the supremacy of tlie seas for centuries.
Great Britain at last relinquislied the right of search in
May, 1858; when the exercise of the claim by British
vessels in the G-ulf 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 w^ill 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
campaign, however, is barren of incidents of sufficient
interest for detail. In 1800, the detachment to which
he belonged under Gen. Wilkinson of revolutionary
memory, noted for his connection with the **Cabal" and
his ignominious defeat in the war of 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 Avith a
company under Capt. Bissell, up Tennessee River, and
in the Fall of 1802, the same with a company of artil-
lery were sent to Kaskaskia, Illinois, where they re-
mained until the Fall of 1803, when a call w^as made
for volunteers for the government expedition under
Lewis & Clark, being an experimental overland jour-
ney across the Rocky mountains, into Oregon Territory.

CHAPTER II,
OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE PACIFIC

This expedition was projected during the adminis-
tration of President Jefferson, partly for scientific pur-
poses and partly for the pnrjDose of giving eclat to his
administration. The sage of Monticello, the most phil-
osophic of all our presidents, took a just pride in all that
related to the literature of the country, and the unex-
plored fields of the country Vfest of the Mississippi,
then not only a barren hut an unknown waste, offered »
fair opportunity for him not only to gratify his taste and
add to his own renoAvn as the patron of siLch 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 informatiori in
regard to this terra incognitahj the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany, who sent out an expedition of discovery under
the command of Mr. Hearn, which lasted from Decem-
ber 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 TDIES 33

a purpose, appear- to have been made prior to that
of Messrs. Lewis and GLark. The expedition of Mr.
Hearn, appears to have been purely of a commercial
character, and so far as geographical or scientific ob-
jects were concerned, seems to have been barren of re-
sults. The individual enterprise and perseverence of
tire Canada traders, supplied far more general and ac-
curate knowledge of the country. Prior to 1789, they
had located trading posts from Canada almost to the
Rocky mountains, and about this time they 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-
quired 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. McKenzie, explored the coun-
try between Fort Chippewayen and lake of the Hills,
in latitude 58 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 69 deg.; and in the year
1793, again crossed from Pean river in latitude 56 deg.,
to the Pacific 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 pierce
the territories j)roper of the United States, and it be-
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 imexplored country lay between 38 and 52 de-

34 OF PATRICK GASS.

greesof north latitude, and between the Mississippi ri-
ver and the Pacific ocean — embracing an area of about
1000 bv 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 represented as of marvellous fertili-
ty, and where it was barren, it was represented as an
impassable desert. Those singular formations, the
"Mauvaise Ten-es" wdiere vast masses of rock tower up
in the desert like artificial erections, were seen by the
traders, and what is now known to be only the debris
of some mighty natural convulsion, was gravely said to
be the ruins of mighty cities — Tadmors of the western
Avilderness.

Tlie 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 prototype 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, imappreciated at that day,
she had already waved her wand over the In-nrl of th<^

LIFE AND TIMES i>>

setting sun, and brave and gallant spirits sprang up
from tlie abodes of civilization to do ber bidding.

It bad become essential to the honor of the country,
if not to her profit that these fables should be disproved;
and that this magnificent scope of country lying within
her domain should be opened up to intelligent posses-
sion. That its rivers should be traced to their sources,
tlieir commercial importance noted, their directions de-
termined, that the qualities of the land, the character of
its inhabitants, its vegetation, its animals and miner-
als should be described, that tlie face of the country
should be defined with accuracy, and the most eligible
routes to the Pacific should be ascertained, in short that
an accurate and as far as possible faithful transcript of
the country should be contributed to the general knowl-
edge of mankind, was the main object of this expedition.

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

Capt. Merriwether Lewis, of Va., was appointed to
the command of the expedition. This appointment was
partly owing to family influence, Capt. Lewis being a
sister's son of the President, and connected with the in-
fluential family of the 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 the Virginia forces, at
the bloody battle of Point Pleasant, with the Indians, in
1774, a bosom friend of Washington, and a brave and
rneritorious officer, was a grand uncle of the captain. —
He did not owe his appointment, however, altogether to

36 OF PATRICK GASS,

family influence, for lie had distinguislied himself per-
sonally in the Indian campaign, under Gen. Wayne,
and was a man of probity and intelligence, as well as of
courage and military ability. He was doubtless a wise
selection as the leader of the expedition, and Mr. Gass
speaks of him in very high terms of commendation as
a gentleman and an officer. He was empowered by the
President to select his own men, and chose for his sec-
ond in command, Lieut. William Clark, a man also re-
putably connected, and well qualilied by previous Indian
service for his post. He was a brother of George Rodg-
ovs Clark, of Kentucky, afterwards Governor of Missou-
ri, with whom he is sometimes confounded. Capt. Lew-
is came to Kaskaskia in the fall of 1803, in his search
f tr suitable material for such a corps, and among oth-
ers who volunteered was Mr. Gass, who happened to be
stationed at this post, and to udiose adventurous disposi-
tion the opportunity presented charms tliat could 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 the danger only dared
him to undertake it. Patrick Gass was easily enrolled
on the Captain's book, as a member of the party, but
Patrick had more difficulty in effecting a release from
his military engagements. It so happened that the de-
tachment to which he belouGfed was about o^oinar into
cantonment for the winter, and Mr. Gass' accomplish-
ments as a carpenter, 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,

LIFE AXD TIMES 6 1

be went out to meet him on the road, and stating his
case with soldier-like directness, the result of the confer-
ence was that he was forthwith enrolled in the compa-
ny of explorers, notwithstanding Caj)t. Bissell's objec-
tions. The selection was not confined to military men,
but the call for volunteers was made also to civilians.
Among the civilians who volunteered, was Geo. Shan-
non, a brother of Ex-Governor Shannon, of Ohio, who
then resided at Pittsburg, and who accompanied the ex-
pedition to its final end, and died some years after, in
Kentucky. Several of those who volunteered and were
accepted, felt their ardor suddenly cool, when the time
came for starting, The immediate prospect of exchang-
ing civilization for barbarism, comfort for hardship and
safety for certain peril, with the chance of never return-
ing, proved too much for their philosophy; and to use
an 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 consideration of his ser-
vices on the expedition. Some authorities make the
number thirty-two, but this is incorrect, as appears from
the record in Gass' Journal, made at the time. He has
omitted to give a list of the names of the party, but the
following taken from Shallus' Chronological Tables,
published in Philadelphia, in 1817, may be relied upon
afi correct, as far as it goes. The company, according
to this authority, is as follows:

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

■SB OF PATRICK GASS.

John p. Howard, Baptiste Lapage, Fran. Ladische,
Hugh M'Neal, John Potts, John Shields, George Shan-
non, John B. Thompson, William Werner, Alexander
Willard, Richard Windsor, Joseph Whitehouse, Rob-
ert Frazier, Peter Wiset, Privates; York, negro man,
belonging to Capt. Clark.

In November, 1803, the party made its first move in
the direction of the Rocky Mountain country. Leaving
Kaskaskia, they proceeded up the Mississippi until tliey
came to the river Du Bois, or Wood river, where tliey
halted for the winter, and occupied their time in prepar-
ing boats and making arrangements for a final start up
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^'^^ave
their enterprise many an anxious thought; and it is not
improbable that in those hours of comparative inactivi-
ty ihey more than at any subsequent period regretted the
enterprise in which they were engaged. There is noth-
ing like constant activity to keep up the courage and
the confidence of men, and nothing dissatisfies them
sooner with their condition than enforced idleness. —
However, they were not entirely unemployed, butfounxl
exercise in providing for their subsistence, by hunting,
and in preparing 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. Havirrg em-
barked in an enterprise upon which they felt that 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 39

not now think of anything else than jDrosecuting it to
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, Capt, Lewis,
being left behind, to overtake them in a few days, and
commenced the ascent of the Missouri, the eyftire expe-
dition being embarked in a Bateauand two Periogues.
The little fleet made but slow headway against the rapid
current of the river, and by nightfall they had accom-
plished but six miles up the stream. However a com-
mencement was made, and after the reflections 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 determined and resolute char-
acter of the corps," says Mr. Gassin his Journal, '"an-d
the confidence which pervaded all ranks, dispelled ererr
emotion of fear and anxiety for the present, white a
sense of duty and of the honor which would attend the
completion of the objects of^the expedition; a wish tc»
gratify the expectations of the government and of our
fellow citizens, with the feelings which novelty and dis-
covery almost invariably inspire, seemed to ensure us
ample support in our future toils, sufferings and dan-
gers."

Day by day they journeyed up the turbid and silent
river; on the 16th, they reached the old French village
of St. Charles, and as they fired a gun by way of dilute,
the inhabitants flocked to see them, and on the 21«t,

40 OF PATRICK GASS.

l>eincr joiiied by Capt. Lewis^. tliey left the hospitable
Frenchmen under a salute of three cheers; -which they
returned with three more, and three discharges fi'om
their guns, and again commenced their toilsome road.
By the 25th, they had reached the last white settlement,
the small French village of St. Johns, above the mouth
ofthe Wood river, where the river banks were high and
the land was rich. Above the mouth of the Gasconade,
here 157 yards wide, the party halted, on the 28th, in-
spected the arms and provisions and sent several men
out to hunt, and by the 1st of June, they had reached
the month of the Osage, here about one fourth the wadth
of the Missouri itself. Their hunters represented the
land as the best they had ever seen, and abounding with
game. Up the Osage, about 200 miles resided the
Osage Indians, a people of large size, well proportioned
and very warlike; against any possible collision with
whom they thought it 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.
Ho^vever, the event showed these precautions unneces-
sary, for no attempt at interference with them was made
by the Indians who seemed indeed universally pea cably
disposed. Up to this time they had been without an
interpreter — some one through whom they could com-
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.
Louis with fur and peltry, among whom was an old
Frenchman, who professed ability to speak the lan-
guage of all the Missouri Indians. On the strength of

OP PATRICK GASS. 41

liis profession, advantageous offers were made and lie
was induced to go with the expedition, in the capacity
of interpreter, and afterwards proved a most valuable
adjunct to the literati of the party, though the sequel
showed that in making such extensive professions, he
oonsiderahly overated his accjuaintance with the mod-
em languages. However, necessity, as she knows no
laws, must have no scruples; and as the balance of the
party were much more ignorant than he, the interpreter
was received into the first society the expedition afford-
ed and his gift of tongues duly appreciated.

On the 26th, our voyagers reached the mouth of the
Kansas, here 230 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. Eecent events have
brought this 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
kxss, then again they pulled around sand bars, and the
ojext thing had to dodge the drift which came down in
huge masses. Atone time the shores were covered
with mulberry trees, in a short time after suitable tim-
ber could not be found sufficient to make a pair of oars.
An occasional Frenchman would be seen, living solitary
and alone, sometimes a stray horse would greet their

42 LIFE AND TIMES

vision and here and there, they wonld pass a deserted
hilt, 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 halt
and wait for the stragglers. 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 stuffed
for preservation.

By the 4th July, they had reached a point on the
Missouri, where Pond Creek enters its waters, and im-
pelled by the spirit of patriotism which seemed to ac-
tuate them in all their journeyings, they signalized
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 state,
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 ob^rves.

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 they
reached the mouth of the great river Platte, here, three
quarters of a mile wide, and upon whose wateri 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 overtures

^ V)F PATRICK GASS. 43

were received with appropriate and becoming gravity,
and by the -Ith 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 identical
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 which
honors they appeared highly 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 15th,
Capt. Clarke and twelve men took 709 fish, among them
jsome catfish of enormous proportions, which proved
quite an agreeable addition to their stock of provision*.
Here the party experienced the first serious loss that
'liad befallen them, in the death of one of their number,
•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 ef a delicate constitu-
tion he had embarked on this expedition in the hope of
acquiring better health, but the exposure, superadded to
(imprudence, 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 danc^i un-
til he became overheated audit being his duty to stand
(g'uard that night, he threw himself down on a sand bar
of the Missouri, despising the shelter of a tent oiiered
him by his comrade on guard, and was soon seized with

44 LIFE AND TTJirs

the cramp cliolic, wliicli terminated his life. During:
his short illness he received the kindest attentions his
comTades could hestaw, 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 re-
flections on the uncertainty of life. They mourned hijn
with a manly sorrow, but his melancholy fate did not
deter them from prosecution of their duty. He was
buried on the wide prairie, where the desert wild wind
sings the requiem of their first to die; and the river
over which his spirit broods bears to this day the n^jne
of Floyd, given it by his officers in honor of his virtues.
They reached, by the 29th, the country of the far-fa-
med Sioux, whose lodges, to the number of 40, of bet-
ter material and make than general, were situated about
9 miles from the Missouri, up the rivor Sacque. Sixty
of them came to the camp of the Adrltes, as a peace d£l-
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 way of primitive drum,
with which instrument of music, the Indians seemed
wcJnderfuUy delighted. When their drum was made, a
jubilee seems to have been gotten up expressly for the
purpose of trying the music that Avas in ir. They all as-
sembled around a couple of fires made for the purpos*©,
and while two of them beat on the drum, a dozen of the
rest rattled littb bags of dried skin, in which were beads
or pebbles, by way of accompaniment, while the 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 GASS.

in the morning." No sqnaws, says our author, made
their appearance in this dance, whence we conclude that
the *'stag dance" is not peculiar to the nprorions youths
of white hlood 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 better bid from the chiefs of the
party, lo accompany them to Washington, in the ca-
pacity of interpreter for them.

On iSunday, the 2d of September, they encamped op-
posite an ancient earthern breast-work, 2500 yards in
length, running parallel to the Missouri, and with wing
walls, at rio^ht anarles, verv 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-
esting 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 Indians, such as lizzards, turtles, buffalo, (fcc, a
fact which very readily escaped the cursory notice of the
earlier travellers, overoirown as were many of the sites
with trees and brushwood, but which is material, as go-
ing to show that they v/ere 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-

LIFE AND TIMES

vated only a few inches above the surface of the ground^
apparently mere embossments or relievos. At the ex-
treme end of a prairie, 4-1- miles west of the Mississippi,
and the same distance east of the Little St. Francis, ex-
ists a curious erection, described as follows, by a corres-
pondent of the St. Louis * 'Republican": It consists of
an oblong square averaging 225 feet 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 ]3laces, on which was
placed the dry composition consisting of clay, sand,
lime, ashes, pounded shells, and charcoal, carefully mix-
ed, and beat to a hard concrete substance, and so on,
until, the height above named was obtained, and then
a coat of plastering had been spread over the wholo
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 w^hole
intermediate space between the two coats of plaster be-
ing of the composition above named, in the recesses of
which were 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 ashes, 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 are full. Neither do
the smaller mounds, contiguous and around the larger
one, seem to have been designed for that purpose.^^^

OF PATRICK GA6S. 47

Many animal and some human bones were found in the
body of the mound, together with images and fragments
of ivory, marble and mica.'*

It has been remarked in this connection that these
works are uniformly on what is called the second banks
of the rivers, and from this assumption, it is argued
that their origin dates back to a period anterior^to that
when the present channels of the rivers were excavated.
This, is no-t 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 first or more alluvial
bottom, on which to place them. The existence of
even one, on ground of this latter quality, proves incon-
testably, that the builders lived subsequent to the oper-
ation of the causes whatever they were, that produced
the 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

48 LIFE A^u ::iMEs

a monument to the memory of the person buried be-
neath it. In fact, few of the Indian mounds, tliat have
been explored, have rewarded the labor of their explor-
ers, other, than by convincing them that there was very
little to be fonnd. The great mound at Grave Creek,
promised some developements 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 be found under these
immense heaps of earth, piled, doubtless in barbarian
l^ride, 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,
found some years ago in the Grave Creek mound on
the Ohio, has recently attracted attention by the jiaper
of Dr. Wills DeHass, read before the Ethnologic so-
ciety of New York. This very curious relic of antic|ui-
ty, as Dr. DeHass appears to have proved it to be, 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 lines of alphabetic characters. —
It is of an oval form, three-fourths of an inch thick, and
it« material is a fine sand-stone. This is the only ex-
ample, I believe, of ancient alphabetic inscription in
North America. The inscrij)tions on the Dighton rock
and the pictorial writing of Mexico and Yucatan, are
symbolic, not alphabetic. The history of this trilinear
lapidary inscription, I had at first regarded as apoch-

OF PATRICK GASS. 49

ryplial. Mr. Schoolcraft has, however confirmed it and
described thi stone. Who was the gorgeous chieftain
whose enLri'aved signet was found by his side? Did he
come from the Canary islands, where the Xumidiatf
characters and language prevailed? Shall we recur to
the lost Atlantis? Could any- of the Carthagenian or
xVfrican vessels, which usually visited the "Fortunjate'"
or Canary islands, have been carried to the New World?
The peopling of America is quite as likely to be dne ,
to Africa and Europe as to Asia, History preserves .
the memory of the circumnavigation of Africa by seve-
ral expeditions. The Periplus of Hanno, the Cartha-
genian, was the subject of a written narrative. With ■
these historical indications that the Atlantic was in ■
early ages navigated by Mediterranean vessels, I find no
difficulty in supposing the stone in question to have
])een brought thence."

The fact of huge trees of many hundred years growth
upon their ruins, incontestibly establishes a very re- ,
mote antiquity, and the occasional discovery of relics, ' '
displaying some proficiency in the mechanic arts, as cer- ; '
tainly proves that their origin is beyond the present - >
tribes of Indians, who are themselves as much in tbe',^
dark as to these points, as are the whites themselves. ' '
Even their traditions are silent, and unlike the Egyp- ,
tians, the founders of these monuments have left not \
even hieroglyphics, which the art and industry of some' '
yankee Champolion or Layard, might peradventure ren-
der into readable English. They are impenetrable mys-
teries, and although they will probably always so re-
main, they will never cease to be objects of curiosity
and research, until under the utilitarian hand of indus-
try, the ruthless plough shall level them with the land.

50 LIFE AND TIMES

afiid blot out forevor and forever, the little pitiful ves-
tige that remains of what may have been once a mighty,
a prosperous and a happy people.

By this time they had come into the prairie country
of the Poncas Indians, on the waters of "Rapid- water-
river," Plum and White. Paint creeks; the diversified
nature of the landscape has changed, and instead of
the gently rolling plains of the Kansas, the eye wan-
dered over interminable levels, while tlie river mean-
dered with a more sluggish current between low banks
and bluffs more or less high of varied colored clay. The
country still continued well timbered, and game in abun-
dance. About this time, Capts. Lewis and Clark, with
all the party except the camp-guard, made a foray up-
on a village of prairie dogs, and though they worked
all day and deluged their holes with torrents of water
with all the vessels they could extemporize, nightfall
found them the possessors of but one unlucky dog,
whose points noted in silence, and hide quickly prepa-
red by the naturalist of the Expedition, perhaps fig-
ures to this day among the curiosities of Washington
City.

Pursuing the tenor of their way, now occasionally di-
versified with tugging their boats over the frequent shal-
lows of the river, and occasionally adding some rare
animal, bird, petrifaction or other curiosity to their col-
lection of novelties, not much of interest occurs in the
narration of their j ouruey . By the 20th they had reach-
ed a long chain of bluffs, on the north side of the Mis-
sonri, of a dark color, the earth of which "dissolves like
eugar," and the mixture of large quantities of which in
the rapid current, gives its waters their muddy tinge.

On the 25th, another conference took place betw-een.

OF PATRICK GASS.

the Captains and a delegation of the Teeton branch of
the Sioux Indians, which resulted in a mutual exchange
O'f civilities, the making of several of the Indians, chiefs,
and came near ending in a brush. This occurred about
in this wise: After the ceremonies of the conference were
over, Capt. Clarke, sent the new made chiefs ashore in
the Periogue, with some of his men, but when thej lan-
ded, the Indians had taken such a fancy to the boat,
that they laid claim to it, and were disposed to prevent
its return to its proper owners. To Capt. Clarke's threats
they replied that they had soldiers as good as his, and
numerous as the leaves of the trees, but whimsically
enough, when he told them he had medicine enough in
his boat to kill twenty such nations in one day, the
magnitude of the idea quite conquered them, and they
surrendered the boat in dismay, asserting apologetical-
ly, that they only wanted the party to stay with them
over night that their women and children might see the
boat. So favorable was the impression made upon the
simple natives by this medicine talk of Capt. Clarke,
that the next we hear of them, eight sturdy savages are
carrying Capt. Lewis, and as many more, Capt. Clarke,
on their shoulders in Buffalo robes into their Council
house, where not less than a dozen dogs were sacrificed
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 these 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
have opportunity. They 'are also very dirty; the wat-
er they make use of, is carried in the paunches of the an-
imals they kill, just as they are emptied without being

52 LIFE AND TIMES

deaned. Tliey gave iis dislies of victuals of various
kinds; Iliad never seen anything like some of tliese
dislies, nor could I tell of what ingredients or how they
were made." Patrick's acquaintance with the Indian
ctiisine was limited, hut his stomach was strong, and
not to do discourtesy to the hospitality of his hosts, lie
wa« no doubt constrained to partake of many a mess
that would not so well have suited his tastes among his
more dainty feeding friends at home. But a traveller
must be a philosopher, and our hero, simply states tlie
fdcts without giving us any inkling as to his sensations,
or Indulging in any reflections upon the differences in
t-aste that prevail in different localities. At this camp,
they had a continued round of festivities, in which all
hands seemed amiably bent upon contributing to the
delight of their guests, until when the time came for lea-
ving, in the excess of their kindness they siezedthe rope
and would not allow them to depart. To speed tlie
parting guest, is a maxim of civilized hospitality, that
did not seem to be appreciated hj the Sioux, and tlie
neglect came nigh being attended with difficulty, for
Capt. Lewis, becoming choleric, was just on the point
Off giving orders to fire on them, when the point was
«x)mpromised by a carrat of tobacco being given the
chiefs, so that they might go in peace. These anec-
dotes may seem trifling enough, but they bear the im-
press of truth, and give a more correct idea of Indian
cdiaracter than pages of labored description could afford.
They show the Indian in his true light before commu-
nication with the white man had altered their nature. —
Impulsive and impressible as children, with little ideas
O'f the rights of property, superstitious to a degree, tick-
led into good humor by a glittering bauble, or provoked

OF PATRICK GASS. 58

into unreflecting anger by as slight a cause — generous
to a friend, exacting to those in their power, relentlei?s
to their enemies, brave and cowardly by turns, crafty
and yet simple, their character is a tissue of contra^dic-
tions and yet consistent with itself. At this time they
were comparatively unacquainted with the whites, and
the native character having fair opportunity to develop
itself, perhaps a truer idea of the real western Indian,
can bo had from the Journal of Mr. Gass, than can be
gained from any subsequent source. Since then, they
have become indoctrinated with many new ideas by ha-
bitual intercourse with white men, as v/ell as corrupted
by his vices, so that the Indian of to day is almost an-
other being from the Indian of half century ago.

By the 1st. of October, they had reached the now Du
Ohien or Dog river, a large tributary of the Missouri,
from the south. Above, the course of river was ob-
structed by sand bars rendering the navigation difficult.
A Frenchman, whom they met with, here, informed
them that they would not encounter any more Indians un-
til they came into the country of the Rickarees, and ac-
cordingly on the 9th having reached a village of this na-
tion, they prepared to hold a council. The villag"e c*on-
g-isted of about sixty lodges, of the construction of
which, Mr. Gass gives the following description, "In
a circle of a size suited to the dimensions of the intenci-
ed lodge, they set up sixteen forked posts five or [six
feet high, and lay poles from one post to another. A-
gainst tliese poles they lean other poles, slanting from
the ground, and extending about four inches above the
poles: these are to receive the ends of the upper poles,
that support the roof. They next set up four large forks,
fifteen feet high, and about ten feet apart, in the mid-

54 LIFE AND TIMES

die of the area; and poles or beams between these. —
The roof poles are then laid on, extending from the low-
er poles across the beams which rest on the middle forks,
of such a length as to leave a hole at the top for a chim-
ney. The whole is then covered with willow branches,
except the chimney and a hole below, to pass through.
On the willow branches they lay grass and lastly clay.
At the hole below they build a pen about four feet wide
and projecting ten feet from the hut; and liang a buffa-
lo skin, at the entrance of the hut for a door. This
labour like every other kind is chiefly performed by the
squaws. They raise corn, beans and tobacco. Their
tobacco is different from any I had before seen: it'an-
swers for smoking, but not for chewing. On oar re-
turn, I crossed from the island to the boat, with two
squaws in a baffalo skin stretched on a frame made of
boughs, 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 they found two Frenchmen living with the In-
dians, one to interpret and the other to do their trad-
ing. A council was held with this nation which ended
in an interchange of presents and of amicable protesta-
tions; and the party persued their journey among them
not only unmolested, but received with marked civility.
Mr. Gass, characterizes the Rickarees as the most cleaii-
Ily Indians he saw on the voyage as well as the most
friendly and industrious. A hunting party, which they
encountered in their way back to their village, had,
eays he, twelve buffalo-skin canoes or boats laden with
meat and skins; besides some horses that were going
clown the bank by land. They gave ns part of their

OF PATKICK GASg. 55

meat. The party consisted of men, women and child-
ren. Shortly after they saw another party of hnnter-s,
who asked them to eat. and were very kind and gave
them some meat. One of these requested to speak with
onr young squaw, who for some time hid herself; but at
last came out and spoke with him. She then went on
shore and talked with him, and gave him a pair of ear-
rings and drops for leave to come with them; and when
the horn blew for all hands to come on board, she lieft
them and came to the boat. She shortly afterwards left
them and found another hunting party of Rickarees,
In the evening, a short time before they encamped, they
met with another hunting party of the same tribe. They
had a flock of goats, or antelopes, in the river, and kill-
ed upwards of forty of them. Captain Lewis, and one
of our hunters went out and killed three of the same flock,
of more than a hundred."

They 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 their arms, amunition and peltry,and
were on their way back very disconsolate. They were
glad to be taken aboard of the boats entertaining hopes
that they might, though the interference of Captain
Lewis's party, regain their property, and being acquaint-
ed with the language, their company was quite an ac-
quisition.

They passed in a short time, the place w^here the
Frenchmen had been robbed, but no Indians wero to be
seen in the neighborhood except a hunting party of the
Sioux, coming down from the Mandan nation, clothed
only in breech clouts y notwithstan d ing that the weather
had become extremely cold and disagreeable.

06 LIFE AND TIMES

This was in the month of October, 1804, and our trav-
ellgrs are far up the Missouri in the country of the Man-
dans, "^ith the prospect of an early and severe winter
before them, the discovery of an Irishman among these
Indians is considered an incident worthy of note, as no
doubt was the sight of a white skin from any quarter;
but passing on, day by day, they pushed farther into
thoAvilderness, until Oct. 27th, their observations show-
ed them that they had travelled 16 10 miles from tlie
mouth of the river Dubois, whence they had 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 quarters and as it was apparent that they
ware to domicile with the Mandans, it became good
policy on their part to make fair weather with their
prospective companions. Accordingly, extensive prep-
arations were made for a grand talk, the display accom-
panvag which was to strike admiration into their hearts.
When the principal men from all the villages of the
Mandans had assembled, the swivel was fired from the
bow of the Captain's boat, and at 11 o'clock the Com-
manding of&cers, rigged in appropriate, though tarnish-
ed regimentals, took the Chiefs by the hand with be-
coming ceremony. Capt. Lewis through the interpre-
ter delivered a speech, gave a suit of clothes to each of
the head men and some presents of less value for dis-
tribution 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

OF PATRICK GASS. 57

everlasting friendship, they presented the Captain with
10 bnsbels of corn, and a deputation from their num-
ber volunteered their services to assist him in selecting
a suitable site for a winter encampment.

Whoever has read the romantic adventures of Capt.
John Smith, among the Indians of Virginia, will dis-
cover a striking resemblance between his experience as
handed down to us by himself and his chroniclers, and
that of our voyagers. The same traits seem to have
predominated in both instances, and their exercise has
been followed with like results. Both found the In-
dians disposed to be friendly but treacherous; and both
found that hospitality abused could be easily converted
into deadly enmity. As Hackluyt says of the Virginia
Indians: "They are a people gentle, loving, faithful,
void of guile, cruel, bloody, destroying whole tribes in
their domestic fueds; using base stratagems against
their enemies, whom they invited to feasts and killed."
In both cases the facile Indian has yielded to the grasp-
ing, robust Anglo-Saxon; and but a few more years
will elapse ere the Kicarees, the Sioux, the Mandang,
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 Pequods, in that eternal hunting ground, where
alone, they will be secure from the advancing tread and
death-distributing knowledge of the white man.

A spot was soon found, surrounded with cotton-wood
and suitably situated for an encampment, and on the 2d
of November, 1804, they commenced to prepare their
winter quarters. They marked out a square, and erec-
ted two equal rows of huts, meeting each other at right
angles. They designed to enclose the other two sides

58 LIFE AXD TIMES

of the square with, pickets. The exterior side of the
enclosure presented an elevation of eighteen feet, the
inside of ahoiit eight and they were made comfortahle
against 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
the 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 trtiined 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 dela}--
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,
(fee, 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.

OF PATRICK GASS. 59

Christmas day_^was ushered in by a discharge from,
^^heir swivel, and aground of small arms by the whole
xiorps, the convivial glass was freely passed, and the
American flag was hoisted on the ramparts of the little
fort, now first christened Fort M&ndan, and its appear-
ance, as it first w^ved on the breeze, was greeted with
another glass very imanimGnsly drank. The balance
of the day was devoted to mirth and jolification and the
holliday wound np with a general dance in which all
hands participated. The precise location of Fort Man-
dan, as determined by astronomical observation is, 47
deg,, 21m., 32s., 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-
sort among the traders in those remote regions.

Here appears a chasm in the narrative of Mr. Gass;
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, are 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 suffer a hollidav
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 which to divert
and console themselves. It is highly probable that the
interim was appropriately improved, as the introduc-
jion to the next chapter, which dates Tuesday Januca-y
1st, 1805, states that two shots were fired from that
same old swivel in honor of the New Year's dav, fol-

60 LIFE AND TIMES

lowed by a glass of good old whiskey from Oapt.,
Lewis, and shortly after another from Capt. Clarke^
repeated again after noon and doubtless at divers inter-
mediate intervals, from private flasks. This day vround
up with a dance in which our hero 'and Capt. Lewis
figured, and with which, **a great number of the natives,
men, women and children who came to see us, appear-
ed highly pleased." Mr. Gass, gives but an indiffer-
ent account of the Mandan 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 the Atlantic countij, the conjugal tie
seemed to set but lightly upon the natives of the plains;
and dej)artures therefrom, were very leniently regarded.
Looseness iiv 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 rtdultery and prostitution hardly
considered as venial offences. Public opinion and cus-
tom however, generally regulates these things even in
civilized countries, and it would be uncharitable to ap-
ply to the Mandan Indians the same standard 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
haying, light colored or flaxen hair, the children of o^h-

OF PATRICK GASB. 61

•^r 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 oc-
casionally to the necessity of partaking of wolf meat,
"when no better 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 with 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 with 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
of their horses, came in, and reported the facts to their
comrades. The Jittle cantotiment was instantly in a
ferment, and at midnight, Capt. Lewis having called
for volunteers, twenty of the party promptly turned out
to chastise the marauders and recover the horses. The
promptness of the response, is an evidence of the spirit
that actuated the entire party. By the 16th, having ac-
complished some fifty miles of a march, in the pursuit,
they came upon *a deserted camp, which had been 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 AXD TI3fES^

ing degree of awe, and although they boasted of their
robbery and sent word that the Sioux intended to mas-
sacre the entire party in the spring, they were not much
terrified by thejthreat nor did they afterwards meet witli
any serious trouble from these doughty adversaries. —
Some of the Indians in this neighborhood manifested a
. mischievous spirit. The party concealed some meat
near some deserted huts, which was found and destroy-
ed, and the huts burned by them, but beyond such pet-
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 kee^D their horses in winter. —
They had a great many of these, and during the day
time they suffered them to browse around and subsist
the best they could; at night they -introduced them in-
to their huts and fed them upon cotton tvood hranches^
Upon this meagre fodder they kept in tolerable condi-
tion and were serviceable until the return of grass when,
they fared more sumptuously.

It was now determined to s&nd 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 preparing canoes,
which by the way had to be carried a mile and a half
to w^ater 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 j^e-^
riogue back, with the returning party.

On Sunday, the 7th March., they broke up their ei^*-

OP PATRICK GASS. 63

e^mpment, thirty- one men and a woman going up the
river with two periogues; and six canoes and thirteen
going down with the large periogue, in which were pack-
ed the curiosities, ''Buffalo robes and horns of the moun-
tain ram of prodigious size for the President."

The woman mentioned in the preceding paragraph,
was one of the wives of their interpreter, whose pres-
ence was expected to he of benefit to them in their pas-
sage through the Snake Indians, to which tribe slie 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
began to change, indications of volcanic action became
of frequent occurrence, and the hills seemed sterile and
naked of any appearance of vegetation, though there
still appeared to be plenty of game of various kinds. —
A new article of diet here appears to have come in
vogue, nothing less than wild geese eggs, which they
found deposited by those usually stupid birds in nests
high up in the trees, and another seasonable 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" Avluit others have 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 enc|uires whether it can be owing to want of
timber. They had now got ujDon the borders of the
desert country known as the "plains" by later travel-
lers, in the overland journey to Oregon and California,
and wdiich proves so disastrous from almost utter vrant
of water and scarcity of grass for stock.

64 LIFE AND TIMES

This was at the mouth of Yellow Stone river, which
they ascertained by measurement to be, in width, 297
yards of water and 561 of sand, while the Missouri was
331 yards of water and 190 of beach, the current of the
latter river continuing strong, while that of the former
is sluggish and shallow. This point is given at 1888
miles above the mouth of the Missouri, and 278 from
their winter quarters at Fort Mandan. Portions 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
unsuccessful attempt hereto kill some mountain sheep,
being the first they had yet seen, but though they failed
in this, Capt. Lewis succeeded in dispatching another
stranger with whose kindred they were destined to be-
come better acquainted, being nothing less than a huge
"grizzly."

The 1st of May, when the * 'cotton wood leaves were
as large as dollars," they were greeted with a snow
6torm which compelled 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 thought had been offered up by the Indi-
ans by way of sacrifice to their deity — "the Indians,"
says Mr. Gass, "having some knowledge of a Supreme
Being, and this, being their mode of worship,"

It is a singular fact that not a single tribe of Indians
has been discovered in North America, but has had some
idea of the existence of a Supreme Being, and the im-
mortality of the soul. Thei-e is a striking similarity
in their beliefs and superstitions in this respect; and
notwithstanding their general ignorance, their 'views
are more philosophical than those of other nations much

OF PATRICK GASS.

more advanced in civilization. Tliey had better ideas
of natural religion tlian had the Greeks and Romans,
notwithstanding the fact, that these latter were the most
polished, as well as the most intellectnally acute nations
of antiquity. The conception of one Great Author of
all, to whom all are forever responsible, was the cen-
tral idea upon which all the minor beliefs were founded;
and though many of their superstitious notions appear
to us whimsical and absurd, yet this grand central idea
may be discerned, more or less distinctly, through all.
They had a vague notion of the truth, handed down
from generation to generation and though cumbered
and distorted with error, their minds appeared to grope
in the dark in the vain effort to reach the light without
divine revelation. That they came so near it, is more
to be wondered at, than that they should be lost in the
mists of the ignorance that beset them.

The hills which for many days had been barren of
vegetation, now began to make a sparse display of pine
and cedar trees, the verdure of which was quite enliven-
ing to the spirits of our voyagers, while the surrounding
scenery wore the appearance of architectural ruins no-
ticed by travellers as the mauvais terres, or bad lands,
though the river continued wide and in handsome order
for navigation. Bears become more and more abundant
and bear meat the staple article of their cookery. A
large brown bear being wounded by six of the party,
made battle and came near making specimens of his as-
sailants; but powder and lead, backed by overwhel-
ming numbers, were too much for him, and after a des-
perate fight he had to succumb. The natives, stood in
dread of these grizzly gentlemen, — not a few of their
braves having fallen victims to their prowess in hand

66 LIFE AND TIMES

to hand encounters. The mountain sheep also become
more abundant as they approach the mountain and they
at last succeed in killing some of them. They are des-
cribed as more resembling the ibex than the sheep, be-
ing covered with a long soft hair of a dun col'or instead
of wool, and resembling sheep only in the head, horns
and feet. The horns of one specimen were two feet long
and four inches in circumference at the base. In size,
they ai'e something larger than the deer. It differs from
the deer in never shedding its horns. Naturalists have
since assigned them a place in the family of the rumi-
nantia. They also, killed a large brown bear of the
following formidable dimensions: — 3 feet 5 in. around
the head, 3 feet 11 inches around the neck, 6 feet around
the breast; the length 8 feet 7 inclies, around middle of
the forelegs 23 inches, and with talons 4^ inches in
length, and sharp as needles. Such customers as this
were becoming uncomfortably abundant, and their com-
jjany was not jDarticularly sought by the hunters to
whom they sometimes gave chase. These bears are
very tenacious of life and when pressed to desperation
are particularly dangerous. The natives very seldom
dared to attack them, having lost many of their braves
in such encounters. The bears themselves, are not
afraid of man, but will attack him without hesitation,
and even when well armed the struggle is one of con-
siderable risk to the hunter. Some of the exploring
party discovered a large brown bear about this time at
the mouth of a small creek, and a party of six men sal-
lied out to kill it. The bear, took refuge in a thicket,
and stood at bay growling terribly. The men advanced,
and three of them fired simultaneously, aiming at the
most vital parts of his body; but although riddled by

OF PATRICK GA8S. 67

their balls, lie only seemed roused to fviry. Eusliing-
from liis covert, the remaining three barely had time to
discharge their pieces before he was among them, and
the issue came near being a tragical one. Two of the
men were "badly torn by the claws of the infuriated beast
before he could be dispatched, which was, however, fi-
nally effected after a desperate fight. His carcass weigh-
ed in the neighborhood of eleven himdred pounds.

Having now, Monday, 27th May 1805, fairly enter-
ed upon a country presenting nothing but barreness
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 we 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 600 miles, the land is general-
ly of a good quality, with a sufficient quantity of timber;
in many places very rich and the country pleasant and
asrreeable. From the confluence of the river Platte -with
the Missouri in the sterile desert we lately enteied, a dis-
tance of upwards of 1500 miles, the 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. —
The country is rather hilly than level though not moun-
tainous, rocky or st ony. The hills in their unshel-
tered state are much exposed to be washed by heavy
rains. This kind of country and soil which has fallen
under our observation in our journey up the Missouri,
extends, it is understood, to a great distance on both
sides of the river. Along the Missouri and the waters
which flow into it, cotton wood and willows are fre-
quent in the bottoms and islands; but the upland is oJ-

^8 rXFE AND TIMES

most entirely without 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 these hills are interesting' and grand. Wide ex-
tended pkins, with their hills and vales, stretching a-
way in lessening wavy ridges, until by their distance
they fade from sight; large rivers and streams in their
rapid course winding in various meanders; groves of cot-
ton wood and willow along the waters intersecting the
landscape in different directions, dividing them into va-
rious forms, at length appearing like dark clouds, and
•sinking in the horizon; these enlivened with the buffa-
lo, elk, deer, and other animals, which in vast numbers
feed upon the plains, or pursue their prey, are the prom-
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 is diversified
with w^ooded islands, in .general not so large, nor so
picturesque however as those which gain for the Ohio
its appellation of the beautiful river. Along its course,
were Indian paths, and roads made by the Buffalo and
other animals often ten feet in widlh and equalling in
directness from point to point, roads made by human
engineers; if indeed in many cases these lines made by
nature's engineers do not excel those laid down by com-
pass and chain.

They had now come into a savage and sterile country
with nothing to relieve its wild monotony, save the roar-
ing of the waters, as they whirled and dashed among
the rocks and the increased caution and greater labor

OF PATRICK GAS8. 6^

whicli the' growing difficulty of the navigation rendered
imperative. While tied up to the shore at night, a Buff-
alo swini,ming the river chanced to land at the periogne;
and m^/King a flying leap to clear the ohstruction, lie
landed in the boat, nearly capsizing it and dashing
among the men, who were sleeping, they awoke in great
consternation thinking that the devil had come in person
to torment them for their sins. He gave them a serious-
fright but did no injury, save disabling a couple of guns
that lay in his way. At one place here, the Indians
had killed over a hundred of these animals in one drove
by driving them over a precipice, which seemed to be
a favorite mode among these Indians. Some of the ap-
pearances, here, were striking in the extreme, high
walls of solid rock, stood up grey and perpendicular, 200
feet in altitude, by eight or ten in thickness, and of in-
terminable length, occasionally, a column erected itself
in solitary grandeur,, like the chimney-stack of some
crumbled down manufactory; long ranges of shattered
ruins appeared as though the hand of time had been
playing havoc with a deserted city; and the whole sce-
nery had that wierd and melancholy aspect, which ac-
cording well with the brooding and gloomy silence so
suggestive of the world to come, so haunts, with viyions
of the supernatural and infernal, minds prone t-o super-
stition.

June 8d, 1805, the commanding officers being in a
quandary which of two forks of about equal size it wa3
proper to ascend, a couple of parties were detailed to try
each, and thus determine which was the Missouri proper.
Two days were passed in reconoitering, and finally the
south branch was reported the best for navigation, and
up it they went, for the distance gI sixty miles. The

70 LIFE AND TIMES

•Other branch is called Maria's river. The decreasing
volume of the river admonished them to leave a part of
their luggage and stores; and accordingly a portion of
the party busied themselves in preparing a hole in which
to bury their surplus pork, corn, powder, lead, <fcc , to
the amount of a thousand weight; while Capt. Lewig
took a meridian observation in order to determine their
precise location. The result was 47 deg., 24 m., 12 s.,
North latitude, xlt the mouth of Maria's river the large
periogue was concealed under heaps of brush, and near
by was deposited their surplus stores, to be ready for
them on their return.

On the morning of the 12th, they left this point and
proceeded up the river, encountering great difficulty,
owing to the numerous rapids; sometimes having to take
the 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 determined to bury more of their luggage, which
w^as accordingly done. The boats were mounted on
wheels, and the party accompanied it across a prairie,
to the next point of embarkation, 16 miles distant,
which consumed the day. Up to the Fort Mandan, the
general direction of the river had been Northwest, then-ce
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 South, and traverses some 200
miles almost directly to the South. The Falls or Kap-
ids, are in the aggregate 362 feet in height, and extend
for eighteen miles. After passing them, the character
of the river as well as of the country changes, the river
is smoother and more equable in its current, while the
country appears to be more level, with mountains eov-

OF PATRICK GASS. 71

erecl with snow, snrroiinding them in the distance. —
One of the party here had a narrow escape from being
devoured by bears. He was attacked by three brown
bears, and to save hia life, w^as forced to leap over a preo-
ipice, eeverely injuring himself and breaking his gun. —
Another man about the same time, was attacked by a
huge he bear, when separated some 200 yards from the
balance of the party. His gun, unluckily, missed ftre,
and the bank was so 3teep that his companions could
not reach him; however, they tired at the bear from a
distance, which had the effect of frightening him off, and
thus saving their comrade from an ugly encounter, in
which the principal risk would have been on his side.
Bufialo, elk and deer, as well as bears, appeared to
be very plenty in this vicinity, and quite a number ware
killed by the party. An experiment of covering the
iron frame of a boat, which they had brought with them
for the purpose, with skins, so as to be easily portable,
proved a failure, owing to the impossibility of making
it water tight, 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 pushed
on, the plains were covered with a short grass, and the
hills from. 600 to 1200 feet in altitude almost solid
rock, bare of vege tation and seeming to be a favorite
haunt of the Rocky Mountain sheep 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 were
found, and also a great variety of seasonable berries,
among which is mentioned the service berry, the choke
berry and as particularly large and fine, the black cur-
rant. Indians had become extremely scaroe and al-

<2 LIFE ANT> TIMES

though parties were sent out expressly to firtd them>
they did not discover a native for weeks in succession.
A smoke was discovered in the distance, which on in-
vestigation proved to rise from an Indian hunting camp,
the proprietors of which, evidently taking the whites
for enemies had fled into the wilderness. A pole which
Mr. Gass had^erected as a mark for a small party left be-
hind, and in a cleft of which he had placed a note was
knawed down by a beaver and dragged off, giving the
party for whose benefit it was intended," a wearisome
tramp of several miles in the wrong direction before
their error was detected. A kind of red clay was noted
as occurring here, which their squ'aw informed them
was used for war paint.

About this tiixi3 a singular accident occurred thus re-
lated by Mr. Gass. It appears, that some of the par-
ty had discovered a fine sulphur spring,, which Captain
Clarke, the Interpreter, his squaw and child went to
look at. During their visit a sudden storm came up,
forcing them to shelter under a bank at tlie mouth of a
run. In five minutes time, such was th,e 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.

On the 30th July 1805, 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 Missouri,
and proceeded to name them, Jefferson, Madison and
Gallatin, being respectively the north, middle and south
branches, coming in nearly at the same spot. Thelati-

OF PATRICK GASS. 73

tude of tliis confluence of the waters was determined to
be about 45 deg., 3 min. north.

We here make an extract from the Journal: ''There
is very little difference in the size of the three bran-
ches. On the bank of the north branch we found a note
Captain Clarke had left, informing us he Avas ahead and
had gone up that branch. We 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
Ca^Dt. Clarke and his men came to our encampment,
and told us they had been up both branches a consid-
erable distance, but could discover none of the natives.
There is a beautiful valley at these forks, and a good
deal of timber on the branches, chiefly cotton- wood. —
Also currants, goose and service berries, and choak-
cherries on the banks. The deer are plenty too, some
of the men v/ent out and killed several to-day." Capt.
Clarke, Avho had been taken sick on the route, is here
reported convalescent, and Capt. Lewis, who had trav-
eled ahead of the party, was obliged to camp out by
himself in the howling wildernf^ss. He, however, turn-
ed up all right in the morning, and the party dividin g,
Capt. Clarke would explore one branch with his corps
and Capt. Lewis, another, with his, leaving notes at
prominent places to direct each other in their explo-
rations. The travelling had become difficult and the
routes extremely mixed, rendering their progress very
slow. At this place, our squaw informed us, "she had
been taken prisoner by the Grossventers four or five
years ago. From this 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. Lewis

74 LIFE AND TIMES

had a meridian altitude liere, wliicli gave 45 deg., 22m.
35s. nortli latitude."

Ascending tlie nortli or Jefferson brancli, it also fork-
ed into Wisdom and Philantliropy branclies, the mid-
dle one retaining the name of Jefferson, up which they
continued. It has been remarked that there is noth-
ing in a name, and that a rose by any other name would
smell as sweet; but our explorers seem to have taxed
their ingenuity to considerable extent in order to find
suitable 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 exj^lorers, 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 geographical objects, is the source 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 euj^honious. It is to be regret-
ted that our maps do not contain more of them. What
can be more suggestive than Min-ne-ha-ha, the water
which laughs, as applied to the rippling waters of the
Missi-siPPij/a^Aer of waters, smiling back the sunlight
from its pebbly bed before the imiddy Miss-ouri throws
its sombre shade on the now sullen and turbulent cur-
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 grand, to

OF PATRICK GASS. 75

tlie Frencli and infinitely Leliind the poor Indian whose

-"uututorecl mind,

Sees God in the storm and hear* him in the wind."

Journeying on, they passed an ishmd which, as it was
distant ahout 3000 miles from their starting point, they
christened with some propriety, ^' Three thousand mile
island;^ ^ the river being only ahout twenty yards wide
and a foot anrl a half deep, meandering and winding
along, through the hushes, and frequently compellinc;
the men to wade and drag the canoes through the wat-
er Avhich had become icy cold and very disagreeable. —
The black or mountain trout of large size abounded, as
well as a variety of other fish; while deer and game gen-
erally had become scarce, owing to the scant herbage.
At the entrance to a gorge in the mountains here, two
huge pillars of rock erect themselves like watch towers,
guarding the entrance as if to some land of promise,
picturescjue enough the reader will say, but not say our
explorers, realizing the promise of fertility so jealously
guarded. From this point to the head waters of the
Columbia river, emptying into the Pacific, was but
about forty miles, Capt. Lewis had passed over the
ground, and returned, bringing with him some twenty
of the Snake Indians whom he had encountered, with a
like number of horses, with which animals, these Indi-
ans fortunately enough were well j)rovided. Mr. Gass,
speaks here of the great c^uantity of service berries found
in this region, which seem almost as if providentially
provided for the sustenance of such living animals as
may happen among these inhospitable gorges of the
mountains.

The party now provided with Indian guides followed
up the gorge of Jefferson Fork, now a mere mountain
brook, until the 19th August, 1805, when they reacheJ

7.0- LIFE AND TIMES ^

the liead spring, distant only one mile from tlie head ofi
one branch of the Cohimhia.

On the head waters of the Columbia, Indians became
more numerous; and on the 20th they came to a vil-
lage of tw-enty-five lodges made of willow bark. This
was a village of the "Snakes." "They are, *'says Mr.
Gass, *'the poorest and most miserable nation I ever be-
held; having scarcely anything to subsist on, except
berries and a few fish, wdiich they contrive by some
means to take. They have a great many fine horses,
and nothing else; and on account of these they arehar-
rassed by other nations. The usual mode of salutation,
among the Snakes, is by putting the arms around the
neck of the person they w^ish to salute, in token of
friendship." This method, it Avill be allowed, was more
affectionate than agreeable to persons of weak stomachs.

The western Indians, seem generally, to have been
more disposed toward a pastoral life than w^ere those
east of the Mississippi; and manifested more of a dis-
position to possess themselves of flocks and liards. —
Horses, were found by this party, among all the tribes
through Avhich-they passed; and often in localities the
most unfavorable. They were used for purposes of
travel and the chase. In case of emergency their flesh:
was eaten. The origin of these horses among the In-
dians is conjectural. They probably descended from
Spanish stock imported at the ume of the conquest, or
subsequent settlements. In the genial climate of the
tropics, it is not impossible that a few individuals esca-
ping or turned out into the vast natural pastures, in-
creased and multiplied into the immense herds that car-
reer over the boundless plains of Mexico and South
America. Another very probable source w^as the Oana-

OF rATRICK GASS.

tlas. It is certain that at tlio discovery of tlie country
the Indians liad no idea of horses, in fact, those used by
Cortez were actually Avorshipped by the Mexican Indi-
ans, and considered superior beings. In later times the
western Indians have still farther devoted themselves
to stock raising, and at this date, the Navajos are re-
ported as the possessors of a half million sheep.

These Indians, gave the party a very unfavorable ac-
count of the navigation of the Columbia, so much so,
indeed, as to induce them to abandon their canoes and
undertake the journey by land. Accordingly, they
purchased a stock of horses from the Indians, at an av-
erage of about 'S3 per head in merchandise, and leaving
Capt. Clarke, to bring the baggage by water, they con-
tinued down the Columbia. The representations of the
Indians proved correct, for the river bottom was nar-
row and the route almost impracticable either by land
or water; nevertheless, they persevered — the rocks in
some places breast high and 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
60 rocky that going by water appeared 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 commenced. The Journal pro-
ceeds: "Captain Clarke and our party proceeded down
the river with our guide, through a valley about four
miles wide, of a rich soil, but almost 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 line spring. One of our men remained be-
hind at the village to buy a horse, and did not join us
this evening. Five of the Indians came and stayed

lo life and times

with us during the night. They told its that they were-
sometimes reduced to such want, as to be obliged to eat
their horses.

Xext morning, we began our journey at 7 o'clock
and having travelled about a mile, crossed a branch of
the river. Here the mountains came so close on the
river, we could not get through the narrows, and had
to cross a very high mountain about three miles over,
and then struck the river again, where there is a small
bottom and one lodge of the natives in it, gathering ber-
ries, haws and cherries for winter food. We soon had
to ascend another large mountain, and had to proceed
in the same way until we crossed four of them, when we^
came to a large creek, where there is a small bottom and
three lodges of Indians. Three of our men having gone
through the bottom to hunt, came first upon the lodges
which greatly alarmed the unhappy natives, who all
fell a weeping and began to run off; but the party com-
ing up with the guide relieved them from their fears.
They then received us kindly and gave us berries and
fish to eat. We remained with them about two hours
and gave 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 people of these three
lodges have gathered a quantity of sun-flower seed,
and also, of lambs-quarter, which they pound and
mix with service berries, and make of the composition
a kind of bread; which appears capable of sustaining
life for some time. On this bread and the fish they taka
out of the river, these people, who apj)ear to be the most
wretched of the human species, chiefly subsist. They
gave us some dried salmon, and we proceeded dowu thos

OF PATRICK GASS. 79

river; but with a great deal of diffieulty: the moun-
tains being, so close, steep and rocky. Tbe river here
is about 80 yards wide, and continually rapid, but not
deep. We went about fifteen miles to-day, and en-
camped on a small island, as there was no other level
place near. Game is scarce, and we killed nothing
since the loth but one deer; and our stock of provisions
is exhausted.

"On the 23d, two of the hunters went in search of a
buck that had been wounded during the day, and the
rest staid in the camp to fish. In the afternoon the
men came in from hunting the wounded deer, but could
not find him. They killed three prairie hens, or pheas-
ants. We caught some small fish in the night. The
natives take their fish by spearing them; their spears
for ^his purpose are poles with bones fixed to the ends
of them, with which they strike the fish. They have
but four guns in the nation, and catch goats and some
other animals bv runuinorthem down with horses. The
dresses of the women are a kind of shifts made of the
skins of these goats and mountain sheep, which come
down to the middle of the leg. Some of them have
robes, but others none. Some of the men have shirts
and some are without any. Some also have robes made
of beaver and buffalo skins; but there are few of the
former. I saw one made of ground hog skins.

"The river at this place is so confined 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
fish to day, and our hunters killed five prairie fowls. —
These were all we had to subsist on. At 1 o'clock Capt.

80 LIFE AND TIMES

Clarke and his party returned, after having been down
the river about 12 miles. They found it was not pos-
sible to go down either by land or water, without much
risk and trouble. The water is so rapid and the bed
of the river so rocky, that going by water appeared im-
practicable; and the mountains so amazingly high, steep
and rocky, that it seemed impos'sible to go along the
river by land. Our guide speaks of a way to sea, by
going up the south fork of this river, getting on to the
mountains that wav, and then turnimr to the south
west again. Capt. Clarke, therefore wrote a letter to
Capt. Lewis, and dispatched a man on horseback to
meet him; and we all turned back up the river again,
poor and imcomfortable enough, as we had nothing to
eat, and there is no game. We proceeded up about
three miles, and supperless went to rest for the night.

"Next morning, we set out early and had a fine day;
passed the Indian camp, where they gave us a little
dried salmon, and proceeded back again over the moun-
tains. Some hunters went on ahead and encamped in
the valley. Two men went to hunt, and all the rest to
fish. We soon caught as many small fish as made with
two salmon our guide got from some Indians, a com-
fortable supper. At dark our hunters came in and had
killed but one beaver.

''Monday 26th, we had again a f)leasant 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 been saved from supper the pre-
ceding evening. The man who had gone for the hor-
ses, having returned without finding them, four or five
more went out, and our guide immediately found them.
We then, about ten o'clock, proceeded on to the forks.

OF PATRICK GASS. 81

^vhore we found onr hunters; but tlisy liad killed noth-
ing. So we went up to a small viHage of the natives,
got some fish from them, and lodged there all night.

''Next morning eight of its 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 the Miss-
ouri and Jefferson river. There is a kind of wild sas2:e
or hyssop, as high as a man's head, full of branches
and leaves, which grows in tliese bottoms, with shrubs
of different kinds. In the evening we all came in again
and had killed nothing but a fish. We got some more
from the natives, wdiich Ave subsisted on. We lodged
here again all night, but heard nothing from Captain
Lewis.

On the morning of the 28th of August, I went on to
the upper village, where I found Capt. Lewis and his
party buying horses. They had got twenty-three, which
with two we had, made in the whole twenty-five. I
then returned to our camp, a distance of fifteen miles,
and arrived there late. I found the weather very cold
for the season."

The ascent of the Missouri had been plain sailing in
comparison to the navigation of the Columbia, where
precipices of a thousand feet elevation came sheer down
to the waters edge, so steep that nothing save the ven-
turesome feet of the mountain goat dared to scale them,
and of such interminable length, that the most experi-
enced guides Avere at fault as to expedients to go around
or across; while the tumbling torrents at their base as
they pitched and dashed over high masses and ledges of
rock, bid defiance to anv craft that mi^dit be construe-
ted to navigate them. They were now in a dilemma,
and to add to their troubles, provisions became exhaus-

82 LIFE AKD TIMES

ted and there was very little game with which to re-
plenish. All the skill of their hunters could not keep
them sujoplied with meat, and more than once they were
forced to subsist on horse flesh, heaver and dog, with
bread made 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, and proved an excellent substitute, now
that their scant supply of flour Avas exhausted. Tli
natives are represented as miserable in the extreme, al-
most starving, and nearly naked; depending chiefly for
subsistence upon fish, which they speared with long
poles pointed with sharp and barbed bones for the pur-
pose.

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

This brings us up to September 1st. 1805; for the
past few clays 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 tiie foremost travellers of any age. —
Though all this narrative of trial, deprivation and hard-
ship, we look in vain in Mr. Gass's journal for a single
instance of repining; no regrets sully its pages and no
complaints either by him, or by any of his companions.
About this time the commanding officers of the party
seem to have had a high appreciation of the merits of
Mr. Gass, mention being frequently made, in a mod-

OF PATRICK GASS. 85

est wa}', of liis participation in important services.
Tiiere 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 unflagging energy and undeviating fidelity the com -
mands of their officers; who, themselves, seem to have
been well worthy of the men over whom they were
placed. But wlwtless could be expected. The Ameri-
can is 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 ofaeer 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 attain. It is this
characteristic that makes them invincible as soldiers
and renders them notorious for indomitable will, steady
perseverente and great achievements in whatever enter-
prises they engage, either of peace or war. For the next
few days they passed through the same difSculties,
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 wa,ters of the East and the
West to the right and to the left with its adamantine
vertebrae. Gradually, however, their course became
somewhat smoother, traversing occasional small vallies,
like oases, of rich black soil, abounding with herbs, ber-
ries and edible roots, and inhabited by the Flathead In-
dians, who Mr. Gass, denominates the whitest In-

'84 LIFE AXD TIMES

dians he ever saw, and wlio are much better provided
with worldly gear than their neighbors, the Snakes, from
whose countr}^ thej are about emerging. "The Indian
dogs are so hungry and ravenous," says he, "they ate
five pair of onr mockasons last night. We remained
here all day, and recruited oiir horses to forty and three
colts; and made four or five of this nation of Indians
chiefs. They are a very friendly people; have plenty of
robes and sldns for covering, and a l^rge stock of horses,
some of which are very good; but they have nothing to
eat, but berries, roots and such articles of food. This
band is on i^s way over to the Missouri or Yellow-stone
river to hunt buffalo. Next morning we exchanged
some of our horses, that were fatigued, wiih the natives.
Four hunters who had been out, killed nothing; we there-
lore supped upon a small C[uanti!y of corn we had yet
left. Next day one of the hunters killed two deer;
Avhich was a subject of much joy and congratulation.
Here we remained to dine, and some rain fell. On the
south of this place there are very high moiflitains cov-
ered v/ith snow and timber, and to the north prairie hills.
After staying here two hours, we proceeded on down
the creek; found th,e country much the same as that we
had passed through in the forenoon; and having trav-
elled about twenty miles since the morning, encamped
for the night — having killed two cranes on our way."

On the 9th. they pass the mouth of the river of the
Fhitheads, here 100 yards wide, which they name
Clarke's river, and by the 13th. ihey came to a beauti-
ful w^arm spring, with numerous paths diverging from
it, and the waters of which were hot above blood heat.
Four of the best hunters of the party, well mounted were
out all day as a special party, but neitlier they nor the

OF TATRICK GASS. 85'

Lalance of the party had much success as the common
larder showed but three pitii'ul pheasants, with which
to feed thirty hungry men. In this strait, they resorted
to some portable soup, which was brought along to bo
used in ease of necessity, and to give it bod}^ killed and
roasted a colt, which our hero says, made it "good eat-
ing." For some days after this, the prevailing diet was
portable soup, parched corn and roasted colt, with no
particular complaint except as to quantity, A horse
fell over a precipice of a linn Ired feat, without being
much hurt as Mr. Gass observes, owing to the fact of there
heing no bottom; the steep side of the gorge terminating
in a stream of water into which tl'.e animal was softly
but rather precipitately landed. The soup diet is begin-
ing to show itself in the aspect of the men, who are be-
coming lean and emaciated; Vv'hile the horses are becom-
ing weak and jaded f; om starvation and overwork.
Even "water had become scarce in these horrible moun-
tain deserts, and it was with as mu'di joy and rejoic-
ing among the coips as happens among, passengers at
sea, who have experienced a dangerous and protracted
voyage, when they first discover land on the long look-
ed for coast," that they beheld, at last, a level plain in
the distance.

Even hors3 flesh became scarce, and so dry from want
of nutrition, that it was little better than sole leather,
the carcass of a wolf was a rare delicacy and the inci-
dent of one of their hunters procuring a supply of ber-
ries, roots and fish from the Flatheads is mentioned as
a matter to be thank lul for.

As they emerged irom the mountains, their route be-
came gradually more comfortable. In a small valle}-,
they found a village of Flathead Indians, who suppli-

;86 LIFE AXD TIMES

«d them with provisions, consisting of fish, roots and
bread, manufactured by them in a way peculiar to them-
selves, from a sweet root, growing in great abundance
on the plains, and bearing in June 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-
ishing but quite palatable, tasting like tbat made of pump-
kins. The Indians treated them kindly, and furnished
them with a good supply of edibles i:i exchange for small
articles of merchandise, which they had brought along.
From this point they travelled by moderate stages, bav-
ins: manv of them fallen sick from bad and insufficient di-
-et, and it may refresh tlie memories of our readers to
be informed that Captain Clarke in ibis emergency
with true Sangrado policy "gave all the sick a dose of
Dr. Rush's pills to see what effect that would have."
The experiment appears to have been successful, Dr.
Rush's pills did their duty, and the men began rapidly
to improve in bodily health and spirits. Game con-
tinued scarce on tbe Columbia, the Indians of this coun-
try having to cross over on to the Missouri to j)rocnre
their supplies of meat which they annually did in large
parties in pursuit of the Buffalo. Another kind of na-
tive sheep is spcdvcn of as living in these vallies, dis-
tinct from the mountain Ram of the preceding pages
in beins: smaller an d covered with wool four inches
long, fine, white and soft; instead of the hairy covering
peculiar to the latter animal. The want of an inter-
preter to enable tlicra to communicate with the Flat-
heads proved a serious inconvenience, 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 had had communication with white

OP PATPvICK GASS. 87

wen at the moutli of the river, upon wliicli they were
then travelling.

It is amusing to notice ihe indifference with which,
oar author, by this time has learnoil to speak of dining
on horse flesh. The hunters, came across a horse, shot
him and after dressing, hung bim up as if he had been
a Bufl\ilo or a bullock, and tise party partook of his flesh,
with even more gusto perhaps, than do the Parisian
gourmands — to a cert^iinty, tl-ese latter, have not such
an excuse for an appeate. Game was utterly out of the
qnestion. The watpr was also warm and soft and sick-
ened them. The very timber on the mountains was
dead and fallen and starvation seemed to be the genius
of the place. The only redeeming feature mentioned,
is a kind of rock, suitable for millstones. They here,
supped upon the last of their horse, and by way of de-
sert, finished on a wolf they had killed; and which, Mr.
Gass, calls very strong and substantial diet. After this,
they came into a section where berries and Indian bread
abounded, but tl^e chauLie of diet made the men sick
and they were forced to lie up and recruit.

By the 1st. October, the men had all sufficiently re-
covered to be able to work, and the navigation had so
much improved, that it was deemed advisable to pre-
pare canoes, and continue the journey by water. The
labor of hewing out canoe, was thought too arduous
considering the weakened condition of the men and ac-
cordingly they were i.oliowed out by burning in the In-
dian fashion, whi< h process consumed some days; and
on the 8th. they were again prepared to continue their
voyage. Along the river tHIy discovered numerous
lodges of Indians, who were uniformly peaceably dispos-
ed, and two chiefs who volunteered to accompany them,

88 LIFE AXD TIMES

gave tliem the cheering assurance that eie long they:
should meet whita people, and as evidence, of the lact
thej displayed beads and other trinkets ofwldte manu-
facture.

At the mouth ef the Koos-coos-kle, a large river com-
ing in from the east, their SuMke guide deserted them,
frightened by the difiSculty of the navigation. The prin-
cipal portion of the men of this band of Flatheads hav-
ing been on a war part}', returned about tins time, and
came to the camp of the whites, but owing to the ab-
sence of an interpreter they were unable to give any in-
formation. They were, however, very peaceabl}'' dis-
posed, and having received various presents, remained
loitering about tlie camp. Provisions of a suitable kind
continued very scarce and more horses were slaughtered,
though the natives supplied them with an abundance of
their kind of provision. What horses were left, were
got together and branded in ihe forlorn hope that they
would be forthcoming on their return; and leaving them
in charge of an old chief of the Flatheads, they embark-
ed their canoes on the bosom of the Columbia.

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

"This singular and defoiming operation is performed
in infancy in the following maniier: A piece of board is
placed against the back of tlie head, extending from the
shoulders 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, made
of skins, so as to press back the forehead, make the head
rise at the top, and forcejt out above the ears."

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

OF PATRICK GAS 8. 89*

wood with which (o cook, but of average fertility; the
hills rocky, but not very high, and the stream rapid and
clear, the bottom covered with stones of an uniform round
shape. The prevailing food was now fish and dog-meat ;
owing to scarcity of salt, the former was insipid, as well
as unwholesome, and the men much preferred the lat-
ter, which, says our author, *'when well cooked, tastes
very well.." Large numbers of dogs, as well as horses,
are kept by the Indians, and these animals are slaudit-
ered and eaten with as much nonchalance as our butch-
ers would kill a bullock or a sheep, and our voya^-ers
came gradually to prefer dog- meat, to almost any oth-
er kind of provisions the country afforded.

As they passed down the river, the navigation rapid-
ly improved, and were 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.
Says Mr. Gass: "This river in general is very hand-
some, except at the rapids, 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-
vantages of navigation, may add to its beauty, by in
terspersing variety and scenes of romantic granduer,.
where there is so much uniformity in the appearance of
the country."

At the mouth of the North West fork of the Colum-
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, is 860
yards, while the lesser fork, called now Lewis' River, is
in width, 475 yards. After the confluence, the Colum-
bia becomes a majestic stream, its course interrupted by
frequent rapids, but navigable otherwise for larg-e ves-

90 LIFE AND TIMES

sels. Its waters swarm with salmon and other fish,
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
came to our camp, and our commanding officers presen-
ted one of them with a medal and other small articles.
We 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
are 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 other pi^op-
erty are all interred; even his canoe 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
stopped and got some fish and other provisions. We
here sav/ 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 themselves. At 1 o'clock, we pro-
ceeded on again, went forty -two miles, and encamped
without any of the natives being along, which is unusual

OF PATRICK GASe. 91

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, and 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 sldns of grey squirrels, some raccoon
skins, 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 difficulty.
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-neim,
is the same river, whose head waters we saw at the Snake
nation. The natives are very numerous on tha islands,
and all along the river. Their lodges are of bulrushes
and flags, made into a kind of mats, and formed into a
hul or lodge."

On Wednesday, the 23d October, 1805, they reach-
ed the rapids or great falls of the Columbia, the first
pitch of which is 20 feet perpendicular, being thirty-
«even 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
safely passed over with boats. At ordinary times, the
channel is only seventy feet wide for some three miles;
and the immense mass of water being thus confined,
jushes with almost lightning velocity. About the greai

92 LIFE AND TIME*

pitch, the ajDpearance of the place is said to be terrific.
Tremendous rocks threaten to topple over with the
trembling of the earth, and the mighty volume of wa-
ter pouring over into so contracted a channel lashes it-
self into foam and fury. The waters seem in torment,
and the beholder invariably feels creeping upon him a
sensation of awe and even of fear, of so indefinable a
nature, that he involuntarily shrinks from the contem-
plation. 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, the current of the river became more uniform
and they were enabled to make better headway, holding
occasional conferences with the natives, from whom
they learned that a conspiracy was being formed among
the Indians farther down, to waylay and exterminate
them; and 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 ivas improving, as they descended
from the inhospitable mountain country into the fertile
bottom lands 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 fell
with the tide, and the information conveyed by signs by

OF PATRICK GASS. 93

the Indians, that in two more days they would see ships
with white men in them. As evidence of their veraci-
ty, they displayed quantities of new cloth, and of trin-
kets they had obtained from the ships, and the despair-
ing mariners of Christopher Columbus, never viewed
with more solicitous curiosity or more heartfelt satis-
faction the floating evidences cf the land they were seek-
ing beyond the western waters, than did our adventu-
rers these signs and symbols of a civilization to which
they had been 'for so many weary months such total
strangers. At length, on the 16th. November, 1805,
they saw for the first time the waters of the Pacific. For
some days there had been almost a constant storm, and
the bay at the mouth of the river was turbulent and
rough; so that their first impressions ^of the great wes-
tern ocean was anything but favorable as to its pacific
character. All the reflections, our journalist, who is
as sententious as Tacitus, on such subjects, has to make
on an event, which might well be considered an epoch
in an ordinary lifetime, and with a more ambitious 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 was, to discover a
passage by the way of the Missouri and Columbia rivers
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
sentiment about any of the party, all such unsubstan-
tial ideas having been starved out by hard, practical

94 LIFE AND TIlfES

experience; as the next intimation we liave of tlieir
proceedings, is, that five of tliem went out to hunt and
returned with so many deer, ducks and geese; 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 by signs.
The broad Pacific rolled before them in its turbulent
majesty: at their backs, frowned the mountains whose
fastnesses they had dared and whose 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 be wrested by the grace of God
from its natural owners, and transfered by a flourish of
paper, burning of gunpowder and sacriligious calling
upon Deity, to his catholic or his protestant 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 all the 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 Eed sea and over the desert wil-

OF PATRICK GASS. 95

(Jerness 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 scaJJK. 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 grizzly, 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
the hand 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 peopled with an enterprising, intelligent popula-
tion and added to the great confederacy, whose domain,
was thus made continental. California, 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 — numliers, 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 b}^ day, in this
modern Exodus, was gold, — gold in the dreams and
gold in the daylight 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

96 LIFE AND TIMES

world was all at peace, and unexampled prosperity Hov-
ered over all the nations of tlie earth. Commercial en-
terprise was in its amplest development, and the spirit
of speculation wH rife in every land. People were just
ready for such a discoveiy of gold. The disclosure
broke upon them like the news of a panic, all listened,
all believed — few reflected — and many ventured. —
Scarcely a nation on the earth, but was soon represen-
ted in California. Natives of the Celestial Empire lan-
ded from their junks; barbarous islanders from the Pa-
cific; x\fricans, Asiatics, Europeans, and Americans,
all concentrated upon her shores in the rush after the
golden prize. The sequel has demonstrated, it is true,
that all is not gold that glitters, but has proven in the
far searching providence of God a world-wide blessing.

Of all this grand development, our party had no idea,,
and probably had a prophet risen from his grave to re-
veal the future, they would have treated him with in-
credulous scorn. Siich is short sighted man, with all
his knowledge, all his sagacity, all his courage and his
pride.

The whites referred to by the Indians bad departed
shortly before they arrived, leaving them and the In-
dians sole monarchs of the domain. Capt. Lewis dis-
covered where they had encamped, but our author gives
us no information as to the nation or character of the
ships, referred to, though more than probable they were
Yankee whalers, who had put in here for a little dicker
Avith the Indians during the trading season.

Having reached the mouth of ^the 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 for

OF PATRICK GASS. 97

Spending the winter season as comfortably as possible,
before commencing their return in the spring. Novem-
ber was far advanced and the increasing inclemency of
the weather, warned them to be on the alert. During a
month spent at the mouth of the Columbia, reconnoiter-
ing the country, they experienced only three fair days
and it was not until the 5th. of December, 1805, they
were able to pitch upon a spot that suited their purpose;
and they immediately proceeded to move their effects to
the place, a distance . of some fifteen miles up [a small
branch coming into the bay, where they found game in
considerable abundance, and the facilities for making
salt, of which they stood greatly in need. Elk were
seen in large numbers, and quite a number were killed
by the hunters of the party. By Christmas day, their
winter quarters were completed, being made of pun-
cheons and logs comfortably daubed with mud, and the
men left their hunting camp and moved into them. On
Christmas morning all the men paraded, and firing a
round of small arms, wished the commanding officers
a merry Christmas. This appears to have been a kind
of superogatory wish, as our author intimates that the
article with which to malce merry the heart of man had
long since vanished, but the officers in the true spirit
of courtesy accepted the will 'for the deed, and in lieu
of grog, collected what tobacco was left, and divided
it among those who used the weed, by way of Christmas
gift; while those who did not, had to solace themselves
with cotton handkerchiefs. The party were now all in
excellent health; with plenty of meat, and generally
well provided for, except that they had no salt, owing
to the want of which, a great deal of their meat was
spoiled. Although in so northern a latitude and at sd

LIFE AND TIMES

late a season, the weather still continued warm enouglv
to allow ticks, flies, and other insects to exist in annoy-
ing abundance, and it was almost unintermittingly rai-
ny. January and February, wore away, with nothing
remarkable to disturb the monotony of killing elk, ma-
king salt and preserving the meat, unless the incident
of a dead whale 105 feet in length, washed upon the
beach, be considered of sufficient importance to bear
narration. This state of affairs, continued until about
the 1st of March, when it was determined that they
should set out on their return to the states. It ma}^ be
supposed that this determination was viewed with an
unanimous approval and that visions of welcome home
by friends, kindred and sweethearts, and of that hon-
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
mouth, warmed the hearts of our travellers into some-
thing of 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 w411 credit them wdth
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 the pages of our au-
thor. 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 exhibition 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 GASS. 99

their encampment about tlie 1st. of March 1806, and
journeyed by slow and irregular stages up the Colum-
bia river. The journey up this river is meagre of inci-
dent— being merely a repetition of what occurred du-
ring the descent. They subsisted on game, which they
found in abundance; and on the dog meat, with which
the Indians abundantly supj^lied them. Their long de-
privation from the luxuries of civilized life, had had its
effect upon their jDhysical as well as their mental and
social nature, and the food which would revolt the
stomach of the pampered dwellers in our land of ease
and plenty had become to them not only nourishing but
savory. It is curious to observe the effect of circum-
stances 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 the earth, which,
philosophers for t\e lack of a better phrase have de-
nominated varieties; and hence, in the various Indian
tribes of the American continent, amounting to some
hundred, no two are so similar but that they may be easi-
ly distinguished by physical marks, which every Indi-
an could recognise. In fact the trappers and hunters
of the western prairies become themselves a species of
red-men, not farther- 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

100 LIFE AND TIMES

tlieir descendants as mucli Indian as the 'Camanches or
Flat-lieads among whom they exist.

About the Falls of the Columbia, the crossing of
which was effected without any particular incident, Mr.
Gass speaks of observing on the plains a "species of
clover as large as any he had seen in the States, and
bearing a large red blossom." The leaves, he says,
were not quite so large as those of the red clover of the
States, but more abundant, being from six to eight on a
branch, whereas the latter has but three. He speaks in
high terms of the appearance of the country in this vi-
cinity, under the genial influence of the spring's alter-
nate sun and showers. In the distance to the southwest,
was to be seen a range of snow clad mountains, glitter-
ing in the sunlight, a sad reminder of the difficulties
they were yet to encounter, while at their feet was a soft
emerald sward, bedecked v.dth gay flowers, and gather-
ing additional beauty from the contrast. They halted
at this pleasant spot for some little space, and were en-
tertained with a grand dance by the Indians, who flocked
to see them from all quarters. After procuring a sup-
ply of dogs, with comas roots and shap-pa-leel for pro-
visions, on the 1st of May they resumed their line of
march toward the east. Meeting with considerable dif-
ficulty in procuring a proper supply of eatables, they
travelled up the Columbia, passing the junction of the
Koos-coos-kie, on the 6th of May, 1806, and recovering
on their route, several of the horses, which they had left
in the care of the old Indian, on their way over; and
which were punctually returned, and acting as physi-
cians for the Indians, who had as high an estimate of the
white man's skill in medicine, as modern pill venders
Jiave of the efficacy of Indian remedies — and generally

OF PATRICK GASS. 101

•

rendering themselves agreeable to the natives — which
was rewarded by m.mj kind offices on the part of these
latter. Mr. Gass* says that **all the Indians from the
Rocky Mountains to the Falls of the Columbia, are an
lionest, ingenuous and well disposed people; but from
the Falls to the sea coast, and along it, they area rascal-
ly thieving set." Chastity in his opinion, eeems to have
been considered a virtue among none of the tribes. —
As they ascended the slope of the mountains they ex-
perienced considerable difficulty from the snow which
they found several inches deep and still occasionally
falling and provisions very scarce, so that they were
frequently obliged to kill and eat their beasts of burden
as well as dog-meat and roots. They therefore acting
under the advice of the Indians, concluded to delay a
short while, during which time the snow might become
sufficiently melted to allow of crossing the Mountains.
The time here was improved by the hunters in procuring
meat; and by the officers in the practice of the healing-
art among the Indians, numbers of whom were brought
by their friends for the benefit of their services. On the
15th. they left this place, called the "Commas-flat," the
first place where they had found any of the natives, the
tail 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 surround-
ed with excellent pine timber of various kinds. They
had now sixty-six horses all in good order and were a-
gain tolerably well stocked with provisions. They found
the snow in the mountains varying from five to fifteen
feet deep, entirely obliterating any track and rendering
it dangerous as well as impracticable to proceed with-
out a guide. In this emergency, they were forced to

102 LIFE AND TIMES

turn back, disappointed and melancholy. Notwith-
standing the snow in such troublesome proximity, the
■mosquitos and gnats were extremely annoying, compel-
ling them to build small tires to protect the horses from
their attacks-.

At length, on the 1st. July, 1806, they had passed
the more difficult portion of their route, crossing the
mountains, and halted to rest at the mouth of Clarke's
river. Tlie party, was liere separated; a part going up
this river, with Captain Clarke; our hero under the
command of Captain Lewis, with several others hav-
ing to go straight across to the Falls of the Missouri,
where they had left some canoes. On the 3rd. July,
they started — Captain Clarke up the river and Lewis
and his party, with the accompanying natives, down. —
They here dismissed their guides with many presents,
and Mr. Gass, again highly compliments these Indians,
as "hospitable, obliging, and good hearted sons of the
West."

After wandering aroand through the broken country
lying between the waters of the Columbia and the Miss-
ouri, our explorers on tlic 7th. came upon the dividing
ridge which finally separated them; and starting from a
'mountain spring, they followed its course, day after day,
until on the 11th. they struck the main river near the
scene of th'^ir encampment the winter before. A few
days were spent at this point in looking up their bag-
<'-a.^Q and boats concealed previous to crossing toward
the west; and Buffalo and ocher game being very abun-
dant It was considered ad vi; able for the larger portion
of the party to remain and lay in a stock of provisions;
■aod make such arrangements as m ght be advisable
.previous to attempting the descent of the Missouri;

OF PATRICK GASS. 103

■W'hile Captain Lewis, with three hunters would ascend
and explore the section of country, lying on Maria's river.

His instructions were to await his return at the mouth
of Maria's river, until the 1st of September, at which
time should he not arrive, they were to proceed on to
join Capt. Clarke at the mouth of Yellow Stone, and
continue thence homeward; but he informed them, that
if ''life and health be spared, he would meet them at
the mouth of Maria's River on the 5th of August." —
The Captain departed on his uncertain mission, and
our hero and the larger portion of the party remained
in camp, occupied in hunting and repairs. The bears
were bad and one occasion, Capt. Lewis came into such
close quarters with one, that he broke his gun over bru-
in's head, and while the animal was recovering from
the shock, found opportunity to climb a tree, where the
animal besieged him for three miortal hours. However,
bruin's patience at length gave way, and the Captain,
dulv thankful for his safe deliverance, descended and
caught his horse, which by the way had taken fright
and thrown him almost into the teeth of the bear, about
t^vo miles off, and made the best of his way to camp.

Sunday the 27th, found the party duly provided with
provisions and conveyances at the mouth of Maria's
river, and quite unexpectedly they met Capt. Lewis,
wit h his three hunters, who had had a skirmish with a
party of Grosventre, or big-belly Indians. They had
encountered the party, who appeared very friendly, ex-
changed presents and passed the night with them peace-
a bly enough; but the next morning, they suddenly
sna tched up the guns of three of the whites, and made
off with them, the whites followed, and one of the In-
dians was killed by a stab v/ith a knife, and another

104 LIFE AND TIMES

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

On the 29th of July, 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, arriving 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
followed, 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 laow drawing to a close, after having endured
hardships and uncertainties of an expedition unexam-
pled for the length of time occupied, the territory trav-
ersed and the 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 difficulties need
be anticipated, and a very few days would again enable
them to Bee the welcome faces of white men and resume

OF PATRICK GA88. 105

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

Among all their privations, none seem to have af-
fected them worse than that of tobacco, and according-
ly the opportunity to exchange a boat load of corn with
a St. Louis trader for a supply of the comforting weed,
was a source of exceeding joy,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 u
charm about it, which to properly appreciate, one must
submit to a long deprivation. Alike to the sailor, the
Boldier, 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 they had tasted since
the 4th of July 1805, just previous to undertaking the
eastern ascent of the Rocky Mountains.

From this time until the 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-
ning their whereabouts, be considered noteworty. Their

106 LIFE AND TIMES

long absence had somevvliat disquieted their friends at-
home; and the government were about taking measures
to enquire as to their welfare, when very opportunely,
thev met the messengers, and in the most satisfactory
manner relieved them of all disquietude. On arriving
at St. Louis, then, the rendezvous of the Indians and of
the bronzed and bearded trappers of the northwest, for
the purpose of trade and procuring supplies, they were
of course the lions of the 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
the country they had traversed, the superstitions and
exagerations they dispelled in regard to the customs
and numbers of the Indian tribes, the specimens they
brought home with them of the animal and vegetable
products of the country, gave them an importance, loa-
ving out of the question their official character, that se-
cured them the highest respect. The commanding of-
ficers had kept Journals of the 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 a record of events, so that in case of accident the
chances of an authentic account of the expedition, might
be increased. Acting upon this direction, Mr. Gass,
kept a diary of events, which was afterwards arranged
for the press by a Mr. David McKeehan, and publish-
ed at Pittsburgh in 1807. From this work, which as
the publisher informs us, was but very slightly alt-ered.

OP PATRICK GASS. 107

-either in verbiage or arrangement from fhe original, we
have drawn largely in the preceding pages, culling the
leading facts, condensing the material portions, and ad-
ding incidents and reflections on subsequent occurren-
ces, to suit the taste of the modern and desultory ren-
der of such travels. The original, gives evidence of
close observation and of muchshrewdiiess of reasoning.
It is, we believe, strictly and conscientiously accurate,
for contrary to the received aphorism in regard to trav-
ellers tales, we have never perused a work so devoid of
the imaginative or where was manifested so little de-
sire to garnish plain prose with poetic tinsel. All is
plain unpretending matter of fact, just such notings as
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 is 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 usually
attached to those men who 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 spite
of all their efforts; but with others, there is a real un-
affected naturalness of demeanor, that we instinctively
recognise and appreciate. Ccesar, in his commenta-
ries is a sample of the former; while Washington, in
his whole career is a specimen of the latter. Csesar,
by an affected translation of personalty, transfered
himself into the third person, and told most marvel-

108 LIFE AND TIME 3-

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
himself 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 between our hero, and those illustrious characters;
hut his character in its indomitable* will, great self reli-
aLce, calm courage and unaffected modesty, was more of
the American than of the Roman mould. All these
characteristics are strikingly apparent in his career, as
set 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
the number of the whites, the great reseurces of the na-

Ri,; V^Vn-T^—CAM C.)^TlMF.— [Pago lOS.]

OF PATRICK GA88, 10$

tioTi for peace or war, and looked with admiring won-
der upon the long rows of stately houses, the heaps of
glittering goods, the public edifices, 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 forewarnings of the
red man's fate. They looked on with a sullen and
«toic indifference, hut 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. Oass, with a couple of companions, pro-
ceeded to join them at Louisville, Kentucky- Among
the Kentuckians, they were received with 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 honor, 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
4ind gorgeous plumage and painting. The curiosity of
the whites was excited to the highest pitch, not only to
«ee 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 & Clark united the Atlantic
and the Pacific, as Cyrus W. Field, did* continent*, in
the bonds of science; and the latter achievement was
21 ot accompanied with more laudations than the former.
Thej at last reached the Federal City, and after paying

110 LIFE AND TIMES

their respects to President Jefferson, making tlieir re-
port to the proper officials, delivering over their speci-
mens 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 country, and
set ahout enjoying it at his leisure; and during the next
few months of his career, we have no information of
his proceedings except that he returned to his friends
in the vicinity of Wellsburg, and spent a few months
in comparative inactivity.

Of the subsequent history of his commanders. Cap-
tains Lewis and Clarke, we have but a meagre detail,
and still less of that of his companions in the ranks. —
The officers 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, as some acknowledgement of his merit, and
compensation for his services. In this capacity he ac-
ted for some time, but unfartuuately a misunderstand-
ing arose between him and the government in regard to
the settlemeJnt of his public accounts. He 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 the
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 nation^ near

OF PATRICK GAS 8. Ill

tlie Tennessee line, and between twenty-five and thirty
miles of Nashville, his man left him to s:o 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 purpose, he killed himself by cut-
ting his throat with a knife. i!^o one saw him com-
mit the act, but some of the family afterwards reported
that they had observed indications that his mind was
affected 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-
ders 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 He
alone must be the dispenser of his deserts in the land of
the dread unknown, into which, all unannounced, his
own rash hand ushered his living soul. It is enough
for the historian to say that he died wdth the cloud up-
on his memory; and while he records his fate with a
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 erec-
ted to his memory at the State's expense.

112 LIFE AND TIMES

His associate Clarke, received the title of Greneral,
and in 1813, just at the commencement of the war, re-
ceived an appointment as Governor of Missouri terri-
tory and Superintendent of Indian affairs, an office of
great responsibility and importance in view of the im-
pending war, and of the evinced determination of the
British Government to array against us the horrors of
Indian warfare. His selection for such a post is an in-
dubitable proof of his standing. He continued to hold
these offices 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 office 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 the grave by an
immense concourse of citizens, strangers and Indians
from the plains and mountains, and is said to have been
the largest funeral ever witnessed in St. Louis.
. The results of Lewis anxl 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 some 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 circumstances, or of his in-
domitable will, the object of the writer will have been in

OF PATRICK GA8S. 113

that much attained. We are now drawing to the close
of the most important era in his life, and after a few-
desultory remarks upon the modern aspect and history
oi the scene of his travels, we shall proceed to narrate
his subsequent career.

The route traversed by^them, has never been 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 the
Mountains have since been discovered; but their success,
demonstrated the practicability of a passage and served
to stimulate subsequent explorers. The Rocky Moun-
tains since their time have lost much of their terror. —
The route travelled by the emigrants to California and
Oregon, by way of the Platte and Kansas rivers, Salt
Lake city, Bridger's Fort and the South Pass on to the
waters of the Sacramento and Ae Columbia, is of very
gentle ascent; and presents no greater difficulty than do
pome of the routes over the Allegheny Mountains, that
are now traversed by roads and railways. The South
Pass, so much used by these emigrants is not far from
the crossing place of Lewis and Clarke, they having
just missed it by keeping too far to the north. Near it,
is Fremonts Peak, 1300 feet in height. The Pass ac-
tually discovered by them is barely practicable and never
used. It was not until the discovery of gold in Cali-
fornia that attention was directed, in earnest, toward
this portion of the world; but in a very short time after
that event, the whole region was thoroughly explored. —
The voyage by sea was both costly and dangerous and
it became necessary to find some available route by land.
Private enterpiise and thirst for sudden wealth soon ef-
fected it; the wave of emigration sweeping up to the

114

LIFE AND TIMES

base of the Rackj Mountains soon found its level and
following 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 discover-
ry in these regions on the developement of the magnifi-
cent 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 1841, first definitely broach-
ed it before congiess. 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 lands
on either side of the road. The plausibility of such a
scheme may be seen at a glance, but it was a gigantic
imdertaking; and its possibility even, had not yet been
reliably demonstrated. Hon. Thos. H. 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 w^ere made on the subject
of the feasibility of the Pacific Railroad — it forced itself
inio the messages of the Presidents — and into the are-
na of politics, and apparently the dream of its projector
was about to be realized. Foreign capitalists embraced
the scheme, and promised their assistance to effect its
oonsumation. The brilliant services and favorable re-

OF PATRICK GASS. 115

ports of Fremont, who was engaged during 1845 to
1850 in a semi official capacity in exploring the country,
contributed to heighten the feeling in favor of the road,
and demonstrate its practicability. A damper, howev-
er, was put npon his representations in the winter of
1848-9. Allured by the tempting openings as descried
from a distance in the Sierra Nevadas, he was with his
party caught in a snow storm in the mountains, and
harely escaped with his own life, leaving some of liis
comrades and all his animals and effects victims to the
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
sagacity 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 th-ir homes in Illinois and Missouri
about this time, were founding their State of Deseret;
with Salt Lake City for a capital and a bee-hive for
their coat of arms. In all quarters of the States and in
the old world, they listened to the voice of their proph-
et, and pouring into their new found city of rest, hoped
to build up there, a peculiar nation sacred from gentile
intrusion. The Mormon settlement at Salt Lake City
tilled up rapidly with the deluded followers of Brio-ham
Young — Governor, by the grace of Millard Filraore;
and head of the church of Mormon by direct succession.
Difdculties after a while arose, however, between the
Mormons and the Gentiles, the country was too narrow
for both to live in. Mutual bigotry, begot mutual ha-
tred; and the State of Dasaret threatened to set up an in-

T.16 LIFE AND TIMES

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 chastise them if need be, into subjection — Persifor
F. Smith, commanding the Western department. In the
summer of 1857, the army took up its line of march; but
as they approached the confines of Morraondom, they
were met with the white flag of peace, and though the
difficulty 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 a neucleus, or rather as a point of departure
for those intere^ited in the Railroad enterprise, and was
hailed as a fortunate event, being about equi-distaut
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
promised to be the rock upon which the entire enter-
prise would split, unless managed with great prudence
and circumspection. It was determined to have all
such questions definitely 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 corps was called upon, and difterent surveying com-
panies organized under command of Captain Pope, Cap-
tain Gunnison, Lieut. Whipple, Lieut. Landor, and
others to the number of some half dozen, and put upon
the duty of a thorough and comjjlete exploration. Belts
of country, 200 miles in width, extending across the
continent were assigned to each party, and all entered

OF PATRICK GASS- 117'

tjpon dii<y nearly at the same time. The result of their
labors was a most complete and thorough report
not only as to the topography; aut the geology and
botany of the country, together with minute descriptions
of the animals and insects; and a complete classification
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. Their
explorations demonstrated the 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 he most eligible route, started
from Fort Leavenworth in Kansas territory, in May
1853, tollowed the Missouri to the mouth of the Kan-
sas and ascended it for a considerable distance along the
usually travelled route of the Santa Fe traders, when it
struck offin a South-west direction, their destination be-
ing the Huerfano rive , in latitude about 38 deg. They
passed through a country, hitherto almost unknown to
the whites; inhabited by numerous Indians, prominent
among whom were tha Pah Utahs. On the Sevier ri-
ver, about 150 miles irom Salt Lake city, their eamp
was, on the 25th. Ootober, 1853, surprised about day-
break by a band of ti.ese 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, within-
citing the massacre and through the exertions of Gov-
ernor Brigham Young, the papers, instruments and
some of the horses were recoveredfrom the Indians, and,
a head chief of the Pah Utahs, explained by saying
that the murder was committed by some of the boys of'

118 LIFE AND TIMES

the tribe in revenge for some of their fiiends, whom they
supposed had been killed by this party. He also, depre-
cated the vengeance of the whites, and promised to de-
liver lip the murderers. The route by the Huerfano,
had 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 E. G. Beck with,
having taken command of the expedition and reinforced
the same; in a short time afterwards, near the Sierra San
Juan they discovered a pass some 200O feet lower,
which was pronounced easily practicable. The waters
of the Rio Grande del Norte, on the cast, 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-
cumstances, 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 experience any very extremely cold

OF PATRICK GASS. 119

weather in this portion of their wanderings; though
they experienced much inconvenience from the snow,
and from utter ignorance of the country, Lewis
and Clarke were forced to depend upon their own sa-
gacity and to find their way almost unassisted through
the trackless wilderness. As a matter of curiosity and
reference we here insert from the Journal of Mr. Gass,
^'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, - - 76

To the foot of the great range of Mountains east side, 12
To " ^ '' " west side, 130

To the Flathead village in a plain, - _ . 3
To the Koos-koos-ke river, - - - - 18

To the Canoe camp, at the forks, - - . Q

To the Ki-moo-ee-nem, - - - - - 60
To the Great Columbia, by Lewis' river, - - 140
To the mouth of the Sho-sho-ne, or Snake river, 162
To the Great Falls of Columbia, - . . Q

To the Short Narrows, - - . . _ 3

To the Long Narrows, ----- 3
To the mouth of Catarack river, north side, - 23

To the Grand Shoot, or Rapids, - - - 42

To the Last Rapids, or Strawberry Island, - 6

To the mouth of Quicksand river, south side, - 26
To Shallow Bay at salt water, - - - . 136
To Blustry Point on North side, - - - 13
To Point Open-slope, below encampment, - - 3

120 LIFE AND TIMES

To Chin-Ook river at bottom of Haley's Bay, - 12

To Cape Disappointment on Western ocean, - 13

To Capt. Clarke's tour N. W. along coast, - 10

Total number of miles, - - - 4133
These distances are 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
be 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. The 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 either the manners or the morals of
the natives. On the contrary, they have not only be-
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 the U. S. Government, 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,
the effort has been attended with some success, Lieut.
Whipple divides the Western 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 Seminoles,. - - 24,000

OF PATRICK GASS. 121

Quapaws, - - - - 200

Shawnees, - . . _ gQQ

Delawares, - _ _ . 250

making an aggregate of 62,000 persons, peaceful in their
difiposition and depending upon agriculture alone. They
are characterized 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 tribes; and therefore com-
plain that the Government overlooks their interests; as
it bestows upon tliem neither annuities as to Choctaws,
nor 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 tribute, for fear of their depredations, and naturally
murmur that they, who have always been friendly ta
the whites, should receive no assistance from them.

* 'Among those characterized as rude,, may be enum-
erated the following, living in the Creek and Choctaw
territories:

Toprofkies, ... - 200

Kichais, - - - - 500

KickapooS; . - - - 400

Caddoes, • - - - - 100

Huecos, _ - _ . 400

Witchitas, - - - - 500

These remnants of tribes have much intercourse with,

and are supposed to be considerably influenced by tke-

semi-civilized class above alluded to. They cultivate

th« soil to some extent, but still retain many of their

122 LIFE AITB TIMES

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 j)lains, and the scourge of emigrants. According
to the best information, their names and numbers are
as follows:

Camanches, - - - 20,000

Kaiowas, . - - - 3,500

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 spirit 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 timiel
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 GASS, 123

liotli are said to be branches of the Snake tribe, as is
judged from their language and customs. The Lipans
belong to the same general family, and are very numer-
ous. Hunting and war are the favorite pursuits of these
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 will 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 more
untamable even 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 these tribes acknowledge some sort of author-
ity in the Spanish governors of New Mexico. The Na-
vajos, the most northern of the Apache tribes, are
more given to settled habits than any of their congen-
ers, and possess considerable flocks and herds. They
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 and destruction in their paths. They
are all expert horsemen, and though cruel, unscrupu-
lous and bloodthirsty, are yet, not remarkably courage-

124 LIFE AND TIMES

ous, notwithstanding their vain-gloiy and terrible rep-
utation. Tliey can be controlled by apj)ealing to their
fears and obtaining, their respect bv the certain convic-
tion that dej)redations can and wHl be avenged. Since
the establishment of American military posts in New
Mexico, they have become much more tractable. In
battle they are no match for the Texas rangers; a squad
of whom, will put ten times their number of such In-
dians to flight. They generally, in such cases, depend
much more upon stratagem than on valor. They are,
moreover, considered faithless to their treaty obliga-
tions, when compelled to treat; and on the whole, are
troublesome and very disagreeable neighbors.

Besides these more prominent Indian tribes, inhabit-
ing the vallies of the Rio Grande, the Colorado and the
Gila; there are numerous 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
andColonado, and others, — who wrote about the coun-
try of the Rio Grande as early as 1540, were very great
romanxjers; or else, there have been 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 well observed as in civilized

OF PATRICK GASS. 125

•countries; and as being very numerous — in one prov-
ince, alone, the population being 40,000 souls. There
are many indications existing, of a state of civilization
much more advanced than the present, having once pre-
vailed throughout the region in question; but none to
warrant any such representations as are made by these
travellers. The country has evidently been once much
more thickly settled, as appears from the numerous ru-
ins, from these accounts, and from the traditions of the
Indians themselves. It presents the rather singular ap-
pearance of a people in a state of active deterioration,
from causes inherent among themselves; and at the same
rate of diminution as has apparently prevailed among
them since their first discovery, the present tribes will
wear themselves out in a very few generations. The
city of Zuni, is a type of these ancient cities of Cibola,
several of which still actually exist, in ruins.

The Zuni district is situated between 32 and 35 deg.
of north latitude and of longitude 108 and 113; and the
city of the same name, is built up with long ranges of
stone walls with an occasional opening near the top, for
look out purposes. Entrance and egress is by means
of ladders. It is still sparsely inhabited.

West from the Navajos, and in a fork between the
little and the big Colorado, lies the country of the Mo-
quinas, a people famous in Spanish history, as well
for their devotion to liberty 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 population of the Moquinas is given at about 7000
&nd the tribe is spoken of as exceeding most of their

226 LIFE AND TIMES

neighbors in good qualities and energy of cliaracter..

To the north of the country inhabited by these tribes,
is located the country of the Utahs, which is also a ge-
neric name, including several minor branches or tribes,
acknowledging a common authority. Tlie Pai-utes, or
Pah-Utahs, of the vicinity of Great Salt Lake, are the
most prominent among these tribes; and may be con-
.sidered 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 be 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 make 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 qnalities, 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 kindly disjDOsitions.

All these Indians have religious traditions and cus-
toms, more or less distinctly defined. 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
have all the same origin. The grand tenets of their be-

OF PATRICK GAS8. 127

lief are few, and very simple. They are: First — The
existence of one Great Spirit. Second — A belief in fu-
ture rewards, hut not in future punishments. They have
no idea of a hell, except what they have derived from
the whites, believing that the wicked receive their de-
serts in this world, 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 respect. The Creeks worshipped fire, as the rep-
resentative of purity and Deity, the Che rokees, and ma-
ny other tribes had similar notions in regard to this el-
ement. The priestly office was widely recognized among
al] the tribes in the conjurations of the medicine man,
and in some tribes, 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 Indians, 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

128 LIFE AND TIMES

g'lory in loyalty to Montezuma. They endeavor to
keep their Spanish neighbors ignorant of their ceremo-
nies; .hut they say, that Americans are brothers of the
children of Montezuma, and their friends; therefore,
they hide nothing from them. "Beneath," says our
author, "the multiplicity of Gods, these Indians have a
firm faith in the Deity, the unseen Spirit of Good. His
name is above all things sacred, and, like Jehovah of
the Jews, too holy to be spoken." The Apaches from
superstitious reasons, will not kill or eat bears, and
they have been known to refuse pork, even when suf-
fering from hunger and when any less questionable food,
however revolting in other respects, would have been
eagerly eaten.

As a general rule it may be stated that the farther
north, after leaving 30 degrees north latitude, we trav-
el, the more the Indian character deteriorates, until
it dwindles into the Esquimaux of Greenland and
the Polar regions. The Indians of the Upper Miss-
ouri and the Columbia, encountered by Lewis and
Clarke's expedition were generally inferior in body and
mind to those farther to the South, some of whose char-
acteristics we have been giving. In the main features,
it is true, there is a decided similarity, sufficient to in-
dicate a common origin; but there is lacking in the more
northern Indians, the spirit of enterprise, of energy and
sprightliness of intellect, that pertains to their more
southern neighbors; and which in old times culmina-
ted in the semi-civilized communities of ancient Mex-
ico. Whether, as they journeyed South into the more
generous climate and soil of Mexico, the character of
the aborigines was improved by natural causes, until
they became builders of cities, instead of wanderers on

OF PATRICK GASS. 129

the plains; or whether in their southern march the fierce
savages of the north, met at the Colorado and the Rio
Grande, the more gentle Aztecs, and blending with
them formed a less polished, but a more vigorous race,
is ground for a theory. Either, at least looks plausi-
ble. The grand question however, is not whence came
the Indians; but whither go they? Since the time of
our expedition, whiskey, the small pox and the chol-
era, have ravaged the numerous tribes passed by them
on their route, until some of the most numerous bands
have become almost extinct. This is the history of
their friends the Mandans, who are now reported as
numbering only 250' souls; as it is, more or less, of every
tribe with whom the white man comes in contact.

The Rickarees, Snakes, Ponchas, Grosventres and
other tribes that were represented in 1805 as tolerably
numerous and powerful, have dwindled until their
numbers have become actually insignificant; while
even the large and powerful family of the Sioux, at
that day the m.ost formidable Indians almost, known
upon the plains, have fallen off in numbers until now,
they scarcely boast a shadow of their ancient renown.
It may be gratifying to know that these early acquain-
tances of our travellers, have since shown a commen-
dable disposition to embrace civilization and ao-ricul-
ture and forsake their precarious and roving life of hun-
ting and depredating upon their neighbors. The re-
ports of the agents and missionaries show that they more
willingly receive instruction thcin almost any other
tribes of Indians whom it has been attempted to civil-
ize. Schools are established among them and numer-
ously attended by the youths of the tribes; while the
elders in many cases have gone contentedly to work in

130 LIFE AND TIMES

Splitting rails, ploughing their lands, and preparing
themselves to become citizens of the United States. —
There has been of late years an increase of attention bes-
towed upon all these tribes. During 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 the
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, &c.,
amount now to about one million dollars per year. The
total number of Indians living within the limits of the
United States and territories is given at about 350,000;
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 will be 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 afiairs, Sept.
15th. 1856. The entire report is creditable alike to the
heart and hea d 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 fewer
difficulties.

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

OF PATRICK GAS8. 131

of tlie Atlantic States. The men are proud, hauglity,
independent, dignified in their bearing, observers of cer-
emony in their intercourse with the whites and with each
other. They are taught to look upon manual labor as
degrading and beneath the rank of the red man, wheth-
er he be chief, warrior, or brave. All 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 exercise
for his mental faculties, and as a natural conseq^uencC;
he is listless and idle during the greater part of his time.
"On the 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 he 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 indifference to all surrounding objects, which
has so often been observed and commented upon by the
whites, and which to them appears so strange and sin-
gular, that they judge, though erroneously, that the In-
dian is destitute of sensibility, feeling, or emotions. —
Yet the reverse of this is the truth. There is not to be
found among any people a more cheerful, contented and
kindly disposed being than the Indian, when he is treat-
ed with kindness and humanity. His friendships are
strong and 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 whites amount
to adoration, which is only changed to hatred and re-
venge by oppression, cruelties and deep wrongs and in-

132

LIFE AND TIMES

juries inflicted upon the poor Indian, by the white man,
without cause or reason. By his education on the war
path, which leads to honor, fame and distinction, the
Indian is a relentless, terrible enemy; he spares neither
age nor sex, nor condition, but slaughters every one
that comes in his path indiscriminately. He neither
knows nor heeds the laws of modern warfare, as practi-
ced and observed by an enlightened civilization. As a
consequence, the first yell of the war whoop has scarcely
died away in its distant echoes before a war of exter-
mination is begun and waged against the poor Indian,
and the innocent 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 which will burst forth con-
stantly, until the power of the government is exerted to
remove lawless and desperate whites from the Indian
country, and change the habits of the Indian from a ro-
vinsT and hunter life to one of a2:riculture and fixed hab-
itations.

"It may not be considered out of place, I trust, if I
should state my opinions, formed from a careful obser-
vation and some experience as to the possibility of a com-
bination or union ot the wild tribes of the prairies, to
wage war against the United States, which would nec-
essarily be protracted and expensive. It would require
ti mighty genius to combine all the prairie tribes in hos-
tility to the government. Such a genius must possess
powers of oratory and persuasion, and far-seeing policy,
and a popularity greater than that of a King Phillip, a
Pontiac or a Tecumseh. If such a chief were to appear
on the prairie now, he would find it a task of Hercule-

OF PATRICK GAS 3. 133^

an labor toform a party, the professed object of which
should be hostility to the government. It would be an
utter impossibilit)'- to harmonize discordant elements,
smooth over difficulties, to heal old wounds and di£fer-
ences existing among tlie different tribes, or between
bands of the same tribe. Besides, the chiefs are truly
democratic, and are extremely jealous of each other, and
it is not uncommon to hear that a particular chief hasi
been deposed or passed over, because of his too great
popularity, effected by a combination of petty chiefs,,
each of whom aspired to the office of head or principal
chief. Other causes would render it a matter of great
difficulty to unite different tribes, one of which is their
own constant wars and feuds, which are unceasing; be-
tween whom there is never a peace nor even a truce.

**It would require the genius and military talents, the
powers of calculation and combination of a Napoleon,
to form and maintain a union of these tribes for any
length of time.

*'If the reasons above stated are not sufficiently strong
to prove that a combination of the wild tribes to wage
a war against the authority of the government is utier-
ly and absolutely imposible, for want of a master spirit,
to unite, guide, and control them, and the chances of
of such a leader appearing upon the prairies being small,
and even if he should make his advent, adverse circum-
Blances are so many, and apparently insurmountable,
that even momentaiy success could not be calculated
upon, another and still stronger reason may be advance d,
which is sufficient of itself, without any other, to sdttla
this question of combination at once, and put it to rest
forever. It is this: The Indians entertain no hostile
or unfriendly feeliugs toward the government, It haa.

134 LIFE AND TIMES

not oppressed nor wronged them. They do not seek for
any redress of grievances, either real or imaginary, for
the: e are none. The parental care of the government
to watch 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, thcat 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 United
States 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
reiaiions with it. This feeling of affection and gratitude
to their "Great Father" is so strong and deep rooted that
it is not in the power of man to break or change it, ex-
cept momentarily. Hence, if the proper and fit 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 be dismissed, and we need apprehend none
but outbreaks in which but a very small 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 educa-

OF PATRICK GASS.

135

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-
ed 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 the 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 are few and simple; their vir-
tues many; and vices were unknown among them until
contaminated, debased and degraded by the white man.
The old chiefs in council have often called my attention
to their condition, and desired that I would request
their "Great Father" to send them a farmer to teach
the old men and women how to cultivate the earth, and
raise corn tor 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 subjects of thoughts and attention to these
things, and shall not think of going out upon the 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

136 LIFE AND TIMES

are talking to our "Great Fatlier," and asking him to
take pity on his red children. When thns occupied, you
do not think about going upon the war path against
your enemies; you are quiet and happy at home. We
wish to be the same. We desire to be occupied with
those things which are useful and necessary for us —
Now we have but little to amuse or occupy the mind.
We are anxious to do good, and please our Great Fa-
ther, but we often fail for want of judgment and fore-
thought, which would not be the case if were educated
and trained like the white man."

Such is a brief sketch of what 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 jDlan 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 start up on these former rivers within that
time, so we may reasonably expect iahalf a century

OP PATRICK GASS. 137

more, the same development to take place in the latter.
Already settlements have been pushed far up the Miss-
ouri. The Kansas country after being the scene of tur-
moil, confusion, political chicanery, and of actual war-
fare for a short period, has taken the initiatory steps for
admission into the Union; and flourishing cities have
sprung up, as if by incantation, where but a few short
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
some 6000 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 eifected without exertion or with-
out danger. The Slavery excitement, which had been
revived in regard to Kansas, after the repeal of the Mis-
kfouri Compromise, in 1850, by the desire of the Mis-
sourians, to make it a Slave 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 May 30th, 1854. At that time,
there were but very fevr'white residents in the Territo-
ry, though many were waiting for the Indian reserva-
tions to come iiHo 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 Missourians crossed the line and interfered
in the Territorial elections, Emigrant Aid Societies were
organized in both sections, and the era of Sharpe's ri-
fles, gaorilla warfare, border ruffianism, anti-Slavery
fanaticism and m.utual outrage, was deftnitely inaiigu*-

138 LIFE AKD TI5IE9

rated. Matters progia ssed, 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. Persifer F. Smith, who
died in 1858, at Leavenworth, universally lamented,
was at that time Military commander of the Department,
Governor after Governor: — Reeder, 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, 1856, 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, 1858, Col. E. V. Sum-
ner, at the bead 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
Bluff's. 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.

OP PATRICK GA98. 139

threatening to march over to Lecompton, the capital of
the Territory, and destroy it; and on the authority of
<jov. Shannon, Lieut. Col. Johnson was ordered to pro-
ceed to Lecompton, with all the troops at his disposal,
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 afterw^ards
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, and
issuing a conciliatory address, the war began to sub-
side. From that date the reign of viojence sensibly de-
creased, 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 favor of 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,
and before many more months she will emerge a fuU-
fiedged member of the American Union.

The Kansas controversy may now be considered clo-
sed, and the era of peace and good-will again prevail*
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 been inflamed
to so dangerous a degree, and never were the evils of
sectional animosity so fearfully apparent. Nothing but

140 LIFE AND TIMES

the conservative good sense of the American character
and the inherent sense of right of the American people
warded off the imminent danger of a civil war, ^Yith
the untold calamities, that must have followed in its
train.

We have now hrought our hero through a most im-
portant portion of his career, and sketched lightly the
history of the Territory, of whose developcment he and
his party were the harhingers. Their memory still lin-
gers among the natives of the Missouri, and the com-
manding officers have left their names indelibly impres-
sed, not only upon the history hut 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 hears his name, posterity will have
them in perpetual remembrance. Nor have the subalt-
erns been forgotten. In many an Indian lodge in the
distant West, the old chiefs still speak of the white men.
who came among them first, with presents and the right
hand of fellowship; and around the campfires of the trap-
pers, as the Lagends of the Missouri are told, the name
of Sergeant Gass, is yet connected with many a tale of
daring adventure.

Mr. Gasshad 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, hut they were not exactly in a shape
proper for publication, and his limited 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

OF PATRICK GASS.

141

time met with a great demand, 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. McKeehan presented his materials in the
raw state, almost, and undigested, just as they were
noted down by the author, — very frankly stating in his
preface, that * 'neither he or Mr. Gass 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 McKeehan re-
ceived as his compensation, the balance of the edition,
which he disposed of, to some profit. Mr. Gass reali-
zed but very little of the proceeds of his work, which ap-
peared in the spring of 1807, printed by Zadoc Kramer,
Pittsburgh. It has been since re-printed, in violation
of his copy-right, and had some sale, as a matter of cu-
riosity; but at this 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 as
showing Indian character in its true light, before being
modified by intercourse with white men, and the vices
of civilization. What the writings of Mather, Charle-
voix and Smith are to the 'Salvages' of New England,
Canada and Virginia, the Journal of Gass will be to the
future historian, as to the aborigines of the future States
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, that his is free from the tenden-
-cy to the marvellous, that so much distinguishes those
veracious chroniclers.
But the excitement of authorship was too tame for our

142 LIFE ANI> TIMES

adventurous hero, and accordingly, the same spring of
1807, we find him again shaping his course for the fron-
tier, and for the next four years of his life, he was en-
gaged in various duties about the then outpost of Kas-^
kaskia. For some time here, he held the post of assis-
tant commissary, and transacted the duties of the office
with his accustomed fidelitv and zeal.

CHAPTER in.
THE WAR OF 1812.

In 1812, the smouldering embers of tlie Revolution
broke out anew in the second war of Independence. —
The overbearing conduct of the British officials and the
tyrannical assumptions of their Government, had incen-
sed the hate of the people of the United States, to the
point of violence, notwithstanding that the country had
but barely recoVered from the exhaustion consequent
upon the revolution; and was but poorly prepared for
a long and arduous conflict with so powerful an enemy.
At the conclusion of the revolutionary war, the British
Government had acceded to the treaty recognizing the
independence of the colonies, with a very bad grace,
and up to the very time of signing the definitive arti-
cles of peace, Gen. Washington had been suspicious of
treachery, and warned Congress and his countrymen,
to be on their guard against the faithlessness 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,
after she had exhausted all her means in the colonies,
liad tired the patience of her people at home, and after

144 UFE AND TIMES

she had been menaced hy European combinations into
the ungrateful necessity. She never cordially recogni-
sed the new republic as a member in the family of na-
tions; although constrained by considerations of policy
from any open demonstration of hostility against the
rising commonwealths of her own blood and kin. The
unsettled state of affairs in Europe during the latter
part of the last century, and the wars of Napoleon 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
Oorsican had begun to wane and she had a short res-
pite from the machinations of her continental enemies,
she turned her attention beyond the wavers. The Staiey
had excited her resentment by affording aid and com-
fort to the French. She had never forgiven them for
inviting and receiving assistance from France, during
the revolutionary struggle; and when, during the al-
most utter annihilation of commerce between the Euro-
I^ean powers, consequent upon the wars, the Americans
taking advantage of their neutrality, became the com-
mon carriers almost of the world, and did not discrim-
inate against her enemy, the French; but were rather
disposed to show them favor, her resentment was great-
ly increased. xVssuming the sovereignty of the seas,
she established an espionage of commerce. She asser-
ted and exercised the right of search on the high seas,
and condemned, without scruple, as contraband of war,
whatever her ofiiceis saw fit to so declare. The mer-
chant service was harrassed by her exactions, and Amer-
ican officers insulted on their own vessels. She claim-
ed and exercised the privilege of testing the nationality
of the sailo's on board the vessels boarded by her ofii-

OF PATRICK GASS. 145

cers, and on the suspicion tliat tliey were subjects of
Great Britain, slie forciblv impressed into her service,
from the decks of American merchantmen, not only for-
eign, but American born sailors. She affected a sur-
veillance of our coasts, and in efl^ct blockaded with her
men-of-war our poi^s, so as seriously to impede com-
merce. She passed order?, in council and executed them
in defiance of our laws and remonstrances; and was rap-
idly vindicating by her actions her claim to be consid-
ered 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
stage of action. Yet they were slow to act. The coun-
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 ship-owners, man-
ufactures had begun to flourish, and the country was
just starting upon the high road to prosperity. The
industrial interests of the country demanded peace. It
was well understood that the first hostile gun would be
the signal for the swarming navy of Great 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 mosf: di-
rectly affected by the alledged causes of war, their re-
monstrances had great effect towards deferring the dec-
laration of war. On the other hand, the national spir-
it of the country felt itself insulted, — pride was outra-

146 LIFE AND TIMES

ged, and from tlie interior, and from the distant west,
came up deep and ominous sounds of dissatisfaction. —
The war-spirit of the people was becoming aroused and
the first notes of defiance came from the banks of the
Ohio, the Mississippi and the Great Lakes. The west-
ern people were anxious for the war. At length, June
18th, 1812, during the Administration of Mr. Madison,
war was formally declared. It was commenced with-
out anv exactly defined cause, and fought and ended,
without the express recognition, by 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 Gov-
ernment, 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, they would 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 efibrt at exercising it was ever made,
until that of 1858,- which resulted so happily. 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 GASS. 14T

American Secretary of State, and executed in anotlier
misconstruction of orders, by the officers in command
of the British squadron, effecting the end it accomplish-
ed, much more by good luck than by good management.
The zeal with which 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. Yolunteers 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.

148 LIFE AND TIMES

He had the option, however, of enlisting in the regular
army for five years, with $100 cash in advance, and a
promise of $24 extra, on the expiration of his time of
servica and, jDerhaps coming to the conclusion that the
line of his usefulness lay in a military direction, he forth-
with enlisted for the war, under Gen. Gaines, and was
immediately marched to the Xorth, 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 v/ho since have
distinguished themselves in the annals of the country
as soldiers and statesmen. To recapitulate the stirring
■scenes of that era is not within the province of onr
sketch, though as jMr. 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,
however is the duly of the general historian and to repeat
it here, would transcend the limits of our plan. In
1813, Mr. 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 British m- ere at
the same time tampering; and whom they were endeav-
oring to induce to take up arms against the Americans.
This, with other 'i;uch important, though unobtrusive
services occupied his time at this 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 au
eye by being struck with a splinter from a falling tree. —
The surgery at h and was very indiffeient; and his eye

OF TATRICE GAS 8. 149t

healed up witli cliffi^culty, disabling liimfrom active ser-
vice for several months. Nursing his hurt through the
winter of 1S13-4; iu the Spring, orders came to prepare
with all speed a fleet of boats on the banks of the Illin-
ois, in which his corps should proceed with all their mu-
nitions, to Pittsburgh — there to join the Northern army,,
that was assembling for the defence of the Canada fron-
tier. A few weeks, sufficed to enable them to supply,
themselves with fioatmg crafts and leaving their encamp-
ment, they embarked on the Illinois, down which they
floated, until they struck the Mississippi, and thence
down to the mouth of the (Jhio. At this time the riv-
ers were swollen with the spring rains and the lowlands
at the mouth of the Ohio were covered with water. —
The current was swift and they had no means of ascend-
ing except by dint of pushing, and pulling by the trees
on the banks. However, they persevered, and after in-
credible labor they reached about the 1st. of July, 1814,
Pittsburgh, their place of destination — having traversed
in this laboiious style, the whole length of the Ohio^
from its mouth to its very head.

Arriving at Pittsburg, the men were at once formed
into four companies under the immediate command of
Col. Nicholls, 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. Many gallant encoun-
ters had taken place on the seas, in which the American
arms were often victorious, demonstrating their ability
to cope successfully with England on her favorite ele-
ment; merchantmen, had been converted into privateers,
and carried havoc among the mercantile marine of the
enemy; and in the marine department of the war, tbo.

150 lAFE AND TIMES

American arms were triumphant. On land, they 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 very unreliable in an aggressive war
■as this was in some respects to be. The 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 with the Americans. It required time,
to organise a regularly drilled array, and consequently,
the first campaigns of the war were anything but flatter-
ing to the prowess 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 Eensaleer and were successful,
until thwarted by the "constitutional scruples" of the
militia, and compelled to retreat. The British and In-
dians were in force along the whole line under Proctor,
Rial! 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

OF PATRICK GASS. 151

the country. In tlie Spring of 1814, it was determined
to make a desperate effort not only to retrieve the honors
of the 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 organized and more efficiently officered
than it had previously been. Men were ordered from
Kentucky, Ohio and other western States to 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 crossed
over into Canada. Here, after a series of marches and
counter-marches, without any actual collision with the
enemy, although often in their intlnediate proximity,
the detachment spent a few days in Canada, then re-cros-
sed the Niagara at Black Rock 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 co-operating together.

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

**0n 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, and the artillery

152 LIPS AND TIMES

corps, under Major Hindman, landed nearly a mile Lc-
low Fort Erie, while General Riple3\ with the second
made the shore about the same distance above. The
fort was soon completely invested, and a battery of long
eighteens being planted in a position which commanded
it, the garrison, consisting of 137 men, including offi-
cers, surrendered prisoners of war. Several pieces of
ordnance were found in the fort, and some military
stores.

Having placed a small garrison in Fort Erie to se-
cure his rear, Brown moved forward the following day
to Ghij^pewa plains, where he encamped for the night,
after some skirmishes with the enemy.

The American pickets were several times attacked on.
the morning of the 5tb, by small parties of the British.
About four in the afternoon. General Porter, with the
volunteers and Indians, was ordered to advance from the
rearof the American camp, and take a circuit through
the woods to the left, in hopes of getting beyond ihe
skirmishing parties of the enemy, and cutting off their
retreat, and to favor this purpose the advance were or-
dered to tall back gradually under the euemy'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 was
in motion, and instantly gave orders for General Sec it
to advance with his brigade and Towson's artillery,,
and meet them on the plain in front of the American
camp. Ill a few minutes Scott was in close action witlt
a superior force of British regulars.

By this time, Porter's vjjlunteers having givea-

OF PATRICK GASS.

153

way and fled, the left flank of Scott's brigade became
much exposed. General Ripley, was accordingly or-
dered to advance with a part of the reserve, and skirting
the woods on the left, in order to keep out of view, en-
deavor to gain the rear of the enemy's right flank. The
greatest exei tions were made to gain it, but in vain. —
Such was the gallantry and impetuosity of the brigade
of General. Scott, that its advance upon the enemy was
not to be checked. Major Jessup, commanding the ba-
tallion on the left flank, finding himself pressed both in
front and in flank, and his men falling around him, or-
dered his batallion to "support arms 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, as
caused them to retire.

The whole line of the British now fell back, and the
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 ooen-
ing on the American line, considerably checked the pur-
suit. Brown now ordered the ordnance to be brought
up, with tl\e 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 British of-
ficially state theirs at 132 killed, 320 wounded, and 46
missing.

* 'Dispirited as was the public mind at this period, the
intelligence of this brilliant and unexpected opening of

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 first received, many consoled
themselves with the idea, that the magnanimity of Great
Britain would freely grant in her prosperity, what they
insisted we 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 ven-
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 been at Paris. Even in

OF PATRICK GA8S.

151

j.arliament the idea was held out that peace ought not
to he thought of till Amarica had received a signal pun-
ishment, for having dared to declare war upon them
while their forces were engaged in "delivering Europe"
from its oppressor. The commencement of the negoti-
ations for peace, which had been proposed by the Brit-
ish court, was suspended, and strenuous efforts wer«
made to send to America as commanding a force as po8-
sible.

"Under these circumstances, a victory gained by th«
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
liave 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 pani€
on one side, or excitement on the other, which some-
times gives a victory to irregular courage over veteram
and disciplined valour.

"After so signal a defeat, the British could not b«
induced to hazzard another engagement. They abas-
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; bu-t oj the 23rd, of July he received a letter by ex-

LIFE AND TlMEg

press from general Gaines, advising him that that parS
was blockaded by a superior British force, and that
Commodore Cbauncy was confined to bis bed with a fe-
ver. Thus disappointed in his expectations of being en--
abled to reduce the forts at the mouth of the Niagara,
Brown determined to disencumber the army of baggage,
and march directly for Burlington Heights. To mask
this intention, and to draw from Schlosser a small sup-
ply of provisions, he fell back upon Chippewa.

"About noon on the 25th, general Brown was ad visa-
ed by an express from Lewistown, that the British were
following him, and were in considerable force in Queens-
town and on its heights, that four of the enemies fleet had
arrived with reinforcements at Niagara during the jDre-
ceding night, and that a number of boats were in view,,
moving up the river. Shortly after, intelligence was
brought that the enemy were landing at Lewistown,.
and that the baggage and stores at Schlosser, and on their
way thither, were in danger of immediate capture. In
order to recall the British from this object. Brown deter-
mined to put the army in motion towards Queenstown,
and accordingly 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 necessary to call for assistance.
On his arrival near the Falls, Scott learned that the en-
emy was in force directly in his front, a narrow piece of
woods alone intercepting his view of them. He imme-
diately advanced upon them, after dispatching a mes-
senger 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 Scott ^

•OF PATRICK GA8S. 157

'witli the second brigade and all the artillery; and Brown
himself, repaired with all speed to the scene of action,
whence he sent orders for General Porter to advance
with his volunteers. On reaching the field of battle,
•General Brown found that Scott had passed the wood,
•and engaged the enemy on the Queenstown road and on
the ground to the left of it, with the 9th, 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.

"Meanwhile, Major Jessup^ who commanded the 25th
regiment, taking advf.ntage 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 enabled to operate with the hap-
piest effect. The slaughter was dreadful; the enemy's
line fled down the road at the third or fourth fire. The
capture of Gen. Eiall with a large escort of officers of
rank, was part of the trophies of Jessup's intrepidity
iind skill; and, but for the impression of an unfounded
report, under which he unfortunately remained for a
few minutes; Lieutenant General Drummond, the com-
mander of the British forces, would inevitably have fal-
len into his hands., an event which would, in all proba-
bility, have completed the disaster of the British army-
Drummond was completely in Jessup's power; but be-
ing confidently informed that the first brigade was cut
in pieces, and finding himself with less than 300 men,
And without any prospect of support, in the midst of an
overwhelming hostile force, he thought of nothing for
the moment, but to make good his retreat, and save hie

15S LIFE AND TIMES

command. Of this temporary suspense of tlie advance
of the American column, General Drummond availed
himself to 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 Scott 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 would then have
been obliged to contend being nearly quadruple that of
his own. By the fortunate capture, however, of the Brit-
ish aid-de-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
p:reatest 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 recon-
noitered, was found to have taken a new position, and
occupied a height with his artillery, supported by a line
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 Queenstownroad, and the first regiment of in-
fantry, which had arrived that day, and was attached to

OF PATRICK GAS8.

159

•fteither of the brigades, was formed in a line facing th«
enemy's on the height, with a view of drawing his fir«
and attracting his attention, as the second brigade ad-
vanced on his left flank to carry his artillery.

'•As soon as the first regiment approached its posi-
tion, colonel Miller was ordered to advance with tha
21st regiment, and carry the artillery on the heigh t,
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 rallied, 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, were formed inline, 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 efi'ect in the rear of the enemy's left. In this
situation the American troops withstood three distinct
desperate attacks of ihe 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 darkness 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 wan 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

160 LIFE AlilD TIMES

Scott's column would laave enabled him in a ftsw min-
utes, to have formed line in the rear of the enemy's
right, and thus have brought him between two fires. — -
But a flank 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 Ripley's main line.

''This 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
severely 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. Ripley has been much blamed for the non-exe-
cution of this order, by which the captured cannon
again fell into the hands of the British. Gen. Brown,
in his official report says, 'To this order he (Ripley)
made [no objection, and I relied 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.'
His 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 dis-
cretionary part of the order, and in the full effect of
which General Ripley commenced and effected the re-
treat which afterwards led him to Fort Erie. The
troops, reduced to less than 1600 men, were marched
on the 26th by Gen. Ripley toward the field of battle.

OF PATRICK GASS. 161

Motion was commenced at day-break, but difficulties in-
cidental to the late losses prevented the advance before
some time bad been spent in reorganization and ar-
rangement. The line of march being assumed and the
Chippewa crossed, Gen. Riplev sent forward Lieuten-
ants Tappan of the 23d, and Riddle of the 15th, with
their respective commands, to reconnoitre the enemy's
position, strength and movements. On examination,
he was found in advance of his former position, on an
eminence, strongly reinforced, as had been asserted by
prisoners taken the preceding evening; his flanks res-
ting on a wood on one side, and on the river on the
other, defied being turned or driven in; his 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 the force of the preceding 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 assured 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. The army, therefore, immediately retrogaded,
and the retreat received the sanction of General Brown,
previous to his crossing the Niagara.

The American official account states their loss in this
battle at 171 killed, 572 wounded, and 117 missing;
the return of British prisoners presents an aggregate
of 169, including Major General Riall, and a number
of officers. The British state their loss to be 84 killed,
559 wounded, 193 missing; their loss in prisoners they

1^2 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 Kiall among those of the British.

On the arrival of the British before Fort Erie, ther
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 command. On the 6th., the rifle corps was
Bent 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 Ave 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
circumvallation, 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 GABS. 165

Erie, cat the entrance of the Niagara river, on nearl
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 6
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, just thrown up on a small
ridge. The rear was left open to the lake, borderedby
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, 11th, and 22d in-
fantry, we-re 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 thB 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 tlie British army, which was instantly

164 LIFE AND TIMES

returned on the part of the Americans, ^110, amidst the
smoke of the explosion, renewed the contest by an ani-
mated roar of the heavy cannon.

"From the supposed loss of ammunition, and the con-
sequent depression such an event was likely to produce,
'General Gaines felt persuaded that this explosion would
lead the enemy to assault, and made his arrangements
accordingly. These suspicions were fully verified, by
an attack that was made in the night between the 14th
and 15 til 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 right col-
umn of 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. Being mounted at the
moment, Gaines rejoaired to the point of attack, where
the sheet of fire 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
brush, representing an abattis, only intervened; a col-
umn of the enemy attempted to pass round the abattis,
through the w^ater, where it was nearly breast-deep. —
Apprehending 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.

**0n the right, the fire of cannon and musketry an-
nounced the approach of the centre and left columns of

OF PATRICK GA8S. IBS'

the enemy, under Colonels Drummond and Scctt. —
The latter was received and repulsed by tlie 9th, under
the command of Captain Foster, and Captains Bough-
ton and Harding's companies of New York and Penn-
sylvania volunteers, aided by a six pounder, judiciously
posted by Major M'Kee, chief engineer.

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 ladders ascended
the parapet, where, however, it was repulsed with
dreadful carnage. The assault was twice repeated and
as often checked; but the enemy havmg moved around
in the ditch, covered by darkness, increased by the
heavy cloud of smoke which had rolled from the can-
non and musketry, repeated the charge, re-ascended the
ladders, and with their pikes, bayonets and spears fell
upon the American artillerists, and succeeded in cap-
turing the bastion. Lieutenant M'Bonough, being se-
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-
ged 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 the breast, while repeating the order *'to
give no quarter."

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

1'66 LIFE AND TIMES

ding adjoining the contested bastion. The explosion
was tremendous and decisive; the 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
as to enfilade the exterior plain and salient glacis. —
Though not recovered from a severe contusion in the
shoulder, received from one of the enemy's shells, Bid-
die promptly took his position, and served his field-
piece with vivacity and effect. Captain Fannings bat-
tery likewise played upon them at tlys time with great
effect. The enemy were in a few moments entirely de-
feated, taken or put to flight, leaving on the field 221
killed, 174 wounded, and 186 prisoners, including 14
officers killed and 7 wounded and prisoners. A large
portion were severely wounded; the slightly 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 Iosb
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 assault'on Fort Erie, General
<Taine8 received a serious wound from the bursting of
a shell, by which means the command once more de-
volved on General Ripley, till the 2d of September,

OF PATRICK GASS. 16T

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

The troops in Fort Erie began now to he generallj
considered as in a critical situation, and ranch solici-
tude to be expressed for the fate of the army that had
thrown so much glory on the American name, menaced
as it was in front by an enemy of superior force, whose
numbers were constantly receiving additions and whoso
batteries every day becoming more formidable, while
a river of difficult p.assage lay on their rear. Reinforce-
ments 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 took place
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 12 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.
G eneral Porter with the volunteers, Colonel Gibson

168 LIFE AND TIMES

with the riflemen, and Major Brooks with the 23(iand
1st infantry, and a few dragoons acting as infantry,
were ordered to move from the extreme left upon the
enemy's right, by a passage opened through the woods
for the occasion. General Miller was directed to sta-
tion his command in the ravine between Fort Erie and
the enemy's batteries, by passing them by detachment
through the skirts of the wood — and the 21st infantry
under General Eipley was posted as a corps of reserve
between the new bastions of Fort Erie — all under cov-
er, and one of the view of the enemy.

"The left column, under the command of General
Porter, which was destined to turn the enemy's right,
having arrived near the British intrenchments, were or-
dered to advance and commence the action. Passing
down the ravine, Brown judged from the report of the
musketry that the action had commenced. Hastening,
therefore, to General Miller, he directed him to seize
the moment and pierce the enemy's intrenchmenvs be-
tween batteries No. 2 and 3. These orders were prompt*
ly and ably executed. Within 30 minutes after the
first gun was fired, batteries No. 2 and 3, the enemy's
line of entrenchments, and his tv/o 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 Ripley, and as soon as
he arrived on tl*e ground, he was ordered to strengthen
the front line, which was then engaged with the enemy
in order to protect the detachments employed in demol-
ishing the captured works. While forming arrange-

OF PATRICK GASS. 169

ments for acting on the enemy's camp during the mo-
ment of panic, Ripley received a severe wound. By
this time, however, the object of the sortie being accom-
plished beyond the most sanguine expectations, Gener-
al Miller had ordered the troops on the right to fall
back, and observing this movement, Brown sent his
staff along the line to call in the other corps. Within
a few minutes they retired from the ravine, and thence
to the camp.

"Thus, says General Brown, in his dispatch, 1,000
regulars and an equal portion of militia, in one hour
of close action, blasted the hopes of the enemy, de-
stroyed the fruits of fifty day's labor, and (diminished
his effective force 1000 men at least.

"In their official account of this sortie, the British pub-
lished no returns of their loss, but from the vigorous
resistance it must no doubt have been great. Their
loss in prisoners was 385. On the part of the Amer-
icans the killed amounted to 83, the wounded to 216^^
and the missing to a like number.

**A few days after this battle the British raised the
siege, and retreated behind the Chippewa. Meanwhile,
the reinforcements from 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 officer, su-
perceded General Brown in command. On the 14th,
the army moved from fort Erie, with the design of
bringing the enemy to action. An attempt was made
to dispute the passage of a 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 AKO TIMES

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

"Thus ended a third campaign in Upper Canada,
without a single important conquest being secured. — =
The operations of the army under Brown, however, are
not to be considered as worthless and inefficient. They
have, in the most complete manner effaced the stain
thrown on the army by the imbecile 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 effect produced by these events on the
country at large, actively engaged as was almost every
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 than
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 the
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 perhaps 200
feet, with a steep declivity at the side next the Falls.—
Skirting this declivity, there was a narrow road or rath-

*By an oversight discovered too late in the process of printing to be cor-
rected , the foregoing account of the campaign on the K^iagara frontier, is cred-
ited to Nile s'Eegister. It should have been to the "Mistorical Register of
the United States," edited b7 T. H. F aimer, 1816. Vol, 4, page 14,

OP PATRICK GA5fi. 171

er by-path. Ascending the slope was another, more
travelled road, fenced in on both sides, with a large r«d
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. —
The British battery was located at the top of the hill,
across the lane; and effectually commanding the entire
ground, cut off the advance of the Americans, and left
them exposed to the flank attacks of the British. This
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«
memorable saying of Col. Miller, • 'I will try, sir, " when
ordered by Gen. Eipley on the perilous task of its cap-
ture, being of common report at the time, and vouches
for its authenticity. The day had been warm and some-
what cloudy toward evening, but all was calm and sum-
mer-like,— the monotonous roar of the cataract so near
at hand, drowning all meaner sounds, minglino* with
the thunder of the artillery, and overtopping the demo-
niac sounds of war. For one hour, Scott's Brigade had
borne with unflinching resolution, the storm of iron
hailed upon them by the battery; but it soon becamt
apparent that the British must be dislodged or the day
be lost. By this time, it was after seven in the even-
ing,— the clouds had rolled away, and the midsummer
moon nearly in its full, poured a flood of light over the
battle-field. Silently and steadily the com mand of Col.
Miller, drawn up in line but two men deep, marched up
to the foot of the lane, the red church protecting them
from the grape of the artillery; then, without a halt ar
a waver, they advanced rapidly up the hill, with bayo-

172 LIFE A^■D TIMES

nets at a charge, the grape flying over their heads in a
harmless storm, until they gained the very muzzles of
the pieces. Then, says Mr. Gass, came a blast of flame
and smoke, as if from the crater of hell, and they were?
among the enemy, — hand to hand — bayonet to bayonet
— and steel clashing on steel, in the close and murder-
ous conflict. The fight was but for a moment. "Charge
the gray backit militia: — they cannot stand the bayo-
net," shouted their Scottish commander, but in one mo-
ment the British were put to flight and the taunt was
falsified on his very lips. Then was heard the 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 fight. 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 the field. One
of the pieces of cannon, says Mr. Gass, in order to
show the locality of the battery was trundled over the
bank and down into the Falls. In narrating his per-
sonal experience, he says that the affair 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
mai;^ 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 fight over the guns is said to have
been terrific, and the bloodiest ever fought on the Amer-

OF PATRICK GASS. 17S

lean 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 with its bayonet sheath-
ed in the bosom of the foe; and the kindred blood of
Briton and American mingled in one red stain upon the
sodden earth. It was indeed a scene of terrible slaugh-
ter.

From 6 to 11 P. M., the battle raged about this con-
tested spot; the placid moon looking down upon the
beligerent 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; andthe American's held possession of the ground
for some time; until seeing that nothing was to be ac-
complished by holding this now barren position, they
retired in good order to Fort Erie.

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 ''Sergeant
Oass" 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 this
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

174 LIFE AND TIMES

from the spot to enquire whether he should destroy
some 24 pounders. ''Destroy them, Sergeant," said
Bl-own, *'we don't know how long they'll be ours." — ■
Patrick says he slapped in the rat tail files and drove
them home; while some 'Hall yankees from York State'*
sledged off the trunnions from the pieces with a mar-
vellously good will. The selection for such a duty re-
quiring coolness and bravery, is a high compliment to
the Sergeant, and shows the estimation in which he
stood among his comrades and ©fficers.

Fort Erie was occupied by the Americans until the
close of the campaign, when it was destroyed and the
army prepared to spend the winter at Buffalo and other
points. Mr. Gass, under Gen. Winder, passed the
winter at Sackett's Harbor,. Having passed the win-
ter here, without extraordinary incident, he was dis-
charged from the service in June 1815, news of the
treaty of Peace of the previous 24th December, having
come to hand in February, 1815 — the battle of New
Orleans of the 8th January, having been fought after
the treaty was actually signed by the commissioners at
Ghent.

CHAPTER V.
CONCLUSION— IN EETIREMENT

The war was now closed, and our liero with many
others, was thrown again upon the world, none the
better for his camp service either in pocket or in mor-
als. Discharged at Sackett's Harbor, he took up his
line of march, once more, for Wellsburg. By the way
of the lake, then on foot, then riding in a wagon, the
old soldier returned from the wars, until he 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. He had taken an active
part in the most arduous campaign of the war, and had
participated in its most brilliant victory; but while the
laurel wreath hung so gracefully about his brow, he had
also felt some of the stings of the thorn. The congrat-
ulations of his friends were embittered with the thought
that 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 might plead in
vain with cold-hearted charity, for alms in considera-
tion of self-sacrifice and gallant deeds in the country's

176 LIFE AND TIMES

service. He was now a middle-aged man, and very
naturally began to think of making some provision for
the future. Accordingly, as the phrase goes, he settled
down. His subsequent career has been that of an old
soldier, subsided into the realities of every-day life, and
struggling against poverty for an honest subsistence.
The wild oats he had sown in his early manhood, were
now to be reaped. A life of settled industry was irk-
some to his temperament, and altogether contrary to
his habits. Like too many others in his position, he
gave way to intemperance, and during the succeeding
forty years of his life, occur many chapters, over which
we gladly draw the veil of charity. We would not say
a single word derogatory to temperance as a virtue, nor
would we mitigate by a single iota, the proper abhor-
rence of vice in any shape; but surely some charity can
be extended to the veteran, whose youth up to mature
manhood, had been spent in the camp, and meritorious-
ly in the service of his country. That man has in his
composition little of the milk of human kindness, — lit-
tle of the spirit of Him who said, writing upon the sand,
"he that is innocent among you, cast the first stone,"
who cannot find in his heart something to extenuate, if
not excuse this single failing in a character otherwise
unblemished. Let us not judge too harshly. We know
not the temptations of other men, nor is it ours to judge
their faults or foibles too severely. Still, while we would
crave a charitable judgement, the fact cannot be denied,
that, like too many others, he acquired, during his cam-
paigns, a taste for intoxicating liquors, and was, for
many years, a slave to the debasing habit that degrades
and demoralizes so many of the best, most brilliant and
most generous of our race. Intemperance was his be-

OF PATRICK GASS. 177

setting sin, but drunk or sober, he was ever honest,
sincere and truthful, and a patriot to the very core of
his heart. In his very worst degradatiqp, there was
ever displayed an inherent nobility of character, which
commanded the pitying respect of his acquaintances;
and which in later years, has enabled him in a great
measure to throw off the debasing habit.

From the time of his return in 1815, he has been lo-
cated in this vicinity, engaged in various occupations.
He tended ferry for 'Squire Robert Marshall, in 1815,
tended Brewery for Wright & Russell, in Wellsburg,
in 1816, and in the same year helped John Brown to
build the old Baptist Meeting House, hunted stray horses
about Mansfield, Ohio, in 1817, and labored on his fath-
er's farm, and in the fulling mill alternately, the suc-
ceeding years, unvil his father's death, which occurred
in 1827. On this event, he was appointed administra-
tor of the estate, which business was soon adjusted, his
father's estate being but small, and Patrick's share but
a trifle.

x\t this point commences the romantic portion of his
career. He had attained to the mature age of 58, with-
out having ever had his susceptibilities sensibly touch-
ed by the boy-god; until he was deemed impervious to
his shafts, and insensible to the charms of female soci-
ety. He had taken his position in the innumerable ar-
my of old bachelors, and was deemed incorrigible by
his acquaintances and the gentler sex. He w^ho had
fought the w41d bears of the mountains, slept w'ith the
buffalo on the plains, straddled the Missouri, and lived
for months on unseasoned dog-meat, then faced the Brit-
ish at Lundy's Lane and Erie, and fought his way
through blood and flame, it was little thouo-ht would

178 LIFE AND TIMES

ever surrender his manhood to weak woman's wiles and
winning ways. But they misjudged him, as they were
ignorant of t^man nature. Love goes by contraries.
Like seeks not like, but seeks its opposite; so that the
blended elements may make the perfect being:

"Breasts \rhicli case the lion's feai'-proof heart,

Find their loved homes in arms where tremors dwell."

So Shakespeare says, and so in this case the event
demonstrated. He had only deferred his destiny, be-
cause he had not yet found his counterpart.

In the fall of 1829, 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 influential man. At this time,
Hamilton lived on a piece of land, and had to cheer him
a pretty daughter, whom he called Maria. She was just
blooming into womanhood, and thrown into the con-
stant society of our hero, a mutual feeling sprang up
between the two, and gradually June melted into De-
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; and 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. —
Maria made him a good and loyal wife, and in testimo-

OF PATRICE GASS. 17^

ny thereof, presented him. with seven children, during
the fifteen years of their married life, from 1831 to
1846, when she died. It wa"s customary to joke the
old soldier on his rapid increase of family. Such
Jokes were always good naturedly received, and he
would characteristically remark, that as all his life long»
he had striven to do his duty, he would not neglect it
now, hut hy industry make amends for his delay.

In his married life he was kind and affectionate — a
good hushand and father. Five of his children are
still living, one having died in infancy and another, a
well grown 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
Piercers Kun, in Brooke county, and sat down with
his increasing family to cultivate the soil. This hap-
py retirement was interrupted in 1846. At this time
the measles appeared in his famaly — 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 liis old age.

In consideration of his services he received from the
Government, in addition to his pay as a soldier, 160
acres of land in 1816^ and a pension of 896 per year,
to date from that period. The land he suffered to lie,
until eaten up and forfeited from non-payment of taxes,
and the pittance of 896 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.

180 ' LIFE AND TIMES

The history of the pension laws of the United States
is one of interest, and notwithstanding the fact that all
has not been done that gratitude perhaps demanded, she
has been more liberal in ttis respect, than any other
country in tlie world. It has 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 England, the king has been
regarded as the sole judge of desert, and following out
the theory of sovereignty, in America, the people have
exercised the grateful prerogative. As the gratitude of
the country toward the veterans of the levolution was
great, so their liberality in the early history of the re-
public 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,
2)roviding adequate 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 on the continental estahlishnent," 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 thaa six months. First, those

OF PATRICK GASS. 181

disabled in the military and naval service received pen-
sions; then the indigent and necessitous; and lastly all
were embraced.

The act of 1832, was very comprehensive in its pro-
visions, yet in some respects it was nnjnst — for instance:
The rate of pension was graduated bi^^ the length of
service and the grade or rank in which it was render-
ed. Two 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 mere-
ly being in a battle, or for any length of service less than
six months. This of course cut off a large class of
soldiers equally meritorious, but whose service perhaps
only extended to a single campaign or to a single battle,
although that campaign of six weeks or single battle may
have been equally arduous and dangerous to the individ-
ual, as in other cases might have been the full period of
the war to other individuals. Many persons, were cal-
led suddenly into active service during the war of 1812
ag at New Orleans and other places, and actually enga-
ged in active battle, perhaps been wounded and disabled,
yet these men, under the provisions of the act of 1832,
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, was the object of the old soldiers
meeting on the 8th January, 1855, in which Mr. Gass,
with many others, figured at Washington City, as here-
after narrated.

No man ever served his country more faithfully than
Mr. Gass, and though humble and uncomplaining, no
one ever better deserved to be a recipient of the publfa

182 LIFE 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 %vithout honor, save that which
comes from the honest and faithful discharge of duty
in whatever position he happened to be placed. Many
a man of less real merit, and very many of much less
sei-vice 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. He was too modest to thrust himself
forward among the brazen ranks of aspirants for politi-
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 "Wheeling, and the 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 far as wordly cares are concerned, as to him-
self, he lived the life of a philosoph er, satisfied that he
would have enough for a decent subsistence while he
lived, and friends enough to give him 'lonorable burial
when he died; and hence troubled himself 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 natuie, the feeling which induces
us to provide for those who are to come after us, around
whose lifes the chords of affection have 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 creatures 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 to find a creature so debased, so cold, so destitute
of the ordinary feelings of humanity, as not m some de-
gree to recognize romptings 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 even 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 developement, beautifies and ennobles man and
distinguished him from the brutes that perish. Mr,
<:rass, 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.

184 LIFE AND TIMES

During the year 1 854, the propriety of calling a con-
vention of the surviving soldiers of the war of 1812, to
meet at Washington City, by delegates, to memorialize
Congress for some further acknowledgement in the shape
of grants of lands, of the services of those who had ser-
ved the country in its day of adversity, was actively
discussed. The country had now grown strong and
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 soldiers. 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 his
annual message of this year spoke of the commendable
policy of setting apart a poition of the public domain
for this purpose and adverted to the fact that since 1790,
30,000,000 acres of public lands had been appropriated
for the benefit of those who had served in tne wars of
the Revolution. Nothwithstanding this disposition,
however, there were still many to object to such a meas-
ure. 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 the surviving soldiers were
wealthy and did not need the bounty, and that it would
be hard to discriminate between them who did and those
who did not; that it would be unjust to favor sumo
m.erely because they were survivors, while others equally

OF PATRICK GA8S. 185

meritorious, had died without such favor; and that to
equalize the matter it would be necessary to extend the
bounty to the heirs of the latter, which would absorb
too large a portion of the public lands. These were
serious objections and prevented congress acting as lib-
erally toward the old soldiers as otherwise their feel-
ings might have prompted them to do-. Nevertheless,
it was thought advi^^able for these latter to visit Wash-
ington City in person and thus appeal to the country
for an extension of liberality in their behalf. Accord-
ingly, public and very general notice was given by ad-
vertisement and circulars that a convention of old sol-
diers would assemble at Washington City on the 8th.
day of January, 1855, and the surviving soldiers were
invited to assemble in their respective neighborhoods
and send on delegates to represent them 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 the 9th. of Janua-
ry preceding and contemplated 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 many of the old soldiers as could mak«
it convenient should attend in person and by their pres-
ence make the demonstration the more impressive and
efiective. In accordance with this call, a meeting of the
old soldiers of the vicinity was invited to meet at Wells-
burg on the 25th. of December 1854, to elect delegates
to the National convention of the 8th. January. The
names of those present at this meeting are as follows,
as they stand in the published proceedings of the meet-
ing in the Wellsburg Herald of that date.

Patrick Gass, Maj. John Miller, William Tarr, Isaiak

186 LIFE AND TIMES

Roberts, Robert Britt, Walter Brownlee, Eli Green,
Obed Green, Wm. Roberts, Noab Barkus, George
Yoirng, Matbias Ebberts, Ellis C. Jones, Elijah Corne-
lius, Wm. Cole, John Moren, James Davis, James
Wells, Walter D. Blair, Adam Ralston, Wm. Atkin-
son, James Baird, John Gatwood, and eight others
were represented by their nearest male relations. The
scene presented by the assemblage of these gray haired
veterans, some of them trembling at the very verge
of the grave and none of them with more than a very
few years of this world in prospect meeting thus in coun -
cil, was unique and suggestive of the times that tried
men's souls. Conspicuous among them appeared our
old friend Mr. Gass, to whom was assigned the post of
honor at the head of the list in consideration -of his em-
inent services as well as of his age. The tall form of
Ellis C. Jones towered among his old comrades — ven-
erable with his snow white locks and the casual obser-
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 foie front of battle in de-
fence of the country. Though old, crippled by disease
and time and 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,
Wm. Tarr and Ellis C. Jones to represent them in th,'
old soldiers meeting of the 8th. January ensuing.

The 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 Rev. Sunderland of Washington, they were ad-

OF PATRICK GASS.

IBY

Crossed by Peter Wilson of Caynga, and others, on the
subject for which they had assembled.

After adjourning, they formed in procession and pre-
ceded by all the military of the city, and various bands
of music, marched to the President's house, which
they reached at about 2 o'clock, and found the Presi-
dent and most of the Cabinet in waiting to receive them.
President Pierce, in response to the address of the Pres-
ident of the Convention, delivered an appropriate
speech, substantially as follows:

"I tender to you, sir, and to your associates, my
grateful acknowledgements for the privilege of this in-
terview, and for the kind reference you have been pleas-
ed to make to myself. It can hardly be necessary for
me to say that my heart sincerely responds to your al-
lusion to the hero, who has given immortality to the
day, you have met to celebrate. As this 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 at
that of 1812. The lines of intelligence and marked em-
phasis of character are unmistakeable. AVhat a crowd
of ^associations spring from the presence of the veteran
commanders near me, (General Scott and Commodore
Morris, ) and I am gratified to observe among you a del-
egation from our red brethren, who were found faithful
in the period of trial; and whose services are entitled to
be cherished with grateful remembrance. Many of yo«
have never met before, since the close of the war, and
this reunion of companions in arms must revive in your
bosoms, gentlemen, emotions peculiarly active. Mr
earliest reading was of the occurrences of forty years
ago, in which you all bore a part, and my earliest i«m-

28^ LIFE AI^D TIMES

iniscences are of the war of 1 812. I wellrecollect tliafe
the approach of every mail was anticipated by my foot-
steps to the village post office, and that I naturally felt
the deepest concern for those who left my own home to
take a part in the conflict, while my young heart gave
out its quick sympathies to all who contributed to the
cause, personal service, or sustained it at home by ear-
nest and efficient encouragement. Time has only serv-
yed to enhance the admiration I then felt, for such as
promptly enrolled themselves under the flag of their
country, and it is gratifying to meet here to-day, so ma-
ny survivors of that gallant army and navy. I can read-
ily conceive the thrilling emotions that must rush upon
you as you now grasp each other by the hands, for the
first time for forty years, and it may be for the last time
forever; but, gentlemen, I must not detain you. I wish
for you, individually and collectively, every blessing —
all that you can reasonably expect, and all that your
country 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 resolu-
tions:

*'Forty years have now elapsed, since General Jack-
son fought and won. the last great battle of the late war
with Great Britain, at New Orleans; and that glorious

OF "PATRICK GASSo T89^

canniversary is a fitting day for the surviving soldiers
^of that war to meet and take counsel together. This
city, too, named after the father -of our country, is a
*most appropriate place for our ^sassemhlage. The war
of the revolution achieved our liberty, the war of 1812
secured it. While the green sod marks the graves of
our revolutionary fathers, a few only of those who sta-
ked 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, many of them in penury and want.
**In less than forty years after the close of our revo-
lutionary struggle, a grateful Congress passed a gener-
al joension 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 1812, and to the
widows and children of those who ai-e dead, while 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
urge upon our Senators and Representatives to make to
each officer, soldier, sailor and marine, who served du-
ring the war of 1812-15, appropriate grants of land, —
at least 160 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

190 LIFE AND TIMES-

our red bretliren wlio fouglitby our sides; and alltlioae*
confined in foreign prisons during the war of 1812, if
alive; and also, to the prisoners in Tripoli, who were
forced to labor as slaves or felons. If dead, then to
their widows and children.

^'3. That while we deeply dei^lore the untimely
deaths of so many of our brethren in arms, we pledge
ourselves ever 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 fellow-
ship, and bind ourselves by evevy sacred obligation to
stand by each other while we live, in defence of all our
rights at home and abroad. »

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

*'5. That 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 States."

Resolutions were also passed thanking individual
members and recommending measures to be 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 the Convention adjourned
until the next morning.

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

OF PATRICK GASS. 191

Committees were appointed for every State, and ar-
rangements made for an organized effort to secure tar-
dy justice from the representatives of the people. Af-
ter some time spent in discussion they adjourned, hav-
ing been kindly treated by the citizens of Washington',
and being highly pleased \Yith their entertaiument gen-
erally.

The parting of the old sohliers when each delegation
took up its line of march for home, 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 the roll of
the survivors.

The meeting of the old soldiers was a failure so far
as the object for which it was previoiisly designed, was
concerned; but it attracted the attention of the coun-
try to the subject, and may yet eventuaie in the desired
modification of the pension laws, or at least to an ex-
tension of liberality to particular individuals like our
hero, the singularity of whose service precludes the pro-
bability of his case 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 an 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 unique features of

192 MFE AND TIMES

his character this is not the least singular. He has nev-
er been a beggar, neither has he ever had emolument
thrust upon him by the country he so faithfully served;
hence he is both poor and humble. It may be proper,
now, to say, that these suggestions are ours, not his;
not put forth at his instance, but unsolicited, and whol-
ly prompted by a desire on our part to see a proper lib-
erality extended to a deserving man. As for him, his
desires are but few as his wants are simple; and if the
government begrudges a material acknowledgement of
his claim, we are satisfied that the refusal will not oc-
casion him a single pang of regret, or a single murmur
of complaint.

After his return from the ''Soldier's Convention*' of
1856, although disappointed in his anticipations, he
manifested a philosophic indifference, and much more
surprise and gratification at the development of the
country, the magjiificent railroads, public buildings and
improvements that came under his observation, and
the universal recognition that he received among the
dignitaries at Washington City, and indeed among all
parties with whom he came in contact, than he did re-
gret or dissatisfaction at the result- During his travels
about the Federal city he was considerably lionized, had
the freedom of the various routes of travel, and generally
was highly flattered by the consideration that was
shown him on all occasions where bis 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

OF PATRICK GASS. 19S

•pride as a souvenir of the kindness of his Washing-
ton friends.

We shall now briiig the biography of our hero to a
close, only remarking that as the blemishes on his char-
acter are few and superficial; the reader who sincerely
appreciates his really good and sterling qualities, will
readily forget and forgive his frailties.

He is still living, December, 1858, a hale, hearty
Virginia Democrat of the old school, — one who never
faltering in the discharge of duty, or deviating by the
breadth of a bair from the strict lina of principle, still
mingles suavity with his party zeal; and that grateful
tolerance of opinion in others, which distinguishes the
gentleman from the mere politician. He is one of na-
ture's gentlemen, is the least that can be said of him.
Having nursed James Buchanan in 1794, he of course,
■voted for him for President in 1856, as he has uniform-
ly done for his democratic predecessors since the days
of Andrew Jackson. His political views are firm and
decided, but he seldom obtrudes them; his religious con-
victions are of the same cast — immovable, but undem-
onstrative. Such as he is, he stands before the world:
and such as he has been, he is prepared to go before his
Maker in full reliance upon his justice and grace, with"
out meddling much with creeds or professions. So, we
leave him. That his latter days maybe prosperous and
happy, and blessed with the christian's hope of immor-
tality, is the sincere wish of his biographer.

PART SECOND-. ''

CIVIL HISTOEY.

The Upper Ohio — French and English Pretensions — Washington's First Ex-
pedition— First Enj-lish Settlemeut at Fort Pitt — Governor Dinwiddle —
Washington's Second Expedition — Fort Necessity — Death of Jumonville —
First Gun of the 70 year's war — Washington's Oapitnlation a* Fort Ne-
cessity.

It may not be inappropriate to the design of our
work, to give some detail of the civil history of the coun-
try coming within its scope, the more particularly as
writers, heretofore, have generally contented themselves
with the 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 the la-
borious collation of facts and figures and as a general
thing a more interesting one to the cursory reader, who
by the way, represents the large majority of the read-
ing public. The civil history of the country, neverthe-
less, is important; and may be made interesting. The
materials in the crude state may be found pretty wide-
ly diffused through the public archives, in the columns of
old newspapers, in private repositories of papers, and
in the memories of contemporaries. To all these sour-

a96

CIVIL HISTORY.

ces we have resorted when opportunity offered, and one
rf-esult of our researches has been, a knowledge of the
-wide difference between the random strin^insr out of
words and correct statement of facts capable of being
verified by comparison with dates and authorities. We
have been able to discover no regular 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 upper waters of the Ohio, and it may be necessary
■to preface our civil history with some of 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 which they
might be enabled to gain and preserve the supremacy of
the country. Their object was principally trade with
the Indians, though political reasons and perhaps relig-
ious proselytism, were impelling motives for their ac-
tions. The point of confluence of the Allegheny and
Monongahela 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, 3000 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. 19X'

by Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, to inspect it. He
pronounced warmly iu its favor, as an eligible place for
a military post, a-nd recommended its immediate pos-
session. He also gave it as his opinion, that the point
would some day be the seat of a great city. In Mav,
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 1753
another party had rene^ved to Virginia, the same propo-
sal. They were afraid of and angry at the French; and
courting fa-vor with their competitors, the English.

The Ohio company, in the early part of 1753 liad
opened a road from Will's Creek 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 horseback
and on foot, travelled in nine days to the forks of the
Ohio. The season was cheerless, with sleet and snow
and the prospect gloomy with the fallen leaves and the
solemn silence of the late Autumn, but the prophetic
mind of Washington grasping the future, was able to
overlook the inconveniences and drawbacks of the
present, in the magnificent country that opened upon
his vision along the 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 the French, Avhose commander St. Pierre,
an officer of courage and ability, bluntly informed him
that "he was there by the orders of his General to which
he 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-

198 CIVIL HISTORY.

ing upon tlie territory iu time of 'solid peace" and
their answer was satisfactory upon that head. This
took place at Fort Le Boeuff, or Waterford, 1 5 miles
south of Lake Erie, on French Creek, and immediately
retracing his steps he started ahout the middle of inclem-
ent December, back for Virginia. The cold increased
very fast and the wilderness paths were obliterated by
the deep snows, so that they were compelled to travel
by compass alone. The day a Cter christmas, while trav-
elling he was aimed at by an Indian at fifteen steps dis-
tance, 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 or halchet,"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. By
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 less arduous.
His report was followed by immediate activity, even
on his return he met pack horses laden with materials
and stores and families going out to settle at the Forks
of the Ohio, as it was at that day callled. The Ohio
company had somewhat anticipated his report. They
commenced the Fort and made some progress when Con-
trecoeur came down from Venango, with field pieces and
near 1000 men in sixty bateaux and 300 canoe«, and
demanded its surrender. Having only 33 effective men,
they, on the 17th of April, 1754, capitulated and with-
drew. Contrecoeur finished the fortifications ftud na-

CIVIL HISTORY. 199

'ined it Fort Duqiiesne. In the meantime, Gov. Din-
widdie had been exerting himself to forward soldiers to
^he scene of operation. Capt. Trent was commissioned
to proceed forthwith, and having raised a company of
100 men, ordered to march to the Fork, and complete
the Fort, and Washington was authorized and directed
to recruit a force at Alexandria, for the same purpose.
But difficulties occurred in the colonial Government,
Capt. Trent proved inefficient, and before efficient aid
could bo rendered, the fort had fallen into the hands of
the Fren ch. It was the first regular English settlement
onthewate.s Ohio. Gov. Dinwiddie was dispo-

sed to take vigorous mea.-5..res for the settlement of the
country. Two hundred thousand acres of land lying
on the Ohio river, one hundred thousand lying contigu-
ous to the Fort for the use of the garrison, were oiiere<l
as an inducement to volunteers. This proclamation
was effective, and is the foundation of the titles of many
of the farms lying in this region. Two dollars per hun-
dred acres was afterwards the price fixed by the govern-
ment for warrants for unappropriated lands, located in
any quantity and almost anywhere. The offer 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 the remainder of a regiment. They
experienced great difficulty, had to impress horses and
wagons and got bad ones, the roads were miserably bad,
and on the 9ch of May they were still nine miles distant
from Will's creek fort, at a place called the Little Mead-
ows. By the 27th they had descended the waters of the
Youghiogheny, until they came into close quarters with
the French. Warned by the Half-king, a friendly In-

200 CIYIL HISTORY.

dian, whose friendship Washington haxi gained in his
previous excursion to the Ohio, and. by his old friend,
Christopher Gist, near whose residence he then was, to
be on the alert, he halted at the Great Meadows and pro-
ceeded to fortify his position^ He named the place Fort
Necessity. The Frencli were under the command of
de Jumonville, a young officer of great promise. Wash-
ington and his party, assisted by the Indians under the
Half-king, surprised them^ in, their encampment and af-
ter a short encounter, in. which ten Frenchmen were
slain, and twenty- one taken. prisoners, defeated them. —
Jumonville was killed at the beginning of the skirmish,
and his death was made^ the theme for much declama-
tion. The French court denounced the act as contrary
to all the laws of war and claimed that Jumonville and
his party were only engaged in a peaceable embassy
and were on the search for Washington and his party,
whom they had heard of, as being on the way. This
was afterwards pioved to be 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 iiindled the world in-
to flames. It was the signal for the great war of the
Revolution. 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 them fatal wounds throughout the con-
tinent of Europe. In repelling France from the basin
of the Ohio, Washington broke the repose of mankind,
and awakened a struggle which could admit only of a
truce, until the ancient bulwarks of catholic legitimacy-
were 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 world, and whose reverbera-
tions did not cease until the American colonies w^ere
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 resulted in the supremacy
of England in the valley of the Mississippi, and proved
the nursery for the gallant soldiery who in after years
in turn, wrested its possession from her, and in the
name of the people, took ch|irge of it themselves.

After this affair at the Great Meadows. Washing-
ton determined to push on toward the Forks, and pro-
ceeded some distance, but 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 otihe
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
iontiict, Washington capitulated, obtaining favorabW

202

CIVIL HISTORY.

terms from the Freneh commander. On the 4th, ther
took tip their line of march again from the yalley of
the Ohio, as prisoners of war; and the French flag
waved undisputed hj any actual force from the head
springs of the Ohio to the mouth of the Mississippi.

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

CHAPTER II.
THE INDIANS AND THEIR POLITY.

JPo'icv of the Indians— The Ohio Indians — Huntin? Grounds— Shawan.ee8—
Deiawares— Ottowas— Six Nationtj- Indian Villages — Tecumpseh— Hatred
of the Whites— Cruelties — Pioneers — Bounties for Scalps— Indian War 1768
Comparative Losses — Scouts.

History does not speak in very favorable terms of
the conduct of the Indian allies of the English. Not-
withstanding all their exertions and the expenditure of
a large sum in presents to the Indians, not more thaa
thirty could ever 1 a ohtained, at one time, to join tht
forces of the English in th'is campaign. They appear
to have heen 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 former
had early gained the good will of the Six Nations, as
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-

204' CITIL fflSTORT.

dians, with whom they traded and trapped and inter-
married. The French could always turn their Indian
allies to better account than could the English; and on
several occasions had large numbers of them in service,
and used them to great advantage. Contrecoeur's suc-
cessful expedition against Fort Pitt, is a case in point,
as is also Braddock's defeat, and the engagement with
Col. Boquet, in which the French and Indians were,
however, defeated,. In each of these affairs, the Indians
greatly outnumbered the French. At this time, the
French had also alienated several tribes of the Six Na-
tions from their 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 circumstances of their existence in the
land. The country lying on the waters of the upper
Ohio does not appear to have been very strictly appro-
priated by any pnrticular tribe of Indians, but to have
been regarded as a common hunting-ground for all. —
The mountainous and hilly region of the Monongahela
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. Thenumer-
qus 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 day, the creeks and rivers liter-
erally swarmed with fish of the finest kinds. The con-
forniation of the country rendered also its. valleys »nd

crvIL HISTORY. 20B

midges the thoroughfares for Indian parties travelling
from one section of the country to the other, on their
Tarious 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 fr? quented by
the Indians, still it does not appear to have been the
seat of any considersble villages during the memory
of the whites, at least. Small settlements of a few huts
like that atLogstown, 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 whence 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, the 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 the
Oreeks 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 encroaching whites 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

206 CIVIL HISTORY.

the land of the Illinois, and after them the Wyandotts,.
Mingoes and a score of others — smaller tribes — some of
whom had their villages on the banks of the Ohio and
tributary streams, but who were not generally consid-
ered very formidable. To the Northeast, lay the coun-
try of the Six Nations, along the lakes, the St. Law-
rence and the Hudson, capable of bringing into the
field 2500 fighting men^ The Mohawks w^ere the most
noted among those confederated tribes. Among peo-
ple so nomadic in their habits as these, it is difficult to
Jissign any very definite boundaries, but they appear
to have had certain rules and regulations among them-
selves which were scrupulously observed. Each tribe
appears to have had a certain territory and villages pe-
culiar to itself, where the families, the old men and th&
infirm resided and to which the warriors and hunters
repaired as to a general rendezvous, but the country out-
side of this appears 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 the
Indians and Gen. Wayne, after their disastrous de-
feat in 1792, urging as the cause of his dissatisfaction
that the tribes who were parties to the treaty, disposed
of privileges to which they had no right. At the Coun-
cil of Vincennes he claimed for all the Indiana of th^

CIVIL HISTORY. 207

country a common right to all tlie lands in it; denied
the right of any tribe to sell any portion of it without
the consent of all; and therefore, pronounced the treaty
of Fort Wayne, null and void.

Such was the state of this section at the time of which
we speak in reference to the Indians. It was overrun
by wandering bands of Indians of divers tribes and
language, often at war with one another and not very
scrupulous upon whom they committed depredations,
but particularly jealous of the whites, whom they all
regarded as intruders upon their common territory. —
It was difficult to effect treaties, and when violated, it
was extremely difficult to ascertain and punish the vi-
olation. They were in regard to the whites, more like
irresponsible banditti than anything else. Distrustful
alike of the French and Engli.sh, 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 the whites. They would
willingly have exterminated them, 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 side 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-

208 CIVIL HISTORY.

ards and the Englisli fools." Crafty, bloodthirsty and
crnel, yet endowed with many virtues, among which
were desperate courage and tenacious patriotism, they
were enemies not to be despised, and friends, whose al-
liance was to be courted and purchased. With all
their faults it cannot be said of them that they were re-
gardless of the faith 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 Eng*
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 they could neither appreci-
ate or improve. The Indian, 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 — the two races wero
antagonistic in almost every respect — they conld 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 we 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 to believe did happen.

During the j)eace 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 civilization, and the
clearings left to grow up with weeds and underbrush, to
be again reclaimed in happier times. Bounties for
scalps were offered by both parties, to their disgrace be
it said, and the vindictive Indian took a savage delight
in the silken locks of women and children, as well
as 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 be said to have commenced in

210

CIVIL HISTORY.

earnest, when tlie Indians significantly left a tomahawk
in the cabin of a murdered family near fort Ligonier,
as a formal declaration of war. Shawanees, Delawares,
Mohawks, Wyandotts, and Mingoes, all seemed to
nnite in a war of extirpation. The whites, says Col.
James Smith, of Kentucky, a veracious man, and for
many years an adopted captive among the red men,
lost in the ratio of ten to one. Lurking parties attacked
them in their cabins; they skulked around the home-
stead and shot the farmers at their work or while
hunting or journeying; they 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 of our plan however, to depict the hor-
rors of Indian warfare. Others have given in detail
the barbarities of both sides; for ourselves, we would
willingly 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 the
whites, and in some cases, without the shadow of a jus-
tification other than passion and revenge. Such enor-
mities were incident to the war, and we turn from them
in preference to the more grateful record of the peaceful
progress of the country.

CHAPTER Iir.
BRADDOCK'S EXPEDITION^.

Confidence of the French— Stobo— Gen. Braddoclr— Sir John StClair—Pro--
vincials disgusted — Departure of troops — The ''Black E ifle" Difficulties of
the route — Battle Ground — Battle — Fall of Braddock— Washington to the
rescue— Braddock's Death— French and Indians — Gener ft! Panic — Pontiac's
War — Emigration stopped— Col. Boquet's Stratagem— French Supremacy
Wm. Piit — 6eu. Forbes — Fort Duquesue retaken — Fort Pitt.

The subsequent warlike proceedings of tlie English
and Virginians in tlieir efforts to dispossess the French
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 Stoho, one of the two
hostages left as security for the fulfilment of the articles
of capitulation, found means to send to the government
Rt Williamsburg, a map of the fortifications and a de-
tailed statement of the strength and disposition of the
garrison. Induced by these representations, it was de-
termined to make an effort to retake it from. Contre-
coQur.,

212 CIVIL HISTORY.

The colonial government, althongli Governor Din-
widdle 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 Braddock, a veteran of forty years
standing in the most precise school of British discipline
and 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 difference between war in civilized style and war in
the 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 Government 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 by a military cavalcade for the ren-

CIVIL HISTORY. 213'

dezvous 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 oi caution
amounting to cowardice. Captain Jack, a bold and
intrepid borderer, known in early times as the "Black
Eilie" 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 witk 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 on
the heavy artillery and baggage. This plan promised
success. 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 reported the road clear aad no

Sl4 CIVIL HISTORY.

enemy to be seen in force about the premises. At tbe
point they then occupied, the hills came down bluff to
the water, forming a narrow pass of some two miles on
the side of the river on which the fort was situated,
which it was considered dangerous to attempt; and it
was resolved to ford it and march dow^n some five miles
on the other side and again recross. At day break, the
next morning, the troops were put in motion. They
forded the Monongahela with all the 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 looked as if arrayed rather for a
fete than for a battle. Washington, who 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 the regulars, as more accustom-
ed to the mode of warfare, nevertheless looked upon me
j>ageantwith an admiring eye. Housed to new life, he
forgot his repulses and all his recent ailments and broke
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 the
effect upon him, of a well disciplined European army,
marching in high confidence 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 Mononga-
hela, posted according to orders; but the river bank had
not been sufficiently sloped. The artillery and baggage

CIVIL HISTORY.' 215

wagons, drew up along the beach 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 Gage, preceded by the
engineers andguaids, and six light horseman, then Sir
John St. Clair, and the working party with their wag-
ons and two six pounders and on each side were thrown
out four flanking parties. Then at some distance, the
General was to follow with the main body, the artillery
and baggage preceded and flanked by light horse and
squads of infantry; while 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
1 ong grass, low bushes and scattered trees, sloped gently
up to a range of hills. The whoie country, generally
speaking, was a forest, with no clear opening but the
road, which was about twelve feet wide, and flanked by
two rayines concealed by trees and thickets. It was
now near two o'clock. The advance party and the
working party had crossed the plain and were ascend-
ing the rising ground. Braddock 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 the General, sur-
mised that the evil he had apprehended had come to pase.
For want of scouting parties ahead, the advance par-
ties were suddenly and warmly attacked. The firing
continued with a fearful yelling. There was a terrible
uproar. The general sent forward an aid to asc^rtaiu

215 CIVIL HISTORY.

and report to liim the cause, and too impatient to wait
sparred 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 them. 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 fell; but soon a murderous fire broke
ont from the ravine on the right of the road, and the
woods resounded wifh unearthly whoops aud yellings.
The Indian rifle 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 rifles of the unseen
savages. The latter extended themselves along the
hill and in the ravines; but their whereabouts was only
known by their demoniac cries and the puffs of smoke
from their rifles. As the covert fire grew more intense,
the trepidation of the legulars increased. They fired at
random whenever they saw a motion and shot some of
their own flanking parties and of the rangers who had
like the Indians, taken to the trees and were doing good
•xecution. All orders were uoheeded. The officers
were doubly exposed and in a very short time were
most of them shot down. The advance fell back upoa
Sir John St.^C lair's corps,, which was equally dismayed.

CIVIL HISTORY

•217

Col. Burton, had come up with the reinforcements,
and was forming his men to face the rising ground on
the right when both of the advanced detachments fell
back 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 where 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 cnt down from be-
hind logs and trees as fast as they could advance. It
was little better than murder for men to be thus ex-
posed. Some of them attempted to take to the 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 tho
Indians aimed from their coverts at every one 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 ruffiing 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 CIVIL HISTORY.

Irving. Sucli an unmitigated slaughter could notion^
continue. Nearly all the legular officers were disabled,
the troops were paralyzed by the panic, all subordina-
tion was lost, Braddock with obstinate bravery still at-
tempted 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 he
fell from his horse, hailing already had five horses shot
under him. In his despair he wished to be left upon
the field to die, but was with difficulty removed. The
principal command now devolved upon Washington.
Throughout the day, he had signalized himself by his
calm courage and gi'eat presence of mind. He exposed
himself without reserve to the murderous rifle, 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 wagoners, took each a horse out of his team and fled.
The officers were swept along in the headlong flight. —
The Indians rushed from their coverts, and pursued th«
frightened fugitives, as they dashed across the river, in
the tumultuous confusion, killing many while in the
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, but 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 forwari

CIVIL HISTOnY.

219

Iprovislons, hospital stores and waggons for the wound-
ed, but the tidings had reached Dutibar 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 difficulty a precipi-
tate flight was prevented by the officers.

The detachment escorting the wounded General, aug-
mented to a couple of hundred men and officers, reach-
'ed Dunbar's camp, on the 12th, and on the 13th, the
entire force took up its melancholy march, back again
•to t he Great Meadows, which they reached in the even-
ing. Here, Braddock died, on the night of the 13th. —
His proud spirit was broken by defeat, and the diffi-
culty with him seemed to be 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, expressed his
admiration of the gallantry displayed by the Virginians
in the action. It is said, moreover, that in his last mo-
ments, he apologized to Washington for the petulance
with which he had rejected his advice, and bequeathed
to him his favorite charger and his faithful servant,
Bishop, who had helped to convey him from the field.
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 place of his
sepulchre, however, is still known and pointed out and
we believe a monument now marks the spot. The last
act* of his life displayed the real generosity and kind-
heartedness of the man; while his dauntless conduct on
Iko field, shows him to have been a fearless as v/ell as

2^ CIVIL m STORY.

an accomplished soldier. Technical pedantry ^nd mil-
itary conceit were the chief errors of his character, and
bitterly he expiated them by an unhonored grave in a
strange land, a memory clouded by misfortune and a
name forever coupled with defeat.

Out of eighty-six officers seventy-two were killed or
wounded, and of the rank and file upward of seven hun-
dred. The Virginia corj^s suffered terribly. One com-
pany was annihilated, another had out one officer left and
he, a corporal. Their assailants were but a compara-
tive handful, being not the main force of the French,
but a detachment of 92 regulars, 146 Canadians and
637 Indians, 875 in all, led by Capt. de Beaujeu. Con-
trecosur, had received information that the English 300Q
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 his 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, Hi^
request was granted as a sort of forlorn hope. Beaujeu,
not having time to complete his ambush, the attack
was precipitated and Beaujeir fell, almost at the first
fire. His Indians, however, spread 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. Th^ir riflo 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 moro

CIVIL HISTORY. 221

surprised than Contrecoeur himself, when the amhiis-
"Cading party returned in triumph, with a long train of
packhorses laden with booty, the savages uncouthly
clad in the garments of the slain — grenadier caps, offi-
cers gold laced coats and glittering epaulets, flourishing
swords and sabres, or firing off muskets and uttering
fiendish yells of victory. But 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, and 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 jDower 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 ran 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.

From this time until 1763, raged what was called

222 CIVIL HISTORY.

Pontiac's war, one of the most awful periods of dis>
tress ever before or afterwards experienced in the wes-
tern country. This- was closed by the decisive victory
of Col. Boquet at Brushy Eun in Westmoreland coun-
ty, Pa., in the August of that year, which so dismayed
the savages that they gave up no.t only all further de~
signs against Fort Pitt, and the surrounding country,
but withdrew temporarily from the frontiers. In this
engagement, the Indians were themselves ambushed
and defeated, in a style similar to that wh-icli eight years
before they had so effectually used against Braddock.
The English army consisting af about five hundred men>
the remnant of two rcgiments 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 1T63, 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. They fell 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 a»udacity of the savages, he
took advantage of it. Porting two strong companies,
concealed in the underbrush, at each side of his road,
he commenced a precipitate and apparently disorderly
retreat. The savages fell into the snare. Thinking
that the English were really in confusion and retreat^

CIVIL HISTORY. 223

ing, they dashed yelling from their coverts, in fall pur-
suit; when the two concealed companies assailed the
exposed mass with a heavy fire on either flank; and at
the 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
days 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 murdered many families in their hab-
itations, they besieged and took by force or stratagem
numerous forts, and slew their inmates; they threatened
the very strongholds of the whites; passed the moun-
tains, and spread death and terror even to Bedford,
Winchester, and Fort Cumberland. Xearly 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 its ter-

224 CIVIL HISTORY.

rible consequences, had vacated nearly every English
cabin in the valley of the Ohio. Of the Xorth Ameri-
can 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. Lawrence and the Mississippi, by
three well known routes, — by way of Lake Erie and
Waterford to Fort Duquesne, by way of the Maumee to
Shawneetown 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. They 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
the western world. Tliey found the colonies in their as-
semblies impracticable, headstrong as themselves; the
spirit of independence sturdily asserting itsell 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 difficulty and all manner of
opposition to the ministry of England, trusted and lo-
ved by the people for his manly qualities; feared and
respected by the nobility for his ability and boldness,
had become the ruling spirit at home. In collonial mat-
ters, when entreated to interpose, he r^'garded the bick-
ering between the people and the assertors of preroga-
tive, with calm impartiality and blamed both parties
for the failure of the English arms and policy in

CIVIL HISTf'llV

225

America. He deiermined to retake fort Duquesne, as
a part of his far reaching plans of re-conquest. The
colonies themselves felt their honor at stake, and the
Assemblies seconded his determination with nnnsnal
zeal. Twelve hundred and fifty Highlanders arrived
from South Carolina and rendezvoused at Fort Cuai-
berland. Pennsylvania added twenty seven hundred
men, and the "Old Dominion" nineteen hundred more,
besides acorps of three hundred and fifty Eoyal Amer-
ican volunteers. This overwhelming force for the ser-
vice, was put in motion under the command of Briga-
dier General Joseph Forbes, called the "Iron Head"
an able officer but in the last stages of a fatal disease.
Here, the fortunes of Washington again mingle with
those of the Ohio country. He was stationed at Fort
Cumberland with the Virginia troops and insisted upon
advancing promptly along Braddock's road; but was
provoked at the dilatory policy of Forbes, in having a
new road cut through the wilderness nearly parallel
therewith.

Intelligence having come to hand that Fort Ducjuesne
was defended by but five hundred French and three
hundred Indians, Major Grant with 800 highlanders,
and some Virginians, was detached by Col. Boquet,
without the knowledge of Forbes, 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
balance being saved only by the good conduct of the
provincials. Washington was then permitted to pro-
ceed with his Brigade of Provincials to attempt the cap-
ture of the Fort, the gavrison of which having been re-
inforced by four hundred men from the Illinois, was
now near twelve hundred strong. As Washington and

226 CIVIL HISTORY. ^

his Brigade advancing by forced marclies, 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 hostile gun, or the spilling of a single drop
of blood in battle, was accomplished by the Pro-
vincial Major, and his Virginia brigade, w^hat 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.

Ai? the banners of England floated over the Ohio, the

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

CHAPTER lY.
SETTLEMENTS, TITLES AND BOUNDARIES:,

Early Boundary Disputes— First Settlements— PennsylTaDia und Vir?ini»
State Line— Patents— Litisration— Titles— Lord Dunmore— Conolly— Reyo-
lution— Capt John Neville— Early Patriotism— Settlement of Boundary
Disputes— The Panhandle— Oridn of the name— Ohio county— West Lib^
erty- Original Settlers— Characteristics— Early Enterprifce— Iraigratioa—
"Weighty Cliaracters.

At a very early day, as far back, at least, as the com-
mencement of the 18th century, disputes arose as to ihe
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 the-
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 claims
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-
siderations more or less valuable, and in others, siezed,
by virtue o-f co-nquest. It is believed that no white maa

228 CIVIL HISTORY.

trod the shores of the Ohio or its iipjier hranches, 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-
nia, was 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-
nongahela. The settlement by the Ohio Company, pre-
viously referred to, at the Forks, may be considered as
the first regularly attempted white settlement. At about
this period, the entire region was generally believed to
belong to Virginia — though, the grant to the proprieta-
ry of Pennsylvania, expressly guaranteed to hioi the
i30untry from a certain point on the Delaware river, the
starting point of the celebrated "Mason & Dixon's line,"
five degrees of longitude west. The ideas of geography
in those day^', were, however, somewhat indefinite; and
Virginia had countei -claims, which she put in; and at
any rate, she exei'cised 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 Mississijypi, 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
Fincastle carved out of this, in 1772, was again subdi-

CIVIL HISTORY. 220

vided in 1776, into Kentucky, Washington and Mont-
gomery counties. Thus, vague and indeterminate, were
the boundaries of this region, only eighty years ago. —
After Fort Pitt came into the hands of the English, hy
the treaty of Grenville, in 1765, and during the lull in
Indian hostilities subsequent to the events before narra-
ted, emigration having again commenced, and settle-
ments having been gradually made along the various
streams, as the population increased, boundaries became
of more importance. The Western portion of the dis-
trict, comprising the territory lying upon and between
the waters of the Monongahela and the Ohio, took the
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-
imned, and had become the source of frequent litigation,
so 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 the Mo-
nongahela, and one North, at Redstone, now Browns-
ville. She at one time fixed a seat of Justice at "Ra-
zortown," two miles West of what is now Washing-
ton, and at one time, 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 this sub-
ject, were very liberal — the Indian title was now consid-
ered to have been conquered in the war, and all that was

2S0 CIVIL HISTORY.

Tiecessary to give validity to title, were sucli restvictions
-as were necessary to prevent contusion. Six months'
time was to intervene between the registry of the claim
at the land-office, and the issue of a patent. The pat-
-ent, cost surveying and officer's fees and 82 per hundred
acres of land. These conditi'jns 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, was yet respected by the
settlers, 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 the
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 S25 to
^oO per hundred acres, or fourteen fold. He opened a
land office at about this lime, but the difference in price,
determined the majority of the settlers to purchase from
Virginia. Settlements made or warrants located pre-
vious to this date under authority of either province
were recognised by both a^ good and valid. June 1774,
:a vexatious contest commenced between Pennsylvania
and Virginia in relation to these matters. Lord Dun-
more, was then Grovernor of the latter state, and as the
revolution was in its incipient state and the govern-
or a strong tory in principle and subsequent practice; it
l?as been surmised, his object was to embroil the states

CIVIL HISTORY. 281

in difficulties between themselves, and tlius withdraw
their attention from the engrossing questions of the rev-
olution. It was at this time, that the Pennsylvanians
offered to make the Monongahela the boundary line;
but Governor Dunmore, evidently did not wish the dis-
pute settled. He appointed to tlie command of Fort
Pitt, Col. Wm. Conolly, a rash, headstrong, unscrupn-
lous man, who harassed the people by his exactions to the
point of exasperation; and even arrested and imprisoned
magistrates acting nnder authority^ of Pennsylvania in
the 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 the attention of patriotic
citizens of both states, on the 25th. of July, 1775, the
delegates in congress, including among others, Thomas
Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and Beniamin Franklin, uni-
ted in a circular, urging the people in the disputed re-
gion to mutual forbearance. Says the circular: "Wq
recommend it to you that all bodies of armed men,
kept up by cither party, be dismissed; and that all thosa
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 di^a-
gi-eeable was the continued disputation that abont thii
time, it was seriously contemplated by many of the set"
tiers, to move in a body farther west; and a schomf
with this end in view was actually entered into by a
Mr. Jackson, which however failed.

When the revolution actually broke out, the atten-
tion of the people was turned in that direction. Dun-
more developed his character in espousing openly, tb«
cause of the crown against the people; and in attempt-
ing to incite the negroes in one section, and the savagw

232 CIVIL HISTORY.

in another, against tlie whites. At this juncture it be-
came necessary to forget their bickering and unite for
mutual defence against their common enemies — the Brit-
ish, Tories and Indians.

Mutual danger and a common cause united them,
when appeals to their reason and patriotism weie una-
vailing. Virginia, siill claimed and exercised juiisdic-
tion throughout the revolution, and sent out Captain
John Neville with a small military force, to occupy and
hold Fort Pitt. He appears to have been a prudent
and conciliatory man; at any rate, the difficulties appear
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-
DavidKittenhouse 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 find the first voice publicly raised in Ameri-
ca to dissolve all connection with Great Britain, came,
not from the Puritans of 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
the kinder feelings produced by united resistance to
cereal Britain, movements were made toward the close
cf the war to effect an amicable settlement. For this

CIVIL HISTORY. 233

David Rittenhouse on the part of Pennsylvania, and Dr.
James Madison, late Bisliop of tlie Protestant Episco-
pal Church in Virginia, and Robert Andrews, on the
part of Virginia, were appointed, in 1779, commission-
ers to agree upon a boundary. They met at Baltimore,
on the 81st 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 Shawnees 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, Va. Their report was received, and
ratified by the Legislature of Virginia, on the 8th of Oc-
tober, 1785, and from that day, dates the legal exist-
ence of the ''Panhandle." Previous to this, Ohio coun-
ty had been formed from Yo-ho-gania, 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, and the county of
Yo-ho-gania became, thereupon, extinct. Hancock,
then, and so much of Brooke as 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-

234

CIVIL HISTORY.

ting what is called the Panhandle, states that it was
owing to an error in reckoning, that the five degrees
of west longitude, reached so far to the west, and that
much dissatisfaction was excited, when the result was
definitely ascertained. Great importance was undoubt-
edly attached to the command of the Ohio river, by
the authorities of either State, hut it is doubtful wheth-
er the Virginians felt themselves, at that juncture, very
far overreached. It will be borne in mind, that at that
day, the Northwestern Territory, comprising the great
State of Ohio, was an integral part of the Old Domin-
ion, so that even imder the arrangement agreed to by
the commissioners, the Ohio, for a very great distance,
flowed through her 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 rate, 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 envi-
rons and all Allegheny and Westmoreland counties;
but all Washington, Fayette and Green, to Pennsyl-
vania. The Virginians, in 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 satisfactorily
settled, the small strip of land running up between the

CIVIL HISTORY. 285

Pennsylvania line and the Ohio, settled up more rap-
idly than any other portion of Northwestern Virginia.
Having had the puhlic eye directed to it by the many
disputes, it attracted the more attention, and figures
extensively, at an early day, in Legislative annals. —
From its peculiar shape on the map, it received the
name, in Legislative debate, of the Panhandle, given
it by John M'Millen, delegate from Brooke, to match
the Accomac j)rojection, which he dubbed the Spoon-
handle. The Virginians, wer6 a little sore when they
made the discovery that they were over reached by the
Pennsylvanians in the bargain; but were consoled by
Oeorge Mason with the reflection that the narrow strip
left them, would serve the purpose of a sentinel and
protect the body of the State from any invasion of its
territory or institutions. However it may be as regards
the interests olthe 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 inhabitants
to avail themselves of 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 its
inhabitants cannot reasonably expect to receive a pro-
portionate share of advantage from the system of
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 laws of the old Do-
minion; nor have they ever shown any deficiency in

236 CIVIL HISTaRY.

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

On the first development of the Panhandle, it con-
stituted a portion of the extensive county of Ohio,
which dates back to hefore the revolution, and reached
territorially to an indefinite extent. On the waters 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 1776, was 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
spring, and among the attornies practising, are the
names of Philip Pendleton and George Brent in 1778.
The town was incorporated November 29th, 1786. At
the organization of the present county of Brooke in
1797, at which period the seat of justice for Ohio coun-
ty, was removed to Wheeling, and at about which time
the county records were burned, West Liberty,
was quite a metropolis, and was the scene of many
3 hard fought battle with forensic as well as physical
weapons. The court-house, or the relics of it may yet
be seen, being a log building, nearly opposite the tav-
ern stand knov/n 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 was a great place for
horse-racing, and the present generation of its citizens

CIVIL HISTORY. 237

'came honestly by their critical love for this noblest of
animals. Nor were militia musters the mere scoff 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 leaf, 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 much 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, — the 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
and uninterrupted good health, to the end of very long
lives. We have listened to the recitals of the deeds of
the notables of that day, until we seemed translated
back to the good old days, v/hen jollity and good neigh-
borhood, and generous deeds, tempered the rudeness of
our fathers, and men seem actually te 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

238 CIVIL HISTORY,

an nnorganized state of society. The tnrbulence and
lawlessness that sometimes prevailed at their gather-
ings, is not surprising, when we recollect that it was
no nnusual thing for two thousand men to assemble-
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 be found. For them, however, justice was
both sharp and quick. If we are to believe tradition,
forty fights a day. was no unusual thing on such occa-
sions; the performances occasionally varied with a free
fight, in which the crowd particij)ated ad libitim. Their
fighting, however, seems to have been more an inno-
cent way they had of working off their surplus 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 style of backwoods etiquette;
and when once decently decided, the 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 the
almost continual conflicts of the settlers, first with the
French and Indians, then with the Indians, and finally
with the British during the war of the revolution; for
it must be borne [in mind, that the men of whom we
treat, were the cotemporaries of Morgan, Campbell and

CIVIL HISTORY. 239

Lewis, of King's Mountain, and Point Pleasant; and
many of them, lield commissions under the sign man-
ual of Washington himself, or had borne arms in the
**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. Fiy's regiment at Alexandria,
by the promise of land about the Forks of the Ohio;
others were induced to emigrate by the Ohio Compa-
uy; and others, again, came voluntarily, because it was
a goodly land. Those wdio came under the provisions
of Dinwiddle's offer of land, secured their warrants and
after the termination of the Indian wars, proceeded to
locate them. Washington, himself located largely in
Western Virginia from having his attention directed to
the country during his earlier services, prior to and du-
ring this French war. South of Marshall county or the
base of the Panhandle, the country however, was slow
about filling up — population tending more toward the
north. The different settlements appear to have been
made by people from neighboring localities, the ties of
friendship and kindred, with apprehensions of dan-
ger, inclining them to set their stakes in close commu-
nities. A squad of Marylanders would settle here, a
company of Virginians there, while in another section
we would have 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

240 CIVIL HISTORY.

• country about West Libercy, early attracted settle-
ment by its fabulous fertility, and was appropriated by
horse-racing, fox-bunting, jolly Marylanders and Vir-
ginians— some of them, men of much education and re-
finement, and early given to bospitality, good living,
fun and intermarriage. Farther north, the Scotch and
Irish element began to predominate, though the prevail-
ing type, continued Virginian. Among the original
settlers of Ohio county, may be named Jas. Caldwell,
G-eorge McCulloch, Benj. Biggs, And, Woods, John
Boggs, Joseph Tomlinson, Ebenezer Zane, Moses
Ohapline, John McColloch, Solomon Hedges, John
Williamson, David Shepherd, Archibald Woods, Z.
Sprigg, Alexander Mitchell, &c., whose names appear
prominently on the record; while in 1787, several pat-
ents were located in Brooke, or Yohogania, by Dorsey
Pentecost, Moses Decker, Peter Cox, Benjamin Wells,
John Van Metre, Benj. Johnson Jr., who was a sur-
veyor, and located 7000 acres in 1785, Wm. McMahon,
who appropriated the hills^lying back of Wellsburg, in
1786, Hezekiah Hyatt, Lawrence Van Buskirk, John
Buck, and Gabriel Greathouse, 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 latter irruption we find prominent-
ly the names of Thos. Cook, Nathaniel Fleming, Jas.
Darrah, Wm. McClane, Benjamin Eeed, and others.
An esteemed correspondent in this connection, furnish-
es the following reminiscences:

''Among the pioneer citizens who made their first
western location in the border village, we have heard

CIVIL HISTORY. 241

the names of Col. McKennon, father of the late Hon,
T. M. T. McKennon, of Washington county, Pa., who
died at Reading, Pa., July 9th, 1852, universally res-
pected and regretted. Judge 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 Bazaleel, 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 Swearingen's, the Brady's and others,
whose names are 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 make
frequent excursionary visits among them; for there, in
in addition to the attraction of social intercourse, they
enjoyed pure air, green fields, and substantial fare; no
trifling 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
present to our memory. It was to the manor of Geo.
Hammond, a A^irginia Magistrate, and father of the
late Chas. Hammond, Esq., of Cincinnati. Mr. Ham-
mond was a Marvlander, and a true orentleman of the
old school type. His intelligent and expressive eye.

242 CIVIL HISTORY.

silvery locks, tall, erect figure, cane in liand — inspired
the beholder with feelings of reverence and veneration,
while listening to his judicious and instructive conver-
sation. He seemed to be perfect master of his estab-
lishment, which, in addition to a large family of sons
and daughters, included quite a number of well fed,
glossy-faced Africans."

Under the operation of the very liberal Virginia laws
regulating claims to unapproj^riated lands, the good
land of the country was rapidly taken up, and generally
in large bodies, by the parties named above, and their
cotemporaries — a large proportion of it on speculation,
to be sold at an advance or held until forfeited for non-
payment of taxes; but much of it for actual settlement.
It is singular and significant of the characteristics of
our institutions, to observe how small a proportion of
the land now remains in the hands of the descendants
of the original pi oprietors. A large proportion of it
changed hands, during the first twenty years; and al-
though the names sound familiar enough, 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 dovruward; and while others, who were
of more humble pretensions vhen, now occupy situations
that enable them to look down upon others again, who
at the next revolution may occupy their places. So it
goes.

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 whom 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 there
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 Peter Tarr and
James Kankin, for the consideration of $3,600 for the
premises. The furnace was operated for 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, had been effectually expel-
led, towns and villages had sprung up at different eligi-
ble points; and population diffusing itself throughout
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 their turn to be
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. —

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 Sheriff of Brooke
County, empannelled a jury of twenty-four citizens,
whose gross weight is recorded at 7230 pounds, or an
average of 300 pounds each. It is probable that these
were men of extraordinary size even for their day, or
the empannelling of such a jury would not have been
made the point of a newspaper paragraph, as it was; but
there are few thinly 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. McGruder, Jas. Crawford,.
Joseph Applegate, Francis M'Guire, Cornelius H.
Gist, Jas. Connell, Amon Wells, Caleb Wells, Adam
Wilson; James Robinson, Samuel Wilson. Lemon
Fonts, Hezekiah Hyatt, and Absalom Wells, Sr. and
Jr — three of them weighing near 4'JO 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 Creek twenty five or thirty ladies of correspond-
ing dimensions, averaging from 240 to 300 lbs. avoir-
dupois. Suchweie 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 to regret or aught to feel ashamed
of.

CHAPTBE V.
EELIGIOUS CHARACTERISTICS.

Early Religious IncliDations-Intolerance-Presbyterianism - S^ctarisD
ScLols-Canonsburg College- VVa^Mngton College Pa -\\ashm^^^^^
lece Ya.-Seceders-Eedstone Presbytery-Camp Meetings— m ethodisU—
Persecuiion-Itineracv-Lorenzo Dow-Rev James Finley-Jobn M l>o^-
ell-Stone Meeting House on Short Creek-Eev. J. Monroe-Cast :emaas
Eun Camp Grouud— Baptist Denomination- Jonathan West-Alexander
Campbell— Episcopal Church— Rev. Joseph Doddridge— Disputation.

There was early manifested a decided partiality for
the forms and ordinances of Christianity among the ear-
ly settlers of the country of which we treat; in some
portions of it, verging upon intolerance. The imigrants
brought with them the peculiar 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 strongly tinctured with high
church Episcopacy and Catholicism; the disciples of Wm.
Penn were represented in the emigration from his prov-
ince; while the strong Scotch Irish population, 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-

246 CIVIL msTORY.

ion of Western Pennsylvania. Its missionaries were
scattered all over the country, and were zealous in their
labors; every opportunity was used by its colporteurs
and ministers, to distribute bibles and tracts; they would
visit emigrant boats descending the river, to see that
their spiritual wants were duly attended to, and through
the agency of missionary societies, take advantage of
every opportunity to diffuse the gospel. The Rev. Mr.
Patterson, alone, during fourteen years' residence in
Pittsburgh, at this early day, in this way, distributed
6863 copies of bibles and testaments. They founded
schools and colleges, and filled them with scholars, and
supplied them with zealous and competent teachers. —
In 1796, they resolved to establish two seminaries, in
which the purpose of ''educating young men for the gos-
pel ministry," was a prominent object; one to be estab-
lished in Rockbridge County, Va , under charge of Rev.
Wm. Grraham, as President, the other in Washington
County, Pa., under care of Rev. John M'Millan. This
was the origin of Washington College, Lexington, Ya.,
and of Canonsburg College, in Washington County;
Pa. Books of a doctrinal nature were enjoined to be
put 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 Presbyteries
respectively. A few years afterwards, Washington
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-

CIVIL HISTORY. 247

ghenies to preacli to the scattered emigrants, hunters,
traders and Indians who naight fall in their way. As
early as 1760, we read of their labors and travels in
this capacity. Very many of the settlers, of Washing-
ton and Allegheny counties, were seceders from the reg-
ular organization, and of the straitest sect of that per-
suasion. They were very dogmatical in their opinions
and somewbat disposed to bigotry; much given to long
sermons, very peculiar psalmody and cold meat on
Sunday. Many of this denomination, may still be
found in western 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;
what was called the Redstone Presbytery, which em-
braced the country lying between and upon the branch-
es of the Monongahela and the Ohio; and took its name
from Redstone Old Fort, which appears to have been
a sort of head quarters, and gave the name of Redstone
settlement to a wide extent of country. This Presby-
tery, was served by men of eminent piety and ability,
among whom may be named — Revs. Joseph Smith,
John M'Millan, James Power, Anderson, Dodds, Ed-
gar and others — men who made their mark upon the
early history of the country and the leaven of whose
christian virtues, still works among the sturdy yeomaa-
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-
sideration per year, of £150 contmental currency of 1774
for his services; and recapitulating the great loss ''youth
sustain by growing up without the stated means of

248 CIVIL HISTORY.

grace; the formality likely to spread over the aged, and
the great danger of ungodliness pervailing among both,
there being divers denominations of people among ns,
who hold dangerous principles tending to mislead many
weak and ignorant people; we cannot but renew our
earnest entreaties tliat 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 open air.
A place was selected, as well sheltered from the weath-
er as possible and a log pulpit erected; and in this prim-
itive style the worship of God was conducted with as
much decorum and perhaps with more acceptability,
than in the gorgeous edifices and gilt edged pulpits of
their descendants. Tins was the origin of the camp-
meetings, which were not, as is generally supposed, by
any means confined to Methodists. They had their or-
igin in the necessities of the country before Methodism
existed; and w^ere very generally adopted, not from
choice, but for w\ant of better accommodations.

Next in numbers and influence after Presbyterianism
comes Methodism, though it does not by any means ap-
pear as efficient or at least as prominent, until of much
later date. Indeed, in the early days of Methodism its
professors and preachers appear to have been in very bad
repute, and were considered rather as grievous nuisan-
ces to society, than as a reputable, christian denomina-
tion. Their more liberal and popularized doctrines and
mode of church gov-ernment 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 obj.ect

Going to Church in Old Times.— [Page 54^.]

CIVIL HISTORY. 249

of jealousy, 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; and 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 the 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 the more aristocratic and
exclusive cotemporary sects. Commending itself to the
sympathies of the masses and appealing rather to their
feelings than to their intellects, it was the creed to pre-
vail in a naturally consciencious, but uncultivated com-
iiiunity, 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 Almighty, were of so impressive a
character they could not only not be forgotten, 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
simplicity and scantiness of their outfit. They ^took
no thought of to-morrow, but depending upon the gos-
pel 8taff and script, they relied upon what the day
Piight bring forth, for their sustenance and support. —

250 CIVIL HISTORY.

They dived into tlie bosom of tlie 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 made the
woods resound with prayer and praise and exhortation.
There was a heroism, a self devotion, a defiance of per-
il, an endurance 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, which were destined soon to grow up into
a bountiful harvest. Among the first and most nota-
ble of these early itinerants was Lorenzo Dow, who
gained a world-wide reputation for his eccentricities;
and who first passed through this country about the
year 1806, preaching at the different points on his
route. He was not regularly in connection with the
Methodist organization, but his doctrines had more sim-
ilarity to theirs, than to those of any other denomina-
tion; and naturally he 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
that day, he says: "about this time there was mucli
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 were the demons that were to come
in the last days; that such a delusive spirit attended
them that it was dangerous to have them speak, le«t they

CIVIL HISTORY. 251

^hotild lead people out of the good old way tliey had
been brought up in, that they would deceive if possibU,
the very elect." In his passage through this country
in 1805, he speaks of preaching at Charlestown, and
says that many were displeased with his preaching. —
Returning again in 1813, he met with a kinder '"recep-
tion, at most of the points where he preached, though
at West Middletown, Pa., he says that an effort wat
made to mob him, which failed. He was probably th«
ftrst of the street preachers, and as often preached in th«
market place as in the church. He was possessed of
much ready wit, which he could readily turn to advan^
tage and very frequently to 'the ludicrous discomfiturt
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, Pa., in 1806, John
McDowell, whose father's family was the first Metho-
dist family in the county, preached the first sermon of
the novel creed, and had almost to fly for his life from
the vengeance of his Gongregation; as late as 1826, th«
Rev. Bear, who headed the first organization in Beaver
county, was spit upon by the boys and otherwise insul-
ted, during his sermon.

Rev. James Finley who flourished about the time of
the last war, was an eminent preacher of this denomi-
nation, concerning whom, quite a number of anecdote*
are afloat among his ancient friends. He appears t«
haxe 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 hi»

252 CIVIL HISTORY.

father being a teaclier of tlie classics, he acquired from
him a superior education. He reproved sin 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. Said he, on being advised that a
certain man in Stejibenville, whom he had offended^
had threatened to maltreat him. ' "I am willing to be
led to the stake for the cause of Christ, but brethren^
(lod never made the man who will ever cowhide James.
Finley." It is needless to say he was not cowhided,
although he thundered his denunciations afterwards,
with redoubled vim.

Nevertheless, and in spite of opprobrium and hostil-
ity, the church grew apace, and at an early day took
rank with the Presbyterian in popularity; and in many
sections actually outstripped it in numbers. At this
day it considerably exceeds any other denomination, in
this section in the number of its members, and is be-
hind none in popular estimation. 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 Methodist Church in the
country is tlie old stone meeting house on Short Creek
bottom, erected by them about the year 1810. Eev..
Joshua Monroe, speaks of preaching in it in the year
1811, whenit was in an unfinished 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 time worn edifice, suggestive of old times;-
and surrounded with the grave stones of many of the.

CIVIL HISTORY.

pattiarcfts and pioneers of tins section. Not far from
it is the old Castleman's Run Camp Ground, also loca-
ted about the same time (in 1814,) by the same Joshua
Monroe, above mentioned, with others, laymen and
preachers, and arranged for a camp ground. Prior to
1811, Camp Meeting had been held in the vicinity of the
stone meeting house, but an interix^ission 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, from that day to this.

Among the early Methodist preachers may be named
Hoge, Page, West, John Waterman, J. 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 thankfulness to God, and hon-
est pride at the commanding position it has 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 Jefferson, N. W. Territory, deeded to the Regular
Baptist Church of Kings Creek, Va., for the sum of one
and a half dollars, sufficient 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
Kegular Baptists were afterwards divided into varioui

2^4 CIVIL HISTORY.

•ects, who discussed their various points of difference;
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 CalvanisUc 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 come much into vogue until a later
day, and does not particularly come at this time within
our'view.

The following sketch of the life of Dr. Joseph Dod-
dridge, whose "Notes on Virginia,** have given his
name a wide celebrity, will be found, also, an interest-
ing sketch of the progress of the Episcopal 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 County, Pennsylvania, locating in

CIVIL HISTORY. 255

the neighborhood of the Virginia line. Being a man of
piety and intelligence, although not enjoying robust
health, he found many opportunities of rendering him-
self useful to the community in which ho lived. When
a resident of his native State, he was a member of the
English Church, but after his remo^^al 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, was born in October, 1768.
At an early age, in Philadelphia, he took orders in tha
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 the
anxiously coveted assistance.

From the Hon. Judge Scott's reminiscence of tho
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, jmost
of whom, removed to Wheeling, when the courts were

256 CIVIL HISTORT,

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

In the year 1800, Dr. Doddridge formed a congrega-
tion in this place, then called Charlestown, also one in
Jefferson County, Ohio, now known as St. James'
church, on Cross Creek, in that County. As early as
1794 and '97 he held frequent religious services at Steu-
henville. Wheeling and Grave Creek.

In later years, his ministrations as a pioneer mission-
ary were extended into the interior of the State of Ohio,
and it was owing in a great measure to his zealous and
persevering efforts that the preliminary steps were ini-
tiated which resulted in the erection of the state into an
Episcopal diocese and the election of its first prelate,
the 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-
stitute, 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. 257

ease which, in the latter years of hi3 life, was painfullj
manifested.

In his disposition he was social and cheerful, fond of
the society of friends, to whom he was always affable
and accessible, aiming in his conversations with them to
combine instruction with entertainment. His heart was
replete with sympathy and compassion for the poor and
the afflicted, to whose relief he ever imparted largely of
his limited means. For some years previous to his
decease he was severely afflicted with an asthmatic
complaint which finally terminated his life in the 58th.
year of his age, in Nov. 1826. His remains with those
of his parents, bis v^'ife and several of his children, re-
pose in a monumental mound, in the old grave yard ad-
joining Brooke Academy, in this place.

In concluding this chapter on the religious 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 re-
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 a broader and wider spirit of christian tol-
erance, even to the verge of indifference. With a firm
reliance npon 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-
lenialhope, wdiich all true christians are free to agree
upon and indulge.

CHAPTER VI.
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

Wterarv Tendency of the People— Quality Folks— Field Schools— Academies
and High Schools — Alexander Camphell— Bethany College — West Liberty
Academy — Wellsburg Female Seminary— Common Schools — Kewspapors.

A PEOPLE SO eminently religions in their tendencies
as 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 HISTORY. 2h9

dispensing hospitality with a liberal profusion, essay-
ed to be thought, what they were called by the less as-
piring, ''quality folks." These quality folks were gen-
erally well educated, and were both emulated and envi-
ed, by their less favored, but equally ambitious neigh-
bors. Their own sons and daughters, 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 field school was an institution in
its way. As described by writers of the day, and as
some relics, now existing, jDrove, they were of the
class of schools which benefit through much tribula-
tion. A log house, of moderate size, was squatted
down at the intersection of a couple of cow-paths, or
near some spring in the woods, the walls chinked with
mud, and sticks, and stones; the roof and floor of clap-
boards, and doors, windows and chimnios, of the most
primitive style. To this temple of learning, resorted
the urchins for miles around, — trudging through the
woods in families; boys and girls together, with their
dog-eared school-books, that had served 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. The scholars sat
bolt upright, on backless benches, while the magister ar-
ils, 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"

260 CIVIL HISTORY^.

wlien he conquered the single rule of three, and took
his first degree when he acquired "round hand writing."
Jolly times, Uiey were, at the old field schools — check-
ered like our lives with much of pleasure, much of pain.
The riotous pleasure of boyhood, when released like
young colts from durance vile, the warlike preparations
of barring out, and the chivalrous punctilio of the as-
sault, 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 memory, drown out the doleful hours of enforced
quiet, the painful confinement, the bothering of brain
over intricate problems, the visions of the birch, smart
of thebiich itself, and the manifold exacerbations of
the youthful spirit. Reminiscences such as these, and
many more, balance each other on memory's chart, as
the mind recurs 'to the school boy days.

The teachers themselve-5, 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 which were those of travelling cobbler and
tailor. They boarded round among their patrons, and
in the intervals betw^een their professional engagements,
they mended the shoes and made the breeches for the
families wnth whom they boarded.

These field 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, wdierever numbers justified.

Toward the close of the last century, a movement was
made by the members of the Redstone Presbytery, to

CIVIL HISTORY. 261

establish schools on a firm foundation, having in view
the advancement of the church. In 1792, an academy
was established at Canonsburg, in Washington co.
Pa., and another in Lexington, Eockbridge county,
Va., believed to be the first high schools west of the
Allegheny mountains, These academies or semina-
ries as they were called, were kept up for a time by con-
tributions from the people, but in a short time, they re-
ceived sufficient patronage to be self-supporting. The
Seminary at Canonsburg, was converted into Can-
onsburg College in 1802, since which time, the insti-
tution has grown in popular estimation and become one
of the most respectable institutions 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 chrysalis existence of a few years,
assumed the name of Washington College, and in time
attained to great prosperity. Academies 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 munificence, sometimes assisted by the State,
and at others depending solely upon their merits for
their support. An academy was established at Wells-
burg at an early day, which furnished means of educa-
tion to many now in active life, and once possessed
considerable celebrity. Alexander Campbell also, was
early distinguished as an instructor of youth, many of
the middle aged citizens of the present day having re-
ceived their education under him. His career as an
instructor, culminated in the establishment of Bethany
College in 1840.

Mr^ Campbel], was born at Shane's Castle, Ireland^

565 CIVIL HISTORT.

in 1778, and having received a finished education ia
his native country, he emigrated to America in 1808.
He located shortly after his arrival, in Western Penn-
sylvania, in the capacity of preacher and teacher; and
Koon acquired a reputation as a man of talent and am-
bition. He was a delegate to the convention to reform
tW. Constitution of Virginia in 1829-30, but never par-
ticularly distinguished himself iu politics; his princi-
pal forte being in controversial writing and debate. —
The Millenlial Harbinger, established durjng the year
1823, of which he has continued the principal editor
and always the leading spirit, has exerted a great influ-
ence on the religious sentiment of Christendom; and be
has engaged in various public discussions m this coun-
try and. in England, which have given him a reputation
almost cosmopolitan. He has also edited and pub-
lished several books of a theological character. Few-
men living, have, indeed, transacted so much or such
diversified business as Mr. Campbell; or labored through
life with such unremitting industry. He has accumu-
lated considerable property and his homestead at Be-
thany, Brooke County, Va., is the scene of profuse hos-
pitality to visitors from all sections of the country attrac-
ted by the wide spread reputation of the man, as well
as by the calls of business, religious, literary and secu-
lar. In personal appearance, he is tall, venerable and
dignified; and the most casual observer, would not fail
to recognise in him, the marks of a commanding intel-
lect.

He early showed a disposition to diflfer from the Cal-
vanistic preachers among whom he was thrown, and
after much disputation, controversy and even abuse,, he
left them and essayed to establish a creed and praetioe

CIVIL HISTORY. 2C$

tMore in accordance ■with his own ideas of scriptural
propriety. In this, he lias to a great extent succeedefl
and he is now, at least by the pubh'c, considered the
head of the branch of the Baptist denomination, which
has taken in some sections, his name. For himself, in
all his teachings and writings, he emphatically dis-
claims sectarianism; but popular opinion, seems 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 chrii*
tian culture may be appropriately developed.

The first definite plan of the organization of the Col-
lege is laid down by Mr. Campbell in the Millenial
Harbinger for October, 1839, under the head **.Xew In-
stitution." The project had been long ripening in hi»
mind, but its realization had been deferred waiting the
Buccessful establishment of Bacon College, Kentucky.
in the success of which, Mr. Campbell, took a great in*
terest. His first idea was, that the location of the col-
lege should be "entirely rural — in the country, detach-
ed from all external society; not convenient to any towrt
or place of rendezvous — in the midst of forests, field*
and gardens — salubrious air, pure water- -diversifies!
scenery of hills and vallies, limpid brooks and mean-
dering streams of rapid flowing water. Such is th«
spot I have selected." This description sounds some-
what Acadian, but it correctly delineates the landscape,
while die event shows that Academic seclusion has pro-
ven a failure — a thriving village springing up around
the very doors of his college.

His next grand idea was, that the school should be

264 CIVIL HISTORY. "

free from any sectarian influence, and thus severed from
the dogmas of established religions, induct more ration-
al theology into the minds of students than he deemed
to then prevail. Says he: **We want no scholasdc
or traditionary theology. We desire, however, a much
more intimate, critical, and thorough 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 was to be built up on an original
plan combining in its detail the requisites both of church
and college and of church, preminently. To quote far-
ther from his programme. "This church institution
8hall, in one cardinal point of view, resemble the West
Point military school. There, it is not the theory
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, Bible-lectures — sermons — church order —
Christian discipline; but daily practice of these. This
church will be in ^sion seven days in every week. —
The suparintendant of this institution, or the 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 speak, and act,
as though they were, as in truth they are, members of
a particular church met for edification and worship."

His programme then goes into detail of prospective
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, oa Monday May lOth,,

CIVIL HISTORY. 265

1841, at which time, the available funds of the Institu-
tion were stated at 811,054, obtained by subscription ,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 Ya., and
Pvobert 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
s at the University, and the cost of one year's attend-
ance, was unanimously fixed at 8150; besides an en-
trance fee ol 810, for each student.

At this time, the buildings were unfinished, and but
a little over 81000 of the subscriptions actually paid,
although the Inn and the College were being built. —
The Treasurer asked 820,000 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 opposition on sectari-
an grounds, but finally, it overcome them all, and, at
this day, realizes, in some degree, the anticipations 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 considerabk
patronage. The Chairs of several Professors are now
endowed, in sums sufficient to afford them comfortabk,.

266 CIVIL HISTORY.

salaries, and are generally filled, and with men of the
first order. The Old College building, which was ac-
cidentally burned, in December, 1857, was replaced the
succeeding season, by a j>ortion of the present magnifi-
cent edifi-ce, 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, &c., belonging to the College, some of which it
will be impossible to replace, were a serious loss.

West Liberty Academy, established under the aus-
pices of Prof. A. F. Ross, until the spring of 1858, a
professor in Bethany College; and under an old act of
incorporation, assisted by the State, commenced its first
session, August, 1858.

The Female Seminary at Wellsburg, w^as 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 yet
been completed. Colleges, Female Seminaries, and
Theological Institutions abound throughout this sec-
tion.

Nor, in the anxiety to build colleges and establish
seminaries, have the people been unmindful of humbler
educational wants. The State of Pennsylvania early
established a Free School system on a magnificent 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. 267

a cost of some ^20,000, and comfortable school-houses
are thickly scattered throughout the borders of the coun-
ty. In Virginia, the law allows 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-
es, but the system does not seem to operate so satisfac-
torily as could be 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 similarly. Under the general law
of Virginia, which makes quite liberal provision for
Common Schbol education, though clogged with pro-
visions which render ^t distasteful to the classes it is
intended to benefit, the facilities for acquiring a com-
mon school education are good, and where there 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 com-
petence of its inhabitants, a fact not more honorable in
the present generation than creditable to their progen-
itors.

0H AFTER VII.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

The 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 ''ofthis 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 fateltl
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.

^69

t>us stream; and in pursuance of tlie policy of the gov-
ernment to foster the settlement of the great west, the
scheme of a great National Eoad 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. When 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 1806, 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 appointed
Commissioners to decide upon a route. The route pro-
posed by them with only one deviation at Uniontown,
was approved by President Jefferson 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 period, 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
that, *'in this, was to be consulted the wishes of that
|)opulous section of Ohio, and the connections with

270

CIVIL HISTORY.

roads leading to St. Lonis, under act of 1806/' tliej
left the question open. The route from Brownsville, to
Wheeling, was afterwards located by another commis-
sion, the engineer for whom, was a Mr. Weaver. Op-
erations on the road were commenced forthwith and up
to 1817, it had cost 81,800,000, and had moreover in
some portions become worn out so as to need extensive
repairs. The question of abandonment came up. In
1822, President Monroe issued his celebrated In'-ernal
Improvement message, in which he argues with consu-
mate ability 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,
by continuing the road west of the river Ohio. Three
Commissioners, had been aj^pointed in 1817, to
locate the western division; and it 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
2)lace. The work was executed promptly and with ap-
parent faithfulness; but subsequently, much litigation
arose on account of alleged failure to comply with the
terms of contracts in executing masonry, &c., which af-
terwards found its way into Congress in the shape of
Bills for the relief of different parties. A large amount
of money was expended by the government, and large
fortunes were made by some of the contractors out of
the proceeds. The road gained great celebrity at the
time from its magnificence of design, costly character,
the romantic country traversed and the immense trade
and travel that passed constantly over it. It became

CIVIL HISTORY. 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
highway, loaded with merchandise for the whole coun-
try, as far west as St, Louis.

Notwithstanding, however, the immense travel and
trade, the tolls were insufficient to keep it in proper re-
pair, and bidding fair to become a burden on the Federal
Treasury, a growing disposition was manifested to aban-
don or rather to transfer 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 f jr the crossing place, Wellsburg had
been the equal and formidable rival of Wheeling, and
now, when it was re-opened, she renewed her rivalry
with a desperate zeal. Topographical advantages were
confessedly in her favor both as to distance and 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 CIVIL HISTORY.

miles to tlie east of Wellsburg which he came out of his
■way to explore on one of his journeys to Washington
City, 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 cost 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 Gen. Jack-
son in 1832, he was remembered by the adherents of the
respective routes. Ohio 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, whose solitary vote was for a long time
a subject of amusement among his neighbors and ac-
quaintances. 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 vicinity 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. 273

Hoad, Phillip Doddridge, represented tliis District in
Congress. This was in 1829-32. He was a resident of
Wellsburg, 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 native place.
But the controversy seems 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 effort, 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 w^hether be 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 were never presented. The affair subjected Mr.
Doddridge to considerable animadversion. From this,
a knowledge of his character, is his best defence. He

274 CIVIL HISTORY.

was long and extensively known, and admired as a ju-
rist and statesman, his discriminating and comprehen-
sive judgement in fathoming abstruse 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 collocfuial powers of the highest order, which, being
combined with extreme simplicity of manner; rendered
him, at all times, a most fascinating and interesting-
companion. He was born near Philadelphia, in May,
1773; came to the West about the year 1785, with his
father's family; and, at an early age, applied himself
assiduously to the study of the law. He, 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, distinguished himself as well by the soundness of
Iws vie\vs as by his commanding eloquence.

In 1828, he was elected to Congress after a hotly
contested canvass, took his seat, March 4th. 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,
he died suddenly, and lies interred in the congression-
al 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 HISTORY. 2T5

some history of the Wellsburg and Washington Turn-
pike, which was originally intended, if not to take the
place of that portion of the ISTational road extending
from Washington to Wheeling, at least to divert at
the former place some portion of the s'ream of travel
in the direction of Wellsburg. It is a contemporary of
the Cnmberlarid road, and is one of the very oldest
macadamised roads west of the Allegheny mountains.
The original charter was passed in 1808. It commen-
ces in rather grandiloquent style by reciting that it "is
contemplated to build a continuous highway from the
city of Philadelpliia and from the 'Potomac' river, to
Chariestown, to intersect the Federal Highway from the
Potomac to the Ohio, at some point, between Wash-
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 stock was to be 815,000, divided into
shares of ^50 each and it was specially provided, that
all excess of profit over \5 2:>er ce?it, was to be applied
as a sinking fund for paying back the stock of the road.
Xothing, however, appears to hare been done under the
charter until about the time when the National Poad
had come into such bad repute for the want of repairs,
that there was a prospect of its abandonment from
Washington to Wheeling. The possibility of the
"Wellsburg route being adopted in that case, encouraged
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, stock was subscribed and the route surveyed
and the road actually put under contract. Considerable

•276 CIVIL HISTORY.

work Avas done on it, but public opinion was too strong -
ly in favor of the Wheeling route; the Pennsylvanians
failed to second the efforts of their Virginia neighbors
and 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 it traverses and affording a convenient outlet to the
river for the western half of Washington county.

The National Eoad 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 $300,
€00 was appropriated to put it in good repair east of the
Ohio, with the understanding that after its relinquish-
ment, the general government was t o 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 grows on 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-
niticent end. It contributed more than any other one
thing, to the rapid settlement of the west; and paid
back with interest, every dollar ever expended upon it.

THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION.

Toward the latter part of the last Century, occurred
the Whiskey Insurrection — an event, for the historv
of which, we have but little space, hut which occupied
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 spiritous
liquors t© help meet the pressing exigencies of the coun-
try. The general murmur thus occasioned, gradually
subsided, except in the western part of Pennsylvania;
and the region generally, of which we haveliDeen 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 of trade.

The country at that time had no reliable market near-
er than New Orleans; and whiskey 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 brought the ready cash. — •
Almost every spring and clear running stream had 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-J- cts. being often the extreme -pvice for a bushel of
wheat. The tax under these circumstances operated up-
on them 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, io the number of sev-
eral hundred, surrounded the 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 authorities, 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 consequences of their treasonable acts,

278 CIVIL HISTORY..

ordering tliem to disperse previous to the 1st of the en-
suing September, and providing for the calling out of
the railitia for the purpose of enforcing obedience. This
was at the instance of Jas. Wilson, Esq., associate Jus-
tice, 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 proclamation was disregarded by the Insurgents,
and on the 25th 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 chiim it. The language of the
President was strong, indignant, yet digniried, and
backed by the overwhelming force that rallied to the
!-upport of the laws, struck terror into the hearts of the
leaders. They tied the country or lurked about in dis-
guise, while their organization rapidly melted away, so
that on the approach of the troops, who numbered 15,-
000 men, accompanied by Washington himself, as far
as Carlisle, the Whiskey Boys, had become utterly in-
visible. The troops, committed many petty depreda-
tions upon the property'' of the inhabitants, which
were promptly indemnified by the Government; and
the Whiskey Rebellion was ended without blo'odshed,
by the wise exhibition of such an overwhelming force
as was sent out to suppress it.

Some of the ringleaders were arrested and imprison-
ed, but the charges were never pressed; and a general
pardon was extended to all, with a few exceptions, on
ihe sole 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 practice 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
a short period but no further disturbance occurring, they
were removed, and the Whiskey Insurrection ended.

ADAM POE AND BIG-FOOT.

The mouth of Tomlinson's Eiin, in Hancock coun-
ty, Va., was the hattle 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. We 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
from personal knowledge. Mr. Brown, possesses many
Indian relics and takes pleasure in pointing out tlie
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 rec^uires
no stretch of the imagination to presume, was the iden-
tical one in which the Big-foot brothers crossed the
Ohio, on their last marauding expedition. The tale of
the Poe fight has been so often and so well told, that
we will not repeat it here, but our correspondent gives
some 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 theTndian Towns. Simon Gir-
ty happened at the towns afterwards and through him,
he ascertained that the Indian, whose prize he was, was
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 nntil dark. He
then constructed a raft recrossed the river, and recov-
ering the bodies of his slain brothers, except that of the
one who floated off, as narrated bv the whites, he con-

280 CIVIL HISTORY.

veyed them to the Ohio side and there interred them.
He then, being wounded and the last 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 Indian virtue
in his 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
eaptive. His master would pat him on the back to en-
courage him to fight, and would applaud his manly re-
sistance. Sometimes when they would double on him,
his captor would interfere with knife and hatchet, and
cut and slash right and left. He would share with 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 Indiaji.
history, for which, we regret we have not space.

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